nogoodforme superlatives: Weirdest Wardrobe Staples

Sworn Virgins bamboo leggings

I really have to eat my words when it comes to leggings: when they got popular again, I swore up and down I would never be down with them. But then, of course, I discovered that they are ten million times better than tights for the winter, and then I was hooked. But it's been an odyssey to find just the right ones, and I spent much of my 2007 trying to find a pair that fit well and didn't piss me off in some way or another. Like many people, I first went with American Apparel, who probably helped to spearhead the leggings revival with their annoying and ubiquitous advertising -- you know, all those ads with the chicks splayed out so suggestively you kind of forget they were advertising clothes, not phone sex. But like so much else of American Apparel, those leggings wore out fast, getting all holey and stretched out and basically untenable, no matter how many times I darned the damned things. Annoyed and refusing to give any more money to them, I went the old-school route and finally got Danskin leggings, which was like being in ballet class all over again. They were way more durable than American Apparel (since you know, actual dancers have to wear them, and not just phone sex models.) The only issue I had with them was that they were just a tad too short. (I like a longer leg.) This sent me on an odyssey to basically every mall chain that was selling leggings, ever -- only, you know, I'd find myself handling really cheap-o cloth and realizing I was this close to the dark side. But then, finally, like a light at the end of the tunnel, I discovered my perfect legging: super-soft, eco-friendly, and gloriously long, these Sworn Virgins leggings are so my favorite these days. Known for eco-friendly basics, I should've known the California-based company would come through in my Great Leggings Crisis of Late 2007. We've been good so far, these leggings and I -- no weird stretchiness at the knees, a nice retaining of fit, incredible softness and they haven't worn out yet. It's so funny -- I hated the idea of leggings so intensely at first, and now I just love these. Life is so strange. (Kat)

Zany J.Crew Cardies

In my opinion, if something is a) a cardigan, and/or b) manufactured by J.Crew, it counts as a neutral. These sweaters are my neutral. J.Crew makes the exact same cardigan over and over again in different colors and textiles every season; my wont is to purchase as many variations of said cardigan as possible, and to always opt for the wackiest available print. I have learned from leafing through enough waiting room copies of Glamour or whatever that a woman is supposed to choose basic, neutral pieces to spike her wardrobe with class and timelessness- I tend to do the exact opposite. It makes a lot more sense in the context of how I want to present myself to begin an outfit with something outlandish, then deduce how I can dress it down, sparing myself a potentially fatal overdose of loony-bin chic. I have no earthly desire to resemble Grace Kelly or Nan Kempner in any way; I strive for classicism in my personal style about as much as I strive for classicism in anything else I do, that is to say: not at all. If capturing some essence of "personal style" is your goal, banality is the ultimate mark of failure. No matter what the situation is, I don't want to be boring. Conversely, I'm also an incredibly lazy person, and five out of seven days, I lack the drive to construct any sort of "look" stretching beyond jeans and a t-shirt. And such is the crux of my dependence on the J.Crew cardigan: nothing can un-boring up darkwash skinny jeans and a navy Mets t-shirt like a generous dose of lemon yellow zebra print. Let's just pray that next season they come out with a Revolver-print variant: although I do get more compliments on my Soiree cardi (far right) than anything else I've ever owned, let's face it: I ain't no Uptown Girl. (Laura)

