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Kick Around In A Pair Of Loafers This Summer

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The fail-safe shoes known as the loafers haven't changed much over the past 10 years. They are simple, masculine and may be great for warmer weather, but these classic shoes are appropriate for year-round use. Loafers are one of the most effortless pieces of footwear a man can have in his wardrobe. I mean, all you have to do is slip them on and go. It can't get any easier than that. I am proud of my sole pair of Ferragamo loafers. In fact, they are one of my most coveted items in my closet. I keep them in a fireproof safe in there. They are uncomplicated, black and are beautifully constructed (what pair of Italian shoes aren't?). If Ferragamo isn't your cup of tea, go for the classicism of Gucci horse-bit loafers or the modernized Johnston & Murphy tassle loafer. But if you're one of those guys who want your feet to get attention, opt for the blue Cole Haan penny loafers or the zest of Ted Baker's Aglio loafers. Need something a little more flashy, yet subtle? Bottega Veneta has some basket woven kicks for you. Then there is the whole issue on whether to go sock-less when wearing loafers. There's no crime in showing some ankle, but if you're like me and have an irrational fear of going nude below the ankles, Banana Republic has the perfect remedy: no-show loafer socks. Here are some other loafer ideas to kick around.

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Tags :   banana republic , bottega veneta , cole haan , gifts , gucci , johnston & murphy , loafer , loafers , men , mens , salvatore ferragamo , shoes , shopping , spring , style , summer , ted baker

It Never Hurts To Make A Good In-'Vest'-Ment!

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It's official. The vest has become the new blazer. You can dress it up with a shirt and tie. You can dress it down with a solid colored t-shirt. You can dress it sideways, dress it upside down-- no matter what you do with it, you can make it work. It adds a dapper touch to any outfit-- and all you need is one versatile vest in your wardrobe. For me, it's my Keanan Duffty vest from Target. I wear it every chance I get. But for those of you who need a nice vest to add to your closet, make sure it fits to a tee. An adjustable strap in the back is always helpful to give you a nice suit-like silhouette. Also, keep the color palette as simple as possible so that it goes with more stuff in your wardrobe-- but also look for subtle details that make them unique. The April 77 Transmission Vest has a snazzy zipper instead of buttons, while the texture of the Dolce & Gabbana Velvet Vest is sartorially appetizing-- but when making your in-'vest'-ment, don't go for one that is splattered with graphics or encrusted with rhinestones. You want to make heads turn towards you, not away. Check out the slideshow for some vests for you to consider.

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Tags :   april 77 , dkny , dolce & gabbana , hawkings mcgill , koto chambray , marc by marc jacobs , marc jacobs , mens , mens style , menswear , revolve clothing , urban outfitters , vest , vests

Khaki Suits Keep It Cool In The Spring And Summer

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A khaki suit is like a refreshing beverage on a warm day. It's crisp. It's light and it suits (no pun intended) the season. As the cooler seasons come to a close, put your black suit on the back burner and go for some lighter fare. A suit within the color palette of khaki can look just as good and sleek as a black suit. Another bonus for the khaki garb is that a lot of them are sold as separates and there's more versatility with the pieces-- but personally, I like to keep them all together. I have a separate black and khaki blazer that I use as my fail-safe separate. With the Ralph Lauren Rugby Newbury Chino suit, you can look like the perfect dandy and with a classic Brooks Brothers two-button poplin suit you can be the refined gentleman you were meant to be. A khaki or tan suit has this "happy-go-lucky" vibe that shines with the sun. With the right shirt, tie and pocket square, a lighter suit is a must for the spring and summer seasons. Check out the slideshow for some of these cool suits that are a lighter shade of brown.

