Hip in the Heights

Levi, Union St, Brooklyn

2009-07-08T17:02:00.000-07:00

This guy has one of the most eclectic styles on a man I've ever seen. Snow pants and cowboy boots, sweatshirt and leather jacket, short hair and a beard... But it works. I like the proportions of this clothing, the flare of the pants and the puffiness of the sleeves. His colors are muted and play off of each other. And the T-shirt!

Yes, that does say Chabad. Yes, that is the Bat Symbol. Yes, you can have a Chabad Bat T-shirt of your very own, AND you can buy it with maaser money. Send your donation to Chabad of Nashville, c/o me.

Levi's belt and belt buckle were also cool. Worn leather and etched silver... it doesn't get better.
Until you look at his shoes:

Those are frickin' incredible. I like it when guys wear insane shoes, but ones that are worn and dirty and scuffed. They have so much more character than shiny shoes.

Goth Girl, Union Square

2009-06-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

There are some people I meet that I have to photograph just because they look like they belong in a fairytale. In this girl's case, that would be the story of the punk goth fairy living on the streets of Manhattan. In real life, she's from somewhere rural... somewhere from the middle of America that starts with a P.

But look at this face:
Otherworldly, no?

Sarah Rifka - Crown Heights

2009-06-18T00:12:00.000-07:00

After being gone for so long, I had to come back with something awesome. This picture of my friend has been hanging around for AGES, waiting for me to get off my metaphorical blogging couch and post it. But here it is - and ain't it great?

I loved the floral print of her dress. Not many people can pull off something that colorful and patterened, and she does it with ease. Notice the black skirt beneath it, tzniusifying the dress, a trick I have since copied many times.

Her accessories were spot on, as well.
Pilgrimesque shoes are practical and cute at the same time. They balance the feminity of the flower pattern, just like this awesome belt does:
Keeping it in the vegatative theme, this belt is fantabulous.

Shmuly, Mimulo

2009-04-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

Shmuly is the Mimulo Man. And his personal style certainly suits the place. Suspenders? Suspenders are awesome. Also the slim fit of his clothes. Something that is all too rare in this world of Israeli, French, and other foreign nationalities of bochurim. Slim, but not tight. The color choice is also a good one. Not garish, very natural. Grey and green are great combinations.

Adidas. I am very, very, very fond of Adidas. And check out the subtly striped pants.

A closer look at the suspenders:

Great-Grandmother's Ring - Bunch O' Bagels

2009-04-21T13:05:00.000-07:00

Just - lovely. I love unique, unusual pieces of jewelry that have a history.

Yehudis, Sara, and Chaya - Bunch O' Bagels

2009-04-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

Bsd

I present these three young ladies, whom I spotted having lunch at Bunch O' Bagels. (If you girls read this, I really want to thank you for saying yes to my decidedly odd request. You restored my faith in humanity!)

Let's start with Yehudis:
The tartan skirt was what originally caught my eye. I don't know why, but this vaguely British pattern is not one I see often. Worn with this buttery blue jacket, the plaid is visually arresting, but not jarring. And it fits Yehudis so well.
I also really enjoyed the usage of blue. I have a thing about matching/coordinating different elements in outfits, and Yehudis did just that very well.
A closer look at her braid, and casually knotted cream scarf:

I loved the detail on this jacket - the pocket, shoulder-thingy, tight sleeves.
Her boots were also unusual. They are the ubiquitous slightly worn brown leather, but the lacing at the ankle is something I've never seen. It contributed to the (unintentional, I'm sure) woodsman reference:

Now we move on to Sara. What drew me here was the soft colors and fabrics Sara used. I covet - very, very much so - Sara's beret. It is the perfect beret. Big enough and soft.... and a wonderful color. I wasn't quite able to catch it, but she also had this lovely embroidered detail on her capped sleeves.

