Inspiration: Day Break

Photographby Cameron Krone (via Contributing Editor)

Object | Just In - Our Legacy Camo Pant

Our Legacy is mixing it up with their classic chino, which now comes in a camo print.

Honestly, I'm not crazy about this one. Guess it's the bad memories from middle-school. You know that bully, three times the size as anyone else and always wearing baggy camo pants, who used to spend his recession beating up random kids out on the playground? Well, he kind of ruined camo pants for me forever. Only way I could justify this is if I were actually serving in the armed forces, and I'm not, so I think I'll pass on these ones.

Have to give Tres Bien some points for the styling though. The boots give the outfit that military touch that is essential in order to pull this off, while the white cable knit subdues it just enough to not make it look like a costume. And you gotta love the caption:
"Our Legacy - Not so classic chino"

Style: Baseball Jacket

The baseball jacket is truly one of the timeless styles of jackets, and this season it comes in plenty of different versions as most designers seems to have done their own take on it. Unfortunately I got one this fall and my budget doesn't really justify getting another one, not at retail anyway. Maybe I'll get one when the sales start. But for those of you who doesn't have a baseball jacket already, I'd say this is the time to get one. Here follows some examples as inspirations:

A.P.C Baseball Jacket

Patrik Ervell Collegiate Jacket in Bourette Silk

Our Legacy Sundried Red Baseball Jacket
(Also comes in a more neutral colorway for those more conservative)
(Though not available online anywhere?)

Band Of Outsiders Baseball Jacket

Object: Rag & Bone Seersucker Swim Trunks

I don't know what weather you people got but where I am, summer is closing in quickly. Soon the beach season will be here and with it comes the question of swimwear.

First thing you need to decide is the length and the model of them. There's board shorts, swim trunks and for the daring (read people with a lack of self-distance) speedos. Seriously, if you're not a swimming athlete don't go there. Personally, I always roll with the swim trunks.

Then there's the question of color and pattern. Some people play it safe and go with the classic one-colored ones while others go with what usually looks like a really bad acid trip. I'm one of the former I might add. But every once in a while you want something that stands out a bit more.

Rag & Bone's Seersucker swim trunks is just that kind of pair. Made in a light, blue and white striped seersucker fabric they're sure to get you noticed on the beach, and not in a bad way. Two side pockets, one back pocket with snap-closure for the things you don't want to lose and they've got the crucial mesh lining.

Get them from Blackbird Ballard.

Object: A.P.C. Braided Cotton Belt

When I was checking out Michael's post on his hunt for a braided belt I found this. Now, Michael don't get me wrong the leather version was sweet, but this one here definitely tops it. It's honestly one of the best looking belts I've seen in a long time and the perfect one for those approaching summer days.

Braided cotton with suede insets at both ends. Not crazy about the gold-plated buckle but I think it kind of works. Comes in white and blue, as shown in the picture.

Style Icon: Waris Ahluwalia

In a time where everybody seems to be spending hours browsing the LIFE archive in search of forgotten pictures of Steve McQueen, James Dean, Marlon Brando etc. searching for inspiration and dreaming of days past, we'd like to direct our attention to one of the few style icons of today. Believe it or not, they do exist. They're just often unfortunately overshadowed by people like Justin Timberlake and David Beckham. No offense to Mr. Timberlake & Co but they're hardly likely to be looked back on in a few decades as style icons.

One who very well might be, on the other hand, is Waris Ahluwalia, a man who's rightfully been getting more and more attention lately. Probably most recognized by the majority as an occasional actor, he has frequently appeared in his friend Wes Andersson's films such as "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zisou" and "The Darjeeling Limited". But Mr. Ahluwalia also has an excellent taste when it comes to dressing off-screen, often sporting sharp suits. Case in point, see the pictures. He combines the different pieces with an excellent sartorial taste in an effortless manor that comes across as very honest and genuine, something extremely rare in a fashion world where looks usually change as often as the wind.

Not only does he dress impeccably, he also does a bit of designing himself. Through his company House Of Waris he designs jewelry, drawing inspiration from "the romance and history of Italy and India", which also happens to be the countries where he has his ateliers. The line can be found in select stores around the world like Colette, Maxfield and Dover Street Market. The prices are pretty steep, as much as $66 000. Not bad for someone with no formal training in jewelry making.

The first time we heard of this multi-talented artist was when he did a colloboration with french brand A.P.C. a few years back (AW07 if memory serves us right). Since then we've been keeping a steady eye on him and we think you should too. Start by watching this movie about the making of his jewelry and be sure to catch him in the upcoming movie "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead".

