May 24, 2013 world of men's style / fashion / grooming RSS
Recently
05/14/13
·
The Past

Dusting Off: The Summer Fling

Flings

Travolta and Newton-John in Grease. Swayze and Grey in Dirty Dancing. Peck and Hepburn in Roman Holiday. Hell, basically any pair of characters in Wet Hot American Summer.

With the sheer volume of steamy summer romance we find in pop culture, you’d think we’d all be bumping uglies the second the temperature peaks above 70.

It would seem that falling madly in love with a stranger was totally acceptable—as long as it began and ended within the confines of June and August, on break from school, of course. Then we’re to believe that once your mandated summer breaks are a thing of the past, so are your chances for a casually balmy two months of abbreviated love.

But we don’t think that has to be, and here’s why…»
 

ALL The Past
TAGSTags
05/14/13
·
LinkOut

Warm-Weather Footwear, Watching Earth Age and Streaming Daft Punk’s New Album

Daft Punk

Tone Daft: Stream Daft Punk’s new album a week before it hits record stores.

Hot Stepper: Valet has your 30-second primer on your warm-weather footwear options—which basically seem to be something suede or cotton.

Time Flies: Time has worked with NASA to compile satellite images of the drastic geographical changes just about anywhere on earth in the past 30 years.

Star Power: If you’ve ever wondered why every single barn you’ve ever seen is painted red (FE203, to be exact), Smithsonian has the answer: dying stars.

ALL LinkOut
TAGSTags
ADVERTISEMENT
05/13/13
·
Big Picture

Edita Vilkeviciute Is Caught in a Fishing Net

Edita Vilkeviciutevia Fashion Copious

ALL Big Picture
05/13/13
·
Dress Code

Sunglasses for Your Summer Plans

Sunglasses

Next weekend marks the unofficial start to summer—which means it’s time to kick your summer preparations into high gear right now.

And above all else, you’re going to need to pick up the right pair of shades for wherever it is you plan on summering—because the sun in Cannes requires a different UV protection than the sun you’ll encounter on the music festival circuit. So we put together a handy guide for your summer’s eyewear-related needs.

Choosing your sunglasses according to your summer plans.»
 

ALL Dress Code
TAGSTags
05/13/13
·
Object

More of the Season’s Most Dapper Swimwear

Venroy

Admit it, you can already hear the beach calling… The sand between your toes. The salty sea air. The bikinis… One day soon enough, though, it’ll all be reality. And you’ll need to be prepared.

Luckily, our friends at UrbanDaddy have tipped us off to just the solution: the ever-handsome swimwear selection at Venroy, now finally available in America.

Designed by two Australian surfers-cum-master-boardshort-craftsmen, Venroy has been churning out beautiful swim trunks in Sydney since 2010. And up until now, that’s where they’ve stayed. But as of May 1, the pair has begun shipping to their friends across the Pacific (read: us). The hand-tailored shorts hit that elusive upper-knee sweet spot and come in colors like “guava” and “honeysuckle,” which should have you ready for the approaching seminudity.

A couple crunches might not hurt either.

ALL Object
TAGSTags
ADVERTISEMENT
05/13/13
·
Good Idea

Considering the Unlined Blazer

Unlined Blazer

The trick to spring-summer dressing is pretty much the opposite of fall-winter: the less layers, the better.

And one way to remove a layer while still pulling off a tailored look is to opt for an unlined blazer—preferably in the airiest weave you can find.

The giveaway of a good unlined blazer is the taped seams (our bearded friend here is doing a good job of demonstrating this, by showing the neon-taped interior of his blazer). Most blazers don’t have finished seams because they’ll never see the light of day once the lining has been sewn in. It’s a neat trick—the taped seams—but mostly a good sign of what you should be looking for in a lightweight blazer.

And we have taken the liberty of rounding up the eight finest unlined blazers on the market right now.»
 

