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!