The skirt that had to be

There was a time, not all that long ago, when I kept makeup in my desk drawer. That was when I had both a desk and occasion to wear makeup. Back then, there were frequent events to attend in the evenings, and my wardrobe reflected those events: gallery openings, literary events at the library, museum parties, and drinks with friends.

These days my grown up, well-cut clothes hang in the closet, and my daily wardrobe consists almost exclusively of jeans and t-shirts (or capris and tanktops in the summer).


Back then I left work late and attended awards ceremonies at the library where Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman read excerps from the nominated novels. These days I put the baby to bed early, make pasta, and knit while I watch the videos from those books made into films.


But I'd like to dress up a little more when I am at home. After all, this is New York and I used to be a clothing designer; shouldn't my attire reflect those aspects of my life? So I'm in search of the perfect playground-going skirt; one that can slide down the slide and crawl under playground equipment while looking supremely chic, or at least a little bit more pulled together

This skirt is not it. It's slim, it requires dressy shoes, it's light colored, and there is no way I can wear it down a slide without disgracing myself.


But I had to make it. When I saw the Japanese fabrics at Purl I knew it was meant to be, and I thought immediately of this photo. The skirt was predestined.

To hang in my closet, I guess.

Update: Erin, and anyone else wondering about the Japanese fabrics, you can get them at Purl Patchwork on Sullivan Street in SoHo. By the way, Purl is also offering bundles of select fabric on their website now. Unfortunately, no Japanese fabrics for sale on the website yet, but the online inventory is planned to expand soon, according to Joelle!