Last - but not least! - we have Chaya. Chaya also had a lovely coordinated element to her outfit, and coincidentally, in the same color family. A perfectly faded jean skirt (another item I covet), intriguingly patterned hoodie with that delicious faux-fur color, and lovely, lovely Wellies.

Another thing I loved about Chaya (well, all the sisters, really) was her hair. She had it piled up in a semi-beehive:

Notice the red pen anchoring the whole shebang:

And an aged-to-an-almost-purple leather bag:

Raizel, BunchO'Bagels

2009-04-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

BsdRaizel takes the typical frum girl spring silhouette and twists it. Yes, there's the jean skirt. Yes, there's the black jacket. Yes, there's the tights and flats and sunglasses and scarf. But they all have a twist (Well, except for the skirt. But you gotta have a base to build off of, you know?). I couldn't get a good shot of her military-inspired jacket, so please, click on the above photo for a better look.

In the meantime, let's look at lovely purple sunnies that coordinate so well with the incongruous, but intriguingly patterned scarf (New York spring weather is sooo schizophrenic!).
Continuing the purple them, we have spunky footless tights worn with pleated sand-colored flats.

Shiny Shoes, Crown Heights

2009-04-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

Bsd
New feature announcement: When girls in Crown Heights refuse to let me take pictures of their their full outfits, I'm going to ask if I can shoot their shoes. (Or when the shoes are just absolutely fantastic. I love shoes. Please, check out Shoeblog.com or Robert Avrech's Friday Footwear posts, and join me in Shoe Fantasy Land).

Anyway, these are gorgeous. Disco-ball shiny, four inch heel, perfect peep-toe. Stunning.

Take a closer look, please.
SIGH.

(I need to go shoe shopping.)

Doorman, Central Park

2009-04-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

BsdThis gentleman healed my soul from that encounter with Subway Lady. I stopped to take a picture of him, and he approached my friend and I so that I could get a better shot. Thank you, Mr. Doorman!

I know this is a uniform, but man, it's pretty snazzy. I 'd love to see a bochur try to pull off a top hat in Crown Heights.

Carriage Biker, Central Park

2009-03-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

I wish I had a better shot of this gentleman. But alas, I could only get this snapshot. Some of the details I noticed are still visible though. The camel colored vest, capri-lenght pants, and faded sneakers... his color blocking - blue pants and shirt, camel shoes and vest...

I was tempted to take a ride in the carriage just to take a picture, but I had no money on me. Maybe next time, biker dude!

Rosie, Berkeley

2009-03-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

Bsd
This is Rosie Moon Schlussel, and her daughter, in a playground by the Berkeley Marina. Both of these ladies have quite the fashion sensibility, once again proving that taste is genetic.

Rosie's use of color combined with texture is what drew me to her. The pixelated pattern of her quilted jacket and the contrasting lined pattern of her skirt breaks up what might be an otherwise overwhelming block of color.

She's also not afraid of wearing colors not usually worn with red - the fuschia scarf and the purple hat are bold choices, but ones that add to the boldness and spunk of this outfit. In contrast, her cowboy boots are faded and worn, contributing a more relaxed aspect.

Her daughter is wearing a beautiful princess dress, and faux-fur (it is Berkeley) jacket - to the playground. I love this child!

A closeup of her beautiful and detailed scarf:

Dassi, BunchO'Bagels

2009-03-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

BsdThe proportions and colors of this outfit are so refreshing. The long cotton dress is something I'm looking forward to seeing more of as we leave winter behind and enter into spring (It's spring, dangit. I refuse to accept anything else.). It looks great on Dassi. Not only does it appear to be supremely comfortable, and a much cuter equivalent of the t-shirt and jeans (jean skirt) that you can just throw on and feel good in, but I love to see girls who step away from the standard tznius look. And the color is fantastic.

The buttery leather of her jacket is delicious, and contributes to the natural element in this outfit. It also ties in with these leather moccasins:
Moccasins are slippers you can wear in public - not to be confused with Crocs. (Crocs are unacceptable as realwear shoes. But moccasins are. Especially moccasins like these).
Dassi's feather necklace adds a whimsical touch.

