Celebrity Saturday: Miles Teller

Before...

To say that GQ is an inspiration is an understatement, the looks are always on point and there's always something new to be discovered. But when it comes to the stars the fill those pages, a certain level of skepticism as to whether or not they are actually stylish or even know what they're doing. One of those characters was Miles Teller, popping up relatively recently in the magazine donning some of the most affordable leather jackets for the fall. Very stylish, very chic, but going solely off of his movie roles as a college nerd or slacker, this fashionable facade didn't seems to fit. However, since his appearance in GQ, he has been spotted all over the scene in designers you only know about when you care about fashion and with a style that you'd only develop with some interest in your personal appearance. If anything can be learned from the new Mr. Teller, its that any look can be turned around or simply adapted, and the results are simply refreshing.

...After

Check in tomorrow for a recap of the week's topics and next Saturday for another stylish celebrity influence!

Friday Faux Pas: Darker Than Your Shirt

One of the "rules" of men's styling for the longest time has been having a tie that is darker than the shirt you're wearing. For some reason that seems to be more of a blanket regulation for menswear newbies so they don't have any missteps, but times have changed and so has style.

Stylish? Yes, but a bit forgettable.

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of this rule is "What if I'm wearing a black shirt?" and then the predicament when wearing a white tie, which according to this rule, can only really be worn with a white shirt. A new rule should be drawn up consisting of shirt and tie combos having some level of contrast to them, whether in texture, color, or fabric, to draw and attract the eye. Needless to say, it is easier to find variety in the patterns and fabrics of a tie as opposed to what would be available for shirts, so being adventurous with the tie and subdued with the shirt proves to be a common feature of most mens' styles. That's not to say that always has to be the case; sometimes a shirt will have more texture or playing off the similar patterns with both to create some complexity are all up for grabs, but simply voiding this option in your daily style should not be an option. Take every opportunity to make a statement without screaming for attention.

Mix'n'match and get some great results.

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

Threads for Thought: Neoprene

With the way that the snow is falling, wind is blowing, and temperatures dropping all over, its time to cover ways to stymie the elements and remain functional and fashionable in the same clip. Its easy to throw on a puffy Eskimo coat and look like the Michelin Man, but its time to change up your outerwear experience.

To say "just layer on the cashmere and down" is one thing, but to actually be able to and not feel like a waddling duck is another entirely. So its a matter of finding a combination of warmth and weatherproof-ness (wind, rain, snow, etc.) all in one item. Now think of an item that looks just like fleece at a glance, but under closer inspection, turns out to be made out of wetsuit material; this is neoprene and its hitting the scene hard. Technical clothiers have known the benefits of neoprene for years, maintaining a supple nature while keeping the weather out while insulating. This is all well and good, but trudging around the city in a wetsuit just isn't acceptable, so designers have begun developing stylish silhouettes and trendy pieces, all in the winter wonder fabric, neoprene. The only tip to go by: don't get anything that wouldn't be stylish, neoprene or not. With that said, neoprene hasn't really clicked with the mainstream market so it may take some searching, but pounce on the chance when it arises.

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

Wardrobe Essentials: The Tan Suit

Despite the fact that the "worst" snow storm in history just hit the northeast and the fact that winter is still relatively young, now is the best time to prepare your closet for the spring thaw. Some items can wait but others need to be taken to the tailor and this happens to be one of these items.

Even though the seersucker suit/sport coat reigns king during the spring, the tan suit is supreme all year round and especially during the warmer months. This fall and winter, you saw an explosion of tan outerwear, straying away from the traditional blacks, grays, and blues that would normally abound. It's time to do the same with the classic navy and light gray suit in your closet, and bring out a fresh new khaki suit.

Even Obama is on board.

Anything that can be worn with navy or gray can be worn with tan, so the styling procedure is easy and already ingrained in your sartorial repertoire. The color combo to play with this Spring will be the tan-brown combination, playing on the same color family for a pseudo-monochromatic look. When deciding on the fabric, cotton will be option A, B, and C, but if that simply isn't an option, a lightweight wool suit will work just as well and will act as a great transition piece from winter to spring and summer to fall.

