Go…
Wednesday Weigh In: Summer Suit
7
2 May, 2012
Better Than Toms
2 May, 2012
Espadrilles are a traditional shoe that are popular near almost any warm body of water. The ubiquitous brand Toms has taken the shape and capitalized on them, but traditional espadrilles are much better. Check out these from Saludos.
When everyone else near the beach is wearing flip-flops or boat shoes, these are a unique and traditional choice to step up your style game.
Mesh Dress Shoes
27 April, 2012
Saw these on sale at Allen Edmonds. Apparently the story behind them is that these are a remake from a lost shoe the company used to make back in the 1950’s. They had completely forgotten they existed until they received a package from a man wanting to have his resoled. Wild.
Would you wear them? It’s dry enough where I am that I don’t have to worry about it. But if I were back East these babies would be fantastic in the summer.
Alpha Faux Pas
26 April, 2012
I obviously I don’t know Tom Brady, but from a conventional perspective the man is as Alpha as they come. Add in the anectodal evidence of how hot is wife is and how fiercely she defends him, and it’s safe to say the man is a natural with some tight game.
Unfortunately he can still look like an idiot if he dresses poorly.
You only want one stand-out piece at a time. The cardigan, the hat, and the glasses would all be cool on their own, but when you put them all together it makes even super-alpha Brady look like a high-school Junior who spent his Christmas money at H&M and was too excited to space out every thing he was wearing throughout the week.
I’m all for fashion and peacocking, but it’s smart to do it with one, maybe two pieces at a time. Don’t look like a costume.
High/Low: Blue Collar Edition
25 April, 2012
A common complaint I hear from blue-collar men is how dressing up is so antithetical to what they have to wear all day long. Nothing is more form over function than what a welder or construction worker wears to work. And since these men wear the same thing day in and day out, it becomes a part of them and is truly comfortable. I’ve seen men with more swagger in a greasy mechanic’s outfit than some kid dressed to the nines in his new suit.
My suggestion is, rather than abandoning the ethos of what you do all day, you should embrace it. If you’re going out for a weekend or are in any social situation, take the time to dress a little better but still acknowledge what kind of man you are and what you do.
If you work in the outdoors, keep the Ranger-issued aviators, wide-brimmed hat and work boots like the man above.
If you work in a shop, keep your greasy sneakers on to contrast with the dark jeans and blazer you’re wearing.
I’ve seen farm hands who use their work gloves when they’re on a motorcycle instead of having bike-specific gloves.
Just make sure you don’t overstep it. I don’t recommend wearing a tool belt or a hard hat on your off time. You don’t want to look like a crappy attempt at “channeling the masculine” on some designer’s runway.