Finally, Striped Pants I Feel Okay About

($298, Tory Burch, ToryBurch.com)

Usually I react to the thought of striped pants the same way I do when I see young children drop something onto the floor of the subway and then put it into their mouths before their parents have a chance to catch them. That is to say... the very notion makes me ill at ease. I don't care how tall, thin, smart, or good at math  you are. Striped pants will make you look like a clown. The rare exceptions are rockers from the late '60s and early '70s. If the characters from the movie "Almost Famous" were your fictitious analog, chances are you were able to get away with striped pants. BUT, here's where I contradict myself! Because I ACTUALLY found a pair of striped pants that don't make me want to cry myself to sleep.

They're the Tory Burch Irene pant, and somehow they work! As Whitney Houston says at the beginning of "So Emotional," "I don't know why I like it. I just do!"

Oh, and speaking of Tory Burch, shell out $29 and get this Japan Relief t-shirt. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the American Red Cross to aid in the relief efforts in Japan.

($29, Tory Burch, ToryBurch.com)

Obama Merch Overload!

The Obama folks have finally added a bunch of new designs — from actual, big-time fashion designers — to their store, and boy howdy are they...sorta cool! I'm about ready to whip out the ol' plastique and order up at least one of these babies — maybe more. One for each debate? Some are pretty cool, and some are just, like, Sarah Palin–style HUH??



Nanette Lepore's hope/anchor tee, $65, with kicky little ribbon. I feel like I'd wear this with other stripes somehow, and maybe a slouchy hat of some sort? Is that weird?



Lutz & Patmos's cardigan, $60. So subtle and lovely. Let's get a detail shot of the rising sun, shall we?



If I didn't have at least four other gray cardigans, I'd probably buy this. Or maybe that means I will really wear it and must have it?



Rachel Roy's "Be the Change" scarf, $95. I love this, but the slogan she's selling is a little gramatically suspect, and we all know I can't have that. Be the change you want to see in the world? Be the change? Really? I'm afraid I just don't know what that means. UPDATE: It's a Gandhi quote. So I officially withdraw my silly snarkiness. Thanks for the tip, smarter reader!



Rag and Bone "Change is Awesome" tote bag, $75. Now that makes sense. Simple, direct, powerful. And this bag? Awesome indeed!



Zac Posen's "Dare to Dream" tank, $45. I like the sentiment behind this one. I hate the defeatist liberal attitude that I hear all too often lately; you know, the "McCain's gonna win" bullshit. Fight it!



Pharrell Williams's "Obama Stands Out from the Crowd" men's tee, $60. Not sure why "Obama" is placed in a sea of white faces. This one seems a leeeeetle bit under-thought-out. Stands out from the crowd of whom?



Maria Cornejo's organic "Change" tee, $60. Again, Obama looks white. Curious.



Charles Nolan's "Change is Good" wrap shirt, $70. At first glance, this is interesting. Then you realize that anyone wearing this is basically saying to the world, "You'd have to be locked-in-a-straitjacket CRAZY to vote for Obama!" which, really, is not very on-message.

Many more options, including OMG Marc Jacobs puts his name on another tote bag, here. And remember, folks, you're making a donation to the campaign, so don't fret too hard about dropping sixty bones on a T-shirt.

There's also a plethora of fun Obama pins here, no matter what your niche voting block may be.



Emo for Obama button, $1.



Cats for Obama button, $2.50.



And here's a silkscreened Obama tie! Perfect for riling up the old people (Republicans) at the next wedding you have to attend!



Boyfriend say that tie is ugly, like mine did? Get him this Obama brooch, $48. Cool and subtle.

Then again, maybe you like McCain? There are some fashion options for you, too.



Palin and co. shirt, uh, SORRY! It's satire. Oh wells! Try this one instead:



"Nope" tee, $22.

GOBAMA!