The #WritersBlockStruggleBus was real coming back from our 2016-2017 winter hiatus. More unfortunately, the world had just lost Carrie Fisher, geeks everywhere lost their first love in Princess Leia, and the Star Wars universe is now devoid of both Han Solo and General Leia Organa… all on the tail of a triumphant reception this Christmas season of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
This wintry whirlwind of all things related to the galaxy far, far away makes us harken back to a happier time–one year ago, in fact, when J.J. Abrams successfully rebooted the franchise to end all franchises and made Rey (…Skywalker?) a cultural icon for new generations to come.
The minute we laid eyes on Rey’s Desert-Punk outfit, we predicted it would beget many sexy Ready-to-Wear imitations:
Hot Topic’s Her Universe line features this cardigan from its 2015 Fashion Show Audience Winner, Leetal Platt, who turned Rey’s scavenger gear into something wearable at school and work… as well as Comic-Con.
“Rey’s costume immediately called for drape and the sleeves made us want it to be a sweater. We thought if the fronts were long, they could be crossed and the front, paired with a belt, and also serve as cosplay, so, double duty!”
– Leetal Platt, designer
Plus Sizesalso available. Both options currently on sale!
mustardbrand also produced a sartorially elegant version of Rey’s robes. This rendition is much more subtle, unless one is searching for its connection to Star Wars. In that case, you can find a faint silicon Rebel Badge on the left upper arm sleeve:
We are happily blown away by the exquisite level of detail the design took in adapting Rey’s original outfit to 2017’s fashion sensibilities:
The cross-body styling on the sweater’s front is a modernization of Rey’s wrap top; it leads to an asymmetrical back hemline.
The subtle pintucking on the forearms mimics Rey’s arm wraps. No Jakku sand included.
“The subtle silicon Rebel logo on the upper arm lets you share your allegiance with those who get close enough – but it’s not evident if they’re not looking for it!”
And coming soon from Hot Topic Her Universe:
Anddd Coming Soon in 2017 from LilGripes.Com:
Hey, So-Called “Feminists”: Give Wonder Woman Her Ambassadorship Back!
DC v Marvel: Who Has Better Female Heroes and Villains?
Merry Christmas Eve! We conclude our “12 Days of Christmas” series with these last-minute gift ideas/product suggestions for this time of year:
We like the idea of nature. We like the idea of looking stylish in nature. On Instagram photographs, that is. Let’s be honest, frolicking outdoors in Christmastime temperatures sucks, but if you have to catch a case of wanderlust even when the weather outside is frightful, keep these fashion-forward, adventure-friendly accessories in mind:
We like the idea of looking stylish in nature. On Instagram photographs, that is.
Multi-functional Camera: Mini size, can work as a selfie camera, sport camera, DV recorder or vehicle travelling data recorder, suitable for indoor and outdoor use
APP Remote Control: Download APP to your mobile device(iOS or Android OS), then connect them via built-in WiFi. Easily take photos/record videos in 720p, save and share
2H Constant Working: Build with 600mAh rechargeable battery, it supports continuous 2 hours operation per full charge
3 Mounting Ways: Designed with a reusable sticker, magnet and standard thread, you can freely mount the camera for convenient use
Wired with headphones so you can stay connected and cozy, Rebecca Minkoff’s luxe tech beanie features a chunky cable knit topped with a plush rabbit fur pom-pom.
Chunky cable knit with fold-over brim, rabbit fur pom-pom on top
Wired with headphones at sides
Knit: acrylic/wool/nylon; trim: genuine natural rabbit fur imported from China
Winter doesn’t stand a chance in Merrell Overlook 6 Ice+ boots. You’ll be warm and on your feet all winter long with waterproof shells, Thinsulate™ insulation and Vibram® Arctic Grip soles.
Leather uppers with thermoplastic urethane waterproof shells; traditional lace closures
Conductor™ fleece lining adds warmth; M Select™ Warm lightweight, low-bulk 200g insulation keeps you comfortable
Molded nylon arch shank stabilizes your feet; Merrell air cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability
Let motivation be your best accessory. The Fitbit Alta fitness wristband automatically alerts you to get moving after periods of inactivity, but just having it on your wrist is motivation enough to move. Using Bluetooth technology, the Alta connects to your device to track tons of activities and stats right through the Fitbit app.