Photo: Courtesy of The Sartorialist

The Style Is Right: Woolrich Woolen Mills Chambray Pen Jacket

This time it's Blackbird Ballard (or maybe Woolen Mills since the picture's from the showroom) who's done it. Taken a good piece and, with some good styling, turned it into a great one.

Woolrich Woolen Mills Chambray Pen Jacket is a three-buttoned, blazer-styled jacket with three external pockets and white contrast stitching. It's an excellent alternative for those who isn't quite comfortable in a sport coat and a refreshing take on the unconstructed jacket that's been popular lately. It's also a good piece for those who, like me, like chambray but feel that, come summer, the classic chambray shirt might become a bit too ubiquitous.

With the collar upturned like this, a white shirt under and a messenger bag casually thrown across it, it really becomes something special. This is exactly the way I would wear it, every single day of the summer.

Check out this link for more detailed pics.

On The Hunt For: Braided Belt

A couple of days ago I found myself in desperate need of a new belt. Belts, I've found, are an easy way out when you feel that you need to update your wardrobe but, like me, feel to stressed out (read lazy) to start shopping for summer clothes. You can usually wear the belt with almost anything in your existing wardrobe and thus create new, fresh-looking outfits. Now, I've already got a number of belts: The mandatory black leather one, the dito brown leather version and some random canvas ones too but there is one that I realised I've been missing out on; the braided leather belt.

So I went browsing the world wide web (that wonderful place where you can find almost anything you're searching for or procrastinate countless hours telling yourself that you are, in fact, searching for something). Turns out there are plenty of good options out there.

First one I found was this one, from Ralph Lauren. Looked to be the perfect width but the color seemed just a bit too light for my taste. I usually prefer a darker shade of brown. Then there was Anderson's D Ring Woven Belt. The color was more to my liking, the width not so much. Asking around for advice, one of my friends sent me this picture (see above) of a beautiful chocolate brown suede braided belt. He didn't know where he'd gotten the picture but identified the belt as being from Our Legacy's AW08 collection. So I went scouting for it but unfortunately for me I was probably a couple of months too late. Instead I found this one, also by Our Legacy. Definitely the best option so far but, like the Ralph Lauren one, a bit too light for me.

Finally I stumbled on the perfect one, purely by coincident. While browsing A.P.C.'s web, I found it. Perfect width, the perfect chestnut-brown color and it comes in a number of sizes so it will probably fit even my abnormally skinny waist. Pictured below, on the left.

Obsession: Richard Chai Long Cable Knit Cardigan

I spent a lot of the fall/winter season agonizing over Raf by Raf Simons's Long Wool Cardigan. It seemed like a piece perfect for just droning around on lazy weekends, or using layered in a more proper outfit on cold winter days. But I couldn't decide whether I really liked it and my priorities was elsewhere at the time. The price tag was pretty steep for my taste too. I figured I wait till the sales started and pick it up then, but when the sales came the cardigan was long gone.

Luckily for me I barely had time to regret my indecisiveness until another option showed up on the market, this time made by Richard Chai, who only recently got into menswear. This time I'm sure: I love this piece. I'm not really sure what's gotten me convinced. Maybe it's the cable knit or the fewer/bigger buttons. Anyway, it's a beautiful creation and the more I look at it, the more I'm starting to obsess over it. Haven't seen it showing up anywhere yet(?), but when it does I'm sure gonna snag it.

Inspiration: Michael Kors Cruise Collection

The Future Of Workwear

The discussion about the future of the workwear-trend has begun to spread on the internet and, although reporting trends isn't the purpose of this site, I'd figure I'd give you my take on it as it's an interesting topic to discuss. I haven't fully embraced the whole workwear-style, but I have, like many others, enjoyed the comfortableness, durability and quality of many workwear-related pieces.

First of all I'd like to discuss the quality aspect of it. Reading what people says about this, it seems that they think that the workwear-trend is about quality over quantity, about craftmanship. Well, it is and it isn't. Craftmanship may often a big part of it, but workwear doesn't have monopoly on it. Just because we move on to something different doesn't mean that we have to, or will, set aside quality.

Fashion is just an expression of the human nature. We are, by nature, experimental and restless. When we've gotten tired of one thing we move on to the next. The globalization and the internet has only speed up the process. Today, things are on their way out, even before their in. But we are also nostalgic. We like to remember our past and think about how good things used to be. Therefore fashion is not only changeable, it's also cyclical. Trends get big, die away, and then come back a few years later. Maybe not exactly the same, often re-interpretated to better suit the new times, but they do come back. So even if this is goodbye to the workwear-trend for now, it will come back sooner or later. Take my word for it. But it is going away for a while.

