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 winter cloak

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I think this speaks for itself.

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 In the midst of a snowstorm, no less. Cloaks, people! Wear cloaks!

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So glam, and seemingly the only outerwear own that has a hood. How can this be? [That can’t be right.] And how is eyeliner so dramatic?  Eight seconds of metallic plum eyeliner later I look suddenly intense and vixen-like and a little overdressed.

Wool fur trimmed cloak (eBay), Pratt and Hart leather mittens, Old Navy sweater, Express jeans (thrifted), Sorel boots, vintage Timex watch, Pearl Paradise necklace, Roxanne Mulberry bag (thrifted). On the lips, MAC RiRiWoo layered (darkened) with Japonesque Color lipstick in shade 7 (liking the bold lip generally). This is the NARS Exhibit A blush again. So good.IMG_0632x