The 80s have always had a special place in my heart. Since it’s the earliest decade I lived through, I enjoy being able to share first hand memories of power ballads, banana clips and John Hughes films. What I wasn’t aware of was that the 80s also happen to be the first decade that I will relive sartorially. Of course over the past couple of seasons we’ve seen an 80s trend here and there. There is the recent resurgence of Katherine E. Hamnett and Norma Kamali, Current/Elliott quickly touched on the splatter paint fad, and of course there was Alexander Wang’s tribute to spandex biker shorts on the Fall 09 runway. However, this past weekend, it became clear to me that my current wardrobe looks eerily similar to the one that once hung in the closet of my Barbie Dream House. Ten minutes before heading to a party in Minneapolis, my boyfriend checked his Facebook events only to find that the party was, in fact, a party with an 80s beach theme. Though my initial reaction was quite panicked since I only had a small weekend bag to work with, I quickly discovered that nearly everything I packed fit the theme. I threw on my shiny American Apparel biker shorts with a neon bikini top and an oversized muscle tank. I topped off the look with my cropped Acne jean jacket and a pair of neon yellow plastic Stunners I found on his floor, and I was good to go! Following are a few pics I snapped at the party. If you ignored the Footloose soundtrack blasting in the background, it didn’t look that different than a summer 2010 party. I’m digging the neon tee with the shorty shorts, and the guy in the blazer with shorts looks downright dapper! The last photo, however, serves as a reminder that some things (pleated acid washed overalls!!) are better left out the second time around.

The alleged offender rocking two of her favorite looks: Gaga and tights as pants.

Choosing not to let other’s opinions affect one’s own is an ever evolving process. I felt simultaneously heart-broken and utterly ridiculous earlier this week when the following came out of my mouth, directed at my 5 year old daughter: “not everyone loves fashion as much as we do, it’s okay if people ‘don’t get’ your outfits.” After seeing me in shredded black denim a few months back, we fashioned a pair for her and she’d been gleefully wearing them with abandon ever since, but her confidence faltered after schoolmates teased her. Horrified barely describes how I felt discovering that judgement like this already begins with the Pre-K set. Immunity belongs to no one, however, and she seemed relieved and reassured when I told her even I still get snide comments. (To the cargo shorts, action sandal aficionado who hilariously told me my pants had holes in them? Thanks hater, now go drink another High Life.) I grabbed this opportunity to reiterate values I hope are already instilled; that everyone is wildly different and to never allow someone else’s opinion matter more than her own.

Over the years I’ve accumulated like-minded friends so assemblages like couture and converse, sequins and tutus, elicit barely a second glance. I shed insecurities like this ages ago but I still remember that need for approval and validation. Who doesn’t? We’ve all uttered at least once in our lives, “does this look okay?” Luckily, I quickly discovered how freeing it is to literally not give a shit. Tights as pants? Shirts as dresses? Snakeskin boots and fur coats? Yup, I’ve worn ‘em all, and taken flack for every one. But this is arguably the most incredible aspect of fashion. It’s why I worship at its altar every minute of every day. Who cares? (Say it again cause it feels good.) Do what you want, make it your own, wear what you love and put it all out there. Will there be cringe-inducing mistakes? Absolutely! Mall bangs, I’m looking in your direction. But while there’ll never be a shortage of people lined up to knock you down, you already conveniently posses the only opinion that matters. Your own.

Inspired partly from meeting Lucky editor Elise Loehnen and from a sartorially superior friend who arrives for weekly brunch in nearly the same outfit, I began assessing my own weekend uniform. My work week dress code is rather lax to say the least, but I bottom out come Saturday and Sunday. Depending on how long the night before lasted, mine generally consists of denim, chuck taylors and old tees, of which I’m currently alternating between a Missbehave collaboration (RIP) and something swiped from a friend’s merch table.

But seeing Elise looking ultra casual yet completely put together in khakis and a blazer at a Lands End Canvas event made me want to step it up a notch. Canvas was an excellent place to start, the newly imagined line modernly reinterprets preppy staples, making even minimalist, all-black enthusiasts like myself, want to tie a sweater around my neck and hop on a boat with people aptly named Chip or Muffy.

Even if I keep certain elements (the sneaks, leggings and “dressy” sweats) weekend uniforms can come together with a structured Kova & T blazer or luxurious It bag.

Check out the Lands’ End Canvas Blog for more “impossibly cool” inspiration. (Plus, they write about grammar too! Swoon.)

The latest edition of In the Bag features Atticus proprietor Kristin Wild. Get a peek inside one of Kristin’s old standby bags, as well as the bag she’s been coveting.

Currently Carrying: Ashley Watson Plover Bag

Where she carries it: It comes with me to all my regular stops including Bradbury’s Coffee, Co Leigh Co. Salon for my nails, Atticus (of course) and then Natt Spil and Maduro for evening cocktails.

In the bag: Ashley Watson wallet, Ray-Ban aviators (a bday gift from my sister!), more aviators, business cards in a Marc by Marc case, notebook, another notebook, my blue sword lucky charm from my grandpa, Fresh deoderant, gum, Malin+Goetz Lip Moisturizer, Bond No. 9 Scent of Peace, Nars cover up stick, a pen, keys, camera in Temperley case. (If you’re concerned that my Blackberry is mysteriously missing from the list, it’s because it’s rarely in my bag and usually glued to the palm of my hand!)