Its slim design and display make it comfortable and easy to wear, but it still has the ability to show steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes, along with text, call, and calendar alerts.
in Plum, Blue, Black and Teal:
Includes Alta fitness wristband and charging cable
Tracks steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes
SmartTrack: automatically recognizes activities and records stats in Fitbit app
Auto sleep tracking with silent alarms
Get moving reminders
Wireless sync
Smart Notifications: see call, text, and calendar alerts
This top-selling long sleeve technical base layer top boasts not just sleek sporty style, but also outstanding insulation and moisture management technology in one package.
The best wool baselayer on the market. Combining the unique Lifa® fiber technology next to skin to keep you dry, with a premium Merino wool exterior with superior insulating and wicking properties.
Cozy and packs down small enough to be a mid-layer, the Fjallraven® Pak Down Vest is also stylish enough with its slim fit to be worn as a top layer for nights out on the town in the cold.
Insulated with a super cozy combination of 700-fill down and synthetic Supreme Microloft.
The shell is weather resistant with reinforcements at the hem, on the pocket openings and inside the front opening for extra durability where it is most needed.
This versatile layer is packable and perfect for traveling, especially when you find yourself in quick-changing weather conditions.
Today’s Christmas gift idea is for both the discerning geek-centric gentleman and lady:
Fellas, if a woman in your life loves the genre of the superhero (or supernatural) but wants to show her enthusiasm with something a little less lace-and-leather (read: cosplay), lavish her with the following finely curated selections from our go-to Geekdom fashion retailer: Superhero Den (not sponsored!).
Or… if you are a man saddled with the responsibility of getting your woman pumped about all things fandom, these gifts are your holy gateway.
Ladies, pair these form-flattering, comic book/sci-fi-based threads with studded bangles, ring stacks and, of course, chokers.
*Click images to expand details
Our FavoriteSuicide Squad Harley Quinn T-Shirts:
Suicide Squad Harley Quinn “Daddy’s Little Monster” Tee AVAILABLE AT SUPERHERODEN.COM
Originally, I wanted to title this piece, “Last Night, a Choker Saved My Life… or Maybe Just My Wallet.” Because, wait for it…
A) The post-disco tour de force, Indeep, brought the “Sistahs Doing It For Themselves” moves with their classic, “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” in 1982
and B) I have saved an Oprah-like amount of money ever since The Choker returned to trendy fashion sensibilities. There is something about a piece of jewelry tightly wrapped around your neck that instantly transforms any given outfit more than any other accessory can.
I don’t need new blouses, blazers (OK, maybe some new palazzo pants), just a jewelry-tree full of chokers (trust me, it’s much more cost-effective than a shopping cart full of clothes) and each lends every ensemble a brand-new edge and brand-new personality.
Here are excerpts from my Choker Chronicles. Watch my neck 😉 :
Click on collage images to expand (and in no particular order):
Chokers go well with product placement.
Taylor Swift, you’re not the only one who can rock a tassel choker (except hers cost $2,500):
A jewelry-tree full of chokers is much more cost-effective than a shopping cart full of clothes and each choker lends every ensemble a brand-new personality.
The bow-choker is clearly a favorite of mine. They even made the panties on my head look like an actual feminine headband.
This tattoo choker is sooooo 90s I never thought I would be pairing it with a black blazer in 2016 going on ’17… but here we are. It’s such an easy way to un-square a squarish outfit.
To be perfectly honest and modest, I should be the next Catwoman. But back to reality for a hot sec:
Now that the new DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has a well-received Batman in Ben Affleck (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad) a.k.a…. Batfleck, our Dark Knight needs a kitty Cat(woman). Sienna Miller has expressed her interest in portraying the feline anti-hero. There has been no confirmation or denial about a Catwoman role in the upcoming TheBatman solo venture (being written by Affleck himself), but aside from me, Sienna Miller is the no-brainer choice for Selina Kyle:
1. She is one of the most seriously underrated actresses in Hollywood, with her tabloid follies unfortunately eclipsing the due respect her thespian talents deserve: Sienna Miller on Rotten Tomatoes.
Miller in “American Sniper”
After critically acclaimed roles in numerous indies, one supporting villainous role in G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra and a few token turns as the “wife” in Oscar-nominated movies like American Sniper and Foxcatcher, THIS would be the big break she deserves.