ALL Good Idea
TAGSTags
05/13/13
·
LinkOut

Le Corbusier Style, the Sartorialist Gets His Own Show and Talking Raw Silk Ties

Le Corbusier

Round Frames: Dwell remembers the iconic style of legendary architect Le Corbusier.

Sart Show: GQ talks to Scott “the Sartorialist” Schuman about his upcoming web series on AOL and why he always looks so angry in photos.

Baby, I Like It Raw: Die, Workwear takes a very detailed and serious look at the many charms of a raw silk tie.

Time Capsule: T Magazine gets a sneak peek at Mr Porter’s new series of capsule collections being unveiled weekly through June 4.

ALL LinkOut
TAGSTags
05/10/13
·
Big Picture

The Friday Kemptress: Isla Fisher

Isla Fisher

All eyes are on The Great Gatsby this weekend, and here’s why you should be paying special attention to Myrtle Wilson…»
 

ALL Big Picture
05/10/13
·
Sale-ing

The Weekend Sales Report Card

Sales

We’ve filtered through all of the online sale noise and graded your best options out there, should you feel inclined to do any menswear browsing this weekend, …

For That Movie Release Party: Just in time, Brooks Brothers is offering 25% off all merchandise—including their entire Gatsby-inspired collection—with the code FNFBB6.
Discount: A-
Sizes Available: A
Selection: A

For a Little Style and Substance: Save 20% on all regularly-priced merchandise at Chicago-based menswear purveyor Haberdash, with the code MAY20.
Discount: B+
Sizes Available: A
Selection: A-

For a Last Minute Mother’s Day: Enter the code SPEEDYDELIVERY at steven alan by 4:59PM today, and get free messenger service in Manhattan for purchases over $150. Trust us, Mom will appreciate it.
Discount: A
Sizes Available: N/A
Selection: N/A

More of the good stuff on sale after the jump.»
 

ALL Sale-ing
TAGSTags
05/10/13
·
Icon

Style Icons and Their Mothers

Mother's Day

Here’s your last reminder that Sunday is Mother’s Day, gentlemen.

And to kick off the weekend of maternal appreciation right, we turn to some of our favorite style icons for some dapper inspiration on how to get into the spirit of filial gratitude…

With this handsome montage of style icons hanging out with their mothers.»
 

ALL Icon
TAGSTags
05/10/13
·
LinkOut

Cucinelli Hits a Billion, Warby Parker’s Steps to Success and Eight Failing Trends

Brunello Cucinelli

Brunester’s Billions: Ladies and gentlemen, Brunello Cucinelli is now a billionaire—only one year after filing an IPO—reports Esquire.

Foresight’s 20/20: Techcrunch outlines the three things Warby Parker did to launch a successful lifestyle brand.

Best Interest: Mr. Lean makes a long overdue visit to Best Made Co. and winds up seeing the best in things.

Crazy Eight: Four Pins names the eight trends that will die before they ever hit it big—like punk couture and children.

ALL LinkOut
TAGSTags
05/09/13
·
Big Picture

Arizona Muse Is in a Rocky Relationship

Arizona Musevia The Libertine

ALL Big Picture
05/09/13
·
Bad Idea/Good Idea

A Gentleman’s Guide to Not Swearing

George Carlin

If there’s one day of the year you should really feel obligated to clean up your act, it’s Mother’s Day.*

Which means a clean shave, tucking in your shirt and, by all means, absolutely no foul language. (A card wouldn’t be a bad idea either.) Yes, even if you’re just planning on spending a few heartfelt moments over the phone with your salty seafaring sailor of an old lady.

But chances are, you’re going to be seeing dear old mum, face-to-face, over brunch—possibly with an impressionable child or two within earshot of your every syllable. We understand it can sound like a tall order to keep it clean (especially when you’ve been waiting all spring to tell the family your Dennis Rodman story), but we’ve got you covered with this handy list of euphemisms and campy alternatives to your favorite four-letter words.

Presenting: a truly exhaustive list that should steer you clear of any run-ins with furrowed brows or mouthfuls of soap.»
 

