Recently I went to a dance performance (Alvin Ailey, and it was wonderful) and I noticed that many of the more stylishly dressed women (including myself) were wearing decorative jackets. I don't mean outer jackets but jackets over pants, skirts, or dresses.
These served the purpose of keeping us warm (we were in the grip of a winter storm) and dressing up otherwise conservative outfits. I, myself, was wearing jeans, a cashmere turtleneck, and a colorful quilted jacket under my coat.
I saw very few pantsuits or skirt suits. I've never liked pantsuits, preferring pants with a blazer. But I do love my many skirt suits.
I noticed one woman wearing a cream-colored brocade jacket over black pants. Such a simple outfit, but so chic. Another was wearing a taupe jacket that must have come from a suit, but she wore it over black pants and a black sweater. Again, so smart, especially since she also wore what seemed to be a taupe, intricately crocheted necklace with it.
I've always collected jackets. I have a number of Chinese quilted jackets that I wear over pants, skirts, or a plain black dress. I often wear a colorful Chinese jacket over a simple black cocktail dress, and everyone comments on it.
I've bought my Chinese jackets here in New York's Chinatown and also in China. They're inexpensive and beautiful. You might also consider fairly inexpensive ethnic jackets from India, too.
It occurred to me that during these economic hard times, jackets come in very handy, completely changing the look of an old outfit. The woman I mentioned above, who wore the taupe suit jacket, completely changed the look of her black pants.
It sometimes helps to break up your suits in your closet. Instead of hanging a suit skirt with its jacket, hang them separately so you can "see" them as separates and discover how you can get more use out of them.
Another good thing about wearing a jacket is that during the winter you can wear a light camisole under it that you couldn't wear on its own.
Miriam Silverberg is a freelance journalist and the owner of Miriam Silverberg Associates, a boutique publicity agency in New York. She can be reached at silverbergm@mindspring.com.