2. She can rock the catsuit and the goggles…while kicking a–, as seen in G.I. Joe::
[Sienna Miller is a seriously underrated actress], with her tabloid follies unfortunately eclipsing the due respect her thespian talents deserve.
3. Blonde, brunette, pixie cut, shaggy bobs and long boho waves with bangs… She looks good in literally any hairstyle or hair color the role might throw at her:
P.S. Cat eyeliner looks ready-made for her:
4.Miller already has history cooking up steam onscreen as Ben Affleck’s lover in the upcoming Prohibition-era crime drama Live by Night (directed by Affleck)… and since Miller’s voiced interest in working with Affleck again, they probably generated genuine chemistry:
5. She was born to play the cool chick… and who’s the Ultimate Cool Chick if not Catwoman?
BEST: GAL GADOT, Batman v Superman (2016), Wonder Woman (2017)
Even the sad skinny-shamers who feared Gal Gadot would not fulfill the buxom legacy of Lynda Carter given her lithe and lanky frame were blown away by her ferociously sensuous poses in her full WW armor. Diana/Wonder Woman’s specific brand of sexy is defined not by cup size, but by her statuesque frame (√) , angelic facial features befitting those of a princess (√), and jet-black mane of perfectly tussled loose curls (√). Oh, and her supernatural combat skills (√√√). The naysayers shut themselves up once they saw Gadot in action sequences like these:
Thank ZEUS this unholy mix of latex and primary colors never made it past a pilot episode. True, it almost exactly resembles recent DC Comics’ artwork of Wonder Woman, but:
A) an armored breastplate and a sword/shield combo slung over WW’s shoulder is better-suited than cheap-looking rubber for a warrior princess (yes, Gadot’s WW costume looks very similar to that Xena’s. So what? They are both female warriors with stories tied deeply to ancient Greek mythology.)
and B) … does Superman run around in red underwear anymore? Answer: not since Dean Cain in 1993. Does Batman’s suit have nipples? Answer: Not since…let’s never bring it up again. How are we supposed to take Wonder Woman, one of the mightiest protagonists in the comics, seriously when her lasso looks like it’s made of tinsel and her corset seems to be a leftover top from someone’s “Slutty Nurse” Halloween costume? And, oh, her boots… They look like ones you would find at Payless upon which someone spray-painted a tarty layer of firetruck red.
“Thank ZEUS this unholy mix of latex and primary colors never made it past a pilot episode.”
Shame on you, the fashion-school dropouts behind Adrianne Palicki’s costume… The character and the actress both deserved better.
2. Catwoman
BEST: ANNE HATHAWAY, The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
By the final film of Chris Nolan’s Batman trilogy, we as moviegoers have learned to trust his creative judgment when it came to the DC-verse. That trust was reinforced stronger than ever by Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman costume. Catwoman’s costume has always been inherently seductive, with the all-black palette and requisitely skintight silhouette. We have seen many iterations of this facet in the comics and on the big and small screens, but Hathaway’s was the first in live-action to not only be sexy but extremely utile.
Her cat ears? They’re actually CONVERTIBLE GOGGLES! Protective glasses for when she’s racing that SICK ride of hers, along with a sensibly windproof leather jumper, utility belt and moto boots:
The Next-Gen bike for Catwoman is also not a random accessory tossed in to accentuate how high this film’s budget sat ($230 million, to be exact). Her new thrill ride enabled Selina Kyle the added bonus of luxuriating in a feline-on-all-fours stance often and very prominently. Hathaway (and her stunt double)’s backside and long legs were thus filmed to subtly play upon the character’s innate catlike qualities… without her having to make hissing noises every five minutes:
Honorable Mentions go to the 3 Catwomen of Batman, the 1960s Adam West small-screen vehicle:
For the time’s limitations, these three looks nailed the sex appeal of Catwoman without committing overkill:
For my Cat-and-Dog ensemble costume this Halloween with my poodle, I was instantly inspired by Julie Newmar (far left). Her ears. Her jumpsuit’s cowl neck. All it took for me to feel like her Catwoman was a pair of black leggings, a sleek Max Azria turtleneck and a homemade cat-ear headband:
WORST: HALLE BERRY, Catwoman (2008)
The photos speak for themselves. Halle Berry’s standalone venture displayed a complete lack of regard for its source material and a general lack of respect for direction as a motion picture. This main flaw was evident down to the catsuit. According to the film’s Oscar-winning costume designer, Catwoman’s wardrobe was intentionally cut down to dramatic shreds to juxtapose the protagonist’s “demure and repressed” past life with her sexually awakened “warrior goddess” existence after her supernatural encounter.
