Leandra Medine's Blog, page 595

Should I Buy This?

On Thu, Oct 15, 2015 at 12:02 PM, Leandra Medine wrote:

Should I buy this? A more important question: why do I want a sequined half-top?

To wear with my sequined suspenders?

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On Thu, Oct 15, 2015 at 1:26 PM, Amelia Diamond wrote:

Because you’re quietly insane. Does that top go above your boobs? What about your actual boobs? What will they do? You might need these for them.

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But actually what will you wear that with?

Here is my big conundrum: I know exactly how I want to look this season (Ralph Lauren fall ads 1980s/90s, men & women) and I have many (not all) of the pieces to execute it BUT:

I lost that tweed blazer last year just when I finally figured out how to actually wear it. Now I can’t find another good one that isn’t ($$$).

Last question: would ya look at these?

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On Thu, Oct 15, 2015 at 1:38 PM, Leandra Medine wrote:

That’s an Amelia boot if I ever saw one. Would you ever consider wearing them with high waist, cropped and flared burgundy chords?

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Like chinos, but for da ladiez who are not bizarro criminal Jareds from Subway. Re: the shrug-wannabe, I think I would wear with the sparkle suspenders. And high waist jeans? And a button down shirt underneath it all (then I’d go around singing Shakira)–

Now how do you feel?

Also, I don’t know what blazer you’re talking about but I am confident we can find you a new one, starting here.

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I know it’s not cheap. At all. But it’s cropped and you know there’s only so much longer we will care about wearing longer jackets and it’s also black and the quality is good and my hunch is that you can kind of wear it forever.

On Thu, Oct 15, 2015 at 3:46 PM, Amelia Diamond wrote:

I feel great about Shakira-anything. Also I love those pants. Is that the length to wear with ankle boots? I never know what to do there but we both know one thing: skinny jeans and ankle boots are the devil.

ALSO WAIIIT WHAT DO YOU MEAN CROPPED JACKET? I HATE CROPPED JACKETS. AM I GOING TO STOP HATING CROPPED? Fuck this fickle fashion shit.

The blazer that’s lost is way more like this, but this isn’t it.

I basically want to be this girl minus the dumb ass hat and dark collared shirt. (I think I hate dark collared shirts.) I want to wear a tie too. You’ll be cravats girl and I’ll be “Hey! loosen up and stay for dinner!” girl.

Truth q: are these going to be ugly on the leg?

Also this suit is reason alone to propose to myself.

Last thing: yes or no?

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On Thu, Oct 15, 2015 at 4:27 PM, Leandra Medine wrote:

I’m not so upset you lost that blazer. I think you should get a double breast herringbone one. You know who made really beautiful ones this season? Isa Arfen. I think if you’re going to invest in one thing, outerwear is probably it. Ends up being cheaper if you consider how many H&M or Zara jackets you’ve probably thrown away. And, yeah — you’re going to want short jackets again really soon! I am sure of it. Stop buying long ones now. Trust me.

Also, you are going to hate those Gucci sandals. They will to make you look like a tree that has been gnawed at by the trunk but still maintains mass everywhere else. These, on the other hand, are gold. Literally and figuratively.

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Or! Earth to Amelia! Horsebits!

That Ellery jacket is giving me life, but like, how do you wear it when it gets a teeeensy bit colder? That thing has the shelf life of like, an organic fig. You can wear it for three days in the Spring and two days in the fall and then what? It’s relegated to wishful wearing. Unless you’re Rihanna and have a driver/car that doubles as a handbag and coat and umbrella, etc., in which case you don’t have to worry about things the rest of us plebes do.

I actually can’t stop looking at the jacket, though. Maybe you can wear a blanket as a coat over it like a nouveau/urban poncho! Should we timeshare it? Finally, that Topshop skirt is great but I don’t trust you with it. I feel like you think you can barge in here wearing over-the-knee boots (I really want these) and a shrunken sweater without looking like an elementary school teacher. Can I instead persuade you in the direction of this guy, which thinks it’s Miu Miu and impressively almost tricked me, too?

