Find direction in your wardrobe
June 2, 2010 1:20 PM Subscribe
The North Skirt. You need never be fashionably lost in the woods again.
Okay, that's adorkable.
posted by rtha at 1:26 PM on June 2, 2010 [19 favorites]
posted by rtha at 1:26 PM on June 2, 2010 [19 favorites]
You need never be fashionably lost in the woods again.
So, I guess the idea is to be unfashionably lost?
posted by Sys Rq at 1:29 PM on June 2, 2010
So, I guess the idea is to be unfashionably lost?
posted by Sys Rq at 1:29 PM on June 2, 2010
Dammit! I knew I should have applied for a patent when I thought to put a compass in my skirt pocket. Totally underestimated the market.
posted by Lutoslawski at 1:30 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by Lutoslawski at 1:30 PM on June 2, 2010
I...would wear that. And use it, because my sense of direction is completely nonexistent.
posted by padraigin at 1:31 PM on June 2, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by padraigin at 1:31 PM on June 2, 2010 [2 favorites]
If they make the waistband electric and adapt it to home in on the nearest Wendy's, it could have a real shot at the outlet stores.
posted by hermitosis at 1:34 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by hermitosis at 1:34 PM on June 2, 2010
Of course, if the strip right in front is lit up, it'll really be pointing north, if you catch my drift. Handy for those that might need directions.
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:34 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:34 PM on June 2, 2010
Ha, I meant "elastic" but in the future IT WILL MEAN THE SAME THING.
posted by hermitosis at 1:34 PM on June 2, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by hermitosis at 1:34 PM on June 2, 2010 [3 favorites]
That was lame, until she pointed out the compass feature, then it became totally freaking awesome.
posted by oddman at 1:39 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by oddman at 1:39 PM on June 2, 2010
Oh, now I understand: This is aiming to solve the age-old problem of invisible flight navigation systems, yes?
posted by Sys Rq at 1:40 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by Sys Rq at 1:40 PM on June 2, 2010
This would be useful for that thing where you get off the subway and have no idea which direction you're facing.
posted by !Jim at 1:43 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by !Jim at 1:43 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
Yes. If you wear this... you'll just be lost in the woods.
posted by boo_radley at 1:46 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by boo_radley at 1:46 PM on June 2, 2010
> I...would wear that. And use it, because my sense of direction is completely nonexistent.
How will you be able to tell whether you're facing southwest, south, or southeast?
posted by ardgedee at 1:47 PM on June 2, 2010
How will you be able to tell whether you're facing southwest, south, or southeast?
posted by ardgedee at 1:47 PM on June 2, 2010
All it needs is a holster.
The woman at Concealed Peace doesn't need to know where north is. She only needs to know one thing: where they are.
posted by hermitosis at 1:51 PM on June 2, 2010
The woman at Concealed Peace doesn't need to know where north is. She only needs to know one thing: where they are.
posted by hermitosis at 1:51 PM on June 2, 2010
I sing the songs of the waistband electric.
posted by The Whelk at 1:58 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 1:58 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
I gave it a look after everyone wrote these glowing comments, but when "Steampunk Workshop" came up in my address bar, I navigated away like the plague.
posted by daniel striped tiger at 2:01 PM on June 2, 2010 [7 favorites]
posted by daniel striped tiger at 2:01 PM on June 2, 2010 [7 favorites]
I see a potential use for this technology in a Cirque du Soleil show.
And for the kinds of strippers Rick Deckard would hang out with...
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 2:07 PM on June 2, 2010
And for the kinds of strippers Rick Deckard would hang out with...
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 2:07 PM on June 2, 2010
... when "Steampunk Workshop" came up in my address bar, I navigated away like the plague.
Bad idea, because this skirt is teh awesome, and not at all steam-related, except perhaps for ironing. I can only lament the scarcity of culturally accepted rotationaly symmetric articles of clothing for male type people in Western society.
One could make a poncho though, turning the awesomeness up to eleven.
posted by Dr Dracator at 2:15 PM on June 2, 2010
Bad idea, because this skirt is teh awesome, and not at all steam-related, except perhaps for ironing. I can only lament the scarcity of culturally accepted rotationaly symmetric articles of clothing for male type people in Western society.
One could make a poncho though, turning the awesomeness up to eleven.
posted by Dr Dracator at 2:15 PM on June 2, 2010
Man that's great! This is one reason I love steampunk, they actually make original stuff as opposed to just aping 30 year old films.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:21 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:21 PM on June 2, 2010
I can only lament the scarcity of culturally accepted rotationaly symmetric articles of clothing for male type people in Western society.
