Plaid, Gold, and Leopard

Saturday early afternoon, after a late night out and about in the city, darting around SoHo and Brooklyn, the filmmaker and I were feeling particularly lazy and lax, but excited for a stroll in the brisk air to get a sandwich from local favorite spot C'est Cheese. Unfortunately, the sun mischievously deceived me, shining brightly for a brief moment as I dressed, before darting behind some dark clouds. I laughed at the thought of donning a jacket, and then quickly became chilled. Luckily, at least, I had a few layers to protect me from the elements: a thin gold sweater, a recent and favorite acquisition from Gap, atop a Ralph Lauren red, blue, yellow plaid button-down shirt. The sweater layered with button-down combination always simultaneously evokes very particular brand catalogues, and certain characters from northeastern universities. When I was younger, I found the look to be stuffy, suffocating, figuratively and literally, but now, with a more creative and sophisticated sartorial eye, I embrace this bit of classic styling.


Large golden round earrings have quickly become a jewelry favorite, and easy to grab from my perfume tray array of baubles, oddly enough, given that so many of my pieces are statements and verbose ones at that. Frequently at work, as though I am a sultry secretary from the 1960s, I take my clip earrings off to answer and speak on the telephone; these are prime examples of obtuse structures that can obscure adequate hearing.


I discovered this vintage handbag at one of those large warehouse, indoor-outdoor antiques markets in Manhattan when I was still at university, about six years ago. I remember my mother telling me she had peered at it, expressed interest, and scoffed at the price; I, on the other hand, went in for the kill, tearing into this leather and pony hair design with relish and delight. Paying around 40$ for this piece, a relic from the 1950s, with beautiful tooled leather featuring a prominent and austere chief, I believe I made the superior shopper decision.



Leopard loafers, with a decidedly men's wear-inspired shape and tenor, always versatile and always comfortable. Leopard, though obviously a pattern, is one of my favorite faux-neutrals, especially when it comes to shoes; just like a great red shoe or a nude camel shoe, leopard can be paired with a rainbow of fabric colors and textures.


No afternoon sandwich session is complete without some bodice-ripping prose to hasten the heartbeats, to tingle heavy pheromones with the quickening breath.


Olive focaccia bread, grilled chicken, pesto, tomatoes, red peppers, and melted fresh mozzarella, all warmed to perfection, partnered with a 7Up soda.