The Journal Of Style

The Journal Of Style - My Last Post

2008-10-30T07:54:00.001-07:00

I seem to be really busy nowadays and I never get a chance to blog anymore (I have been meaning to post the following up but I did not get time till today). This will be my final post for the blog. I had a blast blogging. I met a lot of great people. I hope you enjoyed the blog while it lasted because I sure did writing it for you. Below are some of my blog shout outs and along with these blogs are three other blogs that I have already posted about - Outsapop Trashion, What I Saw Today and I Luw Fashion(Click Here)

Buckets and Spades. A blog by Mat who lives near the seaside. Not updated regularly but lovely stuff when he does update it (which I hope is very soon).

The Houndstooth Kid. A great eye for vintage and the history of fashion. I learned a lot about World War time fashion from the blog and you should too. Check it out.
Style Salvage. A blog most of you might know. A fantastic one. This was one of the blogs that made me want to start blogging. Keep up the good work Steve and EJ(sorry I couldn't find a picture of EJ).

The Life and Times of a Problem Child A great blog. Some one give the kid a sponsorship to a fashion collage. Future talent. I promise you he won't disappoint.
The Sunday Best. Read his comics. Fantastic stuff. I love the one for Movember.

Great Times Good Times. Blog by Mr.Anonymus or Kteeo. The blog is very new less than a month old, but I loveit aldready. Future talent just like Giancinephile.

New Talent - Six Lee

2008-10-22T02:50:00.000-07:00

More talent from Show 2008. Six Lee.

The above pictures are of show 07, where Six Lee is in her second year. My favourite look is the third picture. Fantastic use of top hats and bowties.

The rest of the pictures are of Show 2008 and Six Lee in her third year.

New Talent - Lars Paschke

2008-10-20T00:26:00.000-07:00

Going through the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts website I found Show 2008 (and later the archives including Show 2007). There where a lot of fantastic collections. Really great stuff (maybe even better than what we saw at the NYC runways). One of the collections I liked most was by Lars Pashcke.

Both the above pictures are a part of his 2nd year collection for Show 2007. Pirates of the Caribbean from a different perspective? What would have been really cool is if the first model was holding a novel in his hand - a pirate that loves to read. Never seen that before.

The rest of the pictures are from Show 2008 and his 3rd year collection. It has still got a pirate vibe but the clothes are much more colourful. It feels as if the 1st collection was Autumn Winter and this one Spring Summer. It also seems Lars does accessories too. Wonderful.

Oh and terribly sorry for not posting in a while. I was quite unwell.

Interesting Detail - Adam Kimmel Trousers

2008-10-14T21:04:00.000-07:00

I was recently busy on men.style.com browsing through the new Ralph Lauren collection when I notice Adam Kimmel SS09. My memory is pretty good but I didn't remember browsing through Adam Kimmel's collection. After the SS09 collection, I browsed through the Adam Kimmel archives and I found that he has a lot of interesting trouser details.

Adam Kimmel Fall 07.
Adam Kimmel Fall 08
Adam Kimmel Fall 08
Adam Kimmel Spring 09
Adam Kimmel Spring 09. Please avoid looking at the crocs and keep your eyes on the trousers.

Ralph Lauren SS 09

2008-10-13T02:39:00.003-07:00

The Ralph Lauren clothes for ss 09 as seen on men.style.com was fantastic. Great use of colour, great pattern coordination, classic Ralph Lauren but yet so new. One thing missing was seeing them on real people instead of mannequins. Now you can. The Ralph Lauren SS 09 show is up on men.style.com with a total of 72 looks. Not all the looks are the same as they were on the mannequins but below are a few of the looks that were the same as before. Click Here to see the looks.

'Untitled' by ASOS

2008-10-10T02:30:00.000-07:00

'Untitled' is an innovative new menswear project initiated by online retailer ASOS. Developed from the idea that limited edition products captivate men, 'Untitled' invites experts in denim, vinyl, trainers, sunglasses and new designers, to collate, and then offer to ASOS, a series of rare, hard to find or limited edition products for sale. The project propels menswear forward on ASOS and highlights some of the current creativity in men's fashion and lifestyle products.
Fraser Laing, owner of Archiv which was set up in 1997 to sell exclusive vintage eyewear has selected contempory limited edition styles along with vintage frames. Rick Frystak, Amoeba's leading vinyl-buying expert selected the record for the project, choosing rare vinyl albums from multiple eras, genres and styles.
Hywel Davies fashion writer and author of Modern Menswear, approached new menswear designers, and commissioned them to design limited edition garments especially for 'Untitled'. Swedish Patrik Soderstam has designed 5 different limited edition graphic t-shirts which are both bold and dynamic. Berlin based Carola Euler offers a grey pleat sweatshirt combining her utilitarian design approach. Another Berlin designer Frank Leder has handmade wool scarves and combined his obsession with historical Germany by applying vintage enamel badges. London based Jean-Pierre Braganza constracts with expertly cut patterns that emphasize the human figure and offer unexpected detailing. Deryck Walker completes the group with his new take on the classic white shirt.
Also participating in 'Untitled' is the online trainer store Croocked Tongues who have been selling hard to find trainers since 2000.

A big thanks to Natasha for all the pictures and information about 'Untitled'.

Louis Vuitton and Sean Connery

2008-10-08T21:06:00.000-07:00

I know I am a little late to post the picture of the new Louis Vuitton campaign featuring Sean Connery but how can I not post a photo of two things I love - the real 007 and LV. The picture makes me want to buy the bag (until I hear the price that is).

Men Represent - Sketches

2008-10-08T19:58:00.000-07:00

As part of men represent, I managed to sketch up a look rather than a design. I choose random pieces that would look good together and did the work of a stylist (sorry for no colour). A dotted scarf. A plaid pocket square. A houndstooth blazer. Blue jeans. L-V bag (optional). Brown dress shoes. Click on the image to enlarge. This is my second design. To see the first one Click Here (It is the last picture).

ASOS Online Magazine

2008-10-07T21:03:00.000-07:00

ASOS recently launched a digital version of their magazine. The magazine features a lot of looks, a few pages on ways to wear a knit, a few pages on golf wear at ASOS.com and a few pages on hats (seems to be the topic everywhere). Overall its worth a read (especially since its free). Click Here to view it.

Oh and out of topic - the campaign I was talking about (the sketching one) is now a part of Style Salvage's men represent. Anyone can participate now - all forms of art is open - drawings, sketches, illustrations, finger painting. Anything. So send in your art.

