A Change is Coming

Dear readers and followers,

Thank you for checking in on all of my content over the past year and a half! For the first time, we will be undergoing some maintenance and changing up our look a little bit. Nothing to fret over, but we will be halting our posts for the next week or so while the changes are implemented. Please feel free to check in past posts as the site will still be functioning and be on the lookout for the new and improved Sparry Stylings!

Thanks again!!!

Tailor Made Style: Red, White, and Bows

I know you were taught to always trust a guy in a bow tie and no socks, but as a Southern gentleman I’ll start by introducing myself. My name is DJ Hargrave, a menswear and lifestyle blogger from North Carolina. Tailor Made Style is my baby (she’s only a few months young) and I launched it during the end of my freshman year of college.

Today’s post is not necessarily about wearing a blazer with shorts (gotcha!) but more so about not being afraid to take risks.

Conventional/classic menswear rules says that blazers aren’t meant to be worn with shorts, but not our generation. Not the entrepreneurial, independent, and rebellious yet elegant gentleman in 2015.

To pull off something like the blazer-shorts look takes two things: confidence and fit. If you walk with your head up, and know that what you’re wearing fits like a cashmere glove, then what is there to be afraid of?

The answer is nothing. Go out there and wear your first bow tie, wear a blazer with shorts, or wear a shirt with floral prints on it. A special thanks to Spencer Parry for the opportunity. You’re the man!

Until next time.

DJ

@tailormadedj

www.tailormade-style.com

Tech Tuesday: Finger Locks

With the connected universe becoming even more connected, more everyday items are being introduced to the electronic world. These days, even your thermostat is tapping in to become more efficient along with a number of other energy hungry appliances. This has been the focus of the connected home, efficiency, but the whole purpose of a home is to provide security and protection. And while home monitoring companies have implemented advanced systems for initiating alarm systems remotely or syncing up light timers to prevent burglaries while away from home, but we still rely on rudimentary key and lock mechanisms. Ola Locks looks to change that dynamic with fingerprint scanning technology, similar to your iPhone, to open locks. Their innovation assembly has a two year battery life with only 4 AA batteries and doesn't require your phone to operate, except for initial setup purposes. With that said, the Ola Lock has a companion app is useful in that you can issue temporary keys to friends and family for get-togethers without worrying about allowing them unlimited access to your abode. Back them now to get your hands on the future of door knobs!

Threads for Thought: Seersucker Shorts

In honor of National Seersucker Day, it is only fitting that we give the famous fabric its due with something that might not be on every one's radar. Seersucker being such a classic option, it only makes sense that it should be worked into your shorts rotation.

There is a bit of joy found in running your hands over seersucker, but hand feel aside, with patterns playing such a pivotal role this summer, it is an option that will also add some needed texture. The stereotypical iterations of this fabric feature a neutral tone paired with a pastel, a combo that combines very well with solid summer sport coats to embrace the "short suit" look. Orange seersucker and olive linen or Carolina blue with a traditional navy blazer a just a few of the endless options. They may seem a difficult option at first, but with some practice, they will become your second choice to khaki shorts all summer long!

Ralph Lauren: $80

Vineyard Vines: $80

 Brooks Brothers: $75

Check in tomorrow for this week's installment of my fashion faux pas and next Thursday for another fashion piece that deserves your consideration!

Wardrobe Essentials: Trus-Tee Undershirt

Guess what everyone! It's summer and its getting steamy out there, and with the humidity on the rise, the next step is a profuse downpour from you pits. So instead of letting your nice shirts take the brunt of this onslaught, take the time to find the right undershirt for the warm weather.

It may seem contradictory to add layers to an outfit when the temperatures rise, but the right undershirt will be practically unnoticed and might even cool you down a little bit. Aside from the clear benefit of guarding your more expensive gear from debilitating sweat, undershirts act as an anchor for the shirt above it, making for less untucking and a crisper finish between the shirt and pants on a more consistent basis (can't go wrong there).

Fabric choice is key in your decision here and should be made based on how active your daily grind is; more active guys should look for a little bit of elastic to move with you and the more sedentary can go au naturale with 100% cotton. Color choices should be limited to either white or something closely matching your skin tone so that it will fly under the radar even with the thinnest white shirt and the neck should be a slightly deeper V-neck just in case you decide to forgo the tie on a given day.

2(X)ist: $36

Uniqlo: $10

Hanes: 3 for $15

Check in tomorrow for a fashion piece that deserves your consideration and next Wednesday for another style piece that needs to be in your closet!

