*Photos by dapperQ Managing Editor, Anita Dolce Vita
After all these years of blogging for dapperQ, I have FINALLY convinced my very own partner (S.F. for short) to participate in a solo feature photo editorial for us! Here she is in a shoot for our Seven Days of Dapper series. Let’s start with her stats:
S.F. is a native Sarajeven who came to the U.S. at 13 years old during the Bosnian War. She spent the remainder of her young adolescent years living in California, and upon earning her B.A. in Government and International Relations from CSUS, she moved to New York City to pursue a graduate degree at Rutgers University in Global Affairs. With her M.S. in hand, she is now the Manager of Institutional Development at GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis), the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. (GMHC also happens to take the lead in organizing AIDS Walk New York, the largest single-day AIDS fundraising event in the world.) When S.F. is not totally nerding out reading every news article and nonfiction book known to man, she can be found on Fire Island (sorry Cherry Grove, she’s strictly a Pines Princess), traveling (to Bosnia and around Europe), or indulging in pastries. She and her partner were named one of GO magazine’s most captivating couples.
DAY 1: MONDAY OBSERVED
It’s probably expected that my first outfit be an office ensemble to kick off the work week. But, I love long holiday weekends, especially those that include a Monday without work! When Anita Dolce Vita and I just want a quick getaway outside of the city, we’ll explore New York’s little towns for some history, good food, and antiquing. This outfit works because it’s not too dressy for a stroll through the park at Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, but just dressy enough for an impromptu dinner at a nice cafe.
Outfit Details
Asymmetrical striped tank (stolen from Anita Dolce Vita); The Limited. Khaki slacks; Michael Kors. Oxfords; Not Rated. Belt; Gap. Watch; Swatch. Purple glasses; gift from Anita Dolce Vita.
DAY 2: BACK TO WORK TUESDAY
My office’s take on “business casual” leans more towards New York-downtown-trendy. Given this flexibility, I try to make business casual personal and fun. But, I do layer up because the air conditioning is always blasting in our building.
Outfit Details
Jean jacket; Old Navy. Button down; American Eagle. Argyle cardigan; Brooks Brothers. Khaki pants; Celebrity Pink. “Estate” work bag; Fossil. Aviators; street vendor. Scarf; hand sewn by my grandmother.
DAY 3: POST-WORK DINNER/COFFEE WEDNESDAY
I’m a true European, which means I cannot go a day without coffee…and I love unique, urban coffee shops. This is something I might wear to sip some coffee and read the news in the West Village during the cooler months.
Outfit Details
Blue t-shirt; American Eagle. Houndstooth vest; Lux. Striped “grandpa” cardigan; BDG. Jeans; American Eagle. Boots; Steve Madden. Gold chain; stolen from Anita Dolce Vita. Purple sunglasses; gift from Anita Dolce Vita. Scarf handmade by my grandma.
DAY 4: DANCING/MOCKTAILS THURSDAY
True New Yorkers know that the best nights for parties, dancing, DJs, and hip lounges are the weekday nights. The vibe changes on weekends, especially in the summer, when most city dwellers leave for the beach and all of the Real Housewives fans invade the city. This is something I might wear on a “school night” to just kick back and enjoy the city nightlife. Simple. Black. Comfortable.
Outfit Details
Black tank top; Gap. Khaki bomber; Rubbish. Jeans; American Eagle. Wallet chain; gift from Anita Dolce Vita. Studded high-tops; Aldo.
DAY 5: CASUAL FRIDAY
This is one of my favorite dressy casual outfits. It’s almost like two looks in one: casual Friday dressy without the jacket, and sporty cool with the jacket.
Outfit Details
Campus jacket; Forever 21. Button down shirt; Keds (yes, KEDS!). Pants; Gap. Boat shoe sneakers; Keds. Sunglasses; Proof Loom frames. Watch; Fossil. Bracelets; street vendor.
DAY 6: CITY SATURDAY
Weekends are not just for fleeing the city. There’s nothing better than exploring New York on a beautiful day and finding neighborhoods, eateries, and nooks and crannies that I don’t get to experience during my daily grind. This outfit is super comfortable: the shoes are perfect for long, long walks throughout the city and the cropped pants and tank top keep me cool in the sticky humidity.
Outfit Details
Shirt; Forever 21. Camo pants; BDG. Shoes; Bobs. Muslim prayer beads from Bosnia. Watch, Fossil. Sunglasses; Proof Tribe Turquoise Polarized Lens Lens. Bracelets; street vendor.
DAY 7: SUNDAY BRUNCH
Who doesn’t love Sunday funday? Full of brunch and friends and walking the NYC streets, and my one vice: PEPSI! Layers, layers, layers make this outfit a good go-to for the wacky NYC one-minute-cold-one-minute-hot weather.
Outfit Details
Vest; Spiewake. Button downs; American Eagle. Sweater hoodie; American Eagle. Jeans, American Eagle. Boots; Sperry Topsider.
Outakes
ANITA! Wow! What a beautiful set of photo shoots! How can one couple be so cool and so hot at the same time? I especially love the shot of S.F. with the graffiti background. Fave look is the stripped shirt
Wow, you’ve got such a great style! I love how your outfits are fun, stylish, and practical, and how you dress up your outfit with awesome scarves and bags! Beautiful pictures!
Thank you for featuring me Ms. Managing Editor. 🙂
Why thank you so much Heather! I’m also glad you liked the striped shirt – I was about to toss it because it no longer fit me from my college years, and she nabbed it.