Pick of the Day: Sole Survivor Leather Briefcase

Every working Lezsquire needs a good briefcase. 

And you'll be hard pressed to find a more awesome briefcase than Style No. 1005 from Sole Survivor Leather. 

Let's face it: after law school (or once you otherwise enter the professional world), a backpack will no longer cut it.  Your supervisors, clients, and co-workers expect you to look put-together and adult.  So being the young'un who marches into work with knapsack slung over your shoulders (no matter how cool it may be...) is a big mistake.

Those of us with more masculine taste in style get a hard rap when it comes to bags.  Feminine women have a plethora of purses and totes to choose from.  It's a bit tougher finding something that suits those erring toward the other side of the gender spectrum. 

Reminiscent of the harness belt, this sole survivor briefcase has striking good looks, classic styling, and a bit of an edge (hello "tongue" clasps).  The fixtures are solid brass, so you know it's built to last.  I think this is the perfect type of briefcase for the working queer who is going for professional respect while still remaining style conscious.  At $350, this bag is an investment but quite a steal compared to some of those designer purses our more femmey friends may tote.  And my bet is that it will last a lifetime and then some. 

Pick of the Day: The Popover Oxford

When you're a professional with a masculine sense of style, the button-down oxford shirt is likely to be ubiquitous in your life.  It's a style staple that is worn dressed up with a suit and tie, dressed down on weekends, and during many occasions in between.  Sometimes it's fun to switch it up a little - a spread collar here, french cuffs there.  Today's Pick of the Day is a spring-inspired playful twist on your classic button-down: the popover oxford.

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The popover oxford is essentially an oxford shirt with only 2-3 buttons, so that you pull it over your head like a polo shirt to put it on.  While this is definitely a more casual take on your traditional oxford, I think it could also be worn at work, if done right.

Pink Pullover Shirt by GANT

The popover looks classy yet fun on the weekends and off the clock. At work, wear it with a sweater or vest and no one will be the wiser until the weather warms up.  If you're feeling daring, try pairing it with a classic blazer and see if the boss bats an eye. 

New Haven Oxford Pullover by GANT

The thing to keep in mind with a popover shit is to keep the cut slim - otherwise it runs the risk of looking like a nightshirt.  GANT (featured above) has some pretty sweet popover shirts in both the "men's" and "women's" sections (the look is androgynous, so wear whichever fits you best).  Ann Mashburn also has a great collection of popover shirts.  But you'll see these popping up occasionally at J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, and other places as well.  So keep an eye out and consider adding a playful popover to your spring Lezsquire wardrobe.

Pick of the Day: Harness Belt by Sole Survivor Leather

I'm about to run off to suffer through a boring yet potentially comically ironic straight-people-oriented event (more on that later, perhaps) but before I go I wanted to share this find from Sole Survivor Leather. 

The description calls this a "harness" belt with a "long tongue".  Ladies!  Need I say more?

1 1/4 inch Harness Belt Style No. 915 by Sole Survivor Leather.

Well how about this: every Lezsquire should own at least two belts: one brown and one black.  Lezsquire warns against those two-sided "flip belts" due to the shoddy construction of most of them (they are usually fused leather and the sides separate after regular usage), but they are permissible if you absolutely must and are on a tight budget. 

Also, belts are somewhere that a young professional can have some fun.  It's hard to tell because I haven't seen this in person, but I would probably try to pull this off at the office.  The belt looks professional but with a twist because of the "tongue" (heh, heh) on the buckle.  So while I probably wouldn't wear this to a court appearance, it has the potential to get some compliments on weekends, parties, or even less formal days at work.  Plus it's made in the USA.  Can't beat that for the price.

So when that hottie litigator from your local LGBT bar association asks about it, don't be afraid to explain how the tongue and harness work on this thing.  ;-)

Pick of the Day: Lowly Gentleman Driving Gloves

Lezsquire believes gloves are exciting yet oft-overlooked piece of wardrobe.  As I understand it, in less temperate climates than Lezsquire's native California, gloves are worn for function rather than form.  While gloves might not be strictly needed in above-freezing weather, they are still something unexpected and novel that has the potential to take your look from "meh" to "A-mehy-zing!".  I especially like the idea of driving gloves because: 1) I drive a convertible, and 2) my hands are always cold.  Which takes me to our pick of the day: Driving Gloves by Lowly Gentleman.

