Talking Ass Pants on the Cheap

It's the semi-annual sale at Victoria's Secret and words on your ass, otherwise known as the PINK line, are going wicked cheap. I have spent more time (and money) than I can afford, frankly, pondering my obsession with these derriere scribblings, and I just give up. Ditto with understanding why someone who dresses in an entirely muted palette chooses 'loungewear' in such insanely bright colors, sometimes festooned with gold and rhinestones. Possibly those colors are the secret to my ability to stay up so late - who could possibly sleep in the glare of hot pink and turquoise with gold lame writing and rhinestones?

I picked up this cute sleep tee for $10. It's almost muted, but it does have the hot pink and the words, albeit not on the ass. Plus, as someone who leaves Manhattan once every six months, and then only head to Queens to hop a plane some other large city, the expression "nature lover" really makes me laugh. I mean, I'm annoyed by the stupid ginko trees, 2 to a block, and how they dare drop their 7 measly pods once a year, cluttering our sidewalks.

And of course, there are the talking ass pants ($16).

Oh, I understand that you can also pick up other things at the sale - crazy good deals on bras, panties, pj's etc, without words emblazoned on them. I don't know why a person would want those, but, to each his own.

(Oooh) Growing Up

I recently realized that a friend of mine goes everywhere dressed as if she is attending a bar mitzvah (or bat mitzvah, to be fair). I myself arrive at the same event looking as if I have come to clean your garage, and possibly your gutters, time permitting. OK, I exaggerate slightly (at least about my style), but I am a casual chick, in love with my jeans and cords.

I resent any event that demands a skirt, possibly out of a childish "you're not the boss of me" attitude, but more likely due to a skirt dress code imposed on me throughout my formative years. Today I was supposed to attend an event in a skirt, but I found a way to weasel out of going altogether. Had I had this $37.50(from $128!) suede skirt though, I feel certain I would have behaved like the adult I ostensibly am, put it on, and actually shown up, if not grown up.

Boot Up

I love these boots, only $67 (coupons, my friends), but I can't decide which color. Buying either would be insane, since, as I've mentioned, there is currently no room for the boots I already own (physically, that is - emotionally I can love each and every pair I bring home limitlessly - I am like Angelina Jolie that way. And in that way only).

Of course, I did notice the other day that one pair in my closet, with a non-replaceable, rubber sole, has a hole in the heel. So I could possibly send those boots to live on a farm upstate, where they could run free with other beloved, but tired, soles.

Sock On

I have 15 pair of boots. Ironically, because I have so many boots in my closet (there is some spillover when I am just too lazy to wedge them into the one unique configuration, including 2 pair jammed on an amp, that provides them all shelter), I don't have room for both snow boots and rain boots. Amanda turned me on to these awesome fleece boot socks for only $8, which convert my awesomely cool rain boots into awesomely toasty snow boots. When I got home yesterday from the city's first snow, for once I was not walking on stumpy ice feet and badly in need of a cup of Godiva cocoa. So there is that downside.

Health Warning Unheeded

I am growing concerned that the general population has not taken the earlier warning on 'forgot to put on pants syndrome' as seriously as it warrants. Very recently I met up with some colleagues and was horrified to find that one had shown up in a cute shirt and leggings. I hope she did not notice as I stared intently at her nearly naked bottom half while moving slowly, but deliberately, across the room from her. I cannot risk catching this illness - it's cookie season, the worst possible time to catch it - and exposing my nearly naked ass to the scrutiny of the world.

Please! Inoculate yourself immediately. Pick up any of the following bargains and slip them over your legs and ass ASAP. If you have a balance in your flexible spending account, consider charging in these pants as they are a prophylactic purchase.

$14.50 cords - take with breakfast and don't take off all day.

These $32 velvet pants are prescribed for the times you would ordinarily choose 'formal leggings.' They are named "Lindsay." Hmmmm. Snark at Ann Taylor?

The cute back pockets on this pair of jeans ($44) provides you extra protection against FTPOPS .

What Could Have Been

Were my firm's holiday party not being held in the cafeteria, and were I actually going (which I'm not, because it's being held in the cafeteria), I think these earrings would have looked lovely with the new dress I would have bought.

Only $15 - and made of genuine gold plate and amethyst glass (huh?).

