Casual Friday: Two Fabrics, One Blouse

  Bonjour, mes amis! It’s le weekend, as they say in France, and we are heading into my favorite time of year: fall. It’s still a little warm in Washington, but cool enough for long sleeves, if one is so inclined. The bandana-print is so naive that it has some chic all on its own. … Read more

Why We Should Dress Up for Jury Duty

  In the District of Columbia, registered voters and licensed drivers are summoned for jury duty in the Superior Court every two years, almost like clockwork.   As you can see from the pictures, I am completely respectable in Business Casual, but I’m not that dressed-up.     Out of a pool of 100 prospective … Read more

Casual Friday: Showing My Stripes

  My unbounded enthusiasm for stripes is no secret. I found this top a few months ago; the designer showed it with a matching skirt, but that seemed like a little too much stripe to me. The top is fabricated from an incredibly heavy viscose/nylon/elastane blend, which is a little perplexing because it was sold … Read more

Standing Out in a Crowd

  A couple of years ago, I got on to a partly-full Metro car and found myself sitting next to a man who began to engage in what the police call “lewd behavior.” Ugh. It seemed to me that the least confrontational way to deal with the situation was to get off the train at … Read more

Transition to Fall

  September 1st seems like a dividing line each year between summer and fall — even though, technically, Labor Day can fall anytime in the first week of September and the autumnal equinox is not until September 23rd. September 1st says back to school for me and that means summer dressing is done. But in … Read more

A Most Uncasual Friday

  Last Friday I had a hearing, which means I had to wear a suit and was unable to avail myself of the rights, privileges and benefits attached to Casual Friday. This suit is Hugo Boss but was purchased on Rue La La. It’s made of fine wool gabardine and beautifully cut. It’s traditional — … Read more