Street Style
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.
It is September, well past Labor Day and the season is officially changing! The fashionably intelligent gentleman knows that trends come and go but there are always those classic pieces that ring most true for each season. Below, are five pieces that we believe should be more curated for the fall as opposed to simply being purchased. Just think before you purchase these items. For they are the backbone of any gentleman’s fall wardrobe and warrant the investment.
ONE: The Trench
This is sort of like a friend that you’ll always have around. He never lets you down, especially when those spring showers come around. But he also gives you a lot of mileage as the fall season begins and paves way for a winter filled with harsh elements. Best of all, he doesn’t cramp your style when you’re wearing a suit. As a tip, invest in a classic style like in tan or black. Subtle patterns are fine; just don’t make your only trench a bright red one.
TWO: The Chambray Shirt
This piece started as a trend but the heavily twilled cotton is here to stay. A staple in retailers like J.Crew and Gant, it is the perfect shirt for looking professional and also staying warm and stylish all at the same time. In blue, Chambray has never looked better. It is the perfect complement to browns, tobaccos, camel and virtually any other color you fancy.
THREE: The Tweed Jacket
Other than the obvious warming function of this piece, the tweed jacket brings unrivaled fashion flexibility to your outfits during the fall season. Channel upscale easily with a crisp shirt and trousers. Simultaneously, express casual cool with denim and even a t-shirt.
FOUR: Cashmere Cardigan
Yes it’s luxurious and elegant and no, it’s not only for women. Cashmere, especially in a staple like a cardigan, catapults the garment’s practicality to the realms of the plush. Indeed, this one is for the fashionably intelligent. A creative alternative to blazer, it brings with it a sense that is untroubled, perfectly suitable for the office or an evening out on the town.
FIVE: Wingtips
Wingtips are the perfect piece of fall footwear. The low-heeled shoe is uniquely characterized by robust leather and decorative perforations. This brings forth a sense of functionalism and elegance. Much like the tweed jacket, wingtips double up as dressy and casual at the same time.
Here at DAMstyle, we appreciate all kinds of footwear; and sometimes it seems like we preach the mantra that you simply cannot have too many shoes. In this day and age, men’s footwear has extended beyond the two or three standard shoes. My staple pieces of footwear these days have been mostly limited to espadrilles, chukkas, wingtips and loafers. But the sneaker is the best sartorial mediator. Even more specific to this prescription is the canvas variety. For starters, they actually look good with a suit. We all know, too well, that editorial look we have all been exceptionally inspired by. And if a full on suit is too much for you to fathom, just see how fun they actually look with a nice pair of trousers. The same effect works effortlessly with khakis, cords and even shorts.
There really are not much pieces that have the ability to blend so peacefully between different kinds of garments and accessories.
Sneakers are not a product of the 80’s or 70’s for that matter. They date back to the late 18th century where a more primitive prototype known as plimsolls was popular. Later, Keds enhanced this piece of footwear by adding a canvas top. As demand for the sneaker soared, Marquis Converse created the first sneaker exclusively made for basketball. While taste and preferences evolve as we mature, it is a funny thing this canvas sneaker.
This simple piece of footwear is worn by both genders, and all age groups seem to have in their closets.
We have talked a little about this iconic piece of outerwear and how it has managed to redefine its orientation in the contexts of the sartorial. Sometimes referred to as a letterman jacket, the varsity jacket is steeped with a rite of American passage that is attributed to a student who has earned their letters in the fields of sport, performing arts or academics.
Michael Bastian’s varsity jacket for Gant which debuted not too long ago, was an elegant repositioning of a piece that has managed to emancipate itself from the realms of the excessively casual and sloppy. The scorched orange color of that Bastian jacket, complemented with cream leathered sleeves was presented splendidly. Accordingly, in a post-skinny denim era, everything is cut a little slimmer and with more than a few nods made to the 1980′s, the revival of the varsity jacket seems completely logical.
It is yet to be determined whether this piece will become a staple of American fashion, positioned in the ranks of aesthetics like American prep. Nonetheless, Ralph Lauren, the king of prep has employed the varsity jacket in recent collections. This fall, retailers worldwide are banking on a more aggressive revival. H&M and Topman are offering varsity jackets that both run under $100.
While the fall season lends itself to a more polished sensibility, today’s varsity jacket is appropriate for an evening out on the town or a weekend hang out. Fitted denim and boots make for a great pairing, but relaxed dark washed jeans can work just as well. Think about the jacket, with or without letters and how it can layer (not only because it will keep you warm), as it unleashes an interesting play of depth and color.
