“Prachtig.”

1:53 a.m.

Amsterdam.

She’s sitting in Het Hok, a “brown” café (the browns are filled with smoke and mismatched chairs; the whites for being seen). Playing chess for money but hadn’t bothered bringing any. She moves her rook, runs her thumb against her vest, untying it.

“Checkmate,” she whispers in a southern American accent.

“Prachtig,” says the man behind me.

She wipes the court with a Master, swallows her beer, tucks her long hair into her vest, and at 2 a.m. elegantly pedals off into the night.

I pass her on Keizersgracht later that afternoon, tulips in her bike basket, portfolio strapped to her back like a black sail. She’s still wearing this vest, still unselfconsciously, prachtig.

Beautiful Vest (No. 3756). Made with a combination of colors, like cotton candy, sweet, satisfying, and soft. French seams. Tie closure in front. Low scoop neckline shape. Silk embroidery and appliquéd details on side fronts above bust.

Imported.

Women’s sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL.

Color: Pink Multi.