Cathedral or Jungle? – The Directrice

Transitioning to spring means (for me) moving toward lighter colors and nothing is springier than green.

I bought this lightweight wool dress a few years because I found the print irresistible. The pattern is vibrant yet indistinct — kind of watery and wavy in the manner of the impressionists. I can’t decide if it looks like a stained glass window (underwater cathedral) or dense foliage (underwater jungle). Regardless, the dress won me over, but I knew that I could not wear it as a dress (dress qua dress) because it’s very short. Thusly, you see it over pants. (Tips on the weighty topic of Wearing a Dress Over Pants are here.)

Perhaps the color is a little overexposed in this photo, but I wanted to make sure you could see the pattern. I doctored the photo for you! — Perhaps the color is a little overexposed in this photo, but I wanted to make sure you could see the pattern. I doctored this photo for you!

At this time of year, bare arms may not be the thing, so a layer under or over is a good idea.

*What am I feeling? I am feeling cold. . . .*

And for those surprising days when the temperature retreats — And for those surprising days — *I am talking to you, March 6, 2015* — when the temperature is unseasonably and unreasonably low, a woolly cardigan jacket

Let’s look at the details:

Wood beading at the neckline, which, frankly, I could do without — Wood beading at the neckline, which strikes me as gilding the lily — but for now my scissors are at rest

All I need is a little patent leather — iridescent purple bag, black flats — and I am dressed for the day.

Dress: Shoshanna; Pants: JCrew Campbell pants; Half-Sleeved Cardigan: JCrew; Woolly Cardigan: Aspesi; Bag: Car Shoe; Shoes: French Sole New York; Watch: Ritmo Mundo

3 thoughts on “Cathedral or Jungle?”

Hi, all this is great, but I am seeing a bunch of lovely spring colored trench coats around town. Any suggestions where to get something for very little money? Target? Costco? Loehmans? Macy with coupons? All my coats are black or grey!

Hope you don’t mind the off topic query…

Juliet

the directrice

April 2, 2015 at 1:48 am

I welcome the question, Juliet! Macy’s is an excellent suggestion. They have a number of coats in a geranium red that look smartly cut, as well as one cornflower blue and another in a beautiful tangerine. And the London Fog and Jones New York models of the traditional double breasted trench coat in tan have lovely lines and are very well priced. So you may want to look at these: Anne Klein Hooded Double Breasted Trench Coat in Red; Lauren Ralph Lauren Belted Trench Coat in Indigo; Jones New York Double Breasted Trench Coat; Lauren Ralph Lauren Trench Coat in Orange; London Fog All-Weather Trench Coat. Hope this helps!
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This is such a wonderful outfit!

3 thoughts on “Cathedral or Jungle?”

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