In searching for white dresses for you, I found a new white dress for myself and therefore decided to do one last Woman in White post as summer winds down. For those of you who are leery of white dresses, I hear your concerns: sunscreen, coffee, tiny jam and ketchup handprints. This dress comes … Read more
What are the essentials of a jewelry box? And how should one acquire them? If I were following general conventions of expository writing, I would walk you through the essentials, then explain the acquisition, and then boil all of that information down to a prescriptive summation. But rather than allow a whole bunch of … Read more
Several weeks ago, I declared white dresses to be the essence of summer. No one expressly contradicted me (your silence, as always, was taken as tacit agreement), so here I am, back with another white dress. Perhaps you’re thinking, “Directrice, have you lost your mind? You can’t wear that strappy dress to work!” If … Read more
It’s another casual Friday. In Washington D.C. during the summer, that means layering for extreme temperatures: 100 degrees outside, commercial freezer inside. Everyone loves this scarf. Jacket: United Colors of Benetton; Top: Blaque Label; Jeans: Lucky Brand; Scarf: Tory Burch: Bag: Tory Burch York Buckle Tote in Pale Oak; Shoes: French Sole New York; … Read more
Have you ever gotten dressed and realized that while you look totally presentable — perhaps even good — you look a little dull? If the fundamentals are sound, you probably need just a little something to make the outfit really work. That something is often a belt, a pin or a small scarf around … Read more
Last week I showed you my pink, loose-fitting summer dress and warned you that I bought it in a second color. Here it is! The skirt of this dress is bias cut and asymmetical; one side is fuller than the other and the hem is uneven, which you can see in this picture. The … Read more
My husband bought this little jacket for me a few years ago as a birthday present. I was very impressed with his choice, which was the product of deductive reasoning and limited sampling rather than an aesthetic vision. He’s not terribly interested in clothes, but he knows that I get some of my casual … Read more
As we move into the summer, you will be seeing more color and more dresses in my posts. A cotton or linen dress (or cotton or linen mixed with a little silk, which creates a beautiful blend) is just the thing to wear in the heat. This dress is a lightweight but stiff cotton … Read more
Summer has stolen a march on Spring in Washington, D.C. It’s hot and I am not ready for heat — physically, psychologically or sartorially. But one change that is fairly easy to make is switching from my winter bag[s] to my summer bag[s].[1] I use my black bag[s] year-round, but in the warmer months … Read more
Traditional style guidance has said that large jewelry is not flattering to, or elegant on, small women. But opinions about beauty, diversity, and body type have evolved. Statement Necklaces have been ubiquitous for the last five years and everyone gets to wear them, including me! A word of warning about necklaces like these: Don’t … Read more