BAGS THAT YOU CAN TOTES GO MAD FOR

I-pads, magazines, supplements, cell phones, chargers, credit cards, loose change, sunglasses, work papers, laptops, water bottles. The modern working man has more to carry than before, and a wallet isn't going to hold it all. As men become more aware of the importance of what they wear, they also learn that the accessories  are just as important...

With work environments shifting from traditional to more creative, the options for men's bags have become more varied. However, no mater how laid back the office, you don't want to walk into a meeting or workplace with a gym bag fill of legal briefs or reports. Jack Spade has great options for the new breed of professional men, but for those of us on a budget here are some alternatives just in case you want to pay your rent too. Enjoy....


The Briefcase 

Jack Spade wax-wear computer briefcase $398.00

M151 7th Avenue briefcase $80, available at Macy's

The Messenger-Bag

Jack Spade mason leather messenger bag $398

Keneth Cole Reaction messenger bag $149

The Tote

Jack Spade dipped carpenter canvas tote bag $295

GAP coated canvas tote $59.95

The Back-Pack

Jack Spade rope canvas cinch backpack $198

CPO shore cinch backpack $49, available at Urban Outfitters

PRINCE OF PANTS

I am not the most traditional man in my approach towards fashion. I do believe in classic looks. However, the urge to tweak the convention just enough to make it subversive and, dare I say, theatric, is too tempting. That's how the powder blue suit became so famous. It's all in balancing the elements of your look.  

The easiest and most refreshing way to pump up your wardrobe is through color. Before the sphincters of the men reading this contract with the force of a black-hole, permit me to explain.
A man's fear of colors beyond black, white, or blue is unfounded and silly. Color makes your basic pieces  exciting and, most importantly, the wearer more memorable. 
Here is my take on color utilized alongside a man's best piece. Pants, just pants, and this is how it's done....




YELLOW: Bright, fresh, and zesty, yellow is one of those colors that take neutrals into new and exciting places. Like, let's say, a business meeting on the wrong side town where patio furniture and garbage cans are knocked over. Looks rough...

The Look: Striped short sleeve button down/ American Apparel, Yellow skinny jeans/ Cheap Monday,
Suede and leather clutch/ Stylist's own archived vintage, Brown dress shoes/ H&M

GREEN: Lush, deep, and regal, verdant shades are best coupled with colors that are the opposite of their intensity but within a monochromatic scheme. Green is a color that evokes health and brings life to even the greyest of jackets, or days. I'm going to finish my nap now.

The Look: Plaid shirt/Standard Cloth, Grey jersey jacket/H&M, Green trousers & brown boots/Hawkings McGill

RED: Provocative, seductive, and passionate, red is the color most thought of when you want more bang for your buck or fruit in your fruit bunch. Sexy and dangerous, what else would you wear while you wait for someone behind a tool-shed...

The Look: Grey sweatshirt/H&M, Red trousers/ Hawkings McGill, Hi-tops/Converse, Jewelry Giles&Brother

IF THE SHOE FITS (sneakers for a grown man)

   There's a myth about women and shoes, it's that they alone have a great affinity for copious amounts of footwear. Men more so in the last 10 years have become foot wear aficionados in our own right.Unlike women however we enjoy holding on to tokens of our youth and athletic aspirations( no matter how ridiculous) on an almost fanatical level. Try asking a customer  in line at any sneaker store waiting for the latest pair of Air Force 1's why they've been there since 5 am. The answer ( you don't want to know, they've been waiting since 5 am. Nobody wants to talk  to you unless you are dressed like a referee.  ) A man's relationship with fashion especially shoes, is one of declaration. You can tell a lot about a man by his shoes ( or at least about how he views himself). 

   As boys the first shoes we remember wearing are sneakers. When you get to your early to mid-late 20's/30's the challenge becomes how to wear sneakers in a way that doesn't scream "My mom still does my laundry". With fashion sneakers being made in tons of bright colors and different materials, it's important to have some solid basics that compliment a grown man's wardrobe. Here are a few pairs from Vans which I think are perfect for anything from jeans to suits...

      

                                                                                       

                                   OTW byVans Canvas and Leather                                              Awesome with chinos, denim, or slacks
They Guy:Downtown Hip, get this man a latte.
                         
                                                 

                                   

                               Vans Era 59 California Suede
                                A great casual shoe, perfect for shorts
                                     The Guy: Fun in the sun type, not 
                                opposed  to wearing hemp.

Vans Authentic California
Geometric prints offers some fun
    Good pick for black jeans or shorts.
The Guy: Eccentric and cool, not afraid
to wear some cool jewelry.  

