men's corner: to brogue or not to brogue...

there was a time where brogues were worn by the men on wall street...and it was usually the older distinguished gentlemen...at least that is how i remember it...but brogues have come a long way baby!  such a great way to pull together some great casual looks...

if you are looking for brogues to go with your jeans...for example...step out of the box a bit...go for something a little more...well...not expected...maybe not your usual black or dark brown that you gravitate to...there are some interesting colors out there...brogues that already have the "worn in" look...and some neutrals that are great to enhance your shoe closet...

here are some fabulous choices...different tones of brown...how about a nice olive green touch?  or even a nice grey suede...these are sure to enhance any of your casual looks...

original penguin brogue wt
zappo's

hush puppies 1958 - brogue lug
zappo's

john varvatos richards wing tip
zappo's

calvin klein faxon
zappo's

men's corner: the boat shoe...revamped...

back in april 2010...i wrote about this lovely shoe that i am not to keen on...haven't really figured out why...they just don't appeal to me...and at that time...after a lengthy time of finally persuading my friend of the other alternatives for footwear...he comes across an article in  gq magazine...all about the lovely boat shoe...making a comeback...here is the post...for reference...

and no...i am not writing a new post to tell you of my new found love for these shoes...although i do have to say...i am loving the creativity in the latest styles...but really...it is the color...and the prints i'm loving...not the shoe...

3 eye boat shoe 
sperry top-sider by band of outsiders

3 eye boat shoe
sperry top-sider by band of outsiders

3 eye boat shoe 
sperry top-sider by band of outsiders

i keep thinking one day...something will make me change my mind...but alas...it has not happened...is this a winning shoe for you?  if you are a top-sider wearer...do you stick to the solid neutrals?  would you venture out to a bright color...perhaps bright orange?  or would you be really adventurous...and choose something like the above pics?

men's corner: bring on the kilties...

when i saw this pic in an article this morning...i knew exactly who to send it to...and i knew exactly what would happen...when i would get an email response...

photo credit:
jonathan grassi for the new york times

featured in the new york times..."from fairway to runway" look's like men's colorful kilties return...and with a vengeance...one of my men clients loves the details...doesn't want to wear what everyone else is wearing...and usually wants a little bit of the "not so ordinary"...for me...he is so so fun to shop for...

i love these quirky details...like the kilties...i say it over and over...but when it comes to men's fashion...it really is about the tiny details...many don't like this look...i have heard some say "something my dad would wear"...but i think they come with so much personality...would you dare?

and as i had guessed...the return email was simple:  "yes...find me a pair!"

men's corner: check me out...

when it comes to adding a few basics to your spring/summer wardrobe...a few gingham shirts should be on the list...so many colors to choose from...why stop at just one?

these great gingham shirts can be paired with jeans, shorts...with just enough of a splash of color...

and...you can even pull this off at the office...i would not go for to bright a color...but pair it with a solid tie...and a nice casual sports coat...

voila...you are set for the office...and dinner afterwards...

secret wash lightweight shirt in gabel gingham
j crew

men's corner: the ease of a sportcoat...

while helping out a client of mine...to spruce up his casual attire...we are on the lookout for some fabulous casual sportcoats...we are thinking plaid...checks...these are the two pics i sent him to inspire him...

he is obviously loving the look...so now we are working on the finished outfit...when you really break apart these looks...there is not much to it...which brings in the ease of looking put together with very little work...

coming off my little rant from yesterday on casual work attire in san francisco...i would be thrilled to see a little more of this...wouldn't you?

glen plaid silk-linen sportcoat
j crew


corded cotton sportcoat
j crew

men's corner: step into spring...

a great selection of men's shoes for spring in esquire magazine...whether you go for all out color...colored sole...colored shoe laces...step out into spring with a bit of color...click on the link above to get inspired...

tod's loafer in red suede
esquire.com

men's corner: details...

i am always on the lookout for details in men's clothing...let's face it...when it comes to clothing...men don't have as many options as women...but there is still a way to make your wardrobe reflect you and your personal style...

for my men clients...and guy friends...i am always talking about the little details...a small detail in a coat...for example...can be the difference between plain and pretty fabulous...

