Monday Outlook: Black and White

I know I referred to a trend about black and white jeans for this season, this will be a great start for another trend essentially piggy backing the grey scale trend into fall and winter. You're gonna think its a little monotone and mime-ish, but when done right, you'll have heads turning.

From the pages of GQ, Pharrell knows how B&W works!

Black and white outfits seem too simple to be stylish...at first, then all the sudden you realize that the simplicity is the key to why it looks so great. The idea is to block them as to avoid looking like you're attempting some misplaces tonal look that should probably be tucked away for the summer. Striped or patterned shirts and t-shirts will make this trend very easy to adopt, and pairing them with those jeans that you already have will complete the look. The great thing about this trend is that no matter what you get, each piece is neutral and pair able with just about everything, making them staples for you down the road.

John Varvatos Spring/Summer collection featured a lot of B&W

Another exciting thing you can do is have that black and white base to anchor your outfit and then toss in a piece with some color to add a bit of pop to your get-up. It'll also highlight that specific piece as the black and whites fade to the foreground, almost like a primer coat before you paint on the intended color. This look is very versatile and chances are you won't have to spend very much to get the look because your closet is already stocked with blacks and whites (if it isn't, you may need to make a visit to your nearest mall).

Check in tomorrow for some exciting new tech and next Monday for more upcoming fashion trends!

Sunday Recap

Here are the links from the past week if you didn't have a chance to see them earlier this week:

Monday: Color Blocking
Tuesday: Craft Check
Wednesday: Glen Plaid Sport Coat
Thursday: Knit Ties
Friday: The Sock Dilemma
Saturday: Victor Cruz

I know it seems like quite the disconnect, but the look you would compile from this week's topics would be elegant and casual. I'm thinking a pair of white jeans and white shirt with your glen plaid blazer and a springy knit tie. Roll the jeans up an extra inch and go sock less for a fresh off the boat kind of look that everyone knows and loves. I personally engaged in this kind of look this week at work and felt like a million bucks, chances are you will too!

Check in tomorrow for more fashion trend outlook for the upcoming season and all next week for even more great style advice!

Celebrity Saturday: Victor Cruz

There wasn't much for the G-Men to celebrate this past season with slumps in all facets of their game; Eli kept passing to the other team, the defense was like a strainer trying to hold water, whoever you want to blame, they were bad. But they did have one highlight on the team, and when he wasn't busy making corners look bad, he was making everyone look bad with his impeccably stylish ways.

Double Breasted with the air tie at Paris Fashion Week.

Victor Cruz was dropped in the laps of the Giants organization as an unsigned free agent from UMass in 2010 and has since become the go to for critical plays. Known mostly for his dance moves, Cruz also has quite the fashion arsenal in his closet that he uses to perfection. If you think about NFL players, none very much come to mind when you think of the fashionable and the stylish; that stigma seems to be reserved for the NBA.

Stripes on stripes and some great suede boots.

The most impressive factor of his style is that he always looks good, it isn't just a thing he does while attending an event or some red carpet function. Not to down play that part of his wares because this past year at the ESPY Awards, he was rocking a double breasted suit with a t-shirt (I feel like I've mentioned these trends before). Clearly ahead of the fashion curve and clearly aware of himself and how he looks, so take some notes and follow suit.

Its like he sees the fashion future, or just molds it.

Check in tomorrow for my weekly wrap-up and next Saturday for another celebrity style influence!

Friday Faux Pas: Socks and...

Most college guys, this includes athletes, mathletes, frat stars, hipsters, and good ole regulars, have this thing where they wear athletic socks with their boat shoes or sandals or any other form of footwear for that matter. That's fine, college is the time to be lazy and get that out of your system, but this "look" shouldn't carry over into your post-graduate life aka the real world.

DO NOT DO THIS...

