Furnishings Archives | Page 7 of 8 | Blueprint for Style

What’s the Difference Anyway?

As GI Joe says, “knowing is half the battle” so, which magazine should you be reading, and what does each one give you? Here’s our fashionable insight on the differences between the men’s fashion mags: Details: covers everything from culture and trends, style, celebrities and entertainment, and sex and relationships. it has features like “daily details” that gives light tidbits on food, movies, celeb watching, weird world news. the style section is light and does a lot of Top 3/5/10. the

2010/06/17

The Summer Tie

2010/05/14

Don’t Shirt the Issue

Instead of sterile racks of shirts, you’ll see saddles, vintage maps of London and late-1800s photos of Richmond, all shipped up from Ledbury’s tobacco-warehouse-turned-showroom. (Blame the Surgeon General.) You’ll order up a bourbon from the bar in one corner and take in the stylings of the bluegrass banjo player in the other.

2010/04/28

An Essential Summer Tie

411: J Crew • color: bone grey • $39.99 • will look fabulous with standard navy, camel and seersucker!

2010/04/21

Top This!

Rod Keenan Sample Sale: his fedoras have adorned the heads of guys like Brad Pitt and Jamie Foxx. And now, Keenan’s unloading about 900 handmade toppers for up to 90% off. Summer’s just not summer without a trilby. 411: Rod Keenan hats • normally priced $300-$1200 now between $25 – $600 • sale runs thru the end of April • click above or email rodkeenanarchive@gmail.com with your style # and request!

2010/04/09

Smooth as Silk & Stylish to the Max

While every man cannot and does not aspire to the same rat-pack je nais se quoi that Maxwell wields, every man can and should aspire to own a spring sport jacket that captures his own personal flair. Flair a la slacks on casual Friday, tattered jeans on Saturday morning, or linen pants for Sunday brunch — Maxwell simply provides the object that you can focus on! A few great options include: DKNY cotton sport jacket, $210 Ralph Lauren Black Label linen

2010/04/02

Men’s Watch Trends to Watch For

Ultra thin Dark dials Vintage inspired Nuts n bolts Time zones Neo-roman numbering Complicated faces Matte cases Style 411: note these are trends so, you don’t need to heed all of them simultaneously! Mixing trends #3and #6 are easy — and are likely to yield investment or heirloom pieces. Wear what’s comfortable and remember that what’s most stylish is usually the most simple!

2010/03/17

A Bright Spot on the Men’s Map

Brightly striped ties are the next spring trend. Amazingly, many of the style trends for men this fall are focused on furnishings so the favorites we show here can work easily with your standard DC navy power suit, or your ready-for-spring camel lighter weight getup, or the weekend/date uniform of jeans, dress boots and a button-down. They add just a dash of color…so we can look down and be hopeful about the warmer weather to come.

2010/02/26

Hah! Top That…

Men’s spring trend number two is straw fedoras. Now wait…..not every man can wear (read: rock) a hat and, more specifically, a fedora! Well, this spring will see us expanding the true definition of a fedora in terms of fit and sizing so, it opens the door for more gentlemen to stylishly top their day and outfit with these easy and affordable accessories. Check out some of our favorites:

2010/02/24

An Easy Way to Pocket Spring Style

This spring will see lots of great (and new) style trends for men. One notable and colorful one will be the use of patterned pocket squares — this will be an easy and affordable way to add a splash of color to usher in the warmer temperatures. Here are a few of our favorites:

2010/02/22

Put a Bow on it to Complete Your Style

Company: Joe Dues Where: Southern roots Who: The President is Jarvis Robertson…but he has a few ‘faithfuls‘ throughout the country helping him to build the brand What: Bowties…and a lifestyle When: They’ve been doing it for a while… How: Head to the website, Joe Dues, and check out the latest hauteness (the Colvin, pictured above, is my favorite) How Much: The current collection is all under $25!

2010/02/19

Your Secret Stash

Whether it’s a beautiful little gift box for your girlfriend or wife, or a cigar that you’re not supposed to smoke, or perhaps that flask of cognac that you told her you dumped, these Secret Safe Books are where you should keep the goodies! But, just to be on the safe side, become an avid reader so she doesn’t get suspicious next time you head to the bookshelf…

2010/02/04

Start Decorating Your House for Spring

Throughout the month of February, Blueprint for Style will be paying extra attention to men’s furnishings such as ties, cufflinks, pocket squares, bowties, belts, and the likes! Today, our recommendation is simple: as you plan for spring, think bright! It’s too early (and cold) to transition into seersucker or our wonderfully versatile tan suit so, stick with the DC politico navy blue or charcoal grey — but add some color! Look at Barneys, Band of Outsiders or Dries Van Noten;

2010/02/02

Rome Was Not Conquered in a Day

So just start slow – and this HUGE sale at Ventuno will help you re-build your closet full of haute dress shirts and silky ties. The downtown haberdashery Ventuno is throwing a 2-hour sale where everything is 30% off! Plus, rumor has it that there will be free wine and mini-empanadas (just make sure to make your selection before the drinking the wine)! 411: Jan 29th, 6-8pm, no cost, Ventuno (1055 SE First Ave, 305-372-5017)