Wicked-old concert t-shirts my parents bought me when I was a little kid

At the risk of totally doing this entry wrong, I'm gonna be real loose with my interpretation of the word "weird" here and let it stand as a synonym for "different" and "unique" and "extra extra special." The thing is, I'm not creative enough, fashion-wise, to make fantastic wardrobe staples out of the most unlikely garments/accessories/what-have-you's (and I'm not trying to be self-effacing here - just speaking my truth). So the stuff in my closet that's most apt to make you go, "Whoa, really?" would be my small-ish but impressve collection of concert tees, all bought for me by my parents at various points throughout the 1980s. The oldest is a David Bowie one my mom got when she went to see him on the Serious Moonlight tour in '83. Then there's a Madonna shirt from the Who's That Girl tour, which I love even more than the tee I bought myself when I went to see her on Blonde Ambition. And lastly but not leastly, a U2 t-shirt circa The Joshua Tree, faded-black with lovely gold lettering. (A funny story about this one is that, sometime in college when I was home for the summer, I went to a party and ran into a boy from grade school - the first thing he said was, "Hey, you're that girl that used to wear a U2 shirt in fourth grade!" See, age-inappropriate music nerdiness = eventual legendary status.) And yes, they all still fit, because apparently when I was wee I liked to wear my t-shirts big enough to fall somewhere around my knees. The Bowie shirt's my favorite, though it makes me super-nostalgic for another first-grade prized possession: my beautiful metal Empire Strikes Back lunchbox. God, what a tomboy freak I was. (Liz)

Imaginary Shopping Spree: Moroccomania, Mociun, Royal Elastics

These are the goods that are trying to seduce the dollars right out of our wallets this week!

A bunch of Moroccan fineries, Moroccan Caravan and Just Morocco

These April days, my heart of hearts has moved to Marrakech. If I lived in a fantasy world where I could afford to buy whatever the hell I wanted always, I think this week I'd forgo I Heart and APC shopping binges in favor of taking a life-defining vacation to Morocco. What I wouldn't give to drop thousands at the Djemaa el Fna; these goodies I scoured from various "Authentic Moroccan Garments!" websites probably ain't got nothing on the gems I'd inevitably fall head-over-heels for once exposed to the Real Deal. Not that these treasures don't all totally rule- they do. That necklace is a showstopper and a half, born to be paired with skintight All Black. I'd cut the earth-toned kaftan into a mini and belt it. The orange dress is perfect as is, and those Berber sandals? Are you kidding me?? I'd pair those with teeny shorts and a t-shirt; Anita Pallenberg would die of jealousy. (Laura)

Mociun dress, kaightshop.com

For once believe the hype: I've seen this dress on many ladies, and nearly everyone's looked amazing in it. Based in Brooklyn and using organic and sustainable materials, Mociun makes these beautifully artful clothes, and the prints are really kind of amazing. The frock flows in just the right places, and the shape is unexpectedly versatile. I want to wear this as I sip cocktails on a rooftop in Brooklyn this summer, know what I'm sayin'? (Kat)

The snakeprint Flonica from Royal Elastics

Last week when Kat posted about finding her summer shoe I was all, "I wanna find my summer shoe, too!" And then I walked past the Royal Elastics store in Santa Monica the other day and had what I guess you'd call an "a-ha! moment." These are perfect for me cuz I've got an intense fear of open-toed shoes: I hate my toes and believe them to look like E.T. heads. Plus, the faux snakeskin makes me think of Slash, which is always a good thing. (Liz)

Eco-Love: FIN

One of the exciting things about sustainable style is that it's such an "emerging" field (from the design perspective at least) that it's almost ten times more exciting to discover a new name or label. Such is the case with FIN, an eco-luxury label based in Oslo, Norway. What I love about FIN (besides their commitment to fair trade manufacturing and sustainable materials, including organic cotton and the intriguingly named wild hand-spun silk) is how they mix in urban, hard-edged styles with a very classic, even ladylike sensibility: a rockin' one-shouldered dress co-exists with a beautifully designed trench or a gracefully draped camisole. It could be schizo but it's not, because each piece is united by its careful attention to line, proportion and a certain restraint. The result is a collection of beautiful pieces that are investments, not flash, and are gently poetic and unpretentious.

FIN is carried online by the fabulous Equita, where I'm currently stalking this one-shouldered dress (among many other things.)

