The question of what constitutes “business casual” is a rich topic for the legal and business press. Google the term and you’ll see a lot of ink (print and digital) devoted to the subject. When that many views need to be harmonized, it’s time for a Restatement! The Origins of Business Casual In the … 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
A scarf can be a lovely finishing touch, elevating an ordinary jacket or adding complexity and depth to a more considered ensemble. Here, a confession: I feel safer when I am wrapped up in a scarf. I don’t mean cozy. There is something above keeping my throat covered that gives me a sense of … Read more
Moto (short for motorcycle) jackets have such great shape and details — asymmetry, zippers, snaps, buckles, elbow patches. They are, quite simply, too cool to belong exclusively to motorcyclists — and thus have been appropriated by the fashion industry for every conceivable occasion. See, e.g., Leandra Medine of Manrepeller here, wearing a moto jacket … Read more
I’ve been asked on occasion Where do you get your clothes? and found myself floundering for a response. I usually say, I don’t know — which I realize is spectacularly unhelpful and probably seems evasive, too. So, I am thinking through the question and the answer now, and writing it down here for future reference. … Read more
I won’t be posting casual outfits every Friday (in case you are wondering), but I am posting this one for two reasons. My blouse you will note, is a little different than the one shown at Anthropologie: I decided that the dots finishing the pointed hem were a little twee for a 45 year … Read more
Most outfits needs a little jewelry — a necklace, brooch or bracelet — to look finished. Of these choices, bracelets are the easiest to coordinate with an ensemble and their versatility makes them the best investment of any money you’ve set aside for jewelry. If you still need convincing, consider: The women who write … Read more
Not everything has to be va-va-voom, does it? I am fascinated by Marni, an advanced Italian fashion house whose aesthetic has been described as off-beat, under-the-radar cool, marked by asymmetry, unusual shapes and large volumes. (Just to be clear: the clothes – not the house – are marked by asymmetry, unusual shapes and large … Read more
Finally! Spring is here and within three days, the cherry trees have gone from bare to bloomed. To share a little of that with you, I’ve trotted over to my neighborhood playground to take a few photos. What looks good with navy? Navy and white is an unbeatable combination. But in smaller doses, I … Read more
Let’s walk through the Taxonomy of Dress, starting at the bottom: 1. Clothes: clothing worn when you can’t think of what to wear 2. Outfit: clothing selected and coordinated with purpose 3. Ensemble: clothing selected and coordinated with a higher degree of skill; all parts relate to one another and the whole 4. Get-up: … Read more