According to a learned Notre Dame professor of history with a collection of over 300 home economics texts and other guides to living stylishly dating back to 1918, over the years, we've devolved into nation of dismal dressers. Pointing to the sea of flip-flops, shorts, tacky tees, all-black, and mass-produced ill-fitting threads that dominate the landscape, the author of Nation of Slobs: How Americans Learned - and forgot - How to Dress is hoping to stop the sartorial slide to slobdom. "I hope I might be able to push people in the direction to take more care with dress," Linda Przybyszewski recently told the Chicago Sun Times, "and add a little more care with dress."
While she sews many of her own clothes and collects vintage, for those of us who don't have the time or interest but still want to look chic, the trick is to invest in neutral, monochrome classics that are comfy without looking sloppy, and super easy to spice up each season with a few trendy accessories.
Start with a classic shirt-dress like this
chic blue version from Stewart + Brown;
the self-belt keeps the silhouette smart (remember: shapeless layers = slob) whether it's worn solo or with tone-on-tone skinny pants underneath. Add a classic coat & bag in a chic neutral like a herringbone or a rich taupe - worth every penny of the investment - and then toss on some sunny jewelry. The egg yolk orange of the bracelet is opposite blue on the color wheel - a relationship known as a complement - which is why it pops so stylishly.
Lastly, if you're on a budget, remember that neutral hues upgrade the look of footwear - like these snazzy, expensive-looking booties...which are actually under $35 from Payless!
- Lesley Scott
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