Henry Alford’s article in the New York Times published last month, titled “Does this Swimsuit Make Me Look Fat?” has ignited some really interesting discourse on the topic of men and body image, particularly within contexts of the seaside and summer. Thankfully, culture has been considerably gracious to men with its expectations of the handsome. Nonetheless, we are playing catch up with the contrived moulds that women are too often snared into. Alford’s diatribe wrestles with the inevitable: age, decline of metabolism and the body. He amusingly describes his as a Weber grill. Before getting on a tangent and waxing poetic on fit and style, it is important that we note and happily accept our bodies for what they are and respect their threshold. We should exercise and consider the beach season as an opportunity to tone up and lose some of those extra pounds, but at the same time we cannot expect to all have six-packs and a body that is always beach ready.
Park and Ronen, J.Crew, Ami Sanzuri, Saturdays and D&G are all swimsuit makers that should have styles that will flatter most of you guys out there regardless of age and body size, even if you have pot bellies or chicken legs.
I will say as a rule of thumb though, leave the Speedos for the athletes or swimming workouts and not for the beach, unless you workout on the beach, well that’s another story. Also, ditch the board short style; it’s too reminiscent of pubescence.
From left to right, Ami Sanzuri, Park and Ronen, J.Crew, D&G and Saturdays.
There are those who will don a tank with no sleeves and no hesitation to do so, and there are those who will not, no matter circumstance or temperature. While sartorial convention would perhaps err on deeming the style as a little crude, fashion and style have changed so much that it is possible to pull something together that involves a tank and looking good. More importantly, these won’t peg you as one of the trailer park kids.
Here are some cool tanks to consider:
1) With no retail stores, online retailer Alternative makes some great tanks, that fit well, are super comfortable and stylish. Alternative makes clothes for men, women and babies.
2) Great for shorter and smaller men as they carry smaller sizes that actually fit smaller people. Topman has revolutionized fast fashion as we know it, and continues to be a relevant player in the summer tank market.
3) Urban Outfitters has an impressive tank selection and their collection runs the gamut from the vintage inspired to the classic. You can easily layer their tanks with a blazer or cardigan. Keep your eyes peeled for their J.Press collaboration, pretty impressive.
4) Michael Bastian’s collaboration with Gant, which debuted in the fall proves a transcendence from the realms of the cold into the breezy spring and summer. This summer tank is appropriately chic, yet fun and nautical at the same time.
Yes, summer is hot, and sometimes all one wants to do is roam the city streets with a sleeveless tee and shorts. But gentlemen, there are sartorial stipulations to consider, even in the summer. It is not impossible to look sharp when the temperatures are unbearable.
Here are some ideas to think about, especially if you’re hitting a cool rooftop bar or pool party:
1) If you are going to be indoors and know that there is air conditioning, a dark but light cotton blazer or light cardigan, over a tee shirt or sleeveless tee for that matter can up the elegant ante on summer bum.
2) Try pairing a dress vest with a plain white tee underneath. If you are at a pool party, take a random risk and why not just wear by itself? Pair with dark relaxed denim.
3) While flip-flops are default in the summer, there are other options. Remember; if you are going to expose your toes make sure you feet are presentable. Consider sandals for a change or even espadrilles. You know those shoes with the straw heel? They are not only for strange looking Europeans you know.
4) The last thing you want to do is add anything to weigh you down. We all know how the heat can be unbearable. On those hot summer nights, if you choose to accessorize, limit your bling to one piece, like a light chain or leather bracelet.
Many of us are still wearing shorts that look like they’re trapped in the 90’s and no that does not make it a cool retro throwback. Oversized and hovering below our knees, they billow out around our legs, making us look rather foolish.
While shorts come with a sensibility of relaxation and casualness they need not deter from our credibility. Shorts are comfortable and appropriate for warmer temperatures, but today they are also smart and fitted. These qualities are no longer limited to flat front shorts but are to be found on all sorts.
Style Tip: Avoid pockets in places that are typical of cargos and that 90’s rock band that isn’t around anymore. Rejoice gentlemen, we don’t have to hide our legs anymore, look for shorts that are slimmer and shorter. This makes the transition from summer day to night seamless. Dress up with a shirt or even a blazer for those stylish summer nights.
Here are some great places that sell some great shorts:
