Big "E" Levi's, big history.

Payday was always a religious experience for me when I began my first job at Caribou Coffee in Minneapolis. After two long weeks of slaving over espresso shots and steamed milk, I’d finally receive that long-awaited paycheck and head straight to my favorite vintage store, B-Squad. 

Prior to my earning money, B-Squad seemed like more of a museum than a clothing store. I’d spend hours fingering through their selection, dreaming of what I’d go home with if I had the money. To appease my desires, I’d purchase battered Prince records and $15 tour tees, leaving behind the pricier pieces to gather dust.

Hidden within a rack of leather jackets was a standout denim Levi’s vest with dozens of golden, star-shaped studs across the front and a giant black barcode printed across the back. At the time, I’d just begun listening to The Velvet Underground and watching Andy Warhol documentaries, so this particular piece seemed like the perfect way to realize my ’60s fantasy. I wanted so badly to look like Lou Reed—a struggling artist with no money and an irreversible drug addiction.

Unlike most Levi’s denim, this vest had a capital “E” on its signature red label, which indicated that it had been manufactured after 1950 and before 1971. Today, “Big E” Levi’s denim is so rare that many have resorted to creating fake labels to turn a profit.

Despite a month filled with visits to B-Squad, I could never justify that daunting $100 price tag. For weeks, I continued patiently saving my paltry barista paychecks, while the vest seemed to patiently wait for me, as well. Finally, on my 17th birthday, all this drawn-out waiting ended.

Like all previous paydays, I rode my lime green bicycle to South Minneapolis, but this time I was equipped with a crisp, white envelope proudly packed with $100. Like all previous paydays, I walked straight to that denim vest, but this time I wasn’t just window-shopping. And like all previous paydays, the owner of B-Squad warmly welcomed me, but this time she approached me with an undeniable proposal.

“How about you take that vest off my hands for $60 instead of $100,” she suggested, slyly. “Watching you drool every week is more painful to me than losing $40.”

I remember so clearly the feeling of leaving that hole-in-the-wall store with such a special piece of clothing—something I’d waited so long to acquire. In a high school filled with Sperry’s and Lululemon, that rugged, vintage vest really stood out in those boring, beige halls. This, however, is exactly what I wanted and still crave today—that reckless Lou Reed aesthetic. 

A fall must-have with a twist

Knit sweaters are known as fall fashion’s must-have clothing item, but heavy knit garments tend to get boring by the end of fall. This is why I love my H&M black knit sweater with cut-out sleeves. At a glance, it looks like the average sweater, but take a second look and you will notice it’s not-so-average sleeves.   

Usually knit sweaters make my body look too bulky because of my curves, but the cut-outs attract more attention to my shoulders, giving a balanced look to the rest of my body. The sweater is also lightweight and loose fitting, leaving extra room to layer without feeling like a walking bundle of fabric.

Black clothing is always classic and can stay in a wardrobe for months and maybe even a year or two. Even though the “cut-out” trend has re-appeared throughout the past couple of years, the cut-outs on the sweater—whether they will be trendy next year or not—will always make for an interesting ensemble. Without the subtle cuts, this would just be a black sweater.

Because of the sweater’s versatility it can be worn with denim, leggings and skirts, giving each look a different style. Toward the colder days of fall, the sweater can be dressed up with scarves, and the cut-outs make it breathable, allowing me to throw a on heavy coat during the winter months.   

Most days, if a sweater is on my outfit forecast, it is because I’m cold and I’m not looking to put too much effort into my look of the day. A black sweater goes with everything, but the cuts make the entire piece work double time, not only serving as a comfortable fall garment, but also an edgy piece without working too hard. I can dress the sweater down or up without feeling too lazy about my look.

Styling Shoes and Sexy Stilettos

Shoes can make or break an outfit. They are the accessory that pulls everything together and separates the stylish fashion elite from the amateur fashionista.  One can wear the most elegant dress or have the most put together office look, but throw on the wrong pair of shoes and she might as well be wearing last season's rags.

But having the perfect footwear isn't just about what it does for the outfit; it's about what it does for the wearer.  Nothing makes me feel more sexy and confident than a great pair of shoes. I appreciate the confidence I channel whenever I'm wearing heels.  I try to go for heeled boots or booties as opposed to a stiletto shoe because they are easier to walk in; and nothing breaks confidence more than face-planting on Chicago's city streets.

My favorite heeled shoes are my Tommy Hilfiger Rayelle Two Tone Booties  in dark green with a brown leather wrap.  I lead a lot of different lifestyles, and as a college student who can't afford tons of pieces, I need items that fit well in a number of situations. These booties are versatile enough to wear for both a casual or formal outing.  They look great styled with a pair of dark skinny jeans and a simple blouse as I head to class, as well as with tights and a little black dress for a formal work function.

My wardrobe consists of a lot of neutral tones, so I like using the dark green boot as a way to add subtle color into my outfit.  I like the dullness of the green because it blends nicely with the rest of my pieces.  It makes enough of a statement to show my styling abilities, but not too much to that it draws unwanted attention. 

Winter’s here early, time to dust off your faux fur

With winter in full effect in the cold city of Chicago it’s time to pull out my favorite piece from the back of my closet, my fur! Don’t worry, it’s not real, even though I’m not exactly against real furs. If I had the money I’d probably have one.

