May 23, 2013 world of men's style / fashion / grooming RSS
“GQ”
04/22/13
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Well Pressed

The May Issues

Robert Downey Jr. GQ May 2013

May can be a tricky style month to predict.

It puts us in the late-spring-but-it-might-already-feel-like-summer zone of weather, so it’s hard to know whether we’re going to want to see umbrellas or linen—so all three mags hedged by putting leading men on their cover. (There was also some baseball-inspired fashion.)

Thus, in the name of menswear journalism, we trod through the mid-weight blazers, the white, er, off-white shoes (well in advance of Memorial Day) and a cacophony of fragrances to bring you:

The May Issues…» 

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03/14/13
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The Biz

And the Award Goes To…

GQ Awards

Just when you thought awards season was over…

GQ has just announced this year’s crop of Best New Menswear Designers—a coveted honor they’ve been bestowing upon the young Billy Reids and Thom Brownes of the menswear world for the past decade now—and this year’s four winners run the gamut from laid-back surfer chic (Aviator Nation) to tailored gear with Savile Row lineage (Bespoken) to Jay-Z’s favorite chino maker (Baldwin) and menswear’s newest favorite bag maker (Ernest Alexander).

If you recall, last year GQ upped the stakes by having each winner design a small capsule collection sold exclusively at Gap across the nation. You’ll have to wait until fall to get your hands on this year’s batch of well-priced handsomeness, so to tide you over, take a look at our favorites from the inaugural collaborations.

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03/06/13
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Denim Jackets, Picking Pockets and Bankable Kickstarter Movies

Denim Jacket

Jacket-ology: GQ seems to agree with us about the denim jacket being a spring must-have: here’s a roundup.

Pickup Artist: For any aspiring pickpockets, Cool Material has assembled the seven seminal instructional videos on the subject.

Your Producer Credit Awaits: Daily Details rounds up the five films worth backing on Kickstarter.

Fresh Direct: Sample the finest restaurants around the country without having to leave your home—thanks to this list from First We Feast and the magic of mail-order food.

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02/18/13
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Well Pressed

The March Issues

GQ Bruce Willis Cover March 2013

Here we are, March-ing toward spring—even if there’s still snow on the ground in the majority of the contiguous US—with the latest crop of magazines hitting newsstands in the last couple days.

And in our grand tradition of sizing up the state of printed menswear journalism, we’ve thumbed through all 620 pages of the big three to bring you the most comprehensive assessment. Without further ado:

The March Issues.

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01/10/13
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A Cross-Dressing Geezer and the Return of the Gos

Wish We Were Joking: Less than a month in and it looks like we’ve already found the most bizarre fashion story of 2013: China’s new “it” girl is a 72-year-old grandfather.

What’s Gucci: Looks like we called it: the resurgence of Gosling in 2013 has already begun, according to his latest red-carpet turn on GQ.

Like a Gos: And just in case you were wondering how The Gos got so badass all of a sudden, Details tracks his evolution.

One Coin to Rule Them All: The New Yorker weighs the pros and cons of the Treasury’s option to mint a trillion-dollar platinum coin that could save America from financial ruin—with assistance from F. Scott Fitzgerald.

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10/02/12
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Well Pressed

The October Issues

It’s October (yes, already) and that means one thing: a new crop of magazines has hit the shelves. September was the big rallying point for the fall menswear transition, so now it’s less about how fall looks and more about how fall feels: there’s tweed, the upcoming elections and awards season jockeying (coincidentally, each cover featured an A-list actor). So, let’s get into it.

Digging through the October issues, one perfumed page at a time.»
 

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07/31/12
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Well Pressed

The August Issues

August. Tomorrow, it begins.

Which means one thing: a new crop of menswear mags has hit the newsstands. And, as always, we’re here to guide you through all 370 glossy pages of fall fashion, fresh faces and varying degrees of Olympic excitement.

Without futher ado, the August Issues.»
 

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04/17/12
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Dept. of Corrections

The Cult of Style

Some brands are more mystifying than others…

Justin Bridges has been pondering the meaning of Supreme all week, on the heels of a profile of the cult brand in this month’s GQ. He covers a lot of ground, but it boils down to a simple question, one that’s struck nearly everyone at some point: what makes a man camp out for a pair of cargo pants?

Naturally, we’ve got a few ideas.

Our thoughts on Supreme, cult brands and the brotherhood of men’s style»

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03/29/12
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Candice Swanepoel Is Tired of Your Overly Ambitious Sand Castles

Candice Swanepoelvia GQ UK

Shacket and Sweats: A close look at some handsome gear from Dana Lee. [The189]

“Dude” Abides: A people’s history of the word “dude” in the 20th century. Clearly they’ve seen this supercut. [Intelligent Life]

Breasts Will Be Doubled: The new crop of suits from Isaia is looking pretty handsome. [Die, Workwear]

Stiff Upper Lip: If you’ve ever wanted to know what Ron Burgundy would look like without a mustache, this is your link. He looks a lot like Ricky Bobby. [Esquire]

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03/16/12
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Blithe Spirits

Against the Wine Spritzer

Wine Spritzer

GQ’s interview with Drake this month is troubling for many reasons—not least of which is the most depressing failed come-on we’ve ever seen in a cover story. But perhaps the worst revelation about Mr. Aubrey Graham is his favorite drink: the wine spritzer.

