Street Snaps: Hazey Weather

There’s nothing I love more than clothes with a sturdy character and an outfit full of fine detail. This week’s Street Snaps is exactly that. Hazey is one good-looking person who has their style down. I imagine Hazey has a well-selected warddrobe, and getting dressed in the morning is just a matter of selecting just which accessories to put on top. Dreamy.

“My name is Hazey. I am thirty and, well, I just came from Austin, Texas, but I grew up in Western PA. Pittsburg area.”

How do you feel in Philly and how people present themselves generally?

“Well I just moved in December, and so far it’s good. And tough, you know, moving in the winter. And I love winter fashion way more than summer fashion. For me, layering is a lot easier. And as far as how people present themselves, anywhere you go, I enjoy seeing how people — the different kinds of fashion, and how city fashion can be, you know, eclectic in different areas.”

Is there anything you’ve seen in Philly so far that you’re like, oh why is this thing so popular here?

“Yeah, it’s not any one thing that I’ve noticed. Not yet. But I haven’t explored too far out of the neighborhood, either. I’ve sort been hiding for the winter, too.”

What kinds of media do you like to consume, or just people even, that may influence how you dress?

“Media-wise or people-wise, is that what you said?”

Yeah, like ‘what are your inspirations?’, but it’s deeper than that, I suppose. Or more thoughtful than that.

“Right, right. Yeah, I dunno. There’s certainly [...] a few blogs that I like to look at. And I like to search for different vintage photographs on like Google Image Search, you know. I mean, that’s more of an aesthetic style choice as far as stuff goes.”

Is there a certain time period that you really get into?

“No. There’s a lot. I think anything rusty, and old and wooden. It’s a little bit, maybe, industrial, but not. A friend of mine that lives in Austin is a little bit of a style icon, and I guess I’ve taken cues from that. I’m like the baby bear of this big guy.”

That’s pretty awesome. So do you buy clothes a lot? Do you buy new clothes ever?

“I’ve gone through phases. I was just working at a store in Austin — it’s a men’s store — so having a discount at a store is really helpful. But no… It’s a good combination of new and old. Cause finding older clothes that fit me can be more of a challenge. Especially because I like to wear men’s clothes.”

Where you’re like, in between all the inseams and shoulder widths and things like that?

“Right. Luckily I have broad-enough shoulders, but that’s not usually the problem. It’s the chest that becomes the issue.”

Mmm, yeah. I had a really awesome shirt that got stolen that I could never button across the chest… And lastly, do you have any current obsessions?

“No… Not really an obsession. There’s a lot of different things that I like, but nothing… I mean, I’m trying to learn how to play the banjo, and I like working with leather. But those have been long-time projects that just have been moving very slowly.”

And just check out Hazey’s handmade cell phone holster!

If you’re looking for more Philly street style, visit Broad&Market, or check out the Street Snaps archive by clicking on the “street snaps” tag just below.

Street Snaps: Staying Gold

Surely we’ve all been noticing the gentle return to late 70s-early 80s looks with the youth these days. I loved this person’s nail shape and general sweet and sophisticated style, embodied by the fairly conservative silhouette and braided hair. Isn’t she lovely…

“Jessica. I’m 19, I’m from D.C. I go to the Art Institute.”

How do you feel about Philly style?

“I think people have a lot of style here, but not a lot of people know about it. And I’m a fashion marketing major and I’m trying to work on making people more known about Philly style.”

Is there anything you’ve been taking in lately that’s been inspiring you?

“The atmosphere. Like being here right now, I’m drawing a lot of inspiration from that. Philly is love. I like the atmosphere of the vibe that I get from being here. Like I could just walk outside my dorm and there’s action.”

Do you have a favorite piece you’ve been wearing lately?

“I don’t have it on right now! But it’s my Hello Kitty piece. A friend just made it for me — it’s made out of Legos. I love Hello Kitty, and he made it for me. It’s a little pin. So that’s really neat to me.”

Do you have any questions, comments, shout-outs?

(friend walks up)

“Yusuf. I’m shouting you out.”

Any questions for me?

“Hmm. What do you like about being in Philly?”

I like that Philly is… It’s strange. It’s duplicitous. It has a lot of like, ohhh so-and-so is wearing that? And then somebody turns around and wears the same thing? But then that’s what’s kind of good about it. Like, I don’t care, I’m gonna wear my denim vest again!

