Does This Make Me Look

Although absent from this space for some recent scoops of months, very many things have been percolating. Since you and I last hung out, a move to the left coast has become a reality in order to spend time with the guy below (otherwise known as my dad).

He’s doing fine and dandy, but really that’s the point. Dennis and I are looking forward to spending time with him as a fine & dandy person. Going to silver sneakers, seeing his latest collage, drinking martinis on his porch, all those things that as a long-distance daughter I’ve only gotten to do on an occasional basis. So in November I told my compadres at the magazine that I was packing up my jumpsuits and stepping out the door after seven years.

As a girl who really enjoys security, community, a steady paycheck, this decision was startling on a few levels. First, I really adore the people I work with. Second, I suspect I’ll be coming face to face with how much the New Yorker in me, that person who has liberally used bragging rights around how tough it is to navigate the NYC subway and who has been known to build outfits based on a choice of knee socks and a thrift store sweaters to wear around the city will need to recalibrate my identity once my bicycle and a light jacket are all that’s called for. Not to mention the stimulation of those city characters who I’ve been fascinated and sometimes terrified by in my thirty+ years living here. But I also know they will swirl around my brain ready to become characters in a story I will write.

Heading back to the state of my birth will be interesting. Obviously there’s been great change in the landscape (lots of fires) and yet also a sameness (would you look at that ocean?). There’s been great change in my landscape (lots of growth) and yet also a sameness (would you look at that ever-expanding reading list?). I’m looking forward to exploring all that with the guy I love while joining the guy I love pictured above. So we’re packing up my thrift store finds, my jumpsuits, my socks, getting into the truck and driving cross country.

And about those jumpsuits: For those of you who read the H&M post half-a-dozen-plus weeks ago, you’ll recognize that I’ve grown a bit of a habit (aside: imagine my surprise when I clicked on this denim number that I bought full price to find it on a deep discount, but nevermind). And in the spirit of why this blog was created with an eye toward conscious fashion while also realizing we don’t have enough room in our vehicle for me to stop at a thrift store in every state (not this time anyway), I’m embarking on the Jumpsuits Across America tour. There will be photos and commentary. It’s starting on January 6, 2020. Until then, happy new year. Be safe and I look forward to seeing you from the road. Thanks for reading!

I’ve been listening to a lot of Elton John lately by way of a very cool remix/cover album, Revamp, and it’s reminding me of my high school years. The 80s. It was an era often remembered as silly with shoulder pads, leg warmers, and lip liner. And while all that was true, Alexis Carrington’s hissy fits couldn’t overwhelm some of the other, quieter, looks from sneaking in. Consider punk rock for instance.

I’ll admit, I was a confused style puppy back then. While I yearned to embrace the punk rocker inside of me, my leanings were pretty hippie girl minus the patchouli (I grew up in Southern California, after all). All this to say: fashion evokes an era, a lifestyle, a way of remembering history. 

Since fashion plays an important role as historical marker, the where and how of attaining clothes is a thing. Vintage vs. thrifting. Curating carefully vs. diving for deals. The difference? One place you walk into and face well-packed racks of steamed and cleaned clothing. The other you roll up your sleeves and attack a $10 bin of opportunities. 

My friend Ruth, she of the smooth smile and fabulous dress (which she bought in a London thrift shop decades ago and still looks amazing in, below), represents to me someone who really sashays down the runway of fun and all-her-own looks. It’s not fashion that makes a person, it’s personal style. You’ve heard that a million times before, but when you see it, you know it. And her style speaks to something one step beyond the grab&go. (I’m not saying she doesn’t do that on occasion, but it’s more that she knows what she likes and what looks good on her.) She’s not afraid of color or pattern (again, see dress below) which for a New Yorker by way of Chicago and London is almost crazy and made me have to ask her a few questions about her style philosophy, because that’s a thing!

Me: What’s the first section you go to when you walk into a vintage or thrift store?

Ruth: Dresses. If I could just wear dresses for my whole entire life, I would. I mean, I have pants, but since I don’t have that many pairs, they’re not my go-to selection. Plus sometimes I feel like the ones I have are a little exaggerated. I don’t really throw on jeans and go, although I’m getting back into jeans. But sometimes I worry that things can get costume-y with me.

What do you mean by costume-y?

For instance, if it’s a fifties-style dress, I’ll do hair and makeup that feels like the time the dress came from. It’s hard for me to accessorize with things that aren’t from the same vintage as the actual item. I’m really a top to bottom gal. It would be a challenge to wear combat boots with a 60s dress. At my wedding, I went for some forties spit curls in my hair and silver shoes to go with my dress (below).

So you see outfits, rather than individual pieces?