ALL Bad Idea/Good Idea
TAGSTags
05/09/13
·
Sale-ing

Your Dapper New Swim Trunks

ONIA

We’ve been getting this hunch lately—that in the next few months, you’re going to be spending some time in swimwear.

Which means you’re going to need a pair of trunks versatile enough to go from the water to dockside cocktails. (We like to apply the same rule to swim trunks as we do flip-flops: only to be worn within a 500-yard radius of a pool or large body of water.)

Luckily, swimwear haberdashers like NYC’s Onia have been turning out the sort of handsome, smartly cut trunks that fit the bill—and doubly luckily, our pals over at UrbanDaddy Perks have an exclusive 30% off all of their best-looking shorts.

Just when you thought your signature cannonball couldn’t get any better-looking.

ALL Sale-ing
TAGSTags
05/09/13
·
Icon

Icon: Peter O’Toole

Peter O'Toole

Peter O’Toole deserves that drink.

He’s ridden camels. Tilted at windmills. Been king. Tutored an unruly child-emperor. Played an elderly Casanova. The list goes on and on.

All while maintaining a haphazardly dapper visage.

The star of Lawrence of Arabia (and about 70 other movies in the exactly 50 years since), O’Toole’s has had a career that most actors would kill for. And he’s won some awards along the way. But infuriatingly, despite his best efforts, never an Oscar.

So, both as a consolation and because it’s well overdue, we’re bestowing upon him our highest honor: Kempt Icon. Here’s why…»
 

ALL Icon
TAGSTags

Style: some people have it, and some neighborhoods really have it. To show you what we mean, we’ve partnered with Cadillac to present Style Shifters—a five-part, in-depth look at what the hippest gents in some of the country’s coolest neighborhoods are wearing now. Our intrepid photographers have roamed the streets in search of the most stylish guys around. Herewith, a few photos of what they found...

New York

Brooklyn

Williamsburg

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is home to some of the country’s best bars and coolest restaurants—and, of course, some of the best menswear shops in the world. Naturally, you’ll find more than a few stylish individuals perched outside those locations (and no, not all of them are Billyburg hipsters). See what we mean below...

On The Streets: Brooklyn

  • Drew Ledbetter Actor
    Lives: Providence, RI

    Hometown: Chattanooga, TN / Bay Area, CA

    What We Like Drew’s shoes are made by Cole Haan.
  • Drew Ledbetter Actor
    Lives: Providence, RI

    Hometown: Chattanooga, TN / Bay Area, CA

    What We Like Drew’s shoes are made by Cole Haan.
  • Justice Hampton Works for Club Monaco
    Lives: Greenpoint, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Dallas, TX

    What We Like Leave it to a Texan to know that a linen jacket is the perfect bit of outerwear to transition you from spring to summer.
  • Justice Hampton Works for Club Monaco
    Lives: Greenpoint, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Dallas, TX

    What We Like Leave it to a Texan to know that a linen jacket is the perfect bit of outerwear to transition you from spring to summer.
  • Jamie Clawson Runs a leather accessories business (valentinegoods.com)
    Lives: East Village, New York

    Hometown: Cleveland, OH

    What We Like Jamie’s shirt is called the “Expensive” shirt by Wil Fry. Ironically, it goes for about 30 bucks.
  • Jamie Clawson Runs a leather accessories business (valentinegoods.com)
    Lives: East Village, New York

    Hometown: Cleveland, OH

    What We Like Jamie’s shirt is called the “Expensive” shirt by Wil Fry. Ironically, it goes for about 30 bucks.
  • Koppel Verma Researcher at Google
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Cambridge, MA

    What We Like Turns out, the Swiss Army makes more than knives—they also made this jacket (it’s vintage).
  • Koppel Verma Researcher at Google
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Cambridge, MA

    What We Like Turns out, the Swiss Army makes more than knives—they also made this jacket (it’s vintage).
  • Chris Afzal Audio engineer
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Baltimore, MD

