Clothes Line: Fashion Loiterers Flash Their Winter Gear

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 7:37 PM, February 14, 2007

During last week's fashion shows, we were curious what people outside the tent were sporting. And with global warming in hiatus, the winter garb of these fashion loiterers grabbed our attention.

No matter what the length, the hoodie, trimmed with fur in this 'hood, attached itself to many a coat with the wearer hidden further behind shades. Thankfully, the hoodless found expression in funky knit caps.

And although jackets in solid neutral colors reigned, shoes cropped up in all varieties, from flats to boots to Ugg-look-a-likes. However, what really stole the outside show was a person dressed in a studded jacket, shredded paper shirt, and bubble wrapped hat. He ran passed the tent screaming, "homeless fucking plasticides!" We don’t really now what that means, but one person exclaimed, "now that's fashion." We agree.

Clothes Line: Hats Off to Union Square

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 5:22 PM, February 2, 2007

Strolling around Union Square recently, we were distracted by people's colorful hat choices. Even the most reserved dressers brightened up their looks with crazy striped chapeaus. It's easy to see the appeal. These outfit exclamation marks are so powerful they can transform a non-showered mane into something stylish.

And judging from our walk around, people are wearing whatever shade or shape they please. Some sport flaps, some add a broach, and some opt for fur. Even those without a traditional tuque make use of a bandana or hoodie. This accessory carpe diem means even a cap with animal ears looks kinda cool.

Clothes Line: Top Coats of the East Village

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 4:20 PM, January 25, 2007

January finally feels correct. We recently walked around and found funky tweeds, modish lines, and '70s fur collars inspiring many a winter vision. It seems global warming has failed to change our wardrobes—this season.

In the East Village, splashes of orange, red, and white reigned against a prevalent mid-calf coat. Brief glimpses of denim appeared before being hidden again inside leather boots. The best accessories run from the eccentrically knitted to the petite and irreverent. We also learned camouflage jackets don't look half bad on Chihuahuas.

Clothes Line: Brooklyn Purse Envy

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 6:51 PM, January 17, 2007

This is a golden age for purses—or so hailed The New Yorker in their last style issue. It's easy to see why: waiting lists for new designer items extended into the next year, vendors hawk fakes everywhere, and ubiquitous advertising convinces you a life is incomplete without a Chloe Paddington. Threadster took to streets to see what people were clutching this winter.

In Brooklyn, aesthetics varied, with large styles dominating. Yet, whether leather or velvet, red or tan, practicality mainly reigned. When stopped, most pedestrians shrugged off their handbags with a casual "oh this old thing" attitude. Some admitted to dragging their carryall everywhere; others confessed it to be a cheap street purchase.

Although functionality beat out status, such practicality has its health hazards. In an "Unhealthy Fashion Trend?," Jessica Aspiras reports:

[A]ccording to chiropractor Dr. Denise Rassel, carrying a large, heavy handbag on your shoulder can create problems. "What happens is the woman has to raise her shoulder up to keep the purse on and what happens is it tightens up the musculature. And it actually translates the head over and the shoulder up."

Dr. Rassel recommends carrying an over-sized bag by your side and not overstuffing it. She also advises weighing it to make sure it's no more than ten percent of your body weight.

Thankfully these health risks haven't quite translated into a counter-trend. We would hate to see next season's styles come with clunky, extendable luggage wheels.

Clothes Line: The Look of Global Warming

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 10:33 AM, January 10, 2007

Clearly one of the most pressing concerns of climate change is how it will transform peoples' closets. At least this is Threadster's point of fixation, being a fashion blog and all. We took to the streets this past weekend, when the mercury hit 70, difficult style choices had to be made, and seasonal confusion set in.

In Brooklyn, we witnessed the "no white after Labor Day" rule thrown to the warm wind as a white knit dress was paraded down Bedford Avenue. Thankfully (for some), cut-off jeans were also thrown into the muddle—together with wool ponchos and fur-collared coats. It seems some had checked the forecast in advance, while unfortunate others dressed for "normal" January weather.

Over on the island of Manhattan, the t-shirt, in long and short forms, was really put to the test, paired with a wool scarf or under an opened fur coat. Nonetheless, Threadster found red-flamed "wooly-mammoth" snow boats and tundra-inspired jackets mingling in the same zip code as these warm weather inspirations. Unprecedented? Maybe. Seasonally confused? Definitely. Trend forecasters take note: This maybe the paradigm of many seasons to come.