GQ India and Sketches

2008-10-06T03:01:00.000-07:00

GQ launched their Indian version this month and they featured a few pages of testimonials from artists, models, actors, buisnessmen, sportsmen and designers. The designers include Etro (Kean Etro), Burberry (Christopher Bailey), Moschino, Dolce and Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, Dior Homme (Kris Van Assche), Paul Smith, Ermenegildo Zegna, Gucci (Frida Giannini), Lanvin, Canali, Rohit Bal and a few more Indian designers. Along with a few words where sketches or already made garments. Some of the sketches are shown below (sketched by me referring to the original drawings).

First up Burberry, although you might have already guessed. The belted version of the indian kurta as discussed in a previous post looks amazing and the trousers had a shine like the ones in their SS 09 collection.
The second and third pictures are of Ermenegildo Zegna. Featuring modified versions of the indian kurtas.

Fourth look. No its not Etro, if you guessed looking at the trousers. Its my design. This sketch is to kick off a new campaign as discussed in my last post. The design features a military inspired kurta, a paisley scarf tied as a belt and a paisley trouser. Let me know what you think and if you would like to contribute to the campaign by sending in your sketches or designs let me know by email at jonasf12@gmail.com.

Oh and click on the images to enlarge - you will see it much better that way.

A Chat with Paul Hardy

2008-10-04T23:35:00.000-07:00

Readers of Style Salvage might remember Paul Hardy. A 14 year old who aims to be a fashion designer. I talked to him (online) about illustration and design. He asked me if I was good at sketching which I am not so bad at. The discussion later led to the blog What I Saw Today. Paul gave me the idea of starting a program in which I could start posting sketches of the looks I saw around or of what I want to wear or how I would wear them on this blog. Wonderful idea and I will try to start this on Monday. But here is my idea (already approved by my new buddy Paul) - I will post my sketches on the blog and I want all menswear bloggers to post your sketches on your blogs (let me know if you will join me). If you don't have a blog send me your sketches (along with a few lines about the illustration) and I will post them here (with proper credit to you of course).

To EJ and Steve of Style Salvage - This could be the next step in Men Represent after The Essentials. Let me know what you think.

Getting Ready For Fall and Winter

2008-10-03T05:47:00.002-07:00

A time always comes when there is a change of seasons from summer to winter and so along with that changes our wardrobe (unless you live in a place like Singapore where its always fun at the beach). So here are a few looks from Surface To Air for both fall and winter. What will be your wish-list for winter? And what will you be wearing this season? Let us know at the comments page or by e-mail at jonasf12@gmail.com

Interesting Detail - 3

2008-10-01T03:53:00.000-07:00

My first interesting detail post on trousers features a trouser from Carin Webster. The pleating detail is fantastic but isn't for everyone so that won't be the topic of the post instead it will be the waistband. The two buttons in the front and the two buttons adjustment in the sides (no belt needed but even if it fits perfectly skip the belt show off the details) add flair to a usually boring grey wool trouser (the pleating detail helps a lot too).
Ill leave you with another look featuring the trousers.

What I Saw Today

2008-09-26T22:33:00.001-07:00

I recently found the blog - What I Saw Today. I know what you're thinking another menswear blog (although there are very few compared to womenswear) but this one is different. Different how you ask? Look at the pictures above and you will know why - this blog uses illustrations instead of photographs of street style. All I can say is keep up the great work Richard.

Oh and some more great illustrations below from What I Saw Today.

Take A Look - Duke Of Windsor

2008-09-26T08:02:00.001-07:00

Part 2 of the edition of Take A Look features suits and tuxedos and a man who wore them wonderfully well - The Duke Of Winsor.

Look 1. Perfect tailoring - look at his shirt cuffs. I also love the pocket square fold.
Look 2. Is this not how we all want to look when wearing a tuxedo? Also he makes the button hole (boutonnière) and pocket square work together.
Look 3. Tailoring again and another double breasted suit but what caught my eyes were the socks, beautiful.
Look 4. The most casual picture I could find of The Duke of Windsor. The shirt collar looks fantastic and the sweater fits him perfectly (again look at his shirt cuffs).

There is one look I wanted to see the duke execute but I could not find it - The Duke of Windsor in a casual double-breasted sports coat. If anyone has any other pictures of the Duke Of Windsor please do let me know.

Interesting Detail - 2

2008-09-25T02:58:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since my last Interesting Details post, so here is another one. The shirt featured here is from B-Clothing. The pocket detail has both function and form. The detail is perfect for people that want a touch of uniqueness in their outfit but don't want to look like they are completely trend-conscious. What do you think of the details? Have you found any interesting details like these? If you do let us know and we will post it on the blog.

Denim Jackets

2008-09-23T02:38:00.001-07:00

Lately I have been looking for different ways to wear denim jackets as I have purchased one recently. Below are some of the looks I found.

1. Wearing it with jeans would have been considered unbearable for me. It would have looked too much like a uniform. That is until I found this from Hel-Looks. The jacket a lighter shade of blue and the jeans a darker. It would work if the jacket were darker and the jeans in a lighter shade of blue.

2. Here Mat from Buckets and Spades shows us that fit and accesories can take the look to a whole new level.
3. This look works well because the colours of the denim are different.

4. Kanye West shows us how to wear a denim jacket with attitude. Add accesories, roll up the sleeves or just wear it with a simple t-shirt and khakhi coloured trousers. (Louis Vuitton accesories are optional).
5. A look from the runway of Gilded Age shows us a denim jacket can be worn with shorts (even plaid shorts). A good summer look although winter is fast approaching.
6. This image is from the Creep lookbook. It shows us that denim jacket can be worn with more than a t-shirt and jean. Here worn with a dress shirt looks fresh and not everyone you know would have worn this look.

How do you wear your denim jacket? Let us know on the comments page.

Take A Look - Steve McQueen

2008-09-19T22:44:00.000-07:00

Browsing through the internet I found hundreds of pictures of style icons that wore there clothes wonderfully well. I wanted to share these pictures, so here is Take A Look's first edition - Steve McQueen.

1. Shawl collared cardigan perfection. That makes me want to run out to a store and get me one. The look as a whole can be copied without changing a thing.
2. I have considered turtlenecks something elegant although casual but I would have considered a racing jacket a bit too much buthere McQueen wears it with a racing jacket and it works. It works well. The watch is also beautiful.
3. Isn't this how we all want to look when we take our suit jackets off.
4. Great fit for everything. Double-Breasted suits are always elegant when worn right.
5. Another look that can be copied exactly the same way today. One of my favourite pictures of Steve McQueen. Turtleneck sweaters look great on him.
6. Turtleneck again but this time with a corduroy blazer. The mix of leather belt with corduroy blazer is done perfectly.
7. Workwear at its best by Steve McQueen. The pockets of the shirt are beautiful. You could wear this shirt even now (without the stains and the sailors cap).

