8 tips to dress up your bermuda shorts!

Who says you cant dress up with shorts, or wear shorts for work??? Unless you are in a conservative, corporate setting than shorts can be as stylish, as respected and as business looking....it will just come down to what are they made in (suiting fabric, Chambray, cotton twill, etc.) and how would you wear them.
As a matter of fact history support that and back in the day Bermuda shorts used to be called dress shorts. They were worn by the British army and were considered appropriate business attire for men when made of suit-like material and worn with knee-length socks, a dress shirt, tie, and blazer.
Here are seven tips that will help you to dress up your shorts:

• Fabric - Pay attention to what they are made in, for example when done in suiting fabrics will automatically make your short more dress appropriate as oppose to washed cotton twill.Generally any fabric that has a bit of shin such as chambray will look good as well.
• Fit - as always this is a crucial element, if you want your shorts to look dressier you need to make sure they are FITTED, cause a looser, baggier shorts will make you look shlumpy and casual so make sure to have them tapered and fitted.

The skinny cargo pants

J Brand at Park & Bond

In my personal style cargo pants were never an option....it could be that i had enough of them during my 3 years army service.... but i think it has to do more with the fact that cargos are usually just ugly (even the short version that everyone seam to wear this last summers)! They are big, baggy, comes in unattractive colors and have way too many pockets (bulky and not flat) and zippers...i like a militant inspiration when its used in sophistication. 
But  than i saw the fresh cargo skinny versions and it got me wonder... and more so inspired and even wanting one.... i wouldn't probably go with the army and khaki color palate just to  keep it away form the typical cargo pants...i like the denim versions below here from G-Star...they have a cool feel and i can see them paired with a white T and a light fall crew or v-neck knit and high bulky sneakers or boots and casual looks better than ever....

G-Star on revolve

 G-Star denim versions

The polo shirt

Thom Browne

What is a polo shirt - Just in case someone doesn't know here is a piece of history:
The polo shirt is a knitted T shaped shirt with a collar and short buttoned placket (usually 3-4 buttons) also known as a golf shirt or tennis shirt. It all started when Rene Lacoste - A french tennis player (who was a 7-time Grand Slam champion), got fed up with the traditional and uncomfortable tennis uniform  and wore for the 1926 US Open a white, short-sleeved, loosely-knit piqué cotton shirt, with an unstarched, flat collar, a buttoned placket, and a longer shirt-tail in back than in front! A year later he added the Crocodile (his american nickname) emblem on the left breast of his shirts and in 1933 he took the shirt globally when he started his own brand  Chemise Lacoste. Polo players wore a similar long sleeve style shirt that was not as comfortable and ended up adopting Lacoste's design while over time and especially after that in 1972 Ralph Lauren included the polo shirt in his collection the tennis shirt became the POLO SHIRT!

When i was a teen in the early eighties, in Israel it was still known as the Lacoste shirt and me and my friends had about every color that was available in this shirt but for some reason in the last 25 years i cant remember if i ever owned or wore a polo shirt. I think the fact that it became so popular and has its own clothing category, and every major brand has some version of it or even more so it became a go to item for uniform - just killed it for me!
You are probably asking yourself why am i dedicating a post to the polo shirt than? Well, first of all this Blog is not about me but you, and since probably 90% (if not more) of you own at list one polo shirt it makes sense to throw in my 2 cents! Therefore my thought is that if you were to wear something that is so popular you should look for ones that are more unique to set you apart, and when i was looking through the endless options and versions of the polo shirts out there i found some that can add to any man of style out there as long as you keep it snug and slim in the body and especially the sleeves.... Take a look at my choices and let me know what you think... 

 Below: Jil Sander and Kitsune Contrast Tip

Spring 2011 Must have - Military shirt

BOAZ small gingham military shirt

The military inspired shirt (or as GQ called it the Epaulette shirt), is the dominating spring/summer style in stores this  season....almost as if it is the new classic shirt that every guy should have in his wardrobe.
In its behalf i will say that it's a very masculine style and a great complimentary for a man's body type! The militant details like the epaulets or the front flap pockets are ones that always look good and add to it the fact that the runway shows have strongly adapted the militant inspiration, and you got yourself a winner for these up and coming hot days!
As always for me the most important part to look for in a shirt is the fit! if the shirt is big and loose than all these above masculine details will make you look like a potato bag rather than A man of style! and we obviously dont want that to happen...Go for a slim fit style or just get a smaller size, let the body of the shirt snug and hug your body and look for a higher armhole so the sleeves will not be too baggy....the fitted shoulders will enhance the impact of the epaulets adding power to your style, so when you roll up your sleeves all this hard work at the gym will pay off...check out our BOAZ shirts for a great fit!

