WIAWT... 9/25/11

  It was an unusually warm September day in The Bean today so I felt it was only right to spend the day outdoors enjoying the leftover summer sun.  Lately I've really been feeling the whole "urban nerd" look, but rather than having this hip-hip-inspired intellectual look appear to literal, I opted for a loose-fitting, slope-neck tee (instead of a graphic tee), skinny jeans and weathered wristbands to give my look more of a rocker edge.  Plus, I tossed in a few pins (the top one says "Made in the 80s" lol) just for fun!  Ya boy is trying to keep it sexy but also fun!  Stay fly, fellas!

  

LaYER UP!

One of the main reasons I love the fall season so much is because the cooler temperature allows me to dive into my closet and pile on multiple pieces and accessories at once.  This is called "layering."  Have you ever flipped through a fall or winter issue of a fashion magazine and saw the models draped in what seems like 25 different pieces of clothing in one single outfit?  Well, this is what I love to do, however, there's both a right way and a wrong to layer and of course ya boy has your back and I'm going to dissect the multiple layers of layering.  When approaching layering there are 3 things you need to have a clear idea of:

1. Color story- the area of the color spectrum where your ensemble falls
2. Balance of Texture- having a balance in terms of the thickness/thinness of the fabric of your pieces (thinner items are worn first, thicker pieces are then layered on top)
3. Something old, Something new- mixing lower end and high end pieces

When layering, you want to create an overall look that's unique and eye-catching but also cohesive.  The way to achieve this is by mixing solids with interesting patterns, colors that compliment one another and fabrics with both thick & rich textures.  "What's the wrong way?" you ask?  Mixing too many heavy fabrics to the point where your ensemble is excessively bulky and downright uncomfortable is a no no.  Remember, you still want to feel comfortable in your clothes just as you would during any other season of the year so opt for layering pieces of varying thickness (no more than 2 to 3 pieces layered over each other, typically).  Also, be creative!  Don't do the color-coordinated/matchy thing, this technique went out with The New Kids on the Block.. try adding a bit of edge to your look.  Check out the below pics of some cool looks that feature bold layering techniques...

Notice how all of the pieces each of these 3 fellas have layered are fairly thin (middle pic: thin button-up, linen vest and loose-fit blazer) thus keeping the overall fit streamlined and clean. 

David Beckham, Layering can be kept simple by pairing together just a couple pieces to create a look that has dimension without it looking overdone 

                                                            

You can even layer items of different proportions (long & short) to create interesting lines throughout your look

This pic is an example of a look that incorporates both high-end and lower end pieces.. ie. thrifted shirt, cardigan and trousers with a high quality quilted vest

The fashion house Etro was one of my main inspirations for layering and pairing contrasting colors & fabrics, I would study their ads and developed a knack for this.  The lime green cardigan is definitely a statement piece!

Fall 2011 Trends/Must Haves

     YES YES YES, one of my absolute favorite seasons, Fall, aka the "January of fashion," is upon us and I've scoured the worldwide web as well as every men's fashion magazine currently on the shelves at Barnes & Noble taking notes on the most prominent style trends and I'm ready to lay it all out for my fellas!  The trick with fall fashion is using bold textures, unique details and eye-catching accessories to convey your style story without your wardrobe appearing excessively bulky as would be more appropriate for the winter.  In watching this season's runway shows I've noticed the overall story behind this season's trend is "Man on a voyage" which entails looks that encompass the many facets of men on the move.  Such looks illustrate the hiker, the music lover/performer, the elegant world-traveler, etc. bringing to life diverse and timeless looks which I can see living on well after 2011.  The one thing that caught my attention was COLOR!  Color is definately here to stay so if you were intending to pack your closet with only gray, black and brown, I suggest you take a breather for a moment and allow yourself to think outside the box of typical fall color pallets and allow a few drops of the remaining summer sun to bring life to your wardrobe.  Let's get to it...

Double-breasted coats & blazers: for years I've had an aversion to anything double-breasted

because it would give me flashbacks of the bulky, shapeless pieces with excessive fabric I wore as a young boy in the early 90s.  But designers have tweaked this particular style which, in the end, renders a nicely tailored and streamlined silhouette.

Leather driving gloves: they'll add edge to any look and are a funky

alternative to traditional leather gloves

Shiny suit: Not only is color sticking around for fall, but so is smoothness and sheen. 
Just don't mix the two because then you'll risk looking like a backup dancer in a Prince music video. Stick with a suit with a slight sheen in darker tones such as brown, navy and charcoal gray as this will add balance to such a boldly textured piece, and opt for an Italian cut (structured cut with more defined shoulders) to keep it from looking cheap.

Aviator Jacket: all things aviator have become welcome additions to my wardrobe, why?  They're well-fitting, timeless items with interesting details (epaulets, anyone?) that create a masculine look.  This type of a jacket features leather, which will keep you warm, and you'll often find it made with a detachable faux-fur/cotton collar making it versatile as the season transitions to winter.  Overall this jacket will give you a great silhouette while keeping you looking laid-back.

Native American-inspired prints/accessories: this is where bold colors make their mark for fall!  These tribal prints will, no noubt, add a unique twist to your look while the rich earth tones keep it appropriate for the season.  Think cardigans with burnt orange stripes and scarves that feature intricate tapestry designs, basically there's no room for boring!  Keep your look anchored by pairing patterned pieces with items in solid/neutral tones (too many patterns & colors in one outfit will cause people to think you're preparing to perform a rain dance).

The Fedora: American men are far behind the style curve in comparison to European men.  When we, American men, think of hats we think of skullies and anything else made of wool that we can ball up and stick in our pocket once we take them off.  It's time that we segue into more mature headwear and this is where the fedora comes in.  Its sleek, defined brim and angular crown immediately give you an air of elegance minus the pretentiousness.  And don't forget to tilt it to one side slightly, no need to take yourself so seriously.

Jodhpur Boots: the name "jodhpur" was originally used to describe a type of trouser worn for

horseback riding but was later used as a slang term for the type of boot typically worn with these trousers.  These boots, which are typically slip-ons, rise just above the ankle with a pointed toe and smooth, embellishment-free finish which make them rather versatile.  They can be worn with dress pants or with skinny khakis or jeans for a more casual, 1960s rocker-inspired look.

Oversized leather bag: we have our laptop, blackberry, office documents, lotion/hand sanitizer, comb/brush and spare oxford shirt (for those days where we're expecting to experience heavy perspiration due to that approaching project deadline).  A tiny one-pocket messenger bag can no longer accomodate the cargo of the modern gentleman therefore a larger leather bag fits the bill much better.  Sizes range from medium to large making it easy to get the extra space while sticking to your own individual style.  Not only are these bags more durable and provide more carrying space, they can also double as a carry-on for those overnight and weekend trips.     

Keep it Stylish, keep it Sexy and always keep it true to YOU! -UrbanGent