Back to the Old Grind

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend. My trip upstate was a lot of fun, despite the fact that there was no snow on which to toboggan. Anyway, now it's back to the old hum-drummery of work, school, etc, and it's suddenly turned frigid. If you must venture out of doors (and as New Yorkers, you most certainly will), you'll need to be equipped with a warm coat or two.

Here are some men's coats that are stylish yet work-friendly. For less expensive options, try Zara -- they've got a great selection that won't break the bank.

For a more formal look, try Trovata's Bentley Double Faced Coat, $566 @ Caravan.



This one can go fancy or casual. Scotch and Soda Peacoat, $236 @ Caravan.


Photo credit: www.shopcaravan.com

A Fine Crew

Keeping it short and sweet today, as there's lots to do. We're having our big holiday meeting at work and I'll be participating in our fashion show. Pray that I don't trip.

Crew neck sweaters are a boy basic. I love this soft, lightweight version by A.P.C.
Photo credit: www.southwillard.com

Buttoned Down Perfection

I have to be up in 2.5 hours for a meeting at work, but just as I was about to turn in for the night, I remembered that I needed to make good on my promise to deliver the best in fall button downs. It's wrong that I should lose sleep because of this compulsion, but my blogging is done out of love (though some would term it "insanity") and a desire to provide a much needed service to the sartorially destitute. To those bereft of style (or stylish peeps just looking to augment their wardrobes), I present these great button-downs.

Not only does Apolis Activism support fair working conditions, but they also cut a mean, lean shirt. Woven shirt, $114 @ Context.


The Military Woven in Army, $123 @ Context. Love the pocket detail and straps to keep your sleeves up. Also available in black.
The Woven in white, $114 @ Context.

This pale-blue, slim fitting style by Corpus has front hand pockets. $132 @ Context. Also available in pale pink.

Photo credit: www.contextclothing.com

The Classics: Men's Shoes

For some reason, I always notice a guy's shoes. Perhaps it's due to the fact that my brothers and many of my male friends happen to be sneaker aficionados, so I'm a bit more attentive to men's footwear than the casual observer. Our family video archive includes classic footage of my middle bro, then obsessed with his new Reebok high tops, playing ball and pointing out his fancy footwear to his opponents. Now a musician, he's been rocking retro 'Roos for the last several years. Baby bro has cycled through countless sneakers, usually wearing them into the ground (to my mother's dismay), and always picks out the best color combinations. My friend Michael has, hands down, the best collection of sneakers I've ever laid eyes on, including some amazing vintage styles and rare editions, which he cleans with a toothbrush, a la Adidas loving b-boys, back in the day.

Normally, I'm all about freedom of expression when it comes to fashion and admire those who rock their own, inimitable style with confidence. When former squeezes have worn clothes I don't particularly care for, I suffer in polite silence, as it's a negligible price to pay for the company of someone I truly enjoy spending time with. I find it particularly painful, however, when there's a bad pair of shoes involved. The shoe itself doesn't have to be pretty -- it just needs to suit the personality of the wearer. As such, I prefer the fun, laid back, casual and unfussy kind, mixed with a little bit of street smarts, vintage-inspired accents, or urban sophistication. A sneaker match made in heaven would involve having the following styles in a shoe wardrobe:

A guy can never go wrong with Puma Lab II's (below). This color combo can be special ordered from Scoop NYC at 1-877-Scoop-77.
These off-white trainers with cracked leather detailing by Creative Recreation are clean and fresh. $115 @ The Closet.

Detail.


John Varvatos-designed Jack Purcells, which I love in blue. $95 @ Scoop NYC. Also available in faded army.

For something funkier and a bit more casual, I'd pick Nike's Daybreak Vintage sneaker in a grey-purple-orange combo. $95 @ Scoop NYC.




Photo credit: 1, 4, 5: www.scoopnyc.com. 2, 3: www.thecloset.com

Polo Player

Whether you wear yours preppy, retro, or hipster, every guy has to have a good polo. This striped version from Rogues Gallery is style genre-flexible. A little slimmer in the fit, it's a modern take on a classic favorite. $66 @ Stel's.


Photo credit: www.stelsinc.com

CPW: Men's Edition

The perfect striped sweater is a wardrobe essential for guys. Good thing Nicole Farhi is so good at them. I love this lightweight, form-fitting style in two different colorways. Both are $245 @ Oak, but well worth it once you apply the cost-per-wear principle.

Grey pencil stripe on navy.


Navy on grey.
Photo credit: www.oaknyc.com

Bulge Police

A recent trip to the beach was marred by the sight of a guy in the tiniest of Speedo's (note: I was not in Europe . . . or Miami). I don't think I have to remind most of you of this, as the majority of my male friends, gay or straight, would never be caught dead wearing one. Unless you're at a swim meet, le Speedo is a fashion faux pas of the worst variety. Keep your junk in your trunks, and out of my view (and that of small children, for that matter). Do not stroll along the sandy shore, turning this way and that, smiling at passersby. A nice, unfussy pair of Lacoste shorts is all you need to highlight a beach body, no matter where you are in the world.

Navy swimming trunks, $98 @ Milk.

Photo credit: www.shopatmilk.com

Better Basics

The perfect tee is one that's great for layering, but looks so good on it's own. These lightweight, soft cotton v-necks from SCP do just that and keep you looking (and feeling) cool in the hot summer months. I like this off-white version as an alternative to basic white. $38 @ Scoop. Also available in olive green and slate grey.

Under the Hood

Hoodies are great for myriad reasons. For starters, they're cozy as hell and keep out rain and chilly breezes, which we've been experiencing in NYC as of late. They're a no-brainer for days when you don't know what to wear and can't be bothered to figure it out. They usually have deep pockets for those uncomfortable moments when you don't know what to do with your hands. If you spot someone you'd rather avoid, you can pull the hood up over your head and go incognito in an instant. Girls like to cuddle up to them (and occasionally borrow them . . . and promise to return them . . . but never do . . . sorry). Every guy needs a few in basic colors, but having one in with a fun print or stripes is a great way to bring your look current while sticking to a tried-and-true formula for casual comfort.

Kim Jones for Umbro gradient hoody @ Seven New York, $275. Now 25% off.

Markus Hüemer: Unit. $350 @ Seven New York.

Is it just me or do these boys look depressed? Why so glum? Maybe because you spent too much money on an expensive printed hoody?

The Classics: Men's Edition

I often wish I could be Steve McQueen, flying over the hills of San Francisco in a Dodge Charger. But don't we all?


Earnest Sewn seem to be channeling the McQueen with this jean in a namesake, not-too-faded wash. Clean and simple, with only light distressing and minimal back pocket detail is how I like it (I hate it when a guy's jeans are fussier than mine), and it's the perfect blue. They last forever and work year round, making them a worthwhile addition to any guy's wardrobe. Fulton jean in McQueen rinse, $230 @ Active Endeavors.