In Spades

Style... in abundance

Moussy Vintage Jeans

Moussy Vintage jeansTee // Jeans // Sunglasses // Bag // Sneakers

By now you know that when it comes to denim, I leave no stone unturned.  I mentioned needing to update my Top 5 Denim post (one of the first blog posts I ever wrote for In Spades!), but before I do, I wanted to dedicate a post to Moussy Vintage.

This is a brand I’ve been stalking for years but never pulled the trigger until recently.

The Details

Moussy Vintage is premium Japanese denim.  If you’re not aware, there are two parties that can claim winner when it comes to the history and expert, artisanal craft of creating denim.  Levi Strauss.  And the Japanese.

If you’re a diehard denim lover, I highly recommend at least trying this brand on.  They are like the rarest, coolest vintage Levi’s straight out of the gate.  Their washes are unparalleled.  Literally EVERY SINGLE WASH is gorgeous – no fake looking or mediocre washes here.

This Tokyo-based label was pretty hard to find until about 5 years ago.  They are now carried at major retailers and have a brick and mortar store in Soho.

The tough part about these jeans are 1) they’re expensive (but sales do exist!) and 2) they create dozens of styles and it’s really difficult to know how they’ll fit unless you try them on.

Sizing

A Moussy Vintage expert will tell you to go with the smallest size you can because the majority of their styles are 100% cotton and are made to mold to your body.

My take?  I agree, but if you prefer a more comfort fit, size up one size.  I am wearing a size 26 (normally a 25 or 26 in jeans).

My Uniform

The more time that passes in the pandemic, the more I realize my appreciation for jeans.  Okay, I just read that sentence back to myself and laughed.  I know I’m denim obsessed.  But if you told me I had to narrow my closet down to 10 pieces, jeans would fill at least 2 of those slots.

A lot of people ask me what items are truly worth investing in.  Denim is absolutely at the top of my list.  Jeans get worn A TON.  They have the ability to make you look amazing or just okay.  They’re a workhorse item and strike the balance between fashion and function more than any other item in your closet.

So if you’re looking for a pair of superior quality jeans that only get better over time, check out Moussy Vintage.

Have you tried Moussy Vintage jeans?  What are your favorite denim brands?

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Fashion Friday

Jeffrey Campbell Lita

Lindsay Lohan image via Zimbio; Jeffrey Campbell 2010 ad campaign

It came to my attention that this week marks the 10 year anniversary of the Jeffrey Campbell Lita.  If you’re not familiar with this ridiculous platform shoe by name, don’t worry.  I wasn’t either until I saw the 10th anniversary article.

But like me, I’m sure you ARE incredibly familiar with this shoe.  It dominated the early 2010’s.  Lindsay Lohan had them.  Jessica Alba had them.  Just about everybody had them.

Why am I devoting a Fashion Friday to these little monsters?  Well, you know I love an ugly shoe.  But really, this shoe represents a lot of firsts for me.

It was the first item I ever sold on Poshmark.  It was the shoe that first introduced me to LF Stores.  But most importantly, it was the first item that I was ever influenced to buy.

Let me explain.

I have been a devout reader of fashion blogs since they came on the scene in the mid 2000’s.  I stalked photos on Tumblr and graduated to blogs when I discovered the now defunct Closet Therapy.  That blog led me to Fashion Toast and Rumi Neely quickly became one of my favorite bloggers.  She was from San Diego.  She had a whimsical, quirky way of writing.  And she didn’t give a f*ck.  She wore what she wanted to.  She wore what spoke to her.  Back then, she actually wore clothes.

Then one day I saw them.  Towering, chunky lace-up platforms.  She owned them in at least three colors and they made her look SO COOL.

I had to have them.  I called every stockist listed on their website to find out how I could get my hands on them.  YES, this was before e-commerce was a thing and finding them online was quite the feat.

LF Stores carried them and there happened to be a store near me.  I immediately drove there.  They didn’t have any in stock, but when I referenced Rumi Neely they told me she shopped there frequently – I almost died.

I was able to locate them online and almost bought them in blueberry colored leather.  After hemming and hawing for a week, I finally decided I should be “practical” and bought them in sand colored suede.

The first time I wore them was to meet my best friend for lunch.  We’re the same height, and when she showed up in flats, our welcome hug was like Andre the giant hugging a small child.

Once home, I almost twisted my ankle getting out of the car.

I probably only wore them three times before selling them on Poshmark years later.

They were weird, ugly and I 100% fell into the hype, but they were FUN.  Being mesmerized the first time I saw them on a blogger, the quest to find them and finally owning them was a sartorial rite of passage.

So cheers to you the Jeffrey Campbell Lita.  Happy 10 years.  May you live on in fashion infamy.

Nautical Vibes

Nautical Look Nautical LookTop (similar here) // Jeans // Shoes (similar here) // Sunglasses (similar here)

I love a nautical inspired look.  Especially in summer.  I will never forget the scene from Clueless when Dione tells Cher all of her bridesmaids will wear sailor outfits with sailor hats.  Teehee!

