Dear Ethers,

I’m shocked it’s another Friday.  It felt like yesterday I was slipping on my little pleated dress and writing my post.  The weeks are flying by……it’s kind of scary actually.  But none of this deep talk!  No sireee!  This is fashion baby, and a Friday to boot and we want to have fun, right?

As you know I root for anything with an elastic waist.  So, I am donning the most fashionable item of clothing that allows me to wear something without a zipper or buttons.  Yep—leggings.  I’ve sung their praises on this blog a zillion times so I won’t tell you how versatile, easy and how they have become the new jean—but I will say that I will be living in them until Vogue or Glamour or whoever the fuck the arbiter of fashion these days is says they must be binned. And you know what?  Even THEN I will wear them to small Eastern European countries who think they are still hip.  In fact, I will ONLY travel to such places because they will think I am on the cutting edge of the catwalk and will envy my stretchy leg coverlets.

I’m wearing a really fun camisole that I think would look as cool with leggings as they would with jeans.  The top  sort of has a 70’s/80’s “I’m a babe” disco attitude which I like—and the back has—guess what—elastic banding!  Could this top be better suite for me?

The shoes—you either love them or hate them.  I’ll tell you what will make you decide.  You hate moccasin fringe-like shoes or you totally dig them.  I am all about the latter.  I always wanted some fringed shoes but thought they had been overdone by now.  But when I saw them in this cool sandal form in a sleek black, and they were comfy as hell, I said, yep, slip those on my tootsies and call them my own.

I like this outfit because this is just a normal, everyday get-up.  This is something I would run out and get the groceries in or would meet a mate for brunch and a coffee wearing.  Is it jaw-dropping?  No.  But it is young, fun and has a bit more pizzaz than a crappy track-suit and trainers and I feel as comfortable.  I also think it has a beat of its own and unlike all the pastel wearing, glittery girls that can be so L.A., I like to bring a bit of dark casual to the streets here

So happy weekend, and I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.  I am seriously overwhelmed with writing—both my deadlines for pieces are due Monday.  I’m writing a fun shoe piece and a really fab style piece about a very famous dress.  More details to come.  One will be a main feature in a major newspaper.  I’m pretty psyched.  But—I wanna impress because if it goes well, this is the direction I want my career to be going in.  I would love red carpets to be simply a dyed rug in my past.

And speaking of red carpets…let’s roll out one for Fashion Fridays!

Dedicatedly yours,

—One of 365

Casual, easy, fun, youthful and just a really easy way to be laid-back and look put together without having to dawn that horrible tracksuit. It's as convenient but has a little more pizzaz and is a bit more "now." I think the tracksuit, although will always be on the market, has sadly seen its day

I don't know why, but I feel like I'm conjuring Drew Barrymore when I'm wearing this top. It's really fun, 80's, whimsical and somewhat child-like but cut for an adult. I don't know if you can see the little ribbons on either side of the bodice, but they are a cute add on to the camisole. I like the tight top half and the loose bottom ruffle drape. I suppose you could dress this up, but the material is not very fancy and I think it's a cool "throw on and run out of the house" piece. Stars Camisole, 10 pounds, Topshop, London

Yes! Viva La Elastic Waist! C'mon girls....you know if you could make couture and hip clothes with an elastic waist you would vote yay. But, sadly, elastic waist= super Wal-Mart style. Leggings are one of the only items we can get away with these days with a whole lot of stretch unless we're pregnant, so LOVE IT! I have these in brown as well and I wear them everywhere. I look better in them when I'm not shoveling cookies down my gob and going to the gym, but they are a happy piece of cloth for me. And a bargain too. Black Leggings, $6.99, Target, Los Angeles

So, as I said before, you either love em' or you hate em'! I love em'....they are really boho fun and easy to walk in for hours. They are a great alternative then just throwing on a pair of crappy black flip-flops. The only negative is that the laces become unravelled sometimes, but besides that, the sole is comfy and they have great ankle support. I like them with the fun and youthful top and I'm glad I got them in black so I can wear them a little more dressy than I would be able to do with a more rugged brown. Black Moccasin Sandals, Dolce Vita, $98, Diavolina, Los Angeles

