Men’s Coats: Get Spring Covered

You may not be wrapping up in layers and padded parkas, but spring still requires outerwear. Here’s a quick guide to the new season’s best cover ups – from the styles to track down to the shades to seek out, you’re sure to meet your match.

Metallic Madness

Shine is in! You don’t have to go all-out Quality Street-style by taking the offerings of designers like Lanvin and Christopher Raeburn as gospel, but don’t shy away from this trend on an unwearability basis; why not try a bomber jacket with metallic sleeves, for example? Not only will you be hitting two trends in one, but this will have enough more traditional fabric to ensure you feel comfortable in it, but with just the right amount of metallic material to pay proper tribute to the trend.

Nicely Nautical

The designers return to it year on year, but with sharp colours, smart/casual appeal and more than a small dose of fun, the nautical trend is worth its reoccurrences. Invest in a navy coat in a light material to give the look a passing nod, or, for a Louis Vuitton-inspired  tailored look, why not opt for a blue or white blazer? They’re more versatile than you’d think; wear with chinos or even tailored shorts for a casual daytime look, and dress it up with a smart shirt and immaculate smart trousers by night.

Come Around To Camo

It may seem a bit ‘surplus army store’ to some of us, but it’s time to embrace this print-tastic trend. For men, military-inspired outerwear is the perfect way to work this – just be sure to keep the rest of your outfit fairly low-key. A heat-friendly light T-shirt and dark jeans are ideal. If you don’t fancy being taken over by the instantly-recognisable smudges of a camo coat, go for a khaki military-style jacket like the one you’ll find here to put a classic spin on this trend.

Give Your Look the Boot!

Rugged winter boots can turn your basic button downs and sweaters into a cool effortless look.  Pair with distressed denim, corduroy’s or even slacks for a  stylish twist.  Tips: if wearing skinnies show more boot; if wearing baggy bootcuts, tuck the front hem into the boot and don’t be afraid to show some sock; and with slacks roll ‘em up a bit but keep the pants baggy for a rough, preppy touch.

Moccasin Boot – $298 at 80spurple.com

Distressed Lace Up Boots – $100 at Aldoshoes.com

Paladium Baggy Leather Boot - $120 at Urbanoutfitters.com

Timberland City Adventure Boot – $84.99 at Macys.com

Hammond Boots – $299 at Nordstrom.com

Celeb Style: Fair Isle Looks For less

How can you not love Jessica Biel’s adorable Smythe Fair Isle Coat; it’s totally my look and captures the classic Winter style (with great selections for men too!). Check out my affordable finds below.

Fair Isle Parka - $89.40 at Lordandtaylor.com

Fair Isle Sweater Vest - $69.50 at AE.com

Fair Isle Belted Sweater – $48.65 at Bloomingdales.com

Fair Isle Sweater - $34.90 at Forever21.com

Fair Isle Shawl Cardigan - $98 at Gap.com

Sigur Cardigan – $75 at Allsaints.com

 

Work It! Express Business Suits!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

There’s nothing like a clean-cut suit on a man.  It exudes confidence, authority and most of all an elegance that never goes out of style.  Express has the suit for any occasion; whether the office, the interview or the romantic dinner for two.  I loved the Express Producer Suit with full shoulders and modern smooth fit through the chest and the Photographer Suit with its slim fitting pants.   Which style are you? Producer or Photographer?  Check them out below and make sure you fan on Facebook to enter Express Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $500 Suiting makeover.

 

Brad Pitt’s Look for Less!

I’m prepared that a lot of you out there will think Brad Pitt’s outfit is a hot mess; but I can’t help myself.  I love it!  For reasons I can’t quite articulate, the khakis/sweater combo gives off this sexy Mr. Rogers look that just…works for me.  And yes, I even think the dirty, tussled hair adds to the whole vibe. So if you’re in the mood to get down and dirty with your inner nerdy, try Brad’s look for less with pieces from Hanes, Karmaloop, Kohls and more!

 

Chino Pant - $57.87 at Amazon.com

Shawl Cardigan – $58 at Karmalopp.com

Hanes Classic Tee – $21 at Kohls.com

Skylow Supra – $70 at Suprafootwear.com

Retro Sunglasses - $21.95 at Asos.com

2011 Major Fashion Trends for Men

Gone are the days when fashion trends were simply meant for women. Guys have now become equally conscious about what they wear and how they accessorize themselves. Men are now equally interested in fashion weeks held at the four major destinations Milan, Paris, London and New York.

Whether you are a style guru or an average guy, fashion trends for spring 2011 will not disappoint you.

