SHIRTSHORTS

I was so sad to read today that Lilly Pulitzer died, at 81 years young, after a brief illness.

She – and her company – has been a favorite of mine for all my life, but also a stripedshirt inspiration for four reasons:

First, her preppy fashions are timeless. They are also bright and fun.  Life is too short to wear black!

Second, Lilly does “mommy and me” so well with adorable matching dresses, tops, bathing suits.  We are hopefully doing the same, giving Moms and kids a super cute way to dress alike.

Third, Lilly also started her brand from a focus group of one: herself.  Her signature shift was first designed in 1959 or 60 (she herself couldn’t recall) as a uniform for her work at a juice stand.  The bright colors and bold cotton patterns hid juice stains.

Finally, accidentally falling into fashion via a juice stand uniform gives me hope!  Lilly wasn’t fashion or runway trained, she wasn’t a designer.  She started something she personally liked, and that others liked too, and grew it into a hugely successful business and a timeless brand I love and aspire to for stripedshirt!

RIP Lilly.

You know what’s complete madness?  Even more than Kentucky not making the cuts?

Not a single school from Texas in the tourney.

Not good, Tejas!  But makes me cheer for Ohio State even louder, I guess. And, whether the Buckeyes, or 64 other teams, odds are, stripedshirt has your team’s colors.  So get some stripes now so you can show your colors from now until April 8 for the NCAA college hoops championship in Atlanta. Enjoy the madness! Go Bucks!
Final AP Top 25 pre-Tourney:

1. Gonzaga – red and blue
2. Louisville – red and black
3. Kansas – royal and white
4. Indiana – red and white
5. Miami (FL) – green and orange, don’t have yet
6. Duke – royal and white
7. Ohio State – red and gray
8. Georgetown – navy and white
9. Michigan State – green and white
10. New Mexico – red and white
11. Michigan – maize and blue
12. Kansas St – purple and white
13. Saint Louis – royal and white
14. Florida – blue and orange
15. Marquette – blue and gold
16. Syracuse – blue and orange
17. Oklahoma State – orange and white
18. Wisconsin – red and white
19. Memphis – royal and white
20. Pittsburgh – blue and gold
21. Arizona – red and blue
22. Creighton – royal and white
23. Notre Dame – blue and gold
24. UCLA – light blue and yellow – don’t have yet
25. Oregon – green and white

Three years ago today, I took a huge leap and started stripedshirt. I consider it the first official day of business because it was the day I registered the URL of the brand I’d dreamt about for a decade prior.  I didn’t have first shirts for another 9 months so I mark the anniversary of stripedshirt around that time, Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.  (and yes, as a mom of 2, the significance of starting a company and delivering first product 9 months later is not lost on me) Over these 3 years, I have learned so much, a PR gal trying to dig into the fashion, apparel, retail, ecommerce worlds.  Holy cow.

The adventure has been a blast, and getting this old dog to learn new tricks (after 18 years of public relations) has been such a boost of energy in my life.

I still deeply believe in the focus of stripedshirt:  giving women, kids and babies fun shirts to wear to support their favorite team, school, cause or holiday. I still believe stripedshirt is fan-wear for those of us who just want our colors to show our spirit, not a big logo or a guy’s name in a shirt build for a man.

But, along the way, I’ve had what I call Surprises in Stripes that I thought I’d share here at three years into the life of stripedshirt:

People just like stripes.  Especially the ladies.  So many of my purchases are just women looking for a cute stripedshirt.  It seems red and white stripes, in particular, are very hard to find, in a cute, affordable version. (this goes for several men too, complaining they cannot find a good red and white stripedshirt and why don’t I make a version for guys?)

Mommy and me dressing alike extends way beyond Lilly Pulitzer.  Moms want to dress like their kiddos, and at least up to a certain age (8 years old and counting for me), kids like it too!  I’ve had many matchy striped days with my girls since this all began and it is cute and sweet.