Vans Del Norte Canvas Hi-Top
Great for kaki's or camo prints.
The Guy: Enjoys a relaxed fit pant, and
cool graphic tees.

Vans Era Decon California Nappa
Leather sneakers. Great with slacks,
button down shirts and slacks.
The Guy: Slick and Cool, loves monochrome
outfits. well versed in fashion. maybe a blogger.

(all shoes available at urbanoutfitters.com)

SWISS ARMY SHIRT ( 1 shirt, 4 looks, fast and easy)

 Remember the days when your phone could only make  calls? Well if you don't I'm sure there's an app for that. The 21st century seems obsessed with multi-faceted products. So if your cereal doesn't also clear up your acne and come with a flurry of new Instagram filters, chances are it's staying on the shelves. In fashion, clothing with multiple uses built in aren't always the best choices. I have one word for you, CARGO PANTS. Actually I have one more, SKORTS. However a seemingly simple article of clothing isn't a one trick pony. Take a straight forward men's shirt for instance. At first glance you just see a shirt, but to my refined eye I see a pony who is just full of tricks. The following 4 looks are comprised of only 4 garments. If that math doesn't sound impressive most looks need 2-3 different pieces. So technically I am giving you 50% more fashion. So you're welcome and enjoy...

THE PIECE: Banded collar men's shirt H&M

THE CLASSIC: Straight forward, tucked into a pair of dress slacks, coupled with a red belt for fun.                                                                                        
Trousers/Belt, American Apparel
                                                                                                                                                                                                          

                             

                                                                             
                                                         THE CASUAL: This look translates the same shirt into
                                           a more low key  outfit. Paired with  denim  and a striped T-Shirt for depth.
                                  Jeans, Levi's/ T-Shirt, H&M
                                                                          

THE RELAXED: Roll up the sleeves, lose the T-Shirt and keep the jeans.
 This look is a great meeting point between the Classic and The Casual .

THE SUSPENDERS: This look is more trend specific, here the sleeves are rolled up higher
         the shirt is tucked into the jeans and fastened up to the top button.
                  Add suspenders and voila.              
     Suspenders, H&M    

OXFORDS: Great with the Classic, or the Relaxed
Oxfords, H&M

Kilties: Perfect for the Relaxed or the Casual
Kilties, Johnston Murphy

SNEAKERS: Awesome with the Casual and especially the Suspenders
Sneakers, Converse hi-top Chucks

BEHIND THE LOOK

The key to any successful look is a great story. It's more than fishing a shirt out of the laundry basket and throwing it on. Great style comes from effort not just the clothing itself. Sweat pants may get the job done but we need more fashion foreplay in our lives. 

Here are some of my looks from the past weeks, along with the stories that frequently swirl about in my head while I am getting dressed...

The Look: Dropped crotch pants, T-shirt, Base-
ball style nylon bomber.                                      
Key Pieces: Dropped crotch pants, Bomber    
jacket.                                                                      
The Story: Indian Prince goes after his dream of
making  it big in Major League Base-Ball.                  

The Look: ChambrayShirt, Silk Trousers, Suede Booties.
Key Pieces: Silk Trousers,Suede Booties.                          
The Story: A French male courtesan falls in love with a  
Canadian leather goods dealer.                                              

The Look:Sweat-Shirt w/ quilted shoulder patches            
Corduroy Pants, Military Boots, Gold Watch.                      
Key Pieces: Sweat-Shirt, Gold Watch, Boots.                      
The Story: The Son of a wealthy oil Tycoon get's a job as a
gardner after a sex scandal tarnishes the family name        
and he is disinherited.                                                              
   

CLASS WITH BRASS

Precious metals have been at the corner stone of opulent declarations... Crowns, wedding bands, high end dinner ware, gold silver, and platinum are the end all and the be all... Not necessarily, although I won't be turning down a rose gold Cartier bracelet ever, my budget will only allow so much... for the young and fabulous in a bit of a financial pinch try the wonderful world of brass jewelry... Easy to clean and polish, and it never turns... There are a multitude of young designers turning this sturdy metal into fashion art...

Miansai brass cuffs available Miansai .com and select retailers

Giles and Brother brass cuffs and bracelets available Giles and Brother.com or my jewelry case

MISSION STATEMENT

This marks the beginning of my new blog, Aesthetics... The world around us is primarily absorbed visually, so presentation is not only key but fundamental... Fashion is the most essentially visual with nuance and personality that is directly linked to a person... You are essentially wearing the decisions you have made to reach the point of your outfit's final incarnation... Enjoy...