Every Step They Take

I have loved these shoes from afar for months. I have ogled them online, walked by their store and casually glanced in their direction, never quite looking them in the eye, and called them on the phone but hung up quickly when they answered. And now, after all my patient stalking, it may finally be time for me to make my move. With an additional 15% off they are $60.

Please, be a good soul and do not share my confession with any of the 3 pair of brown boots that essentially serve the same purpose these pumps would. The heart wants what the heart wants.

Gift Your Feet Cozy

I thought these PINK (Victoria's Secret) slippers would be a nifty little gift to give my aunt at the family Chanukah party. When I found out they were half off, only $7.25, well I thought they'd make this someone a nice gift as well. Kind of a gift to me for being nice enough to get a gift for someone else. And as a gift to me for being nice enough to get a gift for myself, they included a free pair of their 'limited edition' (but not 'collectible') PINK undies.
FYI, their site does not seem to offer the discount or the limited edition unmentionables.

Sore Spots

I have a shirt just like this one. I loved it. Right up until the day last week it was washed in the same machine, apparently, in which some thoughtful person had washed his or her whites. With bleach. Take my word for it, this top looks much nicer without faded brown spots all around the neck and across the back. I tried that Sharpie trick and it worked pretty well. I intend to wear this top the very next time I am invited to a dimly lit meeting attended by people with very poor eyesight, all of whom have chosen to leave their glasses - and contacts - home. I am invited to so many meetings of that ilk.

Right now with a Luxe card, I can replace my top for only $19. But why would I? I mean, it's just so much improved this way.

Mida Keneged Mida

This is where being a good person pays off. I met this Kenneth Cole coat over the weekend when it was $99. It seemed wistfully lonely and, righteous woman that I am, I went back to visit it tonight, to bring it some holiday cheer. And, wouldn't you know it, the coat paid it forward, offering me a 30% discount plus another 20% off.

Trust me, this coat is so much cuter in black. And for only $56, it's downright adorable .

Belt Dy-No-Mite

I got this groovy belt at Anthroplogie's big sale for $8. I love the linkiness and the seventies-ness. I'm not quite loving that the purchase of this belt has sent me on a mission, scouring stores and sites for a nice sweater or dress or sweater dress to wrap this belt around. Who am I kidding? That's actually an added bonus.

Learn From My Mistake

This dress is $11.50. $11.50, ___ (insert "yo," "dude" or "man" according to your self-perceived age group)! I bought myself pretty much this exact same dress by ABS for $69. And I thought that was a bargain, marked down from $240. I paid exactly 6 times what this dress costs. Yes, there is no band at the neck like there is on mine, but had I seen the two dresses side by side, I am preeeetty certain I would not have opted to pay an extra $57.50 for that band. You could buy a dress in every one of the four colors it comes in, and still not pay what I paid for one. Of course, people would talk about you behind your back as that weird woman who keeps wearing that same dress in a bunch of different colors. Maybe you would like that, though, what do I know?

Open (Salad) Bar

This is not the year of the holiday party. I know I was not the only one who noticed the great irony, or possibly the desperation, of Ann Taylor's recent campaign, "There will be parties." No, there will not be parties. Or if there are parties, they will be on a much smaller scale. This year, for example, my company's party will be held in the cafeteria. Former locations have included the ballroom at the Waldorf, the Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum, the main branch of the New York Public Library. But, really - not one of those venues offered those salads where you pick 17 ingredients and the man behind the counter tosses them all together for you (what makes those taste so good? the aforementioned 17 ingredients?).

Even for a party in the caf, you need to look good. But, as befitting a party at which where you have to tug each paper napkin one by one from the 4 foot tall dispenser, asking yourself with each pull, "Do I really need all these napkins? Am I singlehandedly killing the planet?" you have to do it on the cheap. $21 oughta do it.

Miracle Anti-Whining Device Invented!!!

The temperature in NYC has dropped to the 30's and everyone is complaining. I don't quite get it, it's not like it's August. We weren't walking around in tank tops and flip flops (and no scarves) yesterday only to wake up today not knowing where our down coat is and where we put any of our 14 pair of boots (no, 14 pairs of boots is not excessive, thank you). It's November, it's the northeast, it's cold. As my friend Suzanne would say, "suck it up."

