Happy New Year, Directorate! Although I feel ready to turn the page on 2023 — which I had marked down as a transitional year (2023: Return to Normalcy) many months ago — I am worried about 2024.
Anxious Mouse may be my favorite ornament and a solid avatar, but I’m not sure it’s the right frame of mind for starting a new year.
But first things first. One must still get dressed!
I’ve been craving heavy knits this winter and I don’t know why. Usually I avoid them, because my height is easily overwhelmed by bulk. Remember: Although you would never guess it from this blog, where I rarely appear next to another human being, I am only 5’2″. And yet, as I settle into late middle-age, the impulse to cocoon myself in cozy things has trumped the desire to look svelte.
Big Sweaters it is. Wisdom!
Behold one sublimation of my cozy desires: a heavy cotton knit in a superb weirdy green. Cozy and fresh. Possibly too fresh for winter? I’m not sure, but the weight is absolutely correct for the season.
The sweater wraps around the waist.
Why? I don’t know. I just live here. I will, however, note that the bulky ties do provide a little definition.
In the pursuit of coze, I also purchased an oversized, fisherman’s knit sweater that may or may not be felted (it’s really stiff) during the holiday sales. When wearing it with skinny pants, I look like a starfish. Perhaps I will share that with you in the coming weeks.
One thing I can tell you with certainty: The Directrice has a type. Or types. Check out this 2015 post in which I am wearing a different green sweater, different white blouse, different cropped grey trousers, different assertive shoes. Uncanny!
Now that I am back at a downtown office most days, I’m carrying a handbag and a lightweight tote for my laptop. This squishy wool pin-striped bag is one of my favorites.
Sweater: Proenza Schouler White Label Ribbed Cotton Wrap Sweater; White Shirt: COS (past season); Pants: JCrew Cameron Slim Crop Pant in Italian Wool; Shoes: Coach Leah Loafer; Bag: Dries Van Noten (old)
Love the wrap at the waist!
The grey and weirdy green really works here. Such a nice, fresh way to step into a new year. Happy 2024!
PS and I think we all need to see the possibly-felted/fisherman/starfish sweater!
You shall see it! Photos have been taken.
The green, the wrap, the mouse, the shoes and the bag……thank you for all of it.
I really find it a challenge to write Happy you know what this year. I have a feeling that all of us in any country are going to need small joys to help us stay afloat.
Lovely sweater! And the color is fresh! Happy New Year Directrice 🙂
Love this AND the 2015 sweater. Do you still have that one? If only 2015 You could have known that 2024 You would still be writing this blog and have pulled off massive, exciting job change! But then 2015 You would also have known about the current state of democracy and the world and that would have been very depressing…
2015 self might have taken to her bed and remained there through the 2024 election.
That’s one of my favorite colors of green.
Do you have an Eileen Fisher dress in a similar color?
I do! But I made the dress into a skirt a few years ago because the fabric showed perspiration! The skirt (nee dress) is a slightly more acidic yellow green than the sweater, but I wonder if they should be introduced . . .