Patent leather is meant to be scuffed
Packing for San Diego is always an exercise in conflict. On the one hand I want to wear whatever I please, but this is tempered by obnoxious warm weather and an aversion to standing out like a one-man pride parade. Plus, I don’t do much when I’m at my parents’ besides sleep, watch TV and go to the gym.
However, ‘tis the season, and the weather was wonderfully chilly, so I had good reason to include a few favorites in an otherwise low key suitcase of loungewear.
The Joy to the World at the mall outfit
Needles cardigan
Initially planned to wear this to midnight mass, but thought I might offend the Christ child by showing up like a stuffed piñata on his big day. Opted instead to wear on Christmas while opening presents, and on Boxing Day when Bayonne and I went shopping at UTC. Garnered some compliments from sales clerks, so there’s that.
J.W. Anderson buckle sneakers
I love Jonathan Anderson, and I love these shoes, as they sometimes make me look like a bike messenger when paired with skinny jeans. For someone who’s proud to be lazy, I’m obsessed with anything that suggests courier (e.g., messenger bags, pouches, helmets). I’ve been too precious with these shoes due to the patent leather, but fuck it, I need to get the cost per wear down. New rule: patent leather is meant to be scuffed.
Chanel Boy Bombay bag
A holiday favorite, but I left the medallion chain back in San Francisco. Too flashy for the surfer / military crowd, and didn’t want to sound like a chorus of Jingle Bells while walking the mall or shopping for produce at Sprouts.
The Alaska Airlines flight 717 is delayed outfit
Johnson Leathers Type 1 jacket
Custom-made less than a year ago in phantom horsehide. I’m trying to batter the desired patina out of this guy. He’s squeaky, which I was surprised to learn some leather heads are into - to the point where they try numerous tricks to maintain that sound. Maybe the man of my dreams will find me more easily if I creak like a pirate ship?
Blackmeans coin pouch
My prized possession from last month’s Tokyo trip. Yes, it makes me look a little half-sunk in a midlife crisis. No, I’m not a young Japanese punk with cash to burn. Whatever. It adorns my Amazon lady pants and breaks up my black ensemble. Plus, it keeps a second set of house keys, emergency credit card and Listerine strips on my person. What more could a girl on the go want?