A bright t-shirt could be the unlikely bridge layer you’re looking for

Supposing that you are, in fact, looking for a bridge

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The prevailing thesis I have committed to for spring is that there’s no linear way to get dressed — the weather vacillates between winter (boo dark sweaters) and inklings of summer and on the rare day that it is actually spring — that you can wear the fantasy outfit with its lightweight jacket and pastel knits and pants with gold buttons, etc., etc., it is just that: rare. So it never has a chance to become a genuine, codified habit or ritual. You never have a chance to really make the style your own.

I think I give up on trying to get “dressed for spring.” I’m just gonna get dressed instead — treat the season like a bridge and the clothes like cars that don’t have to pay the toll because I did it for them. I’m bankrolling their E-ZPass!

Or something like that — I don’t know, I messed up the metaphor because now is when I tell you that a bright red t-shirt has actually become my preferred bridge garment (as opposed to car garment) of the season.

Indeed, every time I put it on the rest of my clothes come more alive.

It can make another basic like plain old jeans look a little more interesting.

Case in point, these light wash jeans — a particularly good wash for a bright-colored t-shirt. Shown here with Gabriela Hearst boat shoes, but Sperry Topsiders are just as good and a silk scarf to tie 4 yourself.

Surprise even your own understanding of layering’s possibilities

Any sleeveless tea dress would be great here — I saw this one from Cecilie Bahnsen ($$), but I’m pretty into this guy for $290 from Sleeper too, or this one for $135 from Cos. Not no to 97% off Armani either! The trench coat is from Closed (also into this peachy thing for $32 from Etsy) and the slingbacks are Roger Vivier

Or make a relatively formal thing less formal/more dynamic.

I wore this to see Macbeth last week! Do I look like I Go to The Theater? Cos tee, Emi Mess pants, Khaite kitten heels (most sim. to these but love these too, and these r a good budget option), a Metier clutch

It doesn’t have to be the main event to help put on a good show

Turns out Converse sneakers are an unsung hero of Spring dressing

And might encourage you to invent your own kind of suit.

See what I did here? Plus! Another way to wear a scarf.

One more proof of good-show-put-on:

Patou trousers (these from Karen Millen for $232 are great, and here r sum from TRR), La Veste jacket around waist, Gabriela Hearst sandals — would you ever?

It’s also a meat layer in the sandwich when you’re wearing button-down shirts as jackets

More Emi Mess pants! With a polo button down (pastel pink is a good vibe) and Chanel flats/a Savette bag (I like this for $168 for now). Here’s another pair of good bright ballet flats.

Polo shirt, Khakis from The Row’s sample sale (they have to be modeled after a pair of men’s pants; I have searched high and low and these r the closest comp), Maria Luca sandals

Or vests as shirts, for that matter.

Gabriel Forsach vest, Moussy jeans, Gucci shoes

The basic point is that they’re a great way to soup up basics. This rec is not a silver bullet solution to make difficult garments easier to wear. It’s more like a way to not try when you don’t want to (go on, slap on some jeans), but still exude some healthy cheer. To soup yourself up when you’re kind of watered down!

In this way, they actually serve the opposite purpose to that of a neutral-colored t-shirt (see: grey) which tends to function as the quelling factor/water down for otherwise souped-up items.

My fav way to wear is with a button-down and trousers, but something about the vibrancy of the color against very light wash denim gets me good too.

Bottega has this idea that they’ve got you for $500, and I could be convinced to help you justify this more electric one with an embroidered mushroom on the front for $350 but tbh, the best one is from Cos. There’s this lighter one for $25 but what I’m wearing is the $39 choice.

The fabric’s kind of heavy so the shirt holds its own weight. Solid tight neckline which makes it good for layering (put a crew neck over and some red will still peek through) and the overall fit is shrunken enough to tuck in without thinking twice but still boxy enough to let free ball like a pair of testicles alone in bed.

What? I have to go!

Signing off your pal,

Robertine