No-Brainer Dress-ing . . .

I don’t usually (ever?) do two What I Wore posts in a row, but I’ve got nothing else around here except fatigue, and we know that’s not pretty. A committee I’ve been asked to chair is sucking up some serious time (3-4 hours this week alone, as I get up to speed with the background, responsibilities, etc.) on top of my regular teaching — and all my classes handed in assignments this week for me to mark . . .

But  with my newly-hung mirror (thanks, Paul!), it was easy to snap some photos this morning, and I thought it was worth paying tribute to a favourite no-brainer outfit. I know Sue at Une Femme’sbeing enjoying this same combo recently of dress and boots — it’s an old staple of mine, and I was so happy to be able to grab something with a bit of gusto on a morning when I had none of my own.

Alison at That’s Not My Age recently included a photo of me wearing this dress as part of her great series on “Dresses With Sleeves” — I’ll admit that I wear this at least once a month, changing up the cardigan (generally either this black one or a purple one), so over the three years I’ve owned it, it’s racked up the hours and lowered its CPW considerably.

It’s silk jersey so it feels great on, and getting dressed is as easy as pulling on dress (Catherine Malandrino), black tights, and zipping up my Fluevog boots.

Oh, and with a pattern this wild, who needs jewelry, right? But I think my Wendy Bfleur-de-lis necklace is just perfect with it, dainty/discreet enough not to interfere with the print, strong enough in its delicacy to hold its own. The artsy quality of this shot (hey, be kind, would you?) is due to my not wanting to use the flash (which would give a blinding reflection in the mirror) but not having a tripod or a super steady hand.  So we’re going with artsy, and maybe I’ll do a better job of showing you some other day. . . .

What comes to your rescue when you’re tired and uninspired but you still need to look sharp?

9 Comments

  1. Susan B
    2 March 2012 / 1:57 pm

    Great dresss! Isn't the pull-it-on-and-go factor just the best? I'm a convert! Oooh, I didn't know you had Wendy's fleur-de-lis necklace; that's one of my favorites! Looks great with the dress.

    • materfamilias
      3 March 2012 / 6:13 am

      I do love the ease of dress-ing! As for the necklace, Paul got it for me for Christmas — I helped him just a little . . .;-)

  2. indigo16
    2 March 2012 / 2:29 pm

    I feel your pain on the too tired to choose an outfit front. I am often scuppered by cold weather so default to a jumper over wide legged trousers.
    With dresses I go for ankle boot and perversely a cardie longer than the dress!
    I am more galvanised than ever to try and take some more photographs, I am impressed with you tenacity despite the work load.

    • materfamilias
      3 March 2012 / 6:14 am

      Not sure if you should be impressed — I should probably abandon the blogplay in favour of workload, but we're addicted, aren't we?!

  3. AnPhibian
    2 March 2012 / 5:00 pm

    I like that look on you. You'll see me experimenting with dress-and-boot combos soon– as long as the boots don't overwhelm the dress, I love the look! As for your question: I think my "quick rescue" item for instant sharpitude is a great tailored jacket. My problem is that I usually find jackets too confining as my active workday progresses, so they always come off sooner or later (often sooner).

    • materfamilias
      3 March 2012 / 6:15 am

      I have exactly that problem with jackets! I'll get a look I think works well, but then the classroom gets warm . . .

  4. Duchesse
    3 March 2012 / 1:51 pm

    This looks so un-uninspired it's crazy! And I love that you are proving, so beautifully, that a great purchase (whether it is a dress or other item) makes us want to wear it a lot, and that there is nothing wrong with that! Once a month seems a rather modest outing for such a pretty dress, bound to life your spirits in the drab winter.

  5. materfamilias
    5 March 2012 / 4:54 am

    I know! It works pretty well, doesn't it! So easy and I do think this dress has impact. It was also a mainstay of my Paris packing last year. Thank you.

  6. Mardel
    5 March 2012 / 2:48 pm

    I like that dress with the cardi and the boots. It looks fabulous! Really, only once a month?

Copyright

Unless otherwise stated, all words and photographs in this blog are my own. If you wish to use any of them, please give me credit for my work. And it should go without saying, but apparently needs to be said: Do not publish entire posts as your own. I will take the necessary action to stop such theft. Thanks.