monochrome: camel

Clothes are never a frivolity: they always mean something, and that something

is to a large extent outside the control of our conscious minds. 

                                                 — James Laver

 

These warm, oaky leather browns and their compatriots are favorites of mine. There are elements of this shade in my hair and skin as well, so it becomes almost creepily monochromatic in a certain light.

Yes, another full skirt. This look a more contemporary take, and I think I make my point that it can look more or less ‘wearable’ with this. Maybe.

IMG_9149

IMG_9133-2

IMG_9054-2

Love the seam detail on the back of this jacket.

IMG_9089Then, because this is what I saw in my vision,* I wanted to see it with glasses.

* You know, the visions you have of future outfits and tableaux as you fall asleep. I’m sure you know the ones.

IMG_9080

IMG_9146

Skirt from eBay, scuba-style leather jacket from black rivet, J Crew tee shirt, TOMS chestnut wedges, glasses from zennioptical.com. On the lips: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Esprit (this tinted balm formula is gorgeous). And I wore a little eyeshadow!

IMG_9164

IMG_9168x

 

the crop top

 Red is black.

                            – Rei Kawakubo

In a way, a long-sleeved crop top makes no sense….

Perhaps that is what I like so much about it?

IMG_8617

And what could be a more fitting companion than the high-waisted pencil skirt? I like the surprise of the midriff in the otherwise conservative silhouette, and the way the shape of the bared section shifts as the body moves.

IMG_8578

Is it me or do I look kind of…scary here? Maneaterish? Evidently this is how I look sometimes.

Express high waist midi pencil skirt*, crop top from Asos, Cole Haan pumps, dupatta/scarf (giftshop), Breil Milano watch (thrifted), Mulberry Roxanne handbag (thrifted).

*Exactly the kind of pencil skirt I’ve been looking for: friendly amount of stretch, above-the-navel, below-the-knee, hugging but not without structure, not clinging. I got it in gray, too.

This is my favored bag of the moment. It has that functional, built-to-last professorial look I often like paired with a traditional aesthetic that also feels luxurious. A bit of a fashion quest tracking it down, many patient months of unwavering preoccupation, searching and waiting, waiting and searching.

IMG_8576x