“Yeah, that’s how I am when I wake up. I’m like okay, I might’ve just wore this yesterday but…”

That’s what I feel comfortable in! Like I’m not going anywhere so… I dunno. It’s kind of a bad thing, but a good thing. In some people’s eyes.

“Yeah, yeah.”

If you’re looking for more Philly street style, visit Broad&Market, or check out the Street Snaps archive by clicking on the “street snaps” tag just below.

Street Snaps: Bald is Beautiful

I know that everyone admires the style of glamorous old ladies, but let us not forget those elders in our communities that walk around in such items as a thrifted, possibly DIY altered denim skirt, wearing gold hoops, and rocking a bald hairstyle, like in today’s Street Snaps.

“My name is Beatrice. I’m seventy-three. From West Philadelphia.”

Is there anything you have to say about the way people in Philadelphia dress? Or a certain style that you think is around?

“I think it [depends] on what section you go into, you know. You can be on Walnut street, Chestnut street, Market street — you really can see the difference in how people dress, you know? And I like everything that’s in style.”

Do you tend to dress if you’re going to a specific area of the city, or do you do what you like to do?

“I do what I like to do. And usually — I do houses — so usually I have my jeans on and I’m really funky during the day. But today I didn’t work so I said, lemme put a skirt on.”

Is there anything that inspires the way you dress?

“No, I don’t think so. I just like to keep with the styles, and I don’t want to dress old-fashioned. Because I get on the bus sometimes, and I have my pass — you know the yellow pass? [for seniors] — and I see people get on the bus and they’ve got the pass on their necks? I say oh no, no, that’s for old people. Uh-uh.”

Is there anything you have to say about having very short or shaved hair?

“I love it. When I first started wearing it like eight years ago people would say, are you sick? I’d say no, I just like it. I let it grow last winter about that long [pinches fingers]. I couldn’t stand it. So I had to take it — I said I’ll let it grow until the summertime, but no, I said oh no, I’ve got to go back bald.”

Do you have any tips to anyone that’s maybe wanting to have a cut like yours?

“Well now you notice a lot of blacks with their hair cut short now. Like five years ago you didn’t see all this.”

Do you have a current obsession?

“No, no. I do enjoy doing houses. And I enjoy coming to thrift shops. And I tell people it’s just like being a crackhead. (laughs) It is. And I love it. So that’s really all I do. I don’t go out that much. I don’t travel that much. And it keeps me busy with doing these houses and things.”

Do you buy new clothes a lot?

“No, no, no. No. I thrift everything. Because what happened — I used to have a thrift shop myself. And then I gave it up because my daughter, she wouldn’t come half of the time. And I couldn’t pay the rent there and try to sell the stuff too, so I wound up taking like four car-loads of stuff to a church. And they just gave it away. So now I have a whole bag of shoes to give this Thursday. Cause you know what happens is, really we have too much. We have too much. So I’m glad to see you in here. I love it. Cause you never know what you’re gonna find. You can find designer stuff. You can even find crystal in here. I was in here last week and found some Waterford crystal, one of the best crystal you can buy — it was two candlestick holders, and it was two dollars and fifty-two cents a piece. [...] Cause they don’t know what they have in here.”

Hah! That is the beauty of the thrift store. Any last words?

“No, I’m just glad I ran into you!”

If you’re looking for more Philly street style, visit Broad&Market, or check out the Street Snaps archive by clicking on the “street snaps” tag just below.

Street Snaps: Young Ladies in Spring Time

I ran into this pair of friends while working at Omoi the other day. One was up for a weekend visit and it was clear that they were both pretty hype to be hanging out together. When I got my camera out, they busted out such a good string of poses, like they do this all the time with their squad or something. I had a hard time picking between them all, but I think this one effectively captures what was going on. Playful and sophisticated. They were definitely on some easy, breezy, beautiful ish, for sure. But let’s move on, shall we?

Adiya (L) and Kimba (R).

A: “I’m from New York and I live in Philadelphia. She’s from Maryland and lives in Virginia.”

What’s your opinion on the style in Philadelphia?

