Ilana Glazer’s namesake character on Comedy Central’s Broad City often has me yelling at the computer screen, gushing over whatever she’s thrown together. Two parts Forever21 and one part Tumblr, Ilana encapsulates what I love the most about summer style (even though she seems to wear it year round). Glazer’s character’s version of NYC is one where sheer tops + caged bra letters are definitely office appropriate and you might wear Rihanna-off-duty low rise jeans for a dog walking session. There’s no denying that she’s completely uninterested in looking like anyone other than herself. Tomboyish, witty, bright, skin-baring but never quite crass, Ilana is who I’ll be emulating all through the sunshine months. Crop tops, bright lips and backwards caps is a zone I can endorse.
Bold Lips
from MTV
Never underestimate the power of a well executed lip colour. Ilana exemplifies this with pinks, purples, blues and even a dramatic black lip/SnapBack combo. It might not always be kiss proof, but your make out partner will get a kiss shaped souvenir.
Crop Tops
photo from Paste Magazine
Ilana understands the crop zone. Some might even say she is a queen of the crop. In case you needed another reason to believe, she’s got one on almost every episode. Case closed.
No Pants Zone
image from Tumblr
All shorts, all the time. Whether it’s denim cutoffs or just a lil’ pair of bike shorts, Ilana might convince you to turn your closet into a shorts haven.
Bras ‘N’ Bralettes
image from Refinery 29
Sexy and oft worn as a top: Ilana is a master of the underwear that is meant to be seen. An excellent foil for crop tops and trend-conscious sheer tees! I’m envious of every bra this broad owns.
Tomboy Femme
image from HuffPo
image from NY Mag
Last but certainly not least, Ilana is always reppin’ tomboy femme in a way that can’t be beat. Whether it’s backwards caps, loose jeans, visible briefs or just a sharp suit, there are elements of traditionally “feminine” and “masculine” presentations in her outfits.
I’ve pinned almost every look to my mental inspiration board — Summer 2015 is definitely seen through Ilana-tinted glasses. What are your go-to summer picks?
At 28, I’m JUST starting to wear lipstick. I decided to really dive into the bold colour trend and bought an electric blue KA’OIR lipstick. It’s gotten mixed reviews, and I still feel really self-conscious about wearing it because the colour is so intense, but I do think it looks pretty badass!
I similarly love lipstick but never wear it worrying that I look like a clown – my lips are quite full and all I want to wear is postbox red. I always think this looks brilliant on other people though, even people with big lips, so I should just get over myself and paint myself up a pair of brassy shockers.
Also, showhow forgot to say: Ilana is like my spirit guide and a style guide for her by my (everyone’s) favourite gay website – *heartseyes*
I’m the same way! I too have very full lips, but always figured that wearing anything on my lips other than a very neutral lipstick or lip gloss made me look like a blow-up doll, even though I think other full-lipped people can totally rock it. I guess it’s all in the attitude!
I used to have this fear as well, but once I took the dive once or twice, I felt more confident. Bold lips look great always , but it’s super scary at first!
Yessss. I’m obsessed with KA’OIR!!! So queer and perfect. I have a blue, black, lilac, and red! I would have all of them if I could afford it! I love the accompanying glitters for notes out too.
Pretty much everything on this list is a summer favorite of mine! Except the crop tops. For some reason, I can’t show off my stomach. Gotta work up the confidence. I recently discovered that I miss by tomboy roots, and have started dressing like it, but I still want to bust out a crop top every now and then.
I’ve eased into cropped tops by pairing them with very high waisted, loose pants (so no muffin top!), exposing only a peek of my upper stomach.
This is often my crop zone – sliver of belly FTW.
<3 this!
I think of Ilana every time I wonder if I can get away with a fashion thing. She always says yes.
SIGH. the docs + high waisted shorts thing really slays me, and I love it, though I have a hard time with shorts. (not like, bodyshame, but like, they don’t look on me how I want them to look/if they fit my butt they don’t fit my waist or whatever)
YAS. She definitely gave me the confidence to wear crops and cute lippies. She reminds me of a grown up Miranda Sanchez (minus the meth).
When she is at work in her crop top and is asked to be more modest and she pulls it down to cover her belly but it shows her cute bra and then she pulls it up to cover her cleavage and it shows underboob and she can’t decide and she calls it Sophie’s Choice:
One of my favorite moments in comedy. Ever.
yassssss to all of this :D #rockthecrop ilana. also thank you for posting about her bras they are the best.
I have the same cross bralette they dress Ilana in. You can get it on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Cutout-Bralette-Seamless-Padded-Workout/dp/B00S44ST20/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438890423&sr=8-1&keywords=cross+bra (it links through the Autostraddle affiliate link, if I did that correctly)
ROFL I was just looking at this in my office and a board member walked past my open doorway
Added to my cart!
ahh this is awesome! the one she’s actually in is a super expensive one from LF so i thought i would never be able to attain it. but that one is frickin identical. thanks for the link!
Lydia! Do you have clues on where to get caged/strappy bras of the plus size variety? I’m an E cup and it is like freaking impossible!
Seconded. This is so important to my style life.
I feel this too… 32G here and I haven’t been able to find much. These bras kindof have the strappy look in extended sizes here and here . Here is a DIY tutorial. (I hope the html works!!!)
You could also wear a frame harness over your bra!
Thank you for introducing me to the whole concept of a frame harness!
I love allllll of this collaboration, but here’s a super cute set from Addition Elle!
I auto-crush on anyone who dresses like Ilana. Forreal. Total weakness.
THIS ARTICLE SINGS TO MY SOUL. YAAAASSSS KWEEEEEN.
I want all of Ilana’s strappy bras.
I love all of this!! Also, where can I get sweet snapbacks from?
Seconding the snapbacks inquiry.
Here is a starter one.
???
That last dog walking look is so perfect. Like ughhhhhh stop it your cute is killing me
Yep
Yes yes yes!! I always love Ilana’s looks! <3 <3
YAS KWEEN!! Thank you, awesome post idea! I love Illana and her style, ugh I miss broad city!! This is inspiring me to rock some tomboy femme à la Illana, which I’ve been wanting to do for a while. My look is very femme but I wanna make it more tomboyish occasionally. I actually just purchased my first pair of Calvin Klein boy shirts, yay!
Aaaand I can’t even spell her name right *facepalm* wish autostraddle would let us edit our comments.