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Rockport Shoes: Oh, For Cute!*

*Those of you in the Minnesota region will appreciate that “OHFERCUTE,” right? I remember! I lived there for two years.

These are cute spectator-type pumps for spring that I think would really work for ministers. They have a bit of sass factor in the faux-ostrich textured detail, a great sturdy heel, and a classic line. I kind of hate the knot (too frumpy? Or not really noticeable?), and I can’t vouch for how chic they look in person but it’s so hard to find a serviceable sturdy heel that I’m featuring them anyway. The neutral color is to love, because it goes with everything. You could rock these with a red suit, a blue suit, a black suit… the possibilities are endless. A sporty navy blazer would be very appealing with these. This look is from Ann Taylor:

They come in black, too, but I think they’re more special in the taupe, myself:

They’re by Rockport, which means that they’re guaranteed to be comfortable, and probably bare-foot friendly, too. I can see myself in a black suit with a cream-colored silk blouse in either of these, although I think the black would bring me into Matchy-Matchy Frumpland. These are so close to being Grandma’s 1940’s shoes that a girl has to make sure to style herself so that she doesn’t look dowdy. Like, NEVER wear these with a longer skirt: instant frump. You’d have to go with something sharp at knee-length.

Another super option for these pumps? A great pair of wide-leg herringbone tweed pants. Very chic, durable, comfortable and have a nice sense of elegance and groundedness.

They ain’t cheap. But they’d be perfect for a gal who wears tailored clothes and wants a snappy touch of “His Girl Friday” to add to her simple, classic look.

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Balance It Out

Here, the lovely actress Michelle Williams illustrates how an outfit can so easily go from pretty to I-just-got-six-cavities-from-looking-at-her precious:

If you’re going to wear pink dresses, gals, do something sophisticated with your make-up and nails. Also, pink + bows = too Disney Princess for pastors.

Consider this your official warning for spring, when some of you will be drawn to florals and other soft, femmy looks. Those are great, but keep your polished and professional wits about you. We’ll talk more about this later.

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A Warm Wrap: Women’s Outerwear Option

On Saturday it was sunny and warm enough that I did not want to wear a heavy overcoat for a commital at the cemetery. I put on my black suit (boy, that jacket needs go go to the dry cleaner) and realized that I might get chilly, so checked my closet for lighter options than a wool overcoat. I found a warm, soft wool wrap that I had forgotten I bought on Nantucket this fall. It is a soft taupe and shaped with a neck and long panels generous enough to wrap around a large gal.

I draped it around myself and found that I really liked the way it provided a layer of warmth without being a stiff, masculine coat. I do find most formal coats to be quite masculine. If you get femmy coats they generally look too cute or not professional enough for work, so I always stick with tailored styles for ministerial use.

I think that the options shown here are too bright for a funeral — I would stick with more subdued neutrals. This kind of garment requires a certain flair — you have to carry if off with good posture and a touch of diva-tude or else you’ll just look like you’re wrapped in a blanket.

This shawl has a fringe, which you have to be careful about, as that really takes a heavier shawl into informal blankety territory. In a lighter shawl over a dress at a party it’s lovely, but you’re not at a party when you’re graveside, ARE YOU, now? Another reason not to wear fringe is that it can look like a mess:

Again, this print is too party-pretty for an interment, but it’s wrapped elegantly. Picture this in a soft dove grey. Lovely:

For God’s sake, don’t go tying the thing over your front like this. Talk about Instant Ticket to Frumpsville!

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Black and Bling: Part III

Today’s black and bling. Casual day at office, meeting with family, lunch with colleague. Black cotton eyelet blazer from Torrid, pin from charity shop in London, lace cami from Lane Bryant. Wearing with dark jeans and black boots.

I am not into wearing snowmen or reindeer or green and red. Christmas is for me a religious holiday, and Advent a time for internal preparation and quiet waiting. I love lights and color and fun but I prefer to adorn myself at the holidays with rose colors (“Lo, How a Rose ‘Ere Blooming”) and restful colors to give people a visual break from all the retail visual assault when they look at me. I keep my look intentionally simple all season. I feel overwhelmed by all the tinsel and stuff, so I suppose my black and bling is a way to balance that. I just don’t want to look at grown women decked out like department store displays, with ornaments hanging off their earlobes and Christmas trees planted on their chests.


My necklace is the Star of Bethlehem. You wouldn’t know that unless you asked about the piece, and it’s a great conversation-starter.
That’s just me. Just one pigeon’s decision.

Kisses, sweetie pies.

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Black and Bling: Brainless Holiday Attire

It’s Advent. Who’s got time to think? WE don’t! We are ministers! On the go! Go, go, go! Events, worship services, charitable organization luncheons and meetings, visits, parties, zip zip zip for Jesus!

I have a little secret for this time of year. I call it “black and bling.” It’s my go-to wardrobe for everything festive. The components are this:

1. Black jacket or sweater with girly detail (a ruffle, a subdued floral print, a fitted waist with a flair — something that moves out of Totally Dull Office Wear). Maybe some color in the form of a silk blouse. Or some touches of white.
2. Black pants.
3. Shoes with snazz factor.
4. Black shell with ZERO cleavage factor (unless you were invited to a Festival Of Inappropriate Sharing, which – ahem — you were NOT).
5. A touch of bling.

Exhibit A

A black and white sweater with a ruffle at the neck. Black shell. Bling at the neck (nail polish in “We’ll Always Have Paris” by OPI in case you were wondering). Black pants, pointy black boots with silver filigree.


Sweater: Lane Bryant (old)
Shell: cjbanks Find Your Fit Classic Fit (so old!)
boots: John Fluevog, ebay purchase ($24)
bling: CZ piece from Sears (reminds me of the Star of Bethlehem)
hammered silver hoops: craft fair (old)
lippy: CoverGirl Outlast All Day in a plum shade
eyeliner by Urban Decay (Rehab)

The point is, you don’t have to think. You have the basics always ready, you have your few blingy details (a beautiful pin, a gorgeous barrette, a silver scarf — as high quality as you can afford — these should look like classics), you wear this to everything holiday-oriented. This keeps you from having to fuss about which reds go with what greens (HORRORS, haven’t you been reading PeaceBang for long enough to know better than to inflict such visual crimes onto your Beloved Community?), or from standing in front of the closet despairing that you have nothing to wear to the ladies tea or the holiday concert.

Burn that moss green dress with the big black buttons and the black lace cuffs and collar. You know who you are. I love you too much to let you walk around like that.

Black is always appropriate for clergy and I am relying on it more and more. I use Woolite’s Dark Colors Formula for most of my laundry and the time I spend figuring out what to wear is almost non-existent. It’s not that I don’t choose my garments carefully before purchase — I am stupidly obsessive about tracking down the right kind of pants, for instance. But having far fewer things in my closet and relying on cherished accessories that have personal meaning for me, as well as make-up, manicures and jewelry to help me feel put together – has been a good way for me to go.

Fellers, you can do this look, too. Clericals, black suit, and a beautiful tiara. Try it! You’ll certainly get the parish talking!