Hat, Union St (And a Few Other Things)

2009-03-22T22:43:00.001-07:00

It's late, I'm tired, and wonder of wonders, I have work tomorrow. But I wanted to let everyone know I have a bunch of new posts coming up in the next few days, please G-d. In the meantime, enjoy the above snapshot taken on my block. I always am struck by people wearing outfits unusual for Crown Heights. This guy's snappy straw hat is definitely that. Unfortunately, he was across the street, and I wasn't able to chase him down for a better picture.

Speaking of chasing people down - later that day, I had a traumatic experience. Leaving the subway near Central Park, I spotted a woman wearing Doc Martens and shorts over tights. It's a great look. I followed her out the exit, and up the stairs towards daylight. "Excuse me," I called. She looked over her shoulder and ran, yes, ran away. She ran away from little ol' me! Shocking.

People, spread the word.

We bloggers - even the photo-bloggers - mean no harm.

Technical Issues

2009-02-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

I apologize to my devoted readers for the lack of posts. I've been having some technical issues. Anyone got a USB card reader they want to lend me?

In the meantime - send me pictures, people. You all got my email. I'll post the ones I like.

Or we could start a fashion advice column, as per a colleague of mine's suggestion.

Nechi - Crown Heights (Again. I Know. She Dresses Awesome.)

2009-02-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

This is one of the more interesting outfits I've seen. Interesting in a good way, not that "interesting" kind of way that really means "this is weird'. It's an outfit full of detail, color, and a little DIY aspect that I imitated myself (imitation is the purest form of flattery, after all).

I love the wine purple of her sweater. It's a stunning color on her. The navy blue trim on it is a great contrast, and something of a nautical flair, if I'm not mistaken. Combining the classy sweater and the intriguingly patterned t-shirt is also a stroke of genius. It's a great balance of dressy and casual.

Adorable green suede boots add a spice to the oufit, especially when worn with this DIY combination of green knit and maroon tights.

Girls wearing belts in the belt loops can be hard to find these days. Such a delicious leather belt worn with such a deliciously cute skirt, peeking out from the most delicious t-shirt I've seen in ages - priceless.

Nechi's watch looks all bling-bling in this picture, but the links of metal fall so softly and are so shimmery, I had to immortalize them for eternity.

P.S. H and M.

Me - President and Troy

2009-02-04T13:58:00.000-08:00

Bsd

I know this seems super super self-loving, but my friend took these pictures and made me promise to put them up. Now, here's the challenge: You guys write about them. Do my thing. Go for it. Enjoy.

This is for the Guys

2009-01-29T14:26:00.000-08:00

Gentlemen - look and learn.

Chaya - Crown Heights

2009-01-19T17:41:00.000-08:00

Chaya is stunningly beautiful, and has heard the allegations that bochurim look at this blog in the wee hours of the morning. This is why she refused to let me photograph her face. Shame on you, creepy guys! Look at what I've been reduced to - artful posing in order to conceal her identity. But I really liked what she was wearing, and so I made the sacrifice. A lovely turquoise empire-waisted top paired with a gray denim skirt and slightly battered brown riding boots was just too delicious a combination to pass up.

Take a look at the gorgeous detail on her shirt:

The battered brown boots - leather boots look so much better worn than shiny spanking new, don't they?

Chaya kept the accessories simple - just these elegantly cool earrings. Yes, that is a peacock.

Nechi - Crown Heights

2009-01-19T17:35:00.000-08:00

Nechi has this great, simple style. Her outfit looked comfortable and cute. The blue jersey dress was so well made. Everything she wore had subtle details that gave the outfit a dressier effect. The soft gray and blue complemented each other as well as her coloring. Layering the vest over the dress, and belting it, created a very flattering silhouette.

The attitude of Nechi's outfit extends to her feet. Little accents. such as the studs on the heels, keep these basic brown riding boots from being boring, but aren't overdone.

