Leandra Medine's Blog, page 581

The Myth of the Working-Girl Wardrobe

I have this skirt that I keep trying to outgrow.

It was short and black, cotton and elastic. I was fifteen, but even as I marched to the cash register after discovering it in the depths of a sale rack, I knew it was a provisional pleasure. The tight circle of fabric was just the kind of piece a girl needed in adolescence and never beyond it.

I had already decided that womanhood was made of finer fabrics — wool, cashmere, linen. Eventually, I would graduate from the impulse purchases of my childhood and live out an existence of intentional dressing. I would own so much Céline it would be almost offensive — yet tasteful!

The catalyst of this would-be transformation eluded me, but I assumed that it would happen when I started to work. All the polyester would disappear from my closet. I’d find a pantsuit that didn’t make me look like an extra in Dumb and Dumber. I would have no physical or emotional space for mass-produced miniskirts. A good sheath dress could turn me into the person I planned to become.

I believed in the myth of the working-girl wardrobe. I was in love with the idea that fabric and thread could wrap me in substance. I anticipated some instant in which I’d replace all of my sweaters and skirts and dresses, abandoning the jeans that had been both so discounted and so hideous and the shoes that I still can’t decide whether I should try to restore or throw away for good. I would go out and buy a few dozen classics and create an older and wiser version of me in them. I expected (the way those of us who love clothes sometimes do) that dresses and “trousers” could invent me.

The delusions of youth — I was so wrong.

When I graduated in May and moved into a new apartment in October, I unpacked the skirt into my “grown-up” home. It has a tiny hole in the waistband now and it is no longer black. In its present state, it would be better characterized as “soot.” Somehow, though, I still wear it all the time. It’s so anonymous and unremarkable that it matches most of what I already own and pretty much all the Everlane sweaters that I’ve recently purchased and the Zady coat that has so entranced me. I keep meaning to give it away. Except, I can’t seem to find a substitution for it. Even in its shoddiness, it still has sartorial worth. Maybe it’s a total stretch, but I like to pretend it proves I made a few good decisions in high school.

Because I am a writer, I will probably never go out and buy the kind of Theory separates that I had always hoped would make me into an ambitious and impressive woman. I don’t need them. I work at a website and sometimes in my pajamas. It is such a treat. But it means that there is no office dress code to usher me into adulthood. In its absence, I want to know: Is the dream of an “adult” wardrobe old-fashioned? Should I embrace the relics of an Urban-Outfitted past? Do the clothes really make the woman? And if so, how am I supposed to grow up?

Elizabeth wearing: Topshop turtleneck and J.Crew turtleneck layered, Zara pants (similar here), Robert Clergerie shoes, Taylor Morris sunglasses; photographed by Krista Anna Lewis. Background Photographed by David Hurn from Magnum Photos via The New York Times. Carousel Background via Quite Continental from The Library of Congress. 

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How to Style a Going Out Top

Theory: going out tops are coming back.

Reality: going out tops are like, the reason the 90s were so weird.

Solution: learn to style them without feeling like you’re wearing a going out top or in other words, are coming from an afternoon Soul Cycle class, followed by a smoothie and glass of wine at the hair salon where you’re getting a blowie (girl talk for getting your hair blow dried by someone you don’t know). Which isn’t to say don’t act basic (as evidenced by our project and furthermore by the lifestyles that 96% of the population employed by Man Repeller both maintains and celebrates), but it is to say, don’t look so obvious.

Do you get what I mean by that?

Let me break it down by example.

Say you’re getting dressed, right? It’s 8 p.m. on a Thursday night and you’re going to get a drink with the ladies. Sorry, I mean tHe LaDieZ~z*s~z. You just acquired a black silk camisole and for a reason still consciously unbeknownst to you, it’s the only thing you want to wear. Fuq the button downs, fuq the t-shirts. So you put it on. And then you stare into your closet in Donald Duck mode thinking about what bottom to pair with it. Somehow, your jeans make you feel — not necessarily look — like every other girl on the corner of Lafayette Street. So you’re like, where’s the character? The individuality! And at this point, you think to yourself: Soul Cycle.

You follow? So, how do you feed the beast that is your almond milk latte while feeling like the cover star of an indie mag called something bold and nonsensical, like “Combustible.”

Three ideas, right this way.

#1: Compliment your going out top with going out pants.

