Swim Class

So recently I tried on (ewww) and purchased (hmmm) a one-piece bathing suit. I have not put something like this on my body since grade 7 when I went to my now-BFF's pool party and I forgot a bathing suit. I had to wear this white kind-of-ruched-fabric thing that was so high-cut in the leg and had such a low scoop neck that I looked like an unfortunate victim of an underage photoshoot circa 1970. Where was Dov Charney when I was 12?

Well, I've come a long way, baby, because I'm rocking the look again. I bought the one in the bottom right, by Roxy. It has an amazing braided neon detail. I can't do a bikini this year- I just had a 10 lb. baby four months ago so, yeah, not happening.

Since we are all apparently so comfortable wearing spandex as day-wear (thanks Dov!), you have to admit that the one-piece is a VERY versatile item. You can put on shorts over it and actually be decent enough to go into 7-11.

And another thing: the vintage ones available are AMAZING! If it skeeves you out to buy a used bathing suit, you can always cut off the bottom bit and tuck it into your high-waisted shorts.

Ok so it's questionable whether that Neil Krug image in the top left really involves a bathing suit, but you know what I mean!


Left to right from top:

1. Mara Hoffman, $198 (the blue one sold out I guess since last night? But red is still available)
2. Hayden Hartnett, $178
3. Vintage with 1920's print $36.00
4. Vintage 80's $39.00
5. Vintage 80's blue and white, $28.00
6. Vintage 80's cut out (rad!!), $39.00
7. Vintage 80's deep V, $45.00
8. Roxy, $80.00

The chic with the hat in the inspiration collage is wearing this, and seemingly everyone at Coachella was wearing this.

And here are a few more not depicted: Urban, Top Shop

PS SORRY FOR THE LATE-IN-DAY POSTS, TWO DAYS IN A ROW THE AUTO-POST FOR 9.00 AM E HAS NOT WORKED, WHICH MEANS ALL MY LATE NIGHT WORK IS FOR NOUGHT : (

Photo credits (left to right in collage): Neil Krug, Israel Rivera, Style Sightings, V Magazine, American Apparel, Karina Givargisoff (stylist), Sports Illustrated, Roxy.

Dresses: Long Shot

They should come up with a better name for the long dress, because I personally don't want the word "maxi" associated with my summer wardrobe.

Old Navy calls them "town gowns," which brings to mind some lady stumbling out of bed at noon to buy supermarket wine in her nightie. (They call the short ones "midtown gowns," which, if you live in NY, is the most unattractive-sounding item since "UGG boot").

I think no one cares about these guys because too many have Forever 21 syndrome. They're too often made from some kind of horrible viscose blend and/or the print is slightly off.

But a good long dress is totally effortless and awesome, and I'm here to say there is redemption to found this summer in Maxitown:



Gala: Pucci, $3720 (jeez ... or you can buy a car).

Beach: Vintage, Fashion Dig, $125 (awesome, one of a kind, buy it or I will).

Office: Max Studio, $198.

Club: United Bamboo, on sale for $395.

Date: Charley 5.0, $278.

Lunch: James Perse - no - C&C California ... psych! Old Navy, $29.50. But it sold out online literally in the time it took me to write this post, so go to the store if you don't want it in solid black or pink stripes.

Accessories: Bargain Binns

Tom Binns' Faux Real jewelry collection is an inspiration. You stroll through the Fort Greene flea market armed with a pair of pliers and tell yourself you can make these. Dream on Martha! After removing the Superglue from your tender fingertips and logging off Etsy, take a moment to explore the undeniable influence of the CFDA award-winning ('06) Binns.

1,2,3. The real deal is somewhat hard to come by, try Net a Porter and Shop Bop, or go to his flagship Megastore.

4. Vintage (make sure the mix is magpie enough, like this Sherman piece, and relish spending your money at something called AZillion Sparklz).

5. Top Shop.

6,7. Erickson Beamon for Target. Which came first? Chicken, egg, Binns?

8. The next generation ... Katherine Sturgis. Not so much a bargain but the one-of-a-kind factor is worth it. Thanks to Something Picasso for highlighting this talent.