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Side-by-side: leather-like leggings

8/30/2013

"Every girl should have a good pair of leather leggings! Super chic! Makes her stand out!"
--Noah Dingley (The Nomadden)

Do you remember the episode of Friends when Monica and Rachel give Phoebe a pair of leather pants when she's pregnant with twins? Well, you may feel like you need a pair of leather-like leggings almost as much as Phoebe did then.

But sometimes you want to look a little tough, a little edgy.

If you want to give 'em a try with low commitment, you may want to know the lowest priced options out there. Most of the leggings are not leather but leather-like, cruelty-free.

J. Crew shows you some ways to wear your p/leather pants here. Click on "Leather."

Warning: wearing leather-like leggings, you might make you feel HOTHOTHOT, & I don't mean because it's still summer.

Expensive Pair of Pleather

This is the pair we're comparing against.
Garnet Hill offers these leather-like leggings for $140.

Details:
Leticia Faux-Leather Ponte Leggings, Poly faux leather in front; rayon/nylon/spandex ponte in back. From Velvet by Graham & Spencer. USA/Imported.
XS inseam: 29 1/2"
S inseam: 30"
M inseam: 31"
L & XL inseam: 30 1/2"
Rise: Low from Velvet by Graham & Spencer

The Pair I Want that has Some Cotton Involved

This is the pair I'm leaning toward ordering. They're only $12.90, and they're made with COTTON and spandex, which seems to me a good mix.

Details:
Body Central Solid liquid leggings. 26" inseam. Domestic cotton/spandex. Sizes S, M, L, $12.90

The Least Expensive Pair of Pleather

This is the least expensive pair I've found out there, very low commitment factor.

Details:
Alloy High Waist Pleather Legging, stretch high waist pleather jegging, 8" leg opening, poly/spandex, By K Too
USA, 29", 34" inseam, $9.90

If You Want the Real Thing...

ASOS Skinny Leather Pants with Biker Detail, $118.13, free shipping

Eek!

Madewell leather leggings, $550

J. Crew Collection Leather Pant, $695

This pair of leggings from Victoria's Secret has a lot of leather in it but still isn't 100% leather. It's $298.

Victoria's Secret Ponte and Leather Legging, $298

Two More Pairs

dELiA's Pu Legging

Details:
Solid stretch pleather legging.
Poly-spandex
S-L, 28" long, USA
Catalog and web exclusive, $16.90

Express (Minus The) Leather Ankle Zip Legging

Details:
Banded waist, hidden side zipper
Hidden ankle zippers at outer seams
Inseam 31"
Polyurethane coated Polyester
Machine wash
Imported,
$41.94

So what's your poison? Real leather or fake? What do black p/leather leggings say to you?

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The history of the brassiere, part 2: a guest post by the Countess of WEssex

8/27/2013

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Yesterday the Countess of West Essex shared with us the history of the brassiere from its prehistoric origins. In Part 2 below, we see the brassiere move between nations and take shape.

We continue now with Part 2 of History of the Brassiere by The Countess of West Essex...

THE HISTORY OF THE BRASSIERE
BY
THE COUNTESS OF WEST ESSEX

Part 2 – We Have Lift Off

By the 1400’s, thanks to free trade across the high seas, the Brassiere had found its way throughout most of Europe.
The German ‘Bustenhalter’ was famed for its rigidity and strength, and during the mid 20th century the wearer's physique were often compared to a dead heat in a Zeppelin Race. The Italian version was well designed and fashionable whereas the French still needed a lot of convincing and preferred to let their assets swing. The British were, of course, very reserved and wouldn’t even mention the word.

During the war parachute silk was the favoured material, and those well blessed in the chest area would often ask for the ropes to be kept attached for extra restraint. In the late 50’s the most popular brand was ‘The Sheepdog’ which promised to round them up and point them in the right direction.

Whilst all this was going on the Americans were busy designing their own range. Even companies like Tupperware jumped on the bandwagon by producing a bra that not only made them look good but also kept them fresh at the same time. Playtex became the major player with its ‘Cross your Heart’ range as well as it’s ‘Pump for Fun’ and ‘Blow & Go’ range which were less successful.