For some reason Charleston, SC seems to be the epicenter for this type of behavior (maybe I think that because I recently spent a summer there) and it needs to be contained before more are infected by this stylistic error. I'm not saying you shouldn't wear socks with your shoes, but if they feature the Nike logo or any logo for that matter you should not be wearing them with your outfit, the white variety especially.

...OR THIS...

If you absolutely need to wear socks, rethink the decision and don't wear them, and if you're will power against the little demon on your shoulder is lacking, then go get some no show socks that'll give you the sock-in-shoe feel without the look. Journey's is a great place to look for this type of sock in a variety of cuts and colors for your interests, I recommend checking in there before you commit another style sin.

...this, however, is highly acceptable!

Check in tomorrow for a another stylish celebrity influence and next Friday for more of my fashion faux pas!

Threads for Thought: The Knit Tie

To most of you, a tie is a tie is a tie and its usually a feat in and of itself that you put one on every so often. Contrary to this belief, there are ties out there that simply stand out from the rest, like the much-loved Red Power Tie or the ill advised Black Tie. Yet, even within the fashion community the knit tie is still debated as stylish or not.

Just some notable celebrities embracing the knit life...no big deal.

I am a very esteemed member of the knit tie community, having both the long and bow varieties, and I think they give any outfit some extra texture to look at. Not to say that I don't support he traditional tie option, but a knit gets noticed much more often and you're almost guaranteed to receive a compliment or "I've never seen a tie like that" comment when you wear one.

Notice the texture. You're immediately drawn to the tie!

Now this isn't a bash on the traditional tie variety, all ties are great! A knit tie, though, just adds a little differentiation into the style melting pot as more and more of you guys start to dress better and better. If you're still hesitant to get one, try a cheaper option, but if you are a seasoned vet or just ready to dive right in, opt for some luxe that will last you for years and years to come.

Just some options to give you an idea of whats out there:

J. Crew: $60

Banana Republic: $60

The Knottery: $25

The Tie Bar: $15

Check in tomorrow for another installment of my fashion faux pas and next Thursday for more style pieces that deserve your consideration!

Wardrobe Essentials: The Glen Plaid Blazer

I have already preached the necessity of the the navy blazer and the grey sharkskin suit, and simply having both of those would be enough to get by fashionably from season to season, but you're not reading this to just "get by". So whats the next sport coat your closet needs that is going to become a staple in your closet for years to come?

Glen Plaid has been one of the most popular and classic check fabric patterns since its debut in the 19th Century. Popularized by the Prince of Wales in 1926, the pattern is most typically featured in the black and white or brown and cream color ways, and those two are the ones you'll want to stick with. Do the math, this pattern has been popular for over 100 years and hasn't experienced any hiccups thus far, so adding it to your wardrobe is safe and stylish.

Thanks Nick Wooster for showing everyone how its done.

Versatility is key with sport coats and there isn't a pattern that Glen Plaid can't handle; I'm pretty sure you could pair it with itself and you'd still look great. As for the choice between the "brown" or "black", look at your existing sport coat game, if you already have a khaki or light brown jacket, go with the black and white, and if you have a couple grey suit coats, go with the brown Glen.

Just typing in Glen Plaid sport coat in Google will point you in the right direction, but here are some winners:

Ralph Lauren: $1295

J. Crew: $250

Check in tomorrow for another style piece that deserves your consideration and next Wednesday for a wardrobe necessity!

Tech Tuesday: Is Your Brew Micro?

There are two crazes currently blowing up in the drinking world, whiskey and craft beer, so much so that the growth in both markets are noticeable in the finance world. Whiskey is quite easy to figure out who is distilling it and where it's from simply by tasting it and doing a little due diligence on the label. Craft beer is a different story entirely.

Not that this is a craft beer, but most people are unaware that Killian's Irish Red is actually brewed in America by the Coors Company; it's not advertised on the bottle whatsoever and you'd have to pull out Google just to find that information. Now multiply this situation by 100 and you have predicament that most micro brew enthusiast run into, "Where/who is brewing my beverage?". Not always the easiest question to answer, but as always, there's an app for that.

