I once heard that Steve Martin, when he found an item of clothing he liked, he would buy 10 of them so he had them in every one of his houses and could replace it for years. I love that kind of borderline obsessive behavior. Well, to be more accurate I guess I just like most things Steve Martin does– this is what’s hanging on the wall of my house when you walk down the hall.
I have these same inclinations but I have to curb them, because I know that no matter how hard it is to find a pair of awesome, perfectly-cut-for-my-body jeans, that I get bored of things very easily. I’m a sucker for trends and I’ll always want to change things in about 4 months.
Wanting to change your wardrobe frequently means that most of my clothes can’t be expensive. That’s totally fine by me, because I don’t like the pressure of not getting fancy clothes lost, stolen or Tabasco’d. Yeah, Rick Owens is fabulous, but am I really going to go to my job as a COMEDY WRITER IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY and wear some haute couture leather leggings and booties? In a perfect world where all the writers on my staff have their same brains but look like Serena and Blair from Gossip Girl, yes. But that’s not my life. Whenever I get too fashion-y, someone on my staff says “Why do you look like a Sister Wife?” or “Oh, are there auditions for the Rhythm Nation video again?”
All this to say, my wardrobe contains my fair share of American Apparel. American Apparel is a daunting and amazing place. It is a place where disinterested teenagers whose nipples you can see through their shirt help you try on lycra bootie shorts while you listen to 80′s Paula Abdul played ironically. Or is it retro, and not irony? I have no f’ing idea. You see?
My big Steve Martin-level volume purchase was of four puff sleeve chiffon tops by American Apparel. Here it is:
I love a good puff sleeve top. With the right amount of a puff, a puff sleeve top can appear both lady-like and child-like, in the very best way, if that makes sense. I bought this in black and can wear it over jeans, or tucked into a skirt of pair of shorts. It is so flattering on the arms and fitted in that American Apparel way. Because it’s chiffon, it can be dressed up or down.
I got it in black to wear with a red Herve Leger skirt and it went together beautifully. I have also worn it over jean shorts. It’s so versatile I find myself wearing one color or another about three times a week. That’s why I have four of them. The very best thing about it is that it doesn’t have an annoying zipper or buttons. You just throw it over your head, jam it into your skirt or shorts, and call it a day. I hate delicate blouses. Who do you think you are? And if you get makeup on it, you can fling it off and wipe it off with water– it dries instantly.
Good for: Girls wanting to look demure in a hurry but are really cheap slobs.
I’m confused by the jeans in the last picture. Is the long butt coming back in style? Or did that girl find her mom’s jeans and figured people would only notice the cute top?
Nicole | November 11, 2011 |
Sorry, but I am distracted by your lovely hallway portrait. Of course you know that Steve will be on Letterman tonight with his banjo, right? YAY BANJOS! YAY BLUEGRASS MUSIC! YAY STEVE! He’s kind of seriously awesome in his second career as a bluegrass artist… I especially admire him for the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, launched last year. Annually, Steve will give $50,000 to a musician who has has helped promote and perpetuate the music and the instrument. Hey, doesn’t Ed Helms play banjo?
Caroline | November 11, 2011 |
You: “Good for: Girls wanting to look demure in a hurry but are really cheap slobs.”
Me: Quit talking about me on the internet, Mindy Kaling.
Holly | November 11, 2011 |
What do you wear under it? A tank top? It looks great but I never know what to do with very sheer blouses – I’m not gutsy enough to wear them with a bra alone and adding a tank to the mix adds another level of complication so I never wind up really wearing my sheer stuff.
Summer Block | November 11, 2011 |
i love that steve martin is the inspiration to this post.
Whitney Soup | November 12, 2011 |
Jamie Lee Curtis does the favorite-item-hoarding in a very cool way. Good Housekeeping (!) did an awesome interview with her about her mad organizational skills and this was detailed … Awesomeness.
Michelle | November 13, 2011 |
That’s pretty! …But what do you do about the translucence? I can’t exactly show up to my job as a scientist (read: where I’m surrounded by men who don’t really know how to act around women) with my brassiere just shining through my shirt. I can’t imagine it’s much different as a comedy writer …so how do you rock the translucent shirt?
Lisa | November 13, 2011 |
These tops are so cute Mindy – are they really as sheer; do you wear them with a cami? Loving your book – and hope you will someday come to Boston!
Hogger & Co. | November 14, 2011 |
very nice. I’ve always liked a good puff sleeve. except very unlike anne of green gable’s puff sleeve obsession.
p.s. i put a link in today’s blog post to your blog. hope that was ok
http://fifteenevergreen.blogspot.com/2011/11/pros-and-cons-of-sleeping-in.html
JEssica | November 16, 2011 |
I love this post and absolutely love you. Your hilarious both on and off screen. Cant wait to read your book. Something that you said inspired a blog post of my own. I also am a sucker for trends. I change my staple items about every couple of months. As you stated also, how is a girl supposed to do that and pay her bills. That is why I resulted in 2nd hand shopping. I find my favorite pieces for dirt cheap! Just this weekend I scavenged the D.I. and Savers with my girlfriend. Its my favorite past time. I’ve grown accustomed to the stale smell and homely faces of those treasure of stores.
Chelsea | November 17, 2011 |
I just bought four of the same cardigans (in different colors) the other day (2 months ago) and have been wearing them on a steady rotation. I was worried I was the only one who did this. Good to know I’m not!
Kristie | November 17, 2011 |