When she got it: I purchased my Plover toward the end of 2008, and I’ve been carrying it nearly every day since. I’m a firm believer that a good leather bag looks better with age!

Next Purchase: Billykirk Medium Carryall

Where she’ll carry it: I’ve decided that I must have this for my next jet-set trip to NYC. When I’m only there for 36 hours, I have to be able to carry my belongings everywhere I go. I’ll be squeezing in ten showroom appointments (some with new designers…stay tuned!), dropping by Joseph Leonard for cocktails and dinner, popping into Topshop and grabbing breakfast at Pastis.

In the bag: This bag is perfect because I’ll be able to carry it all day, and it’s large enough to pack in loads of paperwork, my camera, Brit Vogue for the flight, a change of clothes (probably T by Alexander Wang, my favorite travel tees), my toothbrush, some refreshing Kai lotion, a giant bottle of water and hopefully that new Field Jacket by Filippa K (a purchase easily justified by the precarious New York weather)!

Many of you have likely fallen into a panicked haze, worrying yourself sick as to why your cherished Atticus blog has been so quiet lately. Calm down; maybe pour yourself a drink and rest assured we haven’t abandoned you, actually quite the opposite! We’ve been logging extra hours migrating content and upgrading the site to our very own stylish platform.

In addition to easier navigation, you can now manage subscriptions and sign up to receive e-mail alerts every time we publish our poignant inner musings. Dream come true, right? But dear readers, as an added bonus for your patience, now through May 31st, when you subscribe, you’ll be automatically entered to win a $50 Atticus gift card. We’re giving away 4 total as a token of appreciation and just because we love you so much.

Check it out and be sure to let us know what you think.

We have an overwhelming girl-centric focus around Atticus. It’s not intentional, we just write what we know. So for our summer lookbook, we shifted direction to guys for a change, more specifically our newst handsome models, musical wunderkinds du jour, Dirty Disco Kidz. When not single-handedly reviving the classic creeper ’stache, Ric, Chris and Vinnie mix, produce and perform at packed to capacity, dance your pants off parties. They graciously allowed us to dress and style them to our hearts content; we figured, who better to lounge around looking effortlessly cool in Simon Miller, Trovata and Relwen while sipping Veuve Cliquot?

What did we learn from the shoot? Hamptons polo match is not poor Ric’s favorite look, posing with gorgeous but very underage models is easier with a little Jay-Z and fashionably late equals about two and a half hours, give or take.

Check out the lookbook here, then go see the live version Friday, May 7 at the Majestic Theatre in Madison. Trust us, you’ll love it. And if you’re wondering what to wear to this crazy sexy party, stop into Atticus and take advantage of our Pay it Forward Sale.

Inspired by a few random acts of kindness, I decided to offer a fortuitous treat to you, loyal readers. The concept of a “pay it forward” campaign has always made me smile. I once pulled up to the Starbucks drive-thru to find out the kind stranger in the car ahead of me had already paid for my triple grande nonfat cappuccino. I’ll never know who decided they could spare an extra $4.18 to brighten my day, but I often think about how unexpectedly happy I was. I actually think I was supposed to continue the kindness by doing the same thing for the car behind me, but I was just too shocked to do anything except drive away in amazement! (editor’s note: I promise I paid for the car behind me on my next trip!)

This morning Summit Credit Union came to me with a similar campaign and left a ten dollar bill hidden in one of the Atticus fitting rooms with a message for the lucky finder to use it to help someone else. Moments later, a gust of wind knocked over a recycle bin on the curb in front of the shop and hundreds of papers started blowing all over the sidewalk. Stephani and I immediately ran out to help pick up the sudden mess, and within seconds we were joined by about 15 passersby who stopped to help. At the risk of sounding super cheesy, I have to tell you that I actually felt like my heart was swelling at the thought of so many people taking five minutes of their time to help clean up our street. So, setting aside the cynical humor you surely have become accustomed to as a reader of our blog, I want to remind you that sometimes it’s nice to give a random gift, or to help a fragile model if she happens to fall on the Prada runway.

Here is my random gift to you:

Use the code: PAYITFORWARD at atticusshop.com to receive 15% off your entire purchase (including sale items!!). If you’re in Madison, mention this post at Atticus to receive 15% off your entire purchase. This is only good through Friday, May 7th. So, hurry up before your luck runs out, and don’t forget to pay it forward by sharing the news with your friends!

On the way to work this morning, I let my feelings about how I looked be known with the comment,”I might as well die…I hate my outfit.” That may have been a little dramatic, but I really just didn’t feel good about my staple Nicole Richie go-to outfit today.

The minute I got to work, I ransacked the racks and tried on all of my current Atticus favorites (Relwen men’s shirts, Charlotte Ronson dresses and Filippa K Tanks) and the winner was the Loomstate La Paloma Jumper.

Even though I told myself I was going to stop shopping, it’s impossible to feel guilty about this outfit. It looks so good, in fact, that I didn’t even have to justify the purchase to Kristin (who already told me she’ll be borrowing it…a lot).