Friday Faux Pas: Busy Busy

April 18, 2014

This post goes hand in hand with overly matching, a topic I covered in an earlier edition of Friday Faux Pas, and is something that most unskilled fashionistos are guilty of from time to time. Finding yourself throwing together too many colors or patterns or adding on too many accessories can take a look down faster than a food fight in elementary school. I have found myself battling over this problem from time to time while trying to piece together the next days work attire or throwing on something for a night on the town (mostly cause I wanted to wear a specific piece in my wardrobe).

Tailoring, check. Colors, check. Patterns...what the hell happened?

How do you stop yourself? Look in the mirror when you think you're ready to leave and run through a quick checklist in your head:

What piece are my eyes drawn to?
Do the pieces transition well within the outfit?
Am I trying to hard to wear item X or Y?
What could I leave out?
Are the accessories I have on going to be noticed?

If you have trouble answering the first question, then you already know there's a problem and the following questions are useful in weeding out what exactly makes the outfit too busy. Keep running through the list until you're confident with what you have on, because at the end of the day, that's all that matters.

Sorry to bash your outfits Mr. Sager, but COME ON!

Check in tomorrow for a popular style influence and next Friday for another edition of my fashion faux pas!

Threads for Thought: The Color During the Storm

April 17, 2014

April may almost be over, but Mother Nature seems to think its still OK for cold weather up north. Down here in Florida, however, rain and shine is considered our summer motto and being prepared for this dilemma calls for either an umbrella or a raincoat. Umbrellas are a nuisance once they are no longer needed and I'm guessing your raincoat isn't exactly turning heads.

Burberry, Ferragamo, and Gucci are all on board.

Recall the Morton Salt logo, it features are little girl in the rain with a bright yellow raincoat on. Now I'm not saying it has to be yellow, but this rainy season calls for a colorful option in your anti-wetness arsenal. Most of you out there probably have traditional tan or black or something with a plaid pattern to it, but now is the time to either put it in the back of your closet or throw it out.

There are plenty of colors to choose from and a variety of designers who are participating in this little Spring/Summer movement, so you will have a good selection to choose from. The fact that its a bright color will be enough, but if you want to take it up a notch, find one that is blocked into different colors to add some extra contrast!

L.L. Bean: $79

K. Way: $95

Ralph Lauren: $395

Check in tomorrow for another edition of my fashion faux pas and next Thursday for more style pieces that beg your attention!

Wardrobe Essential: Grey Slacks

April 16, 2014

Looking back on my previous Wednesday posts, if you follow my advice somewhat closely, you'd be a man with suits, shoes, shirts, sport coats, ties, etc. One item that has been left on the proverbial wall are pants, but this is only due to the fact that everyone has specific tastes for what they prefer to wear.

Wade knows how to wear them formally.

One of the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe other than my white dress shirt happens to be a pair of dark grey dress pants that have a slight pattern on them, only noticeable up close. Nevertheless, these pants go with just about every shirt, shoe, and sport coat I own and is my go-to when I have no other ideas to work with.

Levine knows how to wear them casually.

The fabric is entirely up to you, but take into consideration where and when you will be wearing them; warmer climate wearers should opt for cotton or lightweight wool and cooler should opt for a thicker wool or heavy cotton fabric. The real decision is in the pattern, and I highly recommend not picking plain-Jane grey. Instead, go with a classic pattern (Glen Plaid, small houndstooth, insert iconic pattern here) and they will pair effortlessly with your entire wardrobe.