Todd Snyder

As far as colors and fabric choices i would stay with solid colors or subtle smaller stripes and gingham/plaids patterns, it will keep your style sophisticated  which can work for both work and pleasure...stay away  from big load prints and other logos and embroideries......unless its your beach shirt.
Unless you have a fitted athletic body no need to to tack the shirt it, especially if what you'd like to put out there is a younger, cooler feel. At times a tie can be a fun addition which in that case go for a solid color shirt and a casual, cotton, fun tie.....nothing too serious and no silk please!
A military shirt will go great with jeans, or chino and depends on the style could pair with trousers as well.
One last tip - i would stay away from short sleeves and much rather roll up the sleeves...unless young and stylish is not your thing!

Gucci

Burberry

The cardigan sweater - what to choose and how to wear?

Converse by John Varvatos

My first memory of a cardigan is of my grandfather, he wore them quite a lot. He had some that were thinner in solid color that he wore at times under suits and some that were chunkier with big textured leather buttons that he wore out on on its own or under a jacket or even just at home to keep him warm. My guess is that almost everyone who is reading this have somewhat a similar memory to that of their grandparents, after all the cardigan is known as the grandpa sweater! My second memory happened many years later when Kurt Cobain sport the cardigan look, i especially remember the time when Nirvana played their MTV unplugged and he was wearing this green/yellowy vintage looking one over T jeans and snickers....that was Grange in its best (and also one of the greatest moments of Rock if you ask me...).

Amy way enough of my memories. The cardigan is a great item for transitional weather when temperature changes through out the day and layering is in order. I like that its easy to incorporate it into your day with any style whether you go casual or more dressy like Pep Guardiola (the Barcelona manager shown below) sporting it under a suit.

Pep Guardiola in action and style....

Now days there a lot of cardigan style to choose from, from a classic with leather buttons to a zip-up with cardigan and much more. below are some of the main styles you should concider:

Fall style - The bomber jackets

JOHN VARVATOS STAR USA

Known also as a Flight jacket the bomber jacket is a piece that originally was created for pilots. It was started in WW I (it s amazing to think of how many great styles and garments were created in the two world wars....), when airplanes did not have an enclosed cockpit, which necessitated a garment that could keep pilots sufficiently warm (can you imagine flying up there in an open cockpit????? man i'm freezing just thinking about it...). The US Army established the Aviation Clothing Board in September 1917 and began distributing heavy-duty leather flight jackets; with high wraparound collars, zipper closures with wind flaps, snug cuffs and waists, and some fringed and lined with fur. Thus, the American flight jacket was born. The two most historical and well-known American flight jackets are the A-2 jacket and the G-1 that in their popularity became symbols of honor, adventure, and style and movies like Top Gun boosted sales of the G-1 tremendously, making these once-specialized jackets collector and fashion items. Now days these stylish flight jackets evolved into a style statement! Versions of the jackets include a casual  sage silk/nylon (known as the MA-1), a warm shearling version, or quilted wools although the leather bomber in black or brown with fur collar is still the classic style and if you have to pick up only one to have..... it will be that.
The bomber is the perfect jacket for all (although some styles like the down jackets can carry you well into a colder weather) and again is a jacket that can fit into almost every guy's wardrobe. This jacket will support a

Next for spring - Seersucker blazer

Spring seems to be just rushing through, its the second year in a row...I love summer, I appreciate the heat and enjoy it more than most people are ( and just really can not stand the cold!), but I'd like to enjoy a good spring before summer kicks in, and off course to enjoy a spring wardrobe ....which from the way it looks like i will not have the chance to do....bummer!
Therefore my next item for spring is one that can easily translate into a summer item - a seersucker blazer!
Seersucker – Thin, 100% cotton fabric (although sometimes rayon or other synthetics are woven in as well) with striped or checkered pattern, considered a casual fabric and is classic for warm weather dressing. The trademark puckers allows the air to come through and therefore keep the fabric away from the body helping with the cooling. I personally like the texture of the seersucker, it reminds me of bubble wrap…and similar to the gingham fabric strong colors like red, green and blue don’t look as intimidating because of the way it’s weaved making seersucker clothes the perfect thing to wear in warmer climate. Traditionally in the US, seersucker clothes were worn only between Memorial Day and Labor Day (it makes me laugh thinking that people follow rules like that….I hope they didn’t arrested those who wore it a week earlier???).
Seersucker Blazer will add

Designer of the week - Simon Spurr

Simon Spurr is a NY based men's designer who mixes the traditional English tailoring of Savile row's fit and quality, the European style slim suits, and the American street wear of selvage denim and bomber jackets all together in a fun, sleek sophisticated way . .....sounds interesting? well.... it also looks good! The result is a style that perfectly captures the mind set of the contemporary man who is looking for new ways of wearing traditional pieces to fit his more casual life style but still do it in a luxurious and sophisticated way. With a design philosophy of Style before Fashion i thought that Simon Spurr is a perfect fit for this blog therefore introducing the man and the brand seemed to be in order!