Globe Totter: The hottest trend of spring 2011 reflects the Captain Cook look. Do you remember the captain sailing on Pacific Ocean? The fashion idea for 2011 is similar – West meets East. The fashion week held in New York played with the idea – clothing as storytelling. Clothing that gives a feel of adventure are going to be a big hit this year.

Duckie Brown: The Duckie Brown collection displayed by Daniel Silver at New York 2011 Spring Fashion Week clearly conveyed the message that the effort was to make every single piece unique. This collection perfectly reflected the West meets East look. If you are in search of a similar style, opt for garments that exhibit an eccentric mix of patterns and colors.

Gilded Age: The clipper ships and the Pan American World Airways uniforms are the inspiration for this style. You can find shirts designed with fabrics that look aged by the sun. Drawstrings at your waist, epaulettes and multi-pocket jackets are going to bring the vintage look.

Billy Reid: The Billy Reid collection was another major success at New York Fashion week spring 2011. The designer was inspired by his birthplace Louisiana and his creations captured the essence of the Louisiana style. His collections displayed madras jackets with hand made patchwork, heirloom buckled belts, the kind of dresses that would evoke a sense of tradition. Wearing a Billy Reid garment can give you the vintage look you are crazy about.

If you want to keep pace with the spring fashion trend 2011 look for some of these things including epaulettes, leather travel bag, vintage prints, sun aged fabrics, lived-in leather jackets, jackets with multiple pockets, handcrafted detailing, awning stripes and many more.

Fashion Friday: The Cat In The Hat

The following is a guest post by Stylist Manifesto!

As far as headwear goes, we fellas have unlimited choices regardless of weather outside. One of my favorites is the classic new era fitted with current colors ranging from the bold to more subdued hues. Check out my selection below:

The hundreds ‘chop’ hat in blue – $30 at ShopMODA3.com

The Stylist Manifesto: Frugal Fashionable Fellas

Even though the economy currently sucks, one must still expand his or her wardrobe from time to time. This is where shopping on a strict budget comes in. For this post in going to craft two outfits for under $200. Just for the frugal, fashionable fella.

Outfit 1:

We’ll start off with a more dressed-up version of the casual ensemble. This single button blazer is a great start, especially at only $34.20 at yesstyle.com.

This is a refreshing change from the traditional button-up as it’s not only a textured example, but also a utility version with shoulder detailing. The gray palette is wonderfully visited in modern form. Note the complementary neckwear that follows $16.00 at topman.com.

The diagonal pattern nicely reflects that romantic evening you’ve got planned for your baby,  and @ $6, how can you pass it up? Topman.com baby!

There’s just something wintery about silver! This tie in brushed silver stands out beautifully against the gray utility shirt and the reflection from the silver fleck will definitely catch your mamita’s fancy. Enjoy for only $6 at topman.com.

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The Stylist Manifesto: North by Northwest

If you remember my le mans post, you know I absolutely LOVE vintage cinema and alot of my fashion reflects this. For this post, we’re going to dive into winter fashion with some ensembles that transition from dress to casual as smoothly as Carey Grant does from lady to lady.

Top Layer:

To start things off we’ll start with the peacoat. Fashionably appropriate every year, it’s a good start to our classic yet modern ensemble. $213.90 @ Nordstrom.com

Middle Layer:

Instead of the usual gray wool, we’re going to go with a more complicated check pattern. Not too flashy yet just enough detail to stand out. $345 @ Nordstrom.com

Next layer:

Usually I’d recommend a crisp white for the button-down, but for this outing we’ll opt for a beautifully soft peach. It’ll tie into what we’ve got planned I promise $65 @ Nordstrom.com

Bottom(s) layer:

Gray slacks. From the beginning of modern fashion, we men have always looked great in these. Choose a heavier material for the colder weather. I’d only go a shade or two darker than the blazer this time. $145 @ Nordstrom.com

Basement Layer:

For shoes we’re going brown. Gray on black is so boring and conventional. These lighter examples perfectly accent the button-down, blazer, slacks, AND the jewels coming next. $99.95 @ Nordstrom.com

Jewelry:

Gold all the way. This Nixon is hotter than the sun and plays off our color scheme in the best way possible. $450 @ Nordstrom.com

If you’re going to rock any other jewelry with this outfit make sure it resides in the brown color palette (brown, copper, gold, etc.) to maintain our current aesthetic.

Neckwear I leave to your imagination but to ensure compatibility, try to pick up something that highlights the two colors we’ve been working with (perhaps a smoke & brown stripe or check?). With the options presented here, you’ll be able to blow all of your colleagues away with your timeless yet modern interpretation of a winter wardrobe. For more fashion-forward writing, check out thenorthshorestyle.com/stylistmanifesto!

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