In Contrast

My go-to store Zara has Burberry Prorsum on the run! Tweeds and herringbones are on the Fall/Winter 2012 runway, and both stores have made successful styles. Zara has released several herringbone blazers that are alot more affordable and look just as classy as Prorsum's line. Both brands have a herringbone coat that is outstanding. They both have similar lapels and both are double breasted. Choose your poison a coat worth thousands of dollars, or one that is just as nice worth around two fifty!?

BURBERRY PRORSUM

BURBERRY PRORSUM

ZARA

ZARA

How to dress Your Denim Jacket

I have been digging through my favorite street style website, GQ of course, and in their archives are a few photos of men remixing the style of the denim jacket, by wearing them under coats. I absolutely love this look, because I am a denim fanatic and I also love the peacoat. I have seen various variations of denim jackets under , blazers., plaid coats, and top coats. As seen in the picture above, which in fact is provided by GQ, you can dress up the jacket with a tie and tie bar, The look is still a bit dressed down enough for an end of the work week look, like causal Fridays. Notice how the denim collar is popped in order to grab attention. For the the tie, this man has a perfect idea of using a textured thick tie to compliment the tough denim texture of his denim. He has not buttoned the top button of his shirt to stress the relaxed look of the outfit.

This man has used the same technique with a plaid over coat and a worn denim jacket. He has taken the look to a new direction by wearing a scarf and it looks absolutely cool! As I have said before denim is a  classic American look and distinctly showing it off a bit makes it even cooler. It's a bit rock and it's a bit traditional. It breaks boundaries and shows style range. 

SEE ME

As far as eyewear goes, no other store is more hip, unique, and mod than SEE eyewear. From kooky to spiffy, SEE does a great job of bringing together modern and nostalgic. They just about have any frame in any color under the sun. Your eyes are the windows to your soul, dress them up so people would want to look in! Readers are very popular, "yes!", but if you want to stray from the crowd (which is what SEE is all about) then you will want frames in a different shape/shade. The prices are unashamably affordable, which means $99 and up. Located in Washington, DC and Soho, NY (amoungst other locations), SEE is a maginficent gem that dazzles your eyes!

SEE 1207 :: TOKYO/BLACK, GREEN/TOKYO, RED/TOKYO, SPOT TORTOISE/BLACK, BUTTER/TOKYO :: $369 - Includes Rx Lenses*

SEE 9244 :: TOKYO TORTOISE, DARK AMBER, BLACK, IVORY PEARL/TOKYO :: $269 - Includes Rx Lenses* 

SEE 5243 :: DARK TORTOISE-GRAY, PEARL-G15, BLACK-BROWN :: $99

VAR-CITY

Varsity Jackets are another 50's nostalgia item. The jackets are widely popular among the urban gent, especially those who live for the 80's b-boy style. I love the street style look that's both very hip and nostalgic. I love styles that stretch across all boards-from rock "n" roll, to preppy to hip hop, and the b-boy style does a good job. It brings modern and nostalgic together, and I know that I sound like a broken record, but it is CLASSIC! Classic looks repeat themselves and look good during any period of time. The bboy style is here and it's a way of life, from the music to the swag to the clothes. I am an 80's baby and this time period is near and dear to my heart. Long live the b-boy and long live the varsity jacket!

My favorite varsity jackets are made with thick wool material and have high necks. They can be leather or suede. Some of my favorites like Rugby, U.O., and Karmaloop offer the perfect b-boy look and the urban essentials. Varsity jackets run very pricey but you can find a descent one that fits your evera-day style at U.O. As the top picture shows, you don't necessarily have to have the Varsity lettering for it to emulate a traditional varsity jacket. There are other variations of the varsity jacket, such as the varsity cardigan and the varsity down vest. The most identifiable aspect of the varsity jacket is the stripes at the neck and the cuffs, and the cut of the neck. I would pair mine with oversided readers and a 5 panel hat. 

STOMP

By ANDREW MCDONALD SHOEMAKER

Brown, camel, black, red...boots should be a must! You will find an excellent pair every cold weather season, because once again, they are classic and never go out of style. For the upkeep use plenty of shoe polish for the wear and tare. Upkeep depends on the material. For leather use polish. Suede use a special treatment spray that is usually sold at shoe stores like Footlocker. Ironically, sometimes the material isn't made for wet weather.  Don't worry there's a solution. Buy waterproof spray that is also sold at major shoe stores. My advise is to buy a boot that is made for stomping in the rain. Maintain the shape with a shoe tree. Dress boots look just as good with denim as they do with suits. As I have suggested before, if you are wearing a boot show them off by tailing your pant short and wear a boot sock. If you are going rugged, roll up your pant leg.

