A Primer on White Denim

I bought white lady jeans this past weekend and I'm literally obsessed with them. They look/fit a good bit like the pair on Ms. Thing, above—medium rise and cropped to show some ankle. There aren't any moose knuckle issues, as you can see in the photo below. (Ed note: that's always a tricky thing to ask about. I usually end up pointing to that whole region and even kind of gesticulating toward the back with longer, circular motions to avoid directly calling out 'weird shit my junk is doing' to random sales clerks.)

Anyway, as I said, there are no such issues and I'm totally on board with these once spring rolls around. It's been awhile since I last had a white pair of jeans (almost ten years ago!) so I made this handy dandy infographic to illustrate how I'm approaching my White Jeans Game this time around:

My new pair is Acne's Pop White. I tried them on in store with these shoes and this sweater and I loved everything, then did the math and realized the whole look would set me back over $1k, before taxes. I'm not married to Beyoncé so I shut that down pretty quickly, but not before taking note of these simple and sexy! tips:

01 Definitely go sans belt in white jeans. I think it's fresher, plus a belt would cut you weirdly in half, as kindly illustrated by '06 Sean. Though I guess that brown leather belt is making some weird nod to the brown tones in my Rainbow flip-flops?
02 Wear a cool loafer or chunky/heavy oxford/blucher/cap toe with the white jeans, socks totally optional. DO NOT wear motherfucking Rainbow flip-flops unless you want to look like a gay virgin from suburban Virginia.
03 Keep the color palette nice and subdued. Think navy, deep plums, black, maybe throw in some camel, get some army fatigue action going on, etc. DON'T wear some bright-ass Polo Outlet yuppie bullshit in noxious cerulean. Brights in general with white jeans...just steer away from that. You want to look French, not Floridian.

Here are a few more people, mostly Emmanuelle Alt, wearing white denim in inspiring ways:

I feel like these are all really good looks for when the weather gets up to like, 40 degrees and my wardrobe needs to be "transitional". I put together a kind of boring but not offensively bad outfit, below, in the hopes that you will click on some things and I will make money. Transparency! Top photo Tommy Ton, click for source; men's white denim photos via The Sartorialist, left and right; Emmanuelle Alt photos via here and here.

Clockwise from top-left: J.Crew, Saint Laurent, Sandro, Mismo, Uniform Wares (this watch is actually hella sick and I want it so bad), Marni (also hella sick, duh)

HAN KJØBENHAVN TOTE

Top photo © George Elder for Four Pins // bottom photo Angelica Domingo

Han Kjøbenhavn is a relatively new boutique in SoHo—they opened at 27 Prince Street last spring—that gives you the world's cutest tote bag with purchase. Least offensive branding ever? I think so. I was snapped carrying it (and wearing my John Smedley beanie, vintage varsity jacket and the black jeans I bought from the brand) outside Capsule Market last month. Also of note: the store's interior is to-die-for, as you might expect because Scandinavia. Check it out!

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Double Denim for Fall

Get your best seamen jokes ready, y'all, because today I'm dressed like a fisherman! Well, at least like I'm about to spend some quality time off the Maine coast. Either way, I'm ready to talk seriously about denim, specifically a double dosage of denim and how to wear it for fall.

Even more specifically, we're talking about vintage Levi's, because that's all I'm wearing. I love the wash on this pair, which I picked up from Low when I visited my 'rents in Charlottesville over the summer. #SmallTownBlues #FTW. The wide leg has been really divisive—some people people are ambivalent about it while others think it's downright unflattering. To be honest, from certain angles this pair can look a bit dad jean-y, to which I say: #YOLO. Below you can see some of my inspirations for this look, clockwise from top-left: Men In This Town, The Sartorialist, Liam Saw This.

 

According to this handy-dandy guide to shopping for vintage denim jackets, mine is most likely from the 60's; it came into my life via some selective rummaging at L Train Vintage. The sweater and shoes are vintage and the scarf is from J.Crew.