To me that’s the fun. Dressing has to do with the total package. I’m not gonna psychoanalyze it, but I do feel that’s what getting dressed is about: creativity. And it’s fun to dig for things. There’s a store in Chicago, Strange Cargo, and every time I visit that city, I stop by. I’ve been going there for years. They used to let my friend Katie and I go down to the basement so we could check out all the stuff that had just come in before they’d bring it onto the floor. I like that kind of private shopping time.

My last question: If you could go vintage or thrift store shopping with anyone who would it be?

Well you don’t want to go with anyone who has similar taste so you don’t compete for clothes, but you do want someone who knows what you like so they can be on the lookout for stuff you might want. My friend Katie and my daughter, Bluebell, fit all those descriptions.

I forgot to ask her whether she solo picked out or had help with the unbelievably beautiful dress above because I was just so smitten by how much it looks like a painting you’d see in a museum. And speaking of paintings, her hubby Tim Ward—here’s a slightly dated interview—is an artist, and they make up one of my most favorite and stylish couples I’m lucky enough to know.

My friend Ruth: helping the planet one cool outfit at a time.

So my readers, who’s your favorite person to dive into vintage or thrift stores with?

When is it not awesome to have something wrapped around you like a hug? A super large scarf is to me that perfect, simple piece that doubles as both useful (the chill from AC, Mother Nature, the cold room in Fairway) and comforting (held tightly, I can almost channel a Harry Potter invisibility cloak kind of vibe). And ever since November when I began meditating in earnest, I’ve come to really appreciate the oversized hug. I’d found myself a 68″ x 35″ travel wrap from Amazon, which turned out to be the perfect dimensions for wrapping without swallowing me completely.

And while I don’t think Amazon actually needs anymore traffic directed its way, at least I was slightly mollified that the scarf I chose is made from sustainable fabric (beech trees). Plus it has a pocket for a neck warmer pod that comes with it, which is kind of weird and wonderful and actually something I’ve never used. ANyhoo. It’s $44 and comes in a few colors. I got it in black, which turned out fine given I live in New York and that’s the city’s official color. But while I was at the retreat I began to covet these beautiful white wraps that many of the women (and men, although we weren’t meant to notice the men) had. Yes, I coveted at a meditation retreat. I rolled around in the very thing you try and let go of during these 10 day experiences. By day five I was just sort of peripherally aware of a beautiful long scarf being wrapped around a woman’s shoulders and I’d floatingly wonder if it was made of cashmere, then I’d try and bring my thoughts back to my sensations.

Then I came home and immediately began looking for a light-colored wrap. I found one at Like Mary, a British company with a great backstory and fair trade clothing.

I ended up with this one in white (a color not available right at this very moment). I didn’t want any fringe or hoo-ha (yes, that’s a thing) on the ends. Just a basic warm wrap that I could also wear in the winter as a scarf. It’s turned out rather well!

For a lighter summer style, there’s this beauty that I sent to a friend in California. I found the company Good Krama incredibly awesome to deal with. I’d stumbled on them after searching for a place that has great business practices and is nice to the earth, but I’d also been nervous about trying somewhere I’d never heard of–or hadn’t been suggested to me–before. They turned out to be amazing to order from and deal with and I highly recommend a stroll through their products, which branch out into clothing as well! Plus their confirmation emails and such are so friendly it’s like you have a pal sending you a present.

And if you’re in the mood for beautiful patterns, this is just a stunning piece from a great company with a cause. Ichcha. Read their story, it’s really wonderful! They also do a lot of home decor pieces.

Now I must go wrap myself up for my highly air conditioned office. What do you wrap up in when you want comfort? I’m curious. Thanks for reading!

It has been so infernally hot&steamy lately that I’ve no doubt every human who is required to move around outside might enjoy wearing as little as possible. (I feel all furry creatures probably feel the same, but I have no blog post solutions for them except copious hydration. We should all be doing that too.) And although it’s not quite acceptable (yet?) to wear only your skivvies, when you do get a chance to strip down, why not feel good about what lives next to your skin?

And since thrift stores are not handy at all when it comes to what we wear under our clothes, I’ve done some research to uncover a few basics that are nice-to-the-planet, look good, and seem to wear well.

There is of course some subtle difference between lingerie, which according to my pals at Merriam-Webster means “women’s intimate apparel,” and underwear. I truly wish there was a term that could evoke the in-between. Where lingerie suggests more sexy-time silk, lace, and special wrapping in tissue next to the sachet at the back of the drawer, underwear says no frills, wash-and-wear utility. I’ve been that girl who rode the subway with a sly smile thinking of what flirtiness I wore underneath, but too many thong incidents and underwire ill fittings scared me away from all-the-time lingerie action. I still think it’s fun to slip on a few pieces here and there, but for everyday wear, not so much.

