Ears To The Streets: This Is Your Fathers Chambray. 1. Chloé SS10 2. Levi's "The Work Western Shirt" 3. L.L. Bean "Union Wharf Indigo Shirt" 4. Polo "Chambray Work Shirt" 5. J.Crew "Faded Chambray Shirt" 6. Lands End "The Heritage Chambray Work Shirt" 7. Gap "Indigo Military Chambray Shirt" & "Sun-Faded Chambray Shirt"

Ever since Chloé’s SS10 collection dropped last Fall I can’t get the image of MacGibbon’s denim clad model out of my mind. The head-to-toe-look from the tucked in Chambray to the slim fit jeans, not to mention the contrasting patches/shades of denim has stained my brain! So this post is dedicated to the Chambray shirt. And yes, it’s the same shirt your Dad might wear to work on “Casual Friday” but how you work it is all up to you. Go over-sized or kid sized for a shrunken look. But stay with a classic style, this way when the trend hits again you’ll be ready. There is no need to run out and drop ton$$ on a Chambray shirt. Here are some classic selections that don’t break the bank. You could even get a little crafty with it and get a seam ripper from the fabric/sewing supply store and remove the pockets alá Chloé! AND AND AND!! If you want to save even more hit up your local secondhand shop and hunt down a used version…no shame in that game! Spring is coming and she wants you to be ready!

Janelle Monae

Janelle Monáe, the Grammy nominated singer has been on our style radar for awhile now. The Bad Boy/Wondaland Arts Society artist comes to us via Kansas, New York City, Atlanta, and now she is in the land of Metropolis (year 2719) championing the neo-rockabilly look with an unforgettable mega pompadour. Although she regards her style as “Just Monae,” “minimalist and classic,” her tailored signature style compliments her avant garde R&B sound beautifully. There has definitely been a revival of the rockabilly (1950’s Americana) look on the runways. Sonia Rykiel and Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony both showed Fall 09 collections paired with creepers shoes, a rockabilly staple. I’m into the androgyny of this look. Monae makes it her own with the grandiose pompadour and feminine details, like bow ties and mod-style earrings.

Star on the rise - Androgyny meets Preppy Classic

Check out this interview where she talks about her “big brothers in the industry” Big Boi and Andre 3000, challenging creativity, inspirations, and her life long commitment to art.

Style Hunter

Shop the Retro look!
- Marc Jacobs Knitted Wool Cape available at mytheresa.com
- Stella McCartney Knitted Paillette Pants also available at mytheresa.com
- Lahaie black and white flats over at Aldo Shoes
- Super matte black basic wayfarers available over at OAK NYC
- Tuxedo pants by MCQ can be found at theoutnet.com
- Jeffrey Campbell’s Winkle Studded Creepers in Blue Suede at one of my favorite sites Nastygal.com
- Splice Neck Tie by Cheap Monday at Karmaloop.com
- Ribbon-trim textured-stripe shirt from The Gap

If I could grow my hair, this is what it would look like

Tis' the season to give a little and get a little in return with Gap and ServiceNation

Tis’ the season to give a little and get a little in return, seeing as Christmas is only a stones throw away. While this is the time to shop for those you love the most, this is also the time to give a little in return to the programs that make huge impact on our world. Gap Inc. has partnered with non profit ServiceNation to increase the impact of community service, through an activity we all know and love: shopping!

Through their collaboration, The Gap has facilitated their annual Give & Get discount shopping program taking place this weekend November 12-15, 2009. Through Give & Get customers can choose one participating charity and receive a discount card good for 30% off merchandise at The Gap, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Banana Republic. Not only will you receive that discount in stores and be able to use your card for online purchases for the four days of shopping, a portion of your purchase will be given to the charity of your choice.

Shopping is fun, but shopping in style for a great cause is what this holiday season is all about. So be sure to hit up ServiceNation to print out that 30% coupon and get to shopping!

Stella McCarthy x GapKids and babyGap

Gap, Inc is looking to expand their designer collaboration portfolio tapping Stella McCartney to design a capsule collection for the GapKids and babyGap sector. The line will hit store late 2009 and be sold in select stores in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, France Ireland, and Japan. It will also be available online in the US. The Gap operates 3,100 stores in the aforementioned countries with plans to increase thier international reach through franchise agreements in the Far East, Latin America, the Middle East, and across Europe.

“For years I’ve wanted to create a collection for kids,” she said. “It’s something I’ve often been asked about. I believe that this one-off collaboration will be a great way for customers to be able to participate in the Stella McCartney brand. I believe that kids’ clothing should be more accessibly priced, which is particularly important at the moment, given the current climate.”

The McCartney brand currently generally carries women’s ready-to-wear, footwear, bags, fragrances, eyewear, accessories, and Care skin care. In the past, McCartney has worked with H&M and is in her second season with her adidas by Stella McCartney line. The H&M release drew a frenzy among the young fashion set. The adidas line proves that she can deliver both performance and function. The design house has been operating since 2001 in a joint venture with the Gucci Group.

Khaki’s and cotton shirts will never go out of style, we just need a little reminder sometimes. The Gap lured in this years CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund nominees, which include Alexander Wang and Vena Cava, to recreate the classic khaki fabric. This is the kind of retail innovation we like to see! Expect that to hit stores June 16th.

I was shopping in Downtown SF a couple of weekends ago. The sun was shinning, as much as it does during a summer in San Francisco, and I happily came upon these two gents. I stopped and had a listen. I enjoyed what I was hearing and seeing but had to keep on schedule so kept moving. After I finished my shopping list and headed back to the streets, there they were again! The had moved locations and set-up in front of The Gap. Since I was done with my “chores” I was able to hang for a bit, take it all in and shoot this little video…which makes me giggle watching all the people walking back and forth..cinematographer, I am not.

Read more and peep the video after the jump!

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