After several days of my being annoyed at people for expressing great horror at the dropping temperatures, I had to acknowledge that there were two additional causes for my annoyance. The first cause is my general crankiness that, like every New Yorker, I artfully nurture through mostly real, but sometimes imagined, confrontations throughout the day. But the second cause is the amazing hat I have been wearing - it keeps me so toasty, I really can't even tell how cold it is. Amanda and I each bought this hat back in sweaty August (when I was annoyed at everyone for saying "hot enough for ya?" Yes, it's hot in New York in the summer. New York has seasons, I got it) at H&M for $12. We felt foolish wearing them around the store back then, but who's the fool now, you silly whiners? Here's the Wilson's Leathah version, at twice the price, since H&M has a very poor site.

Real Feel of 15 Degrees

It's finally here - actual scarf weather. For those of you who had to be chastised, first for the inside scarf (how many American Idol wannabes crooned their hearts out whilst being strangled by a 6 foot long indoor scarf?) and then the summer scarf (please), your time is here.

Make hay while the sun shines, or some other Laura Ingalls Wilder aphorism, because, once those cute little green buds of spring make their first appearance, I will be coming by your apartment, condo, house, co-op, or commune and confiscating each and every scarf for storage through the warmer months. Protecting you from yourself.

Keeping Up Appearances

*Cough* I'm still sick. Well, I'm mostly better, but my voice has reached that raspy hoarseness that makes me sound sicker than I am, so that, ironically, it's when I am on the mend that people think I am sickest, and finally offer to do nice things for me. They offer, but I don't take advantage. Well, not every single time.

Keeping up the perception that I am still sick requires me to dress the part. And what better than this cozy belted hoody, ideally over the pj's shown below, purchased for me by some sympathetic soul. Not yet, but any time now. The Gap has a coupon going around for 30%, so this is only $16. *raspy cough*

Lounge Your Way to a Healthier You

I am so sick. Please feel sorry for me. In 24 hours I went from healthy to exhibiting every symptom listed on the side of the only box (of 4) of cold medicine in my apartment that has not yet expired. You know what would make me feel better? If you would please buy me this pajama set - pardon me, loungewear set, now 25% off. I would lounge my way through my cold, box of tissues on one side, rehydratory (I'm in pain, I can make up words if I want to) liquid (diet coke) on the other, the final disk of "The Wire" playing on my dvd player.


If I were Amanda, I would probably require the recuperative power of these pants below. Oddly, my seven sisters college is not included in the Victoria's Secret "Collegiate Collection." And we are so known for our strong athletic programs. Clearly delirium has set in - I better go lounge.

I'm Too Tired to Come Up with A Title for this Entry

I once worked on a project at Nine West. It was located at - surprise - 9 West Street. I am hoping there wasn't a huge amount of cash dropped reaching that branding decision. They told me that the company names the shoes after people they know (again, I hope some brand management firm was not engaged to make that decision). They even promised to name a style after me. To the best of my knowledge they have not. But, I don't hold that against them. Much.

But I can put that grudge behind me, at least temporarily, to purchase these awesome shoes I have been watching for quite a while. They are $48, with free shipping. Let's call them "Jayn" and heal my apparently still raw wound.

Because I want to spare my cousin the pain and suffering of not having a shoesake, I am hereby naming these $32 dollar beauties "Amanda". They come in awesome colors like purple, teal, and brown patent.

Waffling on Leggings

Amanda and I have an ongoing argument. Well, two. The first argument is over which cupcake place is the best in Manhattan. That argument involves mostly research. The second argument is over leggings. While we both agree that a pair of leggings is not a pair of pants (or even a pant), I believe that leggings are a good substitute for tights, in a casual environment. Amanda believes they are a symbol of all that is wrong and evil in this world. She also believes that tights work well as tights.

As best as I can figure, I won't wear tights in my casual life because I wear them to work. Not that I should wear tights at my blue chip firm, but I do, because I am always one notch too casual for the activity at hand. Were I to win one of the few, but coveted, Oscars given out for management consulting work, I would show up in a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress. It would be very pretty, but completely too casual.

In deference to Amanda, as well as my well-documented love of all things thermal (I am still trying to justify someday purchasing a thermal tank top I've been visiting at Urban Outfitters), I purchased these thermal tights at Old Navy. And you know what? Tights function surprisingly well as tights!

