During the cold weather months, I wear lots of dark, neutral colors. One of the great things about neutral colors — and they have many virtues — is that neutrals can be combined very easily. A few combined make a sophisticated (though understated) palette. Sweater: Tory Burch; Blouse: JCrew; Pants: JCrew; Shoes: French Sole … Read more
If the first principle of being well-dressed is selecting clothes that are beautiful and flatter your figure, surely the second principle is putting those carefully selected clothes to work in numerous outfits. As The Directrice passes its one year anniversary, we will be cycling through the seasons for a second time. This means … Read more
On more than one occasion, we’ve talked about the benefits of sweater dressing. There is something very comforting in wrapping oneself — cocooning oneself — in soft warm wool clothes. If you have experimented with sweater-coats, or can recommend a current season sweater-coat, please chime in! Sweater-coat: Theory; Striped jersey: Ann Taylor; … Read more
I think the Groundhog didn’t see his shadow on February 2nd. And that means an early spring? Or does it mean 6 more weeks of winter? I grew up in New Hampshire and have always found this very confusing. In New Hampshire, if spring starts in mid-March, that is an early spring. Regardless, the … 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
I admit that any sentence that begins “The Directrice needs . . .” needs to be examined carefully from all angles. Here is the complete sentence: The Directrice needs a black handbag. It’s true. (C’est vrai.) You may be thinking, Directrice, you have a million handbags and we’ve all seen them. That also … Read more
A few weeks ago, I cracked a question that has occupied philosophers for centuries: Can an outfit be cooler than its wearer? This layered skirt has two distinct elements: a column-style underskirt made of a crisp, striped silk that is covered by a wool gabardine wrap skirt. The underskirt is effectively an insurance policy … Read more
I am not thrilled to be falling in with the magazine and catalog editors who are now referring to every striking or unusual garment as a “statement” piece — e.g., statement blouse, statement skirt, etc. Had I started this trend, I would have gone with arresting or singular. But that ship has sailed, so … Read more
The Photographer and I visited Paris a few years ago. We spent most of our time walking, visiting museums, and eating, but I did a little shopping too. The most famous shopping streets are dominated by global brands that you can find in London and New York and even Washington D.C. But if you … 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