Céline top (another bare shoulder option here), Rosie Assoulin pants, Atea Oceanie denim top around waist (similar here), Valentino shoes, Illesteva sunglasses

Add a shirt around your waist if you feel like you need a belt but know it’s not going to work. Also! Clashing shoes work if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t particularly love looking extremely neat and put together. I can explain what I mean when I say this by expressing that I like for my outfits to leave a couple of question marks on the table.

#2: Slouch toward layers.

Céline top (another option here), Rosetta Getty metallic top, Levi’s jeans, Walter Steiger shoes, Olympia Le Tan x Muzungu Sisters bag

I don’t know why I’m standing like Napoleon Dynamite but I do know that wearing a gold mock neck underneath this particular going out top plus a pair of old Levi’s (I think I’m ready to retire mom jeans) makes me feel like a fairly earnest version of myself. I’d wear this to work or to the bar or to stand on a red wall near Great Jones Street. There’s no wrong way to do a Snow White sleeve.

#3: Pretend it’s spring, but know it’s not

Céline top (another bare shoulder top here), Stella McCartney skirt (similar colorful floral skirt), Rosie Assoulin necklace, Dior boots (these are cool too)

I apologize for looking like I am trying to have sex with you, but the fact of the matter is, I’m just trying to help you get dressed. Here’s an example of grade-Aa, Slow Fashion recycling on display with a very trusty, 5-year-old skirt plus new-ish “sock” boots to…boot.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? I am literally sitting at my desk waiting to answer them.

Photographed by Krista Anna Lewis

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My Christmas Wishlist Is Full of Fashion That Doesn’t Exist

I’m only allowed one present this Christmas (I’m getting married in a few months and funds are tight) and I’ve chosen a portable steamer. It’s going to be a joint present, and my boyfriend’s going to be ecstatic that I cashed in our chips for something that makes ironed clothes more achievable. Apparently.

That said, I have this burning hot list that’s been gathering momentum for the last 15 years of everything I wish I owned. All the things that if I knew the first thing about sewing on a button, I would attempt to make myself. Because these are the pieces that change everything about how you look and therefore feel. I own some of them: black trousers from All Saints, so perfectly cut that no other pair of black trousers can come close; snakeskin block-heeled Amelie Pichard boots that re-define what it means to be, let alone to wear, an ankle boot; my Topshop Unique floral print dress that looks like a heavenly piece of vintage sent to me by angels. I want my whole closet to make me feel like that. Here’s one step closer.

1. A pair of midnight blue velvet dungarees. These shall have a slim-cut leg (rather than a wide leg) with a front and back bib so that the shirt doesn’t tuft out to the sides, which I hate. They shall not be tight on the ass or groin, nor too long in the body (I am pretty short). They shall not be flimsy and will hide my lumps and bumps, yet they shall be gloriously fluid and worn with a white frilly shirt underneath.

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2. A pair of matte red leather boots. They shall not be patent; they will be tomato red; they will have a heel that is neither too blocky nor  a stiletto, and it shall be precisely 3 inches high. The boots will be pointed but not too pointed. They will have hints of Saint Laurent and a whiff of Opening Ceremony’s Rodarte collaboration (which I still think of sometimes) in their shape.

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3. A pale duck egg blue short suit. To be worn at weddings in the summer. The exact suit I want, and have wanted since 2006, is Kate Moss’s vintage two-piece that she wore to a wedding. I dream of this more than any other piece of clothing. It’s basically a glorified blouse with a pair of fluttery boy shorts and it is heaven.

4. An off the shoulder, black lace bell-sleeved blouse which stops just short of my wrist and ends just above my mid-rise trouser waistband.

5. A liquid satin midi skirt which is not bias cut (so as not to accentuate my hips), worn high on the waist with a ribbon waistband. The color could be mint green, or perhaps blush. I’m not yet sold on the color. I would be able to wear it with strappy sandals and Adidas Gazelles alike for eternal nineties vibes. It is the kind of thing I imagine Hillier Bartley to make soon — a label that stocks so many of the pieces I never thought I would be able to find at, sadly, very high prices.

6. A saffron yellow movie star dress. It could be like Michelle Williams’ Oscar dress in 2006, or perhaps Kate Hudson’s from How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days. Either one will do me just fine; never shall I have a bad time in it.

7. A backless silver mini dress. The halter neck will not be so low that you can see side-boob and it shall be lined so I do not have to wear a bra. (Only Carrie Bradshaw gets away with a visible-bra-back and even then, she doesn’t really.) It shall be a mysterious fabrication which is both silky and resistant all at once and it will be backless, without ever gaping or straining at the undulations of my body.

