February 9, 2017
In the last few days, I noticed a number of women wearing simple black “columns,” – a sweater and pants, or a tee shirt with pants, and at least in one instance, I think she was wearing a black dress with black tights.
But what caught my eye was the way that each woman had put her own very personal spin on the basic black core of their outfit. My eye was caught immediately when I saw this great floral tote:
Tee– L.L.Bean; pants – L.L.Bean; coat – Uniqlo; Scarf – Nordstrom; loafers – Adrianna Papell; tote – Ted Baker London
This is really clever – the grey and white in the cardigan keep the outfit from looking anything at all like Halloween.
Tee– L.L.Bean; pants – L.L.Bean; cardigan– Marks & Spencer; scarf – Echo; loafers – Aerosoles; bag – Mulberry
And I spotted this tote WAY across the room – I’ve always kind of wanted one of these… and I could love this cardigan to pieces…
Tee– L.L.Bean; pants – L.L.Bean; earrings – Alexander Wang; jacket– Andrew Gn; tote – Bao Bao Issey Miyake; flats – Marc Jacobs
Even when you’re doing a lot of waiting someplace not terribly fun, you might get lucky and see some interesting or thought-provoking things. It’s worth keeping your eyes open, certainly!
love,
Janice
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I've been looking out for a floral bag since reading one of your earlier posts, where you build a wardrobe around a navy and red bag. I spotted this one yesterday, I love it but had to dismiss it because those aren't my colours. There are a couple of different bags in the same series, both lovely! I'm glad to have caught up to date, and the clothes you are showing are still available, but miss being able to read several instalments in one go! Linda M
Wonderful examples. I love them all.
I am leaning toward the idea of just giving up and wearing black (everything goes together! almost everything is available in black!) and having a rainbow of accessories to change things up.
Yes I'm considering the same as I have struggled to find a core of four in navy and as you say, black is easy to match and easy to find. Sharon, U.K.
That's pretty much what I'm doing, and I find it very simple, but still interesting and fun. After I look at clothes all day, I don't want to struggle to get dressed!
hugs,
Janice
Maybe I'm getting too philosophical here, but what strikes me in the these chic sightings is these women have taken control of a potentially stressful situation. These sightings were at a hospital, correct? By definition, being at a hospital means something stressful (or at least out of routine) has happened. But instead of caving into stress and throwing on whatever is at hand, these women have said: I will dress easily and simply (black column). I will be comfortable (flat shoes and cardigan/jacket). I will be prepared (tote). Is it going too far to say that they have donned their "armor" to meet the challenges of the day?
I don't think it's too philosophical at all. And I can add on by sharing that I'm pretty certain that these women worked at the hospital, which is a job where control is almost impossible. And because I was visiting someone in the hospital, and thus lacking any control over things, that might be why these caught my eye!
Clothing serves all sorts of purposes, not the least of which is to help us prepare for the day ahead.
hugs,
Janice
Since I basically live in black and grey this post definitely speaks to me. I was head over heals in love with the tweed jacket by Andrew Gn until I saw the price tag. No way I'm sneaking that one past the husband. Lol Keep up the great work. I love your blog even when the color schemes are not my cup of tea.
OH, I debated with myself about showing that cardigan, but it was the closest thing that I could find to the one that the woman in the hospital was wearing. And it's so beautiful; sometimes, we just need to set our sights high so that when we DO purchase something, we have a really exacting standard in our minds.
hugs,
Janice
Janice – slightly off topic, but do you plan on doing a write up of your trip to Dublin? We are headed to Ireland at the end of the month, including a few days in Dublin, and I admit I've been very lazy about researching things to do in Dublin (other than having a beer with a local through City of a Thousand Welcomes and then visiting the Little Museum, which sponsors that program) because I've been hoping you might share your favorites! No pressure, just wondering whether I should, you know, start doing the work MYSELF. Ha. :)
PS love the Adrianna Papell loafers and the Bao Bao tote! Thanks for sharing real life sightings.
I could use a textured cardigan or a Chanel style inspired jacket…not a need but it would be fun to add some more interest to my black and grey basic wardrobe.
These do look classy and comfortable – the best kind of chic because appropriate to circumstances. And what lovely bags . . . My own favourite hospital sighting last year came after two days of marvelling at the huge range of comfortable shoes/sneakers/trainers worn by staff. Then, I saw at the nurses station, only from the back, a young doctor in a fitted 3/4 sleeve black dress, pen in her jaunty high ponytail, dark tights, and black patent-leather high heels. Her brisk walk down the corridor relieved any anxiety about her ability to walk in them. Oh, the young!
Robyn in Tasmania
I was classified as an autumn with winter influence back in the day, but never wore much black until my hair started to turn gray. It is so easy to warm up black with gold and scarves, and as mentioned upthread, it does not get much easier when travelling. Oh, and that cardigan….
I am taking inspiration from how several of these women matched/coordinated their scarf with their bag. So much food for thought here. – nancyo