Furs are just so luxurious. They make you look like you have money or that you’re important and that’s what I strive to be. I feel like Anna Wintour or someone of her stature when I walk the downtown streets of Chicago in it (not that Anna Wintour would be walking anywhere, but you get the point). What’s that saying? “If you want the part, you got to the look the part”, something along the lines.

Along with many things in my closet, I picked this jet black fur from my favorite store, Akira, just last winter. Originally around $150 I snagged the statement piece for only $40 at the end of the season.

The fur is by a brand by the name of six crisp days and features a black faux leather panel strip in the front with gold zipper detailing. It goes with just about anything and that’s why I love it so much. The shaggy coat looks fashionable but it’s warm at the same. I wish it was the soft kind of fur but nethertheless it’s still my favorite. The coat has a loose box like fit so you still have room to breath. Who said you have to be bundled up like an eskimo to be warm?

The Everlasting Piece

Out of everything in my closet, from shirts, to jeans, to dresses, there is one piece that I go to for everything. My leather jacket. For two years now, I’ve used this jacket like it was my best friend.  With it being one of the more expensive pieces in my wardrobe, I never regret spending the money on buying it. When I put it on, I feel complete. I’m confident and it is like no one can stop me.

The real dark charcoal gray leather matches with everything I wear. It has a simple collar and zippers as the accents. They are on the sleeves and pockets. Although the outside had stitching going vertical on the sleeves and the coat itself, the inside it what really sold me.

There is also square stitching across the shoulders, almost making it look like there it shoulder pads. The bottom of the jacket also has a pattern stitch to give it a more fitted look.

The lining of the jacket is all a floral pattern. Which gives the jacket that delicate feeling of it.  The outside looks like the motorcycle jacket, that has been around for decades, but the inside makes it different, makes it for the a woman. It’s personalized to me. I am the type of person that wears floral patterns and grays. This jacket suits me perfectly, it describes me as a person, and it my comfort blanket that I go to for everything. It will forever be that piece of clothing that I can wear for years and it will never go out of style.

Some good shoes

    November, 2011, Friday afternoon. I bought them for two dollars, or a dollar a shoe. I was roaming around the Salvation Army on Grand and Milwaukee, looking for a blazer for a “fancy” dinner party that weekend, when they caught my friend Tom’s eye. He tried to squeeze his long ass feet in them, but they wouldn’t give. He tossed them my way. As every dumb 19 year old, I couldn’t give a damn about any shoe other than a Nike hi-top, but for two dollars, why the hell not. They were faded around the soles, but were nowhere close to falling apart.

    March 2012, a Thursday night. I wore blue jeans and a buttoned down shirt. I didn't want to wear sneakers, because while I was casually dressed, I wasn’t a casual. It was misting out, so I wasn’t about to break in my brand new Adidas’. So for the first time in my life, I wore dress shoes when I wasn’t explicitly asked to. Before heading off to a party, I stopped in my friend’s dorm room for a few beers. His roommate was a fashion major. He asked me what kind of shoes I was wearing. I took off one, looked at the sole, and told him Alan Edmonds. He nodded. He’d been looking for a pair like mine for years. I didn’t tell him how much I spent on each shoe until later that night, and he lightly punched me out of jealousy. I still don’t think he’s found his perfect pair.

    October 2013, the Friday night before Halloween. I’ve broken in the Alan Edmonds, through snow in wool socks, without socks and cuffed pants through humidity. It was a costume party a week early, I wasn’t aware, but I fit in as a twee professor. A lady came up to me, herself in knee socks and ankle boots with the zipper on the side. She was fascinated by my shoes, enough to come over to me. We talked the whole night. I was convinced these shoes were magical.

    November 2014, Sunday night, typing how I feel about these Allen Edmonds. I have other items of clothing. My dad’s 1968 graduation present Beatles jacket, made in Holland, when they used to make clothing in Holland, and when they used to call the country Holland. My green Levi’s skinny jeans, worn so much there’s a hole on each side. But I’ll never find shoes so respected, at a better cost, than the thrift store Allen Edmonds.

It’s Time for American Made

After only one month, the leather strap of my Shinola watch has begun to darken, which reminds me of my love and passion for the American-made timepiece.

The smell of fresh wood still remains on the box that encased my favorite watch. The box is proudly engraved with “Shinola Detroit,” so no one wrongly assumes that this is just another brand that manufactures outside the United States. As the box suggests, Shinola manufactures all of its watches in what was once the booming automobile manufacturing city of America. 

Though Detroit has deteriorated to its skeletal remains, according to Shinola’s website, “We’re starting with the reinvigoration of a storied American brand, and a storied American city. Because we believe in the beauty of industry. The glory of manufacturing.” 

Within the wooden box is a steel label, which reads, “Built by Stefan Mihoc,” who I learn from Shinola’s website is from Troy, MI and has worked for Shinola for three years.

As I wear my watch, I feel as though my purchase is contributing to the rise of the Motor City and success of the people within its walls. 

Before I purchased the watch, I spent 30 minutes of the sales associates time trying on countless Shinola watches. Shinola had me at ‘Made in America,’ but choosing just one watch was growing more and more difficult. I was in the market for a time piece that would join me through my lifetime, so I decided on The Runwell. Its tan leather strap stitched with cream thread was made at Chicago’s Horween Leather Company in Bucktown and blends well with my skin tone. Plus, the white face that's enclosed by a steel case compliments most of the items in my closet. 

Since the day I purchased the Shinola watch in early October, I haven’t gone a day without wearing it.