A Pre-Flight Sartorial Survey . . .

First, thanks to those of you who responded so thoughtfully to my last post in which I’m trying to make space for and start a conversation on women and sexuality and age. Even those of you who aren’t ready to say anything particular on the topic but let me know you were engaged by it, or just supportive. If you’re still thinking about it and taking your time to reply, the conversation will be ongoing (another post on the topic later this week) and your comment will be welcome whenever you care to leave it. And just sitting quietly in the room and listening thoughtfully contributes* as well. Some of you, perhaps, will want to leave the room, and that’s okay as well.

Now for today’s post, let me quickly clarify: although our flight leaves in just a few hours this is not a What I Packed post. I’ll share some of that over the next month as I choose from a Carry-On Only Capsule Wardrobe for temperatures ranging, depending on the city, — at the moment, but sure to drop, I rather hope — from current highs of 17 to 26 Celsius.

The outfits here are from these last transitional weeks when I’ve begun to enjoy dressing for early autumn as it’s begun to cool slightly here. Photo above to phtoo below: see me realize that I can finally wear tights without needing to tear them off midday as the thermometer climbs. . .

And although I said this isn’t a What I Packed post, every item in this OOTD is in my carry-on right now. . . But it looks as if it’s going to be too warm to wear the tights our first week there. . .

You can see why I wouldn’t try packing this Cotton-Hemp denim boilersuit — it’s bulky! And I could wear it on the plane (and then every train trip over the next four weeks!) . . . but that would make those teeny bathrooms even more awkward. Still, I’ve missed wearing it these last seven or eight months, so took advantage a few times recently. I’ve decided I love it with loafers (these are coming with, definitely) and a scarf!

Also not especially practical for travel is this pleated EF skirt. I’ve been surprised how much I enjoyed wearing it with a light top over the summer months (the pleats swish against bare legs!) . . . but I really like it with this navy wool hip-length sweater . . . and my Blundstones. In fact, I wore it with the Blundstones deliberately for a fairly long walk last week just to make sure my feet are ready to wear the boots after months of lighter footwear. They passed the test! I’ll be wearing those on the plane today and ready for any European puddles we have to walk through in the next weeks.

Two views of a light wool sweater dress that is packed and ready for boarding. . .

I’ve been test-driving this a bit around town here — it and a sister dress (cream-burgundy stripes), both new, the core of my capsule and so comfortable and easy to wear and, I like to think, rather urban-chic. (and wool is naturally bactericidal, a big plus for travellers with limited washing facilities).

Speaking of wool, here’s a quick peek at a sweater I just slipped off the needles a week ago. As soon as it dried after its soak and block, I snuggled into it. A gorgeous blend of silk and kid mohair and yak, knit up in a honeycomb stitch, a generous and relaxed shape. All ready for some cozy lounging when I get home. Pattern is Cardi V-Neck by Anne Ventzel.

And let me close with a simple OOTD I wish I could take with me. In fact, I had that grey dress (it’s the lightest wool weave and with lots of give — and pockets! I love it!) in my case but checking the weather forecasts I swapped it out for a few lighter (less bulky, summer-weight) dresses. And of course my yellow boots never had a chance — they’re heavy and bulky and not as practical as the Blundstones.

But I’ve missed them. . . so I wore them last night to the opera (we walk, so sensible footwear with panache is always a component of What I Wear to the Opera). A splendid production of Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers with a clever framing through the overture to deal with the work’s Eurocentric, misinformed, exoticizing perspective.

Okay, I’ve got to scoot now. I’ll be on your screens again in a day or so over on Instagram where you can see where I’ve landed.

xo,

f

*Should any of you care to contribute (see that segue?) more generally and more materially to conversations I host here, you could always Buy Me a Coffee by clicking on the coffee-cup icon bottom right of the screen. No obligation whatsoever, obviously, and non-Coffee-Cup-clickers are still very welcome (and I can’t know who you are, don’t worry!)