I have to say, as infrequently as I buy jeans, denim has a special place in my heart. It just ages so well! My oldest pair is an Acne Mic rigid from...2006? (Last seen here.) I've had them patched up so many times by now and still the seat is wearing out, but I can't bring myself to get rid of them.

THEYSKENS' THEORY RESORT 2014

I don't usually post collections as they're happening—I'm admittedly not so trend oriented—but we all get why I'm posting this, right? I mean, we're alllll on the same page here, ya? I am flerping my shit for this. Obviously that first look—I mean, crop tops (bralettes, whatever) are so on my 'dar, ya know?—but that SECOND LOOK. Her jeans are baggy, ripped and PLEATED with a twisted seam. And that sweatshirt? And that belt? I want to go to the store RIGHT NOW and get everything, except obvs I would replace the strappy sandals with some Birks. Exept obvs also I am poor and that would never happen.

Also, I once ran into Hanne Gaby at a Whole Foods. And by "ran into" I mean, "saw from a distance and tried to figure out how I could secretly Instagram her without coming across like a total perv." I couldn't figure out how, so you'll have to take my word for it that this happened at all. Which of course you do, because #newssource. Images via Style.com.

P.S. If you're looking for some more ladyspiration, I highly suggest checking out this edit.

[STREET STYLE] SPRING + LAFAYETTE

I'm thinking about the perfect spring sweatshirt...I saw this one at J.Crew and really love it in toasted honey, but I'm also into this guy's rolled hems. And hot damn is he holding down that monochrome thing - gray shoelaces? I'm into it.

HIGH-FIVING ANGELS

photography Pete Oliviëra // coat vintage // scarf Meilleur Ami // shirt Uniqlo (seen here) // denim Levi's (seen here and here) // socks Nigel Knox // shoes Dr. Martens (seen here)

BAM! That's how you do a jump shot, ya'll - nothing but rim! (Rim is like the distance between your feet and the ground, right? Ungh, beskitball.) Today's post is eXtra special, and not least because the title references our dearly departed 30 Rock - it's my first fashion giveaway! But we'll get to that after you've finished reading all about the hot vintage nana I'm wearing. First up: the coat. It's a turn-of-the-century duster, a garment worn by men and women "to protect their clothes when riding in open motorcars" that I got when shooting at the Manhattan Vintage Show. It's a heavy linen and, as the pictures below attest, the detailing is impeccable. The pockets have little envelope flaps and the sleeves have these beautifully chunky cuffs, plus it drapes like no other. I feel very Comme des Garçons-ish in it, with a whiff of unfussy Margiela brilliance.

The scarf, while not vintage, is a very gorgeous silk infinity scarf from French brand Meilleur Ami. I like the way it adds a pop of color near my face, so you can really appreciate the cerulean hues in my eyes. Pairing the coat with my boyfriend jeans (seen here and here) is an easy way to transition something over a hundred years old into a modern wardrobe - just say it's grunge. The shoes are my vintage Dr. Martens, and the supercute striped socks are the special item YOu CouLd WIN! Scroll down for details...

GIVEAWAY! Nigel Knox was nice enough to get in touch with me about their product line, quality socks with charm and spunk. I don't know about you, but I've had trouble finding socks that have a lot of personality and are equally well made. The most fun pairs I've collected over the years have by now sadly deteriorated, but I look forward to many a happy morning padding around the apartment in my Nigel Knox socks. The line is made in Italy in a variety of high-end materials; the pair I'm wearing here is merino wool. Nigel Knox and I are inviting you to take your pick of another "stryped" style, the Barnaby, in whatever colorway you'd like!

Here's how to enter: "Like" *fruitpunch on Facebook (here) and then leave a comment below - it's as easy as that! A winner will be picked randomly and announced via Facebook (and mentioned here, in the comments.) Feel free to share this in any way you can think of - the more, the merrier!

Uniform Dressing

Photos David Williams.

