Please forgive me for today's terrible picture. I included my Stylitics collage for a better idea of the colour and patterns of the pieces I am wearing! Today is day 2 of my self imposed +Blue/-Blue challenge. This week I am wearing all neutrals and blue, since it is the most worn colour in my wardrobe. Next week the real challenge - neutrals and NO blue!
Today I am wearing my J.Crew Minnie ankle pants, black Aldo flats, American Eagle button down shirt, and Ricki's Zebra print cardigan in dark blue and black. Today we are rocking a high of -16 a current temperature of -21 (celsius), so I layered thermal socks and Timberland winter boots over top for the commute.
The Shirt; or, The Story of a Sleeping Workhorse
I don't remember exactly when I bought The Shirt, but it was no later than 2008. I acquired it on sale from American Eagle back when they still sold womens' shirts in numbered sizes. In it's heyday, following it's original purchase, The Shirt was a staple in my tiny capsule of business casual attire. It went with me to work at a call centre fresh from college, then to interviews, and to my first real job. Later, as I expanded my professional wardrobe, it was shuffled gradually to the back of my closet.
The Shirt is made of chambray-like variegated blue cotton. The cuffs and collar are striped on the underside and this detail, combined with darts and princess seams that follow my curves like lines on a map, prompted my husband to refer to The Shirt as "your Mad Men shirt". The Shirt fits perfectly regardless weight fluctuation. It doesn't mind an iron, but looks perfectly presentable after being smoothed by hand and hung to dry.
The Shirt has been dormant for years, unworn, hiding like a well-kept secret, surviving purges that sent serviceable but lesser shirts to Goodwill. Then, one morning, when I was wishing for a chambray shirt, I saw it's pale blue sleeve peeking out from between the other garments. "Wear me", it whispered. "I'm better for you than chambray". The Shirt was right. To my eyes it was fresh, new, reborn. Now it is The Shirt's moment to shine!
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