8. A cropped chunky cashmere aran turtleneck in navy which does not make me look booby or truncated and is not short enough to show my stomach. Most importantly, the neck shall fit my neck rather than pooling sadly around my collar bone as so many turtlenecks are want to do.

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9. A black embroidered dress with a high neck, puffed shoulders, a fitted waist and gathered wristlets. It shall not be childish; it shall be like Vyshyvanka by Vita Kin but with a tougher, almost Victorian structure and a wintry embroidery, not a summery Mexican affair, so that it looks best with thick tights and knee high boots.

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10. A white swimsuit that does not go up my ass. Seriously.

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And one for luck…

11. The perfect leopard print coat. I have bought half a dozen in my time and none have ever been quite right. I would like it to be double breasted with structured shoulders and a belt, and for it to fall just below my knees. It shall not be too dark nor too light. It will not be teddy bear fur, nor will it be matted. It will be, if my list ever comes true, perfect.

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Follow Pandora on Twitter and Instagram and check out her blog while you’re at it. I llustrations by Kelly Shami, photos of Pandora via pandorasykes.com.

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Ask a Nutritionist: How Do I Get My Period Back?

In this month’s edition of Ask a Nutritionist, registered dietician McKel Hil of Nutrition Stripped, answers the question: how do I get my period back?

Though there are a number of reasons a woman might lose her period (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, thyroid issues, weight loss or gain and changes in birth control and other medications), the two most prominent reasons many of my clients lose their periods are nutritional malnourishment (often as a result of being underweight and not consuming enough nutrient and energy-dense foods) and severe stress. Here is what I recommend:

1. Nutrition is key. 

Taking birth control increases your body’s chance of having low levels of important nutrients like folic acid, vitamins B2, B6, B12, vitamin C and E and the minerals magnesium, selenium and zinc. If you’re on birth control now or have recently stopped, be mindful of these nutrients in your food. While taking vitamin supplements may help give you a boost to replenish what you’re lacking, eating enough protein, healthy fats, fiber, dark leafy green vegetables, carbohydrates and drinking enough water is key for optimal hormone function.

5 foods to incorporate on a daily basis:

a) Healthy fats like coconut oil and milk, avocado, seeds, nut butters and grass-fed butter are crucial for keeping hormones healthy. Do not fear the fat.

b) Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, asparagus and cauliflower support your body in detoxing excess estrogen. Beets are great too.

c) Proteins like wild caught fish, chicken, eggs and organic, fermented tofu.

d) Brazil nuts — consume 1 a day for a boost of selenium, which helps boosts immune systems and the aids the detoxification of hormones.

e) Organic fruits and vegetables as much as possible. The fewer pesticides, the fewer toxins your body will be forced to clear.

f) Supplements that show promise: vitamin C, chasteberry for increasing progesterone, adaptogenic herbs like holy basil and medicinal mushrooms, turmeric, DIM, omega-3 fatty acid  and zinc.

2. Stress management (i.e. letting that shit go).

Stress robs our bodies of energy and completely throws our hormones out of whack. So many of my clients regain their periods by addressing this step alone through daily meditation, talking about their stress and seeking help. It’s a very important piece of the puzzle.

3. Eat enough — plain and simple.

Restrictive diets and excessive exercising set you up for poor metabolic tendencies, unattainable weight management and possible mental/emotional stress fractures, but it also sets you up for hormonal disaster. Eat enough calories to refuel, sustain and nourish your body; I recommend women not to dip below 2000 calories a day in order to see hormonal status improvement. This is subject to change depending on where you’re currently at with your health. For example, if you’re underweight you’d be consuming more than 2000 calories a day. Make an appointment with a nutritionist or doctor if you’re unsure as to how many calories you should be consuming. Every body is different.

4. Sleep.

Sleep is crucial to general health, but it’s especially crucial when it comes to managing stress and hormone-balance. Sleep is like a janitor that clears our minds on a nightly basis. Opt for at least 7 hours a night; 9 is ideal.

5. Move your body, but go easy on the cardio.

Strength training is an important part of maintaining hormone levels. Doing too much cardio further depletes our body of energy and can cause stress in the body — something we’re trying to manage when getting our period back. Instead, try a body weight resistance class like barre3, The Class, or Leandra’s ridiculous exercise-at-your-desk routine? For cardio, try short bursts of sprints and keep it minimal. Also! Take a walk outside. Every single day. Nature is just as healing as gentle walking.

6. Be patient.

These things take time. If you have no idea where to begin with these steps for your situation, I recommend working one-on-one with a health practitioner or dietitian who can help coach you along the way with diet, supplements and your exercise routine. Do also talk to your gynecologist.

