Gather ’round, Directorate!
This is a historic (an historic) post: No. 700.
How have I managed to write 700 posts about what I wear to work? The mind reels. Of the 700, approximately 30 are travel posts — which now have their own category to the right on the home page. Easy to binge! Another 20 or so posts are issue-oriented — addressing issues like Tote Bags and Red Shoes. Ten posts are select round-ups of previous posts. Two are encomiums, devoted to my deceased cats Harper (Harper the Just) and Posy (P. Fossil). That leaves approximately 640 posts documenting . . . my work clothes.
Is that too much of a good thing? You decide, Directorate. Personally, I don’t think you can really have too much of a good thing.
Consider, for instance, the sundresses featured in today’s post.
As we’ve previously discussed, the cotton maxi dress is a tricky thing. Too dressy for work, not dressy enough for a dressy occasion. If only I were a brunch eater.
I went to Nashville a few weekends ago for a board meeting. I packed my normal summer travel kit (knee length and midi sundresses) not realizing that there is a Nashville Uniform adopted by all tourists: cropped top, Daisy Duke cut-offs, and cowboy boots. Cowboy hat is optional.
I really stood out! Stood out like a member of an obscure, conservative religious sect (possibly cult), interacting for the first time with the secular (honky tonk) world. I can’t remember a time that I felt more conspicuous.
I did not bring this dress, part of Anthropologie’s unstoppable Somerset Franchise this year. I love the bar code print.
A maxi dress wouldn’t have felt right at my firm, but I think I could wear one to my non-profit. Can I wear this one? Or is it too bare? Not sure.
I scooped up this Ulla Johnson dress on The RealReal last year. The RealReal is an excellent source for Ulla Johnson dresses at great prices. Remember: Good things come to greedy people who wait.
A black cotton poplin dress can be your best friend in the summer. It hides sweat and all sorts of food and beverages that you might eat at a ballgame or BBQ. But it does not hide sunscreen. You need a floral dress for that.
There is a lot of dress here — a Ulla Johnson (an Ulla Johnson) hallmark — which is sort of wrangled with the belt.
The flutter sleeves are nice touch, providing some protection from the sun if you are briefly outside without sunscreen.
The fabric has a lot of structure, which keeps it away from the body. That’s a form of ventilation.
The best part of this dress may be the exaggerated shirt-tail hem. Very graceful in motion.
Turning back to the topline of this post (No. 700!), let me take this opportunity to thank you, Dear Readers, for your time and attention. We (you, The Photographer, and I) have been doing this for 9 years and without you, there would be no Directrice. I love your comments!
First dress: Anthropologie Somerset Maxi Dress: Poplin Halter Edition (that colon appears in the name of the dress on the Anthropologie website!); Second dress: Ulla Johnson from The RealReal
Bravo!
Love both dresses and love you! Congrats on 700! Amazing!
Congratulations—continue to love your creative dressing and writing.
I do recommend the travel posts! We’ve been to South America three times (Chile in 2017, Argentina and Patagonia in 2019, and Ecuador and the Galapagos in 2023) and we Directrice’d them all. You can find them on the right side of the screen, or perhaps the bottom if you’re using a phone, under “Archives.” It’s the second entry from the bottom.
One of my favorites is https://thedirectrice.com/a-remarkable-spot/.
Thank you, thank you,thank you.
I do so appreciate your love of clothes and adornment and your joy in sharing your joy.
Never too much of a good thing – hope you keep sharing your posts. They are always more than just about clothes
Congratulations! Seven hundred is quite an achievement. I appreciate your thoughtful style, patient and witty discussion of sartorial matters, and photo accompaniments. The captions are like a special humorous treat in tiny font.
The travel posts are so fun! Here’s to 700!
I love your posts! Your style is so charming and your travel stories are so inspiring! I know what you mean about feeling overdressed on vacation: I was just in London, where everyone seems to be competing to see how much skin they can reveal and still be considered dressed.
I’m always grateful to see your posts and get inspiration to dress myself with imagination and verve. I can’t remember who said “dressing well is a sign of self-respect.” Regardless, I’m so glad you keep churning out these wonderful outfit and accessory posts.
The sundress would be too much skin at my place of work, however the weekend begs for it. Keep on posting Directrice! You make the internet a better place!
Happy 700!
700! Huzzah!
Pretty sure I’ve read them all. Wonderful! And please keep it going.
Happy anniversary! Here’s to the next hundred <3.
Congratulations on reaching 700 posts! I believe I’ve been here for the duration and have enjoyed them all. (I, too, miss the cats.) You and the photographer make a delightful team. Thank you for your humor and creativity. I’ll surely be along for the next 700!
Congratulations! I love your updates and charming writing.