New Lanvin Men's Collection for H&M Didn't Meet my Expectations

So, H&M recently collaborated with the label Lanvin to debut a mens and womens collection, however the mens collection doesn't exactly have me jetting out to be the first in line at the nearest H&M, unfortunately.  When I first heard of this collaboration I actually wasn't aware that there would be a mens collection also, so I kinda left all of the hype for the females.  Today I hit up my homegirl D., aka MindOfaBudgetnista (check out her blog for items for the woman in your life), to see if there would be new Lanvin items for the fellas and she informed me that the mens collection was already in stores... Really?  Your boy decided to hit up H&M on Newbury St. after work to see what fresh new items were on the rack but I couldn't really make out which items, if any, were from the Lanvin collection.  Maybe this was due to it being a friday evening (payday fever was in the air!) but the store didn't have any racks or sections specifically advertising Lanvin items so I gave up after searching the crowded aisles. 

Once I got home I checked online for the Lanvin lookbook to see what pieces had been churned out and I must say that I was quite disappointed (pics below).  The collection mainly features formal wear: shawl collar suit jackets, dressy trousers with drawstrings around the ankle (kinda innovative), bowties, white dress shirts, patent leather tuxedo shoes in blue, purple and maroon and I think I saw a cummerbund somewhere in the mix.  Don't get me wrong, the items themselves look pretty good but my question is: where's the casual wear?  I read a blog post that said the collection is supposed to be "holiday inspired," however I don't plan on slapping on a bowtie and patent leather shoes everyday simply because it's the holiday season!  Can I get some khakis?  Some creative graphic tees?  Some casual shoes or boots?  Some nice button-ups or cardigans?  I was reading a blog that said H&M would debut more items later on, but if the pieces are gonna be singing the same notes as the all-formal-wear-and-nothing-else collection that's already out then I'm not looking forward to it.  We'll see...

I gotta admit, the drawstring pants are kinda hot!

More dinner jackets and patent leather shoes?  Really Lanvin?

Oh yeah, I can really see myself pounding the soon-to-be-snow-filled streets of Boston everyday in these! (sarcastic voice) 



White shirt & high-waisted (and high-water) trousers

Building muscle without the excess bulk! Check out 'Lean & Mean' in the Physical Fitness section...

Back 2 the Basics: The White button-up

     The white button-up shirt is, or should be, one of the cornerstones of every man's wardrobe.  It's a fail-proof item that can be dressed up (with a tie, blazer and dress slacks) or down (top button undone, sleeves rolled up and tucked into jeans with a pair of laceup shoes) which makes it an easy yet stylish option. 

Originally known as the 'Oxford shirt' because of the cotton fabric from which this type of shirt was originally made back in 19th century Britain, this shirt has been around since our Great, Great, Great-Grandfathers were pulling them off the store racks.  For our modern generation Calvin Klein and Geoffrey Beene (my favorite) make an impeccably tailored, quality white button up that will last you (just make sure to dry clean it ONLY and request that it not be starched, starch breaks the fabric down over time and gives it that shiny, worn look).  Your shirt should:

• Be made of durable, 100% cotton so that you don't end up with that cheap, see through look.
• Be slim-fitting enough where it's not ballooning around your waist & torso, this way it'll still look neat if you decide to wear it untucked.
• Have slim (not tight) sleeves that fall just at your wrist (not your knuckles!).
• Fall (the bottom of the shirt) mid-hip or at the middle of your, umm, butt (I gotta be frank :)

Quick Tips:  When buying a white shirt for a dressy occasion, always get one that has a quality made collar (feel the collar flaps to make sure they're slightly firm, a floppy collar looks cheap and will crinkle up over time).

- If you can't find one with a firm collar, make sure it's as firm as you can find because you can always slip collar stays into the long, slim pockets underneath the collar flaps. (pic below)

(Collar stays: you can purchase them at Macy's, Men's Warehouse  or K&G.  They usually come in packs of 4 or more)

What do you think...?

I bought these sneakers online back in the summer for only 40 bucks.  They were kinda cool and unique so I scooped them up.  I really like the turquois sole (they came with a 2nd pair of laces in the same color) and the 2 straps & buckles... what do you think?

 They look really dope when there laced only halfway up with my pants falling over them.  I don't know if you can see it in the pic, most of the shoe is suede and the straps and trimming (if that's the right word, lol) are leather so it has a really cool design.  I haven't worn them yet, I've been trying to find the perfect outfit that would really showcase such a bold pair of kicks.  I think I'm gonna rock them pretty soon though, we'll see...