    What We Like If you needed any more proof that Brooks Brothers has shed its stodgy image, these shoes should do the trick.
  • Chris Afzal Audio engineer
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Baltimore, MD

    What We Like If you needed any more proof that Brooks Brothers has shed its stodgy image, these shoes should do the trick.
  • Malik Alokpovi Host for a hotel
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Born in Togo, West Africa, but lived in the South of France

    What We Like Malik’s red suede shoes came from A.P.C. Try not to step on them.
  • Malik Alokpovi Host for a hotel
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Born in Togo, West Africa, but lived in the South of France

    What We Like Malik’s red suede shoes came from A.P.C. Try not to step on them.
  • Billy Cadden Musician
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Woodstock, NY

    What We Like Billy’s worn this shirt, which he got at H&M while on tour, at every show since.
  • Billy Cadden Musician
    Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Woodstock, NY

    What We Like Billy’s worn this shirt, which he got at H&M while on tour, at every show since.
  • Sam Bowstucky Bartender
    Lives: Greenpoint, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Chicago, IL

    What We Like He’s actually on his way to a working audition for a bartending job at the Blind Barber. Good luck, Sam.
  • Sam Bowstucky Bartender
    Lives: Greenpoint, Brooklyn

    Hometown: Chicago, IL

    What We Like He’s actually on his way to a working audition for a bartending job at the Blind Barber. Good luck, Sam.
California

San Francisco

Mission District

Style. The Mission’s got it. Union Square’s got it. But each of them goes about having it in a different way—the Mission rocking a more bohemian coffee shop vibe, Union Square hosting some of the best higher-fashion shops (and shoppers) on the West Coast. We rounded up a few of the most stylish folks from both. Have yourself a gander below…

On The Streets: San Francisco

  • Brian Cunningham Shop clerk
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: Boston, MA

    What We Like The first rule any SF transplant learns: always bring a light coat. Brian sticks with a denim jacket from AllSaints. (Button to taste.)
  • Brian Cunningham Shop clerk
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: Boston, MA

    What We Like The first rule any SF transplant learns: always bring a light coat. Brian sticks with a denim jacket from AllSaints. (Button to taste.)
  • Erik Newton Attorney
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: San Diego, CA

    What We Like Erik likes to throw on an interesting sport coat with a pocket square and skip the tie—on days he’s not in the courthouse, naturally.
  • Erik Newton Attorney
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: San Diego, CA

    What We Like Erik likes to throw on an interesting sport coat with a pocket square and skip the tie—on days he’s not in the courthouse, naturally.
  • Jason Moo Banker
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: New York, NY

    What We Like Jason picked up his prized pocket square at his favorite tailor, tucked away in NYC’s NoHo—Michael Andrews Bespoke.
  • Jason Moo Banker
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: New York, NY

    What We Like Jason picked up his prized pocket square at his favorite tailor, tucked away in NYC’s NoHo—Michael Andrews Bespoke.
  • Presyler Galvin Bon vivant
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: San Francisco, CA

    What We Like A good carry-all bag is a necessity in the city—and you won’t do much better than a Goyard. Extra points for the monogram.
  • Presyler Galvin Bon vivant
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: San Francisco, CA

    What We Like A good carry-all bag is a necessity in the city—and you won’t do much better than a Goyard. Extra points for the monogram.
  • Randal Ruiz Design student
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: San Jose, CA

    What We Like Randal fashioned those elbow pads himself—ensuring he’ll never bump into the same blazer anywhere else.
  • Randal Ruiz Design student
    Lives: San Francisco, CA

    Hometown: San Jose, CA

    What We Like Randal fashioned those elbow pads himself—ensuring he’ll never bump into the same blazer anywhere else.
Florida

Miami

South Beach
June 6

Forget everything you know about Miami style. Today’s Miamian is more LeBron James than Crockett and Tubbs—as you’ll soon see in our next edition of Style Shifters…

Kempt
Style Shifters
Cadillac