Wardrobe Essentials: The Navy Blazer

There are certain things in the fashion world that are very versatile and can be worn with almost anything. The item at the top of this list is the Navy Blazer, easily thrown over any top with most pants and footwear; its why you should always have one close at hand for the surprise business dinner or social function.

The versatility of a navy blazer is rivaled by none.

I'm sure there is widespread debate about who makes the best navy blazer, but the most iconic is a no-brainer. Brooks Brothers has some fine tailoring throughout their store, but the one item that is always featured from season to season and often found centrally located on the sales floor is their 1818 Blazer. You'll notice the classic gold buttons, notch lapel, and 100% wool fabric in a variety of fits and the option for two or three buttons.

Brooks Brothers: $648

If Brooks Brothers just so happens to be out of your price range (fellow members of the struggle), have no fear, plenty clothiers offer stylish navy blazers that can tide you over. Although, there are a few guidelines to go buy in your purchasing position: make sure its wool, keep it simple, and it doesn't necessarily need gold buttons (they're just a nice touch). If you already own a navy suit and not a navy blazer, don't go splurging on something new, just use the suit jacket as a blazer to get the same look.

Tommy Hilfiger: $290

Ralph Lauren: $1195

Check in daily for more fashion advice and next Wednesday for more essential style pieces!

Tech Tuesday: Permanently Inked by Pininfarina

For some of you out there, your daily routine requires writing something down or signing something at some point; for everyone else, there will come a time where this becomes a part of your daily routine. Classy pens are something that every aspiring business executive should have, being a statement piece similar to the statement made by a watch.

A recent pen concept was released by designer Pininfarina, famed automotive designer responsible for the Ferrari P4/5, and it is a revolution to be reckoned with. There is the obvious argument for not spending money on a quality pen due to the increased importance of the Internet and electronic record keeping in business, but there will always be a need for physical print and approval as long as there are human beings.

4.EVER by Pininfarina: $TBA

This pen is completely handcrafted in Italy from aluminum, wood, and a special alloy that allows you to write with the same crispness as a sharp pencil while having the permanence of an ink pen, and to top it all off, it never needs to be refilled. Its official title is the 4.EVER and will be released alongside a stone paper notebook, which is a stronger stone powder alternative to regular paper.

Check in daily for more fashion advice and next Tuesday for even more exciting technology!

Monday Outlook: Stand Out by Blending In

Its hard to think that such a pattern would be trending at any point in time, but I suppose the Spring is as good a time as any for it to make a splash. Its been used by the military, huntsman, and masters of hide-and-seek.

Camouflage is most definitely a statement piece in your style arsenal and one that should be used sparingly. It goes without saying that this trend is not for everyone, but for those brave enough can make the look work for them. Do not layer on the camos, do not wear bright orange with it, and to combine the previous two, do not wear colored camouflage; you're trying to accent your look, not duck hunting.

This is how you do it, if at all.

Many notable designers have taken the camo plunge. For instance, Ralph Lauren's store front (at least at the Gardens Mall) is filled with mannequins clad in the stuff and it looks good. I personally will not be partaking in the camo cult, but if you're thinking about it, go for a muted camo that comes off more tonal and opt for items that you won't care to throw away next Fall when they're no longer in style.

NN. 07: $165 

Banana Republic: $35

J. Crew: $91

Check in daily for more fashion advice and next Monday for more upcoming style trends!

Celebrity Sunday: Henrik Lundqvist

In honor of the events that are about to unfold at 6:30 tonight, I've decided to focus on the sports spectrum for today's celebrity fashion influence. Although he is not a player that will be padding up tonight, he is a resident of New York and his performances in the Coors Light Stadium Series are worth some recognition.

Doing his thing (stopping shots) as per usual.

Henrik Lundqvist, Swedish national and deservedly the King of Hockey in Sweden, has been manning the pipes for the New York Rangers for the past eight years. You'd be hard pressed to find a goalie be so consistently good as Lundy has for such a long stint in the NHL, and even more difficult to find a sports star who knows how to bring the style day in and day out. I have been guilty of it as I'm sure most of us have been in thinking that goalies are fat because of their pads, but when King Henrik isn't stopping pucks, he is clad in some fine tailoring.