A: “It’s upgraded considerably. I moved out here in ‘03, and it was a hot mess. But Philly is finally taking cues from other inspiration, and then also adding their own flair to it. So you know, you can see it coming from them, and other places.”
K: “I think it’s a lot more eclectic now.”

That’s what I’ve been hearing lately when I’ve been doing my interviews.

A: “Yeah, Philly, they never worried about what other people thought. So when you add that with style, it goes in a good direction, you know what I mean? Cause you can’t worry about what other people think.”

It’s true.

A: “But you need to know how to put things together!” (laughs)

Yeah, you need to have a little Charm, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent. That’s from RuPaul’s Drag Race. An acronym which spells …

A: “Oh. I was about to say it.”
K: “Nice.”

Anyway! So about your personal style, is there any thing you’re into that you like to present when you dress, or anything that inspires you?

A: “My mommy. Lots of jewelry. (holds up hands). My mom, she wears rings. She keeps her rings on. And so I have lots and lots of jewelry. You can never have enough jewelry. You can never have enough bags. And you can never have enough shoes. And underwear.” (laughs)

And underwear. Kimba, do you have anything to add to that?

K: “Well my style, I think it’s kind of simple. I like to add a splash of color to everything that I wear, though. You have to have something on that kinda pops. But I think everyone has to be true to themselves. Like I’m not… short skirts and, you know? So it’s like sometimes people get into what other people think and wanna wear that, but you always have to be true to yourself.”
A: “And be comfortable.”
K: “Yeah be comfortable. Or else you’re walking around and you’re like, fixing things and kind of adjusting, and you’re not comfortable. It can throw the whole outfit off.”
A: “I learned too when I was younger — you know, how you’re in that insecure — or just kinda gettin to know yourself, that it’s not cool to look yourself while you’re walking.”

Yeah! Oh, well I was thinking of people that always look at themselves when they walk by a window.

A: “Well no, that’s different, you gotta sneak and do that. But there are people who look at their clothes, on themselves. Like they literally look at their shoes and they kinda, you know. (Pantomimes being concerned about how shoes look while walking down street.) You kinda, when you get older, you get rid of it, but I noticed it when I was younger, and I said this is not cool. You know? So it’s like, if you get out the house with it, act like you love it.”
K: “Right. No matter who’s looking at you any type of way, you gotta present it. Cause some outfits that seem crazy to me, but they’re wearing them like it fits them. That’s perfect for them. It’s all about attitude.”
A: “Yeah. They’re your clothes. They’re your clothes.”

Is there anything that either of you are wearing today that’s a favorite, that you keep putting on?

A: “I always wear these same five rings. I change up this one (motions to index finger with large gem stone on it), this is my feature finger that I keep my stone on, like whatever ring I have the stone goes here.”
K: “I would say my jacket. I think you should always have a nice jacket that can kind of be versatile and go with anything that you put on — you can dress it up and you can dress it down. That’s always important. Whether it’s black or you wanna throw any type of color, but it’s important to have a nice jacket.”
A: “And slimming. Even though she doesn’t need to be slimmed.”
K: “In the waist area.”

Yeah, I like the way the shoulders come out.

K: “Yeah the shoulders kind of come out and are puffy, but it’s slim in the waist.”
A: “So even if you had a tire, you wouldn’t see it.”
K: “Yeah, you can always cover. Then you could put a scarf on and make it big — So, you can always dress it up and dress it down.”
A: “Oh, and these are my go-to earrings.” (motions to gold Africa earrings)

Do you have a current obsession?

A: “Can it be food? It’s a long list. Chocolate — a Hershey bar and I’m good. Juice, I love juice. I’m like a two-year-old when it comes to juice. Simply Orange juice, and apple everything.”

Apple pie, apple cider, apple juice?

A: “Apple everything. Yes. Apple scents. Apple peels up all over my — lemme stop. (starts laughing). Oh, and biscuits with honey. I don’t like the layered stuff. I want a good home — Popeye’s but good for you. You know, if I could find somebody who could do that, cause I don’t bake.”

There’s a place called Honey’s that might work, around 4th and Poplar [sike, it's Brown] or so. It’s like soul food plus kosher food or something — I can’t quite remember the deal. But anyway they have the best biscuits, and this blueberry or blackberry jam or something that has solid berries in it still. And they have fresh-squeezed orange juice. So. But uh, Kimba, do you have any current obsessions?

