Scarves, Bustles and Rainy Fall Days

 

After months of searching for the perfect winter coat last fall, I finally found a black number that fulfilled my many requirements: cashmere, slash pockets, hidden closures, funnel neck. (I wanted to find a coat with an interesting pattern or color, but nothing was available.)  I purchased the coat from Ann Taylor, not one of my usual haunts, but I'm happy I purchased it and am looking forward to wearing it during the fall and winter season.

At the same time I purchased my coat, I was also desperately searching for a boldly patterned wood scarf. I blame my Textile History course and the months spent in the MFA's archives, but I could not settle for a solid-color scarf and ended up wearing a black one until the end of March. How drab a solution!

I latched onto the idea of a statement scarf that referenced the art deco revival prints of the 80's, a mix of paint strokes, geometric designs -- a sophisticated, citified ethic print (if you will), but there was none to be found. Not in stores. Not on eBay. Not in the thrift stores.

The one scarf I found and loved was a DVF silk scarf in blues, blacks, turquoises, and some browns. Fabulous. But you can't wear a silk scarf with a cashmere coat in the dead of January. Not an effective guard against blustery New England weather!

So, I'm still on the search. Here are a few lightweight scarves that Anthropologie is carrying. I love these prints and patterns, and I am hopeful that will have more substantial scarves in stock this fall:

Here's a sketch of a skirt I modified with some of my favorite (and necessary) fall accessories. The skirt began as a pleated wool number with a slight A-line. I added a band, and because of the length, I was able to give the skirt some personality. And add some serious volume to my rear end.

Note: I'm aware that this is not my best sketch. But it gives you the idea. Also, the purse in the sketch is Marni's Gusset clutch (available at Barneys). The gloves, shoes, skirt, scarf, sweater are either items I own or things I wish were available for purchase.