Thou Shalt Covet: Steven Alan felt shirt

Photo by Mat Szwajkos, courtesy of Steven Alan

Believe it or not, you can be fashionable and comfortable at the same time. And, believe it even more or not, gays relish the opportunity to do so. (Looking that good can get exhausting).

Thankfully there's Steven Alan and the label's ever increasing surplus of great looking shirts that are versatile enough to wear with a suit or sweats. Our recent favorite is the felt shirt set for an early Spring release in stores, meaning you should be ready to buy one by January. We love the colors, we love the slim but relaxed fit, we love the so-soft-it could-be-your-blanky fabric -- we just plain love it. Throw yours (or your boyfriend's) on and you're sure to love it too.

-- SETH PLATTNER

Quickies: Gap wants you to vote, Todd Palin's new wardrob and more

Photo: Getty Images

Yesterday Gap unveiled their new "Vote For" campaign to inspire election participation. Giving 70 everyday people the chance to voice themselves, each participant created a "Vote for ____" t-shirt customized to express their personal election passions. You can personalize your own tee online, or buy a pre-designed one in stores for $15. [Market Watch]

As part of her $150,000 shopping spree, Sarah Palin spent 5K of it at NYC men's store Atelier. The store carries conceptual labels like Yohji Yamamoto, Raf Simons and Ann Demeulemeester, and, while not what we usually picture a conservative wearing, thank God someone is doing something about Todd Palin's (pictured) less-than-winning style. [Material Interest]

Steven Alan is designing both the men's and women's uniforms for the Gild Hall hotel in New York City. We're guessing the hotel is going to have a rather comfortable vibe. [WWD]

Open for Business: Earnest Sewn opens in L.A. (right next to Nobu, no less). Marc Jacobs now has not one, but two stores in Paris.

-- SETH PLATTNER

Quickies: Casting Chanel, Steven Alan, Pope & PETA, Wrangler ads, Barneys maps

Photo: Getty Images

> Casting Chanel: Alessandro Nivola (above) has been confirmed to play a dashing Arthur "Boy" Capel to Audrey Tatou's Coco Chanel in the upcoming big screen biopic.

> Steven Alan opens in Brooklyn: For anyone in search of perfectly tailored basics, when price is no option.

> Will the Pope go naked rather than wear fur? The Italian Association for Defense of Animals and the Environment has launched an online petition appealing to Pope Benedict XVI, as an animal lover, to stop wearing robes trimmed with ermine.

> Artist Ryan McGinley's animalistic Wrangler ads: Banned in the US for appearing to glorify the murder and rape of young women, but still seen all over Europe (and online). Mission accomplished?

> The map to Barneys men's section: Some useful details to navigate the warehouse sale.