Blue ‘Til I Found You: My One True Denim Shirt

When I saw my friend, Charlie, today I wanted to rip his shirt off so that I could feel him against my body. He looked crisp, yet worn in. He was inviting, yet exclusive. He was the perfect shirt. The denim shirt I had been searching for since my last relationship.

I once blamed myself for wearing out my last denim shirt, causing him to lose his snappiness. But I’ve tossed the blame aside, right on top of the ex. If it’s the right fit, a relationship endures through the wear- through life’s spin cycle.

I refrained from tearing Charlie’s shirt off because that would have been awkward- and his wife wouldn’t have liked it. Instead, I shared with him my adoration for his shirt and my own journey to find the one I will adore.

While I don’t adhere to checklists, my next denim shirt will need to meet the specified criteria for us to have any kind of chance at a long-term, meaningful co-habitation:

1. All washed up. I like a wash that looks like it’s been somewhere. It needs to be a worn-in, authentic wash- whether it’s as light as a muted, clear ocean or as dark as the depths of it.

2. Go ahead, have a fit. I have slim arms and I expect my sleeves to envelope them firmly and comfortably.

3. Round the bases. As long as they’re not fabric, easily scratchable, any shape other than a circle, we’re good. It’s a bonus if they are substantial buttons that add a layer of depth and richness to the shirt, like the Current/Elliott ones below.

4. Softies wanted. There’s a time for stiff, structured pieces that I’ll sacrifice my comfort for. This is not one of those times. Move with me, melt with me, and be the reliable low-maintenance one for the both of us. The floppy pockets indicate the extreme softness of the Madewell shirt below.

Current/Elliott “The Perfect” Denim Shirt

Madewell Campfire Cargo Shirt

I had never set out to find more than one love, but heck, life’s too short. Be with the two you love. Wear one, rotate the other in, and make lots of happy times together. The great ones always last.

One Suit Fits All

A swimsuit only has one function: Make you feel confident enough to be exposed. It’s the same concept as telling a guy how you feel- how you really feel- for the first time. You’re putting yourself out there with a fifty-percent chance of declination. Similarly, in a swimsuit, you’re putting yourself out to the rest of the world who hasn’t seen the real you, only separated by a scrap of nylon. While it’s likely no one’s going to be running away from you in fear like the guy may, you want to be certain that the outside is looking good so that in turn, you are feeling good on the inside. There’s no room for declination in the mind, nor in the swimsuit.

You need to assess what’s most important to you. Accidentally showing a little tush isn’t an offense when the ocean is attacking you. Feeling modest, however, is an attack on your freedom to just be.

To be is to not restrict. You hear about the restrictions- the “rules” of which silhouettes and patterns to avoid per your body shape. These rules go against the idea of a swimsuit. Be free. Feel good in whatever. And go with it.

Delight in it.

See you soon in one of the suits below. I’ll be the one potentially picking up a wedgie, or a guy, in my definitively picked-out mode of confidence.

1. Norma Kamali Vogue Lace Swimsuit

2. Herve Leger Basic Bandage Swimsuit

3. Red Carter Ruffle Deep V One-Piece

4. Zimmerman Devoted Corset One-Piece

5. La Perla Indian Beach Sueded One-Piece

6. Zimmerman Ruffled One-Piece

7. Michael Kors Speed Clip Wraparound Maillot

8. One Teaspoon Vintage Polka Bandeau One-Piece

1. Herve Leger Wide-Strap Bikini

2. Herve Leger Strappy Bandage Bikini

3. Free People High Neck Metallic Bikini

4. Yves Saint Laurent Ruffled Off-The-Shoulder Bikini

This Therese Rawsthorne dress is now hanging in my closet and will be in my Chicago, Seattle, and New York City closets in 2012. It’s the perfect travel dress to be seen in and to see twenty years from now- in my Los Angeles closet.

Whitney Houston’s passing is one of those life moments when you will always remember where you were when you learned of it. For me, I’d like to remember another time.

