Robert Pattinson skeeves me out so much, and I don’t even know why. Never seen the movies, don’t know anything about him, but I think he’s so far beyond gross ….

Sorry for that. )

I wear black Converse with dark wash jeans. I’ll be 43 next month. Go for it. I wish I could emulate the skinny jeans look with them, but I don’t have that figure anymore. C’est la vie!

I do like the slim cut of Bella’s shirt.

Been watching early B&W episodes of Julia Child’s “The French Chef.” She was such a delight.

About the Free People shirt: Everything else you wear tends to be very tailored. Thus, I’m not sure that this top is really your style, which may be why you’re not totally comfortable when you wear it.

If the top isn’t your style or makes you uncomfortable then maybe you won’t wear it. I’m like that. One hint of any awkwardness to me (no matter how small) and I end up hating the garment. I think the converse are a great addition. I know they are popular in France.

I think the Free People top would look really pretty in the Summer worn with white jeans and a jeweled sandal. I put all of my seasonal clothes in space bags and store them for six months and when it’s time to bring them out again I am reminded of all the great clothes I have for that season and I am less likely to shop for new things!

I wear black monochrome hi-top Chuck Taylors Converse (like these )and I’m about ten years older than you, so yes, I think if you like them and think they look good on you then wear them! Actually, I usually wear them with black tights and a tiny black skirt or a black dress – often with a shirt like the green one you have pictured, unbuttoned to below the chest, so the top of the dress peeks out. So you can consider my style before you take my fashion advice to heart.

As for the Free People top – maybe if you hemmed it? (Or try running some elastic through the hem like a casing and bloused it up to a shorter length?) Dyed it (if the lace & ribbons would take the dye the same or in a complimentary fashion)? I like it but it does seem like it’s more of a spring/summer top.

Long winded for a first comment, sorry. Just stumbled on your blog a little bit ago (not even sure how anymore) and am reading through the old posts. Would it be all right if I comment on some of them or would that just be annoying?

I really liked the Free People top on you. As DC said, it would look good with a lighter, more summery outfit. I’m also with Stephanie though, if there’s something about it when you wear it that doesn’t sit right, perhaps it’s better to let it go. I think the black jeans would look good with your boots in pictures 2 and 3. Sometimes a leg like that needs a finer toe and/or a bit of a heel. I have some grey ones that look terrible (just like a boy) with flat shoes. Another thing to try with your black jeans is to roll 2 or 3 cuffs (about 3 inches each) so they end just below the knee (not so high that the cuff gets all scrunched if you sit or crouch down). I lay the jeans on the bed to do this so you can get the cuffs even and neat. You can then wear them with either bare legs and summery shoes or long leather boots. Sort of an alternative to tucking in then. This only works if they aren’t boot leg – only straight. I think the Twilight shirt would look great on you, and that particular green is more dark olive green (good for you I think) rather than (from memory) the spruce green you had. Another colour to look for it in would be your dark teal green. Today’s outfit looks really pretty!

Funny that you mentioned your cashmere looking worn too soon. I just popped over here from the “French Women Don’t Get Fat” website, and read this: “A good cashmere cardigan, occasionally hand washed and combed for pilling, can last for years.” I think Mireille may spend a bit more on her cashmere than I do, because I often wonder if plain old cotton doesn’t hold up better than cashmere!

I like the FreePeople top, but I agree that it would work better in spring or summer. As for cashmere, I have the same trouble with mine that you have, but I found something wonderful: I started washing my cashmere at home, using The Laundress cashmere and wool soap. I use a sweater bag and wash them on the delicate cycle in the washing machine, then lay them flat to dry. I cannot believe how much…well, fluffier they are. Much better than the dry cleaner (and cheaper in the long run), from which they tend to come back sort of flat and stiff and pilled. I also have a little sweater shaver that helps, but the special soap has been the best.

I like the FreePeople top as well, but for summer. For myself, my rule is “I must LOVE the item” or it does not deserve a place in my wardrobe. I know this is harsh, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. BTW, I like the scarf in the outfit you ended up wearing. I just blogged about a scarf technique yesterday that would work well with this type of scarf. If you’re interested, take a look: http://styleconfident.wordpress.com/