It's the details, like this buttoned up neck line, that made me love this dress so much.

A textured, detailed belt works well with the simplicity of the dress and vest.

Little Girl, Brooklyn Museum

2009-01-14T19:31:00.000-08:00

Obviously, fashion sense is inherited. This is Ruthie's daughter, and unfortunately, I can't remember her name. It's something along the lines of Chanie, or Chaya. Whichever quintessentially Lubavitch name it is (of course, it will probably turn out not to be a quintessentially Lubavitch name in any way, cuz that's just the way we roll), this girl is adorable. She has a future here on Hip in the Heights. She has a place in my heart. I mean, polka dots? Polkadotted bow? Handkerchief hem? Perfect pose? This girl is going to be the poster child of Hip in the Heights. (Is it pretentious to keep referring to this blog in third person?).

Cute little brown ballet flats. Lovely!

Ruthie - Brooklyn Museum

2008-12-31T19:39:00.000-08:00

I love seeing people who do something unique with a standard look. In this case, it's the jean skirt. Ruthie's skirt is a classic jean skirt - straight, short, cute. A staple of any frum girl's wardrobe. But her shirt is what really makes this outfit stand out. The bohemian style softens the lines of her skirt, and the colorful design adds a bright touch to the outfit.
Ruthie's shoes were great. Classic and simple, they complimented the colors of her shirt perfectly. The lines intersecting the toe and heel made them visually interesting, and that smooth leather just makes me drool.
Also - I love Ruthie's bobbed sheitel. Who needs to pay $2,500 for a long sheitel when they can look awesome in a short one? (Of course, they could still probably buy a used car for the amount they'll pay for it, but it's cheaper than the longer ones!)

Rafi - MIMULO, Crown Heights

2008-12-06T22:49:00.000-08:00

Once again, we're featuring a dude on Hip in the Heights. It's a rare occurrence over here, less because there aren't well dressed gentlemen who cross my path and more because there are very few of whom I can photograph without them being, shall we say, overly complimented. (Perhaps this is an issue best addressed at a different blogging location.) Thankfully, in the safe haven of the remarkable flower shop Mimulo located on Albany Ave. between Eastern Parkway and Union St, under the supervision of the wonderful proprietors, Chanie Frankel and Fradel Levin, where you can purchase original and artistic flower arrangements for your spouse, host, or self, and, in general, escape the CH, I was able to capture the following:

Rafi is wearing an outfit (if anyone knows of a more masculine term, please inform me) that I liked for a few different aspects. The color scheme - gray, beige, black, tied together neatly with a coordinating scarf - is very sophisticated, and is also not black or navy blue. This is very important when judging a bochur's clothing. Has he managed to elude the restrictions upon his choice of clothing enough to be interesting and still be able to walk into 770, head held high? (Or in other words, conservative enough that no one will say anything.)

Another aspect is contrast. Here, the pattern of his jacket and the heavy knit of his sweater create a contrast of pattern and fabric. The cut of the jacket and length of the sweater creates a contrast of shapes.

Then of course, there is the all important, and highly favored, aspect of footwear. These are awesome. AWESOME. Stylized black - ooh, and don't forget pointy - wingtips? Awesome.

Zahava - Union and Albany, Brooklyn

2008-10-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

Bs"d
Zahava has incredible style. I met in her in Israel, and she had incredible style. In Israel. In seminary (Ok, she was a madricha at Machon Alte, but still, it was seminary in Israel).
This outfit just embodies so many things I love. Perfect combination, an awesome and very comfortable looking dress, nude fishnet stockings, and ankle-strap spectator pumps .
A closer look:

Melanie - College Avenue, Berkeley

2008-10-05T17:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, things are just meant to be. While out running errands with a friend in my hometown, I spotted this young lady. I commented to my friend that she would be perfect for my blog. "Go back and take the shot!", she encouraged me. So I turned and walked straight up to this excellently attired girl, gave my (neccessarily) brief description of what I wanted from her and why, and (thankfully) took the shot you see above. Any devoted reader can already surmise what attracted my fashionist eye. The colors, the shapes, the Converse. How often do YOU see purple, pink, orange, and blue combined with such flair? The shapes of the pants and the tank top were simple, as well as the shape of her hair, contrasting delightfully with the bold colors and more complex detail of her jewelry.
It was on taking a closer shot of said jewelry that I noticed something. Something that made me realize why I stumbled across this particular girl at this particular moment.
Can you guess?
Yup, the little bitty Star of David. "Are you Jewish?", I asked, and of course, she was. Not only Jewish, but about to set off on her first-ever trip to Israel. Not willing to let this oppurtune encounter slip away, and not being the type who carries neshek in her purse, I had to think fast. I pulled a dollar from my wallet and gave it to her. "Give it at the Wall," I said. "Have a safe trip."
I hope she did.

Rachel - Los Angeles, CA

2008-09-27T22:35:00.000-07:00

Bsd
Rachel is my (not actually physically related) cousin whom I love dearly, and miss dearly, because she is going to high school in Israel, the land of her soul. I took this picture in June, when she was finishing up her sophomore year at BCHS, my alma mater. I appreciated three elements about this outfit. The color, the coordination, and the (sheesh, I can't think of a word that starts with "c" to complete this sentence. If any readers have any ideas, please comment, and I'll edit accordingly) quirky touches.
The color: This shade of blue is a wonderful complement to Rachel's beautiful blondeness. It makes her skin look creamy and her eyes extra chocolately (ooh, I think I'm craving ice cream.) My point here is it's a great shade for her. The contrast between the dark blue shirt and the tan skirt is crisp and creates a nicely defined look.
The coordination: Take a closer look at Rachel's socks, and you will find the exact elements of her ensemble reflected there. I am a great lover of attention to detail and that definitely extends to footwear. (In fact, in a desperate moment when I was unable to find a pair of socks that matched my outfit, I chose to match my earrings to my socks.)
The (word starting with "c" that will imminently be inserted): The shoes. It's always about the shoes, but even more so in this scenario. Converse generally hold a special place in the portion of my heart devoted to fashion, but these! These! Colored laces - in only one shoe! Personal messages inscribed! Worn with socks and skirt! My affections overwhelm me!
I LOVE YOU, RACHEL!

Sunday Girl - San Jose Flea Market

2008-09-14T23:54:00.000-07:00

BsdThis little girl was trailing her mother at the incredibly hige and hot San Jose Flea Market, yet still managed to look fresh and darling. One day, when I grow up and move to the South, this is what I want to wear when sipping mimosas and fanning myself as I sit on the porch swing.

Mushky - Jewish Heritage Night, San Francisco

2008-09-04T22:50:00.000-07:00

BsdThere's nothing like nachas. And there's nothing like feeling nachas when you're only twenty years old. And there's nothing to make you feel older than feeling nachas when you're only twenty years old. But how else do you describe the feeling of seeing a girl, whose three year birthday you remember celebrating, and realizing that she is a serious fashion contender? And also realizing that it's ten years later, and you are no longer a teen, and SHE IS.
Polka dotted shirt, a ball cap(and it is hard to wear one of those and look good!), and converse shoes? I wish I had looked like this at thirteen! (What was I thinking back then? Note to Self: Remember to burn pictures.).
A closer look at those suitably worn Converse:

Two Gentlemen of Style - Union Square, NYC and Simcha Monica, CA

2008-08-18T21:22:00.000-07:00

Bsd

These two guys have very different styles. I could probably have added a couple of exclamation points to that sentence. They have nearly nothing in common, except they are both wearing jackets and hats. Obviously, for very different reasons. But it's kinda nice to see your average Joe (okay, fine, maybe he's not your average Joe, but he's still just some dude off the street. Off the wall too, but being off the wall when it comes to fashion is so much fun!) 's take on the hat and jacket which is so prevalent in my world.

