Cowl

I haven't watched TLC's "What Not to Wear" in, wow, 2.5 years. TLC was one of the cable channels in our DISH package (in my old life), and I spent more than one Friday night and/or late night grading session with Clinton and Stacy on the television screen helping hapless dressers find their style. One of the mantras of the show (at least back then) was to find styles that worked for the participant's particular body/shape/size, regardless of the trendiness of the styles. So if a gal looks best in oxfords, then by all means, she should wear oxfords, even if scoop-tees happen to be all the rage.

I've taken that counsel to heart (or at least to Target). I mean, I'm still a sucker for graphic prints, soft white shirts (though the color washes me out) and patterned t-shirts, but I'm better at sticking with what suits me than I used to be: flat front pants, A-line knee-length (not longer) skirts, wrap-around dresses, v-neck necklines, jeans with flared legs.

Speaking of Target and styles and "What Not to Wear" rules, I think I found something else that works for me ... at Target ... yesterday. I have a favorite pair of dressy jeans and another pair of black dress pants and both are too big. They're unflattering, actually, because of the way they fit, sagging in such a way that my backside looks like it's coming at ya in a vehicle's side mirror. (Note: this almost NEVER happens to me and I owe it all to the horrible ab machine that lurks in the corner of my gym.) So I went to Target to see if I could find some black dress pants. I found a pair of houndstooth-ish dark gray dress slacks with a flat front and flared legs on sale. And next to the pants rack was a shirt rack. And hanging from that shirt rack was a enticingly soft heather gray long-sleeved dressy t-shirt with a cowl neck. It called out to me, and it sounded just like Stacy London. "Yes, dear shirt," I whispered, "I'll buy you as well."

I bought the shirt yesterday. I wore it to teach my afternoon classes yesterday. I also wore it to work today. I'm fully prepared to wear it again tomorrow. I may never take it off. I've fallen in love with this cowl neck. See, I don't have an enviable figure (though I'm definitely trying to do my part on the elliptical), but I think I have attractive collarbones. Ha! From the collarbones on down it's average all the way, but my general neck region ain't too bad.

I think the shirt and its wavy neckline actually reminded me of this beautiful dress Halle Berry was wearing at some movie premiere (see above, just in case you couldn't tell the difference between the pictures of me and the picture of Halle Berry). I am definitely adding this neckline style to my Stacy & Clinton-approved list!

p.s. I should mention that I'm not giving up the white tights, Mary Jane shoes or french hook earrings, no matter what, not even if (gasp!) Stacy and Clinton told me to. Oooh. I guess I could go to cream tights if they insisted.