I’m sure that before you know it, you’ll be complaining about cramps again.

Follow McKel Hill on Instagram and Twitter; feature photograph by Krista Anna Lewis.

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A Thought on the Resuscitation of Tight Clothes

Has anyone else in this treehouse been wearing tighter clothes lately?

No?

Well, if I told you that I plan to wear the same sequined dress that Chloe, photographed above, is wearing at some point this week, what would you have to say about that? And the striped turtleneck and jeans? Sign me up. The entire slideshow above is essentially an outfit mood board to reflect my current cues. Today, as a matter of fact, I’m wearing a fairly similar iteration of look #1 and I feel better than I ever did in culottes.

Which isn’t to say that culottes are dead, but maybe they are to me.

If you’re not with me yet, my guess is that you will be relatively soon. Reason being that the elusive cycle of fashion is on the brink of a change that is seemingly deviating from all of that formerly-praised body obstruction to move further into the favor of what I want to call “healthy constriction.”

Invariably, this has forced me to think about what tight clothes mean for the notion of man repelling. Am I remaining true to my ethos if I’m opting for the skinny pants in lieu of the flare legs, or the bodysuit instead of the swing jacket?

What if I’m actually being complimented by the male gaze?

The simple answer is yes because at its core, Man Repeller is a synonym for you do you, and the definition of doing you runs a gamut more extensive than the shades of hair Gwen Stefani has assumed in her lifetime.

The more involved answer is contingent on redefining what we mean by “Man Repeller,” because for as long as this site has been around, our argument has clearly stated that women dress to please a) themselves, b) their female peers. As a result, the clothes we select to tell our stories don’t frequently align with the archetypical visual pursuits of our male counterparts. But what happens, like in the case of the bodysuit, when they do? Are we submitting ourselves to “the patriarchy,” or are we doing what we’ve always done: dressing for ourselves?

It’s weird, you know, that more often than not people can now see the shape of my ass through my pants.

And that wide leg trousers, though still a personal mainstay, can sometimes make me feel like I’m lying to myself.

I haven’t quite figured out how to articulate why certain things feel right and others don’t in terms of what I put on my person beyond the very simple excuse of, “because personal style,” but maybe the point that has not yet been explored is this: all of this time, we haven’t really been man repelling — that would have been far too active, too passionate. No, we’ve been man ignoring.

Much more powerful.

Styled by Leandra Medine, photographed by Krista Anna Lewis

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You Need a Break: What’s Your Favorite Thing to Read?

I learned that Kim Kardashian West gave birth to a baby boy over the weekend.

That at the time of announcement, the baby was as-of-yet unnamed (at least publicly).

I also learned that people were really vying hard for name Wild. Then I learned that Saint won.

I learned all of this about 12345678 times over because it seemed to be the only story anyone was posting about, which meant that I didn’t need to read it. Also, I’m not a baby-news kind of gal.

But I did click to read about about 5 different versions of the same “Ryan Gosling can’t stop laughing” clip. I needed a laugh too and think Kate McKinnon is a hero.

I read a story about White Debt, and I read the comments, because someone I respect tweeted that it was a must-read. (Then I guess I was like, shit. Better read.)

Another long one I read from start to finish: Eddie Redmayne’s Complicated Masculinity. I clicked it because a friend shared it, I love Eddie Redmayne and I want to see The Danish Girl. I stayed because the writing was good, the article was interesting and the author had a unique point of view.

I also read about strobing (I’d never heard of it before), caught up on NY Mag, read through the New Yorker’s Shouts and Murmurs (both are happy habits) and spent about 500 hours scrolling past different meme accounts on Instagram (needed to zone out).

So no shit: I clicked different things for different reasons — because I wanted to learn, to be entertained, hear a different opinion than the one barking in my own head, hear an opinion that agreed with the one barking in my own head, to let my brain melt. But I already know my own reasons.

What I’m more curious about are the kinds of stories that drive you. What do you love to read? Are you on the eternal search for fashion advice? Do you just want to laugh, context be damned? Are you, in fact, a celebri-baby news person?

While I have your ear, A) here’s an earring and B) what’s your favorite thing to read on Man Repeller? What do you actually want to see?

Have you ever been to a bar or restaurant but you don’t know what you want to drink and the bartender asks, “Well what do you like?” and then creates, like, the ideal cocktail that you didn’t even know you wanted?

Yea. Tell me that, but about stuff you want to read.

