New Years Style

New Years Eve is upon us and today is the perfect excuse to dress to the 9's for absolutely no other reason than the fact that the calendar is hitting the rest button. This means an over abundance of black tie parties that give you the chance to show everyone your best!

The "tradition" with black tie affairs is to wear black and that this type of get together is the highest of formal wear. In reality, however, this tuxedo clad event was actually originated in the 19th Century in Tuxedo Park, NY by the trendy  and extremely wealthy folk of the day who snipped the long-tail coats, typical of white tie formal wear.

So what am I getting at with this little lecture? It's that you don't have to stick to the rigidity of the penguin suit!!!! The style itself was started by doing something different, so why not put in a couple twists of your own. You should still be suited up, but add some character to the night's garb.

A look that I highly recommend is the Midnight Navy Tux with Black shawl lapel...absolutely stunning and guaranteed to turn heads. Or opt this winter's go-to fabric, velvet! You can find it in any color and will add a bit of sheen and texture to your look.

This option by Bonobos exquisite with the peak lapels and ticket pockets, adding some real power to the jacket. I also had an idea...if you can find a suit in the same color as the Mercedes Benz Purple, you better pony up the cash to get it because that is going to be a one of a kind piece that will garner envious stares from everyone in the room.

I hope you take my advice tonight for the coming of the New Year, I know you won't regret it! HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!

Friday Faux Pas: Shirt Fat!

One of the biggest annoyances for me when I dress up is having a shirt with excess baggage underneath between the waist and armpit aka shirt fat. The stuff that makes you look an extra 15 lbs heavier than you actually are.

Shirt Fat...no bueno.

This wardrobe nightmare is caused by wearing a shirt that is too big or not tailored to your body style and can completely ruin your look. Your shirt makes a statement just like any other item that comprises an outfit, make sure your making the right statement;this guy is well put together.

You may think that shirts that got just right are going to cost an arm and a leg but many retailers offer a variety of lengths, sizes, and fits to work with just about every body type. An emerging brand by the name of Hugh & Crye are offering three different lengths and four different fits to compose 12 specific shirts similar to a bespoke fit for department store prices...not to mention the fabrics and styles available are top notch!

Hugh & Crye Aubrey Shirt #ftw

You can visit their online store at hughandcrye.com!

Thursday Threads: Casual Friday

First off, I hope you all had a joyful and fun-filled Christmas Day with family and friends. Hopefully Santa gave you all that you asked for and have some fun stuff to show off at work, at the bar, or just out casually! Now to the goods...

Being that this is the first of my Thursday Threads posts and being that it is after the holidays, I thought I would provide some inspiration for your casual Friday wardrobe. Many confuse this relaxed day as an excuse to slack off in the style department, but this should be your opportunity to really show everyone around the office how fashion savvy you really are. Sure, you can lose the tie and the stuffy dress shoes, but don't lose out on the chance to play with some less dressy pieces in your closet. Here is a little outfit (separate images, but a seamless look) that I have put together!

Suit Supply Havana Blue Plain: $399

Hugh & Crye Barossa - Brown: $65

Bonobos Sherwoods: $48

Johnston & Murphy Ellington Wingtip: $89.99

Warby Parker Jasper- Tortoise: $95

TheTieBar.com Solid White Cotton- Champagne: $8

This little brainchild of mine was something that I cooked up while looking around the mall after my shift ended at Robert Graham. You don't have to buy each one of these items from each retailer, these are just suggestions. But take note of the style! Colored chinos, crisp gingham check shirt, tonal navy check sport coat, accented wingtip shoes, simple pocket square, and most importantly, fresh shades. You can do this look in any combination of colors and even throw on a solid, silk knit tie so you can wear it during the "real" work week! Just remember, casual Friday isn't the time for Tommy Bahama and Jimmy Buffet, that's what the weekend is for...this day is meant to leave an impression on your coworkers for the entire weekend.

Once again, I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday, check in tomorrow for Friday Faux Pas!

Christmas Challenge!

Hey everybody! I thought I would throw out a simple challenge for my readers. It is very easy, nothing that is going to strain you mentally or physically...I want you all to go out of your way to create an awe inspiring outfit; throw on a tie that grabs everyone's attention, a watch that cannot be ignored, or a suit/sportcoat that blows everyone away.

