J Crew - The Seventh Sphinx

Certain combinations become more than the sum of their parts: Champagne and oysters, Roquefort and Sancerre (which I urge you to try), hot cocoa and whipped cream, pretzels and dark chocolate…cashmere and leather.

I am no avid proponent of cashmere, generally preferring softer cotton blends, but it is warm and in this crewneck sweater I found a price/texture/color combination that I like. I do like a crewneck.

So…cold…

These color combinations are a flaunting of the oft-repeated guidelines not to pair navy or brown with black. Can anyone fail to notice that black and brown are in fact phenomenal together? That black and navy, too, can be entirely pleasing? Along with navy and any shade of gray? Navy and any other blue? Navy and taupe?

By all means, match your shoes to your belt if it comforts you, but these things really must be determined on a case by case basis.

Express jean leggings, AllSaints leather jacket, Everlane cashmere sweater, J Crew silk camisole, Steve Madden pumps, faux fur collar (eBay), fingerless mittens (eBay), Pearls of Joy 9mm studs. On the lips: Lipstick Queen Saint lipstick in Berry.

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.

Love the seam detail on the back of this jacket.

Then, 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.

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!

Tag: J Crew

cashmere & leather

monochrome: camel