Elizabeth wearing: Veda green suede jacket, Topshop turtleneck, Taylor Morris sunglasses, MAC matte lipstick in “Diva;” p hotographed by Krista Anna Lewis.

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Oh Boy Podcast Episode 16: Emily Weiss

No better way to kick off Oh Boy’s Super Sweet 16th episode than with Glossier and Into The Gloss founder and CEO, Emily Weiss.

In this particular pod we learn about the entrepreneur’s earliest businesses (a clay-based jewelry company, a lemonade stand — note that I said earliest), her entry into fashion (Cher Horowitz, over-the-knee socks, Contempo Casuals) and her lifelong animal enthusiasm.

But host Jay Buim also takes us “behind the scenes” of Weiss’ real career trajectory: the business skills she culled while working in the magazine industry, what being a Vogue stylist’s assistant taught her, how she learned to be good collaborator, why Ikea may actually strengthen your relationships (at least the work ones) and of course, where the whole idea of Into The Gloss — and later Glossier — started.

It’s the kind of episode that will charge anyone up who’s been thinking about starting their own thing. It’s also 46 minutes long: the perfect amount of time to apply a moisturizing face mask. Maybe Emily Weiss can recommend some.

Check out Into the Gloss and shop Glossier. Follow Into the Gloss on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Follow Emily on Instagram, too! While you’re at it, host Jay Buim also has an Instagram and website. Logo and feature illustration by Kelly Shami.

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Pop Star Holiday Cards

‘Tis the season to feel like a bad person because once again you forgot to have your photo professionally taken with your significant other and your fur-covered children in coordinated outfits then have it printed (matte finish) in bulk so that you could thoughtfully pen a note to every person you’ve ever met then mail it in time for everyone to hang on their fridges for the entirety of December.

Don’t you hate when that happens?

But listen, I get it. Life happens. You’re busy! Besides, drugstore cards feel impersonal — and how embarrassing if two friends found out you sent them the same store-bought card. You don’t have the emotional bandwidth to come up with catchy copy for every single person on your mailing list, either. Like hi, you’re not Hallmark.

This is where musically-inclined celebrities come in. (Especially the Grammy-nominated ones.) Turns out that with a little rejiggering, top-40 song lyrics can make for absolutely fantastic festive greetings. “I can’t feel my face when I’m with you,” for example, is the new “May your days be merry and bright.”

The best part is that we did the rejiggering for you. All you have to do is spike your eggnog, click through the slideshow of cards above, save your favorite one and text it to your favorite ex.

In the words of Bing Crosby/Justin Bieber, happy holidays!

Cards, shmards. We’re giving away free shit.

Collages by Krista Anna Lewis and Elizabeth Tamkin

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Three Ways to Style Three Suits This Holiday Season

People are always talking about wearing shiny shit over the holiday season. Sequins or lamé or tinsel in fashion form — and that’s all fine and well. As a matter of fact, it’s great. Without the holiday season, would we feel so inclined to dress up as disco balls? Would we ever experience the sheer joy that emerges as a result of emulating a universal totem of jubilation? I don’t know.

But there are also those of us who take great joy in assuming the garments that already contribute to our wardrobes at large and turning them into optimal holiday party outfits. So in the first of a three-part series that will explore how to dress this season, let us consider the pant suit.

We’ll start with the below red one, which if you remember correctly covers the back of my first book.

Acne suit (here’s another jacket and pant option), Palmer//Harding shirt, Sophia Webster heels

It’s fairly festive right off the bat given the color combination but with the mere introduction of an elaborate button down shirt that is also kind of a dress it becomes the world greatest holiday conversation starter.

Example: party-goer #1 says, “What is that blue shirt you’re wearing under your fantastic suit? Is it even a shirt?”

You say, “Here’s my number.”

Cut to three years from now and boom! You’re pregnant.

I’m so proud of you.

Now let’s look at a more traditional suit.

Isa Arfen jacket and pants, Topshop turtleneck, Are You Am I tank top, Jimmy Choo sandals

One way to take the corporate gray suit from work to parrrrrrty is to make like Sheryl and lean into the holiday stereotypes with, for example, a silver metallic turtleneck that kind of looks like liquid. I also added a white silk tank over the turtleneck because that seemed like a fun way to break up all the gray shit happening. Furthermore, there are gold shoes on my feet defying the rules about what color metals you’re allowed to wear while suggesting a new rule: there are none. This is a cool conversation starter too, because when Patrick from accounting asks you to file your expense report before you take off for Christmas, you can change the subject by putting him out of his misery and explaining that yes, this is in fact the very suit you wore last week while you were engaged in water cooler chat. Can you believe it?