We’ll just say it: you can do better.

Our deep, impassioned argument against the wine spritzer»

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02/23/12
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Current Affairs

The Class of 2011, Revisited

We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: 2011 was a good year for menswear.

And just to make it official, word came down from GQ today naming their six favorite new designers of the year, all of whom should look familiar. Congrats to all, especially the triumvirate of Ovadia, Velardi and Snyder, who have been inspiring double takes at trade shows all year.

All six will be collaborating with Gap in the coming months, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with—but in the meantime, consider this a well-earned round of Internet applause.

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02/06/12
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Katharine McPhee Is in an Undisclosed Location

Smash, Grab: In a remarkable show of restraint, GQ makes it all the way through their Katharine McPhee profile without using the phrase “legs for miles.” [GQ]

Mr. Hilton, We Presume: Classic Norman Hilton ads are the most #menswear thing we’ve ever seen. [Ivy Style]

Eyes Forward: The McKays weigh in on the importance of eye contact, both socially and professionally. If you need proof, just ask Phil Collins. [Art of Manliness]

The Ghurka Troupe: Our automotive sister site visits Ghurka’s brand-new NYC flagship store. Handsome bags. [Driven]

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08/17/11
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Zuzana Gregorova is Arm-Wrestling Her Hair

Zuzana Gregorovavia WBE

These Are the Hats of our Lives: Your humble narrator faces off against The Grungy Gentleman on the question of gentlemen’s hats. [Esquire]

Fantastic Voyage: Ralph Lauren offers a peek at his latest batch of goods, across all the labels. Gatsby is well represented. [WWD]

The Top Seventeen: GQ unveils their first batch of commercified goods at Park & Bond. We’re loving the Filson briefcase. [GQ]

In Which Math Solves Everything: MB proposes the perfect ratio of sideburn length to sideburn width. Remember, it’s only a theory… [Magnificent Bastard]

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03/09/11
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Big Picture

Circus Chic

cristophwaltz_crop.jpg

If you let your subscription to GQ Germany lapse, you may have missed this one, but Christoph Waltz is single-handedly bringing back pajama pants. The cover might be the first time we’ve seen anyone over 50 pull off a leopard-print blazer. Just don’t try it at home… or outside of central Europe.

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02/03/11
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Good Idea

The Safety Blanket

japanesescarves_crop.jpg

We’ve been poring through Gordon von Steiner’s Japanese street style shots all morning, and we’re very impressed—both with GQ and with Japan as a country. There’s plenty of Navajo print and camo on display, but we were more taken by the shift to bigger scarves and smaller jackets seen here. The gent on the right is basically wearing a blanket over his shoulders to casually transform his leather jacket into a winter coat. You’ll need an extra peg on your coat rack—but otherwise, all it takes is a mild winter day, a few yards of flannel and some courage.

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01/27/11
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Scarlett Johansson has a Big Night Ahead of Her

scarlett.jpgvia Trouvailles du Jour

Swan Arms, Swan Arms: A Darren Aronofsky profile reveals his love of werewolf metaphors, and his thin but lustrous mustache. [NYMag]

And the Nominees Are…: GQ and Dockers just named their nominees for best newcomers of the year, including Michael Bastian and the Riviera Club chaps. [WWD]

The Rise of the Tourbillons: The Antenna guide to the latest crop of watches from IWC. Be warned: “travel time” is not the same as “time travel.” [Antenna]

The Latest Rage from Coast to Coast: You are a confident, successful professional, but your life is empty without a glow-in-the-dark strip tease necktie. [Boing Boing]

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12/21/10
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Dept. of Corrections

A Mighty Blow

rpatz_crop.jpg

In general, we try to keep a laissez-faire attitude towards a man’s morning routine, but when the latest issue of Gentleman’s Quarterly devotes a page of their fine publication to the premise of blow-drying men’s hair… we have to take exception.

To keep it brief, this is one trend you can skip. And the exceptionally self-serious black-and-white snap of Robert Pattinson that ran with the piece might give you some idea as to why.

