Men
Utilitarian footwear has been trending for sometime now. Brands like Carhart for example, have experienced, in more recent times an instituted sort of credence in the fashion realm.
LL Bean, otherwise known as the brand name of Maine and all things East Coast, are running on the same gamut and their Bean Boots are no exception. We adore these duck boots with rubber soles and leather uppers. They’re unisex but retain a sense of ruggedness and a stylish carelessness too. They’re perfect for boys, girls, men, and women of all ages, styles, and tastes.
We’ve paired the versatile boot with pieces for both genders and the result is fashionably fluent across the sexes.
It is matter of fact that the turtleneck is back. However, thankfully, the turned-over collar on this piece unique piece of winter wear has shed a lot of weight, reworked its personality, and is more than ready to rewrite its definition in our sartorial lexicon. Like ugly Christmas sweaters and pleats, turtlenecks have spent much of their time defining eras much of us like to forget. Their occurrences seemed present only on those who were fashionably inept or well, just too old or out of it to care. This resurgence nonetheless, is a genius mix of reinterpretation and refurbishing. The result is luxurious and tight-knit, breaking the grid of your ensemble, however you put it together.
Below are some of the new fangled ways in which the turtleneck is making some great impressions:
1) Sharp, defined and refined. Enough said.
2) With a suit or even just a blazer, a turtleneck can put the shirt to rest and actually, give it a run for its money. This pairing is perfectly suitable for the office and a night out on the town, having a drink with friends.
3) For a twist, consider throwing a vest over a turtleneck and your favorite pair of jeans.
4) Layered with a cardigan, color, warmth and shape present much visual interest to entertain.
5) The most romantic and prized is layering a turtleneck with a trench. The look is almost always flawless, reminiscent of a scene from a movie, only it’s real and you’re the hero of your own story.
Images courtesy of GQ
FIVE FINDS: HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FOR MEN
It’s the season for holiday shopping again! Like a recurring déjà vu, figuring out what to get for friends and loved ones always seems like such an arduous task. Truth be told, part of the problem is obsessing too much about the gift itself. At the end of the day, it’s truly the thought that counts. Don’t you just love clichés? Nonetheless, if this were true you wouldn’t be reading this anyway and would probably be busy buying star names at the International Star Registry instead.
Below are 5 great finds to gift a friend, loved one, or, yourself!
1) There are many amazing things going for these shoes. First, and foremost, for every pair you buy, Tom’s will donate a pair on your behalf. That’s like giving someone else a gift for free! Second, in buffalo plaid they scream winter wonderland like no other. But more importantly, thanks to the ironic propensities of the hipster movement, plaid isn’t going anywhere and so it’s hardly an exclusively seasonal item. Finally, the extreme comfort of these is that they’re comfortable enough to double up as house slippers.
$54 www.toms.com
2) Sweaters? As a holiday gift? Ground breaking! We know. Well, it’s definitely much more suitable than gifting trousers. Plus, Top Man really nailed it with this one. This Charcoal Pattern Sweater employs the right ratio of holiday spirit and functional cool. The colors are exceptionally fun and pair really well with almost anything.
$80 www.topman.com
3) This is an item that is full of cheer! Having said that, don’t get this for the guy who owns a lot of Patagonia stuff, or the guy who’s so into things of an ethnic look that they own a poncho and a bag with indigenous patterns on it. Regardless, such items, when employed sparingly, can festively bring a touch of color and texture to any ensemble.
4) If you are serious about accessories, you know they’re actually worth the splurge. This classic bowtie by Rag & Bone is a both an elegant and simple gift. It’s especially suitable for one who doesn’t own a bowtie, bringing forth an opportunity to up the ante on the dandy factor. But most importantly, this is a perfect supplement to anyone’s formal miscellany.
$105 www.barneys.com
5) Everybody love’s Target! They’re the pioneers of bringing affordable, good design for all, a mantra that has become almost standard across the board. Timex is also another brand worth loving just as much. Their collaboration with J.Crew in recent years has brought forth an indubitable respect for a solid, American brand that is affordable and stylish. At $35, this is a great, stylish gift.
$34.99 www.target.com
Whether you’re looking for something that won’t break the bank, simply on a budget, or perhaps exchanging gifts at the office holiday party, we’ve selected some really understated but great gifts that are bound to please everyone, regardless of age, taste and background.
1) This makes for a fabulous stocking stuffer. In fact, anything by Santa Maria Novella does! This isn’t your average soap. It is made with whole milk, which will coddle and soften, dry and razor burned skin. Triple milled, this little guy takes soap to a whole new level. Finally, this bar actually lasts longer than the average because it is hand pressed.
$16 www.lafcony.com
2) Yes, candles aren’t groundbreaking, but if you live in a place like New York and space is always an issue, you’ll always find that consumable gifts are always more than welcomed. Further, the fact that these are compact and available in all letters is just an added personal touch.
Hey, it’s not like getting a mug with a letter on it…
$10 www.westelm.com
3) Everybody should use eye cream. Especially men. And with a relatively macho looking package, who wouldn’t want to slap some of this good stuff on their sensitive eye area? At twelve bucks a pop, the folks at Anthony, the experts in male grooming, have managed to create a really effective and affordable product at the same time.
$12 www.amazon.com
4) Yes, you can doodle on smart phones these days, amongst many other things, and we are certain that everyone you know owns one of some kind at this point. However, because of that, we have become a nation who is charmed by anything handwritten. These notebooks are elegant and unique. Plus, they look really cool, come in a 3 pack, and have some really nice paper in them.