My 10 Essentials

2008-09-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

A few days ago Steve and EJ from Style Salvage asked us to email them on out 5 essentials. I have sent them an e-mail on my 5 essentials but I coudn't stop at five, so here are my top 10 style essentials (the clothes and things that inspire me to wear the clothes).1. Canvas Shoes. They come in tons of different colours and designs.
2. A good read. This doesn't have to mean a book. It can be an article in the newspaper or in on the internet, a magazine or even a novel. The picture above is of one of my favourite books - The Godfather by Mario Puzo.

3. History. The past was so wonderful (clothing-wise). Hats, ties, suits, walking sticks. These were all things that everyone wore everyday.
4. The Internet. Although the picture above shows blogger, I do not mean blogger alone. The internet is a wonderful resource. You can find about anything in the internet.
5. Jeans. Who doesn't wear them? From tiny toddlers to grandfathers. The picture above from the sartorialist shows the versatility of the jeans.
6. A good portable music system - I love music. I feel inspired by it. So a good music system I can carry around is a must-have for me.
7. Pocket Squares or Pocket Handkerchiefs. I never wear a suit of a blazer without a pocket square (unless the pocket has a flap for example in a hunting jacket). Its a simple thing to bring your outfit to a whole new level.
8. Scarfs. Whether it be a knit scarf for winter or a linen scarf for summer. Scarfs can be worn dressed down or up. There are a lot of different knots, which means different looks for one scarf.
9. Turtleneck Sweaters. I once read in GQ magazine that Turtlenecks are the most flattering thing a man can wear and I guess this holds true. I know they can't be worn all year round or all the time but I try to wear one as much as possible.
10. Watches. I have read somewhere that a watch does for men what perfume does for women and I consider that true(sorry it was a long time ago and I forgot where I read it. Please do let me know if you know the link). The best part about watches is the wide range of options.

Please note - The list is in no particular order although they are numbered.

What are your style essentials? Please let us know in the comments page.

New York Spring '09 - Part 9

2008-09-13T06:54:00.001-07:00

Two new shows at men.style.com - Gilded Age and Yigal Azrouel. The Gilded Age show had simple pieces nothing extraordinary but the part I liked about the collection like last time was the washing and dying processes behind the clothes for example a hunting jacket in chambray which had been washed to bring out imperfections that added an interesting texture to it and t-shirt were organically dyed in Japan (thanks to Tim Blanks for the information). Last time the processes included a cashmere hand knit which requires 71 hours of work and a five pocket trouser dyed with volcanic mud (thanks to Tim Blanks again for the information). The Yigal Azrouel show was his first menswear-only show. The clothes were casual and deconstructed.

Look 1. Gilded Age. The khaki coloured cotton suit looks fantastic. I especially love the short and slim cut of it and the pockets. The shirt is also perfect for the suit.Look 2. Gilded Age. The shorts,the boots and the henley are my favourite from the look.
Look 3. Gilded Age. I have been constantly looking for new ways to wear a denim jacket (please comment on how you wear your denim jacket if you have one) and I guess I have found one - worn with plaid shorts. Ill have to try this.
Look 4. Yigal Azrouel. I am a sucker for lumberjack checks (see my previous post on the subject). I'm a sucker for the colour blue too. I like the idea of wearing it with plaid shorts.
Look 5. Yigal Azrouel. Summer layering wonderfully done. The cuffed shorts, the white shoes and the half-sleeve shirt on half-sleeve shirt on t-shirt layering is a look we can all achieve without spending a thing (that is if you have all these items)

New York Spring '09 - Part 8

2008-09-12T04:40:00.000-07:00

Another day of the shows and another day of regret. John Varvatos and Tommy Hilfiger today. The looks below were hard for me to choose not because of tough competition but because I didn't like many of them. Anyway my top 5 runway to reality looks for today.

Look 1. John Varvatos. I like the shape of the jacket and the neckerchief.
Look 2. John Varvatos. I like the shoes and the long cardigan (with duffle coat buttons?). (edit - and the glasses. How did I miss that. Thank you 'we could grow up together' for pointing that out in the comments page.)
Look 3. John Varvatos. A bit of matching your shoe to the jacket or shirt going. Well anyway I like the jacket and shorts combo.
Look 4. Tommy Hilfiger. I like turtlenecks with a blazer or suit but I wasn't impressed all that much with this look although I like the cut of the jacket, the peaked lapels and the touch of white pocket square.
Look 5. Tommy Hilfiger. I like the coat and the striped turtleneck sweater.

New York Spring '09 - Part 7

2008-09-11T06:45:00.001-07:00

Ah three new shows on men.style.com but I am really getting bored by this. Perhaps I should continue my following of street style like Steve with more attention rather than the runway. The three shows up today were 3.1 Phillip Lim, Michael Kors and Spurr. 3.1 Phillip Lim had some nice shoes with python leather by Christian Louboutin. Michael Kors show had a few splashes of colour but apart from that nothing great. Spurr had some suits that I liked and some of the looks were nice although didn't make me jump up in joy as Tim Hamilton did.

Look 1. 3.1. Phillip Lim. This look would have been nothing if it weren't for the accessories. The leather case and the shoe were the highlights.
Look 2. Michael Kors. I like the shorts with turtleneck combo and the colour of the turtleneck sweater.
Look 3. Spurr.One of the suits I liked was this one. I liked it for its short slim fit and I am a fan of peaked lapels.
Look 4. Spurr. Leather jackets is something I am hunting for right now. I might just consider this. The t-shirt has a good colour to it.
Look 5. You just got home from work (wearing a suit). You have 5 minutes to go out with your friends. What do you do? This is what you should be trying to achieve although I question the sleeve-less jacket.

New York Spring '09 - Part 6

2008-09-10T07:29:00.000-07:00

Day 6 of the New York shows featured Marc by Marc Jacobs and Thom Browne. The Marc by Marc Jacobs shows had a few looks that could be worn outside the runway. The Thom Browne show atleast according to me was almost the same that I have seen of him (I would have loved something new. The only things new were trousers worn under the hips and the headbands). Although I consider Thom Browne a master of theatricality for menswear I am getting bored b the same things.