"In the late 50’s the most popular brand was ‘The Sheepdog’ which promised to round them up and point them in the right direction."

As the years progressed then so did the trend for different bust shapes & sizes. Thanks to magazines like ‘Playboy,’ ‘Mayfair,’ and ‘Kiss My Whip,’ ample bosoms became all the rage, and the’ two ice cream cones in the sand’ look was replaced by the ‘she’ll never fall flat on her face’ look. Those without the required essentials would head for the stores where the new padded bras were flying off the shelves together with the ‘Strap don’t Flap’ for the older female and rolled up socks and cucumbers for the self-conscious males.

"’ two ice cream cones in the sand’ look was replaced by the ‘she’ll never fall flat on her face’ "

The sex trade were also able to take a slice of the pie with their peek-a-boo range and transparent range which enabled the punter to examine the goods before handling.

A brief setback...
There was a sudden glut in the market during the late 60’s and early 70’s when women everywhere were burning their bras as a sign of female solidarity, but this came to a sudden end when they realised that they could no longer run for the bus or turn round quickly without spinning from the momentum.

I do hope that you have enjoyed this brief history of the Brassiere. I, myself, have two cupboards full, some dating back to the 1500’s. I still wear them but have had to dispose of the front fastening type as once Count Bobo had managed to unlatch the clasp the impending release would often than not send his spectacles flying across the room and stub out his cigar.

For more witty repartee, follow the Countess of WEssex on Twitter by clicking here.

Also by The Countess...

The history of the brassiere, part 1

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The history of the brassiere, part 1: guest post by the Countess of WEssex

8/26/2013

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The recent discovery of a couple of 600-year-old bras by a research team from Austria's University of Innsbruck has brought to the forefront the question of the history of the brassiere. For enlightenment on this topic, we turn once again the lovely and wise Countess of West Essex...

THE HISTORY OF THE BRASSIERE
BY
THE COUNTESS OF WEST ESSEX

Part 1 – The Early Years

The first depiction of a basic brassiere was thought to be that shown in a prehistoric cave drawing found in Southern France by Professor Gunthar Meinstock in 1871. On closer examination, however, it is now considered to show a topless female being groped from behind by a passing huntsman.

The first mention of a bosom restraint is in fact mentioned by the Roman, Claudio Mexicas, in his scroll entitled Busticus Lusticus in which he writes (translated from the Latin):

The maiden stood so tall and fair
But now there is a covering there.

Modern day students, however, are quick to point out that this could also in fact refer to a hat or footwear (although Claudio does go on to describe its removal by teeth). The ancient Britons were known to smear their bodies with a bluish dye called woad and the females would then often encase their nipples within a walnut shell. This proved impractical for some and they would result to using larger objects, unfortunately neither the grapefruit or melon were available during that period.

"...larger framed women often found the capacity of a coconut shell to be insufficient giving rise to the phrase ‘My cup runneth over’"

For the first glimpse of the bra as we know it, we must nip across to the West Indies where the women were already experimenting with coconut shells.

They tried many ways of keeping these in place including placing a small crab within the shell which would then grip onto the breast or nipple with a claw. This proved to be an unpopular method, and it wasn't long before a vine or strand of creeper was attached and the shells hung from around the wearer's neck. A further strand was then added to secure around the back to dampen the bounce effect. (Incidentally larger framed women often found the capacity of a coconut shell to be insufficient giving rise to the phrase ‘My cup runneth over’).

The brassiere had now taken on the form that we know today, and it only needed the attention of visiting sailors to carry the idea back to their native abodes.

Please tune in again tomorrow for The History of the Brassiere Part 2: We Have Lift Off in which we will follow the bra's progress across Europe and the introduction of wires, stiffeners, and peep holes.

The Countess of WEssex

For more witty repartee, follow the Countess of WEssex on Twitter by clicking here.

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UnderRepped tees

8/25/2013

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UnderRepped celebrates unsung heroes in science, the arts, politics, technology, & music who have changed our lives.

