the directrice 
Although I am writing this post a few days in advance of Thanksgiving, I feel pretty confident saying that I am stuffed today. I love Thanksgiving dinner. Unless you are living in a bomb-shelter (surrounded by the black flats and penny loafers that you’ve stockpiled), you are aware that everything is on sale … Read more
I just bought this top from Anthropologie. Unfortunately, however, the top has precipitated a rare crisis of imagination. I had thought I would wear it over a crisp white blouse with cropped grey trousers, but when I tried it — non, non. It looked very awful. I tried five different white blouses under it … Read more
Thanksgiving week! If you don’t have to travel for work or file a big brief before (or immediately after) Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving week is a great week at the office.
I have written previously about the many virtues of large scarves (in what I believe to be one of my funniest posts), but I am equally enthusiastic about small scarves measuring 18-24″ square. We can all agree that a scarf — the right scarf — adds a certain chic to the day. Why … Read more
I promised you several weeks ago that I would lay before you the extraordinary virtues of red shoes. A pair of red shoes turns black separates (perfectly respectable clothes) into an outfit. (See this earlier post for an explanation of the taxonomy of dress.) This is the kind of outfit I put on … Read more
I will admit a guilty pleasure: I have really enjoyed the Hunger Games movies (the first two). I found them wildly entertaining, as well as well-acted and well-produced. I would not, however, list them among Good Movies for Clothes (see this post) — except that I was struck by a misshapen sweater vest that … Read more
Casual Friday: Nearly as dependable as the sun rising in the mornings and setting in the evenings! Here I am again at week’s end, with no appointments. If you are interested in this jacket-and-blouse combination in a different color combination, check out this earlier post: Casual Friday: Professorial Tweed. Jacket: JCrew; Blouse: Talbots; Scarf … Read more
Several months ago, I was musing about the revival of crop tops and suggested that they might actually be useful layering pieces. Please note: You may think this looks like fur, but it’s not. Coat of an unkempt yak? Quite possible. The content is largely wool, with some synthetic fibers mixed in. … Read more
Today is my birthday and I am 46! For any younger women reading this blog, let me assure you that good things come with age and that your 40s will be a terrific decade. Just be certain to wear sunblock while you wait for the wisdom and confidence that come with experience. … Read more
I started drafting this post more than a year ago — long before I launched this blog. My feelings about skinnies are decidedly negative, but I’ve had some difficulty wrestling them into a coherent statement until now. After a year of thinking, here it is: Skinnies are not flattering. Let me explain. I was … Read more