Look of the Day: LA Style

Lezsquire readers!  I am happy to report that I am back from my extended business trip to Ohio.  Although some excitingly gay events coincidentally happened while I was in town, I have to say... damn, it's good to be back. 

(And before you ask regarding my trip: No, I sadly did not see one fashionable outfit [besides those in the mirror] the entire month I was away.  Better luck next time.)

In honor of my triumphant return, here is a slice of quintessential LA lesbian style for you.

Note the artfully slicked back, sun-kissed hair, dark aviators, and double breasted black suit.  The perfect look for effortlessly doing justice on the idyllic palm-lined streets of LA. 

Look of the Day: Go-to-Hell Pants

The go-to-hell pant is back envogue, and Lezsquire couldn't be happier.  I've always harbored a little not-so-secret love for prep style ever since I first laid hands on a copy of The Official Preppy Handbook as a young Lez.  Aptly named, the go-to-hell pant is a fashion conundrum.  The button-downed prepster's Ivy League attempt to bring a bit of punk rock abandon into their lives. 

Dandy and white suit wearer Tom Wolf is credited with first coining the phrase in an article for for Esquire about the elite preps vacationing at Martha's Vinetard.  He writes:

The jackets were mostly navy blazers, and the ties were mostly striped ties or ties with little jacquard emblems on them, but the pants had a go-to-hell air: checks and plaids of the loudest possible sort, madras plaids, yellow-on-orange windowpane checks, crazy-quilt plaids, giant houndstooth checks, or else they were a solid airmail red or taxi yellow or some other implausible go-to-hell color. They finished that off with loafers and white crew socks or no socks at all. The pants were their note of Haitian abandon… at the same time the jackets and ties showed they had not forgotten for a moment where the power came from.

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The above look is a great example of how to pull off the go-to-hell look.  Things to note:

• Subdued accompaniments.  The most important part of pulling off the "go-to-hell" look well is to not go over the top, or you'll just look like a clown.  This means going for an overall "conservative" look with one shocking element.  Here, note that the classic look of the sweater, button-down, shoes, belt, and watch really allow the pants to shine.  
• Get the color or pattern right.  It's called "go-to-hell" for a reason.  Now is not the time to be shy.  Go with the boldest and most clashing color or pattern possible.  Think yellow, salmon, red, or seafoam for solids and big bold plaids for patterns.  If you go embroidered pattern route (tiny sailboats, flamingos, or the like), make sure it's something representative of your personality.
• Boat Shoes.  Sperrys are a prepster essential, so if you're planning on pulling off the go-to-hell look anywhere near an ocean, make sure to grab a pair. 
• Fun socks.  Also envogue nowadays.  Just 'cause it's too cold to go sockless doesn't mean you can't have fun "down there".  Spice up your Sperrys with some fun patterened or striped socks.  

So when you're feeling a bit punchy at your next work picnic or romp with the friends, consider telling the world to go to hell. 

Suits Me: More Milla Jovovich

If you haven't noticed already, I think Milla Jovovich has (or had, circa the 1990s) the perfect hot lesbian look. 

(Source)

Check out that haphazardly slicked back mane.  Professional with an edge.  In addition to the spectacular lesbian hair, Milla is rocking one excellent grey suit.  This lighter shade of grey is particularly great for springtime.  Pop the collar a little.  Because you're a badass. 

But the best part is the gaze.  Threatening?  Playful?  Dismissive?  Enticing?  Aggressive?  Challenging?  All of the above?  Yes please.

The hot lesbian look is all about attitude. 

(And with that kind of attitude, who needs a shirt?)

Look of the Day: The Sailor Look

I have always had an intense love affair with the ocean.  The salty sea breeze.  The boats unfurling their sails as they glide across the water.  The perfect accompaniment for all of these things - the sailor look.

Here are some essential pieces that will have you looking like a salty sailor in no time:

The Navy Peacoat

These are standard issue, so if your girlfriend is in the Navy, you can steal hers.  She'll have like 10 other cool uniforms to wear anyway.  If not, pick one up on the cheap at a surplus store.  I prefer how these look with brass buttons, and if you're enterprising you can always switch these out yourself. 

The Striped Shirt 

Unisex Fine Jersey
Stripe Short Sleeve V-Neck by American Apparel

Toss on a striped shirt or sweater and you'll be ready to sail the seven seas in no time.  The sweater is more classic sailor attire (it gets cold on the vast unforgiving ocean), but depending on the weather a t-shirt works just as well.  Go with a broader stripe if you can find one (don't you hate how women's clothing manufacturers seem to feel the need to miniaturize things, including stripes, to be indicative of gender?).  White and navy stripes are classic, but there are several combinations that work.  A crew neck will do to look like part of the crew (but my personal preference is for a v-neck).  

The Boat Shoe

Sperry Top-Sider Authentic Original Boat Shoe - Available at sperrytopsider.com

I love love LOVE Sperry Top-Siders.  I'm usually one for style over comfort, but these shoes are a win-win.  Every time I wear them, I feel like I'm headed off to an adventure on the high seas.  My pair is a sueded brown, but Sperrys come in lots of cool colors nowadays so find a pair that suits you.

Pair the above pieces with some cuffed up khakis and you'll have the ladies hoisting their anchors in no time.

Any other sailor look-must haves?  Got a boat and need a Lezsquire deckhand?  Enter your verdict below!