Fashion for Writers

Note: I’ve been meaning to post Daily Outfits here. Problem is that my low mood has translated to schlumpy, uncreative get-ups unworthy of your valuable eyeballs. I promise to do better in the future. In the meantime, I’ll talk about Rick Owens.

There’s an article in this week’s New Yorker (March 10, 2008, “Elegant Monsters”) about Rick Owens, designer of all that is rock star leather and impeccably undone. My favorite part of the profile had nothing to do with the word “glunge,” the numerous mentions of Courtney Love (complete with creepy robot picture of her in a leather-and-shearling jacket, and no, I’m not a hater), or even the great descriptions of his clothes, which for the most part aren’t seen in the article. Rather, the best part of “Elegant Monsters” is about his dad, who is into Buddhism and astrology and raised Owens to read Marcus Aurelius and Buddhist texts, listen to classical music, and refrain from watching TV until he was in his mid-teens. Basically, Rick Owens was like a member of Salinger’s Glass family.

But anyway. Interest piqued, I ventured to eBay to see what goodies I could find for less-than-retail prices, and this bone leather jacket came up. Although it’s pretty from the front, the back is what makes it truly swoon-worthy. The tucks and folds near the collar, the extra-long sleeves perfect for shy-finger days, and the extension at the bottom are thoughtfully distinguished. Although $350 (the price as I type this) is certainly nothing to sneeze at, the seller helpfully points out that the retail price is $3.5k. Gulp. (image from seller) 

Although I’ll probably never find an equivalent jacket that won’t empty my piggy bank, a little sleuthing on eBay did unearth these two vintage pieces that, while not the same, could add a bit of white leather edge to the wardrobe (Images from Violetville Vintage and UK Vintage Company).