Last week's outfit post featured one of the "uniforms" I've been wearing all winter (stop by the *fruitpunch fan page to see an eXclusive graphic comparing and contrasting its different incarnations), and this week I'm sharing another look I've defaulted to a lot this season. The key components are my faded black flared-leg Mudd jeans and my vintage varsity jacket, but the real flare (hardy-har-har) comes from my fringed pouch - or, perhaps you know it by its Latin name: "ass pouch". I had the hardest time figuring out how to use this old thing until one of the guys I work with showed up one day with a MUCH more intense fringed pouch of his own, worn through his belt loops around his back, like a John Wayne fanny pack. Cute, right?

The flared leg has been met with mixed reviews, but I, as stated here (and here), am majorly on board with this cut. In fact, I am currently very much on the hunt for a new pair of black bell bottoms in a darker wash - if you find something, tweet me your coordinates.

THE PERFECT TEES

I've been wanting to put something like this together for awhile now, so hopefully y'all like it! I asked Keith to do some modeling for me because I've become obsessed with OAK's t-shirts and felt like they deserved a post. Shopping for something so basic can be a bitch sometimes, especially when you're picky...

"I want something that's like, basic...but with less basic detailing."
"Hmm...could you elaborate?"
"I want like, a basic tee...that's also a cape...let."
"I think we have-"
"But not like, an obvious capelet."

The search can be messy and I'll admit it took me a span of several months to decide exactly which t-shirts were absolutely most perfectest. I finally did, though, so clap for me! OAK's plain tees are everything I could ever want from a wardrobe staple: thoughtfully detailed, artfully proportioned and subtly sexy. They're sophisticated enough to be worn sans layers without looking slummy and versatile enough to be traveling-pantsed with your girlfriends. The line is comprised of several unique styles, all of them available in a range of deliciously muted earth tones. Plus, they're made in the USA! For this shoot, I wanted to capture the qualities that make these shirts an elevated basic. Inspired by the portrait work of Georgie Wileman and Bertil Nilsson, I told Keith not to pose, but to keep moving, as if he were dancing. Once we got our bearings in Ari's apartment-cum-studio-for-the-day I think we hit a stride and got some nice shots. Let me know your thoughts!

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THE EVOLUTION OF STYLE

My style has changed a lot since I was a teen. Like, a lot a lot. Luckily for all of us, the magic of Facebook is here to archive all of those less fortunate life choices and turn them into a handy-dandy Timeline feature you can share with your friends endlessly (and shamelessly). In the spirit of publicly embarrassing myself before some boy I Facebook friend trolls through all of my photos hoping to find something of me shirtless (I know I'm not the only one who does that)[not to myself, to like, other boys], here are five of the biggest changes in my style over the last few years (with pictures!)[duh.]

Click through to continue reading this post!

[COAT TALES] BUTCH

Here we have the first in a month-long seasonal series about coats, cleverly dubbed: "coat tales." Bada bing! Last week it snowed here in NYC (#barf), but I kept warm in my new vintage Carhartt jacket in this incredible faded red. It's gorgeous AND functional because it's lined (my mother would be so proud.) Don't I look so butch? One of my co-workers said of the ensemble, "It's Deadliest Catch style." Oh, good. Want to see how cute my full frontal looked? Check out the Instagram here! Tuque from American Apparel, jeans Acne (seen here), vintage combat boots (seen here).

[STREET STYLE] NYFW

New York Fashion Week ends today, but don't feel left out, dear readers - yours truly took his day off to visit Lincoln Center and survey the throngs, a veritable Cirque du Prêt-à-Porter. It was kind of like a memo had gone out reading, "Let's take pictures of each other until we're famous!" But for some weird reason I wasn't invited to any of the shows? So I stood around in my vintage ladyjean bell bottoms (no one took my picture, FYI), snapping away at guys who inspired me. First, Karl of Guerreisms. I loved his look - he makes suiting so much fun! The details are just genius and also totes adorbs (green miniature flower pin #FTW)

Check out five more stylish dudes, after the jump!