Beyond just the Mom and kiddo combos, stripedshirts are great for keeping a group together! I found this out by chance, taking 4 little girls to Sea World one Christmas break right after I got my first shirts.  We all striped up and I never lost them and they always knew where I was too.  Fantastic!  I’ve since seen families going to Disney in stripes, Girl Scout troops in stripes, Family reunions or photos, girl’s weekends or bachelorette parties.  A group of stripes, even if several different color combos, is quite a fun – and recognizable – statement.

The lead up to Halloween is my biggest rush of the year.  Not back to school and start of football season, not March Madness, not Christmas.  Halloween. This bummed me out at first, people buying my shirts for their costumes.  But now, my hope is, they get a stripedshirt to be Waldo or Freddy Krueger or Olivia the Pig or Phineas (not Ferb) or Harry Potter or a French Sailor or whatever and they love the shirt way more than just 1 day of the year. (I hope!)

And finally, I had no idea what a fan-base Doc McStuffins has with the 2 to 6 year old set!  After red and white, my biggest seller by far is kids’ sizes of purple and white.    And I’ve tested the theory, most are for kids who want to dress like their favorite new Disney Character.  The Doc IS IN stripes!

One last Surprise in Stripes over these past 3 years – the sweet, amazing support I’ve gotten. I had hoped for it, but you never know how people will react to what you are up to.  People I know and people I don’t have been so supportive, sharing kind feedback and cheering me on.  There is still absolutely no more exciting moment for me than to see a “stripedshirt in the wild” – worn in public on someone I know, or better who I don’t, and that the wearer really, genuinely likes the shirt! YEAH!

Here’s to many more years of stripedshirt, and many more Surprises in Stripes!

I know this blog is supposed to be about stripes, but once and awhile, I use it as a pulpit to talk about other stuff on my mind – SXSW, Locks of Love, PR, even Lice.  Today its about food.  And while I am biased because it is my hood, holy cow North Central has some good eats!

Last night was my first time at Drink.Well on North Loop.  Awesome cute little bar/bistro I will go back to again and again. It made me think of all the other great eats in my hood these days that I must share:

• Foreign & Domestic, just down the street, awesome upscale date night vibe (gotta try their bakery next)
• Gusto on Burnet is really good Italian, a nice spot for lunch, grown up dinner or family dinner.  Don’t miss their meatballs
• Next door, Blue Star Cafeteria kind of kicked off the North Central yum-fest, and I still adore their coconut chicken tenders and childhood-memory style chicken & rice soup.  Brunch there rocks too
• But of course, old style good breakfast is at the Omelettry across the street, an Austin classic.
• Pinthouse Pizza across the street is loud, but a great place to grab beer and pizza, with or without your kiddos.
• If you want a quiet place for a grown up drink, Apothecary on Burnet is perfect.
• Just down Hancock was Jorges, and something new is coming, with equally good margaritas, we hope
• The granddaddy of the hood is Fonda San Miquel on N. Loop.  Amazing experience, everyone ATXer needs to do dinner there, brunch, but also just a night of drinks and chips.
• And I haven’t yet tried épicerie Café & Grocery, right across the street, but must because I’ve heard great things.
• We, of course, have Central Market on N. Lamar, and our own P Terry’s just down the street, as well as our own Taco Deli (mmmm queso) and Uchiko which I didn’t want to like but holy cow those brussel sprouts are out of this world, and everything else there is absolutely amazing too.  And don’t underestimate Taco Shack, which has the best breakfast tacos in the city, IMHO
• We Allandalers don’t complain about the new Walmart because with it, came some great food.  Yes, Hopdoddy across Anderson (if the line out the door ever stops), but I really mean Tarka for awesome fast serve Indian.
• For pizza in the hood, we now have two East Side Pies, with its great NY style pizza (one on Anderson and one off Airport at 53rd
• I know everyone talks about their cinnamon rolls, but at Upper Crust, I adore their cheese soup.  Yes cheese soup.  Try it, you’ll love it
• There aren’t a lot of great hot dog places in town anymore, and I still miss Dog Almighty, but for a great hot dog, Man Bites Dog on Burnet is delish
• The Triangle is nearby where we can never decide between Mandolas and Galaxy Café, our two family favorites.  Galaxy also has an awesome brunch.
• And you can’t forget family favorites like Hey Cupcake and Amy and Phil’s, both also on Burnet. And across from Atomic so you can pick up a tattoo and some hydroponics.  God love Allandale!
• The absolute best the hood – and possibly the city – has to offer though is at retro cool Little Deli off Woodrow in Crestview.  I can never decide between pizza, the Italian Wedge, the club, the roast beef.  It is THE lunch place of choice if you are REAL Austin, and dinner rocks too (esp with BYOB).  Tony is a lot nicer than Lecretia was, but he’s kept up her food quality and then some.  Don’t miss Little Deli!