Friendly Fire

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to spread the gospel of what is both cute and affordable, our advice goes unheeded. Our warnings are ignored. Our good intentions go to waste. And, dear readers, we are here to tell you, you are only hurting yourselves.

Take, for example, my dear friend Hillary. Normally a chick of exceptional taste (not to mention sparkling wit and gracious hospitality), she ignored our stand on the bootee and went out and bought one anyway. Even worse -- she bought two! One for each foot! Didn't she read the part where we said we would hate her as a result??

So I suppose now I am forced to stand by my principles and hate her. But that makes me sad. Maybe I could try to look at things from Hillary's point of view. You know, walk a mile in her shoes. Except -- then I would have to wear bootees! And walk a mile!

But . . . isn't friendship [just barely] more important than footwear? If the Luckier Chicks can teach you only one thing, let it be that crucial tenet. So clearly my only option is to overlook this little oversight -- whilst wearing my own shoes. Probably these.

Just Say No

As a rule, Amanda and I post only positive, sunshine-and-bubbles, cupcakes-with-sprinkles entries, but sometimes a stand must be taken against an item, no matter how negative it makes us sound. There are lives at stake.

NO to the bootee. NO to the summer scarf. And now, it is our moral duty to steer you away from these 'jeans.' No, these are not a prop from the SNL commercial for mom jeans. They are not part of some costume for a children's play - on mom jeans. Yes, they are faded, high-rise, capri jeans with pleats and a cuff! (We blame Katie Cruise.) Old Navy may be asking only $10, but that is how they hook you, like the after-school-special dope pusher with his freebie. Just say no.

Ode on a Grecian Urn

What does a Grecian earn? Probably more than me. I mean, flowing togas and crowns of laurels can't come cheap, right? Which is why I was pleasantly surprised to discover how to look adorably Grecian for just a few drachmae.

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Megan was wearing an awesome double headband of gold braid, much like in the picture above (edited because it does justice to neither Megan nor myself. And because I stole it. Economical!). I was shocked when she told me it was from Claire's. Alas, when I went to Claire's to get one for myself, the store didn't have any! A true Greek tragedy.

But my co-blogger was there to save the day. One quick trip to the trimming district (complete with requisite Project Runway-contestant sighting -- in this case, Austin Scarlett) and a series of text messages later, and Jayn was able to procure for me my own golden fleece (shown above). A yard of this gold braid wrapped twice around my head, with my hair pulled back in a messy bun -- goddess-like! If only my toga party days weren't behind me . . .

How Mighty White of Me

We all think our tastes are so unique. Surely no one possesses the same exact combination of interests we do. And then you sign onto Amazon.com and it offers suggestions of what you might like, based on previous visits, and you are horrified at how dead-on they are. (Sometimes you deny its recommendations are accurate, like when it says you would enjoy "Two and a Half Men" - but you know you are fooling only yourself.) I have loved peacoats since birth. OK, since my friend Mary Ann wore the one her brother got in the Navy. Imagine my horror when I learned that my love of the pea coat is shared by the entire white race. But this pea coat, this one is different, she pleaded. This one is unique! It comes in this awesomely regal purple, and it's got this great, low-slung belt, while still preserving a waist. With a 20% off coupon, it's only $56.

Unluckier Chick

Dear Sarah,

I know your life must just be insanity incarnate right now. Between showing us you're a good sport on SNL, cramming on current events, getting those orange streaks in your hair and planning that shotgun wedding, you have clearly not found the time to read Luckier. How else can you explain the $150,000 you spent on campaign clothes? Well, make time, Miss Moosie! What better way to show you understand whatever Joe it is we're celebrating this week (we've moved past Joe Sixpack, and have pretty much beat Joe the Plumber to death, or at least into such a stupor he can't remember to forget to show up for his appointments), than to peruse Luckier and snag yourself some deals.

I know you rationalized the huge bill by saying you needed to dress for many different climates. Well, I'd like to introduce you to a concept known as 'layering'. It is so well-known that my five-year-old put a t-shirt over pajamas last night and asked how I liked the 'layered effect.' Now, don't be offended - you can't possibly expect me to believe this is the first time someone has suggested that you could learn a lot from a five-year-old. Grab this sweater dress/coat for $25 and we'll all completely identify with you as one of us.

You betcha.