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Tags :   brooks brothers , calvin klein , john varvatos , khaki , men , mens , mens fashion , mens style , mens suits , menswear , ralph lauren , ralph lauren rugby , separates , suit , suit jacket , suits , tan , tommy hilfiger

Academy Of Art University Runway: Dahae Kim Cuts The Edge Of Menswear

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If James Bond had a young, hip son that adored the likes of Nice Collective and John Varvatos, but wanted to wear a perfect marriage of the two, he'd have to go to Dahae Kim. From the moment her boldly-hued red suit came out on to the runway, the crowd knew they were in for a treat. Popping with structure and more-than-meets-the-eye detail, Kim's collection has an urban operative vibe that is in tune with contemporary fashion. It's sleek. It's sexy. It's now. Best of all, it's a nitrous boost of innovation that can easily carve its way into the world of modern menswear. Each look that came down the runway was thoughtful and injected with a mix of rockstar, hipster and dandyism. From afar, the coats and blazers that stomped their way down the runway (in some adamant-looking combat boots I might add) looked simple-chic, but up close, the detailing is immaculate. Seam lines and collar manipulation keep sartorial senses tingling while strategically placed zippers and atypical menswear silhouettes marched down the runway with a modest, yet unapologetic intensity. With her inspiration of disarmament and demilitarization, Kim is right ahead of the curve when it comes to men's fashion. Don't forget to check out the slideshow to see more of her work! Photo Credit: Randy Brooke

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Tags :   academy of art , academy of art university , combat boots , dahae kim , fashion , fashion design , fashion designer , james bond , john varvatos , men , mens , mens style , mens suits , menswear , new collective , runway , runway report

Academy Of Art University Runway: Scott McFarland Makes Knitwear For The Modern Man

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Scott McFarland uses his fine talents as a sculptor to mold yarn into some knitwear. For men. In light shades of pink. Before all you manly men grunt this off and go shotgun a beer, hear me out. McFarland has a distinct eye when it comes to fashion and knitwear design. His collection (which was also shown at New York Fashion Week in February) ingeniously contains knitwear inspired by Art Deco patterns, metal work, architecture and '20s androgyny. The chunky knit coats and sweaters are infused with patterns of diamonds and three-dimensional texture that give each piece a whimsical personality. His vision is cohesive, but the experimental knitting techniques are discreet. Besides being a maestro with fine-quality yarn, McFarland created his own yarn by cutting lace fabric into strips and hand knitting them into heavier knits for his outsized coats. The color palette of pale pinks, grays and blues are soft, but the construction of the collection is very strong. In other words, it has the sensitivity for a woman and the swagger of a gentleman. With each piece you can't help but be intrigued by McFarland's knitwear. Any modern dapper gentleman would get pulled into this orbit and wouldn't mind taking some of his brilliant pieces of clothing for a test drive. Check out the slideshow for some photos snapped right off the runway! Photo Credit: Randy Brooke

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Tags :   academy of art , academy of art university , androgynous , designer , knit , knitwear , men , mens , mens fashion , mens style , runway , runway report , runway show , runway style , scott mcfarland

Springy Men's Scarves Move To The Lightweight Division

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In essence, a scarf is one of two things: 1) a piece of fabric that you wrap around your neck to keep you warm or 2) a decorative item that hangs on your neck like garland on a Christmas tree. For the spring and summer seasons, the latter is what we look for. Ultimately, a scarf in the warmer season doesn't really serve a purpose. I have a lightweight scarf that I wore on a nice sunny day and no matter how warm I got, I refused to take it off because it pulled the outfit together in a way no other accessory can. Also, I didn't want to expose my neck in fear that it would be grotesquely sweaty. Nonetheless, lightweight scarves for the warmer seasons work well when the fabric is breathable and when it is wrapped loosely around your neck with dapper flair. For something a little simpler, opt for any of American Apparel's sheer jersey scarves. If you're going for that urban bandit look, Urban Outfitters can make you look like the ultimate hipster. And if you really wanna go all out, Phillip Lim's beaded silk scarf can turn a bunch of heads. Check out the slideshow for more man-friendly scarves.

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Tags :   american apparel , engineered garments , french connection , heritage 1981 , hipster , men , mens , mens accessories , mens style , oak , phillip lim , scarf , scarves , urban outfitters

A Thomas Pink Shirt Is The Perfect Travel Buddy

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Every once in a while, there is a shirt that can be considered the perfect shirt-- especially for the jet-setting gentleman. The Traveller from Thomas Pink is that shirt. The button down combines technology with dapper style to create a no-fuss miracle that is easy to handle. "Our customers are traveling more for business than ever before and yet demand that their business attire is not compromised as a result," said Jonathan Heilbron, the CEO of Thomas Pink in a statement. "The wardrobe equivalent of an iPhone, the Traveller is our new interpretation of 'smart work wear.'" Stamped with the signature Thomas Pink style, the shirt is constructed out of two-fold cotton with a single button cuff and is available in patterns, checks and solid colors. The shirt is also available in classic and slim-fit styles. And at $99, it is indeed, the perfect travelbuddy.