My sister, Bec, and I had been with our mom in the fabric store for a while as she looked for the perfect materials for our dresses. Seeking out perfection takes hours, which I had understood, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t as bored as the next six year-old who knew what she wanted but didn’t want to help look for it.

And then in one second, in one note, I heard perfection. Whitney told me to “Dance with Somebody” and I grabbed Bec and did just that. It was a few minutes of perfection- both in song and in moment.

Afterwards, I continued on, occupying myself by looking through the openings of fabric rolls- sometimes meeting Bec’s eyes on the other side and sometimes looking into the other side at nothing. And most other times, wishing for another Whitney moment to be on the other side.

In 8th grade, I asked my mom if I could borrow her chocolate brown turtleneck sweater. It had a sophistication that my chunky American Eagle/Abercrombie & Fitch/Aeropostale sweaters had been lacking. It was a sweater that didn’t wear me. The fitted sleeves glided over my arms and the body’s roominess allowed me to breathe an air of confidence. It was a silhouette that matched the silhouetted figure I was growing into. It had a luxurious feel and an inviting warmth that made it a grown-up sweater.

I don’t remember why I looked at the inside tag- maybe I wanted to read the care instructions so I could ensure I gave it back to my mom in the same pristine condition. Or maybe I wanted to know what it was made of.

I didn’t know what this “Merino wool” was. All I knew from then on was that this wool was the “fancy” one.

Beyond my deeming, Margherita Missoni touted that “it’s the only wool that doesn’t tickle”, a fact that has contributed to its use in high fashion, classic suiting, and contemporary casual wear. In particular, Australian Merino is celebrated for its superior handle and drape, color capability, elasticity, and finesse. Beyond its interior and exterior benefits, it’s also a completely natural and renewable fibre.

A piece of clothing may look beautiful, but to know that Merino wool is at the heart of its composition, makes it all that more appealing to the body and Mother Earth.

And that still makes it the “fancy” one.

*This is a sponsored post.

Alexander Wang sweater, Zara coat, jeans, and boots, Vintage necklace via The Loved One

Black and blue,

blue and black,

black on black,

blue as

you.

Blue for you,

blue for us

that never was.

Admittedly, I shop a lot. I’m the one carrying a stack of boxes out of work, sometimes with someone by my side carrying the rest. I am a creature of habit. I wake up at 5am- not by any alarm, nor by any self-force. I just wake up and go online to the shops that update daily- who feed my habit. I am a creature of love. I love my clothes. I meticulously inspect each piece I buy and if one stitch is out of place, I send it back in exchange for the perfect one I will love. And when I’m not clicking and zooming and consuming, I’m the one asking the salesperson if he can bring out another pair of shoes because there’s an ever so slight scratch on the back. I want it to be perfect. So then he is the one who is carrying a stack of boxes. The one who is bringing me my love.

On Sunday, January 29th, join me and my fellow Two Point Oh! LA bloggers at our Space 15 Twenty Flea Market, where I’ll be selling my perfect loved ones. It’s not for lack of love, but rather, I’ve loved too much and my heart is full. All of my pieces will be priced to sell.

Tune in to see modeling industry veteran, Paul Fisher, transform the very world he has made more beautiful. He has been the man behind Naomi Campbell, Carol Alt, Janice Dickenson, Stephanie Seymour, and his latest beauty, The Network. This new venture is uniting hundreds of small agencies around the world to form The Network, a place I’ll be visiting every Tuesday night, thanks to The CW’s Remodeled.

[I may be impartial because I write for The Network Community, but it is because of my overwhelmingly positive, supportive experience with the team that I can't wait to see his team in action!]

This calculation is driven by the notion that we wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time. Favoritism in one word. Or rather, acceptable favoritism in one instance.

The 80%20 Spring 2012 Collection. It’s favoritism realized.

Ce Ce Chin, the designer of 80%20.

With Jules of Sincerely Jules, my sister, Bec, of Style with Benefits, Neekoh of LiveLoveLA, and Ce Ce.

The Romney Family in 1982.