What my readers love this week…
Here are a few of YOUR favorites from this week, based on your clicks….
5 BAG | 6 LOAFERS | 7 LINEN SHIRT | 8 SWEATER BLAZER
Keeping track of my “stats” helps me to understand what you’re interested in, and that includes the styles you click on. I also maintain a tab in my SHOP for Reader Favorites, which I update weekly.
While you’re there be sure to check out some of the other curated sections for Travel Wardrobes, and for each seasonal color palette: Winter | Spring | Summer | Autumn. I’m constantly updating and adding to these sections as I come across new finds.
BTW, here are a few sales on your favorites:
Chico’s – 25% off no-iron shirts & tops
J.Crew – 30% off full-price styles & extra 50% off sale styles, code ADDTOBAG
Talbot’s – 25% off entire purchase
What’s new chez nous…
It’s been an unexpectedly busy few days, and I’ve had to push back a couple of posts I’d hoped to finish this week. But fingers crossed things will quiet down and I’ll get caught up over the next few days.
We paid a visit to the auto body shop yesterday to retrieve some personal belongings and bid farewell to le voiture de Monsieur. The insurance company “totalled” it; apparently the damage from the tree falling on it was more extensive than it originally appeared, and it was an 11 year-old vehicle… We’ve decided that we’re not going to replace it, and will become a one-car family. (Though I’m hoping to trade mine in for an electric vehicle soon. Not the bird guy’s though.)
There’s another storm arriving today, but hopefully it won’t be as severe as the last one. I’m hoping to get out and do some retail reconnaissance over the weekend. Let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to keep my eyes open for.
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead this Saturday night. Bon weekend!
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Id love to see midi or maxi dresses with sleeves. Minus ruffles, tiers and high slits.
I completely agree with Juli. No frou-frou, and for me, an elbow or 3/4length sleeve.
I’ll third that motion!!
Me, too. Thanks.
Me, too.
Yes please! So hard to find clothes without ruffles.
Sorry about the car and I hope your next storm isn’t so bad. I am looking for recommendations or opinions on the best white t-shirt! V neck or crew neck. I’ve heard and read about ATM shirts – have you tried one? Is it worth the money? Is there something comparable you’d recommend? Cheers – Katie, Spokane, WA
I tried ATM & did not like it. I went back to Three Dots. They have a variety of styles & sleeve lengths & the cotton quality is very good.
Hi Susan from eastern Canada! We just went down to one car – a bit hard to get used to but much cheaper on the gas!
My reason for writing – we are going on a river cruise in mid-April out of Amsterdam, then two weeks visiting cousins in both Northern Ireland and southern England. Packing more lightly than I did on previous cruises and they were in the fall several years ago – I have heard that the “dress” is not as fancy as ten years ago – any suggestions for a few outfits for dinner? I plan to take black pants, black skirt and a couple of dressy tops and a couple of cashmere sweaters which are crew neck and sleeves mid-arm length. Any suggestions gratefully received! thanks – Sandi
Our river cruise (Ama Waterways) was not at all dressy. I think black pants with a cashmere sweater or a top more dressy than a t-shirt will be fine.
I was on a Viking river cruise in December. Not dressy at all. I agree with Cathy. Black pants and a nice top if you want. You may be sitting next to a person in nice jeans at dinner.
Can agree re cruise attire. We went on a Viking Danube cruise last August. I had black, white, and beige pants with nice tops, also a couple of linen shift dresses (think Tommy Bahama), and was squarely in the middle of the “dressiness” continuum. I packed a pair of sparkly flat sandals to add a little pizzazz. Some of the friends I was traveling with wore long-but-casual dresses in packable fabrics. We had a great time, hope you will too!
