If it’s not the slushy snow that we had all of last week, it’s the rain coupled with an icy wind. With a warm topper, scarf, weatherproof footwear and an umbrella in my bag, I brave the elements and get on with it. You just can’t let the Seattle weather get you down, nor can you put off wearing your nice wardrobe items. 

Greg and I went to a very casual business meeting earlier this week and this is what I wore. Greg took these photos just before the meeting during a brief interlude when the rain wasn’t coming down in buckets. But the wind was blowing so that’s why it looks like I have bedhead. 

The outfit incorporates two items that I purchased from last year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale — a Smythe equestrian jacket and Donald Pliner biker boots. When I saw the Smythe jacket during the sale’s preselections, I almost cried it’s THAT well made. This level of quality and impeccable tailoring is rare these days, no matter how expensive the garment. And the chestnut elbow patches were love at first sight. To my eye, this style of jacket stands the test of time and is a great investment. I will happily wear it season after season and enjoy every second of it. 

I need to wear colour on our awfully grey days so I paired the jacket with a citron cashmere turtleneck and woolly chartreuse polka dot scarf. I tied the scarf like a mens’ tie so that it fit neatly into the neckline of the jacket. Sometimes I’m not in the mood for the draping whimsy of a scarf and prefer a tie that is more rigid.

I chose my straight leg jeans instead of skinnies because I like a little more volume on the bottom half of my legs when wearing mid calf boots. Sporting skinnies with these boots just makes my narrow calves look even scrawnier and therefore unbalanced. A cream and black satchel adds brightness to the outfit. It was back to Team Silver for my watch and wedding ring to match the metals on my boots and bag. 

I bat for Team Polished, but I like to wear distressed items too. Thing is, I must wear distressed items with polished pieces in order for them to feel right for my style. That’s how the pairing of this jacket with the biker boots was born. The outfit is less crisp and more casual and earthy than what I usually wear because of the colours and the textures. It’s a nice break from dressy black, white and brights.