Also, since our first correspondence, I have broken up with the sequined shrug and am now committed to the acquisition of the following outfit:

a) This sweater

b) These jeans

c) These shoes

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On Thu, Oct 15, 2015 at 6:38 PM, Amelia Diamond wrote:

I…am actually going to buy those Gucci shoes. They even look bunion friendly. THANK YOU. What are your thoughts on open toed shoes in the late fall/winter though? Do you think I have to save these? I can’t remember under what circumstances open toes look ridiculous but I think they exist.

Good call on Isa Arfen, mostly because it just took me on a quick rabbit hole to Yoox where I found this dress that I am definitely buying to wear to all of the 3,000 weddings I have coming up between now and June 2016.

I WANT THOSE HORSEBITS FROM OUR NEWSLETTER BUT YOU GAVE ME STINK EYE. Leandra, what if I wear these with these.

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Down to timeshare that jacket, but how can I split real estate with a woman who doesn’t trust me with a tweed skirt! Don’t you think it’s mid-calf and therefore kind of cool? Maybe I’m making it into something it’s not. I’m going to keep looking. (Gr8 boots)

Re your links:

A) I almost sent you that sweater too, for you

B) Don’t you have?

C) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for me:

A) Shade

B) This blouse I will never wear

B and a half) Trou$ers

C) A groovy bag

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Also, this is your Dries coat but not.

Are we thinking about coats yet or no? When I say we I mean you, me and Abie.

On Fri, Oct 16, 2015 at 7:38 AM, Leandra Medine wrote:

Your e-mail is really overwhelming me. I don’t understand why you think you’ll wear a see-through button down with a pussy pow at the top when historically you hate all shirts that aren’t button downs or turtlenecks. I think you’re going to look like you’re sunbathing topless in a canoe in those marble mirrored round sunglasses and I think those Frame jeans, though a good effort, are trying too hard to evince the 70s flare — that trouser waist line has middle school history teacher relaxing on weekend with teenage daughter written all over it.

Oh, that is my Dries coat, but from Asos. Good thing I bought it for a similar price at a Barney’s Warehouse Sale. #RIP

Anyway, I bought the outfit cited in my previous e-mail so I feel like I’m tapping out, as in, poor. Just one question: where are we on bubble gum pink and safety buckles? I like both.

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On Fri, Oct 16, 2015 at 8:48 AM, Amelia Diamond wrote:

Way harsh, Tai Food. I don’t think those jeans want to be anything other than what they’ve been trying to be lately, like Gavin DeGraw and his fedora.

I like the pink but I haaaaate safety buckles. They make me think of NSYNC or Driver’s Ed. Bigger question: why do you think you suddenly want a bag? You never want bags. (Or do you just want bubble gum pink and safety buckles?)

I’m gonna get this skirt in navy.

This turtleneck

Wear it with those trademark loafers until it gets too cold for bare legs and call it a day.

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PS Rainbow Bright ski pantz (vote on who wears them at Feb fashion week)

On Fri, Oct 16, 2015 at 8:51 AM, Leandra Medine wrote:

So you’re going for Selma Blair in Legally Blonde, huh? Why stop at the loafers? Get a twinset. Wear your pearls. Here’s a headband.

While I was finding you a headband, I came across this.

I love that thing.

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On Fri, Oct 16, 2015 at 10:28 AM, Amelia Diamond wrote:

Minus her headbands, Selma Blair dresses awesome in Legally Blonde:

That thing you sent is nuts. It’s great.

( Q: Are you already sick of suede? )

Look at Isaac on Mr. Porter! Hey Isaac, I have a question for you!…. Why male models?

Also, just got back from the Bliss and Mischief preview (Hillary says hi) so I logged right onto Matches and think I should buy these.

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Shoes to pair with, please.

On Fri, Oct 16, 2015 at 2:07 PM, Leandra Medine wrote:

That was such a drunk email.

On Fri, Oct 16, 2015 at 2:14 PM, Amelia Diamond wrote:

Guilty as charged! Just like my credit card.

Collage by Krista Anna Lewis

The post Should I Buy This? appeared first on Man Repeller.

Shoesday Brands to Know Now

There is a theory that says you can’t go wrong with a good pair of shoes. This is a theory I have stood behind since I first learned how to walk for the simple reason that without them, as Carolina Herrera astutely pointed out in a recent episode of the Chatroom, you can’t leave your house. That’s power, isn’t it?