An intuitive layout that lets you know your brew is legit.

Craft Check recently released on the App Store and simply by scanning the bar code on the bottle/box/case, you'll be able to discern a true micro brew from Anheuser-Busch trying to trick you into buying some mass-made specialty beer. I am an advocate of the craft beer movement and do my best to sample anything that is new, so needless to say that for only $1, I will be using this app very frequently.

Check in tomorrow for another fashion necessity for your closet and next Tuesday for some more exciting tech!

Monday Outlook: Color Blocking

I was going to throw a witty title to this post, but decided it was probably not a good move seeing as it would be plastered all over my social avenues; something about color blocking being good and cock blocking being bad.

Contemporary or classic, color blocking works with either.

Color blocking is something that fades in and from season to season, but is always something you can bust out when you can't think of what to wear. This sunny season, however, the look should be your go to. There are many ways to pull it off but to keep it simple, pick a color to wear up top and a different color for the pants and you'll be good to go. Pair that with shoes that match your top or even a completely different color and you'll get a nice contrast that somehow pulls the whole look together.

Green, rust, and navy sounds good to me.

As for color pairing, complementary colors are always bold and eye-catching, so red and blue or or orange and navy (sticking with the blue trend) will be great looks. Another option would be keeping the look either cool with greens, blues, and purples or warm with reds, yellows, and oranges. Essentially, you can't go wrong with color blocking, just be careful to not make your outfit too loud with bright or bold colors; for example, a royal blue with a collegiate maize will be over powering, unless you're a Michigan alum. To avoid this, pair a bold color with a chambray or faded fabrics to balance out your look.

Check in tomorrow for some exciting new tech and next Monday for another upcoming style trend!

Week in Review

This week saw the introduction of the t-shirt and suit look that gives a usually professional look, a light and casual twist. If you haven't already, give this look a try this coming Friday and see what kind of reaction you get. If you have the resources to get one, the Ressence Type 1 watch that I covered on Tuesday will be a fun and innovative addition to your wrist candy collection. Pair these with some driving mocs, a bandana, and avoid throwing on any tattered jeans, and you my friend have a fashionable outfit going. It gives you an element of casualness that may just mirror that of Jason Sudeikis.

Here are the links from the past week if you didn't have a chance to see them earlier this week:

Monday: It's T-Shirt Time

Tuesday: Ressence Type 1

Wednesday: Driving Mocs

Thursday: Bandanas

Friday: Tattered Jeans

Saturday: Jason Sudeikis

Check in tomorrow for more fashion trend outlook for the upcoming season and all next week for even more great style advice!

Celebrity Saturday: Jason Sudeikis

Going through the highlights of The red carpet at The Oscars, you'll find a lot of finely tailored tuxes and different statement pieces (e.g. Pharrell's capris). Of all these well dressed celebrities, one made a statement with his grooming alone, funny man Jason Sudeikis.

Want a girl like her? Try taking some cues from Sudeikis.

Getting his start, like most comedy stars, on Saturday Night Live heed propel his successful TV and movie career. But he wasn't always known for his fashionable ways and in his earlier days wouldn't have even popped up on the style radar. Nowadays you can find him rocking some impressive street style with scorcher Olivia Wilde; not to mention me has a bitchin beard set up with a classy coiffe to match.

Something about his look seems childish...but also grown up.

I personally like his sense of fashion because it has its own sense of sarcasm and unless he's attending some event, he dresses casual in a way that you simply can't. Maybe it's the beard that gives everything he wears a very authentic, almost ruggedly sophisticated twist, either way you should take a couple cues from Sudeikis for your look.

Check in tomorrow for the weekly recap and next Saturday for another celebrity fashion influence!

Friday Faux Pas: Tattered Jeans

Many designers like to put their stamp on their jeans, whether it be their leather badge on the belt line or their logo embroidered on the coin pocket or the signature stitch work on the back pockets. Whatever it may be, these branding efforts tend to be something I can live with having on my lower half, but there is one thing that I simply cannot condone.

