Casual Friday: Blue Stripes on Blue Stripes

The past few months, coupling my button-down blouses with a sweater has become an almost default dressing strategy, particularly as the weather cools and I am feeling uncreative in the chilled sunny mornings. This look is a classic, a tried and true pairing that harkens back to the earliest days of preppy sartorialist endeavors, and while, for years, I was reticent to pay tribute to my heritage, a native of the Land of Pleasant Living, lately, I enjoy the comfort and simple elegance. It is so effortless, and makes me feel so well prepared for autumn.

Like some of the other favored pieces of my wardrobe, which have been collected from various family members, this cotton blue and white striped button-down shirt was permanently borrowed from my father. His closet does not appear to miss it, mourns not its absence. My jeans are a slightly older pair, and a bit looser; frequently I roll the bottoms into cuffs to play up the boyfriend-like appeal. The filmmaker does not wear denim, and is probably not my size regardless, but the illusion, perhaps, works here.


Since finding these large, extremely spherical gold ball earrings earlier in the season, I have worn them frequently, garnering a myriad of compliments from friends and strangers alike.




The stripes, at first glance, may appear to be in opposition, tearing forth in perpendicular directions at different widths; I love pairing patterns with one another, particularly stripes and polka dots. While I tend to avoid steadfast and unyielding fashion laws, the general guidelines I will follow in terms of how to intermingle patterns are simple: match within a similar color palette, and let the imagination go forth, free and wild. When personal confidence sets the foundation, an audience and admiration are more likely to follow.




I have a few more weeks where I can wear these warm caramel brown leather Frye heels, without fear of the doom and wrath and fury of winter storms, bombarding with snow and ice.



Leopard with navy is a favorite combination; this cuff, found amidst a pile of junk at an antique shop up in Providence, is darling and much loved.

Late night in the office soundtrack: Stardust Willie Nelson