Exploring The Grey Area

 

 

(Gregory DelliCarpini Jr: Knit: Jack Henry New York/ Trousers: Jack Henry New York/ Shoes: Mark McNairy/ Sunglasses: Han Kjøbenhavn)

(Jamie DelliCarpini: Jacket: Han Kjøbenhavn /Sweatshirt: Jack Henry New York/ Pants: Mark McNairy)

How bland is grey in the winter? Not Dorian Grey, there’s nothing ho-hum about that fellow. I’m talking the hue.

It’s a reasonable enquiry — one that used to be cut-and-dried. But sartorial rules continue to go extinct and Thom Browne and Fendi later confirmed this with a profuse and layered use of the tone in their Fall 2014 collections.

I think I forgot where the initial inspiration came from, Browne’s was something about the hunted and the hunters, right? Anyway, grey doesn’t always have to come from a functional and wearable place. But sometimes, especially when it’s 20 something degrees, it’s healthy to blend frivolous nature with a sprinkle of function.

The concept of shades of grey and cable knit turtlenecks did not abruptly take form in my mind as if by divine intervention. It slowly worked its way into my urban wardrobe after temperatures started to plummet and my long-romanticized concept of crop tops and brightly colored tanks started to fade, along with the sunlight and outdoor Saturday brunching.

My brother Jamie and I explored the grey area of grey winter dressing and breaking sartorial rules this past weekend. I went for a refined look incorporating a cable knit turtleneck that would be both office and holiday party appropriate paired with white chukka boots, as Jamie explored a casual weekend option in grey jogger pants with a pop of yellow stripe action. We both decided to ad a punch to our shades of grey, because why not, with the addition of the hue’s always smart parents: Mr. Black and Mrs. White.