A lot of you are probably thinking "I have my own sense of style. I'm not affected by trends. I wear what I wear because I like it, whether it's 'in' or not." The truth is that we ARE affected by what others think . Maybe not the fashion world as such, but we draw our inspiration and taste from somewhere, even if it's just from our closest friends. So let's face it, our preferences will change and we will start looking for new things. The only people who are likely to completely stick with the workwear are the ones who wore it long before it started getting the attention of the fashion-world, the ones who actually have practical use for it. As for the rest of us, if you live in a city there really isn't any practical sense to wearing it. It's purely aesthetic and therefore many will drop out when the trend becomes (even more) exploited and wide-spread than it is now. Others will drop out when they realise that most others have moved on and that the reason that they're alone wearing workwear is no longer because they're ahead of the curve, but behind it.

So finally to sum it up for you, here's my personal opinion, the short version, on the matter: Is workwear as a trend on the way out? Yes, probably. What will replace it? There's no way of knowing, only the future can tell. Will it come back? Sooner or later, definetely. So maybe it's time you put away those Red Wings in the closet, but you better make sure you know where to find them..

On The Fence: Jumpsuits

Elvis in one of his signature jumpsuits

Okay, so here's the deal... Lately, I've been hung up on the idea of a jumpsuit. Now, usually I'm pretty open to new ideas and my personal style is far from conservative. But jumpsuits? I'm starting to seriously doubt my own sanity.

Usually reserved for infants, fighter pilots and prisoners, the jumpsuit is not something you're usually confronted with on an everyday basis, unless you live in Vegas. They're often baggy, ill-fitting garments whose sole purpose is to be easily put on and protect the clothes underneath. So am I alone in my crazy belief that maybe it's possible to incorporate it in a serious outfit, and not only make it work but even look good too?

Other's have obviously toyed with the idea before, including Duckie Brown, Kim Jones, Dolce & Gabbana, and more recently A.P.C. and Raf Simons, all with their own, personal take on them. Adam Kimmel has turned it into something of a signature piece of his. Clearly I'm not the first one, and still it hasn't gained any popularity. This is probably because it's such a hard piece to pull of and naturally incorporate it in your wardrobe.

How should it be worn then? In order to make it work I think you either have to make it blend in to the outfit by layering it with a waistcoat, or a cardigan or something, or go the other way and use it more like outerwear, like Etro did. As for the Elvis-style, don't even go there. Myself, I think I'm gonna lay low with the jump suits for now but I can't deny I'm still curiously fascinated with the concept. What do you think?

Jean-Paul Gaultier Fall 05

Etro Fall 05

Raf Simons Spring 09

Materialistic Thoughts: Jersey & Sweatpants

First of all, I'd like to admit that I might be the wrong person to write this. After I got rid of my three sizes too large-hoodie from Tommy Hilfiger back in the beginning of high school, I've never worn anything made from jersey outside my home unless I've been to the gym or out jogging. Don't get me wrong. Done right, jersey sweaters, hoodies and even sweatpants can look great, on the right person. It's just not my personal style and honestly there are a lot of warning examples out there of how it looks when done wrong.

But lately we have seen many great examples of how it should be done. Well-known sites such as Jake Davis & The Selvedge Yard has posted about sweatpants. Brands such as Band of Outsiders, Mjolk & Silver Spoon Attire has made sweatpants that look almost taylored with a much slimmer fit than we're used to see. And Édifice made a pretty good jacket, as did swedish brand Acne, while Peter Jensen made a really nice pair of shorts.

All in all, this has made way for a much more versatile use of clothing made out of jersey which probably will make people who usually are more conservative dressers (like myself) to take the step into wearing this in a non work-out context. I welcome this change as it's always nice when pieces find a new audience and a more versatile use. As inspiration I'll give you my two personal favourites below.

Silver Spoon Attire Sweatpants SS09

Isabelle Marant SS09

The Style Is Right: Opening Ceremony Shawl Collar Anorak

To kick this little adventure off, I thought I'd introduce what I hope will be a reoccuring feature here, called "The Style Is Right". I know, I know. Horrible name but I'm not feeling very creative at the moment. Anyway, it's a bit off a knock-of of Men's Style's Model Hard and the thought is to showcase those precious moments when a store through good styling/modeling makes a 2D piece of clothing really jump out at you and come alive.

First out is Opening Ceremony's Shawl Collar Anorak. Adjustable sleeves, elasticized waist and beautiful waist snap pockets. I'm not usually a big fan of zip-out hoods but I think it really works on this one. But what really does it for me is the carefree way the model wears it. It's how I picture it will look if you're wearing it on a slightly breezy summerday. Just perfect! Also, check out the picture of it in khaki. I'm having trouble deciding which one I like best. 660$ is kind of a lot of money, but you get a lot of wears out of it so I guess you get your money's value, right? If I'm getting any parka/windbreaker this spring this will definetly be it.