K: “Umm… I don’t think — You know what? Mascara. And curling my lashes.”

Any particular brands, techniques?

K: “I think it’s called Long Lash? Maybelline, the pink bottle with the green cap, is the best. And you have to do it with an eyelash curler. You put it on, and then you do the eyelash curler — you put it on and you look like you have false lashes on. And it makes the eyes pop. It makes a big difference. You can do that and not have any other make up on, and it’ll turn people’s heads.”

Do you have any comments, questions, shout-outs?

A: “Lemme give a shout — I don’t have any shout-outs. I’m flattered that you stopped us.”

My pleasure. Anything about Philadelphia to comment on?

A: “Philly is… a nice, dysfunctional family. No, no, no, I’ve been here long enough to understand and appreciate Philly. Philly makes me appreciate New York. But New York makes me appreciate Philly. Because you know, I’m a country girl at heart. I grew up in New York and I don’t like crowds.”

That’s why you’re on Pine Street.

A: “Right, exactly. It has to be voluntary. I don’t want to be in a crowd for no reason. I should not have to fight my way up 34th street. It’s just not fair. So you know, I like space. Philly gives me that. And it’s beautiful.”

If you’re looking for more Philly street style, visit Broad&Market, or check out the Street Snaps archive by clicking on the “street snaps” tag just below.

Street Snaps: Tea and Indigo

Phew! Street Snaps is here, rest assured! Just sometimes things get a little backed up on the errand plate, you know? Anyway, today’s post features a young sweetheart that I almost passed by on Walnut Street near Rittenhouse. Many will contest that this little area is one of the most “fashionable” in the city, with a high concentration of brand name apparel stores and the ambiance of an affluent urban area (or am I pushing it with that last part?). It’s easy to pass the time people watching in this area, but spotting really exciting outfits is difficult sometimes (for me, anyway). So I get excited when I stop someone who piques my interest and discover that half of their outfit is hand-dyed. Shall we?

“My name is Daimon. I’m actually from Trenton, New Jersey. I’ve been in Philly since I was thirteen years old.”

Are there any things about Philadelphia style that you could comment on?

“It’s very eclectic. It’s not like most cities. Philadelphia is definitely it’s own city, with it’s own fashion sense.”

Is there anything you see people wear that you’re like, oh my god, this thing again??

“Polo boots! I hate the Polo boot.”

Like the weatherproof —

“I hate — with the fur? It sickens me. And the design, I hate it.”

So you’re looking forward to springtime?

“I love any weather. Any weather is Daimon’s weather. But Polo boots are no one’s weather.” (laughs)

Cool. Is there anything about the way you dress or the way you present yourself lately that you’ve been into?

“I’m definitely into things that don’t go together. Definitely things that mismatch, the misfit look, um… Things that you won’t see in men’s wear. Things like, from dying my own fabrics to mixing my shoestrings. Whatever it is to make myself opposite, I’m into it.”

Do you have a favorite thing on right now?

“I would say my shoes. I’ve had these shoes since the tenth grade. And these shoes came from Virginia, and I never found them anywhere else.”

Are they Chuck Taylors?

“Yeah! I spent my last money on these in tenth grade. And I will never give them out. My favorite shoes in the world.”

Do you have any current obsessions?

“My new love in fashion would be, I think, dying fabrics. I love it now. I started dying fabrics maybe four months ago, and I’ve been dying everything I can find.”

Do you have any tips for people? Like a particular brand you really like? Or like, coffee? I dunno…

“Um, I dye with fabric dye — even bleaching. And using tea. Lipton Tea dyes great. Like this [motions to scarf], is Lipton tea, marker, and bleach. To get this color.”

That’s awesome. Do you have any other other comments about the city? Or shout-outs or anything like that?

“Shout-outs to all the people at [can't decipher! art school of?] Philadelphia, especially all the Port 2 students. And my bestie right here, who’s a marketing major for Verlaine [need help on this too!] in New York City. Um, as far as Philadelphia goes, I think Philadelphia has ups and downs with fashion, but I definitely think it’s come a long way. And I think it’s going to go further in the next few years.”

