Longitude! The Virtues of Vertical Stripes

  Several weeks ago we caucused to discuss stripes and their virtues. The topic was so vast and complex that I could only cover horizontal stripes in that initial post. Now we praise vertical stripes. They say that vertical stripes are thinning, or lengthening, or elongating, but I don’t really think that’s true. They are, … Read more

The Small but Smart Wardrobe

  In my desultory survey of style books — conducted in the rather anemic fashion/style section of Politics & Prose — I have observed that most writers sketch out the basics of a minimal wardrobe that is supposed to see one through . . . what exactly, I don’t know. The size of one’s wardrobe … Read more

Casual Friday: Vintage Floral Modernized

  Several weeks ago I posted some highly controversial musings on The Fatal Allure of Prints, in which I confessed a push-pull relationship with print dresses and suggested that the desire for prints might be sublimated more wisely in printed blouses. The print is very old-fashioned, which makes it interesting as a slinky camisole. Because … Read more

An Emphatically Structured Dress

  I generally dress in solid colors, but I like details in my clothes. My shoes . . . they may be a little too bare for business casual, but the dress code in my office is not very stringently enforced. I’ve worn this dress with these dressy suede sandals and with black ballet flats. … Read more

The Case for Impulse Purchases

  If you are looking for advice on how to dress (appropriately, stylishly, thriftily) — there’s a lot of guidance out there. A common theme in these books is the need for discipline — list-making, budgeting and dressing-room tactics — and it’s good advice. I’m dispensing some of that advice on this blog. But here … Read more

High Business Casual (summer ed.)

  When the temperature rises, dress code standards tend to fall — but some days one still has to look like a lawyer to attend a mediation or hearing. Under those circumstances I put on the summer edition of The Black Suit. I like an ivory blouse under an ivory jacket. A navy blouse would … Read more

Know Your Assets

  I have three closets for clothes storage — two in my bedroom and one in the guest room (which is actually a sitting room . . . where we watch TV). I use the TV room closet for off-season clothes, which means every May and October, there is a weekend of transitioning, where I … Read more

Smocked!

  Smocking is indisputably adorable in children’s clothes, but I love the effect in women’s summer clothes, too. This blouse is made of gauzy cotton (actually, 72% cotton, 28% silk) — two layers — and is a little too full. I think I may have it taken in, down the sides, a couple of inches. … Read more

Voting with Your Wallet

  For many people, clothing is medium of artistic self-expression. Clothing can also be a way to express, and advance, your values — and given that clothing might be the largest discretionary line-item in your budget, that’s worth thinking about. What do I mean? I am not talking about wearing slogan t-shirts. (Remember: Legible clothing … Read more