Tech Tuesday: SanDisk Ultra Fit

Lets all take a look back to the time when the first iPod was released or even some of the first laptops, the storage capacities for either based on today's standards are quite laughable. The disk sizes might have made sense for gadgets that relied on cloud storage, but that didn't exist back in the day. Now, we look out into the tech landscape and its hard to come across anything smaller than 8GB, and that bring for the smallest smart phone or music player. Moore's Law seems a little outdated at this point in the tech evolution, especially when data storage companies like SanDisk are stretching the bounds with their new Ultra Fit collection of USB products. On a flash drive the size of a thumbnail, they found a way to squeeze 128GB of storage (the same size as a MacBook Pro circa 2009) and with some rumors about a 256GB option soon; that's just some new level of crazy that is absolutely necessary for professionals on the go!

Check in tomorrow for a style piece that needs to be in your closet and next Tuesday for some more exciting tech!

Threads for Thought: Neckwear, Linen Style

With temperatures beginning to sore, finding ways to stay as cool as possible while still maintaining some level of style. Because there's no publicly acceptable way to trot around shirtless and no way to justify rocking shorts and a tee all summer long. The key to cool is linen, and a simple way to adopt this wonder fabric is through neck wear.

Linen ties are a great way to maintain a well put-together look without putting a sweat inducing strangle hold on your outfit. Silk is the classic choice when it comes to neck wear and is an all-purpose, all-season option, but linen has some a leg up this summer. Designers everywhere have jumped on the train pumping out exciting colors, beautiful plaids, and explosive texture with linen, giving you a plethora of options to choose from. One of the most exciting looks are slubby stripes, but don't shy away from knitted options that feature some extra pattern or texture!

Alexander Olch: $150

Ralph Lauren: $85

The Tie Bar: $15

Check in tomorrow for this week's installment of my fashion faux pas and next Thursday for another fashion piece that deserves your consideration!

Wardrobe Essential: Olive

In the menswear world, blue reigns king with some neutral supporting cast members like tan and grey to help fill in the gaps. Some other colors get some love here and there as seasonal staples, maroon for example during the fall and winter, to change things up a bit.

Spring/Summer

One color that doesn't get the love it deserves is actually one of the simplest to wear, and it transcends seasonality and trend turbulence, working year round in your wardrobe. Olive can be the earthy highlight of a fall or winter look or the staple piece in a summer ensemble, the moral of the story is that its a color that needs some more appreciation.

Fall/Winter

Now even though this is a yearly shade, right now is the best time to stock up on this shade thanks to all the safari/military influences that are so popular this summer. Lightweight linen suits and sport coats will work now, but maybe a tropical wool will help to bring this olive option through the colder months. Cargos are another great piece that can be found in olive along with the ever popular safari jacket, both timeless and rugged. Keep an eye out for some key pieces this summer and pair it with any of the other neutrals for a shockingly put together look!

SuitSupply: $499

Ralph Lauren: $60

J. Crew: $50

Check in tomorrow for a fashion piece that deserves your consideration and next Wednesday for another edition of Wardrobe Essential!

Tech Tuesday: Google Getting Handsy

Its no question that Google is a company filled with innovation and forward-thinking design that is unparalleled in its industry; they aren't just a search engine, but an engine for change. Not to get too historical, but IBM used to make so much money that they could hire and fund projects for pure scientific discovery and no profit at all. Google isn't doing quite that, but they are creating the future of computer UI in multiple projects that seem almost out of this world. Project Jacquard is working to create smart clothing fibers so that your favorite pair of jeans can also be used as an interface for your phone without having to take it out of your pocket. Project Soli is a less mobile option, but using radio frequency waves, their revolutionary sensor can detect hand gestures on unprecedented level of accuracy that allows for next level interaction with all of your technology, from your thermostat to your computer! Both projects are being led by the same amazing brain, Ivan Poupyrev, so be on the lookout for these amazing creations!

Check in tomorrow for a style piece that needs to be in your closet and next Tuesday for even more exciting tech!

Monday Outlook: Summer's Tour of Duty

Everyone is gearing up for those long awaited summer getaways to their favorite spots, and its no wonder why this is the best season of them all. And all these vacations call for some clothes that can get roughed up, no matter the location, beach resort or mountain cabin.

There is a whole genre of clothing out there for guys that can be grouped in one of two styles, depending on how the pieces are paired together. Safari and Military (S&M) style go hand in hand, taking influences from each other and fueling a fashion fire that never goes out. Tans, olives, browns, whites, all share in being part of the neutrals family and the fact that they are fully flexed in S & M style.

The trick with these colors is putting them together in a way that reflects the rugged motifs necessary to fall under militaristic or safari worthy. Key pieces such as the safari jackets, lightweight work shirts, and rugged boots bridge the gap between the two styles and should be the pieces that you build this style effort around. Use white as a base for your outfits and work around that with an olive coat, khaki tie, brown boots, etc. This trend is too easy to not take advantage of and really works in any season, so buy in now!