Street Snaps: Greasy Hands & Toolbelts

This guy just started working above the coffee shop I always do my work at, and the first time I saw him I was really intrigued by his style. Rolled-up sleeves and work pants. It all struck me as completely efficient while still consciously accentuating the body. Plus it’s always fascinating to talk to people who require very durable, versatile clothing in their daily life. Talking about how clothing wears out is a nerdy sub-interest of mine. Let’s continue!

“My name is Joshua. Age is 26 and hometown is Philly.”

How do you normally dress everyday? What do you think about when you get up?

“I pretty much always wear shorts, and when it gets cold I just put tights under em, so I can ride my bike. I like wool a lot because it’ll keep me warm, but I can sweat into it and it won’t stop working as insulation. Yeah, I guess that’s it. I never really think too much about getting dressed. I clothe my nakedness.”

What are your tools for?

“Oh, I work upstairs, at the [bicycle] shop.”

So do you ever dress differently when you’re not riding a bike? Do you always ride a bike?

“Yes, I have one clean sweater that I wear on nice occasions.”

Do you have a pair of pants?

“… Yeah, actually!” (laughs) “It’s brand new. Everything else is pretty much filthy, all the time.”

Do you have tips for blown-out crotches in pants?

“Yes. Glide dental floss. Well for shorts, the thing I do is cut the legs off when I make my shorts, and then save the legs as patching material. And when eventually the crotch blows out or you wear out through the seat, just use Glide dental floss, cut the patch and, just use the dental floss cause it’s unbelievably sturdy. And you’re patching with the same material so it’s gonna wear the same way.”

Great tip!

“Yes.” (laughs)

Is there a favorite thing you’re wearing today?

“Smart-wool socks. Everyday. They’re unstoppable. If you’re an active person and leave civilization a lot, they’re nice because you can wear them for multiple, multiple days and —”

They don’t stink?

“Well, they stink. They just still work, unlike cotton socks. They keep your feet warm when they’re wet, and they’ll keep your feet warm when they’re dry. And they’ll keep your feet cool in the summertime. They’re the absolute best. You spend seventeen dollars on a pair of socks, you might feel like a fool, but it’s worth it. It’s worth the investment. I’ve had a pair that’s lasted like, a decade.”

What!?

“Yeah… Smart wool.”

Well that’s compelling. So did you grow up in Philly?

“I grew up outside of Philly, down Baltimore Ave about fifteen miles, in Media.”

Is there anything about the way Philadelphians dress in the city that you think is particular?

“I like that tights are popular now.”

Really? Like in what way? Usually I get the ‘tights are not pants!‘ thing.

“Well because they’re not pants. It’s attractive to me, I think, to be able to see curves without having to go to the beach or anything like… I dunno. I dunno. I don’t want to sound like a perv.” (laughs)

No, no, no, that’s a good reason. I have a lot of chats about butts being out and what you can see and stuff like that.

“Yeah. I think it’s marvelous.” (laughs)

Yeah, you’re gonna look at a butt.

“Yeah.”

Is there anything you’re obsessing over right now?

“I guess I’m really stoked that the weather’s getting nicer. I’m looking forward to longer rides with my friends, and you know, breaking out the bike tights and all that other stuff, so yeah.”

Oh, I have another question about shorts again. What do you feel about — do you have short shorts? Or are they all ‘regular’ length?

“I do have some really, really short shorts. I did a lot of hiking in 2009, and I found that in the woods nothing beats like, 1980s swim-suit shorts that are just, you know, unbelievably short. I found they’re incredibly comfortable in the woods. But the second I would come back to civilization people would just snicker and laugh. But I think they’re great!”

Yeah. I always advocate for more men wearing short shorts. I wanna see thighs. That’s about it. So…bring em out! (laughs)

“Word. Yeah yeah, as soon as it gets real nice I’ll be back on the short shorts.” (laughs)

Word. Do you have any final comments or shout-outs or anything?

“Um… no. Hi mom.”

Sweet.

Street Snaps: Seriously On Point

I’m not gonna bother with any crazy intro this week. The interview is that compelling, I think.

Tiona. 29. Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, currently living in North Philly.

How long have you been in Philly for?

“2006. This is going on my sixth year.”

Okay. Do you dress the same when you lived in South Carolina?

“I left South Carolina when I was 19, so no. The weather doesn’t even call for it. It’s all different.” (laughs) “A whole different look.”

