Mr. HamptoN to ThE REscUe!

       Within my circle of friends, I've become the resident style guru.  My homies deem me the style go-to guy and they never hesitate to hit me up whenever they find themselves in the midst of a fashion dilemma, and I, of course, am more than thrilled to offer my assistance.  I've decided to now make myself available to all of my fellas via this blog because let's face it, a lot of you have style questions but don't have a source who's fashion expertise you trust.  Sartorial Suggestions is not simply your run-of-the-mill style blog where I regurgitate a bunch of fashion facts, on the contrary this blog aims to teach the basics of style in a way that can be comprehended by the everyday man.  To get the low-down on what works for your wardrobe and what doesn't, simply email your questions to me at SSb2b1@hotmail.com and include the below personal details so that I'm able to provide the best analysis that works for you:

1. Your city & State and the 1st letters of your first & last name  
2. Race
3. Skin Complexion (light, caramel/light brown, dark)
4. Height
5. Body Type (slim, lean/athletic, husky)
6. Celebrity whose sense of style you admire (if you have one)

I will then answer your questions here on Sartorial Suggestions and provide you with the best info to not only help you to look your best, but also feel your best!  No fashion-related topic is off limits, nor is any question "dumb" or trivial to where I wouldn't take the time to answer it; you can ask ya boy ANYTHING and I will in turn give you my most honest yet helpful answer.  Consider me the younger, African-American version of Glenn O'Brien, GQ's Style Guy :).  Helping you guys is what I'm here to do so start submitting your questions and regularly check in on my blog to see when your questions get answered and your sartorial conundrums solved (that was a li'l GQ jargon for ya!).  As always, keep it fly!

ALteR EgO

        When I try to pinpoint my one signature/favorite style of fashion, I've found this to be a slightly daunting task mainly because my sartorial tastes tend to range from distressed jeans tucked into a pair of combat boots and finished off with a military-style top of some sort all the way to tailored blazers & oxford shirts paired with fitted trousers & sophisticated lace-ups.  Whenever someone asks me what my signature style is, my mind conjures up images of my closet full of eclectic pieces but then suddenly draws a blank.  I'd ask myself, "what is MY signature style?" When I think of specific men, be they celebrities or influential guys in my personal life, I can quickly label or identify their overall style sense; Fonzworth Bentley- preppy with European flair, Lenny Kravitz- fearless rocker chic, then there's me, Willie Hampton-??... Rather than attempting to confine myself to one area of the sartorial spectrum I've realized there's a duality of tastes going on within me and guess what, its ok!  Accepting this reality of what would seem to be a case of style confusion, I've been introduced to a new man whose been shaking things up in my life, fashionwise, for as long as I can remember.. his name is Mr. Hampton, my alter ego.  This dapper fellow is eccentricity personified.  He has a passion for vibrant & unique colors, impeccably tailored pieces, bold accessories and anything/everything that catches one's eye and makes a statement!  He's fearless in his approach to fashion and he's only just getting started.  In my younger days I'll admit I tried to suppress him, mainly because I didn't quite understand him, but I'm officially turning him loose on the world so get ready!  Mr. Hampton is alive and well and is living life unapologetically and to be quite honest, I wish I had've embraced him sooner rather than later. 

InspiraTionaL MomEnt

     Remember my previous post on the Tribes of Autumn photo spread by VMan magazine?  You know, the one that caused many of you to lash out at me in confusion and disbelief?  The one that left you guys asking "how on earth does this dude expect me to incorporate those weird, alien-like clothes into my everyday reportoire?!"?  Well I want to explain, yet again, that the looks featured in those photos are for inspiration and should not be taken literally.  After doing a double-take at a photo of Kanye West's attire from this year's MTV VMAs, I saw that his look is a great example of using an edgy, high fashion photo to inspire a look that suits any man's taste.  Let's break his look down and compare it to one of the Autumn photos...

The above Autumn photo on the left features an overall feel that's very stark and steril with very little color.  The main idea behind each of the 4 looks is that of clean lines, minimalism and dark shades that collide with lighter ones.  Kanye's look doesn't take every single one of these components too literally, rather his attire is a more sporty, urban take on some of the key points of the look of the gentleman on the far left of the photo.  Kanye's look features:

• Denim-on-denim (which can be difficult to pull off if the blue hues aren't coordinated correctly)
• Mostly lighter hues of blue
• Dark shades of blue (in his shirt) that wash into lighter shades going upward
• A shirt that's open at the neck
• An overall minimalist approach (a button-up paired with jeans, high-top sneaks and a few '80s style accessories)

As I come across more prominent men, as well as everyday men, who are sporting looks that feature some of the themes and components of the looks from the Autumn photo spread I'll continue to post them to provide a visual as to how such high fashion looks can be translated into everyday attire.  Stay fly, fellas!

A NighT Out~

       Last week I had the pleasure of attending a fashion event here in Boston and I must say that it was a blast!  The event was focused on showcasing designs & pieces from local designers and boutiques for the upcoming 2012 spring season (the fashion world is always 2 seasons ahead, thus giving you the opportunity to see what pieces will be on the racks beforehand).  Most of the designs were very chic while some were, umm, interesting to say the least (one collection featured items made of latex).  As usual, the runway show featured womenswear leaving the fellas to either gawk at the models or twiddle their thumbs in disinterest.  During the runway show a lightbulb went off in my head and I thought to myself, "the reason Boston's men have very little fashion sense is because they're are no fashion events that cater to them!"  Well, fellas, I have a few things up my sleeve to solve this problem so stay tuned.  On a more pleasurable note, I got a chance to meet some other local fashion PR reps and style bloggers, and I even found myself being photographed by the event's photographers (I'll post a link in the future once I know where these photos will be available to view)!  Below are a few snapshots of my ensemble from that night, and for those of you who recognize my blazer it is indeed the one from my 1st Thrift Store Therapy post!  As always, keep it fly!



I'd planned to wear a skinny black tie but I came across this   maroon knit tie I got from Topman last year.. I think it added 
          an interesting touch!

                             
                                                        

Wristbands are a cool way to add a bit of flair to any formal look and keep it from looking too traditional or stuffy

                 

Aeropastale gingham button-up
Thrifted blazer & brooch pin
H&M socks & beaded wristbands

Jeans- Levi's

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

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