Cycle Style

A couple weekends ago when we had that great weather, I was invigorated by the sight of casual springtime cyclists on the roads. They were out there wearing their regular clothes and enjoying the warm breeze. Don't get me wrong, I love all my fellow cyclists, but it's the casual cyclist that really inspires me to keep riding. They remind me of what urban biking can and should look like.

It's getting warmer out there and there's no better way to explore DC than on a bike. So here's a little cyclispiration to get you back on your beater this spring.

Deluxe Shopper Pannier from London Cycle Chic

Belt-clippable Hip Bag from Transient Bag Co.

Cute white Muse helmet from Bern


Saddle cover via Hendes Verden


Hot bicycle lederhosen via Flickr user ctruongngoc

Ten Gallon Comeback

(via Acne)

Before every season, I take great pride in predicting the next vintage trend to make a comeback. My previous winners include silk shifts, high-waists, and even elastic jeans. The 10 gallon cowboy hat, however, was completely off my radar. Therefore, I am very intrigued...

Fashion Week Report

I've seen toned-down looks across many runways in New York this week. There's not much over-reaching, and many houses are avoiding risk. But the last thing I want to see right now-- in this climate, both atmospherically and economically-- is hopelessness. I'm looking for more look packed into streamlined shapes. And some designers have delivered.

My pick for the week thus far is Mara Hoffman, whose slim, body-covering shapes are popping with elaborate, head-to-toe detail.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have some houses simply going bare. I've seen many head-to-toe neutrals on slim shapes. This, too, is bold, though in a different way. It's relatively easy to look good in two or three colors, but one solid shade? A little harder. I think Derek Lam and Calvin Klein menswear, below, do it well.

Spring Shapes

These are the looks I am inspired by this season as I mosey along on the vintage trail...

(pics via Style.Com)

Jason Wu, designer du jour: the feminine pleated layers add to the imagination, while maintaining coverage.

Rachel Comey, Listopad fave: long highwaisted shorts are the new leggings. Love it!
Peter Jensen: love the subtle volume, like those bubble skirts of yester-season, yet simpler, better.

Karen Walker: Australian preppy gone good.

Peter Jensen: love the lines on the coat and the wide-leg trousers, hitting just above the ankle.

Sophia Kokosalaki: Egypt meets Art Nouveau.

Sarah Palin: Not Speaking Our Language

Robin Givhan nails it.

Goodwallop

I sidled up to Maria when the fashion show ended, weaving my way through the throngs of beauty-hunters turned loose on what was probably the first pop-up Goodwill store to grace the French Embassy. My eyes were trained on the beaded confection dangling from her arm. "Ooo," I murmured, "you got it." I pulled back the collar to look for evidence of its origin. "Handmade," she asserted, reading my mind. Peering inside the dress, I examined the nude expanse of its lining, unadulterated by the mark of a mass manufacturer. Of course, I thought.

Five minutes prior to this, I had encountered Svetlana among the racks - "I'm just looking for that beaded dress!" she'd exclaimed. "Me too!" I cried. "I just want to see it up close!"

Five minutes prior to that, the show had just ended. Cath and I were still in our seats, taking in all in. Maria, sitting behind us, leaned forward. "Which look was your favorite?" Cath didn't hesitate for a moment. "The beaded one. With the sleeves."

It had been about 20 minutes since we'd all seen it for the first time.



Can I even verbalize how gorgeous it was up close? The fabric hung perfectly; the beads were iridescent, tiny, and painstakingly applied. By hand. What is this dress? It just appeared out of the ether - unique, artful, universally stylish, its origin a permanent mystery. This is why we hunt, folks. This is what we are hunting for.



The blogosphere salivates. (Check out the pretty and sweet Ms. Anti-DC in the background -- we are working on making her Ms. Pro-DC;-)

Many, many thanks to Em for the invite, to Mark Silva for the photos, and of course, to Goodwill for the incredible, indispensible service that they provide to the community.