Here's Guy Number One, hereon to be referred to as " Mr. Pink Jacket".
I owe this shot to my old roommate, who literally chased him down the street for me. What caught our eye was, rather obviously, the color. That's one of the things that I look for in people's outfits, and especially appreciate when seen on men. Mr. Pink Jacket did a wonderful job of framing his aforementioned pink jacket by selecting a variety of sky-blues to complement it. Awesome gray homburg (guys, feel free to correct me if I identified the hat wrong), and shiny pink tie are perfect accessories. Oh, and the flower on his lapel was for his mother. Awwww.

Unfortunately, for Guy Number Two (Or Mr. Brown Suit), I did not have the luxury of actually asking him to pose for me, and therefore, didn't manage to get a shot of the front of his suit. Once again, though, what appealed to me was the color. Yes, among Lubavitch, brown and green actually makes me think "Color! Wow!". I wonder how they got away with it in the seventies and eighties. How come they didn't enforce the penguin look back then? But I digress.
What I really loved is Mr. Brown Suit's shoes. Acid-washed leather brown shoes. With a teeny tiny bit of a point. Awesome. I love leather shoes that have been well-worn. They have so much more character. I wonder what adventures these shoes have been in....

Snapshots - Union Square, NYC

2008-08-11T19:45:00.000-07:00

Bsd

These are a few shots I took at Union Square, when I first started the blog. In each one, what drew me were the silhouettes and colors these people chose.

The bright colors of her sweatshirt are balanced by this woman's gray pants. She keeps her silhouette clean and crisp. Perfect for running errands on a Sunday afternoon.

This cowgirl might very well be a cowboy in disguise. Your guess is as good as mine. What I liked was the pink theme that is maintained throughout the entire outfit. The contrast between the thigh high stockings and the mini mini skirt is also striking.
This woman is definitely hippie chic. Her red hair provides the color for this one, while her shirt, bag, and skirt provide a calm, soothing background. And I love how the kerchief picks up the gray from the skirt.

Katie - Oakland, CA

2008-07-31T08:53:00.000-07:00

BsdKatie is here to prove that it's possible to be comfortable and cute. She looks crisp and sporty in her white-on-white combination. The scarf (which is the pefect summer accessory, if you live in the Bay Area) prevents the look from being overly simple. Her sunglasses and bag pick up the brown in her scarf, cleverly bringing the two tones together.
Her shoes are simple, comfortable, and obviously well-loved, a perfect conclusion to this outfit.

Jonathan - Nashville, Tennessee

2008-07-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

Jonathan is a student here in Nashville, who deserves major kudos for hanging out with my nephew and I on Shabbos, while my sister had a baby girl. (That's my awesomely adorable, delicious, and incredibly intelligent nephew right there.) He also deserves kudos for his excellent fashion sense. For example, take a closer look at this great ring:

Here's the full view: green hat, Adidas, bouncy ball and all!
Compared to the faded tones of slim grey jeans and blue shirt, this maroon yarmulka provides a welcome burst of color. Colored yarmulkas are definitely one of my requirements for a guy to be considered "fashionable" enough for this blog.

And not only does Jonathan have that great yarmulka, but an even cooler hat to cover it with:

Vendor, Union Square, New York

2008-07-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

I love when guys aren't afraid of color. This gentleman proves you can wear purple, pink, blue, etc and still look masculine! Also, his choice of flannel with jeans and beanie - perfect lazy Sunday wear. He creates the t-shirts on the rack behind him. The one directly behind his right arm is the one Chayale wears!

