What I Am Wearing

As much as we may enjoy the elegant ease of dressing in a quiet, uniform style there are clothes which speak to the heart and must be indulged.

For me, one of these indulgences is a cotton Victorian petticoat with a tucked hemline and a slight train in the back. For many years the petticoat hung from a wooden hangar, facing out, covering the clothes behind it, like an albino peacock on a roost. It was enough to see it each day and not something to be worn.

A few months ago, online magazines were filled with runway photos of what looked like cream or white petticoat style skirts. Skirts worn with a jacket and belt, a cropped sweater, and even a skirt attached to a turtleneck.

For many years my husband gave me a black cashmere turtleneck from Neiman Marcus at Christmas. This was and is the perfect gift for me; classic, austere, incredibly soft, and warm without being bulky. I treasure my cashmere sweaters and look forward to chilly weather when I can begin wearing them daily. When not in use they rest in a seagrass lidded basket with a small bunch of dried vetiver to keep them safe from moths.

A black cashmere sweater would be an excellent accompaniment to the Victorian petticoat. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon in Boerne, Texas!

No trip to Boerne is complete without a visit to Laurie Saunders’ shop; the perfect place to buy a present for friends or for your own home. She also has a wonderful collection of design books to inspire. Laurie is famous for her holiday decorations throughout the year. She is often in-store, so you may be lucky enough to have a chat with her!

Here is a picture of me looking in the window before the shop opened for the day. You can see the slight train on the skirt; and another picture patting the iron dogs on either side of the door. Don’t know why my husband doesn’t get these for me!

Here I am on the front steps of the Boerne Epicure Market across the street. The market is housed in what looks to be an old bank, one of the prettiest buildings in a town filled with them. Inside you will find baskets, aprons, cheese boards, mortars, and some of the world’s most creative and delectable sandwiches. There is a patio out back and this is my go-to place for a picnic!

The petticoat was a big hit in town. Turns out it is perfectly acceptable to wear a petticoat out in the Texas Hill Country. I will keep the pearls out of my hair though. Happy dressing!