Hi, Sue, I’m sorry about your husband’s car. Here in suburban Virginia, my partner and I recently became a one-car family. I’m retired and he works mainly from home. Two months ago we decided not to replace his 11-year-old car when it needed a major repair. We’d been discussing this possibility for a few months, so it hasn’t been a shock to the system. Since my retirement 2+ years ago, we’ve rarely been out of the house at the same time using both cars. We’ve easily deconflicted the use of one car for my weekly volunteer work and his weekly grocery shopping, and our other appointments and outings are scheduled accordingly. We have bus-to-Metro and ride-sharing for those infrequent times when we’re going in two different directions. Maintaining two cars is a huge expense and even the occasional ride-share or rental car is a fraction of that.
I want to give a shout-out to my favorite handbag brand, MZ Wallace, which is my everyday choice for organization and saving my shoulders, as well as my hero traveling bags. They are stylish, durable, and strong. As I write this, I have just finished unpacking two of them (a cross-body and a tote bag with a luggage sleeve) from our week-long trip to London and Amsterdam.
Sorry about the loss of the auto. Some thoughts while you are researching your next auto/SUV: We switched to hybrid SUVs in 2010 and still love them. Best of both worlds. Lexus IMO makes the best. A hybrid gives you all the advantages of electric while the infrastructure catches up. BonChance!
Susan thank you so much for all your hard work! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. I’ve come to rely on your good taste and have learned so much from you. We got an electric Kia and like it very much. We were a one car family for a while since I’m mostly at home painting. Stay safe and dry! Fingers crossed our storm will not be as bad as the last!
Hi, Susan. While you’re out and about, maybe you could keep your eyes open for the Goldilocks jacket. My version of the Goldilocks jacket would have a linen finish/touch/feel, but be more wrinkle resistant. It would have some form and structure, but be machine washable. It would have classic styling, but not too oversized. I am an autumn and looking for one of my neutrals. I, too, live in Southern California, and would add a preference for a jacket that could stretch through four seasons.
I would love to see this also. Have you seen the EF hemp and cotton jacket in person Susan? What do you think about it? Thanks for your wonderful blog. Please don’t stop!
I haven’t seen that one in person, but will look for it.
Hello from Hilton Head, South Carolina. Since you asked, please let us know if you find any white pants you can recommend during your weekend shopping. I am looking for a pair – not jeans – a step up.
Thank you.
I can recommend the Chatham ankle pants from Talbots. I have a pair of these in white, & the fabric is a heavy cotton with stretch, so it’s not see-through. They have a side zip which I really like. Looking on the website, there’s also a Hampshire pant that’s front zip, and the white ones are lined. Not sure if the fabric is the same but I think so.
I recently had a helluva time finding a dress for a “formal wedding” (“black tie” the invitation says) to be held next week at Sea Island, Georgia. For weeks all I could find were dresses appropriate for grandmothers-of-the-bride (I’m not!), proms, or White House state dinners. And I didn’t want to break the bank.
I finally succeeded, but would be interested seeing your take on ways to dress for one of these events. I must admit I do envy men who simply pull out the same old tuxedo for these affairs.
Ann in Missouri
Yes, this! All the formal and semi-formal dresses I see are suitable for either a teenager or a woman 80+, it is like they forgot about everyone in between. And the red carpet shows are not helpful as the dresses tend to be too revealing or too out there, and likely too expensive.
I love your style for it’s ease and clean lines. I wear pants, layers and try to keep an eye to the trend without looking trendy. For example. I have started using a small sling bag, kind of a mini backpack…it is very practical and, my 20-something daughters tell me, makes my look modern.
My husband just replaced his Toyota Avalon with the Ford Mustang EV and absolutely loves it (we would never by one of “that man’s” cars, either)
Sorry to hear Monsieur’s car was totalled. It might be getting some used to, having one car. But it is of course a luxury.