Brooks Brothers: $598

J. Crew: $456

Topman: $300

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

Tech Tuesday: Ditch the Old Sim

There are over a million apps on the app store and surely a good number of apps on your particular smart device, but of all the apps out there, one has the most users worldwide. WhatsApp is a very simple app, providing exactly what a normal phone would utilizing cellular or WiFi connection, but without charging you any data usage fees. Only problem is, for a phone to work, it needs a SIM card and those work with a specific carrier and carriers charge fees. Luckily for over 700 million users (a tenth of the world) the team at WhatsApp has developed the WhatSim, a SIM card that'll run you a little over $10 which enables you to talk and text free of charge. This new card is connected to over 400 operators, enabling usage in over 150 countries, all without any roaming charges; the only thing left to do is order one!

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

Monday Outlook: Hombre

Different season bring along different fabrics and patterns that really emulate their respective time of the year. Rich colors and corduroy, wool herringbone and tweed, all synonymous with the fall and winter; not to mention they also serve the purpose of keeping the cold at bay.

And just as with the cold seasons, the Spring and Summer have a plethora of stereotypical styles that resonate and thrive. Pastels and washed out colors play major role in this season's style, providing an airiness that other colors just can't provide, but its when they're textured and given some extra character is when they really pop. Hombre might not ring a bell, but looking at a piece with an hombre dye job, it's hard not to recognize the style. Usually reserved for shirts and other first layers, hombre has exploded into other categories, combing spring shades and neutrals in one piece.

As the name implies, this style takes its roots back to Spain and then highly popularized in Mexico and the American Southwest. Even though this pattern can be found on any regular clothing item, it's best to stick to tops with hombre; the color block look is great, but tends to make legs look short and awkward. One of the big ticket items will be an hombre work shirt, which would be worn just like your favorite chambray work shirt, but lightweight sweaters and jackets will be similarly impressive. When pairing, keep it simple and use shades that are in the hombre design to really accentuate the piece while creating a cohesive look.

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

Week in Review

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

Monday: Mas Indigo

Tuesday: Fujifilm X-A2

Wednesday: Wayfarers
Friday: No, No to Small Coats
Saturday: Bruno Mars

Check in tomorrow for some upcoming fashion trend insight and all next week for more tips and advice on style!

Celebrity Saturday: Bruno Mars

One of the hottest new songs out right now happens to feature a lovely little 70's groove to it, and goes by the name of Uptown Funk. Even if you haven't seen the music video, you've surely heard the jam and recognize the silky smooth voice who sings it. Bruno Mars brings it with every song; the man just knows how to hit a note and back it all up with some great dance moves. But on top of all that, he also knows what to do in terms of style, remaining classically iconic while still being the right amount of flashy. He did have a little misstep when it came to his curlers on the finale for The Voice, but we can let it slide this once. Take heed to his style, wearing exactly what he wants to help his true character apparent to everyone, staying true to who he wants to be, not what his clothes might say he is.

Check in tomorrow for a recap of the week's topics and next Saturday for another stylish celebrity influence!

Friday Faux Pas: Get a Bigger Coat

As men attempt to find the most tailored look possible and as cropped styles continue to push the line between jacket and arm chaps, the opportunity for a certain mistake will become more and more prevalent.

Looking a little short here.

This post was actually triggered by a particular gentleman that was attending a polo match last Sunday, who was admittedly stylish and fashionable, but there was just one problem. The start of the event, coming out of the party bus he arrived on, the jacket was worn normally and as the day wore on, the sleeves were soon hiked up for a more casual look, but could only be attested to the fact that his jacket was too small in more than one way.

There are three critical fit points when it comes to jackets; the sleeves, the length, and the collar. Traditionally the sleeve should hit right where the thumb meets the wrist, the bottom of the jacket should be as long as your first set of knuckles with your arms at your side, and the collar should rest on the neck and fall flat on the shoulders, whether its worn normally with a dress shirt or casually with a tee; everything else comes down simply to fit preference and comfortability. Of course, there are allowances for different styles, but then the adage surfaces about all things in moderation.

