Kind of riffing on Runcarla’s post on special occasion dressing, but moving further along on the spectrum,
to not-casual, but not party, sophisticated, polished outfits.

The occasions would range from funerals (!), to events with former professional colleagues on campus ( conferences & other occasions where retired folks attend alongside still working professionals), to maybe some social occasions where I just want to dress better.

Over the past year I’ve had several of these occasions and just not liked the outfits I came up with. I’ll say up front that a few situations were where I was more conscious ( or self-conscious) of wanting to look my best— while none of them were school reunions, I think that’s a good example of some of the angst. Perhaps shallow, but there you go.

Usually funerals don’t carry this weight, because my usual environmental norm even for that is pretty casual and often not even dark/ neutral clothing.

But I attended one service which was also attended by a younger physician former colleague. She wore a black pantsuit of some sort and I was struck by how simple but polished she looked. It was chilly late winter and I wore black pants, a gray top and a knit sort of tweedy blazer—an older Vince Camuto, will see if I still have a Find. It seemed fine at first, and truly was for that occasion , which was a loss of a friend, and very much about comforting family, but then. I wished. Of course there’s that little issue of the big age difference so and that I look ghastly in a lot of black. It’s just that the right items could work for different occasions, with change of accessories. But I was thinking that the right items could work for different occasions, with change of accessories.

I went to another memorial service where attendees were largely medical professionals, of all ages. Wire a silk blazer, not long but not cropped either, and wider pants but not matched. It seemed okay at first but felt maybe a bit frumpy in some ways. Proportions ?

Does anyone remember Lee Remick derisive comments to Amy Irving in the movie “ The Competition “, critiquing Amy’s wardrobe as “ your Jordan Marsh mix-and-match!”

So moving along from all that to a sort of vision- quest, what I’d like to have in my wardrobe is some separates that are pretty elevated in terms of fabric quality, look like they are meant to go together proportionally, neutral to near- neutral and possibly matching or at least tonal.

I have always thought I need a jacket or blazer but have been finding I often feel a bit frumpy or too mix& match. But then if I do a stand- alone top, I find I want something more substantial than just a blouse or thin knit top, even some of my cashmere and merino.
Some of my newer jackets I got to go with high- waisted pants are either too casual or in some cases too “ cheeky” for more somber occasions, but maybe okay for other events.

So, I’m going to do some more SYC to see if there are some combinations I’ve not tried before that are closer to my “ vision”.

I like Angie’s Theory suit look though I couldn’t wear exactly that. I’m also looking at same- color / dye lot separates but find some challenges- like a Vince wrap top I got that I really like, but its coordinate is shiny satin pants!

Also I think a big challenge is The Seasons. I will have something that works well in winter but not summer, or vice versa. Since these are not everyday or even every week occasions, it’s hard to justify expensive items just waiting to be worn, but sometimes if I try to not “ save for best”, and wear pieces separately and more casually, I may find an outfit component starts to look a bit tired.

Other new thoughts are checking out more “ elevated cardigans “, in the sense that they are available in many different knits ( warm/ not warm), and lengths( for proportions) and may be less expensive than tailored jackets, but add something. In my situation, I don’t need a “ power piece” per se , at all — it’s all about overall fits and proportions.

I’ve also considered just defaulting back black and/or navy because there’s more options in better quality items, price points , coordinates.

Well, thank you for reading. I am trying to do this as a style goal, but with a at least somevgrounding in reality/ practicality. Or be ready for serendipitous wardrobe finds, not likely to be able to just go out and get it.