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: 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

men's corner: the sport coat...

whether you are wearing khaki's...jeans...or trousers...one of the easiest ways to still be casual...but look put together is with a sport coat...the great thing about a sport coat...is that the possibilities are endless...so many wonderful fabric choices to choose from...

so which to choose? cashmere or velvet? wool or corduroy? i say...this is the way to pull some fun into your wardrobe...go for texture...prints...a striped...checked or houndstooth...and my all time favorite...a glen plaid...

sport coats should be fun...so look for details that you might not necessarily want in a suit jacket...an elbow patch...how about some embossed buttons?

when we are talking about closet staples...a sport coat should be on the list...it is a great investment...the sport coat can take you from the office to dinner...and...i don't know...but i'm thinking...when a man is traveling...if you've got one in jeans and a t-shirt...and the other in jeans with a sport coat...the latter will probably be getting more upgrade offerings...

photo source