Say what you want about diamonds, but we all know a girl's most trusted accessory is a gal pal. Paris had Nicole. Romy had Michelle. Need I go on? Texas-bred BFFs Jillian Talley and Lauren Mikus arrived in Los Angeles two years ago as Gal Pals. With nothing but their band’s 7” single in hand, it wasn't long before the tenacious duo from a place where everything is bigger had charmed the likes of Burger Records and Paper Cup with their massive hooks and Spector-ian harmonies. A string of releases and a debut album later, Jillian and Lauren are now fixtures of East L.A.‘s female-fronted, garage rock re-revival along with other bands like Bleached, Feels, and Death Valley Girls.If you look back over time, all your favorite BFFs had a look that both announced and defined them, from Cher and Dione in matching plaid minis to Daria and Jane in long coats and combat boots. Jillian and Lauren clearly understand how to brand. The real-life Gal Pals consistently rock brightly colored high-waisted shorts with patterned crop tops that compliment what the other one of them is wearing. But gimmick aside, Gal Pals have proven themselves to be one of the most promising new bands given the way they shred their pop-inflected rock songs into sugarly lines of pixie dust. With sharp-tongued lyrics and a classic girl-group sound, Gal Pals evoke the same rebellious spirit of the Shangri-Las. We talked to the fashionable two-piece about their show-time essentials for this week's edition of Style Rider.Jill: Can't wear a skirt or dress as I sit at the drumkit with my legs open! Gotta be pants and I've got plenty of beloved high-waisted jeans to pick from. These Calvin Klein, Jordache, and Arbor Blues are my favorites.'Nuff said.Lauren: For shoes, I almost always play in my favorite pair of low-heeled black lace up boots. They are tough and have survived many a tour and hope they will survive even more.Do yourself a favor and buy Velvet Rut here from Paper Cup. Grab your BFF and go catch Gal Pals as they tour the U.S. this Fall.
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