Threads for Thought: Beanies, Baby!

The hipster breed has been responsible for the eruption and disruption of a number of trends in the past decade; without them, I think we'd all still be lost in the baggy jeans era. One of these such things happens to be their staple accessory and something I'm sure you receive at hipster gatherings as a right of passage and then are mandated to have with you at all times.
Have no fear though, during the colder months, beanies are a perfectly acceptable and highly fashionable piece of headwear, which means you won't look like a hipster if you wear one. Staying true to the whole Avant Bland movement, designers are making these knit caps out of some high-quality fabrics that you thought we're reserved for much more refined items. Alongside these simplistic forms, you're also going to find a wide array of bright patterns amidst a dark background, as per fall tradition.
If you think you're going to be wearing a beanie everyday, you're wrong. That move may well group you in with the hipster crop, not something that any of us want for you. If you want to go super luxe and very minimalist, get something (if you can find it) with a mohair/cashmere blend and get it in a deep forest green or vibrant orange. The other route is getting the near grandma-ish knitted cotton beanie with a preppy pattern. Either way, you're going to make a statement the one of two times a week you wear it.
Check in tomorrow for this week's edition of Friday Faux Pas and next Thursday for another piece that deserves your consideration!

Wardrobe Essentials: Chukka Boots

For the transition between the sweltering heat and the bone chilling cold, you need to have some tricks up your sleeve in the footwear department. Heavy duty boots will be to warm and dense for a breezy day in October and your driving mocs will lack the much needed insulation in any weather that reaches into the near freezing department.
Exhibit A: Casual.
You need something that bridges the gap between shoe and boot, that can work in any type of weather that this upcoming season decides to throw at you. With that in mind, look for chukka boots, an ankle high boot that is going to be your savior this fall/winter. They come in many shapes and sizes, but the overlying theme is their pseudo-hybrid combination of a boot and a shoe that you can wear in just about any weather and for almost any occasion. Granted they are a casual shoe, in the current men's wear environment, it's not a bad idea to try and pair them with a suit and see how it looks.
Exhibit B: Dressy.
Keep the constructions simple with your choices; you don't want a crazy amount of extras making them less versatile. Instead, you should be looking for chukkas with rich leather and deep color that will get better every time you wear them. A nice mid calf leather in a rich brown, a rich suede in a mahogany tone, or a silky nubuck in a sandy shade. Now pair them with jeans or some cords and let the rest of the outfit come together around them, because a good outfit starts from the ground up.
Allen Edmonds: $295
Cole Haan: $178
Clarks: $130
Check in tomorrow for a fashion piece that deserves your consideration and next Wednesday for another closet necessity!

Tech Tuesday: The Q Bracelet

Available for Apple and Android products.
Most of the wearable technology "breakthroughs" have been made with accessories and used as a measure to interact with your phone or tabletop any other smart device, but there haven't been very many waves elsewhere. Last week I detailed the Polo Tech Line from Ralph Lauren, which is quite revolutionary in its approach to the Internet of things, but yet again, something that requires a direct link to your phone for effective use. The Q Bracelet, by Q Designs, is a new concept that merges fashion and portable charging. The simple design features a metal casing in a variety of popular finishes, which keeps it looking fashionable and timeless, all while concealing a powerful lithium ion battery that can charge your phone up to 60%; you can't tell me that won't come in the clutch at some point in your hectic life. The better news? This is only the first of Q Designs innovations, so be on the lookout for this company and all their exciting new products.

Check in tomorrow for a style piece that needs to be in your wardrobe and next Tuesday for more exciting tech!