Look 1. Marc by Marc Jacobs. The accessories are the reason this look is here. The sunglasses, the man-bag, the necklaces and those shoes (paisley?).
Look 2. Marc by Marc Jacobs. The accessories again. The shoe matches the shirt (I have observed this very often this season. A trend?). The accessory I love most from the look is the bag. The pieces I would like to own are the bag and the shirt both for their rugged military look.
Look 3. Marc by Marc Jacobs. The show was clearly all about the accessories. The crumpled trench coat was also a highlight of the look.
Look 4. Marc by Marc Jacobs (don't worry it is the last of his). I can not put my finger on why I like this look. Maybe because of the rolled up cuffs of the trousers or because of the vest and half sleeved shirt combo or even for the accessories or perhaps because all of it.
Look 5. Thom Browne. The reason I liked this look was because of the matching colours of the tie and the belt (who needs to match the belt with your shoe anymore). Red, white and blue where the colours in the tie and the belt. Another thing I liked was everything else was white and that Thom Browne choose the tie and belt to add colour to a plain outfit.

New York Spring '09 - Ralph Lauren

2008-09-09T22:23:00.000-07:00

As promised a review on the wonderful show by Ralph Lauren. I was impressed by his colour and pattern coordination. Onto my favourite looks from the collection.

Look 1. As I said wonderful colour and pattern coordination. The striped shirt, the paisley tie and the thickly knit sweater all work together perfectly. Very well done.

Look 2. The look I had to consider this one of my favourites because of the patterns of the clothing. Striped suit, striped shirt and striped tie. Again wonderful pattern coordination. The pocket square matched the collar of the shirt which was another detail I liked.
Look 3. The look reminded me of Fred Astaire in a way(tie as belt). The colours were kept simple but the look was something very infrequently seen worn in real life.
Look 4. I have always been a fan of both the cricket sweater and the double breasted jacket but I would have never thought of pulling off wearing them together. I love how he mixed casual and formal. It remains sporty yet elegant.
Look 5. I like the simplicity of the look. The look remained black and white except the small sights of the blue contrast collared shirt. The cardigan fits wonderfully. Another thing I would like to point out is the show of shirt cuff under the cardigan.

There was another detail I would like to point out from the collection. The look was a chambray shirt, worn with a tie under a vest and jacket (both of madras - the fabric). The jacket had a red pocket square and tie was tucked into the trouser. The look wasn't all that appealing maybe because of the bad angle from which the picture was seen. The detail was of a tie pin on a chambray shirt. It was a detail that only Ralph Lauren could execute.

New York Spring '09 - Part 5

2008-09-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

Day 5 of the New York shows brought a smile to my face. They might not have been the best of the season but they were by far the most colourful (well Michael Bastian, Ralph Lauren and Victor Glemaud atleast). The shows today were of Michael Bastian, Tim Hamilton, Victor Glemaud, Ralph Lauren and Z Zegna. The Michael Bastian show had not been as good as I had expected (I had too much of hope) but they were not disappointing either. The Tim Hamilton show was beautiful. The vintage looking bib shirts had a wonderful look. This was one of the shows that exceeded my expectations. The Victor Glemaud show had a lot of nice knits and was very colourful. The Ralph Lauren show did not consist of models but only mannequins. The show was interesting and almost all of the looks would work in real life. The Z Zegna show had a lot of good jackets. Onto my five favourite looks for today (no Ralph Lauren included. Thats a topic for tommorow).

Look 1. Michael Bastian - I loved the colour of the shirt and the pocket square. The jacket was also something I liked for its cut, colour and detail.
Look 2. Michael Bastian. More yellow. The colour combination is done well. This look would be perfect on the beach (fits in perfectly with Michael Bastian's theme of lifeguard).
Look 3. Tim Hamilton. I love this look. The jacket and shoes are both white. The jeans black. The shirt blue looks like gingham. I would have liked a bigger view of this. But this will have to do for now.
Look 4. Victor Glemaud. A lot of colour. I suppose its pulled off by keeping the white levis (or it seems) white and the loafers (gucci?) black.
Look 5. Z Zegna. I love the jacket. Is that a knit jacket? The shoes look so great.

Ralph Lauren's show will be discussed tommorow in another post along with five of my favourite Ralph Lauren looks (will be hard to choose among about 170).

New York Spring '09 - Part 4

2008-09-08T02:15:00.003-07:00

Four new shows up today - William Rast, DKNY, Patrik Ervell and Y-3. William Rast had a better start than I expected it would. They had help from Johan and Marcella Linderberg (which I did not know about until today). DKNY celebrated their 20th anniversary with this collection. Most of it was something I am tired of seeing (I know many of you might have different opinions) t-shirts with suits. Patrik Ervell put on a show that I enjoyed browsing through. He had a lot of great looks suitable for everyday wear. The Y-3 show had a lot of colour but also had a lot of black. Onto my favourite looks from the shows of today. Seems I'm partial to some designers. Only Patrik Ervell and Y-3 can be found below.

Look 1. Patrik Ervell. What I liked? Everything. The moment I saw it I fell in love once again. The jacket, the cut of the trousers, the shoes, the tattoos(although not Patrik Ervell designed), the pattern of the jacket and the hairstyle. Well pretty much all of it.
Look 2. Patrik Ervell again. What I like is the colour of the trousers, the shoe, the pattern of the jacket, the fit of the trousers. What I didn't like was the fit of the jacket. I would have preffered it a little slimmer (but that's just my opinion).
Look 3. Y-3. I am liking the layering, especially the fact that it is all black. The accessories too - the shoes, the bag, the cap.
Look 4. More Y-3. The hat. I thank all the people trying to popularize the hat. You are helping a good cause (looking good is as good of a cause as the other). The use of only black and white without looking very rock n roll.
Look 5. More Y-3 (do not worry this is the last). What I liked. The pocketed track pants (I would have loved to call them track trousers), the colour and shape of the shoe, the transparent blazer / jacket with blue piping, the t-shirt with raglan sleeves and the leather strap of the bag (too bad I can't see the entire bag. Its times like these I wish I was at the shows watching).

Special note - The Journal Of Style has completed 50 posts (53 to be exact). Thank you to every one who has been an inspiration for this blog and all my readers who have given me great support. Thank you all.

New York Spring '09 - Part 3

2008-09-06T23:26:00.001-07:00

The shows online on men.style.com today are Obedient Sons, Robert Geller, Lacoste and Band Of Outsiders. The Obedient Sons show was all about feminine menswear. The Robert Geller show had inspiration from Eastern Europe. It feautured a lot of formal pieces and some stripes. It was truly one of the best shows seen so far. The Lacoste show was a well put up show. My favourite part about it would be that they took basic sportswear and updated it with colour and design. The Band Of Outsiders show was more of a lookbook. It had a lot of colour (yellow again. Mmm I wonder). A lot of use for madras (the fabric). The looks below are my top 5 of the shows (no Robert Geller or Obedient Sons because these are looks that can be pulled off in real life).

