“I like a fine-gauge knit – like a summer sweater – under a suit, which just feels nice on the skin. No collar, but more substantial a T-shirt. Somehow, a T-shirt isn’t enough.” –Scott Sternberg, Designer, Band of Outsiders {shared from Details magazine, May 2015}
“I tend to keep a cotton or linen bandana or pocket square at hand. They’re a nice accent in terms of elevating a summer suit and also perfect for discreetly wiping away perspiration.” –Bruce Pask, Men’s Fashion Director, Bergdorf Goodman {shared from Details magazine, May 2015}
This is the last post in a series (of three) articles about helping men to nail their wedding day and wedding day prep. Today, we’re talking about wedding traditions ~ some are good, some not-so-hot! Which do you favor? I disagree with the “dowry” placement, “cummerbunds” should be moved further left, and “dollar dance” is exactly right! InsideHook kindly plotted the most common wedding traditions…
Name: Nick Wooster Former Occupation: fashion director for Bergdorf Goodman Current Calling: clothing designer Age: 54 years old/young Say What?: coming this fall, in collaboration with Italian brand Lardini, it’s everything Nick wanted but couldn’t find You heard right…the capsule collection will include linen blazers, button-downs, and summer tweed tuxedos! I’ve followed Nick on Instagram for a little bit and appreciate his style sense and his sense of humor – which you’ll see ON the clothes because apparently Lardini added
“Summer suits aren’t supposed to last your whole life – wrap your head around the fact that you’ll probably only get three good summers out of one. Also, avoid double-breasted – it’s just adding another layer.” –Michael Bastian, Designer {shared from Details magazine, May 2015}
We’re into the second week of matrimonial madness compliments of InsideHook ~ to ensure you’re ready to propose and make a good showing. this week we’re talking about tux options and while the groomsmen should head to Black Tux, let’s look at the three options for the groom: Every man can do the standard black tuxedo….it’s traditional and no-big-deal! To rock the midnight navy tux just make sure you’ve got a black bow tie and a shawl collar For the
“Ninety-nine percent of rainproof products are woven. Typically, that means synthetics that won’t patina like cotton or leather. But as Italian brand called Ten C makes great coats that are actually knits. They’re based on the fabric used for convertible-car covers, which needs to be able to stretch. It allows them to get back that worn-in look I really love while remaining waterproof.” –Chris Gibbs, owner of Union, in L.A. Moral of the story: you need waterproof stuff and you
“You can throw an unlined cotton suit in the washing machine on a delicate cycle. When it comes out, give it a hot press and you’re ready to go. But only with unlined cotton – linen will get totally ruined.” –Nish De Gruiter, Vice President, SuitSupply {shared from Details magazine, May 2015}
Gents- I found this new website called InsideHook [you’ve got to subscribe and read their antics!] A couple of weeks ago, they published The Gentleman’s Handbook so across the next few weeks, we’re going to highlight the best stuff from that handbook so you’ll be ready to get hitched without the hiccups! This week it’s a scale that rates the appropriateness of your proposal….pay attention!
“An unlined wool suit with a fresco weave (which is really open, so when you hold it up to the light, you can see through it) is your best bet. The other nice thing about fresco is that the yarns are twisted really tightly, so it’s super-resilient, doesn’t wrinkle, and travels nicely.” –Antonio Ciongoli, Creative Director, Eidos Napoli {shared from Details magazine, May 2015}
It’s not just for gents but, let’s be honest, most men take their tunes seriously (perhaps a little more so than the ladies)…. Wearing headphones used to be dorky but now it’s cool; and what counts are the headphones enveloping your head. According to Details, the top four pair to own are: Parrot Zik 2.0 ($400) – unrivaled sound! Sol Republic Shadow ($99) – don’t sound any better than regular earbuds… Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay H8 ($499) – if it’s
I’m continuously combing the internet for fun and fashionable stuff to share with you…but it also needs to provide some style inspiration. A couple of weeks ago, I was reading Mr. Porter Style Icons and found these two, Messrs Lambert and Shaka Maidoh. Waaaay cool and a new style favorite to look out for because they are designers and stylists, and use TONS of black music to inspire them. Utterly awesome or what? Read a little more here….
You can do your own version of “Singing in the Rain” if you’ve got these galoshes. Your dress shoes deserve a fighting chance to ‘ball out’ in the boardroom even if it raining outside. Here’s your chance to get even…. Swims makes them in black but also in other shades if you care to channel your spring fever.