Temperatures are dropping, time 2 bring the swag level UP!

       I really hate being cold so I'm never too amped about those low temperatures that start to set in at this time of year... living on the east coast is definately a task once these last three months of the year roll around!  But the one thing that lifts my spirits during this arctic season is the fun I get to have with my attire!  During warmer weather everyone's style is very minimalist; you're limited in terms of the number of pieces you can wear at one time but in cooler weather you can go stone crazy!  Now I get to layer 3 or 4 pieces at one time, I can opt for fabrics with more texture (ie. corduroy, tweed, denim, etc.) and warmer colors (brown, maroon, black, etc.).  I get to rock more substantial footwear like work boots & chukkas, I even get to pull out my thicker neckties (can you tell how excited ya boy is? lol).  Here's a pic of a few pieces from my closet that'll rival even the lowest of the low temperatures.  Fellas, have fun with your wardrobe during this time of the year, don't be afraid to experiment with different patterns & textures because 8 times out of 10 you'll probably put together something really hot!  

(I got that braided brown belt on sale from GAP for only $7!  And my Prada Amber is right there chillin' in the pocket of my Levi's, 514s to be exact!) 



WIAWT (What I am wearing today)...11/2/10

What's poppin' fellas?!  This is the first of my "What I am wearing today" posts which are photo breakdowns of the look I was rocking on a particular day.  This is something that we do on the style forum @ GQ.com so I figured I'd let you guys in on the fun as well.  I'll be posting these periodically to give you guys some insight as to what pieces are in my closet and this will hopefully serve as suggestions as to what items you guys can add to your sartorial repertoire.  Feel free to leave comments and let me knoe what you think of any given look, I'm always open to hearing what people think (now, don't start bashing ya boy if you're not feeling one of my ensembles!  Keep it constructive.)  Today I was going to class so I decided to keep it fitted and simple...

Navy Henley (H&M):

Jeans with Whiskering on the thigh: (H&M):

(back view) whiskering on back pocket & back of knee 

Blue Chuck Taylors (these sneakers are over 3 yrs old and they still look good!)

Keep it fly, Keep it sexy and always keep it true to YOU! (UrbanGent.)





DUN-DUN-DUUUUUUNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sound of trumpets)

I'm here, I'm finally here folks!!  Starting this blog has been on my mind for quite some time, but my hectic schedule made it seem impossible to find the time to actually make it a reality.  But ya boy has finally arrived and I must say, it feels great to be here!  I've always had a passion for style; my father is a stylish dude, his father was a stylish dude and I'm sure the style gene dates back further than that.

       At the age of 15 I read my very first issue of GQ magazine and oh, what a pivotal moment in my life that was.  I was an intern at a local newspaper and one of the writers had a huge stack of magazines sitting next to his desk and one day during my lunch break I asked him if I could borrow a couple of them (he looked at me with a "can't you see I'm busy!" expression on his face then gave me permission to rummage through the magazine stack whenever I wanted to).  I remember carrying this GQ magazine to the cafeteria to flip through it and see what wonders lie between it's glossy covers and my jaw dropped further and further to the floor with every flipped page.  What did my wondering eyes behold?  Models with slicked-back hair dressed in impeccably tailored Yves Saint Laurent suites and sleek leather shoes.  I saw expensive leather messenger bags made in places I've always dreamed of visiting, slim fitting trench coats, vests, yeah... you get the picture now, right?  Basically my eyes were opened to a realm of mens fashion & style that I never knew existed and it made me all the more passionate about being a fly gentleman. 

       This blog is going to be dedicated to bringing REAL style related information to REAL young urban men of the our modern era.  I'll give tons of tips and advice on how to navigate the modern world in true style.  I'm ready!  The question is: are you ready?

Fall/Winter inspiration pics~

Texture and layering create unique looks that have individuality and flair:

A stylish workboot that can be dressed up or down (tip: untie the strings and tuck the pants inside for a casual, laid-back look):

The trench (tip: small armholes, fitted shoulders/torso and sleeves that fall just above the wrist keep the coat from looking bulky or oversized):



The Snood (it's basically a scarf with both ends sewn together.  I bought one last winter and it's probably one of the dopest accessories in my closet, real talk!):

Keep it stylish, Keep it sexy and always keep it true to YOU!