Lowly Gentleman Driving Gloves

Just look at those lovely things!  They evoke some of my favorite memories: driving up and down the California coast on miscellaneous road trips and adventures.  The kind of trips where you never know what to expect, but you always know you will come back with a story to tell.  Even if you are just wearing these on your drive to work, they'll make you feel (and certainly look) like adventure and good times are just around the corner.

Unfortunately that is not my car.  (Source)

Apparently, glovemaking is a dying art in the US.  Lowly Gentleman had to scour the mean streets of Los Angeles to hunt down a third-generation Hungarian glove-maker for this pattern.  I think "The Monterey" tan color would go best with my car and wardrobe, but "The Hollywood" dark chocolate brown is also striking. 

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I have some vintage gloves I wear driving occasionally (such as on the above-mentioned road trips), but nothing as awesome as these.  If I did I guarantee I'd be wearing them both on my daily drive to work and weekend trips to the beach.  Point being: if you don't have any nice gloves, consider investing in a pair.  They'll look smashing with a matching outfit and roguishly dashing hanging out of your back pocket.

Pick of the Day: Levi's 510 Super Skinny Trousers

In a few of the sad years before I became a Lezsquire, I had to wear a school uniform which included khaki pants/shorts or (ew) skirt.  This lead to a deep and burning loathing of the color that caused the 12 year-old me to swear off khakis for life.

Fast forward to today and a more mature, worldly, and much more stylish Lezsquire who has welcomed the kakhi back into her life.  The pair that did it?  None other than Levi's 510 Super Skinny Trousers.

510 Super Skinny Trousers by Levi's

The khaki trouser is a wardrobe workhorse and is great for both business-casual and weekend casual occasions.  To dress down, wear them with a simple t-shirt or cuffed with boat shoes and a plaid button-down.  If the occasion calls for dressing up a bit more, pair it with a vest or navy blazer and button down for a classic "prep" look that puts my old school uniform to shame. 

I'm a big fan of Levi's, to the point where they are practically the only brand of casual pants I will buy.  Why?  There are few places Levi's goes wrong.  These trousers have a classic Levi's button fly and a solid construction that will withstand years of use and abuse.  But the best part about these pants is the fit.  Don't be afraid of the tailored cut.  Lezsquire believes if you have a body you are proud of, you should accentuate it and not hide it in loads of baggy fabric.  Most "men's" khakis tend to be too baggy, long in the crotch, and high waisted for a female-bodied person to wear.  These pants, on the other hand, fit wonderfully and unlike the name indicates, are not too skinny.  Perfect for those who like to tread gender boundaries.

Pick of the Day: Black Chelsea Shoe by Alexander McQueen

See pics below.  Requires no further explanation.

Black Chelsea Shoe - £825.00 at alexandermcqueen.co.uk

Because a Lezsquire can dream.

Pick of the Day: J.Crew Boy Shirt in Barbados Plaid

Today's Pick of the Day is the J.Crew "Boy Shirt" in Barbados Plaid.

Boy Shirt in Barbados Plaid - $75.00 at J.Crew.com

Though I am not too fond of the name, I am a big fan of the "Boy Shirt".  I have one similar to this in a cobalt/grey/white/yellow plaid and it has quickly become one of my favorites.  The 100% cotton shirt is so light and soft it practically caresses your skin.  Similar to J.Crew's "Perfect Shirt", the boy shirt is cut classically yet fits a woman's body well in all the right places.  The Barbados plaid is an invigorating shade of turquoise/ electric blue that hits the perfect note for the upcoming spring and summer seasons.  I envisage this dressed down for a day at the beach with a pair of khakis rolled up at the cuff and boat shoes, or dressed up for work tucked in with a light grey blazer and slacks.

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