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. 

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.

Pic of the Day: Studious Lesbian 2.0

Here is another take on the "studious lesbian" look featured on Lezsquire last Thursday.  I really love the jacket here (from Katherine Hooker).  It's casual yet well-structured - perfect for a day of informal research or hitting the books.

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I think this is an overall androgynous look that could go in either a masculine or feminine direction.  The jacket is made for women and definitely tailored to a woman's body, but because of the clean lines and sharp structure, it gives a crisp look that definitely treads into the masculine end of the style spectrum.  With the brass buttons and stand-up collar, it is reminiscent of a more sophisticated take on the baseball jacket.

Style this with a button-down and a nice pair of slacks and belt, and you'll be an academic all-star in no time.