I get on and off of the L train everyday and make the half mile trek down Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. Since moving to New York, with all its freaks and noises and things that could provoke anxiety in a small town Massachusetts girl, this walk has become the most nerve wracking part of my day.

Bedford Avenue, or the hipster catwalk, is the main drag down oh so trendy Williamsburg. I try to stare straight ahead and smoke a cigarette as soon as I get off of the train, but inevitably some hipster catches my eye and throws me a dirty look. I can’t help but stare back because I wonder how long it took him to squeeze into those pants. Read More »

I may be a fashionista, but clothes remain an oddity to me. I gave up dressing for the male gender along time ago and now if I show off my tits it’s because I want to. And because I like my breasts, to me they are empowering.

I embraced the baby doll tent/trapeze dress for summer because for once it was a style that was breezy and light and dare I say it comfortable. I decided I’d stick it to the man (or men) who found the style unappealing. I liked it. And they showcased my legs, another of my favorite features. It allowed me to keep the ladies under wraps but let people go gaga over my gams.

All in all, I loved the shape of the summer dresses, or the fact that there wasn’t much shape to them at all.

But it all got me to thinking. In a way although we dress for ourselves, we do dress for others. And the other night I had a horrifying experience where in all of this shapely/shapeless controversy came to a head.

I was walking to the train from work, standing on a corner about to walk into Union Square. It was late and I was tired and talking to my boyfriend. That day I had worn an American Apparel strapless tube dress with a flouncy tunic to cover up the fact that the dress showed more curves than I was comfortable with.

So, I was showing off my shape, but still covering it up. And I had on my mother’s old cowboy boots, since I work at a Texas BBQ restaurant and its pretty much the only dress code requirement of a hostess. They also draw way more attention from men than I ever imagined—I get a “hey cowgirl” at least every other day. Read More »

A couple months ago, we featured the creepiness that is Dov Charney, the owner of American Apparel.

Sure, the man looks like a serial killer and admits to getting it on with, like, every one of his employees, but he sure knows how to sell a product!

We’ve all seen the ads – the racy, half-naked and scantily clad models (think the HOT Abercrombie & Fitch ads meets younger-looking hipsters). There’s something raw about these ads, almost dirty – and that’s exactly what is getting younger-looking hipsters to buy into the brand.

According to AMNY, one of the store managers said, “This is the Lower East Side….I would be disappointed in the neighborhood if it was offended by this. It’s not pornographic. This is art.” Read More »

Who knew Lindsay Lohan could fuel a fashion trend by being photographed destitute in the back of her Mercedes? Girl’s got pull.

Ever since that infamous pre – rehab photo of Lilo was taken, American Apparel’s Flex Fleece Salt ‘n’ Pepper Hoodie has been selling like crazy.

Apparently, trend slaves across the country are unconditionally dedicated to Lindsay and support her style regardless of her emotional/physical state of duress.

But hell, I’ll jump on the wagon for this trend. In fact, I already have. I own that hoodie in like, seventeen colors.

It’s amazing — so comfortable, durable hood, sturdy zipper, and roomy pockets to hold all your pills. I think this is the best look to surface in a while (am I the only one who can’t stand that freaking bubble hem??).

Overdosing and going to rehab may not exactly conjure images of high fashion and fun, but at least you get to wear comfy clothes. Looking strung – out has never looked so good.

After much thought, I’ve decided that my swimsuit of choice for 2007 is going to be a one-piece. I know, it’s a bold move. The bikini, in varying degrees of scandal, has been a staple for the college female since the advent of songs like “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” (for you trivial pursuit hounds, it came out August 8, 1960).

In a surprise move, the one-piece has become the rarer breed of swim apparel. The bikini gets all the attention. I mean, why shouldn’t it? It’s smaller, newer, and used to be a symbol of youthful rebellion. Not that I’m advocating some sort of return to traditional moral values (this is what my boyfriend thought when I told him I was writing about one-pieces). I just think the tank has a freshness about it. It invokes sultry women like Marilyn Monroe, Raquel Welch, and timeless hottie, Sophia Loren. Read More »

One of the big trends on the Spring runways was neon, like this hot pink mini-dress from Emanuel Ungaro or this colorful ensemble from Dsquared. If you would feel a little awkward and completely inappropriate wearing these outfits to class on Monday morning, you’re not alone. The key to neon is moderation, you don’t want to be channeling the 80s too heavily. It was a good decade for sure, but sometimes you just have to let go.

If you just want to dip your toe into the neon pool, slip on a pair of these patent flats by BC for $38 from Urban Outfitters.

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I’m not trying to get into fisticuffs with Mary from Dartmouth, but I have to make an argument against buying American Apparel. I know, I know, it’s all American-made and sweatshop-free, but it is also run by one of the most disgusting, misogynistic pricks on the face of the earth.

What is the point of being all synthetically moral when the CEO is horrifically anti-women? The sexual harassment lawsuits against Dov Charney (and there are many) not only claim that he has coerced his employees to have sex, but on a far more frightening level that he has created an “intolerable” and “intimidating” sexual atmosphere.

American Apparel offices are wallpapered with Penthouse and Oui magazine cutouts, and Charney boasts about having sex with employees and jerking off in-front-of/on them. Fans of Jane magazine may remember when Claudine Ko interviewed Charney and he jerked off in front of her during their interview. Eight times. Read More »

Warning: this blog contains fanny packs.

Thanks to Styledash.com, we can all be aware that American Apparel stores are now selling fanny packs as part of its collection of ’80′s accessories and clothing items.

With the re-emergence of ’80′s gear popularity, such as leg warmers, spandex leggings, Converse shoes and off-the-shoulder t-shirts, it’s inevitable that fanny packs would pop up. I guess I’ve just been in denial.

For those of you who are interested in buying one (although I hope it would be for an ’80′s-themed party, and, since your dad threw out his old fanny pack before he could lend it to you for such an occasion, you are scrambling to find one) these nylon F Packs are selling for $14 and come in six different colors.

I think we should all come together as a generation and put a stop to the fanny pack madness at once, if only for the benefit of our children. To help the cause, check out some rocking fanny packs here, here and here.

I thought we were past this. Shame on you, American Apparel. Shame on you.

Like any self-respecting college girl, I always tote the newest Vogue, Elle, and if I’m feeling especially mainstream-In Style, on the elliptical with me. But as I’m burning the calories, toning the legs, and admiring the duds, I can’t help but wonder how anyone in college could pull this stuff off without being gawked at (and not in the good way) by your typical sweatpant clad college male.

Let’s take Balenciaga‘s Spring ready-to-wear collection. Obviously, gold leggings were the stunner of this show. And why not? They’re totally hot….and $100,000, and one kind of gets the impression not too comfortable.

For a mere $36 dollars you can pick up a pair of gold leggings from your local American Apparel, pair them with a black jersey mini-dress, cute flats, and hit the library in style.

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