A study in contrast: rigid outerwear over fluid layering pieces, matte against shine, structure against slouch. The tension between opposites is exactly the point.
Surface Tension
Best layering basics work because they let contrast do the styling. I’m building around light- and medium-wash jeans, TENCEL work shirts, crisp poplin, and a striped cashmere crewneck, with pieces from J.Crew, MW, Everlane, Princess Polly, and Lioness that move between structure and softness.
Classic jean in light wash
J.Crew
$139
Technical Zip Overshirt
REISS
$127.5
Poplin shirt with point collar
J.Crew
$165
Classic jean in medium wash Japanese selvedge denim
J.Crew
$139
Midweight cashmere crewneck sweater in stripe
J.Crew
$1,150
568 Loose Straight Fit Carpenter Jeans in Put In Work
Levi's
$59.46
Allday Tee in Cotton-Linen Blend
MW
$30
Waffle-Knit Sweatshirt
MW
$88
The Palmer Straight Fit Shorts
Joe's Jeans
$44.25
Straight jeans
Winnie New York
$187
Relaxed distressed straight jeans
Frame
$297
Faded straight jeans
RRL
$425
Hughes Jacket Dark Wash Denim
us.princesspolly.com
$79
Penny asymmetric button detail relaxed leg jeans in mid wash
lionessfashion.com
$110
Exaggerated Barrel jean
J.Crew
$158
The Way-High Gardener Cropped Jean
Everlane
$74
Bishopsgate Straight Fit 31.5" Jeans in Light Wash
REISS
$84.75
Tapered Slim Fit Jeans in Mid Blue Wash
REISS
$175
The Asher 34" Slim Fit Jeans
Joe's Jeans
$105.75
578 Baggy Fit Cotton 32" Jeans in Bags to Riches
Levi's
$98
568 Loose Straight Fit Carpenter Jeans in Dried Oregano
Levi's
$84.95
578 Cotton Baggy Straight Fit 32" Jeans in Grounding
Levi's
$110
The Brixton Straight Slim Fit Jeans in Rye
Joe's Jeans
$148.5
x McLaren Parsec Racing Relaxed Speedmark Jeans in Soft Blue
REISS
$173
Men's Classic Fit Jeans Signature Stretch Denim Black Wash
Mugsy
$118
Varick Slim Straight Jean in Blue
Polo Ralph Lauren
$125
Esslin Relaxed Jean in Stark White
Rodd & Gunn
$99
Fit 2 Slim-Fit Stretch-Denim Jeans
Rag & Bone
$200
L'Homme Slim-Fit Stretch-Denim Jeans
FRAME
$210
Jean Camp-Collar Cotton-Piqué Shirt
Altea
$245
Denim Shirt
FrizmWORKS
$195
Loop Cord-Trimmed Denim Shirt
Folk
$220
Erreto Long Sleeve Denim Jacquard Overshirt
Ted Baker
$199
Western Denim Shirt
Mr P.
$240
Bespoke Hoodie
Joe's Jeans
$138.6
Cotton Diagonal Logo Garment Wash Hoodie
L/AB c/o Off-White
$165
Tapered Cotton-Blend Jersey Sweatpants
FrizmWORKS
$160
Straight-Leg Supima Cotton-Jersey Sweatpants
James Perse
$165
Loopback Supima Cotton-Jersey Sweatpants
James Perse
$165
Denim Trucker Jacket
Polo Ralph Lauren
$200
Organic Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
mfpen
$105
Switch Cotton Blend 8.7" Jean Shorts
ALLSAINTS
$111.75
90'S Jean Mid Rise Jeans in Bone
AGOLDE
$238
Arvon Vintage Wash Slub Western Shirt
John Varvatos
$168
Straight Fit Carlson Jeans in Carlson Wash
Madewell
$148
The 1991 Loose Straight 32" Jeans in Ashford Wash
Madewell
$148
Patched slim jeans
RRL
$300
L'Homme mid-rise slim jeans
Frame
$335
