Shopping For The Budget Conscious Gent

     I've recently had the privilege to guest write on some of the most prominent fashion sites and blogs. As I dive deeper into these endeavors, I will share the links on this blog.
     
     Head over to Simply Dapper and read my article on how to shop on a budget, but still look like you stepped off the runways of Milan.

Topman in London

Fourth of July OOTD Styled by Michael William G

     Holidays can be the hardest times to dress for.  It's all about showing holiday spirit without crossing into the realm of the "holiday sweater" look.  

Holiday Do

Holiday Don't

     To help out this July 4th, I had Michael over at Michael William G, put together some outfits that would highlight the colors and vibe of the holiday.  Below are two great outfits to help ring in Independence Day.

Hope everyone has a great and safe 4th of July.

Michael, a FIDM graduate with passion for fashion and styling, started his own styling business after working at Bloomingdale's in San Francisco as an executive staff member for several years. MICHAEL WILLIAM G. made his first national appearance by styling for Hip-Hop Weekly, where he seized the opportunity to style male model, Michael Fortes. Michael has continued to serve his clients by offering his services of wardrobe consulting. Please  view www.michaelwilliamg.com For more information.

::Basics of The Shirt::

     Happy Saturday everyone.  It has been awhile since I have written an article, but I have been busy posting outfits rather than writing.  The guys over at Art of Style and Hucklebury asked me to write an article about essential shirts that men need in their wardrobe.

Please go check out the article Essential Shirts For The Wardrobe – V’s, Tee’s, and Henleys Oh My. 

Pattern Layering - Making A Bold Statement

Link: Pattern Layering - Making A Bold Statement

     The guys over at Hucklebury Clothes and The Art of Style recently reached out to me and have been a tremendous help with my blog.  I had the pleasure to be a guest writer on their site.  They asked me to write an article regarding layering patterns.

     Usually writing articles comes pretty naturally, but this topic gave me extreme difficulty.  The thing with patterns is that there's so many different ways to wear them that I didn't want to pigeon-hole a reader into specific rules.  Rather, I wanted to provide guidelines and inspiration.  

     Hope you guys enjoy it and thank you for reading.

::About Time::

     In the next of couple write ups I’m going to focus on wardrobe essentials.  These are the pieces that every man needs, staples as you will.

     Little says more about a man than his time piece.  Prestige, worldly, or cultured are some of the words that come to mind when one sees a proper watch.  Conversely, gaudy, ridiculous, or he’s compensating for something are words or phrases that come to mind if the wrist watch is done wrong. 

 

Pop quiz: Which picture is an example of a cultured man and which is the gaudy man?

     I can’t remember the number of times someone has started or I’ve started a conversation with “Is that a…you’re wearing.” For watch savants, you know what I’m talking about; but for others, allow me to explain.  Watch lovers are a kind of private men’s club.   Even if you don't know the man next to you, the watch bonds all men.  Whether you wear a $100 or $10,000 watch, the shiny timepiece poking out from the shirt sleeve next to you will always spark an internal or outward conversation.

              

     “Damn, that’s a Cartier he’s wearing.”  “He must know his watches to be wearing that.”  “I wonder what he does?”  These are the internal quandaries that occur when a special piece catches your eye.  But nothing is an easier conversation starter at a coffee shop, airport, or board room, than “what are you wearing.” 

                

     Watches fall into two basic categories: automatic and quartz.  I won’t go into details, but automatics are more heralded due to the craftsmanship that goes into them.  There are three essential styles that you should be familiar with: classic, sport, and fashion.  The classic watch is meant to be worn with a suit or shirt and tie.  The sport watch can be considered the everyday watch.  The fashion watch is probably the most common watch.  It can be defined by its looks or having origins from fashion houses (e.g. Gucci, Marc Jacobs, etc.)  Then there are those styles and brands that can blur styles.  Think Rolex, which looks equally well in a bathing suit as it does in a two button suit.  However, these are not unbreakable rules.  Once you become more comfortable with your timepiece, mixing and matching will become second nature.  

     It’s completely understandable to scoff at buying a watch that cost as much as a mortgage, but think of a quality piece of horology as an investment.  It not only serves a man’s lifetime, but nothing is more rewarding than passing down that timepiece to your son.   

::Classic::
Typically worn with dressier attire.
Think shirt and tie, suits, or special events.

::Sport::
This is the everyday watch.  Jeans, t-shirts, or
early morning surfing, this is the watch to grab on the go.

::Fashion::
There's really no definitive definition for a fashion watch.
They can come from fashion houses or be defined
by the look of the watch.  They are the most common
watches among most men.

     The timepiece is a singular item that can say so much. 

-A great forum to learn about watches is Timezone.

-Photos taken from (in descending order):

     1. http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/impressions-eduouard-lauzieres-eldiamante-525604.html

     2. http://www.englishblog.com/2008/11/james-bond-product-endorsement-trivia.html#.USG3BORkzCg

     3.  http://www.global-customer.com/marketing-to-global-customer/Amman/watch_JaegerLe%20Coultre.html

     4.  http://www.interwatches.com/panerai-news/2011/11/04/New-Advertising-Campaign-by-Panerai

     5.  http://www.shopstyle.com/browse?fts=gucci+automatic+watch

The Man Bag

Article also published to Men Style Fashion Magazine: The Man Bag

   

                A wise man once said, "It's not a man purse, it's a satchel."  Murse, satchel, or carry-all, these are some of the words used when we poke fun at a man carrying a bag.  Whether you’re Joey Tribianni from “Friends” or Zach Galifianakis’ character from “The Hangover”, we have all been shocked and possibly awed by that guy who carries a bag.  Bro Code 34: A bro will never let a fellow bro wear a man purse.

            I ask, “Why not?”  Why aren’t guys allowed to carry a bag?  It wasn't too long ago that fitted or skinny pants were taboo.   Is the messenger bag the only bag we are allowed to use?  The common theme between Joey and Zach is that both needed a place to store manly essentials.  But there was one flaw, it was how they wore it.  The key is to use a bag like a man, not wear a bag like a women.  For the sake of testosterone, don’t ever throw it over your shoulder or sling it over the bend of your arm.

            Like most, I started with a backpack, backpack progressed to messenger, and messenger progressed to a variety of weekenders and totes.  However, most stop at the messenger.  It's the safe alternative to the backpack.  What about the briefcase you ask?  Well, this can be at times harder to pull off than any other bag.  It has such a formal undertone, that it can be hard to pull off if you're not pulling down six figures and dawning a power suit everyday.

            With any new item, it takes a concerted effort to step outside the comfort zone.  Every man needs a weekender, a tote, and a messenger.  You can always add more later, but these are the staples that will get you by for the trips and business luncheons.  The most important thing to remember is that when people stare, it’s because they bare witness to a man who can actually rock a bag.  Wear it with confidence and pride knowing that you stand apart.

::The Business Tote::
No one would dare say this was feminine.
This exudes power.

::The Everyday Bag::

Take it to the coffee shop.  Take it to school.  

It will only look better with age.

::The Weekender::
Makes traveling easy, simple, and masculine.
Leave that roller at home.