I am nothing if not a creature of a habit: From the moment I tried my first Margo tee, I was in it for the long haul. True to my Scorpio traits, there are few white T-shirts I’ve worn and written about as often and with as much verve as Leset’s. Cut to perfection, its elevated simplicity instantly filled a gap in my wardrobe—one I’m always trying to edit down to make as cohesive as possible. It’s a personal endeavor, mildly ambitious but with tangible rewards. Sometimes it veers into uniform dressing; but mostly, it’s about simplifying choices and wearing more of what I love.
Comfort and polish is what founder Lili Chemla’s vision is rooted in, and that refined ease is what keeps me coming back for more. My closet might be a perennial work in progress, but many of my foundational pieces are from Leset: My go-to silk pants? There’s only life after I discovered the cropped Barb. A lightweight layer to throw on for work? I’m not one for hyperboles, but the Kyoto trench coat really does looks good with almost everything. A cozy weekend outfit? Let it be pointelle or nothing at all.
My love for Leset started with a white tee, so I thought it only fitting that my visit to their Bleecker Street boutique, a quiet haven in the heart of the West Village, would take you back to the beginning. Follow along at your pace, one T-shirt at a time.
The Margo, Three Ways
The perfect T-shirt does exist, and it’s the Margo. The only short-sleeve crewneck I have eyes for, I wear one of its classic colors almost everyday—the white, of course, and more recently, the midnight navy and chocolate brown. I have the S on throughout, for a relaxed fit that’s neither too boxy nor too cropped—I like this size best with jeans or my lace-trimmed Barb pants for a polished yet at-ease look. The XS wears just a hair tighter and therefore looks better with a skirt if you ask me. Layer a long-sleeve underneath—or avoid the extra bulk with this one that does it for you. Made from 100% cotton, it’s easy to care for, just how I like it: Wash on cold and lay flat to dry. If you want a colored tee, seasonal hues (stripes included) are routinely rotated in—a bright red, “Lipstick,” is sure to trigger your dopamine receptors.
Pretty in Pointelle
This is my Sunday uniform, on those days when the most exciting thing I have planned is a morning run and a one-bowl cake recipe. The pointelle fabric is the softest ever; the grown-up version of the Petit Bateau ones my mom used to get for me. I love both the short and long-sleeves for layering, but you’re spoilt for choice here: There are tanks, cardigans, and sleeveless tops, plus cropped and full-length versions of the boxer-inspired pants. The cropped is the perfect ankle length for my 5’1 height—I’ll happily take one in every color. They work with sneakers, but I’m partial to pairing to them with ballet flats and a long black coat for a more dressy feel. The cropped Lauren pant, crafted from a cloud-soft brushed jersey, is comparable in fit and comfort. Wear it on a long-haul flight with a cashmere sweater and seat 44E might just feel like 4E.
Leset
pointelle slim fit long sleeve
Leset
pointelle slim fit long sleeve
Easy Does It in the Kyoto
Pants are my white whale—I’ll never stop searching for the perfect ones. It’s taken me the better half of the year to find the Kyoto Carpenter in the color (chocolate brown) and size (XS) I wanted and I have only been adding to my rotation since (I’m wearing the dark blue as I write this). A little sporty, a little cool, it’s the kind of pant you reach for on any given day and immediately feel good in. Fit highlights include a mid-rise that sits at the natural waist, a cropped hem (read: an ankle-length for me), and just enough cheek separation to prevent pouching in the front and back. The washed cotton has a nice hand-feel that somehow still retains its stiffness and structure—I like the look when softened with a cashmere knit, and a simple pointelle tee.
Same, Same but Different
Leset’s pull, for me at least, is how effortlessly you can mix and match the clothes. Yes, you can do that with pieces from the various core lines for a full look, but everything can also coexist beautifully with what’s already my wardrobe. It’s something I’m guilty of telling myself to justify a new purchase; rarer still, when it turns out to be the truth.
Holiday Hues
It’s not all basics, or loungewear, anymore at Leset—its early holiday drop includes silky, wool, and cashmere separates in rich shades of red and maroon. A few favorites here: the James polo and Jane Carpenter pant. Argyle is the new Fair Isle and this merlot and navy take is the only one you need this season. Its sleeveless turtlenecks are excellent for layering without the bulk—the light blue James is spun from a heavenly soft merino wool and feels, in spirit, very Rachel Green. For something a little more light-as-air, try the Lauren version—I couldn’t leave the store without the brown, it also looks wonderful underneath the Jesse zip cardigan seen above. The Jane pant is similar to the Kyoto above, with topstitched panels and a drawstring waist, but made from RWS certified wool that’s weighty and perfectly pleasant to wear right now. Sizing is consistent throughout—I have an XS on here again.
Leset
James argyle polo sweater
Leset
James sleeveless turtleneck
