Simple details can often make a big impact and change the whole look of an outfit…..take this black silk bow for example:  just looking at it makes me want to start speaking in French! It is a very European look, something very Ginger-inspired and a bit Kate Spade-ish…..while I inherited and enjoy wearing a cravat that was Ginger’s, a black floppy bow was on my recent radar…….one December Saturday while poking in shops on the Upper East Side, I saw this bow displayed on a plaid flannel shirt – Ooh!  “Is this black bow part of the shirt or is it sold separately?,” I asked.  “It is sold separately.”  Yahoo! I’ll take it!

As you can see, it is really nothing more than a double sided strip of black silk – if you have any sewing skills at all, you could make this yourself  for next to nothing….

On this particular day I was attending a holiday lunch in Cambridge, so was going for a more festive look than usual work attire….this simple ivory silk blouse from JMcLaughlin was  perfect for the the bow and also a nice contrast to the body conscious Anna Molinari skirt with velvet and pleat details…. With insanely mild temperatures, no need for a coat, but a boiled wool jacket with ruffle trim was just right! Found this jacket many years ago at Anthropologie; they often have unique jackets that are great for business casual wear…….

While this outfit started with the floppy bow, it ended with a scarf….a wool coral floral found last year at Revolve…..and to complete the French influence – a Chanel bag of course!