Consider Manolo Blahnik a patriarch of this movement. As far as I’m concerned, any time-honored shoe maker who has proven dexterity in constructing a good looking shoe that actually allows you to walk should be knighted accordingly. This includes new members of the establishment — like Charlotte Olympia and Nicholas Kirkwood, or Tabitha Simmons and Laurence Dacade. Four designers who have spent the greater portion of the past five years on the tip of fashion’s tongue. Not getting past me is that three of the four enlisted shoemakers are English.

Recently, a handful of new ones have bubbled up, demonstrating this whimsical quirk that is more and more starting to feel like a mandatory character trait among new designers. In the spirit of the megaphone treatment, here’s a look at a few that I’d recommend you keep your eyes on.

1. Camilla Elphick

Founded in: 2015

If you like the vibe of Saint Laurent shoes but kind of wish they were made better and felt a little less rock and roll, more girly, then these boots for you. If, however, that’s not the case at all but you’re nostalgic about your 90s childhood, Elphick’s Pez heel is what initially put her on the map when she launched last year.

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Price point: Not low — $680-1450; get them at: Avenue 32, Luisa Via Roma

2. Dorateymur

Founded in: 2012

If you’re into loafers but want the height and if you like Ann Demeulemeester but can still appreciate the colors and textures of, say, Dries Van Noten, this London-bred label — master of the mule, founded by Dora Teymur — might be in your wheelhouse. There is a bonus pair of patent leather pink boots that are 60s fab à la Courreges.

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Price point: $192-620; get them at: Browns, Opening Ceremony

3. Liudmila

Founded in: 2014

If in your past life you felt like a renaissance rodeo cowgirl with a proclivity for retro car colors but in your current life just want to wear shoes that make you feel like you’re in house slippers, take a look at Liudmila, founded by Najeeba Hayat. The shoes maintain a vibe vaguely similar to that of Walter Steiger’s even though the designer’s experience runs a gamut from Manolo Blahnik and Chanel to Prada.

Price point: $495-1000; get them on Farfetch

Bonus! Bonus! Bonus! 

Paula Cademartori might ring a bell for you due to the proliferating success of her eccentric handbags, but she launched her first footwear collection this year and if you’re looking for the same ilk of whimsy, only to wear across your feet (metallic textures and stars included!), with laces that run up — or maybe you’re looking for the perfect pair of red patent leather booties — this Milanese designer has your toes covered.

Price point: $775-1345; get them at Matches, Shoescribe, The Corner

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And finally: Carel Paris is back with a bang and available for purchase in the U.S. at Opening Ceremony and Opening Ceremony only.

You’ll like these shoes because they retain that awesome futuristic 60s vibe so many of us are currently after and at the competitive price point of $280-420 for shoes that are comfortable and damn well-made, you deserve to treat yourself.

So, do it.

Treat.

Yo.

Self.

Photographed by Krista Anna Lewis; collages by Elizabeth Tamkin

The post Shoesday Brands to Know Now appeared first on Man Repeller.

Accidental Autumnal Style Icon: Judd Nelson

If you can’t date ’em, dress like ’em. That is my new mantra in love. My old mantra still holds — that you can technically date whoever you’d like because since when does anyone “technically” need to know they are dating you for it to be true? (Just look at Bradley Cooper and Amy Schumer, last week’s prompt winner or my list of boyfriends for further proof). But in the case of retrospective celebrity character-based crushes, sometimes it’s easier to just borrow their stupid blazer. Jeans too.

Take the current object of my affection: Judd Nelson in St. Elmo’s Fire, Making the Grade, The Breakfast Club and Blue City. It would be exhausting to date four fictionalized versions of the same man even more so than it would be logistically impossible without a time machine. My thing for Judd Nelson is frozen in the 1980s.

Unfortunately, Judd Nelson is age 55 as of this tenth month in the year 2015.

Just as he’s doing in the GIF above, I tried to disregard that truth.

But it was impossible. This photo kept haunting me. People change, and he had changed, and his glasses had changed from clear to amber (as transitional lenses are wont to do). So rather than mourn the loss of that which never was, I celebrated his wardrobe and took notes.

First: A Lesson in Layering.

(Don’t mind him, he’s moody.) Observe as Judd teaches us the beauty of a white tee under a plaid flannel topped with a denim jacket and a great chevron tweed coat. The red scarf around his neck adds further texture and pops against the brown, but just when you think he’s gone too apple-picking literal, he surprises us all with a few pins on his lapel. A nice personal touch.

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Next: The Banker $hirt, Deconstructed.

^^^Talk about St. Elmo’s fire, am I right? Here, Hunk Nelson proves that an unbuttoned collar and a rolled sleeve can transform a stuffy shirt into a wow, you’re so spontaneous and romantic and sexy shirt.

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Third: Popped Collars Aren’t Just for Preppies

They’re for badasses. But you know how you avoid the Danny Zucko references, right?

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You follow style tip #4, and add a tie.

(But don’t smoke!)

The hardest part about this relationship, of course, is that crisp Judd Nelson movie stills are hard to come by. But when you really love someone, aren’t you supposed to see them and their full outfits in full clarity when you close your eyes? Let’s try it.

Shut your peepers and picture Judd in a pink cashmere sweater worn over his shoulders a la Making the Grade (you can wear yours on-shoulder with an A-line mini skirt), or in that great suede Blue City bomber (the only thing that fits over a chunky knit), and think how perfect his wardrobe is for the rest of fall.

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Close ’em, and count to ten.

Nine. Eight. Seven.

Sex.

Six. Five. Four.

Three. Two.

One.

Peek-a-boo.

The post Accidental Autumnal Style Icon: Judd Nelson appeared first on Man Repeller.

Girls: Run the World, Make Weekdays Better

Girls: if we do indeed run the world then let’s cut the workweek blues crap and start celebrating. Where to start? Right here.

Remember: Women can “have it all” — career, love, a sense of humor, and more!

This seriously funny Twitter account parodies the kind of sexist, dopey headlines that over-simplify the Modern Woman’s success and list inane ways to achieve it (Wake up before your kid! Stretch before getting mad at someone! Visit a spa at your lunch hour — command that You Time!) It’s written from the point of view of man “who has it all” and knows best for his fellow working husbands in distress.

Working dad? Guilt is your worst enemy. Tackle guilt by reducing puffiness, hiding a peach & SOLVING your figure by wearing clothes.

— manwhohasitall (@manwhohasitall) October 19, 2015

Busy dad? No time to shower? Use dry shampoo to keep your hair smelling fresh on days when you feel going crazy and breaking the rules! — manwhohasitall (@manwhohasitall) October 19, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS to all male sports fans for juggling laundry, job, sport, ironing, dewy skin & kids. How DO they find the time?

— manwhohasitall (@manwhohasitall) October 18, 2015

ALL MEN! 7 ways you have been eating avocados all wrong & 6 ways you have been washing your penis wrong. Celebrate YOU. — manwhohasitall (@manwhohasitall) October 16, 2015

Dolls Who Have it All: Whether or Not You’ll Let Your Future Daughter Play With Barbie…

This ad makes a solid case for young girls everywhere to NOT pull the heads off Teresa, Skipper and co.

Clothes less optional then Barbies back in our day (for safety purposes, museum docents in the ancient archaeology wing should at the very least wear sensible shoes), but ruthless hair cuts remain fair game. I actually really like this ad. Now hand me my flying cat!

Because every imagination needs a soundtrack: Cool Mom Michelle Obama made a Spotify playlist for International Day of the Girl.

But it works for your everyday ass-kicking, too. Just ask the above ad’s up-and-coming Jess Merriweather of soccer.

Rumor has it Yung Couch plays this during unicorn knee highs. I play it to wake up.

Speaking of unicorn knee-highs, activewear remains the new Not Naked

Make all the political statements you want about this, but here’s my biggest takeaway:

Going forward, “activewear” should be said exclusively with an Australian accent.

And remember: just because he’s a man doesn’t mean he’s not a feminist. Re-meet Larry David, your Jewish Uncle who doesn’t give a damn about your emails.

He may not be a woman, but he does want to pay for your collage.

Now let’s do this!

The post Girls: Run the World, Make Weekdays Better appeared first on Man Repeller.

Girls: Run the World, Make Mondays Better

Girls: if we do indeed run the world then let’s cut the Monday blues crap and start celebrating. Where to start? Right here.

Remember: Women can “have it all” — career, love, a sense of humor, and more!

This seriously funny Twitter account parodies the kind of sexist, dopey headlines that over-simplify the Modern Woman’s success and list inane ways to achieve it (Wake up before your kid! Stretch before getting mad at someone! Visit a spa at your lunch hour — command that You Time!) It’s written from the point of view of man “who has it all” and knows best for his fellow working husbands in distress.

Working dad? Guilt is your worst enemy. Tackle guilt by reducing puffiness, hiding a peach & SOLVING your figure by wearing clothes.

— manwhohasitall (@manwhohasitall) October 19, 2015

Busy dad? No time to shower? Use dry shampoo to keep your hair smelling fresh on days when you feel going crazy and breaking the rules! — manwhohasitall (@manwhohasitall) October 19, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS to all male sports fans for juggling laundry, job, sport, ironing, dewy skin & kids. How DO they find the time?

— manwhohasitall (@manwhohasitall) October 18, 2015

ALL MEN! 7 ways you have been eating avocados all wrong & 6 ways you have been washing your penis wrong. Celebrate YOU. — manwhohasitall (@manwhohasitall) October 16, 2015

Dolls Who Have it All: Whether or Not You’ll Let Your Future Daughter Play With Barbie…

This ad makes a solid case for young girls everywhere to NOT pull the heads off Teresa, Skipper and co.

Clothes less optional then Barbies back in our day (for safety purposes, museum docents in the ancient archaeology wing should at the very least wear sensible shoes), but ruthless hair cuts remain fair game. I actually really like this ad. Now hand me my flying cat!

Because every imagination needs a soundtrack: Cool Mom Michelle Obama made a Spotify playlist for International Day of the Girl.

But it works for your everyday ass-kicking, too. Just ask the above ad’s up-and-coming Jess Merriweather of soccer.

Rumor has it Yung Couch plays this during unicorn knee highs. I play it to wake up.

Speaking of unicorn knee-highs, activewear remains the new Not Naked

Make all the political statements you want about this, but here’s my biggest takeaway:

Going forward, “activewear” should be said exclusively with a British accent.

And remember: just because he’s a man doesn’t mean he’s not a feminist. Re-meet Larry David, your Jewish Uncle who doesn’t give a damn about your emails.

He may not be a woman, but he does want to pay for your collage.

Now let’s take on the rest of this week!

The post Girls: Run the World, Make Mondays Better appeared first on Man Repeller.

Man in the Shops: Don’t Underestimate the Internet

Something about the early days of fall makes fashion feel like it’s filtered in X-Pro II. I can see something as menial as a beige button down blouse in October and think to myself, “Oh my gosh! That is the button down blouse!” Whereas in January, I might roll my eyes at it, or worse: not even notice it. So what is it about a brand new season that makes dressing — or perhaps more acutely, shopping — so much fun? Maybe that’s not the question I should be asking. Instead, I might essay to combat a basic principle of social psychology — which is that humans hate change. My experience has proven quite the contrary; we thrive on it. Need it. Wouldn’t be able to spot a perfect blue velvet mini skirt if it hit us over the head without it.

Which brings me to our second installment of Man in the Shops, a series where I venture out into the ocean of consumerism to see what’s in, what’s out and what’s worth buying so that you don’t have to.

Recently, I fell into Nasty Gal’s black hole where I found a lurex sweater with basically a bikini knitted into it and a navy blue velvet a-line mini skirt with notes of Anthony Vaccarello sprinkled in. The knit is cropped and fitted, like an extra straight out of Empire Records if there had been a disco component — I plan to wear it with high waist, a-line skirts (like the photographed one from Topshop) and paper bag pants.

A couple more notes:

This sweater looks Gucci, but is $68.

These jeans are plainly awesome.

This bathing suit makes me wish Baywatch was still on air.

…And all of these clothes make a really solid case for fall dressing.

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All.

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Of.

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Them.

Cropped metallic boob sweater, $68; the shoes are Gucci, I know — I’m sorry and the shiny-ass rain coat is by Isa Arfen. Sorry again.

Photographed by Krista Anna Lewis

The post Man in the Shops: Don’t Underestimate the Internet appeared first on Man Repeller.

MR’s Guide to the Best Public Restrooms in NYC

We’re trusting you with the most sacred gilded (porcelain) pit spots we’ve come to call our own, which I think practically makes us sisters, so be a sweetie, wipe the seatie, and tell only those who you are confident both squat and flush in this dangerous Game of Thrones.

Brooklyn

Salt and Charcoal, 171 Grand Street

Elizabeth once had to pee really badly and begged the owner to let her use the bathroom even though she wasn’t a patron. Turns out it was insanely clean and their soap smelled like heaven. She even went back to find out what soap it was (answer: it’s from Catbird across the street). Says Elizabeth: “A must-pee!”

Bia, 67 S 6th St.

Though their Vietnamese food is “bomb,” Elizabeth claims Bia over-saturates their customers and thus, bladders get full quicker than usual. Not to worry: The bathroom here has raw wood floors, is always clean, and even though it may not be environmentally friendly, they have a fully stocked arsenal of TP.

Dweebs, 1434 DeKalb Ave.

According to Krista, the recently-opened Dweebs in Bushwick is just starting their dorky bathroom collection so you’ll have to keep going back to watch it evolve, but judging from their Neil deGrasse Tyson signage, it’s only going to get better and better. (Krista told me to write that — makes no sense to me and my pee — but I do love this man.) Bonus points: their chia pudding is the best she’s ever had.

…And you know what they say about chia: if it doesn’t make you a tree, it makes you “regular.”

Lower East Side

Mission Cantina, 172 Orchard St.

According to Krista, this spot has the best bathroom selfie mirror in the game. “It’s a triangle lined with pink and green neon lights, letting you and the white tiled background shine through the social media maelstrom.” Hello: we are not always going to the bathroom to relieve ourselves, you know.

You know.

East Village

San Marzano, 117 Second Ave.

Says Elizabeth: “Cheap pasta bowls fill you up and thus…ANYWAY, there is one men’s and one women’s bathroom, but when you gotta go you gotta go and nobody abides by those rules. They have a stack of paper towel, a GREAT BIG mirror for retouching lipstick on a date, and the door locks securely. Clean and fre$h.”

Chipotle, 19 Saint Marks

The staff rules this restroom with an iron fist: you are not getting the code unless you order at least a bag of chips. Because of this, Amelia says, as far as emergency pit stops go, this one is strangely clean.

West Village

Jeffrey’s Grocery, 172 Waverly Place

Amelia loves Jeffrey’s for the oysters and the restaurant owner’s culinary monopoly within a five block radius (“It’s like the Mafia!”). More than anything, she loves it for the bathroom — no reservation needed though there is often a wait — which boasts an excellent sound system (often blasting 90s jams or Motown) and a Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day candle that is always burning. The candle smells so good, in fact, that Amelia copied Jeffrey’s and now burns the same candle in her own bathroom at home.

Amy’s Bread, 250 Bleecker St.

Conveniently located on Bleecker St., you can run in and run out without a single person noticing you; the line to order croissants and coffee keeps the store employees too busy to notice you’re not a paying customer, but Amelia has never once been able to exit Amy’s without noticing she wasn’t a paying customer, and therefore buying a little congratulatory (for not peeing her pants) snack.

South Village

Charlie Bird, 5 King St

Our newest team member, Yvonne Dunlevie, (and yes, that is a French-ass name) likes this bathroom for its cool sliding door, exposed brick wall, marble sink, tiled floor and paraphernalia: Aesop soap, jars with those weird floss picks, mint AND Fruit Lifesavers.

Midtown East

The Polo Bar, 1 E 55th St

Go for the horse paintings and mood lighting. Stay because this is one of Yvonne’s suggestions and miraculously not Amelia’s. Yvonne is far more trustworthy.

Midtown West

, 234 West 31st

Kate Barnett almost did not share this one. She says, “There is a wholly reasonable public bathroom in the waiting area for ticketed passengers at Penn Station. Yes, it is roped off, but you can probably walk through with a healthy sense of self-importance. It’s not gilded, but it’s better than any other option down there.”

Soho

Jack’s Wife Freda, 224 Lafayette

Leandra thinks the patrons of Jack’s Wife never have to pee. “I have never waited online to use the bathroom in the history of shakshuka consumption.” Also, she adds, “since the place is small and often crowded, it makes walking in like you own the place then beelining straight to the back to drop your kids off at the pool much more enjoyable. Also, the walls have wainscoting, which is such a nice touch.”

The Soho Grand Lobby, 310 W Broadway

No one’s going to tell you not to use the bathroom in a hotel, you know? Leandra likes this haunt for its elaborate space with multiple stalls that look like they’ve been chiseled in gold, only not at all. According to her, it smells good, the toilet paper is soft and the soap is practically edible.

The Bowery

Crosby St Hotel, 79 Crosby Street.

Despite basically having to run through a maze to get there (the bathroom is located down stairs, around the corner, out one door and through another) it’s modern, in a convenient location if you’re shopping in Soho and has a great product selection as vetted by ‘Vonne.

The Meatpacking District-ish

Dream Downtown Hotel, 355 W. 16th St.

Besides the fact that hotels are easier to sneak pees in than customer-required venues, the Dream boasts a bathroom that’s both futuristic and unisex, two things you never knew you needed when it comes to bladder relief — but you do, according to Cristina Couri. “It’s worth visiting the district that packs meat just for that very combination.”

Amen. Now add your own before I burst.

Illustrated by Joseph Amar.  Want more MR Guides?  We have plenty!

The post MR’s Guide to the Best Public Restrooms in NYC appeared first on Man Repeller.

Anya Ziourova on How to Wear Your Bra as a Top

Bras make for excellent supporting actors. They push their castmates to stardom, lift team spirits and are best-known as an ensemble’s foundation — all while asking for little to no recognition. In fact, “invisibility” is often cited as their best quality.

Not anymore. This season on the Spring 16 runway, bras did some of their best work. At Dries Van Noten, a hot pink bustier headlined. Wang directed underwires for both his own line and Balenciaga. At J.W. Anderson, double-A cups stole the show. (Pass the popcorn, add some Reeces.)

Of course, while catwalk inspiration is well and good and everyone demands designers lean more avant-garde, once the credits roll the audience is left wondering, When will Amelia stop with these cinematic metaphors?

And how am I supposed to wear this bra-thing in my real life?

Anya Ziourova is here to show you.

Yes! That Anya! Street style superhero and professional stylist extraordinaire, standing tall and fearless in the face of convention wearing the very J.W. Anderson top that no one thinks they can pull off! Observe as she does so during the day, the fashion way:

J.W. Anderson SS16 top, bra and skirt, Pierre Hardy boots

Now make no mistake: Anya felt weird wearing this. She told me so. But you know what else she told me? That just because something scares her doesn’t mean she’s not going to wear it. HELLO PINTEREST QUOTES, ARE YOU LISTENING?

But what if you’re like, Amelia, I’m 5’3″  on a good day. I’m on a budget. My boobs are big! And I’m fine as hell, but I’m no model; to be quite honest, I don’t think I can wear this outside of a sleepover and not look insane.

Well guess what, same. I didn’t think I could either. Then Anya showed me the light.

For Love & Lemons bra, Sophie Theallet shirt, AYR vest, Reformation jeans, Tibi shoes

For my “day look,” she suggested high waist denim jeans to tone everything down. The tighter the shirt, the better. (It keeps everything looking neat.) The bra: black, simple, easy. It’s like…a necklace! Or a watch. As in, it’s your one accessory. Add a vest — for coverage, not hiding.

Now let’s take it to big screen.

Eres bra, Tibi Cape, Céline pants, Eddie Borgo jewelry, Anya Hindmarch clutch, Gianvito Rossi shoes

For Anya’s “night look,” she went with a cape (sa-wing!) and wide leg trousers (ka-ching!) because volume tones down the amount of showing skin.

And for mine:

Eres bra, Alix body suit, Jason Wu skirt, Anya Hindmarch clutch

A simple lace bra (that would normally not hold up the girls under my shirt, so this is a fun way to finally get to do so) plus a structured skirt hitting right at the knee so I don’t feel like the world is seeing too much of me. For free.

