Princess Grace

Princess Grace
A Return to Elegance
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In the parking garage where I work, mourning doves have nested for years. Yesterday, I found a beautiful grey-feathered fledgling dove on the floor of the garage. And today? She was still there. Although mourning doves spend plenty of time on the ground, I was concerned. She had barely moved.
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I spent the majority of the day calling wildlife rescues and bird sanctuaries.
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And while I wait impatiently for a Chicago-based bird rescue to call me back and see if they can find a volunteer to rescue her, Grace Kelly—the bird, not the person—inspired today’s edit.
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This fall we’re returning to elegance. I see it reflected in the silhouettes—soft, graceful columns. They’re everywhere. In the fall of a skirt, the flutter of a scarf, the drape of a fabric. It’s a return to grace. The idea, not the bird.
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Soft washes of ivory, grey, and marled browns layered with texture—lizard, snakeskin, leather, velvet—highlighted with touches of gold in a clasp, in a closure, in an earring. It’s a subtle, quiet elegance. And I’m here for it.
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Think Victoria Beckham’s draped asymmetrical grey skirt paired with the matching sleek grey turtleneck, accented by a snakeskin d’Orsay—yes, d’Orsay pumps are back; my Vince pony-hair pumps have been waiting in a box for years to make their triumphant return—and a black lizard clutch à la Aureum’s Cassandra.
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Elegance is in the detail: take Róhe’s velvet jacket. Beautiful, yes. But what puts it over the top and makes it sing? The black pankou closures. Icing on the cake. The traditional fastening technique, rooted in Chinese dress, is the finishing touch. Perfection.
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It’s in the soft, oversized scarf on Ossou’s Wright sweater—a scarf that trails deliciously behind you. I’d pair her with High Sport’s ubiquitous kick flares, or, on the other end of the spectrum, with a cuffed boyfriend jean, my go-to. Finish the look with a polished leather kitten heel. Meow.
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And perhaps by some serendipity, while writing this, a rescue called me back. They’re going to look into what they can do to help the mourning dove.
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And Grace? Consider this her return.