Check in tomorrow for some exciting new tech and next Monday for further fashion trend insight for the coming months!

Threads for Thought: Cut the Collar

The latest and greatest for this summer is the tab collar shirt. It goes by many names depending on the age of who is referring to it, but all that you need to know is that its the shirt without a collar on it; very Parisian and sleek and perfect for the warm weather.

There is only one problem in this equation, and that's being limited to the patterns and fabrics that designers decide to make them in. But luckily, there is a thrifty and fun way to turn the control in your favor with a pair of scissors and steady hands, just chop the collar off! Not only will it give the shirt a vintage look, but it will open up the tab collar movement to pieces that you choose; it'll be the only piece like it as well. The option to use a professional tailor is always there, but instead of spending $5-10 (depending on the tailor) for that alteration, just do it yourself and embrace the fray and distressed look that you will give your new tab collar.

Check in tomorrow for this week's edition of Friday Faux Pas and next Thursday for a fashion piece that deserves your consideration!

Wardrobe Essential: Summer Chinos

Summer is reserved for the shorter variety of leg wear, but that's not always an allowable luxury. The office is certainly not a place for shorts and neither is your Friday night date, so a compromise needs to be made here.

So when the occasion calls for more than a 9 inch inseam, turn to the chinos that feature a breathable, lightweight fabric that will keep you comfy through every step of the day. Chinos are a preppy staple due to their relaxed nature while still looking put together, but lighter options will provide a sleeker and more refined look. Linen gets a little too much play during the warm months, so by having chinos, you can pair with a linen shirt or sport coat.

Literally every fashion house makes chinos, so this is your chance to be picky for once. For the traditionalist, there will be no shortage of tan or navy, but why not embrace the exciting printed fabric trend and get something with a little bit of character. Or even simply changing out the classics for a summer shade, mint is the color of choice (hint hint). At the end of the summer, these pants will help to ease the unwanted transition into fall, but it'll be one less thing to worry about.

Bonobos: $128

Ralph Lauren: $125

J. Crew: $75

Check in tomorrow for a fashion piece that deserves your consideration and next Wednesday for another style piece that needs to be in your closet!

Tech Tuesday: Suit Luggage

Ask any traveling man what his biggest concerns are when on the go, and 10 out of 10 times, packing their suits without creasing or wrinkling will be at the top of the list. YouTube has no end to the video tutorials on "how to pack a suit", but no matter what you do, suits just aren't meant to be confined in a carry-on bag. Luckily, Vocier recognized this problem and designed a stylish solution in the C38 Luggage. With a main compartment measuring up to a whopping 1.5 cubic feet of space while meeting all international carry-on standards, you can stow all your essentials, and then with the patented Zero-Crease System to store up to two suits, there has never been a suitcase to match. With plenty of other useful features, like a coat hanger for those long layovers, the only downfall for the C38 is the two-wheel design in lieu of the more versatile 4-wheel construction, but I won't hold that against Vocier. Well done!

Check in tomorrow for a style piece that needs to be in your closet and next Tuesday for more exciting tech!

Threads for Thought/Friday Faux Pas: Mankles

Warm weather, sunny days, hot nights. there are only so many ways to say it, but summer is upon us and its better to be prepared to own this season. With limited layering, its the subtle things that play a not-so-subtle part in your wardrobe, but the little things need to be done right!

Bearing some ankle can be a risky move, but one that yields serious style points, and it can be done with almost all of your wardrobe. All of those warm weather pants styles, distressed denim to the tan suit trousers, can be adapted to fit the bill. If the inseams are too long, there is the option to hem them up or roll them up, with rolling being the least permanent and preferable of the two. Impromptu cuffs add a disheveled motif to a look without changing anything major and really flexes some serious style  know how; just avoid it with suit trousers, those need real cuffs.

And since this is the season for beach babes and bare ankles, it's important to know your bounds with this style move that is almost too easy to mess up. A normal pant break should happen right at the top of the vamp, any lower will look sloppy, but to show off some ankle, you'll need something just a tad higher. For the conservative, a quarter inch will be enough to embrace the look without making any of your pants too seasonal with a hem. The more aggressive may be comfortable with a full inch, but any higher is working towards cropped pants/manpris, and lets face it, we're not all Thom Browne models on the runway.

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

Wardrobe Essentials: The Trusty Steamer

The world would be a much better place if clothes just stayed the same way you bought them, wrinkle free and (presumably) clean. Alas, wearing clothes requires putting through the daily grind of sitting, standing, stretching, bending, and worst of all things, sweating. We have to keep things fresh, but nothing puts a damper on dapper like the monthly dry cleaning bill.

