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.
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!
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.
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).
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.
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."