Actually, Dr Dracator, the skirt is based on the NorthPaw haptic compass anklet, which itself seems to be based on the belt described in this Wired article. You could wear a belt, right?
posted by contraption at 2:28 PM on June 2, 2010
Actually, Dr Dracator, the skirt is based on the NorthPaw haptic compass anklet, which itself seems to be based on the belt described in this Wired article. You could wear a belt, right?
posted by contraption at 2:28 PM on June 2, 2010
Aw, c'mon, contraption, is a North Utilikilt not good enough?
Yes I own one but it was a birthday present and besides it looks great with ties and vests and the right jacket.
posted by kipmanley at 2:40 PM on June 2, 2010
Yes I own one but it was a birthday present and besides it looks great with ties and vests and the right jacket.
posted by kipmanley at 2:40 PM on June 2, 2010
How will you be able to tell whether you're facing southwest, south, or southeast?
I guess I'd go the opposite way my skirt points? I'd follow my ass!
And so should you all.
posted by padraigin at 2:47 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
I guess I'd go the opposite way my skirt points? I'd follow my ass!
And so should you all.
posted by padraigin at 2:47 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
I was more impressed by the guy inline skating off the Eiffel Tower.
posted by i_cola at 2:49 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by i_cola at 2:49 PM on June 2, 2010
Anyone know what song was playing in the video? I kinda dug it.
posted by MiddleSea at 2:51 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by MiddleSea at 2:51 PM on June 2, 2010
How will you be able to tell whether you're facing southwest, south, or southeast?
Turn slowly in a circle until lights you can see are lit up. South is the opposite direction from the direction indicated by the lights.
posted by twirlip at 2:53 PM on June 2, 2010
Turn slowly in a circle until lights you can see are lit up. South is the opposite direction from the direction indicated by the lights.
posted by twirlip at 2:53 PM on June 2, 2010
How about a hat, Dr Dracator? I can imagine this working with amy round-enough hat. Seems like the sort of thing ThinkGeek would sell, actually.
posted by Songdog at 2:59 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by Songdog at 2:59 PM on June 2, 2010
I hope my daughter grows up to do things like this. My son, too. Including wearing the skirt, if that's what he wants.
posted by davejay at 3:10 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by davejay at 3:10 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
<>when "Steampunk Workshop" came up in my address bar, I navigated away like the plague.
Brunel is tired of these Time Traveling Assholes.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 3:14 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
Brunel is tired of these Time Traveling Assholes.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 3:14 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
I gave it a look after everyone wrote these glowing comments, but when "Steampunk Workshop" came up in my address bar, I navigated away like the plague.
I can't understand why there are so many people who outright denounce Steampunk as though there is something blatantly distasteful about it. I mean, it bothers me that the majority of things labelled "steampunk" turn out to be overdesigned steampunk-ish fluff or just retrofuturist stuff that doesn't really constitute steampunk, but when it's done right it's often fantastic.
Am I just misinterpreting a distaste for this polluted pop-steampunk as a distaste for steampunk in general?
posted by Stove at 3:17 PM on June 2, 2010
I can't understand why there are so many people who outright denounce Steampunk as though there is something blatantly distasteful about it. I mean, it bothers me that the majority of things labelled "steampunk" turn out to be overdesigned steampunk-ish fluff or just retrofuturist stuff that doesn't really constitute steampunk, but when it's done right it's often fantastic.
Am I just misinterpreting a distaste for this polluted pop-steampunk as a distaste for steampunk in general?
posted by Stove at 3:17 PM on June 2, 2010
Am I a bad person for thinking she's hot?
posted by Mister Moofoo at 3:58 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by Mister Moofoo at 3:58 PM on June 2, 2010
MiddleSea, The song is called Knotty Pine. It is a collaboration between David Byrne and the band Dirty Projectors. It is from the album Dark Was The Night.
posted by Faux Real at 4:01 PM on June 2, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by Faux Real at 4:01 PM on June 2, 2010 [3 favorites]
Am I a bad person for thinking she's hot?
No, not at all. Just for announcing it here.
posted by contraption at 4:07 PM on June 2, 2010 [6 favorites]
No, not at all. Just for announcing it here.
posted by contraption at 4:07 PM on June 2, 2010 [6 favorites]
Touché.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 4:15 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by Mister Moofoo at 4:15 PM on June 2, 2010
She's selling Northskirt kits in her etsy store, too.
