I saw a lady the other day that I thought was so cute. She wore a heather brown sweater dress, brown tights, and flat boots, with a caftan-like sweater over everything. She pulled off the look really well. Of course, she was travelling and her kids were in pj’s, but she seemed like the type who was used to being gorgeous and stylish wherever she went! I loved her look.

(She also seemed like a Western/urban person, and I really enjoyed her look of utter disbelief as she watched this Cajun dad try to use his French charm to get the McD’s casheir to invent a breakfast happy meal for his child. That has nothing to do with style, but it was a hilarious little cultural vignette. haha…)

I lament the ubiquitous wrap dress. I don’t like camisoles and they always hit too low on me. I used to have the perfect winter dresses - three identical in wool jersey, black, deep ultramarine teal, lipstick red. Long sleeve, scoop neck, set in waist, flared bias skirt. Very graceful but still serious looking. I wash everything myself, including coats. I learned not to wash bias cut wool jersey. Alas.

I don’t personally like this look of adding too many winter accessories to dresses. It would make me feel like I was an immigrant in steerage wearing everything I own. You start with a dress - simplicity of line - and then you destroy the line at every point with lumpy, droopy, stiff components.

When I think of business dresses I think of men’s attire to compare. I’ll grant they’re warmer in their suit jackets and the dress as costume with matching jacket or coat could be tough to wear and not look overstuffed. But it could be done. In any case, there’s something wonderful to me about men in suits and knee length overcoats looking ready for the weather and unrestrictedly mobile. I guess for women’s wear it would be knee high boots removed at the office. Women, though, look more ceremonial in sedate dresses than men do in suits, don’t you think? Perhaps too heavy handed for other than executive positions? Too understated cocktail for lesser levels of authority?

I love the coatdress. Found one at a yard sale in black with a chalk stripe. Husband calls it my Law and Order dress. I was afraid of that. I don’t do ironic any more, so wasn’t going to take it down with motorcycle boots, etc. Works nicely for my non-working life with slim black crop pants under or a slightly longer slim skirt.

You’ve inspired me to actually wear one of the few winter dresses I have today. All are black and I have a snowstorm of white dog hair here. That may be why they stay in the closet.

Thanks for the two pair of tights idea! I wouldn’t have thought of it. I do sometimes wear tights over thin thermal underwear but only with an ankle or other boot because otherwise the line of the underwear shows on the leg.