Booteelicious

On behalf of Jayn and myself, I would like to publicly announce that Luckier is boycotting the "bootee." I know Jayn has previously mentioned how ugly it is, but it's time we really took a stand. It's heinous. Stop trying to make us wear it, fashion magazines. It is the ugliest shoe ever and makes you look stupid, and if you wear it, we will hate you. Oh, and it's spelled stupidly. So there you go. Stand taken.

If you would like to adorn your feet with a shoe that is taller than a pump but reaches below mid-calf, and not look like an asshole, stick with the ankle boot. I will admit, I never quite know what to wear them with, but that doesn't stop me from wanting this one. I'll wear it underneath bootcut jeans and no one will ever see how cute the top is, but I'll know. AND I'll know it was $39! For suede boots! And most importantly, I won't be wearing a bootee. And you can't really put a price on that.

Get Your Freak Or Geek On

You know how you wish you could re-do high school? If you don't, stop reading right now, I have no use for you. The rest of you, you must watch Freaks and Geeks. I heart "Freaks and Geeks." It's really beyond that. Somehow I slipped over the line from like, past love, skipped right on through obsession, to that state where you begin to proselytize. I tell uninterested parties that they must, right this very second, sign on to Netflix, select it, and move it to the top of their queue.

F&G lets you re-do high school. If you're a chick, you re-do high school as Lindsay, a freak one day, a geek the next. And you do it all in your father's army jacket. I long ago raided my father's army gear, so I had to find a new for my Lindsay jacket. Here are two to choose from. With the code luckybreaks8 ,the shorter, less Lindsay one is $18. The longer one is $45.

Give Sleeves a Chance

There is simply no excuse for what I witnessed on my way home today: a tank top and scarf. If you're chilly - and since it's October, you well might be - consider wearing a shirt with sleeves. Sleeves are that part of a garment that encases your arms. And now that you know what sleeves are, I bet you will find if you open your drawer that you actually own some clothing with this incredibly functional feature! Now, sh0uld you not own any sleeved garments, and only in that dire circumstance, might I suggest you buy some sleevies. Anything but the scarf. It's all we are saying.

Smock On

I think this dress is just adorable - even if Esprit could not figure out how to accessorize it. A navy dress paired with all that black? I literally shuddered when I saw it. I am shuddering now as I type this entry. I am shuddering now as I read what I typed. And Amanda and I have sworn solemnly (the only way to swear) to each other that we will not be brainwashed into wearing that "bootie" - footwear that fails at being either a boot or a pump, but succeeds at being damn ugly. But the dress on its own, with your hand covering up those parts of the screen that offend the soul, it is sweet as can be, with its smocking around the neck and waist, and its fiber of completely indeterminate origin. $60.

Buffet Jacket

My teeny tiny friend Joy has something she calls 'buffet pants.' They are elastic-waisted pants she dons before hitting an all you can eat buffet. But what good are buffet pants, if you bust out of your jacket on the way out of the restaurant? With this adorable jacket though, fat chance! $22.80 (because $23 would be just outrageous).

Au natural

I'm like the opposite of one of those PETA people who throw paints on ladies wearing fur coats; I want to do the same to people wearing synthetic-leather shoes. I know it's wrong, and not very animal-friendly of me, but that's just the way I was raised. I just prefer things organic (as in, "of or from an organ").

Which is why I am so happy to present you with these gray suede kitten-heeled numbers. Target.com has a ton of cute fall shoes, but every time I find a pair I like, I am chagrined to learn that they are made of a "faux patent leather upper with thermoplastic rubber outsoles." But then I came across these, which claim to feature a "suede upper!" Ok, so they still have thermoplastic rubber outsoles, but at least it is real thermoplastic, not faux!

Ok, I'm off -- must go stock up on paint in time for Yom Kippur. Whoever came up with a holiday where leather shoes are patently (get it? Like patent leather!) not allowed must have been blowing the shofar a little too hard. (Just kidding, God! I totally heart you!)

Next Block: Bags?

It's no big news that living in NYC is insanely expensive, but there are some bargains to be found. Where else can you get a mani-pedi for $20? (BTW, when I asked how much for just the pedi, I was told $20, so it only made good economic sense to get both.) And, also for only $20, these Bruno Magli slingbacks from Bloomies. Yes, ok, they are used, I mean vintage, but they are awesome, from their topstitching platforminess to their stacked heels. There I was, literally walking down the street, when I walked right into a tag sale and right into these shoes, just my size, hardly worn, at least 30 years old. Now, maybe I was inspired by this weekend's inexplicable and disturbing obsession with "The Rachel Zoe Project," but the vintage aspect made them all the more desirable. And I am sure reusing shoes has reduced my carbon footprint by like 15%.