First Look: Rogan for Target! Not Just Swimwear, Thank God, But Still Organic

We thought we were exhausted from all the high/low collabos lately, but I guess not, because I got all zing-y when images from the Rogan for Target collection broke. Slated to come into stores on May 18th, it turns out that Rogan Gregory is doing a little more for Target than just swimwear, as he said. (Oh, Rogan, you cheeky monkey.) But! The line is still using 100% organic cotton, which is super-exciting; it's nice to see 'green consciousness' seeping into the mainstream, and hopefully it will pave the way for greener, longer-lasting initiatives to take root. Fashion-speaking, some people don't seem too excited by a 'safari-inspired' casual line which also features a lot of animal prints, but personally I like the indie Jane Goodall urban-explorer vibe and all the plaid-y things, which I'm periodically a sucker for. Most people will be able to pick a few pieces and integrate them into existing wardrobes, unless of course your aesthetic is "super-frilly cupcake princess" -- that might be a little harder to work with. We took a pic here from the always with-it nitrolicious, but you should take a gander over there for more images, and check out the ad below, which comes from Manila Fashion Observer.

Imaginary Shopping Spree: Myth & Ritual, Mama Stone Vintage, Rag & Bone

In the world of our dreams, the following items would be had, instant gratification-style. Instead, we merely just online-stalk them -- at least till they go on sale.

Myth & Ritual tribal print dress, beklina.com
"Arty" prints are big this season, but this is one of the first that I flat-out love, mostly because of the liberal yet discerning usage of pink in the design. I love Myth & Ritual in general; they combine a charming, vintage-tinged indie vibe with well-placed touches of Victoriana, and the fact that they are sweatshop-free is a plus as well. (Kat)

Vintage leopard print mini dress, Mama Stone Vintage
I've been stalking Mama Stone's eBay store for the past few months - they've always got these superfoxy dresses, each one beamed in from some vastly more glamorous era. I don't know that I could ever pull off this crazy little frock, but hey, we're being imaginary, right? I've got exactly the right go-go boots for it at least. (Liz)

Rag & Bone cotton twill jumper, Barneys Co-op

I tried this cute little bugger on at the Wooster Street Barneys Co-op this very morning- I'm visiting New York this week, so my life is basically one giant and never-ending fantasy shopping spree. In a perfect world, this jumper would be an integral part of my wardrobe for summer 2008- collar popped, top three buttons open, gobs of jewelry, headscarf, battered flip-flops, and a suntan. In real life, I felt sorry for myself and bought a t-shirt at Uniqlo. (Laura)

Eco-Love: Good Society Jeans

I first fell for Good Society because their jeans reminded me so much of my beloved A.P.C. jeans: a gorgeously dark indigo wash, plain unadorned pockets, no-frills styling elevated by an attention to line and detail. And their back pockets sat low on the seat, a flattering feature that gives the effect of cool, nonchalant slouchiness without actual, flattery-warping slouchiness. (Katayone Adeli trousers used to do this back in the day with their back pockets, and they were the best pants I've ever worn.) Good Society makes jeans for dudes and ladies and is masterminded by Slings and Stones founder Aidan Dinh, who was looking to create a denim line at a more moderate price point than the super-luxe Slings and Stones label. Like its older sister label, Good Society is highly ethical: it's made from fair trade labor in India and made of organic cotton, and 10% of the profits are allocated for various charitable causes. So it's goodness all around, all while looking good. And who can argue with that? Available at various online shops, including Tobi, which carries the awesome slim leg style.

Osklen F/W 2008, Sao Paolo

Brazilian label Osklen has been very, very slowly bubbling up in global fashion consciousness for some time now. Beginning with founder Oskar Metsavaht's need to make a winter jacket, Osklen became known in the late 90s into a beachwear and casualwear line known for its casual sportiness and Brazilian exuberance. But Metsavaht's got more than beach sports on the brain; a former medical doctor by profession, he clearly is taking his label into luxury lifestyle territory -- but a lifestyle founded on the principles of sustainability and environmental responsibility. (He even started e-Institute, a Brazilian consortium composed of scientists, designers, and artists in search of an urban lifestyle that respects and integrates with nature; e-Institute are also responsible for the e-fabrics initiative, which researchs and creates new fabrics that respect the biodiversity and unique eco-system of Brazil.) Osklen was even recently profiled in Vogue, and along with more store openings both in Tokyo and New York, the Brazilian label is poised to become an international name.

