I feel compelled to remind you periodically — and you may feel that I remind you frequently — that I do not have an endless wardrobe.
Isn’t it instructive, even life-affirming, to see me re-wear things?
I think it is. But whether it is or isn’t, it’s happening.
It’s hard to say what is the greater source of satisfaction: creating an entirely new outfit from old pieces or recreating an old outfit with new pieces.
You may remember this jacket and trousers from 2016. I wore them then with a printed red top. Today, I am wearing them with a white band-collared blouse and a red taffeta camisole.
The previous red top was a bluer red, a beautiful color. This camisole is an orange fiery red, which is really appealing to me right now. It looks like a flame.
An unexpected benefit of wearing the white blouse as a base layer is that it is protecting the back of my neck from the coarse fabric of the jacket, which is a little scratchy.
Reasonable minds could wonder why I was wearing a slightly scratchy jacket in the first place. Fair enough. But now it’s a win-win.
For those who want to see the layering with their own two eyes, I have included a shot with the jacket undone. I would not wear the jacket undone, however.
This background is merely prelude to the main event: the brooch.
This brooch is another consignment find.
I love its essential contradictions: it’s utilitarian and glamorous, simple and complex, comprehensible and absurd.
I’ve been wearing this pin a lot. It adds a delightful note to almost any business ensemble.
Friends: A word of warning. I am having increasing difficulty formatting these posts, which suggests to me that I am overdue for many WordPress/plug-in updates. I fear that when I attempt to bring the backend of the site up-to-date, the whole thing may collapse. Thus, I am warning you now that I may involuntarily go off-line for a few days. Cross your fingers.
Jacket: Dondup; Blouse, Camisole, Pants: JCrew; Brooch: Sonia Rykiel from The RealReal; Bag: Coach; Shoes: Taryn Rose
I love everything about this outfit! So many interesting details, yet still understated. I instantly suspected the colour of the camisole to be J.Crew’s Bright Cerise, a chameleon colour that seems to pair well with almost anything. I love the brooch, you have described it perfectly.
I’m glad you found a way to mitigate the itchiness of the jacket because it is absolutely fabulous. I love the whole outfit and I can’t believe you found that pin at a consignment store.
That is a jeweled diaper pin for a large & glamorous baby. How lucky we are to have opposable thumbs!
the shot of red is brilliant!
Check out those seams in the jacket – of course you’d persist with it despite a little scratchiness.
Inventive,interesting, and really attractive use of what is already available to you.
Whoever gave up that pin must have either overdosed on Marie Kondo or needed bail money fast…