UNIQLO SKIRT + ARMY JACKET

Photos Angelica Domingo // jacket vintage // skirt Uniqlo // tights American Apparel // boots Forfex

"I like the skirt. I like the look. It's interesting." So said one lady on the subway, the second that day to comment on this outfit. It's sort of a gray area, as we discussed at length in yesterday's post. It's a skirt, but...it's not really feminine. It's pretty...butch? I've loved it since I saw it on the lady mannequin in store, though I ended up buying it online because they didn't have it in my size in like, two different locations #SOML. I paired it with this totally quiche vintage army jacket that I found for under $20 at Beacon's Closet. For whatever reason, I seem to have an affinity for that vintage army look—my dad's old duffel bag, the Filson briefcase I tote everywhere.

This look is a great example of how to mix old with new, how to marry butch with theoretically femme. Plus, it's so next lev with my Forfex boots, I can't even. Inspirations for this outfit came from far and wide, by which I mean Instagram (below, left) and Pinterest (below, right). I'm just really feeling black & navy layers in unexpected lengths, what can I say? Also, kudos to The Sartorialist for igniting my passion for a quilted skirt in the first place.

I feel like this is my man-spin on a trend Who What Wear reported on, the frilly dress with a combat boot. Obviously this isn't quite the same, but the idea is there! Check out my other skirted looks here and here. Which is your favorite?

RETURN TO FORM

Photos Angelica Domingo // coat Commes de Garçons (seen in store here) // shoes Zara // pants Uniqlo (seen here) // sweater ASOS // shirt Uniqlo (seen here) // clutch A.P.C.

It's the first outfit post of the new year! Currently serving some high-low trillness, courtesy of this CDG coat that I picked up at Barneys on mega sale. I bought it a size too big (which still wasn't too big) and had it taken in in all the right places by Hong Kong Tailor Jack.

I really like it as an alterna-suiting option when you want to lend some dramatic flair to your more budget-friendly items, which here include trousers and a patterned shirt from Uniqlo (I like wearing my short-sleeved shirts under sweaters in fall/winter because the arms don't get all weird and chunky) and a pair of Zara platforms I got on sale that fill the void left in my soul because I couldn't afford these Prada platforms I loved a year ago. (ZOMG time flies.)

The sweater is courtesy ASOS—I love (and need) that pop of color!—and the clutch you may recognize from this post. Shot under the BQE, right around the corner from where I live.

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HOW TO DRESS FOR WORK IN SUMMER

What you really need to ask yourself is: do I look like a power lesbian summering in Nantucket? The answer should be, "Yes."

I feel like I could totally life-partner with Rachel Maddow in this outfit. The black pant, rather than a lighter-colored chino, makes it a little more boardroom appropriate and would nicely complement Maddow's hair. And you know Ellen would wear the balls out of a pair of Chuck Taylors with her summer suiting, a look she probably made cool back in college, well before Jeremy Piven & Co. hopped on the bandwagon and ruined everything.

Up top we've got a pink, seersucker shirt from J.Crew that I'm literally wearing with a Band of Outsiders repp tie with boats on it, wHaT!? Let me explain: I was in J.Crew one day because I know they make XS's, looking for a basic white or dark navy oxford and striking out. Then I saw this on the rack and thought it couldn't hurt to venture out of my comfort zone. #TakingChances ( <-- Celine Dion reference, anyone?) It fits really well and looks even better wrinkled than ironed out, which means it's super easy to dress up or dress down. (This is it dressed down.)

And then we have these boss-ass (are we hyphenating that now?) Warby Parker frames. Ugh, aren't they so sick? Someone at work said I looked very "weekend in the Hamptons" in them, so basically she called me an asshole...but a hot one!

Shot by McArthur in Washington Square Park, a great place for:

• Watching hot men do things
• Instagramming iced coffee
• Instagramming a cute picnic
• Taking selfies
• Being like, "this is like, my favorite park."

P.S. Here's a beauty tip - don't wear a tinted moisturizer on the back of your neck (it had SPF in it and I didn't want to burn!) It will ruin the collar of your shirt and just generally be disgusting to look at.

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CALIFORNIA SON

Why go for "sexy" when you can go for "sk8er boi golf attire"?

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!

[COAT TALES] THE COCOON

coat Uniqlo // leggings Urban Outfitters (seen here) // shirt thrifted // shoes Y-3 // cap thrifted

Today's post is all about taking some sartorial inspiration from the ladies. I picked up this wool-blend cocoon coat at Uniqlo, operating under the influence of Céline's oversized cocoon concoctions from AW'12, showing up in ads and eds all over right now. The sporty thing has been #trending in a big way, I think partly due to the omnipresence of those Nike sneaker heels, or, "sneels," and Lord knows everybody is still crazy in love with snapbacks thanks to Supreme's continued prominence at the forefront of mainstream style consciousness. My shoes are secondhand Y-3 from Tokio 7 and the hat is actually a thrifted Kool cigarettes cap, the green 'K' a subtle reference to those trés cool (punny! sort of?) Kenzo x New Era caps. I'm wearing the vegan leather leggings I picked up at Urban Outfitters last year (seen here) and a thrifted graphic tee in the same blueberry hue we discussed last week.

But what am I reading? 032c is a Berlin-based publication that came onto my radar about two years ago. They've been going for a decade or so, but I wasn't convinced to pick up a copy until I was piecing through their current issue and read the following in regards to the, "ducktail hair, washed-out complexion and bleached eyebrows" of the Balenciaga AW12 menswear campaign:

Aesthetic modifications tend to stay within the boundaries of familiar human physiology. When genetic engineering - in the context of being able to mold our image - becomes widely accessible in the future, there will be a point of departure where personal improvement drifts outside the accepted parameters of our anatomy.

