the long pencil skirt

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Regardless of where the waistband sits I like pencil skirts that hit at this point just below the knee, still showing the full curve of the calf. There is something shapely to me about the combination of what is and what is not revealed.

The pearl set* is a bit prim with the turtleneck—a turtleneck sweater tucked into a high waisted pencil skirt being already in that clean, preppy Ralph Lauren vein—but I am myself a bit prim, and I like sometimes to look it. This necklace is stunning, too, a metallic lavender freshwater strand with rosy overtones that Pearls of Joy sent over. Metallics are a special, relatively rare pearlcreature of their own.

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* These are complementary but not literally a set. I mean pearl earrings and a pearl necklace together, which can seem like too much (or too formal). Sometimes, though, I like to be too much. “Too much”, or maybe “a little bit too much”, is not a bad description of my style.

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This would have been a good opportunity for a belt, though I like the uncluttered color block look, too.

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One thing I like especially about a high waisted silhouette is the expanse of the full…haunch, I guess you would call it, in profile. I like clothes like this, that obscure the body without disguising it or breaking up its natural lines. The outfit is conservative in its coverage yet sensual in its silhouette.

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Long No. 2 pencil skirt from J. Crew (thrifted), French Connection turtleneck sweater (via Marshall’s), Zara pumps (thrifted), fingerless gloves (eBay), Mulberry bag (thrifted), natural golden akoya earrings from Pearl Paradise, metallic lavender freshwater pearl necklace from Pearls of Joy. On the lips: Dr. Hauschka lip balm (which we love).

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cashmere & leather

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.

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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.

IMG_9942So…cold…

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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.

IMG_9956Express 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.

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