Jeans like this make me shudder.

Jeans that feature rips, tears, abrasion, pain splatter, extreme fading or washes, anything that is done to make the jeans look worn in and real-life tested; this might be the epitome of buying something you haven't earned, like fixing a championship game. Jeans are meant to be bought new and unworn and then all the wear and tear is supposed to happen later, giving the denim a look that is unique to you. Painters should have paint on their jeans in the same way that an action star will have some abrasion and cuts and abrasion, the jeans fit their lifestyle.

Are you a painter? No? Then you don't need these!

All in all, don't buy jeans that look like they've been worn buy some hobo before you had the chance to buy them. I'm not saying you need to buy raw selvedge, although I highly recommend it, I am saying however that you should skip the extra charge for beat up jeans, and get the fresh new pair that you can make your own.

Check in tomorrow for what will now be Celebrity Saturday and next Friday for more of my style pet peeves!

Threads for Thought: Bandanas

I'm not one to knock a tie, I usually spend more time figuring out which tie to wear than what shirt or shoes, and when you put on the perfect tie, its readily apparent. But ties aren't always appropriate and you still need something in your outfit to bring it all together, and this is where the bandana comes in handy.

This is how you SHOULD wear a bandana.

Bandanas are essentially really big pocket squares so its not that far removed from anything you already wear on a day-to-day basis, you'll just be wearing it a little differently. There are many ways to wear them, but my input would lead you to roll and tie it as opposed to the "el bandito" look that you'd recognize from any western flick. I would stray away from the any solid options and go for anything with a simple pattern, like paisley or polka dots, and keep the color palette to 2 or 3 different colors max.

This is how you SHOULDN'T wear a bandana.

All in all, the bandana will add a sense of sophistication to your look while at the same time giving you a very casual twist, and the juxtaposition of wearing one with a suit would be quite an amazing statement.

Keep the bandana in mind this sunny season! Check in tomorrow for more of my fashion faux pas and next Thursday for more threads that deserve your consideration.

Wardrobe Essentials: The Driving Moc

You wake up to a day that is going to involve a lot of getting in and out of the car and walking around or you know you'll be hitting the gym followed by work, then happy hour, maybe a cigar with the guys. Obviously its your preference what you'd want to wear on your feet, but if you want to be comfortable while maintaining a level of classy casualness, you need some leather driving mocs.

Casual or dressy? Its really your choice with driving mocs.

These versatile loafers can be worn with shorts and linen shirt to a beachy event, with jeans and a tee for a casual walk around, or to dress down a suit. Simply put, you can wear them in just about any setting and be suitably dressed for the situation, not to mention that they tend to be as comfortable as your favorite pair of gym shoes.

When looking for a pair, you'll want to opt for leather in a classic shade, so if you took my advice for the black dress loafers then go for a dark brown or if you're really radical, white. Either way, don't get that funky new color, save that for the boat shoes! Here are some options to get you started:

Ferragamo: $540

Cole Haan: $168

Banana Republic: $118

Just from the selection, you'll notice that drivers come in plenty of varieties and colors, so happy hunting! Check in tomorrow for some threads that beg your consideration and next Wednesday for more wardrobe essentials!

Tech Tuesday: Ressence Type 1

Most watches you come across operate on the same hand based methods that have been around since watch making was a thing. Not that there is anything wrong with this method, but its always fun to see how designers are flipping a convention such as watch making on its head and recreating the craft.

The different bands and faces of the Ressence Type 1.

Ressence is a relatively new company that was started by industrial designer Benoit Mintiens in 2009 and was brought to the forefront at the 2010 BaselWorld Show. What is unique about these watches is that they operate using a rotating-disc method in order to tell time. The Type 1 features seconds, minutes, hours, and the day of the week, combining for 4 moving discs that move in an almost mesmerizing fashion.

