Some watch Porn, I watch Mad Men

I know that I am not alone.
Episode after episode, I watch wishing that I had a job where I could sip scotch all day, a life where the threat of lung cancer was still slightly fictitious and most importantly I wish I could have the clothes...

Banana Republic Introduces The Mad Men Collection

http://www.bananarepublic.com/products/mad-men-collection-men-C70237.jsp

This Friday- Spin Nightclub, Chicago

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/Calendar?id=104862&view=Detail

Cure for the common heat stroke

Every year when everyone else is breathing that deep sigh of relief over the end of our long Chicago winter I feel only one thing: dread. The frosty season may have its restricting elements.  Below zero temperatures make gallivanting difficult and most fine shoe makers don’t waterproof their oxfords, but these do not compare to the offenses of warm weather. As soon as summer hits I know that I can look forward to dated shorts, ill fitting everything, and that darn cop out- comfort.  

For me this means that I begrudgingly hang my ties up and resign myself to the reality that I cannot wear 3 to 4 layers in every outfit.  Getting handsome means looking good until you step out of the door and the stifling humidity deletes the hours work on your hair. Just can’t win.

The only way I can get past watching you walk down the street in your uncle’s safari style fishing hat is by day dreaming the season to come- yes, the one where I will comfortably slide on a pair of slacks, put on a corduroy tie and walk down the street with a hot coffee in hand. How do I do this? I shop.

As the heat index is surging over 100 degrees again this week, I’ve positioned myself near a cold air blowing vent and have committed myself to imagining cooler days so that I can get through this one.

I’ll know I’ve reached my promised land when I can don outwear and this year that includes suede.

…note the collar, it’s my favorite part.
Brought to you by Marimacho, a Brooklyn based masculine clothing line for female and transgender bodies. Check out their about us at: http://marimachobk.com/about/

Brought to you by ASOS, one of my favorite internet shops to blow a paycheck on.

 

Jack and Jones suede desert boot.

I can't get enough of the shawl collar. Thank god next season is with me on that.

An Introduction: Welcome to my closet, the door is wide open.

My mother never went as far as the mailbox, which was attached just outside of the front door, without first applying makeup and putting in earrings. When I was a little girl, I went to school with my hair in order and always matching outfits.  My grass stained, torn jeans were saved for the ball field, my pajamas for bed time and each outing was met with appropriate attire. I hated it.

I was a tomboy, of course, but dressing up meant frills and tights, never getting dirty, skirts, dresses and the like.  In these moments I waited impatiently for the point in the day where one of my parents gave the word and I would race to put on my denim.

We did not have a lot of money—I still don’t—but my appearance was never limited by that fact and the lesson has never left me.  I stopped hating the act of dressing up once I started putting on the right clothes. Slacks. Ties. Vests.  A well-made pair of shoes.

I am 5 foot 1 inch tall. I bind my breasts. I have hips. I wear menswear. It is a challenge to find clothes that make me feel handsome.  I shop in the boys section as well as the men’s. I look for gender neutral clothing in women’s sizes.  It is never as easy as going to the store and pulling something off of the rack, but I’d rather put in the effort than look like a child playing dress up in their father’s clothing.

My gender identity, as it's perceived, is wrapped up in clothing more than anything. More than the masculine space I expand my chest into to fill, more than the protective arm I wrap around my partner, how I’m read in the world at first glance is based on my what I pull out of my wardrobe.  I try to keep it dapper.