The French way with a wardrobe
The Story
Soeur began in 2007 with two sisters, Domitille and Angélique Brion: one designs, one runs the business. Their first shop opened a year later at 88 rue Bonaparte in Paris. The idea has not moved since: a wardrobe that borrows from menswear, cut for women of every age, from mills chosen for what they do best rather than what they cost.
Sevres Blazer · Felix Trouser · Darlington Tote · Shop Soeur
Fabric & Construction: Reading a knit
Extrafine merino is graded by the width of the fiber; the finer it is, the softer it sits against skin, which is why the Base Marla crew can be worn without a layer underneath. A cable is made by crossing one group of stitches over another, row after row; the Beth crew winds its cables in a serpentine line. Melange means the wool was dyed before it was spun, several shades twisted into one yarn.
Beth Serpentine Cable Crew · Marla Extrafine Merino Crew
Color: Winter pine, estate plaid, cream
Fair Isle knitting comes from the Shetland Islands: patterned bands worked in two colors per row, the unused yarn carried behind the work, which makes the fabric warmer and denser than a plain knit. Pair the Arctic Fairisle with the estate plaid of the shawl-collar coat and the cream of the Fuzzy Bomber for a holiday palette that never needs a sequin.
On Our Radar: SPRWMN, in leather
Our first pieces from SPRWMN, a label that treats leather the way most people treat denim. The Baggy Lowrise Trouser is cut full through the leg and sits low on the hip, so it falls straight instead of clinging. Wear it with a fine knit and a flat shoe.
How to Wear It: Four pieces, four ways
The Pattern. The Great Argyle Menswear Cardigan: button it all the way and wear it as a sweater; tuck the front into a straight jean.
The Fit. ASKK NY Edge Jean: hem it to graze the top of a loafer and wear it with dark knits.
The Texture. Clare V. Le Tabac Clutch: the one loud thing, with all black or navy and cream.
The Color. LESET Rio Pant in Chocolate: everything black does, with more warmth. Black, navy or slate on top.
The Basics, Finished
The LESET Margo Layered Long Sleeve goes under the Soeur Sevres Blazer with both sleeves pushed to the forearm. The Lauren turtleneck goes under everything. A fitted scoop tank under an open cardigan makes a neckline you can see: the difference between dressed and just warm.
From the Archive: Three generations
Grethen House opened in Clear Lake, Iowa, in 1953. The same family has run it for three generations since. The job hasn't changed: buy the pieces worth keeping, and know the women who wear them.