Dear Ethers,

I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut-off for the last few days and have been very grateful for clothing that has allowed me to look like I didn’t just roll out of bed but kept me comfortable and able to be on the move.  It’s impossible to jump from one appointment to another in 4″ heels (or try driving in them) and unless I need to be really dressy for an event, for the most part, I can keep it casual.  It’s also warm in L.A. so I want to be wearing light gear that’s gonna allow me to move and shake.  No short skirts where knickers might be shown or stifling shirts wear I have pit stains to prove my stress.  So, for this fabulous Fashion Friday, I am dedicating it to the woman on the move.  The woman who wants to look halfway decent, on-trend and chic but can’t be struggling in stilettos whilst doing it.  I’m talking leggings, a barely there racer-back silk tank, comfy bejeweled flats and a rockin’ hipslung belt to tie it all together.  This look is great for Mom’s who need to throw on something quick but wanna be the hottest ticket on the playground.  Students who are late for class and need to jump into something FAST.  And just anyone who wants to look put together but not suffer the consequences.  And the best part–the whole outfit cost me under $150!!!!!  Hey, you know I’m the queen bee of deals.  Oh, and I feel like the leggings and the top make me look heavier than the photograph is portraying  I know on Twitter I have been talking about what a chunk I have become….but honestly, this IS really the camera!  The tank is actually really billowy and hangs beautifully and the leggings—well, they just photograph badly.  What can I say–well, it’s what I always say.  I never claim to be Kate Moss nor does my photographer claim to be Mario Testino.  Bah!  Excuses, excuses.  I hope you enjoy and get inspired to be free and fashionable!!!!

This is soooo comfy!! The belt is there for adornment so it is loose and not constrictive. The tank is made of silk and is oversized so it breathes and the leggings have an elastic waist. What could be more comfortable? And those flats! They have a little peep-toe so your foot breathes and they allow you to boogie around the city because there is no restrictive heel. Gotta love it.

This racer-back tank is made of silk and air! It's oversized with large cut armholes and it feels barely there. It has a slight stretch to it in case you'd want to wear it tighter, but it really is meant to be worn loose and baggy. I love the zebra print with brown, white and pink colors and get this---Nicole Richie owns the exact same one!!!!! Pair this with white trousers to dress it up, jeans to funk it out or leggings to be your comfy self. Decolette Tank, Originally $250, paid $25, Vionette Boutique, Los Angeles

It doesn't get any easier than this! Plain cotton mix leggings with an elastic waist (you guys KNOW how much I love that) are the new jean. They are a fashion staple and if you don't own a pair go out and grab at least one in black. They are so great for just throwing on and using as a layering piece. Pair with boots and a sweater or a tunic and sandals. Leggings are so versatile and comfortable--everyone is wearing them. They look good on almost all body types. They look GREAT with heels, hard to pull off with flats (you see I'm struggling in the photo) and killer with the new over-the-knee boot trend coming this Fall. Brown Leggings, $6.99, Target, Los Angeles

The most expensive piece in this whole outfit. I just like how this belt adds a little funk to the look and breaks up the leggings from the tank. I love a hipslung belt and I think if you have wide hips it can help minimize them. I adore the grommets and the oversized buckle. I've owned this belt for 5 years and it has been such a great investment piece. Jocasi Belt, 65 Pounds, Topshop London

Flats are a must for comfort and for a woman on the go. How can you move and groove in sky-high heels? Impossible! I love these because your feet won't get sweaty because of the peep-toe and the fabric is a nice grosgrain so it's not gonna be sweaty like leather. I also love the color which is a fun and cheerful pink which meshes beautifully with the top and I think goes well with brown. And the little jewels! They are so lovely and add a bit of fun to the whole flat making them not only functional but fashionable. Pink Flats, Originall 35 Pounds Sterling, paid 10 Pounds Sterling, Topshop London

Okay, I normally don't choose images like this for my blog, but c'mon, this was IRRESISTIBLE! Is that vintage Nick Nolte in the center? Anyway, these chaps went from "dudes" to "studs" because of their jean choices, but I have not gone from "dudette" to "filly" from my denim decisions yet. I say "Nay" to this fashion fixture!

Dear Ether,

Jeans.  Do you find them to be the most frustrating item of clothing in your wardrobe?  (Well, the bathing suit isn’t great, but at least you only have to pull that sucker out a handful of times a season…).  But damn those jeans!  I think I’ve probably spent $2000 dollars on denim and still don’t have a single pair that fit, feel comfortable, are the right trend, flatter me or even have the right wash (who knew a fade, or a whisker would make or break me?).  

Is the skinny jean or the full-leg the “cool” way to go?  High waist or low?  Both you say?  Okay, so then I run out, spend major bucks on BOTH and now I have to decide how to alter them.  Which pair do I wear with heels or with flats?  And now what height heels?  Arghhhhh!  Then you have dressy jeans and casual jeans.   And what about embellished ones like Rock & Republic? Oh, speaking of Rock & Republic, why the fuck do jeans cost almost $300?  I remember growing up and my mom spent like 40 bucks from The Gap and they were totally acceptable.  Oh, no, not anymore!  Now you have Sass & Bide, Paige, J Brand, See By Chloe, True Religion, Citizens of Humanity, Diesel—even bloody Victoria Beckham has her own line!  How do you even begin to choose?  

