I have never bought the idea that if you find an article of clothing that works well for you, you should purchase it in more than one color—because the same top that looks fantastic in navy might very well fall flat in red. But as soon as I purchased the above Ace Shirt from the brand Cali Dreaming—in light blue, and on a visit to L.A. a few years ago—I knew I wanted more of them. It’s truly the perfect cotton button-down, with a slightly slouchy fit, and a look that comes off a touch more feminine than a typical menswear button-down. I wore it into the ground, and then ordered a black one that I reached for even more. And then a couple of years later, not long after I moved to Brooklyn, I ordered two more: one in white, and one in army green. That package got lost in the mail for months, and was only just delivered last week, and now I wear these four shirts almost to the exclusion of everything else. The Cali Dreaming site currently only offers the two colors above, but I found other hues here (where they’re also nicely marked down), here, and also here.
I’m a huge fan of “multiples” of certain items. Being short, it is really hard for me to find “maxi” dresses that fit, so when I find them, I grab all I can get. Same with jeans. And winter hats, because I KNOW I’ll lose them.
And winter gloves. I lose winter gloves. One of the great thing about cropped jeans is I can wear them as full length jeans without having them hemmed. (sigh)
I lose gloves, too, and for some reason never think to buy multiples. Sigh. And all of my jeans are purportedly “cropped.”
How sheer is it? That’s one of my criteria for shirts – I don’t like too much see-through.
The lighter-colored ones are very slightly sheer, the darker ones much less so.
How do these wash? Looks like the care label says hand wash, line dry. That would be a dealbreaker for me.
I love the way this shirt drapes. I sometimes think draping is everything as our bodies age hiding all the lumps and bumps. A couple of weeks ago I purchased an AYR button down and fell in love immediately so am thinking I might have to purchase a couple more before I head back to Austin. As I get older I’m more inclined to purchase in multiples and lean toward “uniform” dressing––no doubt this tendency has been influenced by Covid.
Kim – I am wondering about sizing. I like my button downs to fit loose but not too loose. All sizing suggestions welcome.
I ordered one in dark blue and should have it in the next day or so. I’ll let you know about the sizing…:)
The shirt arrived today, it is perfect just as Kim said!! Super soft, drapes like a dream and is prettier than a regular button down. The dark blue is not sheer. I am 5’6 and a size 8 and got it in a medium which is looser on me than I normally prefer, I think a small would have been perfect. Hoping it shrinks a little when I wash it but it’s not a deal breaker. I love it and thank you Kim for sharing such and excellent find!!!
Right?? Loose but not like you’re swimming in it.
Of course I wandered over to other items on the site, as one does. I was amused at the styling of the photo for the Collared Boy Shirt, in which the model appears to be showing us how comprehensive her bikini wax was. Is that how they sell shirts these days?
This is not a relevant time to say this, but, I really enjoyed “Pretend It’s a City.” Fran is just my sort of cranky.