2010/01/28

A Perfect Shirt-n-Tie Combination

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with highlighting ideal shirt and tie combinations so, today I continue with a gorgeous duo that says “Yeah I’m classic but I have zest!” Designer: Turnbull & Asser (if it’s good enough for the Prince of Wales then why not you?) Style Notes: solid dark knit tie (I favor navy because it’s refined and sedate but not austere like black); and a classic checked shirt…what makes it pop is the checked coloring! Price: shirt ($295) and tie

2010/01/19

More Winning Shirt-n-Tie Combinations

Shirt ($118) and tie ($50) by Bloomingdales Style Notes: Plaid, especially tartan, is classic and while we wouldn’t recommend it for your next big day in court or pitching your next greatest ideal to your Board, it’s very work appropriate for Fridays, academic environments and the likes. The dark tie tones the shirt down a bit — and with a dark blazer, you’re in business! Where? The Men’s Store at Bloomingdales

2010/01/14

Winning Shirt-n-Tie Combinations

Shirt ($415) and tie ($195) by Borelli Shirt and tie combination: a khaki and white check shirt (+) gray flannel tie — (+) a grey or navy suit = classic! Why? Every grey or navy suit is conservative, and the splash of understated color mixed with the texture of monochromatic tie says ‘you’ve arrived…in style’!

2010/01/12

Are You Toting Around Yesterday’s News?

I’ve had the distinct dis-pleasure of observing three DC movers-and-shakers tote around yesterday’s news in the form of tattered, war-torn and bruised baggage commonly (or formerly) known as briefcases. Worse yet, two out of three were actually the canvas freebies you receive at conferences (one was from a 2004 conference)….not acceptable for a sophisticated man who wants to be taken seriously in corporate America or in the high-powered, back-office deals! 2010 is a new year — let’s commit to a

2009/12/23

Watch the Good Times Roll

Vivre made this wonderful leather watch roll ($175); pieces are safe and secure in this ostrich-textured calf leather jewelry/watch roll with an interior made of Alcantara suede. Holds up to three watches and comes in several combinations (camel/camel lining, beige/cream lining, turquoise/cream lining or black/black lining). For the traveling man…with time to spare!

2009/12/22

Put a Bowtie around this Men’s Furnishing Item

Jesse Chao is genius. As the founder and lead designer of Vittorio J, he’s involved in every aspect of the process and the result. Every tie is (1) handmade, (2) of the most luxurious materials, and (3) made in very small quantities (some only have 2 per pattern)!! I love the tie patterns and, although I don’t claim to be the best tie-picker-outer, Jesse and Vittorio J make it easy — the colors are vibrant and varied, the patterns are

2009/12/03

Focus on Men’s Furnishings

If you consider your body to be the “house” then it makes senses to think that men’s furnishings would be the little but significant things that make the ‘house a home‘. One of those telltale furnishings is your wallet — a beautiful wallet tells the story of how you got where you are, how well you take care of your money and, frankly, how well your money takes care of you. This Purple Billfold with 3 C/C & Purse designed by

2009/11/30

Don’t be So Casual about ‘Business Casual’

Men frequently agonize over the ideal of ‘business casual’–and it’s often obvious when we see full suits on Friday, or dark denim which is not appropriate. The correct answer varies but, there are a few basics to have to ensure you can go from business or casual to business casual. (1) A sports jacket with minimal or no print to avoid the Professor-look; (2) light sweaters preferably v-necks as they add to the openness of the look and work well

2009/11/12

Sexiest Men’s Sleepwear

Pajamas! Yep, that’s right — nothing more and nothing less (perhaps). They ooze sophistication and manliness. They cover a multitude of sins…and late night beers. They can be separated for use by you and your better half — after all, what is sexier than a woman in her man’s pajama top? Blueprint’s recommendation for a starter set is by Brooks Brothers ($79.50). They come in a lighter glen plaid print, a darker bold stripe, or a medium frame stripe of blue-grey.

2009/11/04

Must-Have Scarf

Men bring in winter with these dull camel or black scarves…why? I’m not suggesting that they wear pink but, just a little color keeps the winter blues away and the skin tone looking less-than-pale! This Ted Baker Phipp scarf (approx $65) in brown has the basics (navy, brown, taupe, maroon, black) but then provides a manly pop of color with the red, grey and fuchsia stripes. The added bonus — no matter what overcoat or trench you have, you’re sure

2009/10/30

Tie Designer, David Hart

From Scottish tartans to 50s girlie designs, David Hart has covered the gamet so, his Spring 2010 collection was an open question mark — well, no more. The collection is made from Thomas Mason coton shirting instead of the typical wool or silk — the result? The ties are somewhat wrinkled; Hart says “You have the option of pressing your tie and having a crisp, neat look.” From a stylist’s perspective and spoken by a true Image Consultant,

2009/10/23

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