It’s still not butter!

You can also just pull the frost bitten toes card.

And finally, here’s a very literal approach to holiday party suiting:

Racil jacket and pants, James Perse t-shirt, Shourouk necklace and Hermès bandana

Rhinestones on a jacket. A pink velvet sari over my breasticles and a shiny-ass detail around my neck. This approach was very much in line with an old but very basic principle about getting dressed as a man repeller: if you can’t beat them, confuse them. Blindfold yourself, enter your closet and then pick an outfit. See what happens.

Happy

Merry

Kwanzmaskah.

Photographed by Krista Anna Lewis

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A Very Meditated Thought Process of Sale Shopping

All the sales flying over and across your head like they are testicles in a porn flick have finally settled and you’re ready to start thinking strategically about how you will participate in the discounts of the season, right?

You also got paid last Friday, right?

No?

Okay, you had a structured settlement and called J.G. Wentworth so recently, you’ve come into that much needed cash. Right?

No?

Okay, whatever, you want to buy something because it’s Indulge Yourself Month on Man Repeller and you’re a member of this club and as such, you deserve to get yourself something because why the hell not, you’re a good person and you work hard and you deserve to feel good even if just temporarily because sweaters don’t buy happiness, but they do provide a sense of urgency to go out with your girlfriends, which certainly does buy happiness, so that’s where you’re at. Right? Right! But how do you know what to buy? How do you cut through the vast clutter of the Internet without making a mistake? Allow me to walk you through the meditated through process of three things currently languishing in my shopping carts around town.

*

Exhibit A: this Isa Arfen off-the-shoulder sweater with beaded sleeves.

Why do I want it? Because it’s festive, it’s form fitting and for a reason still vaguely unbeknownst to myself, I am really interested in tight clothing these days, and it does that cool thing that women love which is make your shoulders look elegant.

What’s the setback? It’s still $600.

How do I justify spending $600 on a knit off-the-shoulder top that likely won’t survive under a coat? I think of at least five ways to wear the shirt. And not just five ways to wear it out like I’m a professional going-outer. No. Can I work it to work? (Yes.) How will I wear it? (With loose-fit, high waist jeans that are not cropped but aren’t exactly baggy either.) Do I have anything like it? (One off-the-shoulder ribbed sweater that I bought from Zara). Does this mean it serves the same purpose and I shouldn’t bother? (Well, that depends, are you buying it for the wrist detail? Probably. Then go for it. Can you think of a better way to spend this $600? Yes, obviously.)

Conclusion: Don’t get the sweater unless at this time next week you’re still thinking about it and find that your wardrobe makes no sense without it.

*

Subject two: these houndstooth straight leg pants by Maison Margiela, which are 65% off

Why do I want them? Because lately jeans just don’t feel right. I don’t know why so please don’t ask me but I think it has something to do with the fact that fashion is going through one of those cool cyclical changes and I’m tuned into a frequency that is rendering all of the stuff I used to love, stale. I also blame going out tops, which I am beginning to love again (see exhibit A).

What’s the setback? I have a zero tolerance policy for buying pants that cannot be worn with flat, or at least low heel shoes, reason being that the pants are rarely worn when they’re so damn long.

What’s the solution? A tailor. Duh. So I’ll factor in an additional $20 to the price and if I’m still comfortable with the spend ($349), I’ll go with it.

Conclusion: I am in. I’ll wear them with sweaters and shirts + chokers or earrings and silk tank tops galore. Purchased!

*

And finally, item III: these wine-colored velvet Jil Sander platforms, which are only 30% off

Why do I want them? I got bit by the holiday bug and feel like useless flesh if I’m not wearing velvet somewhere. I like the fabric most on my feet because I think it looks great against tights. I am particularly interested in a pair of sandals because I think they’ll look nice with socks and cropped pants (or maybe the above houndstooth trousers, who knows).

What’s the setback? The price. The fact that they’re clunky and even though I often gravitate towards ugly-ass shoes, when I do buy them I end up not wearing them as often as I thought I would. Case in point: the Prada lug soles from FW 2013. I’m possibly being deluded into a case of style vs. taste.

But can I think of five ways to wear them? Yes, duh. Obviously. They’re shoes.

I don’t mean all with the same style of pants. 

Oh.

Conclusion: Hold off. If they get cheaper on the sale trail, maybe we can revisit.

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