First up Band Of Outsiders. I suppose this look can be perfect for a sunday morning in summer. I would wear this going out for breakfast at a nearby cafe.
Band Of Outsiders again. As I said yellow. I like the glasses and the pair of shoes. The length of the shorts are short but longer than what I saw in the shows recently and I like the stripes. The colour of the shirt looks pretty cool too.
As I said use of madras. There were more but this was more wearable. The matching shoe and shirt was pretty cool. The red cardigan whose colour matches the madras hat and trouser was pretty cool too.
Now Lacoste. I really like that this is kept lively with just a touch of green and red. Green on the glove and watch and red on the jacket collar. The watch I really liked. The gloves too for their futuristic looks.
This is what I meant by elevated sportswear (the polo). What I liked about this look was matching the bottom edges of the jacket with the polo.

Pictures from Men.Style.Com

New York Spring '09 - Part 2

2008-09-06T02:02:00.000-07:00

Men.Style.Com has got four new shows today. They were Duckie Brown, Perry Ellis, Rag & Bone and Shipley & Halmos. Duckie Brown had a good show fashion-wise but the looks wont work from runway to reality so my favourite five for today will only include one from them. Perry Ellis had lots of blue one of my favourite colours(that reminds me Duckie Brown had a bit of yellow and so did Shipley & Halmos. A trend? Well have to wait and see). They also featured some polka dots on some clothing (heads up for Style Salvage's EJ and Steve) although they looked like some sort of a disease. Rag & Bone had a lot of white socks (the first thing I noticed). Then what I noticed where wide spread collared button downs. A lot of pocket square use for a young designer, some where of the same pattern as that of the shirts. They put on a wonderful show. A feast for the eyes. Now last but not least, Shipley & Halmos. As said earlier, use of the colour yellow. Seems all the shorts are being cut short. Now onto the looks.

First up my favourite look from Duckie Brown. I really like the hairstyle and the fabric of the suit. The loose cut of the suit is also a good sight although I prefer wearing suits a little slim. I like that the designer used very few colour in this look. Grey, black and white might not even count as colours. I also like the gloves.

Perry Ellis, as I said blues. The mixture of the checks and stripes is what I liked about it.
Rag & Bone. This was my favourite look although the entire look isn't present. The wide spread collared shirt (button down) was well executed (I know designers have done this before but there is just something different about this). I also liked the tie. If you are wondering there is a pocket square in the picture look at the bottom right(its white).
Onto Shipley & Halmos. I have two looks that caught my attention. The first one is the look above. Yellow done well. Short shorts look great too (although the models muscular legs help). The look worked because the shirt was kept simple and white.
My favourite part about look two would be the dressed up leather jacket. I guess the shoe matching the jacket helps.

As always I would love to hear from all of you. Please do let me know on what you think of the looks and which ones were your favourite.

Pictures from Men.Style.Com

New York Spring '09 - It Has Begun

2008-09-05T01:18:00.000-07:00

I was extremely happy to see that the New York shows for spring-summer 2009 had started as I wasn't quite aware of the dates. Men.Style.Com had two shows -John Bartlett and Trovata. I wasn't a huge fan of John Bartlett's looks but its an improvement. Trovata's show I loved. Not many looks in either John Bartlett's or Trovata's shows but some of them were wonderful. My favourites are below with a short description of what I like about them.

This look was surely my favourite from John Bartlett's show. I liked that the plaid shirt matched the model's eyes but apart from that I love the zip up cardigan with the sleeve details. I also liked the fact that he was wearing shorts that were cut short.
Now onto Trovata. I really love the shoes featured in the collection I like the black coloured one the most as seen on this model. I liked that a simple shorts and t-shirt look was brought to a new level by adding a coat and scarf. I also liked the details of the t-shirt.
What I like about this look is that accessories play an important role in completing the look. The brown belt although doesn't match the shoes even though the more sartorial version is to match the belt to shoes or vice versa. But it doesn't look half bad. The scarf and bracelet (it isn't really all that clear could be a watch too) finish the look.
What I like about this look is that it looks a lot like what Tommy and Ralph do but its a more modern version of it. My regret is the look not having a pocket square. That would have closed the deal. The tie matching the jackets buttons also gets the look plus points.
The scarf!! I love it. I also love the fit of the shorts and the frayed edges of the shorts. Again accessories play a huge role in the look. That was one of the reasons of me being so pleased with the Trovata show.

Apart from these looks in the Trovata show there was use of more lumberjack plaid (which I am a huge fan of) in the form of a jacket and shorts. The shorts I loved but not the combination and hence I didn't post the picture. The Trovata show featured many accessories and most of the looks can be pulled off easily the way they were presented with some slight tweaks here and there.

I would love to know what you thought of the two shows and which ones you are awaiting and what you think of the looks above in the comments page.

Pictures from Men.Style.Com

Must Have Of The Moment - Rachel Comey Shoes

2008-09-03T20:37:00.001-07:00

Rachel Comey shoes have a formal touch but are still very causal. I personally wear more jeans or chinos than suits. These shoes add a more refined touch than an average pair of converse or any other sneaker. I like the shape of the shoes the most. Another thing I like about them is that the design is kept simple. Nothing over the top or too fancy. Oh and not every time you step out of the house will you see this on someone else.

Michael Bastian

2008-09-01T21:23:00.000-07:00

In my last post I talked mainly of his new brand but now I am going to talk about Michael Bastian's personal style. One of my recently found style icons. Michael Bastian is a designer that lives the clothes he designs. What I like the most about his clothes are that he wears them casual most of the time. He might be wearing a suit but its not all buttoned up and perfect. Look at the second picture. He is wearing a full suit. Forget that he is even wearing a french cuff shirt and still doesn't look all business-y. He clearly appreciates details (look at the working buttons on the suit sleeves and the extra pocket on his trousers in the first and last pictures a perfect grown up cargo pants). Details is something I really do think is important in menswear for a designer and for a wearer. His hairstyle suits his face very well too. At least to me he belongs in the ranks of Marcello Mastroianni and Albert Einstein at least style-wise(if your wondering what the hell I'm talking about please Click Here). Oh and Steve here's who I was talking about.

Michael Bastian - The Brand and The Man

2008-08-31T06:21:00.000-07:00

I don't really approve of wearing many designers that are pretty new but I have an exception and that's Michael Bastian. He is a promising designer. I have been waiting for his collection for spring summer 09 for a while now and luckily the guys from men.style.com gave us a preview. Mr.Bastian claims his look for spring summer 09 is 'hot sexy lifeguard'. I would really love to see what comes of it. The above pictures are a few of my favourite designs from his previous season. He incorporates colour into outfits so well (look at the first model's socks). He doesn't do crazy patterns. He keeps them simple but different with touches of colours. Maybe the modern dandy that likes to blend in but still remain different. Mr.Bastian, I can only hope you bring this wonderful collection of yours to India.