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

Wardrobe Essentials: Wayfarers

Looking back of innovations throughout the years, it's funny to think that Louis Vuitton's soft luggage concept was such a revolution. A similar revolution occurred in the sunglasses department in 50's and was popularized by one model in particular.

Any of the casual photos of JFK or even as he was about to enter Air Force One will reveal one style piece that has stood the test of time, Wayfarers. Ray Bans original, non-metallic sunglasses frame that completely (and somewhat literally) changed the face on men's style. And all thanks to good ole Mr. President as well as a little bit of marketing luck, the Wayfarer has maintained as one of the most popular sunglasses options available. They are so great because their ability to be worn both formal and casual and every occasion in between. Unlike it was back in the 50's and 60's, this same style can be found in a wide range of colors and from a variety of different purveyors of eye wear; keep them simple and consistent with your style so you can get the most wear out of them.

Oliver Peoples: $365

Ray Ban: $180

Knockarounds: $25

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

Tech Tuesday: Fujifilm X-A2

With phone cameras becoming more and more powerful, its hard to justify the need for the conventional, stand alone camera unless you happen to be a photography enthusiast or professional. But then one of the film and photography giants, Fujifilm, decided to appeal to the pic-sharing masses with a couple of innovations found on their new X-A2 model. Built in WiFi allows for instant photo transfer and a 175 degree rotating LCD display makes taking those all important selfies just as easy as they are on your phone. But this 16.3 megapixel camera isn't just for selfies or the next meal that comes across the table; it's compatible with the X-series lenses, comparable to DSLR quality imaging, and records full HD video. And it just so happens to be packaged in a very stylish orange leather and brushed stainless steel casing.

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

Monday Outlook: Indigo 2.0

One of the staples in every man's wardrobe is a good pair of jeans, and for good reason; pairing anything with jeans is a no-brainer. So when it comes time to fully embrace jeans as a fashion movement, its best to heed the call.

Chambray was such a big part of 2014 spring style, providing a blank canvas for any outfit without being bland. Denim, new or vintage, can be just as dressy as it is casual and allows for that beloved high-low contrast that really fuels the modern man's style. It may have been the radical explosion of designer denim or the reemergence of selvedge, possibly a combination of the two, but no matter the cause, all of your favorites will be available from the inkiest to the most washed out denim.

Think of all the staples that a man should have, there's quite a list, but narrowing it down to the bare essentials will expose the opportunities for this trend. Replace a white dress shirt with a chambray work shirt, or sub out the navy blazer with the denim. Its even encouraged to pair them, just so long as the shades are different or its a noticeably different style; the denim Dan look is still frowned upon in this establishment. And on that note: even through a designer has a denim suit, doesn't mean it's OK to wear.

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

Week in Review

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

Monday: Patterns for Days

Tuesday: The Next Smartwatch

Wednesday/Thursday: Dinner Jackets

Check in tomorrow for some upcoming fashion trend insight and all next week for more tips and advice on style!

Wardrobe Essential/Threads for Thought: The Dinner Jacket

Tuxedos have seen their love on this blog before, but the truth of the matter is that if you don't need one, its best not to have one. And for those of your on the market for formal wear, there are a number of options out there to consider, but one stands out as the clear winner.

Dinner jackets have exploded recently from all designers and it can only be explained by the relaxed attitude that all men have taken towards black-tie affairs and really any formal event for that matter. So to keep attune to the market, you're seeing the houses from mainstream to couture flexing their muscles with bold fabrics, sleek silhouettes, and bold patterns, all guaranteed to blow every one's mind at all these exclusive events.

This type of jacket is fun because of the high-low and light-dark combinations that can be drawn from them. Most dinner jackets are darker in nature and pair brilliantly with dark pants for the more conservative affair or lighter options for a contemporary bang. But some of your options are featuring lighter shades or patterns and prints that are, for the majority, white and pair well with anything dark. With that said, they are all formal by nature, meaning it's on an elevated level already; so why not pair it with some jeans for a casual look with an eye-popping contrast.