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Adolph Rickenbacker tee, inventor of the amplifiable electric guitar

Nikola Tesla tee, $25

Nikola Tesla - scientist who created
alternating current

Langston Hughes tee, $25

Langston Hughes - writer, poet, and
part of Harlem Renaissance

Victoria Woodhull tee, $25

Victoria Woodhull - first woman to run
for U.S. presidency

Rene Lanennec tee, $25

Rene Laennec - inventor of stethoscope

The tees are printed on 100% cotton shirts using the discharge screen printing, a process that lifts dye from the shirt leaving an image that is literally part of the fabric and thus won't crack or peel. View the video below to see the process in action.

You can buy a tee outright for $25 at Underrepped.com, or join Kickstarter, receive an UnderRepped tee for the same $25, & get to have say in the people pictured on the next set of UnderRepped tees.

Paul Leonard, founder of UnderRepped

UnderRepped was founded by medical student Paul Leonard & kickstarted by patrons at Kickstarter, a funding platform for creatives.

I love this video. It tells you about UnderRepped but also seems to me to capture the college experience...

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Inspired by ISSA: colorful fall legs

8/22/2013

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What caught me about the new Issa collection at Banana Republic are the tights they pair with the lovely printed dresses.

The brightly-colored tights are not available yet at Banana Republic, but I did find some wine-colored tights at Swell.com.
I'll be looking for tights in other exciting colors for fall.

I plan to try wearing wine and navy tights with my $29 Athleta dress/tunic, available in every size:

Athleta Printed Hot When You're Not Dress, $29.99

Chadwicks Control-Top Opaque Tights, $6.99/2 for $6.25/3 for $6

Swell.com Mandie Opaque Tights, $16.50

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Should you shop with a friend?

8/18/2013

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I can remember almost every shopping trip I’ve ever taken with a friend because they were so special. And whatever you buy when you’re shopping with a friend will forever be associated with that friend and be a topic of conversation for the two of you.

Does shopping with a friend ensure you’ll buy something just right for you?
No. Because friends are by nature gentle and supportive with each other, I think most friends reflect each other’s feelings—if they hear the love in your voice for something you’re trying on, they’ll likely tell you it looks good on you.

Will friends help you buy the right size?
Most of the time, I think yes, they will. But size is so tricky and subjective. What feels loose to one person might feel tight to another. A friend may influence you to buy your clothes to fit similarly to the way theirs fit.

Will friends help you save money?
Absolutely not. Just the opposite. Friends usually encourage friends to splurge, and it’s considered a win if both friends leave the store having bought something. But I’ve never regretted a splurge influenced by a friend—your friend’s encouragement says she thinks you’re worth the best.

*Shopping together brings friends closer.*
Of this there is no doubt. If you don’t know someone very well, go shopping together. You’ll learn her fears, insecurities, and loves, and you’ll get insider tips on the perfect gift to give her for her birthday. Trying on outfits together is so fun and will solidify any friendship.

What you take home.
Sometimes friends will buy the same item when they’ve shopped together. I think of this almost like a friendship bracelet. Even though it’s goofy to say, “I’ll call you to make sure we don’t wear it at the same time,” buying one thing in common shows you have the same taste; it’s an affirmation of everything that makes you friends.

What do you think? Do you shop regularly with a friend? Do you have something you and a friend both bought?

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Heathered Vintage Tees

8/18/2013

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I have a weakness for anything heathered. Most of the time you just see gray heather, so it's nice to see these colorful heathered tees from Victoria's Secret. #fall #fashion

Victoria's Secret Long and Lean Crewneck, $29.50 or 2/$50

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The basic black skirt

8/15/2013

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One morning recently I woke up saying, "I need a black skirt!"
I'm not necessarily a follower of the 10 Item Wardrobe, but I do believe in buying all-season pieces, especially for work.
If I had to limit myself to 10 pieces, I'd definitely include a black pair of pants and a black skirt since they look hip and go with everything. I'd pick the type of black skirt that suits you best, whether it be mini or knee-length, pencil or A-line.

Two from H&M (now available for online shopping!)