when i saw this ad for burberry prorsum in the april issue of vogue...i was delighted...how gorgeous is the little tangerine tango trim...the color of the year by pantone...i might add...

details...a little goes a long way...start looking at your wardrobe...from your socks...to your shirts...to your sports jackets...when shopping...are you looking for those small details that will set your wardrobe apart from others...

scanned by moi

men's corner: it's in the details...

sweater season is still in full force...and yet...most are being marked down in department stores...as they get ready for spring inventory...so if you are needing to stock up on a few more...get thee to the store now!

but don't just stop and peruse over the solid colors...while they all have their place in your wardrobe...sometimes...it is the tiniest of details that make a sweater that much more special...

how about a bit of color blocking?

etro v-neck sweater

an interesting border & pocket adds some nice interest...

rag & bone 'franklin' crewneck sweater

or go for a button down cardigan...

7 diamonds 'karlstad' cardigan sweater

photo source: nordstrom.com

men's corner: make a statement with your socks...

you read it in all the fashion magazines...see it in the stores...all this talk about statement pieces...for women...that could range from a statement ring...to a statement necklace...you get the idea...

so men...let's make a statement...with our socks...yes...you may have the occasional subtle stripe or paisley print on your socks...but why not take it up a notch? with some bold colors and pattern...such a fun way to put a little kick in your wardrobe...

and for added kick...do a little mixing and matching of patterns with your dress shirt and/or tie...when done right...it is quite the chic look...

lorenzo uomo 'thick stripe' socks

ted baker repeated spot calf length socks

lorenzo uomo 'rugby argyle' socks

all photos: nordstrom.com

men's corner: why not tux it?

so...if your plans are to wear a tuxedo more then just on your wedding day...i always suggest investing in one that fits you right...which means...don't rent...but buy...

this month in gq magazine "the best tuxedo jackets under $400" had some great finds...be sure to check them out...

most think of a tuxedo for a formal event...while that is absolutely the item of choice when going to a black tie event...the tuxedo jacket can be worn with a pair of jeans...why not look stylish...even in your jeans...

photo source

men's corner: the non-boring blazer...

the blazer is truly a magical piece of clothing...it can literally take an outfit (for both men & women) and pretty much make it look "put-together" in a minutes time...it can take the most casual...or blah outfit...and spruce it up a bit...

but understand...there are blazers...and then there are fabulous blazers...and for me...the key is fit...first and foremost...but also...in the fabric...and color...so instead of going for a plain ole blue, brown or black blazer...although at least one of those is good to have around...go for some color...such as in the beautiful corduroy blazer below...with a button down shirt, t-shirt or sweater...jeans...a well put together outfit is created...without trying really hard...

other options to spice it up from the solid color blazers...look for a nice tweed...or if you are a bit bolder...how about a nice herringbone or houndstooth? with an outfit like this...tell me you won't get a second or third look...

façonnable corduroy blazer
nordstrom

fashion funnies: too high...and too low...

...both can be just so so wrong...

jason love

enjoy your weekend!

men's corner: why settle for just a black scarf?

while helping a friend shop for some winter basics...he turned to me and said he wanted more then just a black plain scarf...aahhh...music to my ears...since he tends to wear solids most of the time...we decided to go for a patterned cashmere number...and here were the top contenders...he decided on two...so i got him to go with one patterned...and one solid...but in a beautiful hunter green...simply fabulous...

burberry check print cashmere scarf
nordstrom

color block border stripe scarf
brooks brothers

burberry check print cashmere scarf
nordstrom

if you tend to wear basic neutral colors...this is a great way to incoporate some color into your wardrobe...and pattern as well...and best of all...sure to brighten up any old grey day...

men's corner: spruce up the sweater...

fall is definately the start of the season where we pull out the cozy sweaters...and for men...well...this should be no exception...but...if you are one who always falls back on the solid black, grey or navy blue sweater...come on...let's spruce it up a bit this year...

stripes are always fun...as in this lovely piece...still grey...but with some interest...


dolce & gabbana turtleneck sweater
nordstrom

if you see those stripes...and think...a bit too much for me...go for a smaller version of stripes...still with some great interest...don't you think?

cashmere v-neck sweater in jetty stripe
j. crew

they say "it's all in the details..." as this lovely sweater (cardigan) shows...not your old boring sweater...how easily put together this sweater looks...