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

Tech Tuesday: BLOCKS by Intel

Smart watches and other major wearable technologies are all the craze these days with Google Glass and the upcoming iWatch; anything that is going to make your life "simpler" is in these days. Now that the basics are being covered, big companies are looking to innovate and expand on existing ideas to make them even more functional and effective in real-life situations. Intel's Make It Wearable challenge has sparked the creativity of a student group from Imperial College to bring forth a modular take on the smart watch. Fully customizable, from the casing to the watch face, each individual link can perform a different function to fit the needs of the wearer; GPS, heart rate monitor, and motion sensors combine to make the perfect fitness freak's gadget. The combinations are only limited to imagination, so be on the lookout for this awesome new product if it goes fully funded!

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

Monday Outlook: Pattern Blowout

We saw the resurgence of some older styles in the fall, such as the classic trench coat or the striped suit, but with an elevated degree of attitude of modernity that revived the old looks. Now is the time for other ancient trends to follow suit, and most Natalya this season will be pattern and print play.

No less than 2 years ago, mixing up a plaid shirt and a polka dot tie would be faux pas, even a stripe with another stripe was somewhat frowned upon. Those days (thankfully) are long gone, and adventurism is all the rage. Spring typically brings designers to make just about everything with a bold print, so why not experiment with the goods at your disposal.

There are two-ways to tackle this look expertly, either through tonal combinations or complementary colors. Tonal styles were all the rage in the fall and there's no reason it can't continue into the spring, only this time, lighter and more festive shades will do you well this season. As with complementary colors, the ones that sit across from the color wheel from each other, a cornflower blue floral tie with a coral geo-block shirt will throw everyone for a stylish loop.

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

Week in Review

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

Monday: Get in the Groove
Tuesday: The Smart (Watch)band

Wednesday: The Transition Jacket
Thursday/Friday: Boots and Shorts

Saturday: James Brown

Check in tomorrow for some upcoming fashion trend insight and all next week for more tips and advice on style!

Celebrity Saturday: James Brown

The 70's saw a plethora of music figures that pushed the envelope in terms of style, from hair rockers to funk masters; and of all of them, a man named James Brown is at the top of the list. Most of us remember the most recent James Brown, a man with long hair and flashy style, but that look didn't just spring up out of nowhere. Even in his early years, Mr. Brown was bringing the heat, wearing classic style pieces in new ways and combinations; a peacoat by itself with a ascot people! He may no longer be with us, but his style should provide you some direction with the spring being so 70's centric. He was the King after all.

Check in tomorrow for a recap of the week's topics and next Saturday for another stylish celebrity influence!

Threads for Though/Friday Faux Pas: Boots and Shorts

Today is going to be a bit of a tandem post, seeing as this topic is a major grey area in the men's fashion world. As the snow thaws and makes way for sunny, but still chilly spring weather, styles begin to blend together, and a little guidance never hurt anyone.

Not so much a fan here.

Boots are the workhorses of the winter, keeping feet cozy and dry, no matter what the conditions are. The style options abound and all with their own character and panache, but not all are so easily or possibly blended into your spring wardrobe. Chances are a pair of 9 inch duck boots or wingtips sit in the closet, waiting to be broken out for the spring, but neither of these would jive with a pair of shorts. High-rise boots require a pant to cover up the shaft of the shoe, presenting it as almost a dress shoe in disguise; shorts just appear to look like boxers to a certain extent.

We're getting somewhere.

Mid-rise boots such as the chukka or boat shoe are both very versatile options that can be worn during the coldest days of winter and just as easily function with a pair of white tailored shorts for a sunny, spring day.The important thing to note is that flirting with the idea of boots and shorts is a dangerous proposition unless it's carefully executed. Experimentation is everything in menswear, so combine different boots with different looks and see how far the rabbit hole can take you.

Now we're talking.

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

Wardrobe Essential: Transitional Sport Coats

It may seem as though the winter is about to be a permanent resident, but as with every year, it will subside. But between spring and now, a time may come when wearing a puff jacket or heavy wool sport coat may be overkill but a lighter cotton blazer option will leave you freezing your tits off.

When this day comes, don't be the uncomfortable individual that's either sweating or shivering, and make sure to get a perfect transitional piece. Last Spring saw the introduction of the unstructured sport coat, featuring a minimal design that makes it feel almost like a heavy second shirt. These coats carried through the fall and winter with heavier, warmer fabrics while still maintaining a relaxed and movable fit, and guess which item is going to be your best friend come transition.