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Tags :   business attire , color , shirt , shopping , style , thomas pink , travel

Lacoste Gives Us A Lesson In Crocodile Mythology

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I remember my very first Lacoste experience. I wore one of their polos to my first day of kindergarten (yes, I was way ahead of my time). I was so proud of the shirt that I went up to my teacher and said with boyish excitement, "Look! I have a crocodile on my shirt!" Fast forward to today and I still get excited when I don one of their polos. I go up to total strangers on the street and say with boyish excitement, "Look! I have a crocodile on my shirt!" In any matter, the crocodile has become synonymous with the savvy sportswear brand since Rene Lacoste started it over 75 years ago. To celebrate Lacoste's chic crocodile, they have created a collection of shoes that cleverly incorporates mythologies associated with crocodiles all around the world. The Ogata India is inspired by Hindu temple motifs and tells the ancient myth of the Hindu philosopher Shankara and his relationship with the Mugger Crocodile. The Tennis Polynesia uses rich brown tones of the New Guinea Crocodile and wood carvings of the Nuga, a half man half crocodile that is associated with the creation of the world. The urban legend of monstrous crocodiles in the sewers of New York City are showcased in the street-chic Revan 3 NYC, and the Rene Lacoste Japan (my personal favorite) tells the story of a blind men who was left to drown by his cruel sons via a gorgeous crocodile skin print upper inspired from traditional Japanese silk kimono. The other styles in the limited collection are created from crocodile mythologies from South Africa, Egypt, West Africa and Brazil. See some pics of the collection in the slideshow, then read more about these crocodile myths at www.lacostecrocmyths.com.

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Tags :   crocodile , international , lacoste , limited , limited edition , mythology , polo , polo shirt , rene lacoste , shoe , shoe line , shoes , sneaker , sneakers , tennis shoes

"Valentino: The Last Emperor" Hits The Silver Screen

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When Valentino Garavani retired from the fashion scene, a shiver went up and down the spine of the fashion industry. For the past 45 years Valentino is considered the last couturier in the world and his longevity of genius has withstood good and bad trends. Lucky for us, Matt Tyrnauer (longtime editor and writer for Vanity Fair) directed and produced, "Valentino: The Last Emperor", a documentary that gives us an intimate look at the designer's life.


The documentary has received critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival and won for Best Documentary at the 2008 Chicago Film Festival-- and it is well deserved. From sketch to runway we get to see Valentino stripped down, up close and personal. We see him design. We see him laugh. We see him cry. We see him with his adorable herd of pugs. We see him argue with his business partner and companion, Giancarlo Giammetti. We see him at the pinnacle of his diva-ness. We see him as he should be seen: a human. Seeing him as an actual person rather than fashion royalty connects us more to Valentino. It not only makes him an attainable public figure, but it makes us miss him more. The title of the film says it all. He is, in fact "The Last Emperor." "Valentino: The Last Emperor" is currently playing in select theaters. Take a look at the slideshow for some sneak peeks! Photo credit: Acolyte Films

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Tags :   designer , documentary , fashion , matt tyrnauer , movie , style , valentino , valentino garavani , vanity fair

Dress Yourself Up In Stylish Sneakers!

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As we enter the spring and summer seasons, more and more men are storing their boots and looking for something that is more comfortable. Enter the fail-safe sneaker. I am not talking about workout sneakers; I am talking about bonafide luxe sneakers that can go well with a pair of khaki shorts just as they do with a soft-shouldered jacket. The trick when picking a pair of fashion kicks is to make them as simple as possible. They should be plain with a little bit of zest. Gucci and Prada always have sneakers that can be dressed up or down, but if you're looking for something with a little bit more edge, opt for a pair of Marc Jacobs silver shoes or some patent leather low-tops by Yohji Yamamoto. Here are some sneakers for spring and summer for you to chew on (not literally).

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Tags :   gucci , luxe sneakers , marc jacobs , prada , shoes , sneakers , yohji yamamoto
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