# PLAID

Cold weather means all things plaid, from tartan plaids, traditional plaids, and buffalo plaids. Nothing brings me into the season like it. You may feel like you're watching a re-run every year because they are classic and will never go out of style. No worries, you like this rerun. It's like watching your favorite holiday classic movie like "It's a Wonderful Life." It never gets old!
                                                    

When I search for something plaid and dashing, I immediately go to the American Classic Ralph Lauren. No, not the traditional polo.com store, but the more affordable and younger brand Rugby. Rugby has everything you need for your holiday look from blazers to pants and ties. Forget that over priced Alexander Olch plaid tie that will run you about $150.00. Rugby has a nice tie for 49.50 and often has promotions that will keep the moths out of your pocket.

                                                  
There are many other options to fill that tartan whole in your heart. Abercombie & Fitch has a wide selection of plaid shirts with a cute reindeer on it to put you in the holiday spirit. J Crew offers a slim fit variety that's perfect with those skinny raw denim jeans. Zara, one of my favorite go-to stores, has plaid blazers and shirts for the work place. They will never let you down.

Yeah maybe it is too early to think about looking Christmasy, but United Colors of Benetton offers suits by their sister brand Sisley that are versatile for both Fall and Winter. A man should be open to the option of having at least one plaid suit that stands out. U.O. offers an outstanding plaid blazer in black and red for an moderately affordable price. I have picked this one up for myself and the green and blue version provided by Need Supply Co. Yes I've over indulged. Don't follow in my footsteps. 

“Serge de Nîmes”

DENIM AND THE AMERICAN DREAM. THE AMERICAN DREAM AND DENIM. Well, let's not forget about Japan....or the French.

1.	raw denim
	Its essentially virgin denim that has never been washed or treated. Usually really dark blue and stiff when you first put them on but after constant wear they will start to assimilate the shape of your "fit"/body and be worn in the right places.- Urban dictionary

According to the go-to blog for raw denim, "RAWR DENIM", the word "raw" has been around for a long time. Matter of fact thank the French for inventing denim's tough texture during the mid 1800's- the late 1900's.

THE FIT
Denim should fit right! No, not baggy jeans, no, do not show your boxers, and absolutely no butt crack! GQ recently had an article about this very topic and the author suggested wearing a tucked in "A" shirt to hide your shame. Shameful! A nice pair of jeans should fit flawlessly. It's hard I know, designers are still trying to get the right tailoring to be flawless. For example, Levi's is trying to perfect their denim with the new "tailored" promotion. 

The use of stretch-like and spandex material helps, but can feel too constricting and will not be a true raw jean. In my opinion, denim should be stiff, but fit nicely across the hips and slim through the leg. Find a skinny fit pair that is not too feminine. For a more loose fit, buy slim fit jeans. If you want to get a more slender up and down look, buy a straight leg pair. 

The more raw the material, the better. During production, raw jeans have never been washed or treated. A nice pair could cost you up to $200.00+, but if you do you're research and shop around, you can find them from $50.00 to $179.00. I will suggest getting a light-colored pair, an mid-dark/indigo pair, and a true dark pair. Leave the holes out please! The 80's are dead and gone. If you plan to wear them to work make sure the label on the back is not too flashy or branded. Your jeans should be simple and versatile for weekend wear to work wear.

I have listed my favorite denim brands for you to shop around for your favorite fit. 

My Favorite Denim Spots

A.P.C

BALDWIN DENIM

Need Supply Co.

G STAR RAW

URBAN OUTFITTERS

LEVI'S

NUDIE JEANS

BLK DNM

& 

RAG & BONE

RUGGED

                                                                         "RUGGED"

Recently, I've been obsessed with the 50's drifter look...jeans, a white tee, and a leather jacket.  Simple and sweet!

The style has found it's way to the new millenium and it will be here for a while. Sound familiar? New brands like BLK DNM and Public School NYC offer skinny jeans, scoop neck tees, and biker jackets.

Checkout Adam Levine's style. Fitted tees, raw denim, and rugged boots. Leather jackets can be pricey, so you can subsitute with a denim jacket.

For the grooming, a nice grunge beard. The hair should be parted or similiar to James Dean. Don't forget your pomeade! 

Your boots should be number one on your Fall/Winter wardrobe list. My suggestion is a dressy pair and a rugged weekend pair. Be sure to roll up the pants leg a bit to show them off.