Okay… It doesn’t take a movie connoisseur to realize cinematic symbolism requires more than taking scissors to a character’s shirt and pants. Also, none of what Halle wears in “Catwoman mode” was even foreshadowed beforehand in the movie. Nor does any of it make sense. Sure, it kinda does if you suddenly had the urge to look like a human cat.
Why the shreds on her pants? Why open-toed heels? Why the weird X-belt contraption across her naked belly??? We appreciate artistic license and all, but a superhero’s costume is integral to the origin story and, therefore, must follow some set of logic.
Yes, she gets a random whip to accessorize.
“We appreciate artistic license, but a superhero’s costume is integral to the origin story and, therefore, must follow some set of logic.”
3. Storm
BEST: ALEXANDRA SHIPP, X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
It is too often the sad truth that we naturally do better on the second try. It is also a sad coincidence that we are bashing poor Halle Berry’s clothes for the second time in a row. Shipp’s Storm costume and hairdo simply embraced the fieriness and regality of the Ororo Munroe character much better than her predecessor’s did.
The X-Men movies, including Apocalypse, never did the Storm character justice, but out of the two live-action adaptations, Shipp’s came closest. Lest we forget, Storm was the daughter of a Kenyan tribal princess. As a member of the X-Men, she was depicting wearing a tiara and a costume with a ruby and lightning bolt motif.
Shipp’s side-swept Mohawk mimics the tiara effect and the silver streaks down the front of her corset resemble lightning bolts. She also rocks the same gauntlets along her bare arms the way Storm did on comic book pages.
WORST: HALLE BERRY, all the other X-Men movies(starting in 2000)
Was Halle Berry auditioning to be the fourth (fifth?) member of Destiny’s Child in these movies? (Remember, it was the early 00’s). With an orange spray-tan and an unflatteringly silvery-white wig with lowlights to (un)match throughout the movies, she seemed less dressed to imitate a potent, regal mutant and more to rejuvenate Berry’s appearance in front of the Britney-crazed teeny-bopper moviegoers running rampant at the time.
Berry’s Storm look only began resembling hers in the comics in X-Men: Days of Future Past (far right)… a.k.a. spoiler… the one in which she dies.
Even compared to her fellow female X-Men in the casts, she always looked like the one pre-packaged most to look like a pop star rather than a superhero:
“Was Halle Berry auditioning to be the fourth (fifth?) member of Destiny’s Child in the X-Men movies?”
MY LI’L STYLE HAS GROWN UP. It was a big day for me when I donned the above-“2010s Annie Hall” outfit this week. It was not only one of the most fashion-forward looks into which I have ever slipped (I usually lean toward a more minimalist outlook on accessorizing and layering), but that was the definitive day on which I matured from a fashion-loving young-adult into a fashionable adult.
When I was just five years younger, single or not, I always utilized the clothes I wore to seek out attention from everyone, both men and women (of all sexual persuasions), but always with one eye firmly planted on their effect on heterosexual men.
THAT WAS THE DAY ON WHICH I MATURED FROM A FASHIONABLE YOUNG-ADULT INTO A FASHIONABLE ADULT.
I look back on that little girl, sitting pretty and dumb-but-so-focused in her early 20s, who dressed, consciously or not, primarily for men. I was afraid to not conspicuously show off at least one part of my body on a daily basis, whether this was achieved through baring skin or bearing skintight silhouettes.
WHAT WAS I THINKING? I WAS SO. TERRIFIED. OF NOT LOOKING “HOT ENOUGH” THAT I REFUSED TO WEAR SCARVES TO INSULATE MY COLLARBONE, EVEN IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES.
Little by little since that age, I have gained more and more self-possession and learned “hot” really doesn’t have to entail running around in a miniskirt. There are many more subtler ways of simultaneously getting on “Best Dressed” lists and men’s dating radars. I would love to personally mentor any young Padawan who finds herself in a similar situation and guide her toward the light of her own adult, stylistic path.
It Girl of 2016 and so on… We are calling it, Daisy!
