Now that feels better! A very good night’s sleep last night, and if all is not now completely right with the world, it’s a much better universe I live in now that I’m more rested. Might have something to do with a successful meeting with my dean over some committee work. Or with having finished writing up two assignments that need to be given out before we break for Reading Week (and Reading Week itself — so looking forward to this week. Marking, meetings, reading ahead, yes, but no classes for an entire week. My body is already producing less adrenaline, I’m sure of it!)
Anyway, now that I’m feeling more rested, I thought I could post a few recent photos of What I Wore so that you might see how drab it’s been. Exciting, eh?
I popped into J Crew on the weekend and picked up a navy pencil skirt No. 2 — part of my gradual wardrobe rebuilding after weight loss. What I really want is their denim pencil skirt, but so far, it’s only online. My plan was to try on whatever pencil skirts they had, determine a size, and go ahead and order the denim. But I liked the polished look of the navy cotton poplin (but a heavy poplin, with slight stretch), and decided to buy one, then order the jean skirt in the same size. Got home only to find that the denim comes in jean sizes, so that knowing if I’m a 2, 4, or a 6 doesn’t help me determine whether I’m a 25 or a 26. I suppose I could order both and send one back, but that gets costly and time-consuming. I think I’ll wait another week or so to see if it ends up in-store. Having kept an eye out for the perfect slim-fitting jean skirt for ages, I really don’t want to miss out. . . .
Meanwhile, as I’m mentally putting together spring outfit after spring outfit built around snappy slim pencil skirts and a variety of tops and blazers, pastels and brights lifting the neutrals into sunshine and blooms, we are caught between one rainy windstorm after another. Variety comes from the occasional patch of hail or very wet snow, and our island’s dirt roads throw mud at the back of our coats as we cycle along them . . . The docks are slippery in the constant wet, and good traction is a must. With that in mind, here is my fairly common response to the situation.
First, the boots: Blundstones, the workhorse boot I would never want to be without, the secret weapon in my shoe closet. I used to live in these, years and years ago, from October through March or April. I know Duchesse counts on them to get her through a Montreal winter — I believe hers have a sheepskin liner. Mine don’t, but I often wear them with a pair of my handknit wool socks, and I feel armed (okay, legged?) for anything. . .
And then the coat, a Mackage oldie-but-goodie, smart enough, I think, but broken in enough that I don’t mind too much if I’m wiping the mud spatters off it at the end of the day. And the cashmere petal-pink scarf alleviates the dark neutrals just enough. . .
Practical, at least.
And it’s only February clicking its way through the calendar. . . but I’m going to dream of cream-coloured, wide-legged linen pants, light cotton tees in robin’s-egg blue and pale tangerine, light denim skirts under a floaty top in a batik print worn with bare legs bronzing just enough in the sun . . . .
Where are you, sartorially, in relation to your weather situation and your wardrobe dreams? Blithely ignoring the weather, flaunting whatever suits your spirit? Or dressing for comfort and mobility with a nod here and there to the mirror’s feedback? Do tell — you know I always love your comments!
I am dreaming of pastels and wondering what will suit my greying hair. I am also trying to curate a wardrobe that will take me from Paris to Lerwick along with a ten day walking holiday. I've dropped one size so my clothes feel more comfortable. I won't be buying anything new for a while so I guess scarves in soft spring colours will suit my spirit right now.
You must be feeling pleased about the clothes size — your discipline is paying off! I remember you buying a few lovely spring-coloured garments in Paris last year . . . but until it's the weather for those, thank goodness for scarves, right? . .
Utilitarian chic! I love it.
Perfect description — thanks!
I'm away for work this week and I. And out of 7 institutions. Such a week calls for practicality, warmth, ease of movement and (old fashioned, I know) modesty. I alleviate all that utilitarianism with bright scarves, though staff frowns on scarves. I love the thought of a new pencil skirt though!
Having an idea of your work, I can't help but think of scarves quite differently after this comment. I can see why the staff might frown on them. In the world outside, though, their brightness is comforting rather than worrisome, and I'm glad you can lift the utiliatarian to lift your spirits. Almost time to let out that breath now, though — it's the weekend, almost!
We are having the worst winter in 20 years and by now I am quite grumpy about it. Most days I have been pairing my beloved blazer/jackets with dark straight leg jeans for work. That way I can easily sponge the salt and slush off of my pants in the ladies room whenI get to work. I am longing to wear some brighter colors and lighte weight things!
About the J Crew pencil skirt – I don't know if the rules are different in the Canadian stores, but in the US you can order from the catalog while at the store and the shipping is free. Also, if you order something online and it doesn't fit, you can return it to the store rather than paying return shipping. Just a thought.
Our winter pales in comparison — much sympathy to you from me!
As for J Crew, yes, their rules are quite different. Not only is there a $9.95US charge for shipping, but returns have to be done through the broker that handles the shipping, customs, etc. So the return credit takes a while, presumably, to sort out. . . and there are forms to fill, etc., etc.
The large / small font mix in this post is giving me a headache – is this intentional?
Oh dear! So sorry — Yes, it's intentional, just playing around a bit. Certainly didn't mean to give anyone a headache!
I've owned a jean skirt only once, while an undergrad: it was a Byblos circa 1988, a very slim-cut dark denim pencil with a zipper slit in back. I had no business buying it, as it was well beyond my clothing budget and could never figure out what to wear with it, so it was worn mostly in front of my mirror. I'm not a fan of A-line jean skirts that look like a pair of jeans, but plan to visit J Crew to check out the pencil you mention.
The Byblos sounds closer to what I want, but perhaps more polished — and perhaps it demanded a top to match its polish. I'm always hoping for a jean skirt that Jane Birkin or either of her daughters might wear, with the perfect white or marl-grey T. . . slim, perfectly fitting, worn to perfection. . . .I've bought a few over the years, but they always end up too bulky somehow. I did have a great one about 7 or 8 years ago by Citizens of Humanity, a below-knee length, so slim-cut that it required the very sexy slit cut up to mid-thigh. Said cut was not very practical for my daily life and eventually I allowed a daughter to abscond with it. . . .I'll be curious to know what you think of the JCrew pencil.