Clothes

For my ideal island-wear, I offer up some battle-tested threads, many of which became a man's best friend during my sojourn through Southeast Asia, China, the Balkans, and other parts of Europe last year. Also, I figure that a post is needed ASAP to cover up the 1st pic in the Fuzz's sexytime post, as people looking over my shoulder at work are getting the wrong idea...


1. North Face Hedgehogs - These shoes are awesome! Sturdy enough for hiking over rough terrain (the porcupine-modeled spikes on the sole are great), but casual enough for regular walking, these babies guided me from the volcanic hills of Ko Pha Ngan in Thailand to the cosmopolitanism of London (on an island as well). I was torn between these and some sandals, but then I figured that I could make some killer flip flops (possibly to be worn with socks when it gets cool out at night) out of braided strands of palm fronds.

2. Columbia Nylon Cargo Pants - Another awesome buy for my around-the-world trip. It's lightweight and dries fast in case it rains or you take a dip. The nylon is pretty sturdy, although an exposed wire from the seat frame of a cab in Bulgaria did tear a small hole into it... but that was pretty quickly remedied with a few stitches. As a bonus, you can zip off the legs under the knees, and turn these pants into studly cargo shorts. The vast number of pockets will come in handy as I forage around for supplies, or for carrying a large knife to take down a wild boar.

3. Thai Red Bull Singlet - Originally purchased to not survive an all-night Black Moon party in Thailand (cheapest thing I could find), the singlet became my emergency shirt when I was running out of clothes on my trip. Surprisingly warm for not having sleeves, and with a super-cool Thai Red Bull logo, this would work out very well on my island, though it may lead to funky tan lines on my shoulders. With my sexytime three (to be featured in an upcoming post) around, I need to maintain some sort of stylishness after all.

Almost naked

1. Bra
2. Bra
3. Bra

These things are just too big.

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service

It's hard for me to think about this question. There's a lot of stuff in my closet; making me choose is like making a parent pick there favorite child. Except I'm still not sure if I'm going to love my children or not, so this might be harder for me. Also, as others have mentioned, Spring and Fall are great seasons to get dressed in.

1. I've already planned other aspects of my island around a thriving beach volleyball scene (e.g. Gabrielle Reese will be there; see future post) so a solid pair of board shorts will be necessary. Gabrielle will of course be playing in a regulation beach volleyball uniform. I like this pair that I got last summer, but I could probably settle for a pair that I had had to rip off of one of the people who didn't make it through the crash that left me stuck on this island in the first place.

2. My blue MAC Machine shirt. This has become a fixture in my wardrobe since acquiring it at the V.O.A. in Rochester. It's perfect for an afternoon in the sun, is my go to morning-after shirt, has been with me to various exotic locales including California, Portugal, England, the Jersey Shore, Madeline Island, the croquet grounds of Wellsboro PA, Mardis Gras in St. Louis, Wegmans, and has accompanied me on more than a few rows.

3. I've been trying to forgo footwear but I don't think I can do it. I have pretty sturdy feet, but I don't think I'll be able to do the amount of rock climbing I intend to without something to cover my soles. Not boots though, too heavy, and not sandals, not rock climbing worthy, but I think a versatile pair of sneakers. Luckily I have a few of these to choose from. After some consideration I think I would bring my yellow waffle racers. They've got some good traction nubs, are pretty light, and will make me look sexy for Gabrielle. Also, I suspect they will be useful while exploring the coral reef. Maybe even helping me blend into reef life while I am waiting to spear dinner.

For a while I was concerned about my lack of clothes to exercise in. Namely a pair of tighty-whities, or maybe a JL trou, so I could go for a run now and then. Joanna seems to plan on subsisting mostly on her spices and condiments but I expect to be eating a lot of wild boar out there. Spit-roasted, pit roasted, smoke cured, salt cured, barbequed, there're so many options. I'll need to work some of that delicious pork fat off some how. That's where the beach volleyball and rock climbing come in. Maybe I'll even befriend a sea turtle who'll let me use his shell for surfing. Anyway, I've decided I won't be going on any long runs.

Clothing

First off: Whitney, the intensity you bring to this island! You’ve already become our Jack. Second: I’m totally sneaking in late; I hope I’m not punished for this.

Like Tommy, I’d probably spend most of my time naked. I hate tan lines. But if I had to choose three articles of clothing, I’d go with:

1) My green scarf that everyone hates but me. It could be converted into pretty much anything including: mini hammock, security blanket, dress, awkward swimming suit, or one of those sarong baby carriers in case one of us ladies pops one out.

