A Matter of Proportions

  The trick in pairing separates (i.e., a jacket and pants) is balance. The more extreme the silhouette, the greater the need for balance.   Jacket: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Sweater (under jacket): JCrew Cashmere Sleeveless Shell; Pants: Eileen Fisher; Shoes: Taryn Rose; Scarf: Coach; Bag: Coach Borough bag

The Standby

  Do you ever have days when you just don’t have the energy or mental fortitude to pick out any outfit? On such days, it’s useful to have a uniform to fall back on.   Mine is grey pants, white blouse, grey sweater vest. Like this:         The Beautiful Thing was a … Read more

The Directrice Takes the Air

  As with many busy women, exercise is something I try to fit into the corners of my day. During the week my walks are all business, but on the weekend there is time for meandering. My route typically includes one bakery (sometimes two) and a neighborhood shop that sells the cutest athletic wear, Core … Read more

Sort of Like a PSA

  It seems to me that a post featuring a garment that is not only available on-line, but heavily discounted is sort of like a public service announcement, no?   Jacket: Marissa Webb Nadeen jacket available here; Striped jersey: JCrew (you may remember it from this earlier post); Polo (under striped jersey): White+Warren; Jeans: JCrew: … Read more

Dress Like No One Is Watching

  Scarcely anyone is in the office this week. You know what that means. What I really want to share with you is my Christmas tree, which my husband, a friend, and I put up this evening. In a moment of precipitous executive functioning, I chose a slightly undersized tree. It’s so hard to gauge … Read more

Advanced Topics in Pattern Mixing

  I generally favor clothes in solid colors and monochromatic palettes, which is a little odd because my house is filled with pattern and color. Perhaps it’s not so odd because . . . a person is not a sofa.   But let’s have a word about the sweater. This sweater features a little pattern-mixing … Read more

Pink Loves Cranberry

  The Procurement Department of Directrice Global Industries Ltd. is working on acquiring a couple of pieces needed to execute your ideas — which coalesced around slim jersey tops and wide-legged cropped pants — but for now, let me show you the casual look I came up with.    

The Need for Sleeves

  I read on Already Pretty that sleeveless dresses became the norm a few years ago in part because designers find them easier to design. (Apparently, designers think it’s hard to design an attractive sleeve that is not overly constricting.) Be that as it may, working women need at least a few dresses with sleeves, … Read more