red - The Seventh Sphinx

I have a theory that you could pair any two plaid patterns and it would work. It’s the kind of choice that could only be purposeful, that projects purposefulness. This kind of choice is immune to color disasters, I find, as my impression upon seeing a poor color pairing* is generally that the wearer was somehow blind to the combination, that it was not consciously done (or that their taste is entirely distinct from my own). I think you can wear anything and look put together, look good [or look at least like you think it looks good, which is an excellent beginning], if only you can make it look like you are wearing everything on purpose.**

*This is rare, though, I realize midway through the sentence. I think most colors can pair with a massive range of other colors, if not well than at least without jarring.

**That said, there is much to be said for a certain air of carelessness in dress.

Decided to go to town with the pearls. Faux choker with genuine strand and studs. I have no qualms mixing authentic and costume jewelry. In this I follow in the estimable footsteps of Coco Chanel. There is only a 2mm difference between these two sizes but it looks like much more, doesn’t it? Here is some math explaining why 1mm differences have such a significant visual impact. Found this so interesting.

Zara scarf, Kenneth Cole coat (thrifted), plaid shirt (unlabeled, thrifted), Express leather-look leggings, Sorel Tofino boots, Pearl Paradise 8mm necklace, Pearls of Joy 10mm studs, Mulberry Roxanne bag (thrifted). On the lips: MAC RiRiWoo lipstick.

I like a herringbone pattern, especially in charcoal. I got another faux fur collar as I wanted some contrast here (and generally find it difficult to resist white things).

oxblood suede (♥!)

Yes, my coat has perfectly functional buttons, and I do like that boxy boyfriend look achieved by simply buttoning it as well as the casual look of not buttoning it at all, but why not add a belt? You know? Just why not?

I’ve been randomly adding a belt here and there where no belt is needed, and it opens whole new world of possibility. Many of my favorite uses of the belt are entirely cosmetic. I am coming around to investing in a really excellent belt (in any style, but with something a bit special about it), which belt can then carry the day, regardless of what it is in fact belting. I’ve observed that a nice dress with a supbar (cheap, plain, ragged, uninspired, etc.) belt yields a supbar effect, while a subpar dress with a luxe belt yields a luxe effect. I think the conclusion here is obvious.

Did I already talk about this? This feels familiar…but perhaps it was only in my mind. Perhaps I am building on the initial idea to invest in a belt and going on to say that I would then wear that belt in all manner of unconventional contexts. Belting a coat that has no need of a belt (or which already has a belt!), belting a scarf, belting a sweater or anything bulky, having a belt slung at the hips independent of any assigned loops, wearing multiple belts. Much like the artful placement of a superfluous zipper (or like jewelry, which realm of decor a pointless belt approaches), a purely aesthetic belt can immediately up the style factor, especially one that is well chosen. Indeed, the more out of place it is, the better it will function as a feature of interest. It can also up the femininity factor, the waist being a definitive part of the female silhouette, and the highlighting or exaggeration of the waist a much-considered matter in the fashion and beauty industries (not to mention all of the feminist and body issues bound up in it and the zones above and below it by association, i.e. ratios). The waist is powerful, and so is the belt.

Alorna herringbone coat (thrifted), faux fur collar (eBay), bon chon gloves, Old Navy sweater, Express leggings (I was skeptical about these at first but I think if I wear them and stare at them a bit more I’m going to like them), Cole Haan pumps, Michael Kors belt (thrifted). On the lips: MAC RiRiWoo. Oh, and here are the textured gold sphere earrings I was waiting for. They are heavy but they will do.

RiRiWoo (♥!) Like I said, the color is stunning, ultra saturated and ultra matte.

Tag: red

plaid on plaid

belt it