Allow us to explain why…»

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09/29/10
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Guinevere van Seenus Just Really Loves Cool Whip

Guineverevanseenus2_crop.jpgvia Fashion Gone Rogue

Yeezy Strikes Back: XXL’s new Kanye cover story is basically unedited excerpts from his diary. He’s officially broken the fourth wall of journalism. Awesome stuff. [XXL]

Shouldering Responsibility: A guide to the many varieties of shoulder on tailored suits. Advanced studies. [Men’s Flair]

Still the Man: Steve Albini on GQ: “I would like the fashion industry to collapse…. At least pornography has a function.” Running with this one took gumption. Our hats are off. [The Q]

The Internet Must Pay: Just because it’s Wednesday, here’s your chance to turn a helpless website into an Asteroids-style demolition derby, thanks to a clever new browser toy. Just leave us out of it, please. [Wired]

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08/03/10
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Rowena Has Made a Hipster Carpet

rowena_crop.jpgvia LikeCool

Like “Taunting the Bear,” but Catchier: The Quarterly coins a new phrase, “fucking the babysitter,” for self-inflicted disaster. [GQ]

Speak, Voicemail: Clive Thompson has stopped talking on the phone…which explains why he’s not taking our calls. [Wired]

The Housecoat Speaks: Hugh Hefner defends his legacy, on the eve of a new doc celebrating his works. [Vulture]

Have a Seat: Behold, the spectacle of a Corvette seat being manufactured. [Core77]

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06/01/10
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Dree Hemingway is Feeling Sleepy

dreehemingway_crop.jpgvia Fashion Copious

Suit Up: The Quarterly’s annual cheap suit roundup digs up some pretty fantastic stuff. Perry Ellis never looked so good. [GQ]

It’s a Denim Thing, Apparently: “Crotch Blowout” is neither as exciting nor as painful as it sounds. [Put This On]

The New AOR: A gentleman’s guide to Ariel Pink. [LA Times]

The Spiders from Mars: Louise Bourgeois (of the enormous arachnid sculptures) gets an elegy. [NYMag]

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05/10/10
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Karen Elson is Lost in Thought

karenelson_crop.jpg

Little Ghost, Little Ghost: When you’re married to Jack White, you probably have a lot to contemplate. [Fashion Gone Rogue]

Advanced Users Only: Here’s how you pull off a double-breasted aquamarine blazer. It helps if you’re completely without fear. [Street Etiquette]

What Rough Beast…: The lads at Condé kick off a music series in the only proper way, with the Fall. [GQ Eye]

Bound for Glory: A set of vintage airline stickers, to decorate your briefcase. [NotCot]

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04/13/10
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Kristina Krivomazova is in the Dark

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Haunted Mansion: Zoo Magazine is a big fan of blackout curtains, it would seem. [Fashion Gone Rogue]

The Old Stuff: GQ rounds up the best vintage shops in America. Naturally, none of our favorites made the list, but we’re not entirely unhappy about that. [GQ]

Cut and Sew: A quick survey of your custom shirting options. That is
[Magnificent Bastard]

The Remix Beat: Years ago, we wished for an M.I.A. and Cornershop collaboration. Finally, it has come to pass. [SPIN]

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02/16/10
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Good Idea

Mr. Reid, We Presume

billyreidgq_crop.jpgvia Evan Sung/NYT

It’s already all but disappeared in the Fashion Week hustle, but we thought we’d take a moment to dwell on Billy Reid’s moment in the sun. We’re referring to his new status as the GQ-anointed Best New Designer in America, beating out J.Crew helmer Frank Muytjens and globe-trotting up-and-comers Burkhman Brothers. We’re going to go out on a limb and say he deserves it. Don’t call it a comeback…

Let us count the ways»

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01/27/10
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Good Idea

Mr. Jonze

spikejonze_crop.jpg

The latest GQ found room in its countdown of the 25 most stylish men in the world for one of our favorite polymath directors, Mr. Spike Jonze. They single out his love of the tie, but we’d add a particular bit of rule breaking to that equation: he’s not squeamish about wearing ties without a jacket, a combination that, in the wrong hands, can suggest a career in accounting. He’ll even try it with an untucked shirt from time to time, although we’re not quite ready to endorse that one.

Here’s the secret»

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09/23/09
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Dept. of Corrections

Much, Much Larger than Life

caudigier_crop.jpg

It’s a rare magazine piece that seems to be working with too much material, but when you’re dealing with the man behind Ed Hardy, we suppose a little excess is to be expected.

This month’s GQ profile drops what might be the definitive profile on Christian Audigier, the man who gave us the trucker hat, Ed Hardy’s neon panther hoodies and the ugliest wine bottles on earth. Our favorite part: the Quarterly’s Devin Friedman (known to Audigier as “Darren”) reveals that the maestro of Fraunch has employed a film crew to follow him around more or less continuously for the past five years of his life. And yes, that includes a makeup guy.

It makes sense, given that Audigier arguably saw reality TV culture coming earlier than just about anyone else. And once you’ve made an industry out of huffing the exhaust of celebrity culture, there’s no point scoffing at a little self tanner…

Also, he may or may not be co-starring in an action-comedy with 50 Cent.

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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
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