College Avenue, Berkeley

2008-07-15T23:53:00.000-07:00

Elegance. This is sheer elegance. It's got such a 1940s feel to it, the little cap sleeves, fluffy neck tie, white hat tilted at a jaunty angle - even the muted colors fit the era. I love seeing such a feminine look, and such an elegant one, unlike the short-shorts and tank tops so predominant in a college town in the summer (or any other time of the year!). And it's still fresh and modern - check out these adorable shoes:

Esther and Chava - Crown Heights

2008-07-08T19:38:00.000-07:00

Fashion runs in the family. Or at least in this one! It's great to see a: two wonderful variations on the denim skirt theme which is oh-so-very-popular (and which I am decidedly prone to myself) and b: two wonderful variations on the denim skirt theme! By which I mean: Esther and Chava have chosen to work with a similar base, and achieved such different results. Both of which I liked. So one by one, let's go through it:

Esther's got an artistic flair with this silk scarf (which, by the way, is very hard to pull off! I once tried something similar in high school and only succeeded in looking like I had a noose around my neck). The dark blue/brown/denim serve as an excellent frame for the lighter blue-gray of the scarf.

Chava chose not to alternate colors (excepting, of course, the ubiquitous denim skirt), and instead alternated shades, from chocolate brown, to cinnamon and gold. Her lovely painted shirt adds a bright and whimsical touch, and is wonderfully framed by the rest of the outfit.

Shoes! I love this part! Chava's got these awesome brown boots (I have such a weakness for leather), picking up all the shades in her sweater, shirt, and yes, even her hair. Esther went with these stunning(!) purple (!) beauties, which has nothing to do with anything else she's wearing - significantly increasing their awesomeness.

Ah! This is where Esther's shoes have their color counterpart. Count on a handbag to preserve the color coordination. (Oh, and check out the lovely manicure.)

Chava's cute clutch (What alliteration!). Just big enough for neccessities - lipstick, phone, credit card. And I had to sneak in the lovely ring:

Chayale - Union and Albany

2008-07-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

Chayale is an urban princess, according to our friend Rivkie. Looking at this shot, I must say that I agree wholeheartedly. But she is not holding a votive candle. It is a J and J's iced cappucino, which is the nectar of the Divine.
It's kinda hard to make a long jean skirt fancy, but Chayale manages to wear hers with grace and style. Also, her tshirt is awesome. And no one drapes their scarf like Chayale does.
Take a look:

A Stylish Pair - Los Angeles

2008-07-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

They may be young, but they've got style!

Yellow Dress - Prospect Park

2008-06-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

This caught my eye while out at the park on a sunny spring Sunday. Oooh. Alliteration. The pattern of the dress is nicely balanced by the gray tee underneath. She also keeps accessories to a minimum, giving the dress the full attention it needs. And I love the insouciance of those sunglasses.

Kaitlin - Albany Ave

2008-06-22T00:28:00.000-07:00

Kaitlin is a great example of being "matchy- matchy". The shades of orange in her dress, sweater, and shoes are just different enough to make her outfit interesting, but close enough that they aren't jarring. The boldness of the colors is such a strong look, but the cut and pattern of her dress is feminine and summery.

Her sandals remind me of Israel:

Chaya - Kingston Ave

2008-06-20T00:48:00.001-07:00

It's really hot and dry out here in California. So even though I told Chaya I'd be saving this shot for a rainy day, just imagining the rain is cooling me off, and I'm gonna go ahead and use it now.
Here, what caught my eye originally was Chaya's shoes. That bold 'pop' of color just makes me smile. Then it was the umbrella. I have a deep fondness for polka dots. After that, there was detail after detail that I just kept noticing. The shapes of her jacket and skirt, the round necklines, that great bag...
And great jewelry. Check out her earrings:

Those lovely, lovely shoes (and great legs to go with them!).

So cheerful and cute!

Dog Walker - Prospect Park

2008-06-15T22:39:00.000-07:00

This woman has a wonderful monochrome scheme in her outfit. I tend to lean towards bright colors and light fabrics in the springtime, but she demonstrates that wearing muter shades can also be great springwear.
Truthfully, I really stopped her for her shoes:

I WANT THESE!