More details about the Type 1 can be found on the Ressence website, and it would be worth while to explore the other watches that they offer!

Monday Outlook: It's T-Shirt Time!

I apologize for my random hiatus this past weekend, I was a combination of away from the computer and sick so I didn't have the chance to get my posts in. Now onto the good stuff!

I have a specific friend who once told me he doesn't like suits, or collars for that matter, because it confines him. Granted he is a rockin drummer and software engineering whiz and if anyone needs to be loose, its them. Not that this is specifically for him, but Shquills, you might want to consider this trend not just for the spring, but for your personal style.

Classy and casual all in one. Style is all in the details.

Anyone can throw on a shirt, tie, and suit and not think twice about it; its a classic look that instills confidence and then some. But the new trend during the warmer months is going to be to wear that suit with a tee, which will be much more difficult (although much more relaxed) look to pull off for those of you that haven't attempted it before. Simplicity is key here, opting for a solid or simply patterned shirt will make this easier to pair a shirt with your suit, but with that said, a vintage tee will add some edginess to the look!

Jude Law knows what I'm talking about!

Check in tomorrow for some exciting new tech and next Monday for some trend outlooks!

Threads for Thought: Two Breasts are Better than One!

No, I'm not talking about the moon balloons that everyone can't help but stare at throughout the day...even though the title also applies to them. But for the sake of fashion, we're gonna take our minds out of the gutter for just a second to talk about an item that is making serious headway in style. It is simply the double-breasted jacket.

Mad Men may or may not be the reason for this "dress well" trend.

I was considering throwing this topic underneath my Monday Outlook as this type of coat will be extremely popular this spring/summer, but I figured that most of you will shy away from this option. Go try one on and you'll understand why you'll be needing one in your life; don't worry, all the major designers have them out so they won't be too hard to find.

For the sake of the season, I recommend picking up one in linen or cotton, but if you want it to transfer from season to season, a tropical wool will add some clima-versatility. Color is really all up to your current wardrobe needs, but try to keep it a classic color or pattern so the piece will last because I believe double-breasted is here to stay for the foreseeable future.

Hugo Boss: $1095

Brooks Brothers: $798

Suit Supply: $599

Check in tomorrow for another one of my style pet peeves and next Thursday for another fashion piece that demands your consideration!

Wardrobe Essentials: Red Power Tie

I did refer to the Presidential "Style" last Friday and it is definitely something I do not approve of. Its a conservative and mass-approval form of fashion that makes my stomach turn. But they do usually get one thing right, and it comes in the form of a neck tie.

Matt Bomer making it look easy!

Similar to the Red Watch drawing the eye and adding a pop to your wrist, a red tie will do the same to your overall outfit. Now this doesn't mean having a plain, skinny tie in cotton that is a cheesy scarlet red with an even cheesier print on it (I made this mistake, that tie is now a belt). Instead, for this tie you want an almost Garnet color that's at least 2 1/2 inches, but 3 inches would be better. This neck wear needs to give off the aura of "I'm here to take some heads off, and no one is going to stop me".

As for the actual design on the tie, stray away from strips to avoid looking to collegiate and opt for either a pin dot, texture-stitched, or tonal feature that keeps it from being just a red tie. Here are some options for you to consider:

Left, Right, and Bottom all brought to you by The Tie Bar at $15

Check in tomorrow for some threads that demand your consideration and next week for more essential style pieces for your closet!

Tech Tuesday: D.I.Wine

Brewing your own beer has been a recent craze of the hops enthusiasts and cerveza nerds who think they can make something delicious. There are even kits for making your own liquors to turn the homemade party up a notch. But never has there been an all inclusive vinification kit to make your very own wine.

Very modern package to create one of the oldest beverages.