Osklen's longtime eco-credentials may be the tipping point for the label, but happily the attention has also coincided with the increasing sophistication of Metsavaht's designs, going way beyond a stereotypical sexiness into something truly global. His latest runway collection was just shown at Sao Paolo Fashion Week and revealed the use of shapes and proportions that are increasingly influenced by other fashion traditions, making for an artful, eye-catching array of dresses, tunics and coats. A series of cocktail frocks, for example, use what look like recycled seatbelts to evoke the severity and futuristic sexiness of Alaia and latter-day Balenciaga, particularly in the detailing at the bodice and the "bandage" effect of the fabric; layered tunics with their nonchalant drape definitely echo a very Japanese take on sportwear, found in the best of Yohji Yamamoto or Comme des Garcons. But Osklen's use of vivacious color and patterns, however, still remain true to its Brazilian roots without being folkloric, and make the label its entirely own uniquely casual, joyful thing with a warmth that sometimes is lacking in fashion's upper stratosphere.

Catch the entire show over at The Fashion Spot.

Love: Viridis Luxe Kimono Sweater

I am always on the lookout for a great sweater, and I really want this one. What more is there to say? This has great detailing at the sleeve, and Viridis Luxe consistently makes luxurious-feeling clothes in beautifully draped sort of shapes, often using fabrics like bamboo blends and, yes, hemp. So not crunchy, though -- more like a L.A. little sister of Rick Owens. (Who is, never forget, an L.A. dude at heart.)

J Brand Goes Green!

I've been pretty okay on moving myself over to a more eco-friendly, sustainable wardrobe for awhile now, but my sticking point has always been denim in the whole process -- I am just dreadfully, completely picky about jeans, right down to having too much Lycra in the cloth to the lack of double-stitching at certain seams or having too much stitching on a pocket -- and of course, where those pockets are strategically placed. (My mind nearly explodes when it comes to shopping for jeans; I know it's kind of bougie, but when you live in jeans like I do, I find it hard to be anything but hardcore and uncompromising about these things.)

There are a hearteningly rise in the number of eco-friendly denim companies in the past few years, but most are known for their green status and fabrics rather than the fit and styling of their wares. So I was completely stoked to find out that J Brand is finally bringing out a line of organic cotton denim. J Brand makes one of the best skinny jeans on the planet, with a perfectly tight leg and a clean line falling from above the knee to the calf. They make a superb wide-legged jean, a wonderful flare -- hell, let's just say they are one of the best denim companies around, making a huge impact in an overly-saturated, brutally competitive market. I'm a huge fan -- I personally have been living in their Bardot jean, a higher-rise skinny style that still retains its fit and quality (no stretching or losing its shape!), despite it being dragged over continents and through monsoons by me over the past year. Now their jeans are better for the planet, and it's a mark of the increasing rise and prominence of green fashion that such a tastemaker is going eco. There's always going to be some naysayers, but if eco-fashion really wants to stick around and not be simply the latest trend, its methods and materials need to be adopted by all sorts of business models and companies, so props to J Brand -- and yay for a truly perfect skinny jean!

Rogan for Target: All Swimwear?

Peeps know the next Target collabo after Jovovich-Hawk is going to be Rogan Gregory, mister winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award this year and a dude known for his combination of great design with sustainable materials and methods. His Target line is due later this spring, but in this interview he states it's all going to be swimwear. For real? While it is most definitely cool that you'll be able to pick up a bathing suit that's organic and what have you (and those are not easy items to do so, I believe, with their reliance of synthetic materials and such), I was hoping for more summer casual things: shorts, tops, etc. If it's true, it's slightly bummerville, but in a way not surprising: I think of Rogan as more a casual line, and perhaps there was not a huge amount of differentiation between the main collection and the Target one. Still, I'd love to see a mass retailer be able to do a whole organic line (as opposed to bits and pieces here and there) and perhaps that time is getting closer and closer with baby steps such as this.

Rogan for Target

According to WWD, Rogan, the company that won the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award this year, is the next in line to collaborate with superstore giant Target for the GO International series after Jovovich-Hawk bows early in spring 2008. Our question is whether the line will retain the environmental friendliness at a mass level -- will it be made of organic cotton and all that good stuff?

