Last Friday I dared to venture where I have never ventured before: the Forever 21 store in Union Square. I had a rather enjoyable shopping experience once I adjusted to the horror of being surrounded by cheap tulle and obnoxious tweens, which is possibly because I forgot what it’s like to buy trendy clothes for CHEAP. Sure, the quality is questionable, but who can say no to a plaid cape for $16? Or platforms pumps for $19? Not me, sir. Call it lack of self control or whatever you will, but I walked out of that hot-sparkly mess of a store with quite a few proud purchases under my arm. One of those is this terrific military cardigan in light tan with gold buttons. When I saw this little number across the crowded aisle of chatting tourists I immediately thought of the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” getups worn by The Beatles in their iconic album cover. These cheap Forever 21 versions may not be in the same cool psychedelic colors, but at least there are a few choices of hues in case you and your friends want to go as slightly-more neutral versions of The Beatles for Halloween. As for me, I’ll just keep the cardigan for walking around the streets of New York and giving unnecessary salutes to random strangers.

Military trim cardigan, $34, available at Forever 21.

Opps! Someone was missing…..

Cropped Military Jacket, $42, available at Forever 21.

If you are someone who routinely reads fashion sites or lives in New York, you may remember that big hubbub when Karl was in Soho shooting the campaign.  I too was excited to have the great Karl shooting in our territory, but unfortunately the results aren’t fantastic. The setting looks pretty mundane and much to my horror, the furry boots make multiple appearances (although I’ll admit I’ve seen even more ugly things walking around Soho).  Seriously, who thought it would be sexy to put Margot Tenenbaum on top of an ewok? WHY, KARL, WHY?!

But I forgive him. Although it’s a little late, I couldn’t resist doing fashion formulas for the collection. Yeah, they are quite obvious, but seriously folks…  look at these ugly monsters (and I’m not talking about the wampa).

And to mix it up, here’s a dandy…

C3PO/R2D2

Boba Fett

More Boba Fett (!!!)

Jabba the Hutt

Han Solo… in carbonite!

Wookiee jacket, which I can only hope I will be rocking come wintertime.

PS. Whoever styled the shoes with the backgrounds, I LOVE YOU.

Example #1: Knuckle rings.

Here’s a picture of Radio Raheem, the Public Enemy-loving giant that carries his boom box around like it’s his job. I love his bling! Check out some more updated and chic versions below.

Brass knuckles skeleton key ring, $12, available at Fred Flare; Alexander McQueen knuckle duster ring, $550, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Example #2: Seersucker jackets and boat hats.

This is the neighborhood’s crazy drunk otherwise known as “Da Mayor.” Perhaps if he cleaned up a bit he could pull off the preppy hipster look. You can find these derby-worthy pieces at plenty of upscale men’s stores.

Michael Kors seersucker blazer, $443, available at Neiman Marcus; Straw dye trilby hat, Paul Smith, $95, available at Bloomingdale’s.

Example #3: Brightly colored 80’s shirts.

These neighborhood kids look like they are waiting in line for a MGMT concert. It’s obviously not hard to find their look at thrift stores and American Apparel.

Viscose sexuali-tank, $24, available at American Apparel; Striped jersey t-shirt, $28, available at American Apparel

Example #4: Linen shirts and loafers.

“Sweet Dick Willy” and his gang of old sweaty dudes might just be the most stylish folks on the block. Their linen shirts and loafers are classic summer staples.

Slim fit linen short-sleeve shirt, $39.99, available at Gap; Krahn loafers, $75, available at Aldo

Example #5: Colorful sundresses and floppy hats.

This one is my favorite. Behold the beautiful Jade, the real life/on-screen sister of director/actor Spike Lee. She looks like she could have popped right out of an Urban Outfitters summer catalog, don’t cha think?

Kimchi Blue watercolor dress, $29.99, available at Urban Outfitters; Merona floppy hat, $12.99, available at Target

Whether you dig these looks or not, I highly recommend that you watch Do the Right Thing, especially if you love Samuel L. Jackson, enjoy racially-charged dramas, or have any experience with the sweltering New York City summer heat.

Speaking of Chanel (which is synonymous with Karl in my mind), check out this picture of young Coco sporting a swimsuit of her own design back in 1914:

This image was scanned from a book I own called Chanel and Her World by Edmonde Charles-Roux (a fascinating collection of stories and images that I highly recommend). The text reads:

In a characteristic move, Coco borrowed the material of Boy’s sweaters, a technique she would often repeat in subsequent years, searching through the wardrobes of her lovers for elements of masculine attire. Thus was born a very chaste suit.

Little did she know it would one day lead to this creation by the fashion house that she founded:

Zut. Ah. Lors.

When I first saw the collection I knew it reminded me of something, although I couldn’t quite place it. Then I remembered this drawing called “The Three Brides” by dutch art nouveau artist Jan Toorop:

Kind of similar to the colors and silhouettes of the Givenchy collection, non? I first saw the piece at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta a few years ago and was in awe; it’s quite impressive for just a pencil and crayon drawing that was made way back in 1893! I love the flowing, detailed lines and ghostly shading that was used (see a more detailed view here). If you’re an art nouveau nut like myself, check out a few more works by the artist below:

Red bow tie, Amazon; black pants, American Apparel; white dancing shoes, American Apparel; sleeveless button-up, American Apparel.

Marc Jacobs (the other MJ) sequined wool cardigan, Net-A-Porter; Michael Jackson sleeveless tee, ASOS; loafers, Urban Outfitters.

It also seems fitting to post famed photographer David LaChapelle’s epic tribute to the King of Pop, one in a series of religious-themed portraits of the artist. (I was recently surprised to find out that the MJ in these picture is just a look-a-like.) LaChapelle once told The Times:

“I don’t think he was capable of hurting anyone. I think there’s something really biblical about what happened. His lyrics are so naive and so beautiful. It’s one of the most epic stories of our time, to go from such heights to such depths. He’s a modern-day martyr.”

Amen, brother. Long live the king!

It’s true that history (and fashion) will always repeat itself. This would explain why these rash guard tops by surfer chic brand Pret-a-Surf look so familiar. If you are a fashion nerd like me, these tops probably remind you of the classic YSL Mondrian-inspired shift dresses from the 60’s that epitomized the fashion-meets-art craze. Now, 40 years later, the pattern has made its way from the art canvas to the runways and finally to the deep blue sea.

But as long as surfwear designers are creating pieces based on famous 60’s fashions, I would like to have a wetsuit made to look like this super shiny Paco Rabanne number:

and to get an even tan, I will need a piece for sunbathing like the infamous Rudi Gernreich monokini:

and some kind of beach cover-up, perhaps like the Pierre Cardin “Satellite” cape:

and I definitely should have a coordinating hat and sunglasses, like the Courrèges set Miss Hepbrun has here:

That’s all I need, really. Well, that and some surf lessons. PS. Doesn’t Audrey look so cool in that last photo? I totally want her spacey wardrobe almost as much as I want her Breakfast at Tiffany’s one.