We’re half-way through the summer and so far I’ve been a model of restraint and subtlety.
Plainly, that will not do.
Summer is lawless in D.C. — one’s Metro card feels more like a three month get-out-of-jail-free pass on the standards of business casual — and we must take advantage of the situation.
Why, you ask, this suspension of standards? Well, before the widespread installation of electricity, people abandoned the city in the summer. That heritage has enduring power* — everything is air-conditioned now and the city keeps working, but it feels like we shouldn’t be and therefore we act like we aren’t . . . to the greatest extent possible. Also, with people coming and going on vacation, it’s never entirely clear who’s “here,” who’s “out,” and who is in-between.
Added to the nostalgia-fueled tension are the physical effects of high temperatures. Heat stroke + dehydration = impaired judgment, hallucinations. Again, the opportunities for mischief abound!
Despite the fact that I might, might, be able to get away with a halter dress like this (which I think would look very chic with a belt), I don’t push the envelope that hard.
I am content to show my shoulders, wear fun sandals, and engage in advanced pattern mixing.
This top is kind of brilliant. It’s blue, cream and taupe on black — which means it goes with everything. The fabric is a whisper-weight chiffon, double-layered to create opacity and then finished with a heavy, ribbed trim along the hem — which weights the chiffon down.
In the previous photo, it looks as though the wind is blowing my hair around. But it looks exactly the same in this photo. So, it isn’t wind. My hair is just standing out from my head at strange angles.
When I last visited my stylist, we had a very intense conversation about haircuts, style, and trends during which he referred to my cut as “short.” I had thought of it as a mid-length, but he says no, mid-length is chin length or longer.
I have short hair!
Back to the outfit. Taken altogether, we have an abstract print top, a striped skirt, and color-blocked sandals. It’s a busy combination, but not too busy. Indeed, it’s comparatively understated. I thought about adding these pearls, but pulled myself back from the brink. These pearls also might have looked nice.
I went inside briefly to change and left The Photographer on the sidewalk where he captured this dreamy urban street scene . . . which is two ambulances.
Although the top is dressy, the ribbed trim reads sporty, so I thought a denim skirt was a plausible alternative to the silk skirt.
A glossy, navy tote seemed like the right choice to me — better than black.
And . . . scene! I have no more commentary to offer.
Top: 3.1 Phillip Lim; Ivory Skirt: Ganni; Denim skirt: Eileen Fisher; Shoes: Wonders
* I have a little more commentary! Consider the siesta in modern Madrid or Barcelona. Most workers seem to be working through the afternoon, and yet everyone acts as though the siesta happened and eats dinner at 10:00 p.m.
The star is the lipstick! What color?
Agreed. Info please.
Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Lipstick in FIERCE.
Trish McEvoy has discontinued Essential Pencil No. 10 (Plum Brown), which I have worn regularly for more than 10 years! This color is my replacement: Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick in . . . FIERCE. I was testing colors without my glasses last weekend at Blue Mercury and sent the clerk off in search of another shade — “HOOK” — which she could not find in stock because, I realized today, the color I thought was HOOK is actually called ROCK. Should have put on my glasses, but I think those are equally ridiculous, implausible names for a lipstick.
Ooh, I love the denim skirt! I can never make the ‘tube’ shape work for me, but your pairing with the demure ruffles is giving me ideas!
Such a cute top!
If you’re still into subversive pearls, I suggest you check out Kojima pearl. I’m obsessed.
I also love the shape of that top.
Love the Kojima pearls — thank you for recommending, Rb. The loose pearls make me want to launch into a jewelry making project!
I like the top with both skirts. Very pretty and refreshing summer dressing.
Both outfits rock; my favorite, the light skirt. It just has the look and all your accessories make the look with quiet grace. Warm weather is difficult to negotiate with dignity but you have it! And with forward style!
I’m thinking you could attend an outdoor wedding in that first outfit!
I have a crush on those shoes.
Off topic, but remembering the slip-dress-under-other-dress post a few weeks back, I came across this candidate slip dress from JCrew. Looks like it would be easy to hem to desired layering length!
https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens_sale_events/30offselectstyles/dresses/midi-slip-dress/J1681?color_name=navy