Many prominent publications (GQ, Esquire, Details, etc.) and online fashion institutions have consistently placed Lundqvist in their Most Fashionable lists every year. His suits always seem to be expertly tailored and tend to feature the latest style trends. I don't know how he does it, but competing in the long season in sports and still have the time to look great is a feat in and of itself. Despite his Blue and Yellow obligations this winter in Sochi, I will be rooting for him to have a great Olympics.

In a related note, if anyone knows how to get their hands on the New York Rangers Varsity Jackets from the Stadium Series, let me know! Probably the nicest jackets I've seen in a long time. Check in daily for more fashion advice and next Sunday for another celebrity fashion influencer!

Saturday Spotlight: Warby Parker

Between the facts that I just got off work (tired), just opened a nice bottle of wine (tipsy), dinner is almost ready (starving), and that Syracuse is about to take on Duke on in basketball (distracted), it is quite a feat that I am even posting today. For this up and coming eye wear company though, I'd have to tack on some actual excuses not to post.

Warby Parker is a company that spurred from the heart of the Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania from four students that had a passion for all things fashionable and vintage while creating a positive impact. Since their founding in 2010, they have based their operations in New York City (naturally) with a very revolutionary business model.

Just a few options only offered at Warby Parker.

All Warby Parker frames are designed and made in-house to limit any and all overhead; this helps to cut down the usual cost of designer glasses. They also offer the opportunity to try on five frames for no charge before you buy them. The most important part of the company, however, is the business model. For every pair purchased, Warby Parker makes a pair of glasses available to someone in need, having done so for 500,000 people thus far. Offering a variety of styles, and releasing new ones every season, its hard to see this company not completely changing the designer eye wear industry.

I believe it goes "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, feed him for a lifetime."

Visit their website to check out their collection, or if you're fortunate enough, visit one of their locations! Check in daily for more fashion advice and next Saturday for another great company spotlight!

Friday Faux Pas: Baggy Pants

One of the biggest problems I find in most wardrobes are ill fitting pants. Clearly, everyone has a preference towards fit, but there is a difference between preference and neglect and its rampant in most men's closets. Baggy jeans are a particular issue that needs to be addressed; its a simple fix and one that will instantly improve your look.

The Rap genre popularized baggy jeans, but I'm most concerned with the bag around the ankles that signifies that those pants need to be re-hemmed. If you're still rocking pants that show your boxers, then there is really no hope for you, it just shows a level of laziness that a belt was too much effort to put on. The bunching around the ankles makes your pants look like your dad gave you his old pair, so to stymie this connotation, locate a tailor and spend the $10 to get them fitted to you.

Left: muy bueno. Right: Where'd you get those...the toilet store?

Another alteration that is easy to do and will bolster a streamlined look is tapering. A similarly cheap pants fix that narrows the leg below the knee, so you get a slimmer look without the slim constriction. Admittedly, this is a preference topic, the tapered look isn't for everyone, but almost everything is worth trying at least once.

Check in daily for more fashion advice and next Friday for more of my style pet peeves!

Thursday Threads: Over(coat) Winter?

Being in Florida, you sometimes forget that up north there are these things called seasons like Fall, Spring, and Winter that mean more than just new merchandise in stores. My past couple of Thursday posts have been focused on the southern majority or the lucky snow birds that have managed to avoid the horrid winter doldrums of the Northeast. For the unfortunate millions, how do you stay warm and stylish at the same time? The overcoat!

Traditionally, overcoats are long jackets that drape over your outfit to protect you from the elements during your daily commute. The more contemporary design has tended towards a shorter, streamlined overcoat that still protects while adding to your look without looking like you just exited WWI. However, they tend to get pricey so chances are you'll have to pick one fabric, color, and style for your overcoat. Black pea coats are classic, navy nautical jackets are versatile, but if you want to stand out in a season dominated by a dull color palette, go for a camel wool trench coat. It'll still match all of your winter blues while differentiating you from the masses and giving you a nice transition coat into the Spring.

The Overcoat:

J. Crew: $450

The Rest:

Tommy Hilfiger: $420

J. Crew: $88

The Tie Bar: $15 & $8

Ralph Lauren: $168

Check in daily for more fashion advice and next Thursday for some sweet threads!