Friday Faux Pas: Pocket Square Overkill

Pocket squares may be one the easiest and cheapest style upgrades you could possibly have. Barring the fact that you splurge on over sized swatches of fabric, you can find them at my favorite site (The Tie Bar) anywhere between $8-$15 depending on the fabric or collaboration it might be affiliated to. But such an easy thing can turn sour if not done correctly.

#NOPE

It's not quite a widespread problem just yet, but lately, I have noticed an abundance of men who have these birds of paradise like pocket squares billowing out of the chest pocket on their jacket. At that point, it doesn't matter what the fabric or pattern or detailing the square may have because you have just lost any style that it innately had in the first place.

#FIRE

We are men and we are well dressed men most of the time. We are not clowns showboating our style around and we most certainly not attending costume parties everyday that require such garish and gaudy accessorizing. Cotton and wool pocket squares are meant to stick out of the pocket in a geometric and controlled manner where as silk is allowed to have a little bit of airiness to it, almost pillow like. Keep true to those 2 methods and you'll get noticed in all the right ways.

Got a little busy yesterday so today is a double post, so check in again for Celebrity Saturday and next Friday for another edition of Friday Faux Pas!

Celebrity Saturday: Xabi Alonso

For those of you foreign to futbol or Spain, Xabi Alonso might not rang a bell for you, but after this I hope you get a chance to google his soccer and his style. The man plays midfield for Premier League juggernaut, Liverpool, as well as a Spanish National Team that saw 3 major consecutive championships (Euro '08, World Cup '10, & Euro '12). Off the pitch, Alonso (at least in Spain) is famous for his impeccable style and was even named Best Dressed Footballer in the World (2010) and has even modeled for fashion powerhouses such as Ralph Lauren, Prada, and IWC. We can't all be soccer superstars, but we can be versatile in our style, the same way Xabi is on the pitch!

Check in tomorrow if you missed anything for the weekly recap and next Saturday for another stylish celebrity influence!

Threads for Thought: The Short Suit

So here today in South Florida, it was like a million degrees outside; thankfully I wasn't in work attire! But it brought to my attention that during the summer anywhere, it is almost too hot to be wearing long sleeve anything or pants. The alternatives for beating the hat abound, but one in particular is on trend now, so why hesitate?

Short suit spotting at Milan Fashion Week.

Short suits are exactly what the name implies, a suit with shorts. The jacket is the same, the style of the matching fabric remains, but instead of sweat inducing pants, you swap out for shorts. Granted, this look isn't appropriate all the time or at every occasion, but it is a fun way to challenge the status quo. It gives an almost juvenile edge to any outfit, so if young and hip is what you're going for, then by all means give it a try.

Nick Wooster is master of the short suit.

Before diving straight in and buying a short suit, try throwing together a sport coat and a pair of shorts you already own and see how you like it; my favorite look is my madras sport coat and a pair of shorts in a color that is woven into the plaid in the jacket. Another idea to break the ice, especially if you have an old suit lying around, is to take the pants to a tailor and have them turned into shorts for about $20 (at most). Experiment, see what works, and take this style head on because what better time than now?

Check in tomorrow for the next installment of Friday Faux Pas and next Thursday for  another fashion piece that deserves your consideration!