H&M Stretch Pencil Skirt, $24.95

H&M Flared Skirt, $24.95

Two from Forever21

Forever 21 Essential Flounced Skirt, $14.80

I admired this skirt in the store before I realized I needed a black skirt. I plan to return to get it! Hoping it'll still be there, or I'll order it online.

Forever 21 Essential Flap Skirt, $15.80

One from Boden

This Boden skirt is the one I chose since I have a weakness for '60s styles, especially minis. I like that it's made of ponte knit (not wool) because it's all season and can be worn as a casual or a dressy skirt. I got it for 10% off & free shipping & free returns. It's worth it to sign up for Boden's email list to get their discounts.

Boden Sixties Mini, $58

Here I am in it. Love black & white!

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Of trends & tie-neck blouses

8/13/2013

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Do you follow clothing trends? Instead of jumping on a trend, I watch the trends to find the ones that are most "me"--the ones perhaps I've been waiting for all my life, the styles I would have designed if I had any skill in that area. It's more like hopping on your train home rather than hopping on the first train that comes in no matter where it's going.

Tie-neck blouses in The Lady's Newspaper in the 1880s

Most trends are typically not so new, only "new to thee" (as Prospero says to Miranda). The style has likely appeared somewhere first--on a runway, on a style icon, in an era ages ago.

Here's a case in point: I thought tie-neck blouses were a fairly new trend. I thought they'd come out about two years ago. But I just found someone talking about them in 2008. And I think this type of top actually has its roots in a much more distant past. I could see royalty wearing a version of them or perhaps musketeers! And I can imagine Audrey Hepburn, hip '60s chicks, and schoolteachers on the prairie wearing them.

Still, for some reason, these blouses call to me. I think they just feel like me, whether they're popular now or not. When I bought my first tie-front top two years ago, I thought I was one of the only ones wearing it. Of course, since I bought it at The GAP, probably millions of others women were thinking the same thing :-).

Most trends last through several years. You often think a trend is brand new and fleeting. But truth is, most return the following year and for several thereafter. Sometimes it's just easier to find in stores, sometimes it's subtly changed or amplified, but pretty much it's just the same trend as last year. Like skinny jeans, for example.

I thought I was wearing one of the only tie-neck blouses available when I bought this one at The GAP two years ago. It hasn't been the easiest item to wear. It seems supremely conservative even while it's trendy.

Lots more tie-neck blouses are in stores now...

A bunch of lovely sleeveless tie-neck blouses from Nordstrom...

Nordstrom Sleeveless Tie Neck Knit Shirt, 5 colors, 5 sizes, $49

Nordstrom Halogen Tie Neck Sleeveless Top, 4 colors, 5 sizes, $69

From Anthropologie...

Anthropologie Tilda Tie-Neck Blouse, $148

From Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters Coincidence & Chance Tie-Neck Secretary Blouse, 5 colors, 4 sizes, $39.99

From Forever21

Forever 21 Buttoned Tie Neck Bodysuit, $15.80

L.L. Bean Signature Tie-Neck Blouse, Mallard Print, $95

This blouse is from L.L. Bean Signature. The same blouse is pictured to the right.

L.L. Bean Signature Tie-Neck Blouse, Mallard Print, $95

A couple last thoughts on trends...

Sometimes the trend serves a purpose. I've become a new fan of high-low maxi skirts because I like to walk and walk pretty fast. I've sometimes steered away from long tube-like skirts because they restrict your stride: you have to take fairly small steps or lift up one side. High-low skirts, on the other hand, are missing the front panel so you can run to the bus without having to hold your skirt.

Wearing something trendy can take years off. Wearing something trendy (even if it's not as new as you thought) can make you feel young and up-to-date.

So basically there's no hurry. I'm pretty sure the new trend will be around next year and the year after. You have plenty of time to see if it suits you, if it calls to you.
For me, I just keep an eye on the trends, waiting for my train to come in.

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Back2school: tees for English teachers

8/11/2013

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Many people are nervous around English teachers, worrying about dotting their i's and minding their p's & q's.
These t-shirts might make students quiver in their boots or might lighten the mood during the first days back at school.
My favorite is the "grammar police" and "Keep Clam" one. Which is your favorite? Would you wear one to school?