(ABOVE) Classic black with beige. (Photographs and video in this post.)


One of my favorite classic combinations is a skirt and button-up shirt.  It’s an outfit that works well for both casual or dressy occasions (see some of my day outfits here, here, and here).

Which brings me to the controversy of “button-up” verses “button-down”.  I see the terms used interchangeably.  However, while both types of shirts have a series of buttons up the front (and therefore are considered “”button-ups”), the “button-down” also has button holes on the points of the collar, allowing them to be buttoned down to the shirt.  The idea for the button-down originated on England’s polo fields, where players took to fastening their collars to their shirts to keep them from flapping up.

But getting back to skirts and button-ups:  I like this basic pairing because it works as an attractive, very feminine outfit on its own or as a starting point for adding layers like cardigans, pullovers, wraps, or blazers.

For this outfit, I paired black with beige–another classic combination.  Since I  thought it still needed something, I added a stroke of bright color in my Hermes-inspired cantaloupe watchband, attached to a Michele watch.  (Orange with beige–very classic, too.)  ~Janis Lyn Johnson


What I’m Wearing (Scroll Down For Scenes From The Video)

ACCESSORIES…HANDBAG: Tory Burch (Nordstrom) / SHOES: Liz Claiborne / JEWELRY…WATCH:  Michele (Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus; or affordable alternatives with included orange bands in La Mer Collections or Tory Burch) / EARRINGS:  Tory Burch (Alternative Tory Burch) / CLOTHES…SHIRT: Ralph Lauren (Similar Talbots or Ann Taylor) / SKIRT: Talbots (Alternative Talbots or Nordstrom) / MAKEUP (All Natural and Organic Ingredients)…FACE:  100 Percent Pure Healthy Flawless Skin Foundation Powder in both Creme and White Peach / CHEEKS: Gabriel Color Powder Blush, in Vibrant Pink /  LIPS:  Gabriel Color Lipgloss Treatment 8 (I used both Ambrosia and Venus) / EYELIDS: Gabriel Color Eyeshadow, in Chocolate Brown / EYELASHES: 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara, in Black Tea.

Some links are affiliates. For more on my affiliates, see About JLJ.

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