Wow, what a party! The French American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago had a blow-out part last Thursday in honor of the Beaujolais Nouveau, and it was AMAZING…There were chefs from all over Chicago handing out samples of wonderful food, a lot of pastry chefs forcing us to each cakes and macarons (oh bother…), and more wine than you could possibly consume, even if you really worked at it. (I did my very best!)
Tish was there (from A Femme d’un Certain Age), and she was as elegantly beautiful and charming as always!
I tried my humble level best to do justice to the event by being understatedly appropriate. The dress code was “business elegant”, which wasn’t really the most help I’ve ever had. Some guests interpreted that guideline in ways that seemed… very… non-businessy… It was interesting!
Earrings – Matta; pearl bracelet – Neeru Goel; watch – Movado; cardigan – J.Crew Factory; dress – Lands’ End; scarf – Parures des Maharajas – Hermes; pumps – Trotters
I can’t possibly recommend the black dress from Lands’ End highly enough. Flattering, comfortable, well-made… it ticks all of the important LBD boxes. My cardigan was actually an older one, from Eileen Fisher. I wore pearl jewelry because the details all over my scarf are strands of pearls, and I always like to have a sort of theme that ties everything together, at least for my own appreciation. And I was delighted to be wearing moderate heels. Once everybody was packed into the event rooms, your feet were almost impossible to see, so comfort was much more important than any other factor.
The party was, in fact, complete insofar as I saw 2 women fall off of their shoes, and there was 1 very inebriated guest crying in the Ladies Room. It seems like these things always happen at big events…
To top it all off, I cleaned up at the Silent Auction, and came home with armloads of swag. My first thought – of course – is to share it with you!
So leave me a comment, and you can have a chance to win this most AMAZING book:
It really isn’t all that much about Ms. Vreeland; it’s much more an overview of the visual style of Harper’s Bazaar during the years she was there. Below are just 3 of the pages you will be able to study at length:
3 pages from Diana Vreeland: The Modern Woman
I hope that you all get to attend events in the upcoming festive season which are as much fun as last Thursday night was for me.
love,
Janice
Love the simple elegance of your outfit — the pearls are lovely. Thank you for sharing with us. Cheers!
I do like your ensemble very much. Do you wear a patterned hose, tights or nudes with this in the evening? For some odd reason I would wear tights during the day and a nude at night while I think that I am a tad old for a patterned hose. Wonder what your thoughts are.
I wore sheer black hose – not super sheer, but light enough that they didn't look like my usual tights. Thanks for asking – I should have included them, somehow!
hugs,
Janice
The event sounds amazing…so wonderful you were there and also got to see Tish. I have thought about her often since the happenings in Paris. This outfit looks perfect for the occasion!
Dress codes on party invitations are always interesting–especially when you see how others interpret them.
Janice, Sounds like fun. I think you hit the understated elegance mark!
I have been to 2 evening events here in Vancouver over the past few weeks and It was great to see that most people dressed up. Vancouver residents seem to be reversing the trend to wear athletic wear everywhere. And you have demonstrated so clearly ow easy it is to look appropriate without having to go out and buy a new outfit for each event.
Deb from Vancouver
Great practical post. I was able to find some new Lands End dresses through this also. Wish I could wear black, but it doesn't work, so I went with some lovely jewel tones.
Would love to win the book-I remember her fabulous 70s styling-high school and college for me. It would be interesting to see her earlier work.
Business elegant – I guess it depends on what "business" you're in. Love your theme – so neither scarf nor pearls would be lonely. And Trotters are very comfortable on my feet, so wonderful to see some elegant, comfortable pumps. They come in nude, which I was just thinking about because I don't have any shoes that colour and maybe it's time. As for the book, I'd love it – please enter my name in the draw because I can see myself looking at this book …forever. DV had such style sense that was indeed modern and translates well today. Thanks for sharing.
Vancouver Barbara
More details please….how did you wear your scarf? There are so many variations I'm curious as to which one you chose.
Mary
That scarf looks AMAZING!
Would love love love to win the book. DV was such a modern woman. An icon for me.
Chic, as always, Janice. Those shoes are timeless!
you make business elegant look so easy. I wouldn't have known what to wear so likely wouldn't have gone. thank you for blogging-my closet is starting to speak to me in 4×4 terms.
you make business elegant look so easy. I wouldn't have known what to wear so likely wouldn't have gone. thank you for blogging-my closet is starting to speak to me in 4×4 terms.
Oh my goodness! Swag?? I'm in! I was going to comment anyway — I started laughing at the "business elegant" dress-code suggestion & said "what on EARTH is 'business elegant'" right out loud before I'd even gotten to your comment about it — and didn't stop laughing until after the vivid imagery of various women "falling off their shoes" & the inebriate crying in the washroom: I think I've been to this event! Several times, in fact. Glad you enjoyed yourself. It's always nice to shake off the dust now & again, as my mother used to say.
Love your comment about what made the party complete! In my younger days it was 1) something got broken 2) there was a fight 3) someone got sick. I think I like the falling off their shoes and crying in the ladies' as somewhat more sophisticated criteria.
Glad you did your best by the wine :). The book looks like a lot of fun.
How did you wear the scarf?
This may be the LBD I looking for. I have a black linen that isn't neutral enough. Silly fish designs on it. Do you find this LE dress comfy when summer temps are pushing 100?
Julie
I believe you need a summer and winter LBD, but I live in a climate that's temperamental! Chris
I have to second Janice's endorsement of the dress from Lands' End. The finishes are amazing: princess seams, fully lined with a touch of lace at the lining's hem, grosgrain ribbon backing the zipper. I haven''t seen this kind of attention to detail in a long time.
Enjoy your day off! I think you deserve it. X Chris from Australia
It's so nice to hear how much fun you had:)
I love the fact that you carry themes throughout your ensembles.
Enjoy your day off. The book looks amazing
I like your choice of outfit! Happy Thanksgiving!
I love the look of your outfit, however black is a no-no for me. Would you consider doing some Start with a Dress posts including warmer and softer colours for those of us who can no longer get away with black? That book sounds amazing by the way!
I wouldn't really have known what to wear for 'business elegant', though I have a friend who would – her style would be perfect. As others have asked, I'd like to know how you wore your scarf. Much as I like them, I really don't get them. Please enter me in the DV draw, thank you.
The book looks amazing. So glad you got to see une femme!
Gorgeous outfit for the French Fete! The earrings are especially fete-ching.
Hi Vivienne,
This outfit is beautiful! The dress looks so sharp and comfortable. The scarf is gorgeous! Sounds like a nice time.
http://www.districthilo.com
Love, Mary
I have a pair of Trotters brand shoes and they are, like yours, very understated. But, and here's where they shine, they are comfortable. I can wear them for hours. (And I am the sort of person who DOES fall off shoes and usually sprain my ankle in the process!).
I love your blog. I read it every day. Such great advice. I would love to win the book.
That dress!! I can only say the one I have is so similar, and I have worn it in so many ways. I love your looks!!!
Sounds like a grand time!!!
i think I need tthat LBD in my life. Would love to check out the DV book.
I very much liked your outfit, I may have same EF dress but need to dig it out from the back of the closet! I definitely love books about Diana Vreeland, thanks for the giveaway! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Karen
Great look, Janice. Wish I looked good in black. I can only wear it with a very light scarf close to my face. That DV book looks intriguing. I love the picture of the different lipsticks. We always think we're so original only to discover that someone else has already done it :) Thanks for the giveaway.
That book looks entirely intriguing! And the outfit is a lovely complilation of red and black without being too austere or uninviting.
2016-04-15keyun
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