Chambray Shirt + Boyfriend Jeans

So I'm wearing two remarkably similar outfits here, but on purpose! I'm basically an ambidextrous dresser, aka an ambidresser. What? Let's roll with it. I'm ambidressing here (using the left and right sides of my style personality!) to wow you with the versatility of my diminutive wardrobe, which was recently augmented with this chambray shirt (only my third, FYI) I picked up at American Apparel's new outlet on Lafayette at a lil' pre-opening soirée. I paired the shirt with my "boyfriend jeans," so named because they engulf me, not because I stole them from some dude I made #bonerjamz with, or, for that matter, an actual boyfriend.

But taking a step back, what you probably noticed first is my "Cholo" (lots of quotation marks today, I don't know what's real aNyMOre!) styling twist, the one top button done and everything else left open. I love doing this right now and will continue loving it until I get shot at. To take the look from street to chic—see what I did there?—I put my glasses on (because if movies have taught me anything, it's that glasses make you smarter and also more sexless) (sidenote: oh, that's my problem!) and also my thrifted Prada shoes. I just love the duotoned denim thing, you know? Plus, these are my summer jeans, so I have to create as many looks for them as possible before cold breezes start a'blowing up into my junk zone.



And on another note, the bag! Look at the tote bag. It's so cute you could literally start choking on the wine I'm drinking right now, right? It's oil-coated denim with cork trim/seam detailing, brass hardware and leather handles made from some hide that's particularly thick so you can cut it really thin AND it's locally made here in Brooklyn by Ryan Greer of Flux Productions. It's super lightweight and already starting to age beautifully and I wet myself every time I touch it (awkward!)

I've got some #deepthoughts to share regarding transitional dressing, shopping, not shopping and MORE to come soon, so stay tuned as we head into A/W. And also, check out Greer's Industry of One profile here for more on Flux Productions and a peek into his studio!

Photos Izzy Tuason // shirt American Apparel // beanie H&M (seen here) // belt vintage // jeans 10 ft. Single (seen here) // bag Flux // shoes (top) vintage Kenneth Cole (seen here) // shoes (bottom) thrifted Prada

THE MODERN MODE

Love love love love LOVE these looks. The layers, textures, colors, shapes...so much food for thought!

Click image for source.

[SHORTS STORY] CRAZYSEXYCOOL

This week's outfit is super casual (super cazh? caszh?), so I brought out my Blue Steel to really sell it. Except for trademark reasons I can't actually call it Blue Steel, so it's officially, "The Cerulean Hammer." Please to pay special attention to how awesome my rings look in picture two, because I spent a lot of time trying to figure out that particular configuration. Thx.

photos Fareine Benz // denim jacket (seen here) Low Vintage // sweatshirt Zara // teesh, shorts and plimsolls Urban Outfitters

Follow me on Pinterest and Tumblr for more inspiration!

BABY, IT'S WARM OUTSIDE

Just some thoughts for Spring and Summer...I'm feeling dark layers (sun protection!), chambray and pink/orange/a coral-y combination of the two that leans more towards the orange side of things as well as loose fits, deep-V's, wide necks and hats.

Large images link back to their originial sources;
paired images (in order) via The Sartorialist, Harper's Bazaar, Style.com, Mjolk S/S '12, Le 21ème Arrondisement, Dapper Lou, Pop Bop and Snap and DropTokyo

BELL IS THE NEW BLACK

Or, an alternative post title might be, "Trucker Lovechild." The bell bottoms are vintage Mudd ladyjeans that I picked up at Ike's Underground - I know I said bell bottoms were a trend that wouldn't be coming back into fashion...but I lied, as they are obviously f*cking awesome. I paired them here with my vintage Ralph flannel and an army surplus jacket I had customized last year by my darling dearest BFF, screenprinting wunderkind James Anthony. The boots and bracelet are from Low Vintage and ma sunnies are from Bygones Vintage in Richmond.

I'm crazy about these wooden beads and the "summer of love" vibe they lend to my wardrobe, drawing inspiration from this previously blogged editorial. So what's the consensus? Are we all on board the bell bottom bandwagon? Or am I alone on the Ashton-Kutcher-circa-That-70's-Show express? Photos Joel Codiamat.