August 2025

In my past, my professional style consisted of a suit (purchased as a suit), heels, and a briefcase. Today, I have relaxed my style, probably due to the fact I do not go into the office daily.

I found the lined business suits I once held as the only standard I needed, gave way to a more causal business style which does not require the overhead costs of cleaning and maintenance.

So with my recent weight loss, I have been trying to add pieces that I can pair with existing coordinates, that "don't break the bank", and that do not require the high overhead costs I need to maintain my older styles.

I like pencil skirts, and many of my old suits consisted of a pencil skirt and some sort of blazer or tunic.

Today, I continue to use a pencil skirt and try to find affordable styles I can pair with existing tops.

Case in point, this recent acquisition of the Kate Kasin Black & White Plaid Pencil Skirt shown below.

Below, pairing descriptions in the order shown in the illustration of images (above).

• Black Silk Peter Pan Collar Blouse - 1985 or so
• Jones New York Black Double Breasted Blazer - 1996 or so TJ Maxx or Ross Dress For Less (Odenton, MD)
• Black Mandarin Collar Jacket - TJ Maxx Arundel Mills 2003 or so
• Bean Paste Purple Cashmere Crew Neck Button Down Sweater - September 2024 (To pair with an older pencil skirt)
• Red Cashmere Vest 1990 or so
• Wine Horn Buckle Cropped Sweater - 2024 wholesale item, shop research
• Black Buckle Cropped Sweater - purchased when I was in college, Ft Meade MD
• Long Black Turtle Neck Sweater - Holiday Gift 1990 or so
• Cashmere Short Black Turtle Neck - Christmas gift 1992 or so
• Black Knit Top - TJ Maxx, Bethesda MD

Below, a short video of the same pairings.

Note, some of my purchases were so long ago, I cannot now remember if it was a TJ Maxx or Ross Dress For Less.