Slender skirts are marvelous at every length, but the transcendent thing is the skirt long to the ground, worn anywhere you need to go.

It's fine for gardening or for inaugural balls. And you don't even need to wash it in between the two events. Dirt just doesn't much show on a black skirt. Ha!

slender skirt
any length; velvet, fleece or ponte roma:

$140

A-line skirts are great at any length. A-line long to the ground makes a long skirt that is easier to walk in than the ultra-pure slender skirt. A-line just below the knee is plain flirty, incomprehensibly comfortable and easy to wear. The slight A-line also makes for a lovely mini-skirt. Whatever length is "mini" to you... The A-line at any length is subtle, the fabrics stretchy, the usefulness extreme.

A-line skirt
any length; velvet, fleece or ponte roma:

$140

A-line skirts, since they are in stretch fabrics, have very little of the iconic A-line which is not all that easy to wear. Not a good look for many bodies. The stretch fabric allows anyone to enjoy the swingy comfort of the a-line, the absence of restriction, the flattering movement. The skirts flatter the butt without making too big a deal of it. The pencil skirt is far crueler, but a great option for the bravehearted.

A-line skirt
any length; velvet, fleece or ponte roma:

$140

Pencil skirts. A classic look, but nearly impossible to wear, to walk in, to have lunch in.

The Black Skirt Initiative and Ideal Garment solve all the issues by using the same delightful stretch fabrics we use for every other slender thing that would otherwise be unwearable by normal women.

So be bold! If you are OK with the cruelty of a skirt that tapers in and emphasizes the thighs and butt, get an Ideal pencil skirt. It will be a great favorite, easy to wear, to move in, to pull off. Great with heels or flats or boots. P.S. If you wear stiletto heels, this is the skirt for you.

pencil skirt
any plausible length; velvet, fleece or ponte roma:

$140

Perfect Pants are just plain pants, often in one of the great, slightly stretchy fabrics we use for skirts. They have no side seams, and so are naturally wide-legged, though not in any dramatic or sylish way. Oh no. We are quite insistent that nothing be "stylish" or, god forbid, "fashionable".

Perfect Pants are for people who are ready for a pair of pants they can actually wear without feeling exposed, and without feeling like they need to lose weight before being allowed to put them on. No. Perfect pants are there for you.

perfect pants
velvet, fleece or ponte roma:

$160

The Black Skirt
Gift Shop

Bottle Bidet with glamorous tote and 3 mini-cloths.

Clean is delicious.

Enough said.

bottle bidet complete
bidet, tote & 3 mini-cloths:

$50

Cooking as Courtship

by Susan Wiegand

A lilting manifesto on the ins and outs of love and friendship in the presence of food.

Cooking as Courtship

$30

You think you can't wear hats. They don't fit you. You don't look good in them. We've heard it all. Our favorite is people who are clearly cold, who do not think a hat will help. Come on. You lose heat through your head. A hat will most definitely help. If only there were a hat that weren't detestable...

Here and only here, you can order a hat according to the size of your head. The double cream fleece pillboxes are stunning. And warm. And soft. And made to order, so it doesn't squish your head or hair. Oh my. A sweet hat transforms winter.

Also available in black or brown or red. Machine washable, of course.

double fleece hats
custom-sized winter hat

$50

Durwin Rice custom-themed paperweight.

You tell us the topic, and Durwin makes the paperweight. Tell us anything you want, and we'll see what we can do. How fun is that?

Durwin Rice
custom-theme paperweight

$20

Vote With Your Whole Body

Sew this patch onto a t-shirt, turtleneck, jacket or bag, wear it with your Ideal black skirt, and let the conversations begin.

vote with your whole body
election year patch

$5

Check your shopping cart to make sure you have something for everyone...