Planning

  I am on vacation and facing a quandary. I didn’t take photos for new posts before leaving Washington and I didn’t bring any business casual clothes on vacation with me, so I have nothing to post.   Unless I post vacation pictures.   I leave you to decide which is more unbearable: no post … Read moreIn Situ

  I have a number of black jackets. On occasion, I chastise myself for having so many . . . and then my belligerent side scolds my moralistic side with a reminder that each of these jackets is very different from the others and serves unique purposes. It is: made of a fine, tropical-weight wool … Read moreAll of My Black Jackets Are Different!

  It was unseasonably cool this April — many days that did not leave the 50s — and rainy, too. Getting wet on a rainy day is one of my pet peeves. Actually, it makes me furious. So, my typical strategy on a rainy day is to wear rain boots and knee-length dresses and limit … Read moreDressing for a Rainy Day

  Traveling to a place where you expect bad weather is a challenge, particularly for a person* like me — who thinks that traveling with more than one pair of shoes reflects a failure of imagination, common sense, and moral fiber.** Come closer and take a better look.   * A nut. Nut like me. … Read moreA Travel Challenge Solved

  Despite holding myself out as a pseudo-expert on dressing for work, wardrobe-building, and general efficiency, I have some orphans in my closet.   One such orphan is a purple tweed jacket that I bought several years ago from JCrew. I love the color and pattern — an over-sized, diamond herringbone — but . . … Read moreThe Only Way Out Is Through

  The social contract! It binds us all and enables us to live in some approximation of civility if not harmony.   The social contract, like any Terms of Service, is a long (though incorporeal) agreement with many sections and paragraphs, but not all of them are equally important. For instance, Taking Care of the … Read moreThe Directrice Coming and Going

  You’ve seen my closets. They aren’t that big.   Here, I must express gratitude for having more than one closet. I don’t have as much space as some, but I have more space than others. I am not complaining. But you can see where I am heading. No, I didn’t! You know me better … Read moreThe Directrice Re-Presents: Best Suit

  As part of our continuing discussion of transitioning between seasons — which could easily turn into a lifelong conversation — I suggest that we take a page from the French, and wear white denim deeper into the year. At least into September.

  The Directrice presents: How to Pack for Vacation.   Perhaps some of you are thinking, Thanks for nothing, Directrice. I took my vacation in July.   Please don’t be mad. Perhaps this advice will be useful next year. Or, perhaps you won’t find it useful at all, and therefore can’t be mad that it’s … Read moreHow to Pack for Vacation

  Ripple Effect: an effect from an initial state that can be followed outward incrementally.   Hmmmmm. This phrase is often used to describe a profound or lasting economic, political, or social impact. But I’ve been witnessing one this summer in my closet.