Saturday Spotlight: Warby Parker

February 1, 2014

Between the facts that I just got off work (tired), just opened a nice bottle of wine (tipsy), dinner is almost ready (starving), and that Syracuse is about to take on Duke on in basketball (distracted), it is quite a feat that I am even posting today. For this up and coming eye wear company though, I'd have to tack on some actual excuses not to post.

Warby Parker is a company that spurred from the heart of the Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania from four students that had a passion for all things fashionable and vintage while creating a positive impact. Since their founding in 2010, they have based their operations in New York City (naturally) with a very revolutionary business model.

Just a few options only offered at Warby Parker.

All Warby Parker frames are designed and made in-house to limit any and all overhead; this helps to cut down the usual cost of designer glasses. They also offer the opportunity to try on five frames for no charge before you buy them. The most important part of the company, however, is the business model. For every pair purchased, Warby Parker makes a pair of glasses available to someone in need, having done so for 500,000 people thus far. Offering a variety of styles, and releasing new ones every season, its hard to see this company not completely changing the designer eye wear industry.

I believe it goes "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, feed him for a lifetime."

Visit their website to check out their collection, or if you're fortunate enough, visit one of their locations! Check in daily for more fashion advice and next Saturday for another great company spotlight!

Friday Faux Pas: Baggy Pants

January 31, 2014

One of the biggest problems I find in most wardrobes are ill fitting pants. Clearly, everyone has a preference towards fit, but there is a difference between preference and neglect and its rampant in most men's closets. Baggy jeans are a particular issue that needs to be addressed; its a simple fix and one that will instantly improve your look.

The Rap genre popularized baggy jeans, but I'm most concerned with the bag around the ankles that signifies that those pants need to be re-hemmed. If you're still rocking pants that show your boxers, then there is really no hope for you, it just shows a level of laziness that a belt was too much effort to put on. The bunching around the ankles makes your pants look like your dad gave you his old pair, so to stymie this connotation, locate a tailor and spend the $10 to get them fitted to you.

Left: muy bueno. Right: Where'd you get those...the toilet store?

Another alteration that is easy to do and will bolster a streamlined look is tapering. A similarly cheap pants fix that narrows the leg below the knee, so you get a slimmer look without the slim constriction. Admittedly, this is a preference topic, the tapered look isn't for everyone, but almost everything is worth trying at least once.

Check in daily for more fashion advice and next Friday for more of my style pet peeves!

Thursday Threads: Over(coat) Winter?

January 30, 2014

Being in Florida, you sometimes forget that up north there are these things called seasons like Fall, Spring, and Winter that mean more than just new merchandise in stores. My past couple of Thursday posts have been focused on the southern majority or the lucky snow birds that have managed to avoid the horrid winter doldrums of the Northeast. For the unfortunate millions, how do you stay warm and stylish at the same time? The overcoat!

Traditionally, overcoats are long jackets that drape over your outfit to protect you from the elements during your daily commute. The more contemporary design has tended towards a shorter, streamlined overcoat that still protects while adding to your look without looking like you just exited WWI. However, they tend to get pricey so chances are you'll have to pick one fabric, color, and style for your overcoat. Black pea coats are classic, navy nautical jackets are versatile, but if you want to stand out in a season dominated by a dull color palette, go for a camel wool trench coat. It'll still match all of your winter blues while differentiating you from the masses and giving you a nice transition coat into the Spring.

The Overcoat: