Leandra Medine's Blog, page 632

What Do You Wear to Travel?

The way a woman dresses to get on a plane says a lot about her. Does she hail from the comfort clothes school-of-thought? The one that argues if you’re going to go anywhere, you’re best off getting there in no-fuss clothes that make you feel close-to-naked? How far is this comfort-wear taken — as in, does she bring her own neck pillow? Are there flip flops involved?

Does she prefer jeans? (…To men?)

A stiff pair of trousers? If she does, in fact, prefer trousers, is the supposition that she spends a majority of her travel time in a vertical position?

How do I sign up for that lifestyle?

When Carrie Bradshaw moved to Paris, she wore a ridiculous hat replete with a veil pinned into her freshly blown-out hair and the kind of dress you might see on a publicist at the Met Gala. But that said something, right? About where she was going, the respect she attributed to the travel and that old-world sense of glamour that is largely devoid of the airports we occupy today, right?

Until recently, I resented my mother for putting pants-proper on me when we used travel as family — as far as the airports could trend-forecast, all the other kids wore sweatpants. And sweatshirts. They had their pillows and huge backpacks behind them. But getting dressed (I mean really dressed) turned into a habit, which in the last several years snowballed into an opportunity to optimize on my ability to pack. See, if I could wear an outfit that I would want to utilize after I reached my destination, I’d save space in my suitcase and in saving space in my suitcase, I could buy relics from my travels. Relics like urns! And frying pans! Spoons and Saint Laurent shoes!

After all, it seems kind of futile that a travel outfit won’t get you anywhere after you’ve landed, no?

But enough about me! Talk about you! What do you wear to travel? I’d like to test my skills as a failed psychologist and attempt to determine stuff about who you are intrinsically based on your preferred method of clothing, so: get going. (Get it?)

Traveling this summer? Freshen up on the assholes you’re likely to meet on an airplane. Want to take a vicarious vacation? Click through Leandra’s week in Cannes. If you’re still stuck on what to wear while traveling, copy this woman.

Images from Associated Newspapers via WhoWhatWear and Rex Features via Marie Claire

Because It’s Tuesday and Wet and Maybe You Don’t Know What to Wear

Sometimes I think of outfits as recipes. You’d never throw a pillar of salt into a fruit bowl, would you? Why, then, would you be led to believe that the perfect antidote for, say, a red cotton flight suit was an electric blue satin jacket? I’ll call it “cinched at the waist” to sound more dramatic.

Of course, in both instances there are resolutions that conceivably move the combinations into genius territory. If you’re adding dark chocolate to your fruit bowl, for example, which is now actually just a set of strawberries, a pinch of sea salt makes a lot of sense, right? And re: that outfit, if you were to pull the jumpsuit down from the neck and tie it around your waist as though it were a pair of pants, adding a plain white tank might make that electric blue jacket stand out like the born-again superstar it probably is.

But they — both recipes and outfits — don’t always need post-conception fixing; sometimes the ingredients are so off that they end up working upon immediate contact. Other times they’re so “right” for each other that they seem almost too obvious. Anticlimactic, even. Through both instances and the manifold additional permutations that evolve, it’s important to remember that unless the product has been sent off into the wild — cooked or worn — there consistently remains the opportunity to edit. To fix. To make it great.

With that out of the way, let’s talk about your Tuesday outfit recipe using mine (which I’m calling Uptown Meatloafer served over Bowery) as a model.

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1 teaspoon preppy c/o Gucci Loafers

Countered by

1/4 pound “cool” via Saint Laurent black and metal belt and R13 white denim cut-offs

1 slab uptown safari c/o Max Mara blazer

As dressing over

Graphic t-shirt salad

Garnishes: floral hair piece (for zest!), striped handbag (for digestion).

Photographed by Krista Anna Lewis

Check out other outfit ideas straight from Leandra and the rest of the MR crew here. Do you happen to be boycotting denim? We can show you alternatives to America’s (former?) favorite garment. You could also peek inside the wardrobes of Veronika Heilbrunner, Sophie Auster, Jane Bishop and a whole lotta other ladies here. 

That’s My Look! Resort Edition

When you announce that something is “so you,” there is an underlying sense of hope. You hope that everyone around you will recognize your proclamation for what it is beneath the obvious, “Here are my preferences.”

It’s your try at social proprietorship — a public exclamation of mutual affinity that positions you next to whatever it is you call “you” as an arbiter of not just inclinations but of damn good taste.

When a new season of fashion is involved and you’re clicking through the pages of, say, Style.com in these withering, numbered days, and thinking to yourself, “Me, me, not me, never me, so me, O-M-G THAT’S MY LOOK!,” there is even more on the line.

This is how you begin to road map who you’ll be the following quarter. And if last season my looks emerged out of slip dresses and layered suits, Victorian sleeves and high-waist leggings to culminate in an identity I will define by its evocative confusion, an inability to place itself in a pre-arranged box, this season — the Resort in tow — seems to be suggesting that by the time my personal cruise collection comes to fruition, I’ll be wearing belts that tie and those that snap, errant straps and charming flaps.

My waist might be hugged tight but my thighs will appear concealed definitively. There may be ruffles around my shins and uneven weight allocated to my earlobes. I will call myself Prairie-core infused by a kick that looks a lot like a double breasted vest. I might attempt to buy you dinner, or all but demand that you get me drunk. It will be confusing, it always is, but when all is said and done, you’ll know: That’s. My. Look.

And while I like to think that what’s mine is yours, you’re far too educated, opinionated, complicated for that, so make like Team Man Repeller and the above slideshow of our looks. Get involved, share your favorites and shout it loud so everyone knows: that’s your look.

All Images via Style.com

If you’re into our style, peek our own Spring Office Apropos here! Check out looks from Lanvin, Stella McCartney, Rosie Assoulin and Thom Browne in our Resort ’16 forecast. And did you happen to spot these guys on the runway?

Why It’s Great That Amy Schumer Named Her Weight

For more women who are unapologetic about being themselves, see what Katie Sturino has to say about cellulite, and watch Linda Rodin defy societal standards about career, age and marriage status.

Amy Schumer recently accepted the UK Glamour Trailblazer award. While thanking the magazine before a room full of people, she told her audience exactly how much she weighs — while providing a status update on her sex life — in the same breath.

“I’m like, 160 pounds right now and I can catch a dick…whenever I want,” Schumer stated, eliciting raucous applause from the audience and Internet reposts and support. “It’s not a problem.”

Schumer is a force of nature, tackling new, oft-forbidden, female-specific topics. She receives constant accolades for her work, yet the amount of press her Glamour speech garnered suggests it may be her most groundbreaking moment of all — simply because women never talk about exactly how much they weigh.

For women famous or otherwise, there’s an Emily Post, “A Lady Never Tells”-type attitude towards weight and age that’s prevailed for centuries. I’m not sure what the logical origin of this is or why we allow numbers to hold so much power, but I do know the effect this weight-taboo has on women: it makes us feel alone. Without an honest dialogue about weight, we are left with no scope for the reality of what women’s bodies look like. In its absence, we’re left to rely on the media and advertising to dictate false norms.

There’s a section in Schumer’s Glamour speech where she talks about growing huge boobs in tandem with losing her baby teeth. She calls herself a “Jack-o-latern with tits,” and when I heard it, I thought, Exactly. That was me. I had all my teeth, sure, but I looked like I was twenty-two when I was twelve. I wore two training bras at a time to hide my chest, and boys ran away from me at dances because I was a giant.

From an early age, I felt like the single biggest girl in the room and it’s taken me a long time to numb that feeling. Working in the entertainment industry hasn’t helped. Svelte, beautiful actresses who are predominantly white, 25 and “perfect” represent us in television and film, and Hollywood ideals of beauty pervade much of my professional conversations.

Yet American women, on average, weigh 156 pounds.

The phrase “You can’t be what you can’t see” is often used when discussing women making strides in traditionally male-driven fields; the same is true of having a variety of women in the public eye. This includes women who are a size two, yes, but also women whose bodies look like yours, your mother’s, your cousin’s, and mine.

We are beginning to evolve past the notion that every leading lady has to be a clone — we have the likes of Schumer, Lena Dunham, Mindy Kaling, Gina Rodriguez and Melissa McCarthy to thank for that. We’re moving toward a place where we value skill and personality over looks, and women can contribute to that movement by not letting weight define us. We not only need to celebrate diversity of the physical form on the screen, but also in our own lives. We need to strike down the taboo attached to numbers that do not define us.

So I’ll throw it all out there — I’m 5’6″ and 142 pounds. Men no longer run from me at dances. It’s not a problem. And you?

Original image by Peter Yang

Want more women telling it like it is about their bodies? Check out Katie Sturino’s tips for shorts-shopping and the first post we did with her about fashion in general. You might also be into The Other C-Word. Guess what it’s about? Cellulite.

The Chatroom: Linda Rodin

You may know Linda Rodin, the stylist. You may know her from the The Row’s look book circa Pre-Fall 2014. You may be more familiar with her eponymous beauty line, RODIN, and her cult-status Olio Lusso. But what you may not know is that she created the face oil in 2007, turned it into a business and then partnered with Estée Lauder, essentially changing her life’s course at an age where we who are not “there yet” assume one’s career path is set in stone. In fact, she says she’s never had a plan a day in her life.

Rodin, however, is far from “wishy-washy.” She’s established her personal style. She created a perfume based off memory alone — that takes more than trial and error; that takes aesthetic resolution. She’s precise in her mannerisms, sure in her convictions, and understands that too many opinions can cloud the most important vision: your own.

But why am I telling you all this when there’s a Chatroom featuring Linda Rodin in the space above? Watch and learn, pretty young things. May your version of grey hair and glasses find you soon, too.

Want more interviews with inspiring women?  Watch Leandra speak to Inès de la Fressange, Jenny Slate, Rashida Jones, Jenna Lyons, Haim the band, Iris Apfel and Joanna Coles. Linda Rodin talks about the memory of her mother’s smell in this video — we too have talked about perfume’s nostalgic properties. As for why Linda chose to remain single? Maybe that’s like asking Leandra why she doesn’t wear makeup.

Follow Linda (and Winky!) on Instagram here. You can also follow her on Twitter, and Facebook right here. Check out the RODIN website here. (That perfume she mentioned can be found right here.)

Thank you to Stone Fox Bride for letting us film in your studio!

Photographed by Krista Anna Lewis

Confirmed: The Best Style is Coming Out of Berlin

If Veronika Heilbrunner looks familiar, that is because she’s all over your Pinterest board! Isn’t she? The lithe Berlin-native of the newly-launched Hey Woman! has become the kind of fodder that creates the street style hoopla you’re wont to find outside of fashion week’s most elaborate shows. In her week of outfits, Heilbrunner proves that you can look alive in all black, tell an intimate story of personal style in two layers or less and perhaps most importantly, if you’re wearing a cape dress, it’s almost rude not to turn your back to the camera.

Monday

I love Monday morning rituals. Starting the day on our balcony is key, and so is a good look! This Isabel Marant Etoile tee has this fantastic retro look that goes perfectly with my vintage 501 Levis, Aquazzura flats, Victoria Beckham glasses and Miu Miu bucket bag.

Tuesday

I’m addicted to polo shirts and aspire to own as much crochet as possible. This Miu Miu dress is my favorite, especially in this color. Wearing a Salvatore Ferragamo bag, an Acne leather jacket and Balenciaga sneakers.

Wednesday

Because we’re so busy launching our own business, I haven’t seen a beach in a while. Rather than experiment with self-tanner, I pretend to love my pasty white skin and dress accordingly: triple denim and a touch of 70s. I’m wearing Acne jeans, a Miu Miu top, Tabitha Simmons flats, Miu Miu shades and a Valentino satchel.

Thursday

I’m ready to sparkle in this Tommy Hilfiger t-shirt dress. Of course, I added a twist with my favorite basic of them all, this white Uniqlo turtleneck, and Jimmy Choo flats.

Friday

One of my other morning routines involves shooting the greenery on the outside wall. I dressed accordingly in this Etoile by Isabel Marant dress, Roger Vivier flats and Acne glasses.

Saturday

Saturday is shopping day. I visit markets, supermarkets and maybe one or two stores on Ku ́Damm — hence the big straw basket and the little Anya Hindmarch messenger bag. I’m wearing a Dries Van Noten silk turtleneck, vintage Levi 501 cutoffs and sneakers.

Sunday

Sunday means Monday is close, which means saying goodbye to you guys! Here’s another look that’s pretty in sync with my favorite place (in Germany we call this phenomenon, “balkonia.”) Wearing a Valentino cape dress with my Louis Vuitton Petite Malle and Nike Fly Knits.

Auf wiedersehen!

Follow Veronika on Instagram and Twitter. Check out her new website, Hey Woman!, which you can also follow on Instagram.

Background Feature Image Shot by Krista Anna Lewis. See more cool people wearing cool clothes here. Already feel behind? Catch up on last week’s MR stuff here. Also, you may have missed our weekend stories. Have 2 seconds? Read a poem about dating apps. Have 1 minute? Read about the murder of Jane Doe. Want to see something pretty? Check out behind-the-scenes shots of Rosie Assoulin’s Resort 2016 collection. 

Nothing Beats Sunday Scaries Like a Little Right Swiping

But let us never forget: before there was Bumble, there was Tinder. That was before Tinder turned into a trolling app. Man, how did people even meet before smartphones? Ohhh yea…..

Swipe left. Swipe right.

It might sound trite.

But then I see

Bumble Cutie.

Blond hair! Great smile!

Message a while.

But then it’s late,

He wants a date.

I yearn to go.

(My friends can’t know.)

Wilfie and Nell!

So he can tell,

His banker spiel.

(I want to keel!)

From now on Hinge will be my deal.

Words by Emily Siegel, illustration by Gabi Anderson. Follow them both at Urban Ditty, and read their poems on MR, like this one about overalls, this one about expensive hamburgers, this one about scary bouncers, and this one about drunk eats.

Rosie Assoulin Through Nicole Cohen’s Lens

It’s that time again. Rosie Assoulin showed a new collection and Nicole Cohen of Sketch42Blog dug her teeth into the backstage nuances of precisely what makes the former’s garments so spectacular. Or spektakula. Whatever. If this sunny-ass Saturday finds you poolside, pray tell what you’re doing here.

Suppose these are your options:

a) Avoiding conversation with the people around you

b) Drinking an iced beverage in pursuit of creative stimulation

c) Yoga (impressive multi-tasking, girl!)

d) Rounding out your q2 tax estimates (Yikes)

e) Salsa (But how could you possibly be doing that without the photographed tie dye pants?)

Did I lose you?

Sorry.

If you’re still here, my guess is that you’re not pool side. That’s fine! Neither am I! The hermits that ‘net surf together, stick together! So, allow this early-noon pick-me-up to add the reliably bright reprieve that succeeds whenever and wherever climatic volatility fails.

Cool, right?

Murder on Lake Trez: The Jane Doe Story

See also: last week’s writers club submission on the best meal ever.

Early this morning, a doe (a deer, a female deer) was found dead in Lake Trez. Local girls allege murder.

Sewanee, The University of the South: Arcadian Tennessee college, or dangerous, crime-laden hotbed? For years, benign “crime” was the standard at Sewanee, a camp-like utopian school perched on top of a mountain. “Bike borrowing” and “trampoline hopping,” seemingly harmless improprieties, remain unprosecuted.

However, this reporter wonders if such boundless faith in the local community has been pushed to its limits.

Lacy Broemel and Amelia Koch, crown jewels of Sewanee society, claim to have witnessed three Sewanee dogs/reincarnated English professors murder a young, lithesome doe.

