“The understanding that there is so much more to life than looking good, but also understanding that looking good is a worthwhile pursuit.” -Karen

The title of this post is from a comment that resonated with me — Karen articulated perfectly a sentiment that I hold dear. The theme of Bay Garnett’s new book, Style and Substance: Why What We Wear Matters, dovetails nicely with Karen’s words and the two warranted a post. In WWD ‘s review, writer Samantha Conti noted “… Garnett says she was “amazed by how deep people were when they talked about fashion. That was a revelation to me. They opened up their wardrobes, and their thoughts, and their hearts around the way that clothes make them feel. It reinforced my own love of clothes, and it kind of made me care more about what I wear as well.” After Ms. Garnett had interviewed a number of  style-setters for this book, she told WWD that she was surprised by “… how “un-superficial” fashion is.” 

Thank you, Karen, for your thoughtful comment —  I am in total agreement that there is more to life than looking good, yet, making an effort and considering what we wear are important, too.

‘Tis The Season To Say Thank You

The liminal period between the holidays and the new year is a welcome week of calm before we ramp up again. The shopping pressure is off, returns have been sent, and now it’s time to settle in and write thank you notes. Thank yous to the hostesses for holiday lunches and parties, for the presents from family and friends, and a virtual thank you for all of the kic comments. I’ve chosen a comment that resonated and will post on it tomorrow.

Smythson Correspondence Cards in Blue and Nile Blue

Fun Tights: Fishnets

Fishnets are once again in fashion and look good to my eye this time around. Ann Mashburn posted the above pic of Brigitte Bardot trimming a tree wearing fishnets, and FT did a solid round up on the fun, and somewhat sexy, hosiery du jour.  Fishnets come in a wide range of weaves and I prefer the wide weave below.

Two For The Snow

Just when I was thinking about corduroy, my favorite ski brand Perfect Moment released a wide-wale version of my go-to ski pants — whoop whoop! My daughter permanently borrowed said ski pants, which is a good excuse to get the ones above. Last winter an English woman told me in no uncertain terms that the Penelope Chilvers Incredible boots were no longer chic and I could not wear them in London. Well, I’ve worn a grey pair for years and, ignoring her advice, just bought a pair in brown oiled suede. I love Incredible Boots and don’t honestly care if they are out of style.

Spectacular Coats

This season I’ve thrown a Max Mara parka or ancient wool duffel coat over my sequined Commission skirt holiday party outfit. However, the Valentino PF24 coat left and the Chanel Métiers d’Art right make me want a spectacular coat that is as important as the outfit underneath.

Friends Make The Holidays Shine Even Brighter

Fashion week September 2019, my friend Charlotte announced that she was putting together a book club of ex-Vogue colleagues along with a few models and fashion execs. We were at a memorial for the hairstylist Oribe when she hatched this brilliant idea, reasoning that a memorial should not be the only occasion to see each other as a group. We all worked together in the ’90s, an extraordinary time in fashion, and share a history that is unique to a relatively small number of people. Many of us still work in the industry. For the most part, we only see one another at club meetings. One year a member flew in from Rome, and this month others came from LA and Palm Beach. Over time the club has grown, but we keep reading and meeting. I am eternally grateful for this phenomenal group of women, women I love, respect, and know that they have my back. We missed you Charlotte Wagster, Amanda Ross Bacon and Fabiana Lima Ramirez, and an enormous thank you to Juliet (with her youngest daughter upper left) for hosting.

Holiday Bits & Bobs

It’s the final stretch of 2023 and this is my last to-do list. Christmas plates are out and in use, tree this weekend. Good thing my girls don’t read kic because I’m looking for the Chanel flats above for my younger daughter for a combined Christmas/birthday present. The girls’ birthdays bracket Christmas by a day, very bad planning on my part. I’m finishing North Woods, which is incredibly well written, and will dive right into The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. Yes, it’s another epic novel, but the reviews are fantastic. Good luck finding a copy. One more facial before year’s end at Augustinus Bader Skin Lab NYC. The AB Soothing Cream is my skin savior and you can buy refills. A festive sweater has never been my thing, but this Max Mara vest could sway me.

Toteme’s Super Scarf

This Toteme scarf comes in grey, too, however the dark brown and beige caught my eye.

Epic Novels

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese is my December book club read. I suspect that I am one of only a few to have finished it. I listened to all 31+ hours (two r/t flights to France helped) on Audible. Narrated by the author is an extra bonus.  Usually, I read short stories between epic novels but, for some reason, I’ve slid right into another sweeping multigenerational saga, North Woods by Daniel Mason. It, too, is very good.

The Best Vest

Nowadays it’s often too cold for a wool coat.  I love my wool coats and get the blues when I have to wear a parka every day — parka fatigue. After buying a light-weight Max Mara Cube jacket to wear on the plane, I had an ‘aha’ moment — a Max Mara Cube vest (and here) to wear under my wool coats would solve the warmth problem.  The Max Mara vest is not down-filled so it’s not bulky, thus it looks great under a coat. It’s, also, very warm and runs large. Grey here.