the mid-length gloves

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The wrist-length (or not quite wrist-length) glove is smart and sleek, the standard winter glove around 2 inches past the wrist is practical—though a bit dull without any inherent charm of its own—, the opera or elbow-length and beyond glove is formal and elegant…and then there is this length: a few inches short of the elbow but decidedly long. This length strikes me as an excellent modern compromise; neither the (now very bold/costumey) elbow length common in the 19th century nor the short (quaint, retro) day gloves of the early 20th century. And they are not the standard issue glove, either. They are something a bit new to the casual ensemble, and this gives them the ring of style.

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To accentuate this out-of-the-ordinary feel I chose a dark purple shade instead of brown or black.

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I only took my jacket off for a moment to show what was underneath. One really needed a jacket.

Warm climate style mavens really have the rest of us at an advantage.

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I’m squinting slightly due to the wind and end up look like a reserved matriarch or something. I kind of like it.

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This look features a bunch of textures, which I like doing lately. I think I will always like doing that.

Tweed coat (thrifted) with fur collar (eBay), monki scarf, Sorel boots, leather gloves (thrifted), J Crew buttoned shirt, Cotton Candy (?!*) skirt, golden akoya pearl studs from Pearl Paradise, love necklace via asos (right, like I was saying, cute things in moderation), Mulberry bag (thrifted), Japonesque Velvet Touch blush (which will tell you about soon). On the lips: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Esprit. This sheer lipstick is blotted, with a bit of a pink Rimmel pencil (Pure) added to the center such that the color fades to nothing at the edges. Nothing too precise about it (that irregular have-been-eating berries stain effect), and I would experiment with this kind of gradation more.

*Where do I get this stuff.

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the fisherman’s sweater

A sweater and jeans makes an excellent uniform for warmer winter days.

I can’t remember if I’ve yet mentioned wanting to knit a sweater. Well, I do. An Irish fisherman style cable-knit sweater along these lines (for I want a green one).

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love leather and knit textures together

Oh, and I got a floppy wool hat. I sometimes think such hats look silly when the hair is tucked underneath, without any tendrils escaping or anything [I can’t really have the kinds of tendrils I mean. Alas, it is not my lot to have long, faintly curling wispy tendrils. Though I can fake it.], but…I go back and forth.

IMG_1130This is the scarf I knit a few years ago. Light and flexible, forgot I had it for a while. A closet review is definitely in order. What is the use of excellent, carefully chosen belongings if you cannot remember that you have them?

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Carraig Donn sweater (thrifted, a men’s small and properly cozy), Express leggings, Eric Michael boots, wool hat from Chicwish, Pratt & Hart leather mittens, 9mm studs from Pearls of Joy, Mulberry bag. On the lips, Revlon lipstick in Black Cherry (I couldn’t find it so I got another). On the cheeks, Chanel cream blush in Fantastic.

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