Sweatshirts and little boy clothes.

Those are two of my great fashion loves. Add Stella McCartney and I’m, for lack of a better word, obsessed.

Which is why, though I’d like her whole Gap collection to fit, I’m just buying this.

The silk cashmere hoodie is only $88 and it’s made long for a kid which means it’ll be perfect on my very un-childlike body. I don’t know if it’s the laid back jock-vibe from spring’s runways or my urge to bundle that’s making me tuck actual sweatshirts underneath everything from my favorite blazer to my trench coat, but this might be a more work appropriate alternative to ripped American Apparel.

Now if I just had this to throw over it, I’d probably wear the same outfit every day until June.

O-Style: For anyone who wants to truly follow Michelle Obama’s style choices there’s been one go-to site, Mrs-O.org. Now, blogger Mary Tomer’s got her own book on the First Lady that looks to be equally well-done. Also, we love the Alaia in this first official family portrait. {StyleFile}

Hands off our DvF: For shame, criminals of Madrid. Diane von Furstenberg was mugged this weekend in the Spanish city. Though we’re sure AmEx hooked her up with some new cards really quickly. {Jaunted}

Phew! Sesame Street is not, repeat not, collaborating with Amercian Apparel. Thank god, because we don’t want to imagine what Dov was dreaming up for the ad campaign. Shudder. {Stylelist}

The old adage is that sex sells.

Certain brands—Calvin Klein, American Apparel and Emporio Armani—often bank on the appeal of skin for their notorious billboards. The CK jean-clad orgy (which has now been replaced by the slightly tamer scene of Doutzen Kroes in a red bikini) billboard was right by our offices.

There has been high public outrage and disgust over these billboards. But these companies are obviously not backing down anytime soon (Calvin Klein is a veteran in causing scandals with their ads—Brooke Shields and her jeans, anyone?), because they also know those other words of wisdom: bad press is better than no press. The Huffington Post has put together a slide-show of the most scandalous New York City billboards, in case you need proof.

Our first thought when we saw this photo: weird.

American Apparel introduces: Kids Shiny Leggings.

AA is known for some out-there products (slashed leggings, all-mesh dresses) but their selection of kids clothes has been pretty tame until now.

Now, I like leggings, and I like shiny things, but the combination of the two was just never for me, unless I was going to an 80s rocker party. And when I saw them on this little cutie, I thought, “Oh, come on now, do we really have to try and push kids into these tacky eyesores?”

Last August in Vogue, Kate Moss named two things she’d never wear: sneakers with an evening dress and sweatpants.

But even though Ms. Moss refuses to wear sweatpants, the trend’s been gaining momentum and is now solidly in the spotlight.

Back in November, Alexander Wang—prince of the laid-back, but still sexy, look—put up some sweat and thermal shorts. Now we’re seeing them pop up in Resort collections. Helmut Lang and Rag & Bone (pictured) did their own slinky versions, and today Garance shared a fun and easy DIY with us: cuffed sweat shorts created from sliced American Apparel jogging pants.

We’re big fans of sweats (we love our AAs as much as Garance loves hers) and are glad they’re getting a make-over. Are sweatpants the new leggings? After all, we kinda felt that leggings had run their course once they started pretending to be jeans and loose grey cotton’s far more forgiving then spandex bike shorts.

We’ll be watching to see who picks up on this trend and how many different ways one can do something funky and new with sweats.

—AMANDA JEAN BOYLE

Settled: Woody Allen asked for 10 million, but this morning settled for 5 from American Apparel. {NYPost}

Smells Like Guinness: Daphne Guinness revealed her new perfume, made with Comme des Garcons, at the George in London yesterday morning. A short film will accompany its September launch, because nothing sells without a film apparently. {ShowStudio}

Alice & a Milkshake: Stacey Bendet, of Alice & Olivia, says a McDonald’s Big Mac and strawberry milkshake are her favorite meal. She’s also working on a jewelry collaboration with Erickson Beamon. We believe one of those things. {Blackbook}

So Far So Good: Isobel Lucas in Vanity Fair - the best showing of SS09 Chloe we’ve seen yet. {VanityFair}

We’re suddenly overwhelmed with the presence of slashed leggings.

They’re on the What’s New page at Shopbop, in the windows at American Apparel, at BBQs in Brooklyn and even uptown. We’re not really sure where they came from - a strange hybrid of the ripped jean trend, spring’s cut-outs and the not-going-anywhere love of leggings?

Our first question is, even if you’re skinny, doesn’t fat, or at least skin squeeze out of the spandex slits? Also, leggings are tight and uncomfortable post-40° weather so what time of year are these made for?

And how do the striped holes not rip into one gaping hole on the side of one’s leg? And are they worn as pants or under dresses?

So tell us, if you don’t answer to name Little J, are you wearing these?

Sarah, 21, Publicist for American Apparel

Got her: Shopping in Le Marais, where we find all the cute girls!