Take a closer look at the perforations on the edges of her shoes. The quality and detail of these are amazing.

Sunday Style - Rockridge BART

2008-06-11T22:57:00.000-07:00

It's nice to see a kid dressed with such class and creativity. The orange shirt adds vivacity to the classic quality of his polished shoes and perfect suit. Someone's in his Sunday best!

Daniella - Israel in the Park, San Francisco

2008-06-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

I love clothes that are cute, yet comfortable. Clothes that look great, but that you can also get dirty in. This is a great example of that. Daniella has a military air to her outfit, but softens the look with subtle feminine touches.

Like these nude fishnet stockings, paired with wide buckled shoes:

A fashionable alternative to bulky camera straps:

Photographer - Eastern Parkway and Albany

2008-06-04T20:03:00.000-07:00

This guy's got a casual, comfortable look, but what makes it interesting is all the details. Like the orange-framed glasses. Or the contrasting checks in his shirt and his pants (closer look below).
He takes what could be your classic bochur look - untucked shirt, crumpled pants - and adds style.

The look from behind - check out those tzitzis hanging proud!

A closer glance at his checked shirt and pants. Oh, and the adorable stuffed animal hanging from his camera bag:

His shoes were a combination of fancy French tips and worn out sneakers:

Innocent Bystander - Union Square NYC

2008-06-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

This one is all about harmonic dissonance. Not one piece of her outfit quite matches the rest, but something about the whole of it is eyecatching and refreshing. The brightness of the yellow sweater and the red shoes lighten what might otherwise have been a dark, dull dress. I myself have a tendency to be a bit "matchy-matchy". It's a lot safer. (And also fun. I'll have to find a picture to prove it!)Being able to pull off such a variety of colors and textures takes a lot of guts. Let this woman's bravery be an inspiration!

A closer look at that "harmonic dissonance". Check out the great belt hidden behind the strings of the sweater.

2008-06-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the lack of posts! My Internet in New York was down, and I flew home to California on Thursday and have been settling in since then. I'll try to post something tonight!

Chaya - President and Albany

2008-05-26T11:12:00.001-07:00

Chaya teaches in a school that requires a staff shirt to be worn. What I liked was how the scarf she chose has exactly the same shade of maroon as her shirt. The blazer and scarf add a jauntiness to what could otherwise be just your average ready-to-be-destroyed-by-innocent-five-year-olds teacher's uniform.

Her "brocade" Converse

Kayla - Carroll and Kingston

2008-05-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

I stopped Kayla on the street - the first person in Crown Heights I've photographed that hasn't been one of my friends. The bold colors of her sweater, combined with the beautiful soft blue of her scarf caught my eye. Her red flats are the perfect accessory. This is a great spring outfit - clean lines and bright colors.

Artist - Union Square NYC

2008-05-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

Union Square on a Sunday is a great place to spot people. Artists express their creativity in their clothing, as well. With this woman, I loved the layers she had - t-shirt, sweatshirt, jacket, and that magnificent scarf. The bright color of the t-shirt lightened up what might otherwise have been a somber selection. And the jauntiness of the belt, cinched low at the waist, pulls the silhouette together.
Take a closer look at her dreadlocks, and her fantastic bamboo earrings:

Danielle and Candice - Union between Albany and Kingston

2008-05-20T10:51:00.001-07:00

Danielle and Candice are the new girls on the block. They are also the first people I photographed for this blog. I love the femininity of Danielle's purple velvet dress combined with the sturdy, almost piratelike, look of her boots. And Candice has worked magic with her rose-red theme - down the the tips of her shoes and the top of her head. And her bag is awesome!

"Pirate boots and vintage peep toes."

"Feminine yet punky bag"

Chaya - Kingston Avenue between President and Carroll

2008-05-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

Chaya is a friend of mine who epitomizes a casual, yet classy look. There's always color in whatever she is wearing, which I love, especially on these beautiful spring days.

"Yellow Shoes"

"Geometrical Earrings"