PHEW, I’m full just writing about all these, and I’m sure I missed a lot of goodies that my neighbors will point out.  My message to you in Austin is Get You to North Central for Great Eats!

Well, the Pittsburgh Steelers proved  my point this weekend: Not all stripes are good looking stripes.

Yellow and black stripes look like nothing but a ridiculous bumblebee.   Even gold and black.  BUT yellow and black can come together, super cute, with our yellow and white stripedshirt and a black long sleeve T underneath it.  OR a black scarf, a black skirt, black shorts or pants, etc.  You get the idea.

Hear me, Steelers fans.

But also fans of NO Saints, Iowa, Purdue, University of Colorado, Wake Forest, even you, Vandy.

stripedshirt has your colors and its yellow and white!  Just layer it over a black T and you will look loads better than our NFL friends from Pittsburgh (tho the ridiculous look didn’t stop the team from beating the Redskins!)

BTW, this goes for the amazing Giants too: black and orange together really only look good one day a year.  To cheer on SF all year long, our dark orange and white with black accents is a much cuter way to stripe up!  Check out www.stripedshirt.com to support all your teams, from Pittsburgh to San Fran and everyone else!

THX Statesman and Amy Gabriel and Cristina Facundo for the striped support and giving us a little ink in the November issue of REAL!  Love it and so very excited for this local visibility!

http://www.statesman.com/news/lifestyles/fashion-style/shine-items-fashion-beauty-health-and-fitness/nSk3G/

Cheer chic

Keep it preppy and sleek on game day with a figure-flattering tee from Stripedshirt (www.stripedshirt.com). The brainchild of local “momtrepreneur” Laura Beck, the collection consists of duet color combo striped shirts for women, kids and babies. Not just for Texas pride, she currently has 15 fan-friendly shirts in a variety of sizes and colors pairings. Prices start at $19.50.

10 days til Halloween.

Stripedshirt can still help with your costume, as long as orders are received by Fri night, 10/26. Please pass on word to anyone – or their kids – going as Olivia the Pig, Doc McStuffins, Harry Potter, Freddy Kreuger, Where’s Waldo, a pirate, a sailor, a french person, a hipster, Lou Tomlinson or any of the boys from One Direction.

We can help!  go to www.stripedshirt.com and stripe up your costume now!  Or just get your cute dark orange and white to be stylishly in the Halloween spirit!

I wish wish wish I was talking about a great battle raging between FSU and Boston College.  But I fear BC is about to move to 1-5 with a lone win against poor Maine.  Instead, let’s talk about these awesome games!  Almost too many good ones to list!  Here are the highlights.  I’m so excited for some great football!

And, in honor of the maroon and gold match up (FSU and BC), this week’s photo is the gorgeous Cathy from Poor Little It Girl.  HOW freaking cute is that stripedshirt styling?   

Week 7 Highlight Games:

Alabama – Missouri

South Carolina – LSU

West Virginia – Texas Tech

Kansas State – Iowa State

Stanford – Notre Dame (PLEASE, Cardinal, bring these Irish down (says the BC Eagle))

Undefeated Ohio State – Indiana

And the always exciting Texas – OU Red River Rivalry in Dallas!

Remember, stripedshirt can make sure you are showing your colors and cheering on your favorite team.  While the weather grows colder, don’t forget how cute stripedshirts look layered over long sleeve Tshirts.

