What to Wear to a Museum Day This Fall

What to Wear to a Museum Day This Fall

A museum day means hours of walking, cold galleries and the occasional good photo. This is the long coat, turtleneck, wide leg pant and loafer combination I would wear.

I think the best outfit for a museum day looks like you belong in the gallery. It should be quiet, a little architectural, and comfortable enough for four hours on your feet.

It starts with a long coat, which also solves the cloakroom problem when the galleries are warm. The Altuzarra Etting in navy is the structured one, the By Malene Birger Trullem in olive is the soft one, and the Toteme wool hoodie coat in grey is the casual one. The Another Tomorrow wrapped cashmere coat in red is for the person who wants to be found by her friends in a crowd.

Turtlenecks

A turtleneck is the best thing to wear in a gallery. It keeps you warm in the cold rooms and looks calm in the warm ones.

The Ralph Lauren cashmere turtleneck in brown and the Gabriela Hearst Courtney in grey are the cozy ones, and the Lafayette 148 jersey turtleneck in black is the slim one for under a coat. The Citizens of Humanity Leelah top in brown has a loose, drapey feel.

Wide Leg Pants

Wide leg pants move well, which matters when you are walking through eight rooms of sculpture.

The Heirlome Manuela wool-blend pair in black is the one I would wear with everything, and the Carolina Herrera cotton sateen pants in white are the crisp, bright option. The ELCE striped pair in purple and the Rosie Assoulin floral jacquard pants are the ones for a museum day with a bit of art in the outfit.

Comfortable Loafers

You will walk more than you plan to, so the shoe has to be good. Loafers are the answer, because they look polished and feel easy.

The Prada loafers in dark chocolate leather have a bit of weight, the Max Mara and Saint Laurent loafers in black are the classics, and The Row soft moccasins are the flat, relaxed ones. Break any new pair in before the day, not during it.

Look Like You Belong in the Gallery

A long coat, a turtleneck, a wide leg pant and shoes for walking. Dress for a long afternoon and the day will take care of itself.

If this is the kind of week you are dressing for, I would also read my notes on fall brunch outfits, fall work outfits, weekend errands outfits and long coat outfits.