However, some of these jackets may not make the cut as pieces that will make the jump from winter to spring; a deep grey, wool jacket is not going to fit in too well as a spring item. The bright blues and edgy chalk stripe suits and sport coats that became popular in the past few months are perfect for just this occasion, providing a bold hit of color while still keeping you somewhat cozy. Layering appropriately will also aid in the effort to have a light and airy look synonymous with spring but with the sturdiness of winter still in tact.

Ralph Lauren: $1295

Boglioli: $1095

Patrick James: $417

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

Tech Tuesday: Montblanc Gets Smart

Most of the watches featured on days like today happen to be smart watches or exceedingly complicated pieces that just so happen to look nice on. Today, however, is a watch accessory for lack of better wording, that turns any old watch into a smart watch. The Timewalker Urban Speed e-Strap is a sturdy construction of carbon fiber reinforced leather and a a steel housing of electronics that combine together to make a strap that will go on any watch face. Think back to any smart watch that is currently on the market, and this new piece will have that same functionality, minus the neo-tech stigma that most watch connoisseurs tend to avoid. The display wits neatly on the bottom of the wrist and can display information from and interact with both Android and Apple mobile devices for the reasonable of $418; or get it with a Montblanc movement for $3,759, your call.

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

Monday Outlook: Gettin Groovy

Last season, Mid-Century style was king, highlighting the best looks from the 50's and 60's and bringing them back to life. It would only seem logical that the next progression would follow the time line, and even though fashion can stray from the path of common sense, it stayed true for this upcoming trend.

The 1970's were an age where pattern making and blending reached critical mass, where being bold was just part of everyday life. The high-waisted trends from the decade before carried on into this decade and evolved into bell bottoms that were coupled with platform shoes. And where the clothing was loud and proud, so was the hair, including the facial variety, which accumulated to a beautiful peacock that was the 70's man.

And what this all means for today's menswear world is a laissez faire attitude when it comes to assembling any outfit. Tonal play is the easiest way to capitalize on odd pattern combinations; a paisley shirt and foulard tie work seamlessly when they are a similar shade. Trendsetters have been just throwing together pieces for the past couple of months and this trend is what it has all led to, so go in head first; experiment with an existing wardrobe or revamp your existing selection with some of the new, exciting styles.

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

Week in Review

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

Monday: Women in Menswear
Tuesday: Robotender

Wednesday: The Party Suit
Friday: Below the Belt

Saturday: Humphrey Bogart

Check in tomorrow for some upcoming fashion trend insight and all next week for more tips and advice on style!

Celebrity Saturday: Humphrey Bogart

It's very easy to identify a classic, looking back through pictures of any star and seeing that the grand majority happen to be black and white or noticeably re-render in color. Plenty of major stars of the 50's were the tail end of this era, but their predecessors paved the way, with one in particular. Humphrey Bogart may sound familiar, but the name will hit home when you actually see a picture. Bogart was involved in so many movies that a significant portion of what Hollywood is today could and should be attributed to his success as an actor. The man had a style that was classically beautiful, a look that was synonymous with the sleek upper-class of the day, and yet, could still be surprisingly disgraced and rugged when it needed to be. Just goes to show how versatile a single look or piece can be when you know how to wear it.

Check in tomorrow for a recap of the week's topics and next Saturday for another stylish celebrity influence!

Friday Faux Pas: Below the Belt

Look around any menswear blog and one of the most important accessories across all styles is going the tie. Skinny, wide, knit, woven, whatever it may be, they are all part of the same effort to elevate style from basic to extraordinary.

Which one looks best to you?

And there are any number of rules pertaining to ties, but there is one that is very simple to abide by but unfortunately not always adhered to. The bottom of any tie should never fall below the belt line of your pants. This rule is absolute, completely black and white, so either follow or be relegated to schlup status. The only time this rule may be void is when high- waisted pants are involved, in which case its your duty to feel it out and see what works and feels best. Otherwise, if the dude abides, everyone should.

Get it right!

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