(Full disclosure: Meredith (creator of this skirt) (not a dude) is a friend of a friend. Never met her myself.)
posted by mollymayhem at 4:21 PM on June 2, 2010
(Full disclosure: Meredith (creator of this skirt) (not a dude) is a friend of a friend. Never met her myself.)
posted by mollymayhem at 4:21 PM on June 2, 2010
Probably not her intention, but now I have a crush on her. It's really the skirt, though. I admit to being blinded by science.
posted by krinklyfig at 5:02 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by krinklyfig at 5:02 PM on June 2, 2010
Okay, looks good, but what the hell are the laundering instructions?
posted by mek at 5:09 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by mek at 5:09 PM on June 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
There's only one direction in MY wardrobe, and it ain't toward Nirvana.
posted by Twang at 5:43 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by Twang at 5:43 PM on June 2, 2010
Ok. Alright. I'm inspired. Sweet sewing projects? It's finally time for me to learn how circuitry and such things work.
posted by aniola at 5:52 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by aniola at 5:52 PM on June 2, 2010
For some reason I was expecting a skirt that converted into a tent.
So you wouldn't care so much if you got lost in the woods.
posted by Flashman at 5:57 PM on June 2, 2010
So you wouldn't care so much if you got lost in the woods.
posted by Flashman at 5:57 PM on June 2, 2010
WHAT IF YOU PUT IT ON BACKWARDS
posted by jimmythefish at 6:48 PM on June 2, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by jimmythefish at 6:48 PM on June 2, 2010 [2 favorites]
OK, here's your motivation. You're lost, you're angry in the woods, and no one is here to help you. There's a witch and she keeps leaving shit outside your door. There's no one here to help you! She left little trinkets, you took one of them, she ran after us. There's no one here to help you! We walked for 15 hours today, we ended up in the same place! There's no one here to help you, THAT'S your motivation! THAT'S YOUR MOTIVATION!
posted by bwg at 6:56 PM on June 2, 2010
posted by bwg at 6:56 PM on June 2, 2010
jimmythefish: WHAT IF YOU PUT IT ON BACKWARDS
Well, if you're bass-ackwards in the first place, like some folks I know, you'll be just fine.
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:05 PM on June 2, 2010
Well, if you're bass-ackwards in the first place, like some folks I know, you'll be just fine.
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:05 PM on June 2, 2010
Given that it's comprised of solid-state electronics and LEDs, that doesn't sound very steampunk. I imagine that a true steampunk north skirt would be purely mechanical and work somewhat like a south-pointing chariot.
Of course, that would make it somewhat cumbersome, even by the standards of Victorian ladies' attire.
posted by acb at 3:54 AM on June 3, 2010
Of course, that would make it somewhat cumbersome, even by the standards of Victorian ladies' attire.
posted by acb at 3:54 AM on June 3, 2010
The skirt is an interesting idea but my first thought was "who wears a skirt to go hiking?"
Also, call me a lame poser, but the "steampunk" projects in the sidebar interested me instead of turning me off. I love faux-Victorian projects, no matter what pop culture trend they name themselves under.
posted by immlass at 6:33 AM on June 3, 2010
Also, call me a lame poser, but the "steampunk" projects in the sidebar interested me instead of turning me off. I love faux-Victorian projects, no matter what pop culture trend they name themselves under.
posted by immlass at 6:33 AM on June 3, 2010
Am I just misinterpreting a distaste for this polluted pop-steampunk as a distaste for steampunk in general?
Oh, absolutely. I think most of the stuff that Jake von Slatt does is pretty neat, and the whole idea of "yesterday's tomorrow" is one that I find really fascinating (although I trend more towards a Tex Avery interpretation). But when people start slapping gears every which way all over a pair of boots, I just kind of cringe. When I saw "skirt" and "steampunk", I didn't have much hope. But yes, this is awesome, and in no way steampunk.
posted by daniel striped tiger at 5:50 PM on June 10, 2010
Oh, absolutely. I think most of the stuff that Jake von Slatt does is pretty neat, and the whole idea of "yesterday's tomorrow" is one that I find really fascinating (although I trend more towards a Tex Avery interpretation). But when people start slapping gears every which way all over a pair of boots, I just kind of cringe. When I saw "skirt" and "steampunk", I didn't have much hope. But yes, this is awesome, and in no way steampunk.
posted by daniel striped tiger at 5:50 PM on June 10, 2010
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posted by HumanComplex at 1:23 PM on June 2, 2010