Rather than buy a dress with limited use, I prefer to wear separates for evening wear. It makes so much more sense to me to invest in a few quality items that will have longevity and work as chameleons in amping up several looks. The tuxedo jacket, beautiful heels and sheer black hosiery are three essentials I’d like to have on hand to work with many of my existing favorites.
Every year, I tell myself I’m going to invest in a tuxedo jacket. But I still haven’t. I’m usually wishing I had one too late in the season, when a dress on its own or blouse and trousers just won’t cut it. I know the piece every fashion insider swears by is the Saint Laurent tux jacket, but that’s not a realistic option for me with the current price running over $3000. I know there are others that would satisfy my musts – beautiful fabric, a simple lean cut, tailored details – without breaking the bank. I love the option above from Burberry London, or a long, lean Diane von Furstenberg, or a nipped in waist silhouette from Dolce & Gabbana.
It’s nice to have a pair of heels on hand that are trustworthy favorites. By trustworthy, I mean comfortable and versatile. I have a pair of Prada heels that fit me so well, the heel height doesn’t bother me, but they’re starting to show their age. Two things I’ve learned about heels…I’ll only buy them if I can fit a small cushioned pad in the toe box, and they must be secure on my foot with some sort of strap. I simply can’t wear a classic high pump…probably ever again. I’m eyeing T-straps, like these from Gucci. I think they would fit the bill and patent leather makes them appropriate day or night.
I mentioned hosiery, or sheer tights, in an earlier post. I’m definitely jumping on board. I’ve passed up so many dresses over the years because of length but with sheer tights, a load of possibilities has opened up. I’m not talking short-short, I’m past that, but a dress with length in-between knee and mini that I previously would have passed up is now an option. Wolford is the gold standard in this area, so I won’t need to search high and low for the perfect pair.
Source: photo: ©Chris Colls ©Porter Magazine Winter 2015
Elbe
What has been your experience with Wolford? They aren’t carried in my local market but I see them on line. They have so many choices that it is difficult for me to see what would be the correct choice. I suppose that if one is looking for a sheer black, it shouldn’t be that hard, but to look for more work/day appropriate shades, I haven’t been able to decide which one.
Karima
My purchases from Wolford have only been with opaque black (Mat Opaque 80) and now, sheer. I’m not sure if that’s what you’re looking for to wear to work. I agree I would have a hard time choosing a nude shade online. Aside from Wolford’s online store, they have boutiques throughout the U.S. Click HERE for locations.You can also find Wolford at Nordstrom, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, and Barneys. I’ve also ben very pleased in the past with Fogal.
Sophia
Blazers are definitely a must for me; I’d love a bona fide, Saint Laurent ‘le smoking’, but sadly mine are whatever fits from Goodwill. Just yesterday I felt like Emmanuelle Alt leaving the house in my cool black blazer, but that feeling quickly subsided when I arrived at my high school Homecoming – no place for a French Vogue editor.
Lovely post!
Sophia
plaidismyfavouritecolour.blogspot.com
Karima
I’ll bet you were the chicest one there!
MMS
I bought a tuxedo jacket from Burberry a few years ago and I wear it a lot. I wear it in lieu of a leather jacket over my dresses when I want to feel a bit more dressed up. I bought the matching trousers but I have never worn them together!