Now you may be asking yourself why I bothered to post this item, since these shoes are pretty much unavailable now that I bought the only pair for sale on the West 83rd Street sidewalk. No doubt it's because I am constantly trying to remind myself why I have chosen one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in while not working at one of the most lucrative jobs in the world. Cheap designer shoes that practically walk onto your feet seems like a damn good reason. Or, if I were running for vice president, a gosh darn good reason.

Not Your Grandma's House Dress

I think I know why this dress is $24.99 - a less-than-clever copy writer has included the phrase "house dress silhouette" in its description, and all interested shoppers couldn't click the back button fast enough.

My grandmother's housedress, which she spent my entire childhood in, was a red, orange and yellow striped cotton smock, with snaps down the front. Thoughtfully coordinated yellow granny panties peaked out the bottom (now that copy writer got the description correct). This dress is considerably more adorable, and there is relatively little chance of your undies hanging out the bottom - always a plus in any clothing purchase.

Tank You Veddy Much

You know what's nice about joining a gym? And before you answer, "pretending not to see other people's hair clogging the gym shower drain," let me tell you: buying gym clothes. Now, in the Manhattan neighborhood I live in, it would appear there is a uniform for women who work out, or want to appear to work out. They all wear Lulu Lemon. (All men are issued an Obama t-shirt upon crossing 60th Street.) At Lulu Lemon you can get yourself a cute top for only $70 and maybe some yoga pants for another $90. I guess that price tag explains why Lulu Lemonheads wear their gym attire 24/7. And as cute as those clothes are, and as expensive, I don't need spandex wrapped tightly around my midsection. While you might think spotting evidence of my overindulgence in cupcakes would inspire me to work out, it really only inspires me to eat more cupcakes. So - buy this tank for $10. It floats away from the cupcake area, allowing you to focus on your workout and not your midriff.

Trgt Rcks!

Once, when I went to visit my sister in Atlanta, she picked me up from the airport and drove me directly to a Target. The best part was that I didn't suggest it to her, she just knew in her heart of hearts that it was the right thing to do. So tonight I am in Dallas for work and I went out to dinner with my parents. As soon as we got in the car, to drop me back at my hotel, I asked, innocently enough, "Can you believe I didn't make you take me to Target?"

So here's what I found when we got there - these awesome Supp Low-Rse Twll Chno in Cfe Ltte pants for only $20. I love the color and the soft cotton and the front pockets. They actually remind me of the pants worn in this picture of my pal Kevin, the dirty kid on the left, who was just pushed in the mud by his brother Chuck, the somewhat larger, more self-satisfied looking child on the right. Maybe the connection isn't really there. Maybe after 11 years I still can't get enough of this photo. Not unlike my love of Target, my love for this photo is boundless.

¿Mas Ombre? Si, Mas Ombre

(How awesome am I for including that upside down question mark?)

How hard do we work to find luckier items for you? So hard that we found you two luckier items named Ombre. That's how hard we work for you. Can't you just see this paired with tall black boots? $47 if you use the online code 8LZEMP or print this coupon below and take it to Lucky. While you're there, try to find out what gives their stores that peculiar aroma, ok? Gracias.

I'm Free

I finally did it! I broke free of my fears and tried something different. In the past I would have shied away from this shirt, but at last I am letting my inhibitions run wild (ok, am I the only one who is bothered by how wrong that line is in "Tonight's the Night"?). I have overcome both fear of colors and fear of patterns all at once - and with no psychopharmacological assistance. I love that word - can I say it again? Psychopharmacological.

Anyway, check out how far I've come. Note the insanely busy pattern. Right there, along the neck. Use the "view larger" button and it'll be obvious. You're not using a laptop with a small screen, right? Check out the bold use of color - note the contrast between the white embroidery floss and the even whiter gauzy cotton. Enjoy the interplay of the two textures. This top would look awesome with a wide brown woven leather belt, if you're not too afraid to add another color and texture to the mix. I know, just dip your toe, don't dive in headfirst. $15.