What’s with the size variations.  One brand you can be a twee 25 while another you’re a 30.  Huh?  And why the hell do they make jeans for women who are 6 foot 5?  I’d like to meet the woman who is buying the size 24 jeans with a 34 inch leg.  So that adds like another 15 bucks at least to the already pricey denim (another 10 or so dollars if you want the original hem sewn back on the bottom—so the grand total for alterations at a cheap place is $25).  By now you’ve put a down payment on a car.  But, by the time the tailor has given you back your ship-shape shorties, then the trend changes.  Or, you’ve gained 2 pounds and you can’t fit into them anymore.  Even better, they’ve shrunk in the wash.  I LOVE when that happens, especially when the shop girl says, “Oh, no, buy them tight.  They totally stretch out.” This all being said when you can’t even breathe or sit down in them in the store and you’re sporting major camel-toe. (Word of advice: NO! They do NOT stretch out THAT much.  And, yes, they do become itsy-bitsy after a spin cycle. EVEN in cold water after washing them inside out!). 

UGH!  I hate jeans.  I love shopping and finding a deal or a fab find.  But jeans—they are the 1 thing I hate to dig through the shops for.   And damn those magazine pages for always promoting the “next biggest name” so of course you have to run out and get that hot new label with their brand emblazoned in Swarovski crystals on the rear pocket in some nutty pattern.  I also always hate the articles promoting the “perfect pair for you if you have X body type.” Those pages are NEVER helpful to me, and I can’t ever afford any of the jeans they suggest anyway.  And, may I ask who made it un-cool to make jeans have an elastic waist?   I know this will never fly, but look ladies, how awesome would it be if we could have pants that could expand and decrease with us every few pounds we gained or lost?  PERFECTION.  But no, elastic-waist=super nerdy/pregnancy look.  I just can’t hack it.  I remember they even came out with jeans that had hidden pads that enhanced your derriere!  And what about the new tie-dyed fad?  I just saw them at a boutique and they were $300!  Sniffle, does this mean to save a bob I’m gonna have to go through my old wardrobe and bring out a white pair, find some rubber bands, buy some dye and do a DIY job (because you know that trend will be over in a week and man, I ain’t spending $300 to look cute for 1 day). 

Jeans used to be what beatniks and cowboys wore.  Marlon Brando.  James Dean.  Clint Eastwood.  Bob Dylan.  They were all about no effort, looking casual and being sexy.  When the hell did they become so much work!  I think Mr. Strauss would be rolling in his grave if he knew what had happened to his little fabric originally meant for tents and wagon covers (well, he’s definitely rolling in something, and it’s called bucks, Levi’s are one of the top selling jeans in the world!).  

So, I think we should start a bootcut bootcamp!  No more denim dollar breakers!  We have to stop this outrageous spending on stuff that probably costs $3 to make in a sweatshop in a 3^rd World Country—okay—I don’t wanna be sued for libel—-but seriously here is what you can get for $300: A plane fare from Los Angeles to NYC, a basic Swiss Army Watch, a night in the W Hotel Los Angeles, a really nice digital camera, a spa day for you and your man, a gourmet meal for two at The London, an Anya Hindmarch bag that’s on sale right now that was originally $1,200, a huge shopping trip to Costco that could feed your family of 5 for a good week (plus some fun things in the mix like a DVD, CD’s…)…….I’m going to stop here.  You get the idea.  Go to a place like my palace of prices Loehmann’s instead where they have designer jeans for half, if not a quarter of the price (because at the end of the day who the hell actually notices if you’re wearing this season’s jeans or not).  Or try Buffalo Exchange (a consignment/used clothing store in Los Angeles) where I just bought a pair of brand new J Brand black boot cut jeans that still had the $225 price tag on them for 36 bucks. 

And by the way, debuting at all fine department stores and boutiques worldwide this Fall will be the launch of my jean line called “oneof365-Waistland.”  The collection will be a sensation (it already IS with buyers) because it gives the appearance of a solid waist, but that baby is ELASTIC!!  Dreams can come true   

Dedicatedly yours,

—One of 365

PS: And OMG—I forgot to mention this—who the hell invented the denim boot?  The denim boot with studs!  The denim boot with studs and a little shirt pocket! Hisssssssssss! See below:

Wow! Found these beauties on eBay.co.uk. I wonder why they were selling em'? They are so "classic," no? Anyway, bid quick, the start price is 9.99 pounds sterling. Think of them as investing in a weapon. That metal stiletto would kill someone EASY. Fashion Tip: Wear with acid wash jeans with ankle zip, cropped denim jacket and your favorite band T-shirt. HOT!