Greetje
Haha, I love “bird man”! Great way to reference him without naming him. I’m just stopping by to thank you again for the links to seasonal navy-esque colors from earlier this week. I did indeed use your links to get a few things from EF in both Ocean and Pacifica, and while the Ocean suits me best (not surprisingly), the combo of Ocean and Pacifica is gorgeous! Thanks again 🙂 And congrats on becoming a 1-car fam. My partner and I are going to 1 car this spring. I’m a little scared (since we live in a rural area with no non-car options for getting anywhere) but it’s time. Our next car will be a hybrid, with hopes for an electric baby someday! Looking forward to hearing about your adventures in electric car shopping and owning.
Sorry about the loss of your car, but this is a good chance to try out being a one-car household. We have fewer vehicles than drivers in our house and it works most of the time. We will occasionally use Uber or the bus, as we live in an area with those options.
Since you offered to keep an eye out this weekend, I’d be interested in your professional opinion about the Eileen Fisher color Barley–would it work for dark summers? I am also interested in finding a longer-length trench coat with a hood. Thank you!
Would appreciate sweaters, jackets, coats in the wine, burgundy, cranberry, aubergine range.
Thanks for all u do.
Question – is the Cinq a Sept blazer in cherry tomato really in the Summer category?
No, it was supposed to be the “Shadow” color. Sometimes retailers make backend changes that affect how the item displays. I’m updating now.
I love—love—my all electric Nissan Leaf Plus. It can go 235 miles on a charge, is inordinately comfortable and I can wave bye at the gas stations as I pass them.
Hi Susan,
My husband and I both have a Ford Mustang Mache and we love them! Highly recommend!
Hi Susan,
I checked out your Autumn selections and was happy to see my go-to Eileen Fisher crepe pants as one of your recommendations. Then I read the reviews on the Nordstrom site as well as the EF site. There are many negative comments regarding new sizing and lesser quality of the material. I hope that’s not true, would love your take on the issue.
Hi Marilyn, I haven’t purchased a pair recently, but I know sometimes EF changes the fabric mix in their pieces. I was looking at a pair on the rack a few weeks ago and didn’t notice any difference in fabric weight or quality.
Whew, that’s a relief! It would be foolish for the company to change the fabric on such a successful item in their line. Thanks for the speedy response!
Hello…just getting around to your post for today. Is there something wrong with the “bird man’s” EVs and as another reader noted “that man’s”? Just curious.
Based on his recent performances (and I mean that in all senses of the word), I just don’t trust that any company he’s in charge of is being soundly run. And there have been so many reported problems with that brand in the news lately. I think there are better options for the money.
It’s fun to see what everyone is interested in.
I’d be interested in retail reconnaissance for lightweight v-neck cardigans with a good fluid drape, something that hangs straight from the shoulder (no ribbing at the hem that causes a narrowing), set in sleeves, not overly sheer, not cropped but not long – although I’d take long if I could find it. No, I’m not particular, why do you ask?
Aw, my smiley didn’t make it through. 🙂
Hoping this next round of storms does not impact you and monsieur.
I did buy the raincoat in blue (#4) and it will be a good weight (light) for an upcoming trip to London and Paris next month. I just wish I didn’t have to cut five inches off the sleeves to fit my petite/short arms. Wish there were more options for petite raincoats, but this will have to do. 🙂
As always, great blog and lovely graphic T’s from J. Crew.
We have owned one all electric, for ~10 years, both Chevrolets. One hybrid: the Volt is 5 years old(and we owned one before that-totalled in a car crash)– very safe car to drive.. Excellent customer service from our local dealership, and frankly: almost zero maintenance for both cars
New tires every so often. With solar on the roof-for electricity generation. Bravo to one car
–wish I could get my husband to consider that!
And both totally fun to drive.
I ordered the cardigan in picture #8, and am crossing my fingers! Also, I totally agree with Susan’s comment: my next car will be electric but the “bird man’s” brand is off the list. Luckily, there are plenty of good options, and more available all the time.
Hubby and I have been a one vehicle household since we both retired several years ago. There are rare occasions when a second car would make life simpler, but the cost of maintaining and insuring it definitely wouldn’t justify purchasing another one.