How many pairs of sneakers have you trashed trying to get your lawn/yard ready for spring? You think….ok I’ll just plant these flowers she wants and since I’m using the hose, no problem. Until she needs a quick edit to the landscape…. Thus, another pair of sneakers dead. Relegated to the pile of weekend work options….. NO MORE! Scandinavians have been sporting ankle-high bo boots to keep their other footwear fresh. They are microfleece lined, waterproof, and black ~ all
I recently conducted a style evaluation from a young gentlemen who claimed he wanted to move his style from junior executive to “C suite”. We talked for a while and he did a good job convincing me he was ready to take the plunge…until we got to the last two questions in our evaluation process. I asked him what ehe typically carries when going to meetings and he replied, “A backpack…but a leather one.” I asked him what message he
It’s winter. The coldest month of the year is usually February. Global warming doesn’t exist but if it did, you’d likely need boots, or use them even if you lived further south. It’s frustrating to look for boots that go from outside to inside. ALL your problems solved (except global warming) with the Johnston & Murphy weldon cap toe boot ($170). The perfect mix between indoor and outdoor ~ you can walk from your car to the office and not
I’m showing this on MANly Monday but this is a tool for anyone who owns suede! I’ve tried it and I’m a believer ~ Redecker suede rubber is EVERYTHING! Save a frustrating trip to the cobbler and get a bar of this to remove dirt and stains for your shoes, handbag, belt, even that vintage skirt….. Get it and make your 2015 go a lot smoother….having nice things is cool but taking care of what you have is just as
Ties are one of the most important fashion accessories for men. Unlike ladies where we can use handbags, shoes, jewelry, scarves, smartphone cases, belts, etc, the average man has just a few ways to ‘make it pop’. If you reside in a city like Washington, DC then the tie becomes even more important because we’re looking for something beyond the standard blue suit fare. There are lots of basic know-how things to remember about ties but today we’re focusing on
The shoe options are kinda endless for guys but the thing we see first is that toe cap…..as it peaks out from a pair of trousers or even denim. The shoe counts and the toe cap counts too… The October issue of Esquire showed the picture below and here’s what it means: pebbled texture – nice and likely costly varied patination – a bit more formal and still a hefty spend brogueing – more casual (depending on the sole) colored
Well most men don’t call it a “tote” but the phrase was cute….right? A splurge-worthy item for any man that says he’s ready for work and business is a great briefcase. Recently, I’ve been working with several male clients ~ all of which have been in need of a stellar briefcase to compliment their position. As I’ve shared with them, your briefcase shouldn’t say “I’ve arrived” but rather “I was always meant to be here.” The goal isn’t to be
It’s casual. It’s relaxed. It’s designer-worthy. It’s authentic to the designer. It’s less Gap. It’s an overwhelming YES! Find your curated weekend casual pieces and just wear the hell outta them!! Literally run and “fall into the Gap” Take a peek at the video and see how amazed John Elliott of John Elliott + Co, Daniel Lewis of Brooklyn Tailors, Rob Garcia of EN/Noir, and John Moore of M.Nii were to see this collaboration come to life!
I’m in love with this picture ~ and just know that you’ll see it again because it’s the epitome of relaxed style that isn’t overly stuffy or too young. Just awesome! A few key takeaways from the photo: Note where the blazer shoulder ends… In all three examples, we’re talking two-button suits In all three examples, the top button is buttoned and the bottom is not Note where the blazer sleeve ends… The two gentlemen with no tie have created
Space can be a problem for many of us( (I’m included) and while that can sometimes be because we on too much stuff, it can also be because we don’t know how to organize properly or simply because the closet space they give is barely big enough to fit a week’s worth of clothing (sad face)! A possible solution could be this pants trolley -it can fit up to twelve pairs of pants with the option for more, and it
Across the last three weeks, I have been through at least seven (7) men’s closets and universally I am seeing too many shirts. I’m not going to rant about the quantity of shirts I’m seeing or that half of them are ready for euthanasia. Nor am I going to say that at least half of the remaining shirts don’t fit right…. All that aside….. At a bare minimum, the lack of space should be a guide post for the number
GQ did a compilation of the 100 items a man should own to be stylish…but not overly so! While the list doesn’t 100% scream “yes”, there are many ‘thumbs up’ to be seen and the first is the tee. The t-shirt is an unsung hero for men….mostly because the ones they wear are too big, too old, too plain, or just wrong. [Enter stage left] The striped tee: It channels your inner-Parisian In black-and-white, it’s “colorful” With the right maker,
Washington, DC Metro Area
barnettm@blueprintforstyle.com
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