Go out and get yourself a solid steamer! For those that don't know what they are, just think of an iron that doesn't need an ironing board. Instead of pure heat, the steamer does exactly what the name implies, using steam to lightly cleanse clothing fibers while relaxing any wrinkles. To add to the ease of steamers, they are also able to tackle much more than an iron, including suits, pants, ties, and any other pieces that you can't otherwise wash. Standalone steamers are ideal, providing a "work space" for your efforts, but if the space is limited, portable steamers can be stowed in the laundry closet or bathroom until the weekly steam ensues. Now go ahead and watch that cleaning bill of hundreds of dollars drop to probably $100!

Swash: $499

Shark: $85

Conair: $60

Check in tomorrow for a fashion piece that deserves your consideration and next Wednesday for the next installment of Wardrobe Essentials!

Tech Tuesday: Sole Socks

Everyone's favorite season is just around the corner! Summer provides so much to look forward to like beach bods and tropical drinks, but it does bring with it some unbearable heat; even the spring can bring some temperatures that aren't exactly the most comfortable. So one of the more popular looks this time of year is to go sock less, and judging by the average level of sweating that goes on when it gets hot, the look can't exactly be healthy for your feet or your shoes. The team at Sole Socks recognizes this issue and has developed a solution that can be interchanged between every pair of shoes you own, without need for constant washing or likelihood of getting misplaced like socks. Using uber comfortable terry cloth and a simple construction technique, Sole Socks act like insoles that act to keep your foot cool and dry without wearing any socks. Its great when innovation is timely, so grab a pair or two today!

Check in tomorrow for a style piece that needs to be in your closet and next Tuesday for more exciting tech!

Monday Outlook: French Riviera

If your state was part of the whole May snow flurry this weekend, then you are in the minority. The rest of The States have stopped complaining about the coldest, harshest winter in recent memory and has shifted gears back to Al Gore's corner in full belief of Global Warming. Luckily the French figured out a way to look suave and chic while keeping their cool, and its time to take some notes.

The French Riviera or Cote d'Azur, is the southern most coast of France between the sovereign Monaco and the Italian border. Throughout history, this has been a place for the rich to play during the winter and, as a consequence, a place for plenty of cultures to mix; this may have been the closest to the melting pot of America that Europe could handle. Fashion and style was no exception as the sartorial natures of Russia, England, Italy, France, and countless others came together to create a breezy look that maintained a tailored sharpness.

This stretch of real estate was the first true resort destination, so the style should be thought of as such with lightweight fabrics, comfortable constructions, and minimalist patterns. Linen and cotton are key to a successful Riviera look, with outer layers being as toned down as possible. Chinos and a linen blazer paired with a horizontal stripe tee will put you right on trend for this summer, but add some driving loafers (Cote d'Azur means Monaco) and your look will be over the top!

Check in tomorrow for some exciting new tech and next Monday for further fashion trend insight for the coming months!

Threads for Thought: Inside Out

Men are trying just about everything these days, and it certainly doesn't hurt when fashion idles are leading the way like A$AP Rocky and Jared Leto. But these moves are of the upper echelon of style moves to the tune of shorts over pants or a unicolor track suit with matching shoes (I'm talking to you Pharrell).

Here's a fun new move to try out that can be done with your existing wardrobe, it just takes some thinking outside the box, or rather inside out of the box. I'm talking simply flipping pieces inside out to reinvent old pieces into something with a refreshing new edge. This move plays very well with graphic tees so that the patterns are subdued through the fabric; that's not to say that other pieces can't be part of it. Turning a shirt or pants inside out should add a rugged sensibility to any fine tuned outfit, but it should be left at that, layer or base pieces of the daily garb. Top layers are off limits! This style move should be a covert accent, not a glaring and pathetic attempt at calling for attention.

Check in tomorrow for this week's edition of Friday Faux Pas and next Thursday for another fashion piece that deserves your consideration!

Wardrobe Essentials: The Swim Suit

Its finally that time of year when pools begin to open, beaches are a tolerable place again, and bikinis start to make their long awaited appearance. So outside of having to get that beach body back together after a long winter, us men need to find our go-to water wear to get us through this glorious season.

And weather its the beach, pool, pond, lake, river, or even just a slip'n'slide in the back yard, classic swim trunks will be there to keep you looking cool and enjoying the waterworks. Swim trunks are the variety of swimwear that are shorter by nature, usually a five or six inch inseam, that is perfect for working on that upper thigh real estate; which by now, probably looks like the arctic snow they were trapped in all winter. This summer, geometric patterns are king with florals and nautical stripes following close behind, but if you plan on keeping this new pair around for a while, then opt for a solid color that you'll feel comfortable with.

Vilebrequin: $280

Bonobos: $85

Ralph Lauren: $85

Check in tomorrow for a fashion piece that deserves your consideration and next Wednesday for another style essential for your closet!