On board yet? Really hoping so, because my costars could use a few more fellow divas.

Anya in J.W. Anderson Photographed by Victoria Adamson. Everything Else Photographed by Krista Anna Lewis.

 Anya is a stylist and creative consultant at Allure Russia, Tatler Russia and Condé Nast. Follow Anya Ziourova on Instagram.

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I Am (Possibly) Dating My Librarian

Our romance started out like many summer loves: while seeking the reprieve of July heat by way of free air conditioning in a public building.

I had returned to my neighborhood library to pick up a book on hold when he remarked on my selection — Edward St. Aubyn’s The Patrick Melrose Novels. “That’s been a popular title lately.”

“He was profiled in The New Yorker last week,” I returned.

“Ahh,” he said, “That explains it.” I’d connected the dots; aligned our stars.

“Let me know how it is.”

I’d noticed him before, as one notices a dude librarian within striking age. But now, he was my librarian. I became devoted to our Saturday morning run-ins and hyper-conscious of my consumption. To the chagrin of this city’s fine tax payers, I put holds on titles so obscure that by the time the book was ready to pick up, I couldn’t even remember which article had mentioned which nineteenth-century socialite who had survived shipwreck to pen this memoir of her brief career in the Russian ballet.

Our romance was plenty sexy, too. On each spine they abbreviate my last name to its first four letters: “DICK.” Oh, the titters we had over that one as he scanned my checkouts. Oh, the sparks that flew.

Like any relationship, we had our ups and downs.

I grew busy with work, mysterious and withdrawn as I checked out an assortment of titles — New England Cemeteries being the least macabre, prompting several questions from him, and nothing more than, “It’s for work” from me. Sometimes your boss buys a graveyard, you know?

This was followed by a raise. For a brief period, I eschewed free love and became buy-happy. There wasn’t a title under the sun my new Amazonian lover couldn’t get to my door in 48-hours.

Eventually, I returned to him and the library, but we barely survived the holidays. One December night, after a Christmas party, a taqueria and mojito or three, I ended up at the movies — the ultimate act of betrayal. Stumbling home through the cold, dark after hours of mindless depravity, I found myself at the mercy of the night. I had no keys, and no well-worn, well-loved New York Public Libraries card-key tag.

I flew home the next day in shame, letting Caroline Kennedy’s A Family Christmas sink into the disgrace of the overdue. It wasn’t until two weeks later, in the fresh New Year, that I could face the bright, sunny atrium and admit to my librarian that I had no card, no access to the great coffers of Mr. Carnegie, no keys (to his heart).

He didn’t ask questions. He didn’t look me in the eyes and make me tell him I’d seen Wild (after reading the book, after reading all of Cheryl Strayed). That I’d been wild. He simply issued me another card. For a neat fee of $15, he took me back.

And so we read on. Each Saturday, I mount the steps to my library and my literary lover, confident that I am more than just some girl he met through a bar(code).

Photographed by Sebastian Faena for Porter Magazine.

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That Awesome Autumn Weather

We are deep in the heart of an autumn fling.

The early part of September is spent mourning August’s break-up. Then by the middle of autumn, our attitude slips into a sweet honeymoon of post-summer surreality. The golden light of October (playing the role of calendrical Fireball shots) makes us verbalize such uninhibited and inebriated thoughts as, “I don’t miss the heat at all!” Or, “What even is a tan?” Somehow, we manage to not text July anything stupid like, “I still want you.”

We instead devote our attention to crisp chills and crunchy leaves and reviving our sweater collection. We tell our boots and scarves and turtlenecks that after a bit of distance, we’re ready to get back together. That we love them.

And we do, but…

Much in the same way that we hyperbolize feelings toward a summer dalliance for the sake (and relief) of a ticking clock, we’re far more romantic about the wardrobe that will inevitably support our uniform for the looming cold front. Because for the last few weeks of October, clothes can be worn without a care in the world.

Sweaters can be paired with skirts

That are worn without tights

And maybe a sandal

But also, a boot could work.

Weirdly, too, could a jacket.

With a tank top! But also a knit vest, ankle socks and you, know, whatever the hell else you so please. Because this is that awesome in-between weather. Kiss it now before it’s gone.

Photographed by Krista Anna Lewis

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