Summertime, and the living is easy. Fish are jumping, and the waves are high. What?

Okay, maybe Porgy didn't surf and Gershwin was probably more concerned with lullabies and crap games than hanging ten, but the opening line to 'Summertime' always makes us crave the sun on our face and sand on our feet. We like to cover the parts in between with boardshorts.

Quicksilver has released their 2008 collection of boardshorts and like the lyrics above, they make us want to embrace the pending arrival of summer and the sand and the stuff.

It's prom season once again, and, chances are, you've noticed local high school students pulling out all the stops for the "best night of their lives." Those of you who went to prom can attest to how completely disappointing this high-dollar celebration usually turns out to be -- however, this doesn't stop teenagers from trying to desperately out-do one another year after year.

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Betsi Goutal, a jewelry artist who creates colorful treasures to delight your inner child. You can find her wonderfully kooky creations at Zlanarama.

Bloody brilliant. We're loving Vice Magazine's 2008 Fashion Issue, now available to view online in full. We especially love the column entitled "I Hate Fashion" written by Tracie Egan of Jezebel.com. Our sentiments exactly. But wait... we also totally identify with Christopher Bollen's article "I Love Fashion." Oh fashion, how we love to hate you! The trend reports for NYC and London are spot on as well, and hilarious to boot. And who but Vice would dare to cast porn star Sasha Grey in a provocative but very clever fashion spread? (Get it? Spread?) Seriously, Vice's snarky take on all things fashion is not to be missed.

Dear Argyle,

We still love you. We enjoy you on our feet and also in a light sweater. We have nothing but respect for you and your timeless style. Please do not be offended by the following review.

Yours,
Styledash

Mark Twain said, "Golf is a good walk spoiled," and he may have been on to something, especially if the club he was playing at had a strict dress code. Especially if he was a woman.

Vintage Red's latest contribution to our closet is inspired by world travels, beers in Bali, and long laughs shared with "citizens of the world." It is a meeting of the travel inspired and the classically western, and it fits nicely.

Their Spring '08 line consists of three collections that are as distinct as they are similar. Tricky, that. They are split into Military Neutrals, Coastal Living, and South of France, respectively, and while there are the occasional pair of shorts or printed t-shirts, the majority of the line is button up shirts, both short sleeves and long.

"The only day you could possibly give more of yourself than today is tomorrow." Inspirational words from an inspired company.

EPMartin was inspired by the founder's grandfather and the simple, decisive means by which he lived his life.

According to Puma Talk: "Luke Wilson, actor and avid golfer, teamed up with PUMA golf star Johan Edfors to create a special edition range of PUMA Golf products for this spring and summer." The line will launch in April and July, respectively.

Said Wilson, "To work with a brand like PUMA – that has such innovative and versatile product – on a golf line that fits my style and personality has been a real pleasure. We had some real fun with some of the product designs including the Porkpie hat and C-hopper shoe that you can wear on or off the course by just removing the spikes."

Last night I partied like the Warhol muse that I think I am at Fred Segal in Santa Monica. The event celebrated Fred Segal's new pop-up store, which exclusively carries the collection by Damien Hirst in collaboration with the Warhol Factory and Levi's.

The scene was not your typical fashion-event-going crowd; it was very (very) hipster -- lots of grungy boys and girls wearing hoodies, sneakers and jeans (which of course was fitting considering the collection was based on those pieces). DJ's were spinning, drinks were being mixed, and photographers were snapping away -- Warhol would have been proud.

The collection itself was pretty darn cool too! Amazing skull bedazzled jeans, skull printed short-shorts, tee shirts, and one of my favorite pieces were the shiny leather jackets. In fact, I liked the jacket so much that I got one of the hipsters to model it for me.

Check out the store at Fred Segal in Santa Monica on Broadway and 4th Street (420 Broadway).

It's so money it doesn't even know it. Claw Money to be exact. Claw is the handle, so to speak, of an ex-graffiti artist named Claudia. She was the queen of NYC before moving to L.A. and going legit with a career in styling and costume design for music videos. Her clients included KORN, Brian McKnight, GNR and Ice Cube.

She returned to New York and did some television and print ad styling work for Nike, Guinness, and Footlocker, to name a few.

Now she writing books and designing all kinds of stuff, some of which we may show you in the future, but for now you'll have to be content with these sweet shades, the Nuggets ($300), Gazelles ($250), and Aviators ($230). Sweet shades, indeed . You know your future is so bright that you want to wear them.



[via Thrillist]

I must have worn right through the soles of my old black and white checkered Vans. Holy crap was I the coolest kid in my entire mind. I had those sunglasses with the little piece of pleather in the corners for maximum shade as well as the ultimate in limited visibility. I had my Ramones concert shirt, despite never having seen anyone other than Rick Springfield and REO Speedwagon in person (not together, man, that would have been a ticket!). I was cool, maybe even reckless, and everyone knew it. They saw it on my feet.

So I suffered from disillusions of grandeur. It happens.

I think Vans is about to send a whole new generation on a similar path, one filled with cool buzzes and tasty waves. The new Paisley Skull Slip-On almost demands it. The shoes come in 3 colors according to Ripe, at least that's what I think it says.

Skulls and paisley, what's not to like?



[via Format]

Trends begin with trendsetters, and SXSW 2008 was no exception! There were certainly outfits that spoke volumes; appropriate for a convention celebrating expression through film, music and interactive technologies, but there were definitely some recurring pieces that stood out more than others. Get the cutting-edge creative look with SXSW style and Austin flair!

Boots you can walk in:
Flat, kitten heel, or low-heeled boots with cunning little details carried some of the most fashionable ladies of SXSW throughout their day, and even the guys liked to shake it up with boots and dark denim. These amazing suede boots with frog-closure detail are available via Duo.com for about $283 (£140), and they even come in a wide calf! Also try this flat boot with leather ties by Rizzo at Nordstrom ($179.95). Men should have a look at "Derrick" by Hugo Boss, a pull-on boot with dress-shoe styling at Nordstrom for $350.

Lightweight jackets/blazers:
Keep the wind away but enjoy the warm sun in light jackets in bright colors for spring: try a tipped blazer from Chadwick's on sale for $29.99, or this 3/4 sleeved number from Lane Bryant in a brilliant blue ($49.50).

Badass laptop bags:
Everyone at SXSW has to stay connected to events, media, and whats going on back at the office, so naturally there were some pretty hip laptop bags. I sing the praises of Casauri bags- cute as a button and solid construction in various styles to suit your preference. I myself have one in slate blue and couldn't have made it through the week without it!

Goodbye SXSW fashionistas, and remember- we'll always have Austin!

I have to admit, as the week wound down for us and Austin geared up for SXSW music, I was a little disappointed. Seems a lot of people used all their good outfits earlier in the week and all they had to offer me were jeans and t-shirts. Bleh.

On the other hand, some fearless conventioneers stuck to style until the bitter end, and for that I thank them. Here's Tuesday's best.

I have to admit, as the week wound down for us and Austin geared up for SXSW music, I was a little disappointed. Seems a lot of people used all their good outfits earlier in the week and all they had to offer me were jeans and t-shirts. Bleh.

On the other hand, some fearless conventioneers stuck to style until the bitter end, and for that I thank them. Here's Tuesday's best.