Hello, Dear Ones! I’m back after a three-week break. For the next few weeks, I’ll only be posting twice weekly — Mondays and Thursdays. That’s right, I’m rationing The Directrice. Dress: Isabel Marant Etoile Warrick Jersey Midi Dress (on sale at Matches; buy at least one size up from your regular size; … Read more
After the firestorm over last week’s dress-over-pants ensemble, I almost hesitate to show you these pictures, but hear me out. For those of you scratching your heads, wondering why I’d ever bother altering a dress to make it into a top, let me explain. I am a textile enthusiast with access to an … Read more
We’ve discussed the virtues of dresses before. The ease of wearing a dress (efficiency, comfort) has caused me to allocate a substantial percentage of my wardrobe budget to dresses. I write that as though I actually have a clothing budget that is diligently planned and then executed. Non, non. It is more accurate … Read more
When I decide on a goal, I can pursue it very single-mindedly . . . well past the edge of reason and good sense. Remember Operation YeLLoWbAG? As you can see above, all of the lacing is done on the model. I, however, just wanted to use the lacing to cinch the blouse above … Read more
Last fall, I showed you — in all seriousness — how to wear a bustier to work as part of a Business Casual outfit. I also promised to show you how I have worn it on Casual Friday and on the weekends. Let it never be said that The Directrice doesn’t honor her promises, … Read more
Last summer I posited that a crop top could be worn to work professionally — i.e., to a workplace like a P.L.L.C. or similar association by a woman who is dressing to meet with colleagues or clients — when paired with a skirt and blouse or jersey. Bear in mind, I did not … Read more
I occasionally buy glossy fashion magazines like Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. The clothes shown in these magazines are beyond the reach of most mortals, so I don’t read these magazines like catalogs. I am just looking for ideas — mostly, color combinations and new silhouettes. Even if I am going to reject the new … Read more
You know that expression, “the heart wants what it wants” — which people use to justify everything from the purchase of faux fur ear muffs to yachts? Perhaps you need to step back for perspective: It started with a fixation on the over-sized pockets, and grew to encompass the whole dress. You may justifiably … Read more
I am such a fan of sweater dressing. Beloved knits! When I started working at my firm (now 15 years ago), I invested in a few knit jackets and knee-length skirts from Eileen Fisher. I am still wearing them today. They aren’t on the cutting edge, but with a great pair of boots, … Read more
Since I often show clothes that have been altered or re-purposed — sometimes, significantly — I thought it might be helpful, or at least interesting, to see what these treasures look like before those radical changes are implemented. Here goes! I like colorful tops to wear underneath jackets and sweaters. Even though they may … Read more