The best example of how these looks can work in everyday life can be seen on the man himself. He is a living example of the clothes he makes. One of the reasons I admire him as much. I really think he will make a huge mark on the fashion industry. Keep up the great work sir.

Pictures (runway pictures) from Men.Style.Com

Must Have Of The Moment - Clae Shoes

2008-08-29T21:19:00.002-07:00

I know it has been a while since I did my Must Have Of The Moment Posts but thats because I haven't been finding things lately that are worth talking about. Well that was the case till the guys at Thrillist sent me an email talking about Clae Shoes. The shoes on top are my favourites from the collection. The best part is they all represent people that changed the world, like take the shoes above for example they are named as Langston, McQueen, Whitman and Russell. It is a small collection of about 13 shoes. If anyone has bought a pair of these shoes - this collection or older collections please do leave a comment on how the shoe lasts and how comfortable it was.

Hats

2008-08-28T01:06:00.000-07:00

Wearing a hat is difficult nowadays. Its not that people 50 years ago used to have better face shapes but the fact that when people 50 years ago stepped out of their houses they saw that every gentlemen wore something on their head. They could observe trial and error without actually even wearing a hat. I am talking about their childhood and by seeing so many people wearing hats by the time they were grown up men they could easily choose a good hat for their face shape, complexion and hair. They would also know what to wear with which hat. Now you rarely see anyone wearing a hat or even owning one. It isn't easy for us to wear hats nowadays. It takes a certain level of style and experience to pull it off.

Why would you want to wear a hat? Because the right hat can frame your shape. It can add unexpected character to a simple basic look or help pull off a harder look. Now how to achieve success on wearing a hat. First step would be to keep it simple. Like a lot of things-less is more (I mean the decoration and bling). Second would be to know your face shape. A guide to what hat suits what face shape can be found at Miller Hats . What would you wear with a hat? Try any type of jacket. For summer a shirt and shorts. Try dressing like picture 3 - rugby under a jacket for a casual look. Hope this article helped and I hope more of us would start wearing hats. It really is a beautiful thing.

Indian Menswear

2008-08-27T02:30:00.000-07:00

For my last topic I kept talking about kurtas. Most of you might not be familiar with it so I decided to post on what they were. A kurta is a traditional item of clothing worn in most parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is collarless. It is usually loose fitting and falls close to the knees (sometimes below the knee, sometimes above the knee). It can be worn casually or formally (think sports shirt and dress shirt). Picture 1 shows a more formal one and picture 2 a little less formal. Steve Mcqueen wore a modified version of this in The Great Escape (the scene celebrating the 4th of July). It was shorter than the traditional kurta. If you would like to know about more types of Indian menswear please do leave a comment.

Interesting Detail

2008-08-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

As I was going through the Our Legacy look-book I noticed this detail. The detail of men having their hands in their pockets. Nothing extraordinary except the fact that the pockets were in their shirts. Its was a nice refreshing detail to see, something new. After all menswear is all about details. But that was it. I am a man that never tries something unless I see someone pull it off in real life. Yesterday as I was walking down the street, I notice a dark haired, well groomed, handsome man wearing a kurta. A kurta is something I have been wearing for years and years now but I had never thought how the pocket in the kurta would have looked on a shirt. It was a very functional detail on a kurta, usually since the pyjamas(the spelling isn't wrong its a different item of clothing) didn't have pockets or the kurta would cover them but with shirts it is a completely different matter. I do not think it would be functional because you already have enough pockets in your trousers or jeans and if you have that many stuff you would be carrying a bag. All the less it is an interesting detail. The pockets are tilted a bit they aren't straight. If anyone has had a similar detail or would like to no more about it please do let me know on the comments page.

Question

2008-08-23T21:30:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,

I am in need of your experience and thoughts. I am looking to purchase a similar shirt (this one is by Our Legacy a brand from Sweden). My question is this - Will this shirt become too heavy (with the four pockets and the epaulets)? I request anyone that has owned a similar shirt or is looking to buy a similar shirt to share your thoughts on how it was and how you wore it (Did you wear it with a sportscoat or with a sweater or cardigan? or on its own?). Thank You.

Oh and seems Thom Browne is getting popular in Sweden (the trouser break - even if it is rolled up). Or is it just a coincidence? Hmm I wonder.

Albert Einstein

2008-08-22T05:50:00.000-07:00

As part of my second article on style icons for men represent I will introduce you to the elegant world of Albert Einstein. Albert Einstein you wonder? I know many of us would't consider him a candidate for the best dressed list but maybe that's the reason I admire his style. He would always be dressed appropriately but with his own rumpled touch. His personal style quirk would be wearing a rumpled suit with that crazy hairstyle(which I admire for its authenticity). His usual wardrobe would consist of three piece suits, cardigans and other knitwear, mostly wing collared shirts and many neckties. All of which I admire a lot(especially the wing collared shirts even though you wouldn't get a chance to wear them nowadays. Bravo for pulling them off so well). Easily put he wasn't the most sartorial scientist in the world and his clothes didn't fit like a glove but he always was the most stylish scientist, he was what I would like to call - an individualist.

Marcello Mastroianni

2008-08-20T02:44:00.001-07:00

This article comes as part of Men Represent. This article is on one of my style icons - Marcello Mastroianni. The Italian actor showed us that dressing in a very simple style was never boring as long as the fit and execution is right. He was the reason I wore my first french cuffed shirt and I haven't stopped wearing them since(not the same shirt but french cuffs). He would wear the things everyone else has in their wardrobe (easily put-the basics)- the black necktie, the black suit, the white shirt, but would look different from the rest. Maybe its because he is from the country where men care about their appearance. There is no denying he had style that men wish to have. And don't get me started on his hairstyle, the one I have been wearing for quite some time now(works well to have thick black hair).

Boutonniere or The Buttonhole

2008-08-19T03:12:00.000-07:00

The boutonniere at about the late nineteenth century was what marked a man as a good dresser. Now it is rarely seen even for weddings, funerals or any other occasion that calls for a dinner jacket. The colours for the boutonniere are commonly white for full dress events (now very rare) and red with your dinner jacket. You can also try wearing a boutonniere of the national flower of your country(an example would be if you live in England you can wear a rose). The movie The Godfather had many scenes showing the boutonniere, the above pictures of Marlon Brando are from the same movie at his daughters wedding. The red boutonniere is worn with a dinner jacket.

Richard Merkin

2008-08-15T22:26:00.000-07:00

First an introduction for Mr.Merkin. He was a painter, a raconter, and a lot more. He was 'The Style Guy' in GQ magazine before Glenn O'Brien. Now let's get onto the topic - the picture and how he is dressed.

