Inspiration- Standing Tall

Via JackandJil

One of the most delightful aspects of writing this blog is when lovely readers understand exactly what I’m attempting to say. Here’s to that sense of shared camaraderie that blogs inspire. Don’t we all just want to be heard and understood? When I wrote about this dress being one of my go-to smart dresses (for feeling instantly confident), the lovely, intelligent and talented Alice Olive commented “You walk taller in a dress like this, right?” That’s exactly it and I couldn’t have said it better. There are some garments that exude CONFIDENCE. I adore designers who design with this in mind. 

As soon as I read Alice Olive’s comment, I thought of this Tommy Ton photograph of Shala Monroque. This is the perfect example of wearing a garment with élan. Shala stands out in my mind for having an innate elegance, while remaining modern and insouciant. Perhaps it starts with a great smart dress, but here it’s really about poise, comportment- standing tall. Every woman deserves a dress that makes her look and feel this good. 

PS- I can’t begin to entertain the idea of wearing white shoes, much less the idea of white shoes in the Tuileries. I always wind up falling victim to the dust and debris. Yet, something about this is spot on. 

Quick Change

My Personal Photos

3.1 Phillip Lim Dress, Wolford Velvet de Luxe Tights

The past couple of weeks have left me up to my ears in holiday merriment, in between wrapping up the year professionally. The other night, I hosted a meet and greet at Le Caprice. The room was filled with volunteers, who generously agreed to serve on the benefit committee for next month's fundraiser. It was heartwarming to see so many people out for the kickoff.

So, with nary a moment to spare, I dashed up Fifth; past the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, department store windows, the Fifth Avenue Star and all that makes New York magical during this time of year. As the hostess, I thought it would be nice to do it up a bit. Nothing feels more glamorous and instantly pulled together then being well-groomed. Pretty hair, glowing skin, expertly applied makeup and an exquisite piece of jewelry are paramount for evening, but sometimes a pretty dress doesn't hurt either. 

I picked up this dove gray dress from the 3.1 Phillip Lim showroom a few years ago. It was one of those items that I overlooked at first. After being prompted several times by the ever convincing PRs, I tried it on and there was something about it... A feeling, or instinct that even though the ornamentation is a departure from what I'm normally drawn to; the silhouette and fabrics suit my style perfectly. Only a few dresses ended up being produced, which is something I love. 

This dress has become one of the dresses that I keep on hand at the office for the myriad of gatherings that prompt a quick change. I love having a few changes at the ready.

Happy October!

My Personal Photo
Black Halo Dress and Chanel Necklace

Happy October and a new week begins... I hope you all had restful weekends. The first of October always signifies the start of benefit season. Getting all dressed up with the gentleman for a cause I support is one of my favorite things about fall. That being said there's a lot of hard work involved with making sure that these events are successful. Here I am en route to a meeting for one of the boards I'm on.

My Personal Photo

When it comes to shopping, I firmly believe that if you are nice to the sales assistants you encounter, they will take care of you. That goes for most things in life. This dress was set aside for me by a sales assistant at a boutique that I slip into from time to time. There's something really nice about shopping with someone who's familiar with your style. As soon as this dress came in it was tucked away until I happened to walk by the boutique. It's a great dress to throw on in the midst of a busy week. It's simple, elegant and refined.

My Personal Photo

I always appreciate a good detail and this dress has several. The deep plunging back is resolutely modern. The ruched three-quarter length sleeves balance the exposed back. The pleats and draping at the front are the structural details that I always find myself falling for. Most of all I like that I can move around freely in this dress. Who wants to be restricted their clothing choices?

Do I even have to tell you how excited I was to wear my necklace? So excited.