Fashion Tribe: Margaret Cho, funny to fashionable

Betabrand photos
Comedian Margaret Cho about to expand fashion footprint with Solitaire.

She’s played an “All American Girl,” Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-Un, and one of our favorite fashion personalities Lynne O’Neill, on “Sex and the City,” but few know of Margaret Cho’s other role, as fashion designer.

After taking up bellydancing, Cho started her own line of Hip Wear bellydance belts and accessories in 2006. Now, she’s teamed up with Betabrand to create the Solitaire, a multi-pocket jumpsuit that allows you to move freely about the world sans purse, handbag or clutch.

Cho invites you to kick your purse to the curb and make your way through life with hands-free abandon.

Betabrand is a San Francisco-based online clothing company that designs, manufactures and crowdfunds innovative or quirky threads into existence with a little guidance from online followers who are able to offer critiques before the projects go into production.

Some of the company’s hits include Dress Pant Yoga Pants, Executive Hoodies, Space Jackets and Gay Jeans that wear down to reveal rainbow-colored threads.

In her Betabrand introductory bio, the comedian said, “I created The Solitaire because I wanted the perfect outfit. I wanted something that could carry all my essentials: my credit card, cash, ID, lipstick, keys, and smartphone.

I want to walk the earth freely without a handbag or anything else to hold me back from my journey, my destiny.”

Her styling advice: “You can dress it up, with heels and jewelry, or you can get really sporty with it via combat boots and a matte lipstick. Anyway you dress it, you look amazing. All your stuff sits neatly in the zippered pockets. You can take on the world with both hands.”

As of this writing, the Solitaire is a Think Tank item in need of crowdfunding, offered at $159.80. There are only eight left to be purchased within 14 days. Take a look at it here: http://bit.ly/1youOwS

Perfect for everything from running errands to date night.

Invisible, zipped chest pocket.

Every girl-on-the-go I know loves pockets. The Solitaire also has slanted side pockets, zippered cargo pockets and in-seam back pockets.
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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage is in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.