Sad to Rad
Where’d you get that?:
TRI-COLOR TUTU JEAN - STICKYBABY
Picture this: I’m in the APC store dressing room, trying on jeans. To squeeze into their notoriously stiff Japanese denim is no mean feat, so I’ve inadvertently let loose some unbecoming noises. The tall, beautiful, very intimidating salesperson knocks on the door and asks how it’s going. I panic and decide to buy a pair because I’ve embarrassed myself too much to walk out empty-handed. I am now in possession of expensive jeans that are perfect for someone five inches taller than me.
One month later, I stumble across Stickybaby, a Brooklyn-based indie designer who adds ruffles to vintage denim, turning them into jean/tutu hybrids. I decide I’ll die if I don’t own a pair, and ask the owner, Amanda, if she’ll zhuzh up some jeans I already own. She is very nice and says yes, even shaving off some of the original price. My too-long APC jeans become the perfect length, sporting a froth of rainbow tulle at the bottom. I am now in possession of the best pair of jeans I’ve ever owned.
I’m obsessed with:
NYC READERS TOTE BAG - THE STRAND
I’ve lugged around a New Yorker tote for a while now (yeah, yeah, I know), except it started smelling like cat litter, so I bought one from the Strand (yeah, yeah, I KNOW). I’m no stranger to the lure of a free tote, but lemme tell ya, a purchased tote bag is worth five — TEN — free ones. The waxed canvas is stiff and sturdy; the straps are the perfect length, none of that so-short-it’s-digging-into-your-armpits nonsense. But the best part is that there’s a mini pocket on the inside where you can store your keys and wallet, so that they’re not floating freely and triggering a panic attack every time you have to root through piles of junk to find them.
On my wish list:
White shoes are either for the deeply diligent, who are assiduous enough to coat them in protectant and scour away smudges, or the incredibly laid-back, who don’t give a shit if their shoes look like they’ve been through hell. Sadly, I am caught in the middle — too lazy to do the work necessary to keep them pristine but still irrationally upset when a scuff mark appears.
Thus, it is a very, very bad idea for me to buy these white boots from Ellery — but they’re just so cool. The silver steel ball heel adds sculptural detail, while the rich tanned leather patch, offset by yellow stitching, lends Western cowboy vibes. But just the thought of the beautiful snow white leather becoming mottled with stains is enough to keep these boots firmly on my wish list.