It takes more imagination to reimagine a classic formula than it does to set fire to the wheel.

Menswear classicist Michael Bastian gets it: “The hardest thing is to take something familiar and make it better. The easiest thing is to create something no one has ever seen before. There’s a reason no one’s ever seen it — because someone tried it, and it didn’t work in the real world.”

Maggie Ward gets it: the Los Angeleno, female version of Michael Bastian, Maggie Ward is iconic sportswear made even more flattering.

Too many syllables running off my keyboard?  Here’s all you need to know: Maggie Ward is making silk dolphin shorts.

So why my hate?  I hate that I can’t buy a pair in stores yet, and I’m debating whether I should happy or sad to see other chicks in these.

I’m so bad about sharing…

You could count on one hand how many times I wear pants in a year — I’ve only dresses in my closet, plus a pair of tailored Japanese selvedge jeans, deadstock ’80s skinny jeans I bought in school before skinny jeans were cool (then uncool again), and some Maggie Ward sweatpants. As soon as I discovered Maggie Ward sweats, how often I wore pants doubled.

Like a pair of Marlies Dekkers undies, Maggie Ward sweatspants wear better than air — you’ll barely feel them, but you’ll be desperate to keep them on…

Maggie Ward is very ready-to-wear that’s like your best friend: you want everyone to understand how wonderful Maggie Ward is, without having to share her. I’d love to tell you how Maggie Ward takes iconic sportswear — sweatpants, dolphin shorts, sweatshirts — and spins them out of sueded silk, artisanal Japanese fabric, and washable stretch leathers. I’d love for you to understand all the effort that goes into designing this effortless chic –

Without having to see another chick in it.

But you’re going to buy this jumpsuit, too, because Maggie Ward re-imagined this classic right –

This Maggie Ward jumpsuit is that most choice Charlie’s Angels jumpsuit, only made more timeless in a subtle silk.

Tell me before you wear it next time, so we can avoid some blushing…

Wanting.

La Perla makes Hepburn hip, men’s style silk PJs for $278. With overnight shipping at Neiman’s, these’ll arrive in time for MILF’s Mom’s Day. Gift yourself a pair, too, for being such lovely spawn…

Wearing.

I’m obsessed with Maggie Ward silk sweatpants. I sport them with a silk racerback tank and Givenchy platform peeptoes, but the silk sweatpants feel lusher worn just padding around my pad. More iconic than ironic, your mom will feel comfy in them, too. Grab a pair at Intermix…

Hating.

Men’s style silk pajamas in red satin are too Marilyn Monroe for me. But more than that, this is the same La Perla silk PJ that’s more classic in black — just double the price… ]]> http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/06/silk-pjs-k-is/feed 1 http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/04/maggie-ward-k-is http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/04/maggie-ward-k-is#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 14:58:44 +0000 Kristopher http://www.kristopherdukes.com/?p=2438

Wanting.

When most designers do very-ready-to-wear in rich materials, it comes off cute. Like a cashmere hoodie? Winky wink. But Maggie Ward gets it: luxe, loose jumpsuits like this aren’t about being clever, but smart: such a simple design showcases the super fine fabrics Maggie Ward uses. I met John Ward, the designer, in their LA loft. He works very hard to make styling chic very easy…

Wearing.

I can count on one hand how often in a year I wear pants, but I’m obsessed with Maggie Ward silk sweat pants. Maggie Ward sent me a pair, and I’m living in them. In a sueded silk, Maggie Ward silk sweat pants are unsurprisingly comfortable, and surprisingly flattering. These are better than wearing air…

Hating.

I’m only hating these Maggie Ward silk sweats in silver because I don’t own them (yet). There are few brands I’m a whore for — lingerie by Marlies Dekkers, shoes by Giuseppe, porn by the Japanese — and Maggie Ward is one of them. These silk sweatpants are future iconics… ]]> http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/04/maggie-ward-k-is/feed 2 http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2008/12/24/maggie-ward-silk-k-is http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2008/12/24/maggie-ward-silk-k-is#comments Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:09:31 +0000 Kristopher http://www.kristopherdukes.com/?p=1583

Wanting.

Maggie Ward’s PR sent me a few pieces of Maggie Ward, which is like James Perse, only not boring: very simple, very subtly sexy, very ready-to-wear satin and custom-developed Japanese fabrics.

I never wear pants, but I want to live in these Maggie Ward silk sweat pants…

Wearing.

I love the sweatshirt details — a little V panel at the neck, a kangaroo pocket — on silk that makes your hands feel rough…

Hating.

How could I hate a crayon-yellow satin hoodie?

Because like most of Ms. Ward’s goods, it’s sold-out online… ]]> http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2008/12/24/maggie-ward-silk-k-is/feed 2