I enjoy traditions, which is why we photograph my annual Thanksgiving Day outfit in exactly the same spot every year. It’s the stone bridge at the arboretum, close to our home. Colourful Autumn foliage has reached its peak, but the woodsy scenery of the arboretum is just as pretty. My favourite part is how the moist Seattle air keeps the moss and grass looking gorgeously green.
It’s important to wear comfortable clothing for Thanksgiving because it’s a day of cooking, feasting, snacking and laughing. This year I’ll wear a trouser ensemble that I’ve worn quite a bit when working with clients. It features two items I bought at this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: a cream Vince boat neck rib cashmere pullover, and pleated glen plaid cropped wool pants. Bonus that they work well together.
The trousers are an acquired taste with their pleated, high-waisted silhouette and “flooding” cropped length. I fell in love with the bottoms at the NAS because they’re trendy, plaid, dressy, structured, impeccable quality, and different to what I had in my trouser capsule. They’re also a throwback to trousers I wore back in the ‘80s — a nod to my Modern Retro style sensibilities.
The defined waist of the trousers makes them flattering to my eye, as long as I wear them with tucked tops. That styling strategy lengthens the leg line from the hips upward, which offsets the short-legged look of the cropped length. The tuxedo stripe down the side seams and the crease lines down the front and back further accentuate their vertical integrity. The trousers look professional, crisp, don’t crease, and are quite timeless. They’re also very comfortable, so it’s no wonder that I adore them.
The fluid fit of the cream tucked cashmere pullover adds a soft and pretty vibe to the outfit, complementing the masculine vibe of the trousers. I first tried wearing a sleek black turtleneck with the trousers, but that looked off: Harsh and waist shortening. The boat neck visually widens my shoulders, and the blousoned volume relaxes the combination. These proportions worked better with the high rise of the trousers somehow. I further “prettified” the outfit by adding tailored cream booties, and a ten year old chunky pearl necklace. The trousers would look more traditionally flattering at a regular length, but then you wouldn’t see the cute design detailing of my boots!
A new animal print bag adds a maximal patterned mixing touch to the outfit. The eight year old cream wool coat showcases my love for light neutrals. I enjoy how the black buttons of the coat match the black elastic of the booties, and create a twinset effect with the pullover. Retro sunnies were used for the photo shoot to stop me from squinting, but I wear my bright green specs most of the time.
- 1 RB2180 49mm — $140.00
- 2 Boat Neck Horizontal Rib Cashmere Sweater — $295.00
- 3 Pleated Glen Plaid Crop Wool Pants — $475.00
- 4 Very Chunky Pearl Neclace
- 5 Cream Millitary Coat
- 6 KENDALL + KYLIE Logan — $190.00
- 7 Charles Jourdan Ophelia Leopard-Print Leather Satchel Bag, Natural
This outfit hits four important points for me. One, my growing fondness of earth tones. Two, the joy that I derive from sporting trendy pieces. Three, my desire to define my waist. And four, the satisfaction I get from remixing new pieces with old wardrobe items.
We’ll be celebrating with my dear friend Meredith on Thursday, with Thai mashed sweet potato, ginger green beans, and South African bread pudding as our contributions to the Thanksgiving dinner. Can’t wait.