And here’s the Top 25 Striped Poll as of this week.  24 of the top 25 stripes covered – colored! Go to www.stripedshirt.com now to show your colors for your favorite team!

1. Alabama – red and white

2. Oregon - green and white (I know, supposed to be yellow)

3. S. Carolina – red and black

4. Florida – blue and orange

5. W. Virginia – blue and gold

6. Kansas State – purple and white

7. Notre Dame – blue and yellow

8. Ohio State – red and gray

9. LSU – purple and white (I know, supposed to be yellow)

10. Oregon State – orange and black, don’t have

11. USC – cardinal and gold

12. Florida State – garnet and gold

13. Oklahoma – red and white

14. Georgia – red and black

15. Texas – dark orange and white

16. Clemson – orange and white (but it is dark orange, and not purple)

17. Stanford – cardinal and white

18. Louisville – red and black

19. Mississippi State - maroon and gray

20. Rutgers -  red and white

21. Cincinnati - red and black

22. Texas A&M - maroon and gray

23. Louisiana Tech – red and blue

24. Boise State - blue and orange

25. Michigan - blue and gold

USA Ladies beat Colombia today and we are biased, of course, but we are sure its the cool new Team USA Soccer Red and White STRIPED jerseys that are doing it! The great win over Colombia today gives them a guarateed spot in the quarter finals. We love this team – Girl Power, Striped Power!

Now, there is some argument that the shirts look a little like Waldo. And what’s wrong with that, we ask!

And perhaps that the stripes are a bit too wide/thick. There, we agree. These ladies are tip top shape, our best athletes, this is what they do for a living. So they’d look great in paper bags. But for the normal girl, a horizontal stripe can only be pulled off well and right if the shirt is done well and right.

At stripedshirt, we worked hard to make our shirts – whether red and white, or any of our other 14 color combos – VERY flattering on all figures! The stripes are 1/2 inch thick on purpose. They don’t make you thick. But they aren’t too thin to give you blurry fuzzy vision. The sleeves and neckline were carefully designed to be flattering, accenting some of a girl’s best parts. And the cut is hour glass, but the fabric is nice and stretchy. Oh, and we have em long enough to cover up any and all muffin tops.

Give our stripedshirts a try and we think you’ll agree! You can root for TeamUSA Soccer, or any team, or just wear any color that floats your boat. And as for Hope, Abby, Carli, Megan and the rest of the USA Soccer Women – Keep Kicking! You inspire all us girlz!

7/31 update – YEAH! The women keep winning! 3 games, pool play undefeated, in their 7/31 win over North Korea, and now are first place in their group moving to a quarterfinal match on Fri, 8/3, against New Zealand! Go Girlz Go!

8/5 update – the US Women beat New Zealand 2-0 on Friday, and will take on our neighbors to the North, also red and white supporters, Canada, tomorrow, Monday, 8/6, at 3 pm eastern. Do you have YOUR red and white stripedshirt to support our Team USA Soccer Ladies?

8/7 update – WOW, what a win! And all of Fenway park cheered last night when it was shown on the Jumbotron. USA Women beating Canada 4-3 in an overtime thriller, with a little controversy mixed in. But our kickers continue on to the gold medal game, against Japan, who beat us in the 2011 World Cup finals. Can’t wait for Thursday’s game, Aug 9. Keep Kicking, Ladies!

I always love seeing all the pictures of “stripes in real life” and people out there sporting stripedshirts. It makes my heart sing, and I’m serious. I’m working so hard to get this business going, and get people loving stripedshirts and wearing them, and it could not, would not, happen without so many friends supporting me and striping up themselves and their families. Yesterday, I got a photo from my dear friend Kate of her family, all striped up for the 4th of July and it is just plain gorgeous. Perfect. Beautiful. It says family and friends, spirit and holidays, preppy and classic, SUMMER and AMERICA! The only thing missing is Fenway Park (or another sporting event venue). Thanks Kate for sharing the beautiful photo, but also for getting so many of your family and friends all striped up. I appreciate your – and everyone’s! – amazing striped support as I trudge along with this little business.