Auntie Mame

  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

The Virtues of Watches

  With a smart phone, you don’t need a watch to tell time anymore. But there are two reasons why you should wear one anyway. First, and most important: It’s impolite to look at your phone while you are in a meeting. You may be able to get away with it in a large meeting, … Read more

Nervy Optical Stripes

You may have realized in reading other posts that I esteem the craft of sewing and swoon over fine craftsmanship? And yet I am fascinated by this tank which is barely assembled. Viewed in a harsh light (figuratively speaking) it looks like the work of a guy who got a deal on 10,000 yards of … Read more

The Fatal Allure of Prints

  I am drawn to prints of all varieties — stripes, bold graphics, florals, abstracts. But the reality is, printed dresses are not a sound investment: they can look dated quickly; they present a definite look, but only one look — which can’t be changed easily with accessories; they can overwhelm the person wearing them … Read more

The Virtues of Tote Bags

But I still like to look pulled together, so I have a few to choose from. Here are a few ideas for you. The COLORS: The NEUTRALS: I am a huge fan of Les Toiles du Soleil; in addition to tote bags (in various sizes), they make iPad covers, toiletry bags, and espadrilles. Sadly, they … Read more

Shadow Dress

  My taste leans toward fairly simple clothes — clean lines and classic styles — generally. But sometimes one wants something a little more . . . directional, as they say in the industry. And when I feel that impulse, I look to 3.1 Phillip Lim, where I found this dress:     I like … Read more

Cathedral or Jungle?

Let’s look at the details: 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

April Showers Preparedness

  A trench coat is a key element of the professional woman’s wardrobe.  It is the correct outerwear for suits, dresses and other work-wear when the temperature is between 55 and 70 degrees, and it confers elegance upon casual ensembles including jeans and sneakers.  While the words “trench coat” probably conjure a general picture in … Read more

Tin Man

Here is the jacket up-close: Jacket: L’Agence; Blouse: Alice by Alice Temperley; Pants: JCrew; Bag: Coach; Shoes: Taryn Rose