Gifted Gitman.

Yesterday Chris Olberding, creative director of Gitman Vintage, surprised me with a gorgeous hot pink plaid flannel shirt from Gitman's FW2009 collection. Not only was I thrilled to own my first piece by the storied label, I was also relieved to have something to wear to last night's lineup of holiday parties.


Gitman's shirts, crafted in beautiful Ashland, Pennsylvania and inspired by well-culled archives, are built for gents, but their narrow cut makes them ideal for ladies like me to steal. My wish for 2010 is to amass a small fortune in this American-made Technicolor plaid.

Against a sea of little black dress-bedecked ladies, I stood out at Butter, where I joined friends to support Guest of a Guest and the Tug McGraw Foundation's efforts to aid victims of brain tumors and trauma brain injuries. My dear friend Kate, shown above, joined me in killer vintage leather pants by Gap.

I think the key to wearing menswear-inspired looks like mine is to pile on the bright lipstick and jewelry. You'll never see a gentleman with a red lip or a bauble-stacked wrist or a neck draped in Lucite. I go wild with costume gems because, as a filly, I just can. 

To compliment my Gitman flannel, I also sported the following pieces, all by J. Crew:

• White vintage slim jean (to really make that pink POP)
• Gold laser-cut leather belt (no longer sold)
• Estate link bracelet (stacked one on top of the other)
• Golden ropes necklace
• Chandelier necklace (no longer sold)
• Harper crackle-metallic platform heel
• The ubiquitous boyfriend fatigue jacket

This shirt will look equally awesome next spring and summer when I pair it with cut-off denim shorts, Ray-Ban aviators, and a stiff, cold, rocks margarita. Or maybe belted over a chambray sun dress if I feel "formal".

Many thanks to Chris and Gitman Brothers for the gorgeous shirt.