While sleeping in Courts Dormitory, Broemel and Koch were startled from sleep by what they initially thought was “hellish, apocalyptic geese death.” They scrambled to the window in time to see Jane Doe leap into the water, followed closely by two big dogs. A third, smaller dog was present, but stayed on the shoreline. He apparently could not swim or, having more common sense than the average freshman, stayed out of the festering lake to avoid a gnarly staff infection.

The bigger dogs circled the doe to keep her from shore. “By the time we realized what was happening, it was too late,” Miss Broemel said. “We ran outside, but she was gone,” Miss Koch recalled with profound and sincere sorrow in her beautiful brown eyes.

Being the proactive and caring geniuses they are, Miss Broemel and Miss Koch decided to take action. They would venture into the lake and retrieve the body of the doe.

The two girls, armed with determination and rakish charisma, woke a friend, Thomas Landstreet, to borrow his canoe. Despite commonly being unshowered and always a bit of a ruffian, Mr. Landstreet has a heart of gold. This, plus the canoe, makes him an ideal candidate for lake body retrievals. The three of them set out in the canoe to save the dignity of this once majestic creature.

This death is truly tragic. If you know anything, please do not be afraid to make like Taylor and speak now.

Editor’s Note: Since this article went to press, Andrew Carey has provided an alibi for his pooch and former suspect, Lady.

** *Vigilante witnesses call the alibi “flimsy at best” and are still investigating.***

***Chief of Police strongly discourages vigilante justice***

Want to see your own name in Man Repeller lights? Submit a story to this week’s Writers Club prompt. Feel really behind on Man Repeller in general? This will get you caught up on what you may have missed. Interning this summer? This may interest you, too. Or, fine: we know all you care about this weekend is consuming Orange Is The New Black. Images Photographed by Boe Marion for Scandinavian SSAW.

ICYMI: Rihanna Yelled at Leandra and Degrassi is Still a Thing

For those of us who experienced bouts of senioritis as sophomores — also known as premature end-of-the-week quivers — we can finally celebrate like a cat breeder in the peek of fertility season, because hooray, hurrah, we made it to 3 p.m. on a Friday! Go ahead and give your tired eyes a rest from that aggressive Excel font and put your weekend goggles on.

Since it’s highly likely that you’re feeling stiff and joyless at your desk, try some of Leandra’s deskercises, and once your energy levels are up, send Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen a birthday sext. If you don’t feel like doing the above, take a gander at Leandra’s attempt at coolness. Then, try her denim challenge. OR, make like Rihanna and tell us how you really feel!

Now that that’s out of your system, it’s time to start preparing for two equally important events: the Orange is the New Black Season Three Netflix marathon you’re about to embark upon, and Father’s Day. As Annie James from The Parent Trap remake once said, “A dad is an irreplaceable person in a girl’s life.” And we kids (twenty-somethings to hundo-somethings) need all the help we can get, so why not honor dad by sharing his best advice.

Speaking of advice, read words of wisdom by the late Joan Rivers, then check out what our dating guru Isaac has to say about relationships. Then, gain enlightenment by listening to the graduation speech John Waters delivered at RISD. (Surely you recognize John Waters by his legendary pencil ‘stache, which possibly stays so neat courtesy of brow gel.)

In the wake of graduation season, we hang our heads at the end of an era. Fellow transition-phobes, say it with me: due to the overwhelming transience of life, finding consistency in the small stuff is crucial. For something to depend on, look no further than Degrassi: The Everlasting Generation. Oh yes, it’s still a thing. Season 1000000000 is chugging along and heaven help you if you don’t think that’s the best news of the week.

Drake is a mind reader–we’ve been fantasizing about Resort all week.

Thanks to the sunshine and lack of homework, the anxiety produced by graduation has worn off and all I have to say is, “Smell ya later SCHOOL, it’s intern season now.” (Was that a humble brag? Nuts.)

Still need to kill a few more minutes? Learn about a new designer! Send rude emails!

Now say pura vida to this tab as you power through the final hours. You’re this close to being free frickin’ Willy where you’ll make like Edward Sharpe and go HOME.