So is there anything about the way you present yourself stylistically that you could put a name to? Or any particular thing that’s informing it?

“Yeah, I got this thing with army, military… I like steampunk — some of the more accessible aspects of that, like I’m not gonna rock goggles.” (laughs)

Ohh with the gold inlay, err brass inlay and —

“Yeah we’re not doin that. I like the colors. So I like the browns and cremes. But yeah, military really — I have a military family, so that’s what I grew up looking at, from army to air force. So, a kind of mixture of that.”

Is there anything you’re wearing right now that’s a favorite, or something you keep putting on lately?

“This jacket. I brought it back out cause it’s kind of getting pseudo-warm. And I usually have a pea coat, a black pea coat. And this jacket was given by my friend, a friend from Mississippi who lives here now, and he’s just like, I’m not wearin this, it’s too little. Then he gave it to me, so I wear it all the time.”

Do you get comments on it?

“Yeah, people ask about it and I don’t know what to say! First of all, I don’t think they make anything like this anymore. And yeah, it’s… People think it’s something expensive — I’m sure maybe they’ll come out with something like this updated, and it’ll be hella expensive, like 500 dollars, I dunno. But yeah, I put the jacket on, and boots. I’ve been like, combat boots all the way down.”

Oh, so they’re usually hard and they hurt. Do you have any tips for other people?

“Yeah, yeah, definitely! Cause my mom, she — my dad was in the air force, right, and she wore combat boots. But she would wear em, and she was very feminine. So that’s what I grew up seeing. But the way she used to do em, she would double up with the soles and double up with the socks. Cause I guess in the 90s, late 80s/90s, the sock shit was in. So she would tube sock it up. So I’m like, yeah, I have two, three, you know, pairs of socks on. And I don’t feel nothin, I’m on air.” (laughs) “But they also, it depends on what kinda boot you get. These are one of the later versions and they’re light. They’re not heavy like the old school versions. And I have a pair of the old school ones that I have to treat differently — they hurt your back — but they’re good for snow.”

Okay. Do you ever — I gotta ask — get the ‘your mother wears combat boots’ thing? Did you ever get any schoolyard or neighborhood comments like that?

“Nah, my mom was fly as fuck. There was no room for that. And at the time we were in London, so if you weren’t wearing something crazy… And I mean my mom, she was on some Grace Jones, like, high top— there was no room for that. In South Carolina, when we came there, if anything my mom got compliments. Because I think she was informed by, you know, European style. So being a black woman in the south, the poor south, she really could like put some stuff together. She could sew… So you know, I ain’t never get picked at for my mom. Ever.” (laughs)

So what about Philly style? And are there things you notice around here that you’re just like, umph?

“Yeah. I think what’s odd about Philly — and this is also informed because I’m a film maker, so I’ve done shoots in fashion and stuff like that — and I feel Philly sometimes is like, people get really stuck on mimicking each other. Like I see it immediately. And I’ve been here since 2006. And especially when some trend hits, like it’s coming back, it’s not even — I’m looking here in this room [we interviewed at a coffee shop], I see where the flannels and the old sweaters that I used to rock in the late 80s, you know, it hits and then everybody starts doing it.”

Yeah.

“And they don’t change! It’s like, ya’ll are all wanna wear the same thing, and I don’t understand it. And then it’s like, it’ll stay. And I’m like, so when is it gonna change?”

Till some other new trend comes along.

“Yeah, so somebody will do something here, and it’s almost like high school to me. That’s what I compare it to, especially as opposed to New York. As soon as somebody gets hip, somebody’s movin on, right? Here, it’s like… The hoodie with the jean jacket joint hit, and it’s like I can’t even tell who is who.” (laughs) “So Philly to me is kinda like, it forces me to look at the people who dress a little finer. Like I’m always admiring folks who bust out suits and, you know, it’s forced me to dress — you’ll catch me today, like I’m in a vest and a button-up. And that’s not really what I’m reaching for, but it’s just something different. It requires a certain kind of attention, and you can really, you know, especially piecing off stuff in the flea markets, you can put that together. And it’s like something new and fresh.”

Agreed.

Read the rest of the interview (and ohh this one is good!) over at Broad&Market, where Tiona says some deep stuff about thrift stores, scenes, and the catch-22s that seem to keep Philadelphians from being more adventurous in their dress.