2) Red bikini. It’s hot and comfortable. And it could also serve as my lady undergarments.

3) Considering all my current island-appropriate shoes have holes in them, my third choice would be my American Apparel Deep V-Neck. I would wear it just like this girl (in Athletic Grey). It’s really soft so it would lure you all into my tent to cuddle with me.

This doesn't exclude grass skirts or coconut bras.

1. My blue and white striped bikini. Superfluous? Perhaps. But I want to look hot on my island. So far I am subsisting on spices and condiments alone, so I am well on my way. This particular bikini is kind of sporty, so it would also function as a light sports bra. And as a uniform for beach volleyball, which I have a feeling will work its way onto my island.

2. A pair of jeans. And not some crappy pair from The Gap. Good for hiking through tall grasses, shimmying up trees, and just generally living in. Also, I learned how to turn them into a flotation device at summer camp. So that might be handy. (It was hard to choose jeans over pj pants but pockets trump flannel.)

3. My hiking boots. It would suck to wear them without socks, though. Nevermind. I'll take my Puma 5000ms. After four years they're pretty tired, though. I want a new pair.



Obviously, this was hard for me to write because there are no sweaters on my list. You caught me at a weak moment. I love my sweaters, but it's April so my love is at low tide.

clothing (II)

I'm expecting to be quite naked on this island of ours. So, get ready people. When things get warm, I have a hard time keeping my clothes on (anyone attending my birthday party can attest to this). Also, I'm going to assume that we're in a tropical environment, and not the Aleutian Islands. This sort of makes my 3 entries less emotional for me. I have more of an attachment to my fall/winter clothing. Anyways, my list:

1. My Watertown: Home of the Beautiful People tshirt. I am not from Watertown, and there are no beautiful people there. No matter. It's gotten a bit snug, but its boldness makes me feel good inside.

2. My blue lo-top Converse All-Stars. I just got these a couple weeks ago, and they've already surpassed my beloved Pumas (the 1st pair) in shoe hierarchy. I would pick my Puma flip-flops, but if we're traipsing through the jungle, or on the run from strange tropical polar bears, I could regret that.

3. My yellow Abercrombie swim trunks. I've had these for a long, long time. They still have a blood stain on them from when I blacked out while going up for a dunk, causing my hands to slip off the rim, turning me in the air, and landing on my chin, leading to 7 stitches and a concussion. The good old days.

Clothing

Hi, I'm impatient. If I'm breaching blog etiquette by picking a new thing to pack before everyone has decided on their spices and condiments, please tell me to chill out, and I gladly will. I'm just really into outfitting my island, apparently.

So, clothes. Obviously, I would prefer to have more than three items of clothing during my sojourn on my desert island. So, I'm going to assume that one of two things will be true on my island:

• Either I am a victim of a plane crash or shipwreck and a bunch of the other people will die, leaving a plethora of cast-off clothing I can scavenge for basic nakedness avoidance, or
• I will be alone on my island and happily run around naked, except for my must-have items.

Given that, my three must-have clothing items:

1. Chacos. Hands-down, number one, absolutely must-have item. I put these on yesterday and truly don’t understand why they have ever left my feet. Ever. (Well, besides the hundred inches of snow.) I have worn Chacos hiking, swimming, running, strolling, gardening, rock climbing, sashaying in a skirt. They have been on every trip I've taken in the past seven years, and I've worn them in every imaginable situation and venue. They've even been to the actual Chaco. It was a very meta moment for us. They are the most comfortable, adaptable, easily cleanable shoes I have ever owned. I’ve been in love since October of 2001 when my mom mailed me my first pair in Bolivia, and, sad but true, it has been the longest lasting, most deeply committed relationship of my life. I still have the remnants of my Chaco tan burned into my feet from last summer, and I cannot wait to begin this year's stylish skin damage.
2. Sarong. Another item of clothing that has gone with me on every trip of my life since they were first acquired in 1998, be it a business trip or a camping trip. Serves as a skirt, bathing suit cover-up, towel, blanket, scarf, makeshift umbrella or tent, whatever. Even if my island is sufficiently tropical, I'll probably want something to cover up with now and again.
3. A good sports bra. I am not a flat-chested woman. Even if I go au natural on my island, I will be extremely uncomfortable doing any form of exercise or vigorous manual labor without a good sports bra. I'm guessing that building my Swiss Family Robinson-style treehouse and tiger traps will require a good amount of manual labor, so the sports bra is a must-have.