Is it possible to max out on minimalism? I tested the thesis with this head-to-toe granite combination. I blame this look entirely on the Jenna Lyons cyborgs featured in the J. Crew catalog I received last night.
Gray is not a cheerful color, and it doesn’t do much for the complexion. Gray is TV snow. It’s aluminum foil. It’s cigarette smoke. It’s soul-less, like the Tin Man. On the flip side, gray can be pretty sophisticated. Think Chrysler Building, salt-and-pepper hair or a chrome Porsche 911 Turbo.
So, is going gray dowdy… or dapper? The verdict is hardly black or white.
I squeezed some life into the steely palette with a glittery grosgrain ribbon necklace and gladiator belt — both scooped up at steep discounts on consignment. The Dolce & Gabbana shoes were another instance of highway robbery. I snagged them unworn for $70: the EXACT price you’d pay for synthetic stilettos at Aldo.
I keep it real, so here’s a final caveat: These shoes photograph beautifully, thanks to the narrow toe box and four-inch spike heel. Unfortunately, those exact features render the shoes useless for anything more ambitious than a jaunt to the coffee machine. Tread carefully: If you go narrow toe, go low heel. If you go high, go wide.