The bowler - The bowler hat which Englishmen stopped wearing in the course of the 1960's can add a bit of dandy to your look.
The club collar - Like said in a previous post - worn with a perfect tie knot can work pretty well.
A suit with sleeve cuffs- An Edwardian detail. I think it can work if everything else is kept simple and after all menswear is all about the details.
The boutonniere - The finishing touch if you aren't wearing a pocket square. But doesn't yellow stand for jealousy? (you can get away with wearing a button hole and a pocket square but here he has a lot going on)

The picture I found when browsing through a wonderful blog Easy and Elegant Life

Boat Shoes

2008-08-14T03:05:00.000-07:00

Last time when I spoke about footwear I spoke about Espadrilles This time I will speak on boat shoes. Some people can't live without them while some can't stand them. I am a person that loves them if there worn properly - casually, if they are in a good colour or if its eye catching but in a good way. Next time you look for a shoe to go with your jeans or shorts consider boat shoes (add on playful socks like in the 2nd picture if you're in jeans or go sock-less if you're in your shorts).

Pictures from ASOS

Red

2008-08-12T20:34:00.001-07:00

Trying to add colour into your outfit but don't no where to start? Start with accessories. A scarf, a bag, a pair of gloves or even a pair of socks. I usually choose red beacause it's one of my favourite colours. Which colour you want is entirely up to you. Be inspired by the above pictures by none other than The Sartorialist.

Andre 3000 - Benjamin Bixby

2008-08-11T04:58:00.001-07:00

I'm not the one that usually gets exited when rappers or hip-hop icons launch their clothing lines but this one is an exception. Benjamin Bixby designed by the famed actor/singer Andre Benjamin or better known as Andre 3000. What he wants with this clothing line is to tell stories. Andre Benjamin is the perfect example of what I would like to call a 21st century dandy. One of the things I admire most about him is his courage. The courage to wear anything and step out of the house (especially since your a celebrity). I hope Benjamin Bixby is as good as all our expectations and best of luck to Andre Benjamin.

Pink Shirts

2008-08-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

The regular dress shirt wardrobe would consist of a few white, blue and striped shirts. Why not opt for something more colourful. So there comes in the topic. I could have talked about a bright red or green shirt but thats hard to pull off. Whereas a pink shirt is colourful but at the same time not outrageously colourful and is easy to pull off too. A pink shirt worn with a suit looks great. If your not the average suit wearing guy then wear your pink shirt with shorts or a pair of jeans and add on anything you think will go well with it. For tennis or any other sport get a pink polo t-shirt and you will stand out from the others but in a good way. Fell free to take inspiration from the above pictures.

Pictures from Men.Style.Com and Ralph Lauren

Espadrilles

2008-08-08T02:57:00.000-07:00

Espadrilles have been all the rage on the streets and on the runways of Spring-Summer 09. It's a great replacement for flip-flops and other sandals for people that don't want to have their feet seen. It gets better with use and comes in a wide range of colours. My choice of footwear for the beach. Buy one really tight. You shouldn't be able to almost get your feet into them, after one or two wears they will loosen up and it will fit your feet perfectly and they wont fall off (thanks to Lily who commented on thesartorialist for this tip - I was always searching for a way to have them fit properly. It really works).

Pictures from The Sartorialist and Men.Style.Com

Personal Style

2008-08-06T03:02:00.000-07:00

What I'm talking about is personal style. Something you have been wearing for years. Something that people notice about you in the way your dressed every time you see them. Something like the late Yves Saint-Laurent who was known for his signature bold glasses that he had been wearing even before he became THE Yves Saint-Laurent. Find a signature item and stick with it. It could be anything jewelry, a pair of glasses, a hat, anything an accessory, even a hairstyle that has got you commented on.

Must Have Of The Moment - Bill Amberg Bags

2008-08-04T02:58:00.001-07:00

Since I've been talking about celebrities for a while now I decided to break my addiction to the clothes worn by the rich and famous to another topic. Bill Amberg bags are available in various colours (very beautiful ones). Some of their clients even include Aston Martin and Bacardi.

The Club Collar

2008-08-02T21:24:00.001-07:00

The club collar is very rarely seen. Most of us would consider it very costume-like. I like to see club collars on people and myself, thus this topic. A club collar isn't available at most ready to wear stores for a reason. If it doesn't fit you perfectly it wont work out the way you want it to. Here David Beckham shows us how it can work - with a slim suit and a perfect tie knot also keep it simple.

Frank Sinatra

2008-08-01T02:38:00.000-07:00

Since I left off with Johnny Depp and his hats I decided to post on Frank Sinatra who would also wear beautiful hats. Take inspiration from the above pictures. Oh and talking about Sinatra, when wearing a tuxedo wear an orange pocket square. Why you ask? Beacause Sinatra did it and it looked great (sorry I couldn't get a picture).

Johnny Depp

2008-07-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

A lot of people adore his style. A lot of people criticize it. Ok maybe his suits are a little too big for him, Maybe his shirts don't fit him right but instead of looking at what's wrong look at what's right. Beautifully shaped fedoras, those beautiful sunglasses, the beat up boots, the brown leather strapped watch, the straw hat and if any man wants to wear jewelry than take inspiration from him (no I don't mean pile them on like he does but start with a piece and then add on as time goes by). Oh and I adore his facial hair.

Colour With Knitwear

2008-07-27T04:56:00.000-07:00

Inject some colour into your clothes with a colourful knit. Try a yellow sweater or a red cardigan or something in green. If its too much for you then get a colourful scarf (I don't have a picture. Sorry).

Pictures from ASOS

Lumberjack Checks

2008-07-25T02:16:00.000-07:00

I have no idea why I like lumberjack checks, but I just adore them. These were two of the things i fell in love with which had lumberjack checks(the jacket on the top picture and those shoes). The shoes are from Rockport(yes,rockport). They aren't available yet but will be soon. This isn't a style tip just wanted to share my love for them.

Pictures from The Sartorialist and Men.Style.Com

White Shoes

2008-07-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

If your looking to buy a new pair of shoes then look no further than a pair of white shoes. If your worried about buying a white shoe and not wearing it, try a pair of converse. The best way to wear white footwear is with a dark pair of trousers or jeans.

Pictures from The Sartorialist and ASOS

Must Have Of The Moment - Bandana Scarfs

2008-07-23T03:03:00.003-07:00

Want to elevate your simplest looks for spring/summer or fall/winter? Then a scarfs the best thing to get. Linen for spring and Cashmere for winter. But want to go beyond that? Show off your creativity? Then get a bandana scarf and wear it with anything casual.