But I’m also not down with any granny-panty (such an ewww-inspiring term that I want to somehow make cool) revolution. What I’d like is some truly wearable and sexy underthings that don’t poke, lift, push, or pull. And that come in basic colors and breathable fabrics. Some that are also eco-friendly and well priced. Too much to ask? Here’s what I found:

Lafille D’o is an adorable collection that while slightly dear price-wise, looks like it would be wearable to the extreme, super fun, sexy, and totally worth the money for the design and well-made-ness. I’m close to choosing a couple of things.

Like this, which I’d wear these like crazy.

I totally love this brand Boody and have bought these in bulk. They don’t ride up and are really strangely seamless under pants, skirts, and such.

So one thing I’m still/always on the search for is an everyday bra with no underwire, no padding, just a cute, basic, wearable situation that doesn’t cost an outrageous amount. Cos, which has an “It’s a start” rating on Good on You, has some cute triangle bras in great colors.

I’ve owned a few of these, and they lasted really well, so probably worth the money.

And finally, although I’m not a girl who goes through this awesome experience anymore, I do remember the sensation of ruining (or being afraid I was ruining) pair after pair of undies once a month. To that end, this brilliant group of humans started Thinx.

These are a best-selling basic pair, but they’ve got a whole lot of other styles and colors worth checking out! It makes me so happy to live in a time when girls, women, men, all genders and identifiers can talk about what goes on with a woman’s body and not cringe. (Yay.) Next we’ll have to work on the granny-panty nomenclature. Any ideas?

And what are your thoughts regarding what’s beneath your favorite and daily outfits?

Thanks for being here!

Sometimes a person’s just in the mood to pop into an H&M store without feeling bad about it. Bad in the sense that there might be a whole fast + fashion = evil for planet. But a crazy-good thing seems to be happening now that human’s are paying a little more attention to how the fashion industry can really F*CK with our galaxy. (Not to be a downer, but here are a few documentaries that drive the point home about how staying on trend is slaying the world.)

Anyhoo… about that crazy-good thing: H&M, a brand better known for grab&go&dispose fashion is working hard to bring consumers some peace of mind and the globe some relief. And honestly I’ve had some H&M pieces that have really lasted, so to me it wasn’t the disposability factor of the pieces as much as how responsible they were in the making of them. But their Conscious line has over 2,000 (when I just checked) pretty great pieces and for good prices, so I’m throwing a few down here that range from affordable staples to cool looks. (And side note: You can drop off clothes at the store—any brand—and they’ll do positive, remake/remodel like things with it. Read here.)

Maybe this dress looks slightly like a bathrobe, but it’s in breathable cotton and I think it’s a pretty festive color scheme. With some funky shoes and accessories, this could be fun and literally cool for when you’re stepping from an outside steamy dog-day summer (sleeves pushed up) to an inside super-AC’d moment (sleeves down).

I’m not going to lie to you: I’m experiencing a pretty solid obsession with jumpsuits (or boilersuits or coveralls, or whatever the hell you want to call them) right now. Ever since my friend Elizabeth generously told me where she’d bought the one she was wearing a year-or-so ago—and then I went online and bought one in every color—I’ve had to stick to only purchasing those I can find for under $100 and from thrift stores. They’re usually mixed in with the long dresses, so I always beeline for that section. I’m also probably going to have to institute a one in/one out mandate soon if I can’t stop buying them. (Or maybe there’s a meeting somewhere for people like me. “Hi, I’m Lauren, and I’m, er, addicted to the jumpsuit.”)

So the one above is really fabulous, don’t you think? Who doesn’t love a denim one piece that isn’t for toddlers? Honestly, I couldn’t resist. (Dennis, darling,I’ll build more shelves.) That’s it. All I’ve got on this particular piece of clothing before I start writing poems to it or some such.

I’m always looking for a good pair of cargo pants that aren’t all: Hey, look at me, I have a million pockets and some shiny snaps and are so baggy it doesn’t even look like there’s a body inside. These look basic, form-fitting, and are on sale. Excellent. 

And since it’s a zillion degrees most everywhere right now, a few of these in different colors would come in very handy.

I’m absolutely a sucker for a lightweight long-sleeve, slouchy situation in the shirt department. This? Hell, yeah!

And I particularly like the little button elements on the sleeves here.

So there…a whole array of good looks from a place that’s working hard to change its reputation. I’m feeling the distinct impression that other so-called fast-fashion places will be soon following suit if they want to stay hanging with the cool kids (or at least not be blamed for helping heat up the planet). If you’re going to rock the H&M though, I’d suggest sticking with the Conscious brand so they know how much they’re appreciated. 

