Pic of the Day: Vest, Hat, and Photography

Today's Pic of the Day is a simple outfit.  A plain white button-up shirt, a black hat, and a black pinstriped vest. 

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But it comes together in an amazing way.  Most of the time, looking stylish is more about attitude and confidence than the actual articles of clothing you are wearing.  This picture embodies that notion.  The look, the stance, the way she is handling  the camera - these all convey that the wearer is a serious professional intent on executing her art.  The gaze is at once confrontational and alluring. 

Just the way we like it.

Lezsquire in... Ohio?

You read that right.  This California lawyer will be heading to Ohio later this weekend for an extended business trip.  When I was first informed of this several weeks ago, my first instinct was to do anything possible to get out of it.  Don't get me wrong - though I live in LA, I wouldn't consider myself a big-city person.  I lived a small-town life for several years and was quite fond of it.  But although I am a worldly and well-traveled Lezsquire, I have no experience in what I will endearingly call "Middle America".  Further, outside of work-related matters, I know next to nothing about Ohio.  Google tells me Ohio a red state whose motto is "with God, all things are possible".  Christ.  Separation of church and state, much?

I had a series of conversations with confidants that went something like this:

Me: "I could do a few days or even a week, but a whole month is going to be horrible.  No one will like me and there will be nothing to do and when I'm not working I'll be sitting in my hotel room crying."
Friend: "Why would you think that?  You're friendly and likable and attractive.  I'm sure they will love you."
Me: "I'm from California, I'm liberal, I'm a professional woman, I'm a feminist, and I'm gay.  Dealing with prejudice and getting acceptance in California is hard enough sometimes!  I'm pretty sure people like me get hate crime-d or lynched out in Middle America!!"

In short, I was afraid that people would judge me negatively based on stereotypes before they got to know me.  Then I realized that was exactly what I was doing to Ohio.  Acting out of fear before I gave it a fair chance. 

I also learned that this was a non-negotiable assignment, and that I would get giant piles of travel pay.

So, Ohio, I am going to try to get to know you.  To begin, a positive impression.  Below is what I imagine to be an "Ohioan lesbian outfit". 

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Definitely not your typical big city business attire, but still dapper.  Still Lezsquire-friendly.  Is this what people actually look like in Ohio?  I don't know, but I'm going to find out.

So, if there are any Lezsquire readers out in Ohio or the surrounding areas, drop me a line.  Show me how great the rest of our country can be.  (Or at least, show me where the gays hang out.)

Formal Friday: White Hot Suit

I'll admit to owning a white suit.  I was warned against buying it.  Unknowing friends gasp when they learn that I have one.  But on the special - and I mean special - occasions that I wear it (think Easter and bourgeois croquet-picnic parties), I always get compliments.  The white suit takes major daring to pull off.  Perhaps a bit of imprudence.  But if you have the audacity to go for it, the results can be fantastic.  You may just become a shining lesbian savior in a dark world of wayward fashion sinners.  Just check out today's Formal Friday image of silent film actress Myrna Loy in a white suit. 

It's amazing how "right" those actors and actresses of yesteryear got some things.  I think a hot lesbian donning this look today would look just as fabulous and fashion-forward as Myrna looked back (in the 1930s?) when this was shot. 

For me, wearing my white suit always makes me feel like Valentine Michael Smith from one of my favorite novels, Stranger in a Strange Land.  Sometimes you wear an outfit to please others. Other times, it is something special that you put on to please no one but yourself.  The white suit is the latter.

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.

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.  ;-)

Formal Friday: Glasses and sweaters and suits, oh my!

I hope all my readers out there are having a wonderful Formal Friday!  Tonight I am the happiest little lawyer ever because I'm starting work on my first pro bono legal project since becoming a licensed attorney (lawyers out there should recall that we should all strive to do at least 50 hours of pro bono work annually).

As you can see, I am not afraid to loosen up a little after work.  Notice the unbuttoned shirt cuff.

Brooks Brothers double breasted navy wool blazer.  Silk shirt with oystershell buttons.  Gold watch.  Posh.

So while I won't be demurely perched above a pinball machine like today's Formal Friday pic, I will still be keeping it classy.

The herringbone blazer in this picture is awesome.  I love how it brings out the tie's complimentary pattern.  The slim lapels of the suit give this look a a stylish modern touch.  Also, note how a classic pair of glasses can really pull a professional look together.  Great for lending credibility during your after-hours legal work.

Because even when you're doing it for free, you should still look like a lawyer.