Speaking of environmental friendliness, the whole idea of 'eco-fashion' has come under the microscope lately in the mainstream press as a trendy marketing label. There's reams to be written about it, but we think Fashion Geek had the sharpest, most succinct take: buy vintage, make your clothes last longer and do your research. We'd like to add that probably the healthiest thing you can do is shop less and shop mindfully. But that'd be so un-American, I suppose. We're Communists, raaaawwwrrrr! And of course, seeing as we write about fashion, highly conflicted...

Vegans Take Heed

I'm pretty sick of Converse All-Stars, and even my beloved Vans are beginning to bore me somewhat. I sure as hell can't afford Stella McCartney's raffia platform sandals, and I've never been much of a Keds fan. So what's a fashion-forward vegan to do? As I write this, I'm ashamedly sporting leather Campers flats (though they were a hand-me-down, which helps to alleviate some of the guilt). But alas. My next move is to support the heck out of Keep Company-- God bless 'em for manufacturing sneaks (as well as t-shirts, sweatshirts, and accessories) that are cruelty-free, socially responsible and mighty fly if I do say so myself.

Check out the goods:

(from top): the Guerra in ice blue and maroon; the Nuss in red w/ white corduroy; the Juniper in green and purple African print; the Tobin in purple w/ violet stripes

Denim: Sling and Stones

Things kind of got over-saturated there in the premium denim market for a moment, but when Sling and Stones crossed our radar, our tired ears perked up: the relatively new denim line is sustainable and ethically-produced, which always makes us happy. The denim itself looks pretty cool, with unique details like square 24k gold-plated buttons (instead of the usual round ones) and a non-traditional yoke in the back. The cloth is organic Japanese supima denim, the cuts are modern and au courant, they're using certified fair trade labor whenever possible, and the company is donating a percentage of its profits to educational, cultural and ecological initiatives that benefit the communities in which the jeans are manufactured. Good denim with a good conscience: that's always stylish, don't you think?

Once we get better pictures, we'll post them, but FYI, Sling and Stones will be available through the following retailers in late August/early September:

New York: Bergdorf Goodman, Jeffrey's New York, What Comes Around Goes Around, Kaight, Armoire (Brooklyn), BOC (491 Columbus Ave)

Los Angeles: Nordstroms (Pacific Palisades), Kate Daniels (Seal Beach), Sidewalks (Laguna Beach), Switch (Beverly Hills), Satine (L.A.), Stacey Todd (Studio City)

Online: Selfedge.com, Denimbaronline.com, Shopbop.com, Revolveclothing.com

Eco-Couture: Paul Hardy

I just picked these up from my favorite fashion messageboard: photos from Canadian designer Paul Hardy's eco-couture show. It was part of a eco-fashion show called "Green To The Core" to raise awareness about Alberta's Bow Riverkeeper organization. These are all one-offs, made from throwaway materials such as newspapers, paint can lids, coat hangers and plastic grocery bags, but they're remarkably fanciful and artistic. Kind of like if Galliano went green, and I love how the broken glass and mesh dress is slightly Lanvinesque...

Stylish and Sustainable: Emily Katz

We already had a serious crush on Portland-based Emily Katz's other fashion project, Bonnie Heart Clyde, so we were seriously excited to discover her new eponymous label. Billing itself as "sustainable, elegant and fashion forward," the Emily Katz label differs from the "wearable art" magic of Bonnie Heart Clyde -- these clothes are clean and pared-down but still attentive to all-important details like line, shape and volume. And they're made with good-for-nature materials like soy jersey and organic cotton. The result is a sophisticated, feminine collection with a bit of quirk to keep things individualistic and interesting -- and completely wearable to anywhere from a day at the office to drinks and a rock show after work. The debut collection is slated for this fall, and you know we'll let you know exactly where to find it once it comes out.

