Darlings,
I hopped down to NYC for a quick soul stop last week. Over the summer I did a thorough review of the previous program year and realized that I had taken very few days off, although I had faithfully taken every day of vacation and study leave granted by my letter of agreement, so yay for me!
What I realized is that if I don’t actually get out of the house and even out of town, I do not get my head out of the game for an entire 24 hours or even really close to it. And as you know, kids, we have to get our heads out of the game on a regular basis so that our hearts and souls can be IN the game, in the work.
So I determined that I would take two days off in a row at least once every few months and go away.
I saw the opera “Lulu” at the Met, which was amazing, shattering, disturbing, brilliant and unforgettable.
I walked around and people watched. I enjoyed the parade of humanity outfitted in every which way.
And I found this window display that illustrates why texture is such a wonderful and woefully under-utilized aspect of personal style.
Charcoal grey is eminently chic and so elegant and easy to work with. You don’t have to go head-to-toe like this display of course. Think charcoal and amethyst purple. Think charcoal and a touch of fuschia. Think charcoal and creamy ivory. All winter and holiday appropriate combos that are so much more handsome and mature than the usual garish reds and greens.
Click to enlarge the image.
God forbid you should yank your sweater up over your belly and stand like a little penguin, but what a nice and attainable combo. The trousers are so rich looking. And remember, they should hit the tops of your shoes. Of course, I am likely to sigh with joy over any fabric draped over the leg that isn’t a skimpy, cheap-looking, ugly legging. My hatred for them only grows.
A close-up on the coat and scarf, and I hope you got a gander of that ruana on the third mannequin. Again, a very easy to adapt look on a budget:
Charcoal also looks fabulous with pearls, ladylike pastors. So much more intersting than blasic black, too.
My friend Lily came to visit last night dressed in a wonderful, nubby wool sweater and other neutrals in gorgeous, interesting textures. She communicated warmth itself and looked like a Bohemian wisdom goddess/queen from actual Bohemia. You just cannot fake beautiful textiles, folks. Texture is life. It suggests handiwork, craft, tradition, cultural pride, care, and durability, plus it’s stunningly beautiful.
Collect as many good pieces as you can. Wear them forever and ever – they don’t go out of style.
The garments in this window are well-lit and overpriced, I’m sure. Keep an eye out. They’re nothing terribly special in the textile department but remember that rich, neutral colors will make any fabric look higher quality than it may actually be.
This post reminded me of an interview with Mark Bridges, the costume designer who won the Best Costume Oscar for the film “The Artist.”
An excerpt: “Without the color to communicate the language of telling the story, I was trying to tell the story through textures, whether it be lamé, sequins and beads for Hollywood, or very flat rough textured wools to communicate down-on-your-heels, or the elegance of satin lapels for evening wear, or the shimmer of a beautiful nightgown. It became a story of textures telling the story.”
(Full interview is here: http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/24/showbiz/movies/qa-mark-bridges-oscar/)
I don’t think $49 is overpriced for those pants. But in general, I totally agree with you. Charcoal gray AND texture! Both terrific. That’s one reason I’m a knitter. Texture!