Is there a brand you wish were more eco-conscious? Or maybe a brand you thought was, but are disappointed to learn aren’t? (I’m looking at you Muji.) Here’s how you can check if a fashion brand you like is working from an eco-centric place: Good On You is an excellent site that tracks brands by name and category, plus have a lot of fine articles about things like laundry soap, “The Ethical Guide to Dressing Like a Parisienne,” and so on.

Thanks for reading and go forth in fine fashion and forward thinking.

Last month my honey and I were in Mexico and rounded the corner in the small town we were near to find this fan-cleaning man hard at work under Frida Kahlo’s badass gaze. In it I saw “I dare you.” And as I get older, I’m working on daring myself a little more each day. Yes to be true in all those life ways that I’ve spent years therapizing on, but also in seeing what it takes to honestly live on this planet consciously. To pause around my love of style and pay attention to where my choices come from…and stay on a budget. It’s a work in progress for sure, but I mean to keep it up and put down here the ways in which I find success and stumbles.

Frida Kahlo, who not only had a style that was drop-jaw stunning but who also lived a story filled with a trillion opportunities for her to meet challenges and then express them to the rest of us by way of art, was born this month (1907) in Mexico. Her story: Daughter of a German father and Mestizo mother, citizen of Mexico, artist with shows in America and Europe, disabled, bisexual and outspoken.

With the humanitarian disaster exploding on the border between her place of birth and the place where she spent a good portion of time, this post is a bit What might Frida do along with a chance to support some artisans from Central and South America whose work is not only stunning and interesting, but also benefits the humans creating it and the culture it represents.

(Side note: Also a donation to Raices, an organization doing amazing work at the border is a wonderful accessory. I’ve investigated laminating the Thank You email and wearing it around my neck layered with some of the necklaces below.)

Jewelry. Frida’s was consistently colorful and just damn interesting. With that in mind:

These are so cool and I feel would not distract me like so many earrings can when they dangle from my lobes. The company that makes them, Wakami, partners with local women in Guatemala to create fantastic jewelry and handbags.

I also really love this simple necklace from them as well. And if truly channeling Frida’s style, it would be layered with many more.

And on the subject of layering, stacking these beauties in the summer on a bare arm, right?

If you want to get dangly with it, these babies are beauties. I’d go silver, because that’s my jam, but they make them in gold as well. The company also supports Guatemalan artisans.

Frida did some amazing things on her head: flowers woven into braids, ribbons and what-not featured prominently. I’m a hat girl myself and these feathers quite intrigued me. I don’t know how they’d hold up on my summer straw in the subway or walking down the NYC streets. I kind of think a pigeon might dive bomb me, but if I was just two inches more brave, I might give these a try. Pachacuti is all about supporting Panamanian artists.

Moving from tête to toes, a great wrap or shawl is always handy—even during the hottest months given some highly air conditioned location is bound to spill some chill over you at some point.

This awesome multi-purpose piece is both traditional and functional. And the site The Little Market is a great place to find home accessories and lots more made by Central and South American artists.

Designer Carla Fernandez is quite wonderful. Her work has a great architectural edge and some interesting angles that make me want to look from all angles.

The one caveat about Carla’s work is that you have to look a little bit to find her clothes. Resale sites like Poshmark and such are a good place to start. This wool cape (yes, wool, not altogether summertime, but an awesome piece to save for chill) is much like this from her Fall/Winter 2015 collection. I could totally see Frida throwing this on.

As we have now arrived at the feet, I feel the need to throw in another Frida photo. One that plays on her love for gender fluidity.

Frida as a teenager on the far left with her family. I’ve always loved a suit and can often be found in the boy’s department of thrift stores looking for cast-off suits outgrown (or discarded) by some young dude who had to wear it to a wedding or something. I’m not always successful, but still do try.

But shoes, we’re here for shoes. My feeling is that Frida is sporting a pair of oxfords in this photo. I’m bringing you a summer version made by this cool company called Nisolo in Peru.

If an open-toed style is your thing, there are these below from the same company, that I might still snap up before the summer ends:

And then these totally festive slides:

Which are made to order (so for those impatient souls among us. I’m looking at you, LSpencer, writer of these words, find the patience). The Guatemala company Root Collective has a fantastic mission statement so I think everything they make is fully worth the wait.

We’ve reached the toes so I’m going to slide out crossing fingers that however you choose to support being human and helping out all those other humans around you, you know that every little ripple helps.

“Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.” 
― Frida Kahlo

What words and/or artists inspire you to make a difference?