Hot damn if I don't love a cerebral take on the psychosocial implications of the styling of a high-fashion campaign. That initial appetite-wetting was further appeased on getting cozy with the pub, which features in-depth articles on everything from urban planning to the complex family history of one of America's most prolific graphic designers. In short, I highly recommend it. Also, it goes with my outfit! Let's take a look at some of the other inspirations for today's look:

01 Karlie Kloss by Roe Ethridge for Acne Paper. I think, aside from the Daria-fronted seasonal campaign, this is my favorite image featuring that Céline coat. The styling...parfait!
02 Blogger Sandra Hagelstam of 5 Inch And Up. Hagelstam's looks are often athletics-influenced...here she is making an oversized basketball jersey look sexy, and not like Snooki thinks she makes oversized basketball jerseys look sexy, but in a real way.
03 Blogger Zanita Morgan of Zanita. Baby girl wears a snapback like nobody's business!

Want more? Click through to shop my outfit!

[SHORTS STORY] AMERICAN PREP

This month I'm embarking on a special journey...a journey to that item of clothing at the heart of summer dressing: shorts. Shorts are tricky because, to be blunt, it's easy to look like crap wearing them. Weird pocket placement, strange and unnecessary seams around the ass/crotch, a plethora of lengths that can be really unflattering...shorts are tricky. Enter the first in my Shorts Story series: American Prep. This is different from Euro-inflected versions of preppiness because boat shoes. Also, see my horse bracelet, vintage kelly green Lacoste polo and whalebone necklace. I'm big into shorts-cuffing and highly recommend it for enhanced cuteness. To switch things up this week, you can see a modified version of the outfit below, topped off with a lightweight vintage sportcoat instead of a cardi.

This was fittingly shot at the gardens at the University of Virginia, speaking of which...I did some gardening yesterday! (BAM life update segue) While wearing something decidedly less preppy I volunteered at Annie Novak's Eagle Street Rooftop Farm here in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. I worked with a few other volunteers to plant rows of peppers - with my hands, y'all! I actually learned about planting stuff in the ground, which was awesome - and what's more awesome is that Annie described our work as "perfect"! So if anyone asks what I''m doing up here you can tell them I'm a gentleman farmer; I've got the Instagrams to prove it!

photos Joel Codiamat // hat Urban Outfitters // polo, sportcoat and bracelet Low Vintage // cardigan American Apparel // shorts H&M // belt Uniqlo // shoes Band of Outsiders for Sperry

SUMMER WEIGHT

Here I am working the pensive thing pretty hard, having obviously just descended from the back of my pony to struggle with further rejection from Zac Efron. I’m sorry I didn’t realize you weren’t interested in the computer rendering of what our baby would look like, Zac. Anyway…this outfit might be a little preemptive considering it’s not even May, but we all know this year’s been unexpectedly warm so hark, and listen to my wisdom.

The Uniqlo button-up is lightweight cotton that I washed and dried by crumpling it up into a little ball. It’s so fine that it holds the wrinkles and looks like linen. Or a crinkled-up-ass shirt you pulled out from the bottom of your dirty laundry. Debate! I roll up the sleeves and loosely tuck it in front for that “je ne sais quoi” effect. The scarf is a double-sided Dries Van Noten silk that I rarely wear because it’s so fancy, but the color! The detail! So good. And last, but not least: woven belts for summer. #revelation

P.S. I am aware that Madonna has nicer arms than I do.

photo Joel Codiamat

DAPPER'S IN THE DETAILS

For menswear traditionalists pursuing the modern dandy vibe, these are the details that really cinch it – the tartan tie contrasting the mini-check shirt against the neutral sweater under the cord blazer with, bon appétit, a paisley pocket square for the K.O.

Another great detail I just thought of that you could try? Line your jacket with a crazy/fancy fabric. I did this with just the sleeves of a Zara blazer last year; here are the steps: find a fabric you like (I used a ladies’ American Indian-esque print teesh, also from Zara), then take it to your tailor and say, “Please do this for me, thank you.” Voila! Or if you're feeling non-traditional and you want a special hidden detail all to yourself, you could...paint your toenails! (Make little faces on the big toes; really indulge, like you’ve taken yourself to a spa for fifth graders) (Oh man, that could be a weird thing, no? Don’t take yourself to spas for fifth graders, what are you doing there!? Get out!) We'll stick to the traditional details for now.

Shirt – American Apparel

Tie – Uniqlo

Sweater – Ralph Lauren

Sportcoat – A.P.C.

Pocket Square – Vintage

HE WEARS THE (LADY) PANTS

Today's outfit is another example of "unisex dressing," which I'm always championing. The pants are pleated-front ladies' trousers from Zara (a women's extra small that I bought in an Asian country, let's not dissect that), the belt is from the ladies' department of Uniqlo (although, really, why?) and the shirt is an XXS from American Apparel that honestly just doesn't fit - it's waaay to short and the entire day I was contemplating how ridiculous it would be to have an elastic undergarment sewn into the bottom so I could reach for things without my shirt coming up out of my waistband. Probably very ridiculous. I didn't do it! And the scarf is vintage silk - I love silk scarves and have quite a few, but almost never wear them. I think that must be because I'm pretty hard on my clothes. But yes, my ladies' pants, they hold up ok - just not my men's scarves.

Pants - Zara

Shirt - American Apparel

Belt - Uniqlo

Scarf - Espace Kiliwatch

Shoes - Rachel Comey