Hi Amber,

My clothes were stolen from the dryer today when I was doing my laundry. It was almost everything I own and almost all of my good things that I wore out to lunches and dinners over the weekend. I have to go shopping this weekend to replace my dresses and jeans and sweaters, since it is still quite cold in England.

Do you have any tips for a tomboyish girl this spring?

Thanks, Morgyn

That is some tough luck. Petty thieves should be strung up by their sticky fingers. I’d be happy to help out a laddish lady in need, even if soon after this letter was written her lost wardrobe was recovered. PHEW! I’ll answer it anyway with my favorite boy-inspired looks for spring. Most of the time I like to dress girly but I notice that tomboyishness is my tendency when I really want to be comfy. Here are my top hip tips (click photos for sources).

Cigarette pants and jeans. Alter some old broken in thrift store jeans (colored or acid washed denim is what i’ve been looking for) into sexy tapered cigarette pants and capris (maybe roll them up a little) to wear with boyishly nonchalant oversized plaid shirts, comfy v-neck tees, crisp white button-downs, blazers, vintage floral tunics, chuck taylors, chunky boots or sandals.

Shrunken blazers and oversized cardigans. For chilly evenings and breezy days play with proportions and get thee to the boys’/petites section of your thrift store for tiny fitted blazers. The trick is to make sure they fit real good in the shoulders or they’ll look dumpy/butch. Then find an oversized cardigan with slightly fitted sleeves. Wear either with the sleeves scrunched up over girly dresses, tanks, and band tees with high-waisted short shorts, mini skirts or cigarette pants.

Masculine hats and accessories. I know it’s tempting to soak up as many precious rays as possible at the beginning of spring. (Believe. I’m a sun-worshipping California native who lived in the pacific northwest for 7 years!) but make sure you protect your youthful non-cancerous skin from the sun, everyone’s secret adulterous lover. Wear an old man hat, newsboy cap, fedora, or bowler (Brat Pack style) with practically everything. Seriously, it’s bitchin’ time: sunscreen disintegrates into nothing, even after only a couple hours and you know you’ll forget to reapply. Just wear a hat. Some grampa suspenders, fitted vest or a stripey tie couldn’t hurt either and are always good for a dash of schoolboy charm.

Thanks, Morgyn!

Hey hipsters, keep the questions comin!

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