Now there is a company by the name of Miracle Machine that has done just that. With the purchase of the essential wine ingredients, you can make your very own vino in a matter of days. The unit is of comparable size to a flower vase, so it'll save you space and in the long-term, money. It also features a Miracle Machine app that allows you to refill on your ingredients and even monitor every step of the wine making process. At a price point of $400, this isn't a no brainer buy, but if you are wine-o or if you know any, this would be a solid gift.

Check in tomorrow for an essential style piece for your wardrobe and next Tuesday for some more exciting tech! Happy Drinking!

Monday Outlook: The Air Tie

I've heard a variety of excuses to not a wear a tie from my friends throughout the years, as of late its a bit of a different story thankfully. But there seems to be movement for not wearing a tie this spring and it seems to be catching on.

This is how Dolce & Gabbana does the air tie.

Its called the air tie and you button up your shirt as if you were going to put a tie on and then don't. Whatever you want to call it, this is an interesting choice in your daily attire. But if you have a busy shirt or sport coat or just run into the problem where you don't have a tie to go with the outfit, then the air tie has just become your best friend.

Some notable celebs rocking the air tie!

Celebrities ranging from Justin Timberlake to Lebron James have been spotted rocking the style and a vast majority of designers featuring this look on the runway and in the style guides. When you see such a widespread adoption of a fashion trend, you know it will be here to stay for the long-term, and the best part? You don't have to buy anything! Possibly the easiest style to adopt this season.

Check in tomorrow for some exciting new tech and next Monday for another trend outlook!

Friday Faux Pas: Presidential "Style"

I recently read an article on Esquire about the 10 Best Dressed Presidents and some of them were actually very stylish. First to mind is usually JFK, having his clean cut style mixed with the Nantucket casual appearance and of course his hair; I mean, how else do you think Marilyn Monroe were such good "friends". Reagan is another guy that pops up on the style radar, but at this point in time, presidential style is rather sad.

GOOD!

Number one on the list was Barrack Obama, which honestly baffles me because the previous two presidents mentioned came in 6th and 5th respectively! I have nothing against Obama as a person and we're not going to get into politics, but stylistically, you can't reign as the Most "Stylish" President and be caught in mom jeans on a regular basis.

BETTER!

This so called presidential style is simply being as conservative as possible in a manner that appeals to the masses. That means black and navy suits (maybe a few more mixed in there), white shirts, simple ties, and simple shoes. If someone comments on your outfit saying you look very presidential, you probably take it as "I look commanding and respectful", but to me would come off as "Wow, I did my best to blend in today...". You should strive to get the GQ or dapper comments and turn heads because you did something with your outfit that is different.

YOU BLEW IT!!!!

If you are a poli-sci major, presidential style might be for you. If not, strive to higher means of fashion prowess for your own sake. I will be away from the computer this weekend, so check in Monday for my fashion trend outlook and next Friday for more of my style pet peeves.

Threads for Thought: The Red Watch

If you are anything like me, having just the bare essentials when it comes to watches is a feat in and of itself. So when I suggest that you venture out of the wrist wear comfort zone, its definitely something to take note of. There are the well known classic faces in black, blue, and white, and the traditional furnishings in silver, gold, and a variety of leathers.

Change it up! There was a study done into the most eye catching color out there way back when, and guess what won. Yellow, and for that reason taxicabs are almost all that color, but I don't recommend throwing it on your wrist. So what color came in second? Red, that's the color that your watch collection has been in need of to change everything up.

Red is going to give off the sporty look and hence usually feature silicon or leather bands, but it won't be to hard to find a solid option in metal. I warn you though, do not get a red G-Shock! Nothing against the Casio spin off, but those indestructible timepieces are made to be beat up, not be a part of your luxury wrist candy. With that said, make sure the piece you opt for is accented with red, and not "Holy hell that's red".

Here are some examples (in descending price) brought to you by the one and only World of Watches:

Chopard: $7,920

Ferrari: $625

Oceanaut: $298

Invicta: $170

Happy Hunting! And check in tomorrow for some of my style pet peeves and next Thursday for another piece that deserves your consideration!