Although it may not be present in all its glory, Spring is here. Dress up for the weekend and for the jaunty season.  For a comfortable and relaxed look, incorporate bright colors, with breathable fabrics, and geometrical prints.

Polo ($40), Cardigan ($50) and Shorts by Top Man. Bag ($298) by Marc by Marc Jacobs and Espadrille ($78) by Jeffrey Campbell.

Saw this gent at a launch party in Paris.  He does a good job of showing other young Parisian men how a scarf should be worn to elevate the style quotient of an outfit.  The delicate balance between the hard biker jacket and the soft neck adornment is executed masterfully.  The meticulously swept hair and pushed up sleeves tells me that he’s going for an effortless look.  Clearly there was deliberate effort and careful thought put into the look…but it was not overdone.   DAMstyle approved!

Shopping for vintage can be a fun and thrilling activity.  It can also be very challenging and more frustrating than shopping in a retail store.  During a recent presentation at Paper Dress Vintage in London, I shared my top  ten tips for vintage shopping.  Before you begin your next vintage shopping outing, consider this strategy to help you execute the best trip possible:

1. Do your homework. - There are many types of vintage shops.  Some may specialize in denim, others in western or military wear, while others may focus exclusively on menswear or womenswear.  Just because you find “ABC Vintage Shop” online, doesn’t mean that the store carries what you want.  It’s important for you to give them a call before going, or do a little investigation online to find out exactly what goods they carry.
2. What are you looking for? - Vintage shopping can be a fun hobby or a serious passion.  In either case, it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for before venturing out. Having an idea of what you’re in the market for will help to narrow the focus of the hunt.
3. What’s your budget? – With vintage, prices can range greatly, depending on the era, the rarity, and brand of the item.  Also, some vintage shops may be less expensive, catering to students and young hipsters, while others can be very expensive, catering to collectors and designer label seekers.  Begin with your budget in mind.
4. Know what suits you. – Just because it’s vintage and it’s hanging on a rack doesn’t mean it’s going to look good on you.  It’s important to consider your body type, the texture and bulk of the fabric, the silhouette that it creates on you, and the scale of the pattern.  Ignoring any of these considerations could result in a fashion fatality.
5. Know what trends are hot. – Be aware of what’s hot and what’s current.  For example, if animal print and faux fur are in this fall for women, then opt for a faux leopard stole as a way to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe.
6. Ask for help. - Don’t be afraid to ask the staff for help.  They usually really know their vintage eras and they’re normally very familiar with the store’s inventory.  So if you’re looking for a fringe dress from the roaring 20’s, a simple question can prevent you from spending precious time needlessly searching through racks of dresses.
7. Try it on and inspect it. – Finding the perfect item that actually fits can be thrilling.  However, don’t let the excitement distract you from focusing on the small details.  Be sure to inspect the seams, zippers, and look for holes and non-removable stains on the garment since it most likely cannot be returned after purchased.
8. Don’t be afraid to alter. - Just because the sleeves of a jacket are a little too long or the bust of a dress is a little too big, don’t rule it out completely.  Sometimes a minor alteration can transform a garment from good to spectacular.  While alteration fees can get pricey, the garment may be worth the extra cost of a nip and a tuck.
9. Consider Cost vs. Rotation - Not sure if you should spend $400 on a vintage dress?  Considering the Cost Per Wear may help you justify the purchase.  To calculate the “cost per wear” simply divide the cost of the dress by the number of times that you’ll wear the dress in a single year.  The principle is that the more wear you get out of an item the more cost-effective it is.
10. Mix it up. - I love vintage, but I never wear it head to toe.  Try mixing vintage with modern to inflect your own personality and style.

Happy shopping!

When shopping for dress shirts, from time to time, you’ll spot the club-collar. Making a subtle yet significant presence, today you’ll find this anomaly of a collar popping up more often, and why not? For one, it breaks your shirt wardrobe beyond color and fabric. Many men fear to dabble with the way the club collar appears. Alien to the standard, it does not have those protruding sharp isosceles shapes we’ve been accustomed to associating with a dress shirt. Less prominent and organic, the club collar subtly makes its mark on the wearer’s neckline.

The biggest mistake many make is have it end up looking too themed or more reminiscent of a specific period. Since the club collar carries a wide and rather curved surface area it needs slimmer, fitted pieces to work with. For a look that’s definitely outside the box, opt for the club collar in interesting colors and knits. For a modern look, pair a crisp white club collared shirt with an impeccably knotted bowtie and a fitted suit jacket. This allows for a strong but super sleek focal point. Dior has, on several occasions embraced the club collar. For its fall collection this year Burberry has paid homage and many will suit to follow.