We’ve discussed the virtues of dresses before. The ease of wearing a dress (efficiency, comfort) has caused me to allocate a substantial percentage of my wardrobe budget to dresses. I write that as though I actually have a clothing budget that is diligently planned and then executed. Non, non. It is more accurate … Read more
I love end-of-the-season sales. Have you ever noticed how things you’ve never seen before suddenly appear in the end-of-season sales? Or we could compare, side-by-side. Who Wore It Better? Sweater: Nanette Lepore; Charcoal shell: Brooks Brothers; Charcoal pants: Eileen Fisher; Grey shell: JCrew; Grey Pants: JCrew Campbell cropped pants; Shoes: French Sole New … Read more
When I decide on a goal, I can pursue it very single-mindedly . . . well past the edge of reason and good sense. Remember Operation YeLLoWbAG? As you can see above, all of the lacing is done on the model. I, however, just wanted to use the lacing to cinch the blouse above … Read more
During the cold weather months, I wear lots of dark, neutral colors. One of the great things about neutral colors — and they have many virtues — is that neutrals can be combined very easily. A few combined make a sophisticated (though understated) palette. Sweater: Tory Burch; Blouse: JCrew; Pants: JCrew; Shoes: French Sole … Read more
If the first principle of being well-dressed is selecting clothes that are beautiful and flatter your figure, surely the second principle is putting those carefully selected clothes to work in numerous outfits. As The Directrice passes its one year anniversary, we will be cycling through the seasons for a second time. This means … Read more
On more than one occasion, we’ve talked about the benefits of sweater dressing. There is something very comforting in wrapping oneself — cocooning oneself — in soft warm wool clothes. If you have experimented with sweater-coats, or can recommend a current season sweater-coat, please chime in! Sweater-coat: Theory; Striped jersey: Ann Taylor; … Read more
I think the Groundhog didn’t see his shadow on February 2nd. And that means an early spring? Or does it mean 6 more weeks of winter? I grew up in New Hampshire and have always found this very confusing. In New Hampshire, if spring starts in mid-March, that is an early spring. Regardless, the … Read more
Last fall, I showed you — in all seriousness — how to wear a bustier to work as part of a Business Casual outfit. I also promised to show you how I have worn it on Casual Friday and on the weekends. Let it never be said that The Directrice doesn’t honor her promises, … Read more
A few weeks ago, I cracked a question that has occupied philosophers for centuries: Can an outfit be cooler than its wearer? This layered skirt has two distinct elements: a column-style underskirt made of a crisp, striped silk that is covered by a wool gabardine wrap skirt. The underskirt is effectively an insurance policy … Read more
I am not thrilled to be falling in with the magazine and catalog editors who are now referring to every striking or unusual garment as a “statement” piece — e.g., statement blouse, statement skirt, etc. Had I started this trend, I would have gone with arresting or singular. But that ship has sailed, so … Read more