Pictures from ASOS

Embroidery Details

2008-07-21T03:24:00.000-07:00

"The small details keep you ahead of the pack." Well at least that's what I believe. Any reader of my blog would know that I am in love with Ralph Lauren ( I have never said that but I post a lot about RL ). Hence those shorts. Love them (both the details are of the same pair). Back to the topic. The last picture is of Lapo Elkann ( for those of you who don't know who he is he is the grandson of the Late Gianni Agnelli and is the heir of Fiat). Notice the Italian flag on his cuff? I love that too (have to think up some crazy logo of something other than a country to have put on my shirt!). So next time you go shopping whether its casual or formal. Remember details count.

Picture 1 - Ralph Lauren

Picture 2 - The Sartorialist

Peacoats

2008-07-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

Picture from thesartorialist

Ralph Lauren
A peacoat can be a great element for fall. A peacoat which usually comes in navy is a wool jacket. It can look great on most people. Pete Doherty and Brad Pitt wear them often(all the more reason to get them). Ralph Lauren makes good ones and I bet they can be found in some vintage stores. Just make sure you dont wear a blazer or a suit jacket under it.

Picture 1. The Sartorialist

Picture 2.Ralph Lauren

I LUW FASHION

2008-07-17T05:14:00.000-07:00

I love fashion. He does too (and that's what he named his blog too). A good sense of style (and cars). Very fun runway reviews (love those negative and positive things about the shows - wish I had thought of that.). I LUW FASHION

Picture from iluwfashion.blogspot.com

Uniqlo UTGP Contest

2008-07-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

This is a contest open to most nationalities on designing a t-shirt. I would recommend any one reading to try it (what have you got to lose?). For more details visit UTGP

Gingham

2008-07-14T02:53:00.000-07:00

Its time for everyone to buy more and more gingham. Why? Its one of the biggest trends in Milan and Paris. Its a relatively easy trend to pull off and it comes in lots of colours(my favourites are green, red and blue). What's more its versatile. Just look at the first two pictures (both from thesartorialist.com). It can be casual or formal. It just depends on how you wear it.

Pictures from thesartorialist.com, nymag.com and men.style.com

Picture 1.The Sartorialist

Picture 2. The Sartorialist

Picture 3. Moschino SS 09

Picture 4. Junya Watanabe SS 09

Picture 5. Bottega Veneta SS 09

Tie Tuck

2008-07-12T04:27:00.001-07:00

The tie-tuck. The small details are the ones that separate you from the pack. The above pictures are of some of the RL models, a person featured recently on the sartorialist and a Thom Browne model. Do you tie-tuck?

Pictures via ralphlauren.com, thesartorialist.com and men.style.com

Must Have Of The Moment - Cyberoptix TieLab Ties

2008-07-11T03:37:00.000-07:00

I found these wonderful tie makers a few days ago. Its called the Cyberoptix TieLab and is perfect for a gift or to add a bit of flair to your usual suit and tie combo. They have a lot of colours and prints. I really have to go get some of them and so should you (if you can that is).

Photos via cyberoptix.com

Rubber Buttons

2008-07-10T02:49:00.000-07:00

I haven't seen many people wearing shirts with rubber buttons. To be honest. None. Its something found on authentic rugby shirts. I have got a box of them and I'm going to be sewing them on my shirt instead of the normal buttons. Worth a try.

Ralph Lauren Olympic Games Collection

2008-07-09T03:12:00.000-07:00

The Olympic Games Collection has really nice polos in cotton mesh. Mostly the polos are a little on the slimmer edge but there are some regular fitting polos as well. These were my favourites from the ones available online.

Photos from ralphlauren.com

Summer Plaid

2008-07-08T05:16:00.000-07:00

Richard Chai

Junya Watanabe
Gaspard Yurkievich
Kris Van Assche (The man himself)
All the pictures are from the SS 09 shows. No, this isn't a trend its more of a tip for the readers on wearing plaid in summer. Why I chose this topic is because a lot of people try to do this but end up looking disastrous. How you can change this you ask? Well firstly it's because a lot of people wear dark coloured plaids. No, I don't mean black or dark blue. I mean the wintery looking colours like brown. Wear plaids in brighter colours like blue or orange (as shown in the above pictures). Also the fabric that you should be wearing for summer is mostly cotton or some other lighter fabric. Try to find a plaid in cotton (maybe a pair of shorts or a maybe a shirt).

Pictures from men.style.com and nymag.com

Trend - Pajamas

2008-07-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

Dolce and Gabbana

Bottega Veneta
Dolce and Gabbana
Giorgio Armani
Belstaff
This is one of the trends I loved last spring. It helped me get away with going to restaurants in nothing but a pajama and a shirt. Well this season i think i can do that in a t-shirt. The versatility can be shown in the above pictures. Oh and another thing the pajamas are supposed to be loose but they shouldn't fall off you.

Pictures vie men.style.com and nymag.com

Must Have Of The Moment - Andrea Cardone Helmets

2008-07-04T03:02:00.000-07:00

These helmets are by Andrea Cardone. The helmets have a leather covering. Very cool stuff. Very colourful and graphical. Too bad it's only available in Europe and North America.

OUTSAPOP TRASHION

2008-07-03T01:18:00.000-07:00

Very very nice. Love those lego accessories. Ok I know this was supposed to be a menswear blog but this is truly a work of art just look at that zipper necklace. I would love to see Outsapop make something for men. Maybe a lego belt? Maybe a lego cuff link (now that would be cool). Well all I can say is keep doing what your doing and oh yea one more thing wonderful inspiration book.

Pictures via Outsapop Trashion and her inspiration book

Ralph Lauren Campaign From 1997

2008-07-03T00:06:00.000-07:00

I was going through some old issues of GQ and finally I landed on March 1997. I feel in love with this look. The suit is seersucker (not so clear in the picture). The look has everything stripes, plaids even a cricket sweater. The only regret I have is that his shoe isn't visible. Would have been something wonderful. Menswear is still the same - what looked good 11 years ago still looks sharp now.

My Favourites - Paris - Spring/Summer 09

2008-07-02T20:49:00.000-07:00

Junya Watanabe

The Junya show helped popularize gingham for this season (after posting this I'm going gingham shopping). Paris seems to be getting the Thom Browne effect slowly (see the first picture in this post). Loved the jeans with gingham lining. Loved the jackets. Loved everything actually.

pictures via men.style.com

My Favourites - Milan - Spring/Summer 09

2008-07-02T03:13:00.000-07:00

Burberry

Wow. That's all anyone could say after the Burberry collection. Brilliant. Wonderful colour palette. Brilliant fit of the clothes. Most of them had a wonderfully worn in look or should i say 'Crumpled Classics' (That's what Christopher Bailey called the collection).

Pictures via men.style.com