See Waitress, Wear Loyale

One of the loveliest things about the movie Waitress besides its warm, affectionate treatment of its characters is the bright, sheer visual gloss that director Adrienne Shelly wafts over her quirky, good-natured depiction of small-town Americana. It's a sun-filled world, full of golden hues and punctuated with the yummy candy colors that make up the luscious pies made by the main character, Jenna, played by a radiant, unexpectedly mature Keri Russell. But even though everything looks so delicious, all is not well for Jenna, pregnant and trapped in a bad marriage with a boorish man. She falls into an affair with her obstetrician (a totally fantastic Nathan Fillion) to relieve some of the pressure, and while the film falls into expected narrative territory at times (okay, a lot), it never loses its essential good-heartedness or sense of whimsy. And it's a worthy legacy for indie movie heroine Shelly, whose life ended tragically before she could savor her achievement.

The movie's a candy-colored fable that ends with a riot of colors that would make a Juicy Couture ad jealous and momentarily made me want to sell off all my black and neutral-colored clothes to run riot in all the bright spring dresses out now. The charming yellow Pasadena dress from one of our favorite new labels, Loyale, would fit the bill, but the frock is sold out everywhere, probably because not only is it pretty in the most relaxed way, but it's made out of organic cotton by a company known for its good-for-the-planet practices. If you find the dress, will you let us know? Because it's on our online fashion stalk list now.

Here's the trailer for Waitress:

Eco-Fashion: Earth Day sale at Beklina

Danke schoen to Leonora at Treehugger for letting us know about the Earth Day goodness going down at online green boutique Beklina. In addition to the really yummy sale - Loomstate organic jeans for under $100, an Edun silk top (below left) for just $60 - the store's donating $5 of every Stewart + Brown purchase to local environmental charities. We're especially sweet on the organic crepe cotton yoked tee (center) and organic cotton scoop neck pucker tee (right).

Eco-Fashion: Pretty in wood pulp

This weekend I rented a pickup truck and drove out to the desert to drink date shakes and swim in naturally lithium-infused water and listen to the Desert Sessions record with PJ Harvey over and over and over.

On the way there I magically ended up stopping at Desert Hills Premium Outlets, where there's Dior and Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci and YSL and, you know, Charlotte Russe. I spent the most time at Space, just to touch the Prada dresses and shoes and make lovey eyes at a furry handbag I wanted badly to take home and keep as my pet. Weirdly, they were playing the Six Feet Under score - not the main theme, but the really emotive piano stuff that comes on whenever Nate cries. (I still don't understand.)

My favorite thing, though, was at Barneys, a sweet little short-sleeve jersey Velvet dress that you could probably live in forever. I've been loving Velvet a long time now, especially because they sometimes use green fabrics like lyocell, aka Tencel. (It's a biodegradable fiber made from wood pulp, produced on farms that rapidly replant their trees. The manufacturers also recycle almost all their chemical solvents, so there's not much air and water pollution generated.)

Velvet's Romance Languages dress (left) is lyocell; the sash is beautiful black satin. The lyocell gives it the most perfect drape, and the shirred jersey makes me swoon. The best part: It's on sale now at Anthropologie ($150 instead of $198). Usually anything bow-adorned in any way freaks me out, but here it's so classic and sweet I kind of want to marry it.

Love: Ciel

Sometimes I get the random wedding dress help request but I'm always at a loss to help, having no inclination at all to promote the wedding industrial complex. But recently someone dropped a message asking for a very specific request: to help find a dress that was low-key, stylish, pretty, could be worn again, casual enough for a late-summer, last-minute garden wedding, not thousands upon thousands of dollars, and finally, eco-friendly in some way or another. And wouldn't you know, I actually know of such a dress: this lovely tea frock from Ciel, one of my favorite eco-fashion lines. Ciel is a British-based brand designed by Sarah Ratty, and from their selection of fabrics colored with azo free dyes to their use of factories that comply with fair labor practices, they're upstanding examples of sustainable, eco-friendly fashion. But just as important, Ciel makes some gorgeous, gorgeous clothes that are worthy of being heirlooms, to be passed on from one generation to the next - their romantically bohemian dresses, sweaters, skirts and tops have fans like Cate Blanchett and Sienna Miller.