"when a man walks into the room you should notice him before the clothes. Style rather than Fashion always has greater longevity" Simon Spurr

Gingham shirt - A must have for spring

After the spring decided to take a break from us last week, it's back and I can now get into SPRING MODE once again!..... next to check on my spring wardrobe's list is....a GINGHAM shirt! Gingham is a classic pattern that looks like plaid and universally recognizable, although.... not always in clothing. You all saw it before as the table cloth in your favorite little Italian restaurant or used it as the romantic mode setter cloth in a picnic.... like the one you planed for you and your sweetheart on your second date....I always liked the look of gingham  and actually today while browsing at Mood for some fabric findings i found this navy and cream canvas fabric that soon enough will form into a nice summer pants....I'll post it up once its done.....In the meantime i made this purple gingham shirt on top to cover my spring cravings.....
Generally gingham associated with a masculine, casual look such as in western shirts, or as the shirts Mods (British teenagers in the 1960s) wore (like the Ben Sherman shirt below), but if used right gingham can also add depth and sophistication to your wardrobe. The gingham shirting fabric is very comfortable to wear and due to the way its weaved is generally easy to clean (also because of the pattern being busy little spots are not as noticeable). 

Above: Paul Smith, Ben Sherman

Gingham shirts are fun...whatever your personal style is, you can find a gingham shirt to match it! The variety of colors and pattern sizes are wide and you can be as adventures or conservative as your heart desires.  As always keep in mind that

Ralph Lauren collection for team USA

New York city streets wore white this morning as if having a welcome ceremony to the upcoming Winter Olympic games (This Friday the 12th).... Fifth avenue looked like a ski slope, Union square was ready for some cross country skiing competition and every sky scraper looked like a ski mountain....everything was covered in a soft, bright white snow..... just beautiful and purifying! I'm not a fan of the winter, but i will admit.... the snow part is kind of cool! So, as i was flipping through WWD and putting on my snow boots (from Keen) i saw the uniforms for the US Olympic team designed by Ralph Lauren. I'm not a big fan of the RL style but there is no doubt that RL is a true American brand and it seemed only natural for this brand to to get the call for this job! ...and I think they did a great one, simple, classic, all American athletic look..... on the money! (well...except for the knit hats with the moose print.... i mean come on...Christmas was almost 2 months ago.... and even though i know its very trendy now i just CAN NOT stand those type of patterns.....).
The line is available for all on the Ralph Lauren site and stores, and includes down jacket, chunky wool/cashmere knit sweater, beautiful classic merino wool shawl cardigan (my favorite), a white cozy pima cotton fleece pant, some down vests and a bunch of other tees, hoodies, boots, ties and hats, all off course in the patriotic color scheme of red, blue, and white, decorated by the team USA's official logo and the pony Polo logo.
So go and shop to be inspired, relax on your couch and let the games begin........

How to keep warm and look cool?

It’s the second day of a new decade and all I want to do is stay home…. because it is sooooooo cold out and that does not inspire me to leave our cozy apartment and face the chill…. But unfortunately that will not work for Jumbo, our little 6lb Chihuahua who still needs to be walked and go about his business outside, so that calls for some heavy duty protection. I like having my neck well covered and protected in a real cold weather with high neck heavy sweaters. The bigger and chunkier the better, in a snug fit (A loose fit just makes you look double your size and its uncomfortable to wear under a jacket), in solid colors or mélange but no patterns please (I leave that to Bill Cosby and Christmas movies), I also stay away from the cotton ones and stick with the ones that made out of wool or wool blend, those look softer and more luxurious and they last longer where the cotton ones seam to fade after a season and become stiff after a wash. This is a classic item that can last for seasons (I bought my first one about 15 years ago in a flee market in London and wore it all the way through last year), so even though it could be quite expensive it is definitely a valuable investment and my recommendation for those of you who live where winter is as bad as here in NYC to armor your closet with 1-2 heavy Turtleneck ( Yellow Ralph Lauren in the bottom photo) or shawl neck cable (dark gray cardigan from Roberto Collina ($404) in the left picture) sweaters, colors can be basic, like dark grey (belted junk De Luxe ($254.96) in the bottom photo, vince($305), or this long Helmut Lang ($295)), Black (ribbed Andrew Mackenzie ($170)), camel or natural (Roberto Cellina in top photo), these color will work back to everything else in your wardrobe, off course if you are not afraid of wearing colors, do not hold yourself back….. You can always just pair it with a skinny light colored scarf to spice up the color scheme. These sweaters can be worn on their own or under a sport jacket with jeans and boots, and my favorite thing is that you can still wear a light long sleeve T, or even a dress shirt underneath, so when you get inside to an office, a restaurant or a party where the heat is being blasted you can easily take it off and look comfortable again.