Stalked her: Because her wool camel coat did something miraculous to the shape of her shoulders. Also, it matches the perforated saddle shoes.

Shot her: She’s wearing a thin leather jacket under the wool one which makes for pretty killer layering on the cloudy springtime day. She’s pulling off six different pieces of clothing without looking like a bag lady.

She said: “I’m en route to buy dresses for summer and sandals, too! Swedish designers are my favorite.”

We said: Do you layer your way through summer, too?

—AMANDA GAVLICK

To:Tips@Fashionista.com

From: Beep@Beep.com

Hi!

Thought this was strange and up your alley…

Remember the American Apparel Figure Skater Dress?

Well, this landed in my inbox today from Urban: Silence & Noise Figure Skater Tunic.

Kind of blatantly obvi, no? Thoughts?

K

Pop Quiz:

What’s this?

One of the swing dancing Gap ads from yore, you say?

Nope. It’s the window display at American Apparel, which may or may not be trying to revamp its hypersexualized image just in time for the holidays.

Or, a Freaky Friday store window experience.

You decide.

Is American Apparel expanding into shoes?

If this ad for AA looking for people with shoe manufacturing experience on Boston’s Craigslist is to be believed, it looks like we can all expect wannabe Keds and Pumas from them sometime soon.

Inexpensive, American-made shoes doesn’t sound like a bad idea, but the foot fetish ads that’ll surely hover over Houston?

Well, that’s probably for a whole different site…

Sometimes you, or I guess we, want a t-shirt that’s not just a t-shirt but retains the comfort of a t-shirt.

Something you can tuck into a kind of fancy skirt with heels while rejoicing in the fact that you’re not wearing the same American Apparel top as everyone else in the room.

Like this one-sleeved, ruffled white tee. It’s handmade by With Hearts In My Eyes and loose enough to tuck into super tight jeans, a la the designer at left, or into a tiered skirt. And the best part is the ruffles lay flat enough to flatter, and not destroy, an actual chest.

And just for kicks you can wear it front to back or back to front - depending on which shoulder you feel like showing off.

Or you could break out the tie-dye and wear a personalized version to the Public Theatre’s production of HAIR with hot pants and wooden wedges. Or, that’s what we’d do.

Michelle, 21, Brown University Student

Got Her: Walking down Spring St.

Stalked Her: Because she was red, white, blue and adorable all over.

Shot Her: Because we were intrigued by the overalls and after two blocks of walking behind her, we decided we wanted to know more.

She Says: “The skirt is H&M and the overalls are actually an American Apparel bathing suit I’m wearing underneath everything.The color scheme, well I guess I just like them together.”

We Say: That’s one of the most creative uses of a bathing suit we’ve ever seen: it’s cute, it’s inventive, and if you happen to get pushed into a pool - no worries!

—AUDREY SMITH

People seemed uneasy about Stefano Pilati’s use of heather gray jersey on YSL’s spring ‘08 runway - until Kate Moss wore this dress in the ads and everyone else wanted to wear it, too.

The thing that keeps it from being a glorified American Apparel-esque sweatshirt tube dress is the expert tailoring, the thin fabric and the sharply cut front ‘V’.

Unfortunately, when Topshop decided to copy it, they left out those important factors. The color’s the same, so are the darts and the length, but you can tell, just from seeing it float in internet space, that it won’t be flattering on anyone.

Not even Kate - and that says a lot.

p.s. Olga’s shoes are way on sale at Barneys!

Tanya, Accountant

Got Her: At this weekend’s roller derby at Studio B in Brooklyn.

Stalked Her: Because we’d love her romper anywhere, but in a sea of shiny American Apparel disco wear, her retro alternative was subdued and still fun.

Shot Her: Because it might just be the best fitting romper we’ve ever seen.

She says: “I bought it on eBay. Thank goodness it fit! And it’s so comfortable for skating!”

We say: If only every day promised a well dressed, roller skating night…

“The Ass Crack is the go-to fashion ad allurement these days.” —The Copyranter, on Joe’s Jeans and American Apparel’s latest NYC billboards.

“He has been known to walk through his office in underwear, and conduct meetings in a thong (his defence - he designs underwear, so why not model it?)” - on Dov Charney, in the Guardian.

Dov Charney was just named Retailer of the Year for his work as the Creative Director and entrepreneur behind American Apparel.

The award’s previously gone to Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta.

We’re not convinced he holds court with the other winners, but he does have a knack for getting attention drawn to himself - even the awards committee says their “provocative advertising campaigns have set the company apart as a fascinating story in the fashion world.”

Not to mention AA sells the most perfect jersey clothes that we don’t need, but actually really do.

The ceremony, held in New York last week, explains his presence at the now infamous American Apparel on Houston and Orchard where he was spotted lurking around like the creeper everyone knows he is.

But we can’t pass an American Apparel without buying yet another t-shirt, so he must be doing something right.