I'm sure you're already going to dress up for a Christmas Eve party, Midnight Mass, Christmas Day, whatever the occasion may be the next couple of days. So why not put in that little bit of effort to make it all pop and stand out from the crowd. I challenge you to be different and I challenge you to make a statement this Christmas because compliments are just as good as presents!

Merry Christmas everybody! I hope everyone enjoys time with family and friends and receives everything they 'be asked for.

Christmas Party Outfit

Nothing beats a nice plaid sportcoat for a holiday party. It says you dressed up, but it's not that serious...so where is the alcohol!

This outfit brought to you by:

Sportcoat by @bananarepublic

Shirt and pants by @jcrew

Tie, tie clip, and square by @thetiebar

Shoes by @colehaan

Watch by @invitawatches

Enjoy the early festivities!

Dress it up please!

I was helping a customer today who reminisced about the days when men would wear suits around casually and women would be clad in dresses and heels because no reason other than to look good. Nowadays, you don't get to see that; you see a population of underdressed, almost lazy individuals that almost give off the vibe of "I could care less what impression I'm making".

Not only can I mention the adage "you never know who you're going to meet" but I can also bring up that "presentation is everything". Not that casual isn't ok and not that you have to conform to some socially acceptable standard of dressed up, but atleast put some effort into looking half decent on a day-to-day basis because you really never know who you're gonna meet (future girlfriend, employer, name that important person) and you're leaving an impression with them that will last in their memory forever.

I like looking my best every time I walk out the door, dressy or casual, and I encourage you to do the same because the only thing I like more than myself looking good is having everyone else look just as good around me.

Check in tomorrow for a Chirstmas Eve challenge!

On Branding...

I decided to save this post for a day where most people will be too busy watching football or finishing up there Christmas shopping. Being newly out of college, having a limited source of income, looming college loan repayment, and not knowing where I may be 2 months from now, I have to be very savvy with anything I buy. Do I really need that amazing camel wool peacoat? Maybe not, but what if I move to New York...you see my dilemma.

Now one of the things I am particularly frugal about is splurging on designer brands when there is an equally attractive option for half the price. Clearly, the more expensive item will be of higher quality, last longer, and allow you the self gratification of knowing you own a pair of Gucci Horse-bit Loafers or a Louis Vuitton dress shirt. In some instances, however, skimping on the designer item is just not an option; the quality and workmanship of a designer suit (Ralph Lauren Purple Label for example) cannot be substituted for a similar get up at H&M.

By all means, if you have the money to, buy the top of line. Get those loafers from Ferragamo and that sweater from Burberry, but if you don't have that kind of depth in your pocket, here are some options:

Gucci Lace-up: $530

ALDO Johniken: $110

Both examples are representation of the lace-up, cap-toe design; very dressy and timeless. The quality of the Gucci shoe is obviously going to be better, but if you don't have the means to get them, then ALDO is a viable option.

Girogio Armani Tie: $117 on sale

TheTieBar.com Ground Stripe - Red: $15

Very similar ties in that power red that needs to be done right in the office. Although the colors are different, both are a Jacquard woven, 100% silk tie that won't dissapoint.

I could do this all day, finding affordable alternatives for expensive designer items, but I think you get the gist of it. If you don't have the patience to be savvy, but have the money, splurge knowing you'll get a quality product. But if you work at it just enough, theres a good chance you'll find a quality product for a great price.

Happy Sunday everybody!

Winter Style to Influence the Spring?

As is the case with any winter outfit, layers are not only critical for keeping warm, but in also allowing you to make as big a statement as possible with a combination of fabrics, patterns, and colors. 

Take this gentleman for example (picture courtesy of Tapiture.com). His layers may be toned down in color, but spans the spectrum in use of fabrics as well as patterns; from the cotton to leather and the gingham check to the spread polka dot...seamless, beautiful look!

With spring soon approaching, I am curious to see if the same layering trend with stick with the lighter weight fabrics and pastels of the season.

Check into my Instagram for even more thoughts and advice @SParryStylings!!!!