$14.50 www.jcrew.com
5) The MoMa Design Store makes some really neat products. And these Finger Print designer cufflinks are no exception, especially at this price point. Any guy would appreciate this quirky, but stylish set.
If you have not heard of Patrick Cox, he will probably be on your radar very soon, Spring 2012 soon, that is. The Canadian-British designer who is highly distinguished for his use of unique materials and juxtaposition of the avant-garde and traditional is returning to the limelight with a footwear collection by Italian shoe giant Geox.
Elton John recently donned shoes from the new line, a beautiful gold pair of metallic brogues. And while such a description is befitting of Elton John’s flamboyance, there is something really exciting happening here in the men’s footwear department. Flashy or artifact shoes have always seemed limited to women’s footwear, where novelty and the brash are highly coveted. However, that sort of philosophy is no longer limited to woman’s footwear. Today’s fashion-forward male has an appreciation for the non-traditional. The most successful and striking element that exists in Cox’s designs is an equation that is sum of the creative and practical. While the collection is definitely exhibit worthy it is also, at the end of the day, a shoe that you walk and kick around with.
Geox is a great example of a brand that brings forth a fusion of technology and fashion. With its research and development offices headed in Italy, the company has been for a while now, dedicated to the development of the best affordable footwear available on the market.
Patrick Cox’s collection will have 18 styles for men and 20 for women and will debut during Spring-Summer of 2012. Cox’s contract with Geox will run for three years.
If you hate to futz around with laces you probably have a real appreciation for a shoe that simply asks you to slip your feet right into it. And while such an arrangement is hardly hassling, let’s be honest, it’s not always the most elegant. Don’t get us wrong. There are all sorts of attractive and functional choices in the men’s footwear realm that do not require lacing. For example, nothing can compare to a penny loafer. Further, when it comes anything low maintenance, there really isn’t anything like a pair of Tom’s, an essential, especially for traveling and dealing with airports while retaining a sense of style.
But while all that is true, it is important to note a new contender on the market. The Monk Strap has been making splashes in the footwear realm for sometime now. The trend started this past spring when the style was exclusively limited to high-end footwear ateliers. Fast forward to this fall, and we are now seeing a lot more options and takes on the Monk Strap, regardless of price point.
While we always preach that less is more, it seems the Monk Strap shoe looks really good with two buckles as opposed to one. The appeal of the style is probably attributed to our current cultural obsession with objects that pertain to anything heritage or Old World. The trick to get the most out of the look is by pairing with more casual items. Think, jeans or chinos. Opt for dark, dressy denim or a slimmer, dressier type of khaki or chino. The double Monk Strap will look a little too ostentatious if matched with a suit or attire that is more formal. So remember to mix it up.
Another important point to highlight, is how wonderful these shoes pair with textures, colors and even patterns. The Double Monk Strap exudes great style when exhibited alongside a little rolled up denim. There is just something about the metal buckles that seem to speak fluently to textures, particularly metal and colors.
Want to keep looking different as the temperatures begin to drop? It seems that once those mercury levels start to drop an army of coats and sweaters begin to occupy the streets. Below are some layering alternatives that should keep you feeling warm while retaining a sense of individuality.
1) Consider the button-down shirt as an uninvolved alternative to the sweater, jacket or cardigan. However, instead of the ubiquitous plaid, think about different patterns and styles, like solid colors, stripes or other patterns and textures. More recently, cameo and polka dots have surfaced on the shirt market. While these aren’t necessarily your go to shirts for work, when employed as outerwear they exude a much different sensibility to them. Just make sure you are selecting a heavier twilled fabric to bring about warmth to your mix of style. Layer over a Henley, under a tech vest, a thin-knit turtleneck or even a tee.
2) For those randomly-warm-yet-fall sort of days. Think about the sweater vest. This genius invention can retain fall texture and warmth but its sleeveless attributes can serve as a winter sort of tank, only not as skimpy as its summer counterpart. For a rakish look, opt for real simple knits in neutral colors like grey, black, camel or even gold. Pair with crisp, dark denim and ankle-high boots, wayfarers optional.
3) GQ’s latest nailed it with this one. If you’re really looking for something different, this is definitely something interesting that you can experiment with. If you’re like a lot of folk out there who don’t have the space or extra funds for a winter suit, consider layering a tech vest over your shirt but under a suit blazer or jacket. This can look especially arresting with a tech vest that is electric blue or red. Just make sure your suit is in a simple hue like grey or navy.
Building from the ancestry of the iconic fashion house, Versace’s collaboration with H&M is set to be an exhibition of Technicolor splendor and bold dynamism. Hitting stores on November 19th, the classic Greek key will be found on scarves, beanies and other accessories. Notably, it will be studded in gold on black tees and leather.
Following Target’s successful stint with Missoni, the Versace collection is affordable for Versace, but pricey for H&M (some dresses will run you well above $200). Regardless, this is set to be a sartorial milestone marked collectively for men and women’s wear, and also the home. The collaboration is the first for H&M, which includes a small collection of decorative pillows and interior accents.
Dresses dominate the women’s collection, bringing forth an emphasis on archival Versace. Color, pattern and daring cuts are the recurring themes of this collaboration. That said, a black silk crepe dress with Grecian button echoes Versace’s nineties louche with simplicity and grace.
The menswear collection is focused on sharp tailoring and the prevalent Versace notion of the loud and bold. Nonetheless, sophistication is maintained with fine details and chic delivery, notably, the gold corner tips that accentuate the shirts’ collar points. Shirt makers will be sure to pick up on this detailing trend. Duly noted is a pair of hot pink leather lace ups. These could make quite the dashing statement with a black suit.