toggle shawl-collar cardigan
j. crew

and if all these stripes & toggles make you dizzy...then at least go for one or two sweaters in this years lovely jewel tones...plenty to choose from...

merino v-neck sweater
gap

men's corner: the perfect boot...

you've heard me say...over and over that a pair of shoes can make or break an outfit...and men...that applies to your outfits as well...how many times have you seen a great outfit...only to end it at the feet with...oh...a pair of tennis shoes...pah-leeze! why even bother?

there are some great options for men...i have been on a mad search for one of my clients...a nice fall/winter addition to his casual wardrobe...when i saw this boot...i was smitten...but of course...i would not be wearing them...would my client be? so i sent a pic over to him...i was leaning towards the olive green or grey pair...both would be perfect for his wardrobe...

he chose the grey...with red shoelaces...we even added some nice striped socks...with accents of red...to show his fun side...

then...as an added bonus...i realized these have nike air technology in them...i know how much i love nike air in my cole haan high heels...but i'm thinking no one would say no to a bit more comfort...right?

so men...a boot may be just the way to go to add a little style to your casual wardrobe...guaranted to make you look that much more put together...


cole haan air colton layered chukka

men's corner: step it up in the sock department...

one of the ways gentlemen can add a bit of fun to their corporate look...without going overboard...is through the socks...in fact...back in my corporate america days...when i would diligently take the train to work in the city...i would always make a point of noticing men's socks...i think it revealed a bit of their personality...

so why settle for boring black, brown or grey socks? add a bit of pizzazz...and fall trends...whether it be polka dots...plaid...stripes...maybe even an argyle...step it up a bit...

here are some favorite's i picked out on the nordstrom website...

tommy bahama 'shaken not stirred'

ted baker

hugo boss black wide stripe

polo ralph lauren 'mini neat'

men's corner: update the fall tie...

as we start transitioning our summer wardrobes into fall...even when the weather is not blistering cold...the biggest change that should show the transition...is the choice of colors and textures...the lighter fabrics need to be weaned off...and sturdier textures should be emerging...

for those of you men who wear ties...try to pick up a few nice textured ties...sure the silk ties will work in the darker "fallish" colors...but why not throw in a little heavier weight numbers to match the heavier weight suits...perhaps in a wool or cashmere...

this beauty below...not only brings in the polka dot trend...(yes...even men can have it in their wardrobe...) but it carries a nice wool, cashmere & silk blend...

bottega veneta polka dot tie
barneys new york

unconventional chic...

love to see the unexpected...whether it be in an outfit...a display...or an ad...and with that in mind...i am really loving the lacoste spring 2011 ads...i have found 4 so far...not sure if there are more...but...the creativity of this take on unconventional chic...fabulous!

this is taking a polo shirt to a whole new level...front and center...











all photo's via lacoste.com

put together: stripes and plaids...

all you need is a little bit of stars...and you'd be set for the 4th of july...

um...just kidding...i don't think anyone needs to dress that exact to a holiday...but...wow...would you look at the gorgeous array of mixing patterns?? just makes my heart melt...of course the model is just as gorgeous...but it was the outfit that caught my eye...at first...no really...

i realize this may be a bit too much layering for most men...but you have to admit...he is looking pretty darn put together...wouldn't you say?

so men...is this a look you would try? and ladies...is this something your man would wear?

gq - march 2011
scanned by moi

men's corner: espadrilles...

summertime...and yes...i am still kind of obsessing over espadrilles...so imagine my excitement...when i was perusing my june issue of gq magazine...and saw a little picture of espadrilles for men...i mean...brilliant! who wants to wear flip flops all the time? besides...it just looks a bit more stylish...

jim moore, gq creative director says..."espadrilles are a big trend this summer...they work anytime you'd wear your flip-flops...just remember to trash them a bit - step on the backs...wear them to the beach...and leave them in the sun..."

i've picked out a few for you...it is summer time...so have some fun...

add some pattern...

choo choo - striped denim
soludos

not that daring? how about a fun pop of color?

dali - dark green
soludos

even with a basic neutral...you are sure to be looking oh so stylish...
castaner
mr porter