Friday Faux Pas: Flip Flops

This is officially the start and first real post on the blog. (Tentatively) I will be posting on this day, Friday, about particular fashion faux pas. As I will reiterate throughout this page, these posts are simply my opinion and not an attack on anyones beliefs or style, and if you have alternative opinions, please share with me. Ok, on to the topic at hand.

FLIP FLOPS...

Now don't get me wrong, flip flops are a great choice for going to the beach, hitting the high seas, washing your car, or maybe running a quick errand...down the street...where no one will possibly see you. As with any part of fashion, there is a right time and right place for everything. For the flip flop, that time is "almost never" and place is "next to your front door in case of emergency". The only lower form of footwear than flip flops would have to be Crocs, which are my biggest fashion no-no. You may be thinking "Of all the possible topics, you picked flip flops..." and that decision is two fold; I live in Florida where sandals are more common on people than T-shirts and because a close friend of mine wore flip flops with jeans.

Lets go through the process of my friend getting ready: throw on some jeans, a belt, short sleeve button up shirt, a nice watch, and then take the time to style your hair. After all that effort to put together a casual outfit to walk around the mall, he puts on flip flops and flushes it all down the drain. In the effort it took to thread that thong between his toes, he could have easily slid on some casual loafers or boat shoes, making a complete outfit. I could care less what the sticker value is, which designer made them, or even more importantly, how much more comfortable they are than shoes...unless you are partaking in a sea voyage, you shouldn't be wearing flip flops.

Lets take a look at some high profile examples shall we:

Clearly, both examples show an outfit that required a lot of effort to put together but are both equally ruined in the choice of footwear. LEFT: Judging from the background, this red carpet event must be the Emmy's and this outfit would have been made complete with a dressy, black loafer or even an edgy suede, berry wingtip to add to the playfulness of it all. RIGHT: I'm guessing the designer running this show was going for a mesh between laid back and dressy, and I have no problem with that until you throw in a pair of "mandals"...a simple, khaki derby shoe (suede, canvas, leather, you pick) or a similarly colored, streamlined work boot, and its an outfit.

I think I'm getting the point across that if you are going to put in the effort to make a stylish garb for the day that it shouldn't fall short due to a pair of sandals. If you are too lazy to bend down and tie up a pair of casual shoes or sneakers, then get some versatile driving loafers that can be worn with just about anything.

Thank you for reading, come back again tomorrow!

Welcome to SParry Stylings!

As my first post, I would like to lead off by saying welcome and thank you for visiting! This blog will serve as a pseudo portfolio for my fashion and image consulting and also for me to rave and rant about the latest and greatest in apparel, accessories, technology, lifestyle tidbits, and anything I deem worthy of note.

Now onto my story:

I am a recent graduate of the University of Notre Dame's Engineering Entrepreneurship Masters (ESTEEM) Program and previously Florida Southern College with a major in Mathematics. You may be asking where this translates to fashion...I have cultivated a passion for being the best dressed individual in any room and subsequently created that image for myself among my family and friends. I have worked in retail at the capital of Prepdom aka Vineyard Vines and currently working for the American Eclectic designer brand, Robert Graham. Despite being on different points on the fashion spectrum, I still recognize the beauty of each brand and the necessity to have differentiation within the industry.

Back to working for Robert Graham...I have been there for almost 3 months now, seeing it as a temporary gig while I find a real job, something with engineering or technology or finance, but have started to realize that my true calling is fashion. I know it, I love it, and the only thing I love more than looking good, is being able to make other people look good too; this is where my idea for SParry Stylings came from! 

I will be targeting the male demographic seeing as I tend to be very clueless with women's fashion (with that said, I have a very capable women's consultant that I would gladly refer you to). Whether it be putting together your outfit for that big party or completely transforming your wardrobe, my goal as a fashion consultant is to help you become the best version of you possible. If I can make the littlest impact on your life, through fashion advice, I will have succeeded.

I plan to make posts on this blog at least once a day, so check in often and let other fashion enthusiasts know of my existence. These are going to be my unfiltered opinions on this page, so if you disagree or have an alternative idea on the matter, I would gladly listen to what you have to say; collaboration is the true fuel of innovation and plan on this being an innovative brand one day.

Once again, thank you for reading!!!