STAR WARS has many legs to its commercial empire, but style is one of the more understated elements. Fashionably speaking, in retrospect, Princess (now General) Leia’s costumes in the original trilogy may have showcased her curves but were hardly news for the pages of Women’s Wear Daily. Aside from the repeatedly copied buns, Leia was more dressing for the men (especially pubescent boys) than the ladies.
Iconic and schoolgirlishly sexy but not style-statement-making:
Rey, however, as played by English newcomer Daisy Ridley in the new movie, is already making fashion waves based on her signature outfit– a futuristic amalgamation of cropped harem pants, a bandaged top and a DVF-esque wrap, all cinched with an edgy leather utility belt. For more accessories, she rocks ankle-length boots and minimalist shoulder-baring sleeves accented by leather wristcuffs.
Even smeared with Jakku’s sand, Rey is dressed sharper than most women of Earth. Ever since I’ve laid eyes on the crisscross dimensions of Rey’s scavenging uniform, I’ve been hungering for a Ready-to-Wear (RTW) version of my own (i.e. NOT a costume, but an actual everyday outfit). Expect to see haute couture and RTW adaptations of it on the runways in Spring 2016:
BABY, IT’S (NOT THAT) COLD OUTSIDE…Here in New York City, it has been unseasonably warm in the low 60s this December. We are not optimistic, however–not after last winter’s toll on most cold-sensitive regions around the U.S. January, February, and March fully look like a 100% chance of snow (and slush), hail, and nose-chomping winds. Cue Simon & Garfunkel’s “Hello Darkness, My Old Friend.”
Thanksgiving 2015: So warm I could wear this. But going forward…
To brace yourself for what is coming, we have synthesized a list of our most valued tips for surviving a city winter with style and grace:
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1. REMEMBER YOUR TOP 3 COLD SPOTS
Your HEAD, NECK, and HANDS scientifically retain the most heat for your body, so keeping them fuzzy and cozy is the first and most crucial lesson in fashionable warmth.
SHROUD YOUR HEAD (and especially your ears) in a winter beanie or head wrap. If your jacket or coat shows too much bare neck, layer on the scarves.
Sick of the ennui of putting on that same down jacket simply for warmth’s sake EVERY. SINGLE. DAMN. FRIGGIN’ DAY? Your solution? Instead of multiple trips to the Burlington Coat Factory, enliven your signature winter coat with a variety of scarves in your favorite prints and patterns. Save hundreds in wads of cash and exercise your sartorial creativity in the process:
You don’t have to part with your uber-chic and uber-flimsy leggings and skinny jeans. Yes, most skinnies, no matter the material, are not quite gust-proof. Our easy solution to you not having to stow them away until St. Patrick’s Day? Slip on lightweight pantyhose underneath for insulation.
Winter = Holidays Galore and Holidays = FOOD. Yep, dollops of it. Yum, right? …But if you’re not careful, the consequences could be dire when the time comes to confronting your spring wardrobe. So that you do not balk at your scale and go through the Five Stages of Grief for your pre-holiday feast body (Denial is scrutinizing the mechanisms of the scale and Bargaining is rationalizing to yourself that it must be on the fritz), there are two breezy life hacks. The first is to wear your TIGHTEST skinny jeans to every holiday meal.
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Getting a little tight? Use your jeans as a gauge for holiday-eating.
Eat to your heart’s content but beware the increasing tightness of your jeans’ waistline. Use that discomfort as a gauge.
5. SELF-POLICE YOUR HOLIDAY WEIGHT -PART TWO
Kate Moss cooked up quite the politically incorrect controversy with her statement that “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” Whether she is right or not, Kate did inspire a tip for keeping your portions controlled this holiday season–Set your favorite full-body shot of yourself from this past summer, decked out in your shortest Daisy Dukes and teeniest top, as your phone’s wallpaper. This way, you couldn’t eat in blissful ignorance even if you wanted, no matter how salivating the offering.
“Rey’s costume immediately called for drape and the sleeves made us want it to be a sweater. We thought if the fronts were long, they could be crossed and the front, paired with a belt, and also serve as cosplay, so, double duty!”
Wired with headphones so you can stay connected and cozy, Rebecca Minkoff’s luxe tech beanie features a chunky cable knit topped with a plush rabbit fur pom-pom.
![AS-FP-0171[1].jpg](https://lilgripes.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/as-fp-01711.jpg)
