This skirt+cardigan combo has been one of my work uniforms for as long as I can remember. There isn’t much you can do in the way of updating it (especially if you work in an office environment that falls closer to the conservative side of the spectrum than the creative), but incorporating new pieces always makes things more interesting, if not original.
Or, in this case, more fancy. Sorry, fancay.
What’s so fancy? Mixed in with my ubiquitous J. Crew pieces is a (thrifted) Boss skirt and a vintagey Mulberry bag.
I had a bit of an internal tussle over the Boss piece, because of the company’s history during the ’30s and 40’s. I eventually bought it because I felt that, in doing so, I wasn’t directly supporting the company, but rather my local thrift store. Have you ever struggled with similar ethical qualms? Where do you draw the line?
I definitely struggle with company reputation when deciding on purchases. I have a personal lifetime ban on Wal-Mart for that reason (they aren’t the only company that has practices I don’t approve of, but they are one of the most prolific and unapologetic about it). What is Boss’ questionable past? I don’t know anything about their corporate history.
Hugo Boss was a Nazi Party member, and designed their uniforms: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Boss
I didn’t know this either until recently, and was actually kind of shocked that the company survived.
I won’t buy/wear Chanel. Although Coco and her Nazi pals are all long dead, I just can’t bear to throw that logo around as a status symbol, knowing what that company was funding back in the 40s.
I think Chanel’s ties to Nazis were a somewhat more tenuous than Boss’, although she did make use of the Nazis in her legal wranglings with her Jewish business partners. But you’re right, she is not anywhere near the paragon many people would believe her to be.
Love this outfit – I think it’s the colour and the high collar on the blouse. It contrasts well with the wild pattern on the skirt!