My top is from Tibi and although it’s old, I break it out every spring and summer.  The shirred sleeves are so fun.  Tibi tends to revisit this style season after season, which I adore.

These jeans remind me of vintage Japanese denim, so of course I had to have them.

Last week I had a random shower thought when it comes to denim.  Go with me on this.

If jeans are 100% cotton, they need a button fly.  It just solidifies that vintage, lived-in look.  But if jeans have any type of stretch in them, they need a zipper fly.  So many denim brands are opting to do all button fly’s nowadays and the reality is that it adds a lot of extra bulk.  If your jeans have stretch in them, then you are probably wearing them pretty snug.  And who wants extra bulk in skinny jeans?  Not me.

After trying on a few pairs of mid-raise stretchy jeans (and none of them working out), I’ve realized that a zipper fly is the way to go.  I found these, and think they fit the bill perfectly.

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The One That Got Away

Celine SS18It’s been a while since I shared a The One That Got Away story for Fashion Friday.  So it must have been serendipitous that I would run across this photo this week.

Sometimes I think my memory blocks out the ones that get away.  Like a defense mechanism, it doesn’t want me to relieve that ‘what could have been’ feeling.

Immediately upon seeing this photo, I drew in a sharp, quick breath.  WHY!  Why did I let this beauty get away?

Celine SS18Left image: Diego Anciano; Right image: Phil Oh for Vogue

Made from the most luxurious, sumptuous knit, this dress was [literally] like being wrapped in a warm blanket.  A blanket sent down from the heavens.

The circular enamel embellishment with gold pin reminded me of the t-shirt rings from the 80s.  Those, but elevated to epic proportions.

The way it draped in the front gave it an easy yet formal feeling.  Kilt-like.  Intriguing.

It was, of course, Pheobe Philo for Celine.

Here’s the rub of this beauty that got away.

This dress, this dream, was from the last collection Philo would have input on for Celine.  (Her official final collection was Pre-Fall 2018.)

Here’s the thing.  At the time, you couldn’t buy Celine online.  Ready-to-wear was only available in store.  24S would go on to sell Celine RTW online, and once Hedi Slimane took over, Celine.com would as well.

But this.  This was a pivotal moment.  It was that moment between her last ounce of creative expression for the brand, and it’s unavailability to the average consumer.

An urban fashion legend.

So why, oh why, did I let this rare opportunity pass me up?  I will never be able to answer this question.  It has plagued me numerous times.  I have an infinite number of The One’s That Got Away.  There will be more.

These treasures, these ones that got away, are like memories.  Like the Hall of Prophecy in Harry Potter (yes, super geeky) these treasures are kept on endless rows of towering shelves, stored in delicate glass orbs.

And that’s what fashion is.  A frozen moment in time.  The way it makes you feel, how it influences your interpretations, how the world perceives you.  It’s an essence.  Channeled through a physical being.

Philo’s Celine is one of the most celebrated designer runs in history.  This quote by Cathy Horyn epitomizes the magic:

“Because Philo’s clothes were not just simply for women; they were also about women — their distractions, their routines, the way they stuff a bag under an arm or concoct an outfit out of a dress and trousers, their sideways longing for red-lipped glamour, their disdain for basics, their love of uniforms, their wisdom and maturity. It was all there, every season, expressed in the clothes.”

Had I known.  Had I known…

ICYMI: The One That Got Away Volume II

Top 5 Favorites – July 2020

I cannot believe we are in the final stretch of the year.  I hope you are all enjoying a great summer!

Your Top 5 Favorites from July included some repeats (that I can’t live without) and my fave denim.

Jamie Jeans

AGOLDE Jamie JeansThese jeans top AGOLDE’s list for the most coveted, and rightly so.  While reviews will tell you sizing is all over the place and they are only for long and lean bodies, let me tell it to you straight.  I did a full breakdown on them here, but trust me when I say they look good on everyone (curvy ladies too).

Parker Jeans

Golden Goose Superstar Sneakers

If you’re looking for a super comfortable pair of straight leg jeans, these are it.  Made for a relaxed fit, I took my true size, but I know some people prefer to size down for a more fitted look.  I wear them around the house, playing with my daughter, etc.  They are cropped so all shoes look great with them.

Comfiest Bra Ever

Comfortable bras

This bra will probably be a repeat favorite for the rest of the year.  It’s just THAT GOOD.  Lucky for us, it’s marked down as part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  One color has already sold out so jump on it fast!

Dee Shorts

Agolde Dee ultra high rise shorts

Another repeat fave, these high-waisted cutoffs are so flattering.  I wrote a full review here, but I recommend sizing up.  They come in tons of washes and will last you summer after summer.

501 Shorts

Levi's 501 ShortsFor a more affordable pair with an eternally classic style, I adore these.  I take my true size, but size up if you want a relaxed fit.  The fun part is searching for vintage styles – these cutoffs are the first ever in history!