How to 4th of July style?

Dear readers, in order to keep your style juices flowing and keep things interesting and fun around here, A Man of Style decided to have an addition to our authors.... which so far included only me :)... and what could be a better time to do it than Independence day???
So sit back, unbutton your jacket, release your tie and allow me to introduce Lis Collins! Lis...they are all yours.....

Ah, 4th of July. Time for burgers and barbecuing, parades and streamers and fireworks of course! It's the one time of year you can dress like a flag and get away with it. But who wants to look like a flag? Thanks Betsy Ross, but no thanks. Here are a few patriotic options, sans flag. 

In the 5 boroughs there are two events that are synonymous with 4th of July. Start your day off right at Coney Island and watch master eaters devour hot dogs. End it in style at Hudson Terrace rooftop with a few cocktails.

Hot Dog Contest

On one end of the cultural spectrum, there's the annual Nathans Hot Dog Eating Contest, in Coney Island. Contestants come from all over the world on this sacred national holiday to do what Americans do best- eat. Legend has it the contest began in 1916 as a way to settle a dispute on patriotism between 4 immigrants. This may or may not be true, but I still can't think of a better way to spend the 4th than with historic roller coasters, hot dogs, and the beach

The ketchup may be flying, but with this red gingham buttondown from Asos, you've nothing to worry about!

3 easy tips to color your wardrobe for spring!

SPRING=COLORS! That's what spring means to me! the long winter in NY is probably contributing to that as well cause by the time spring is here i am so sick of winter's darker colors and waking up to a shiny sun almost every morning makes me crave more and more colors.
To be clear it doesn't mean that i look like a rainbow version when i leave my apartment but i definitely add some colored brush strokes to my look. Here are 3 ways that any of you whether your style is daring or conservative can add a touch of spring (color) to your daily style:
Colorful socks -  Let's start with the bottom, colorful socks are fun and more than any other item can be worn with your work suit to any important day in the office or to a night on town for your best friends bachelor party, whether you dressed up or down this little shot of color will not take over but will turn heads and just enough attention to your personal style....not to mention the low cost of investment!

Any of these below socks from Paul Smith will do the job.

 Colorful Belt - Climbing up half way to the top a shot of color can turn into a shot of style! I like

Top 6 Holiday style tips!

The holiday season is here with full blast....you have party invitations coming your way daily...business parties, friends parties and off course some family parties to make it real challenging for you. Between every day life, closing the year at work, gift shopping and planing your wardrobe for the season - this time of year that suppose to be joyful and fun can get very overwhelming....
How can i help?
How about sharing my top 6 Holiday style tips? would that be helpful???

1. LAYER IT UP -  Layering for a look is quite fun and gives you the chance to be creative and show some more of your personal style, but in this holiday season where you might find yourself going from work in the office to business meetings and holiday party and diner and who knows what else...layering your look will be useful, will give you the chance to adjust your look from work to party and will make sure you'll be comfortable through all your daily events. Not to mentioned the weather this season especially this year and how unpredictable it is. Therefore make more use of pieces like the vest, the cardigan, a light sweater, a scarf these are all items that you put on or take off easily throughout the day to easily change your look!

A vest from Express

Cardigan from J.Crew

2. STAY AWAY FROM HOLIDAY CLOTHES - Wearing a musical or a Santa Claus tie, snow man

Halloween by Paul Smith!

Halloween is almost here...are you planing to dress up?
Although its a holiday that sounds like it will be a celebration for someone like me who like clothes i personally not a fan and never dress up.... it just not me! I will though consider incorporating items that carry the holiday spirit without being a costume. So this Halloween collection from Paul Smith, is right up my alley...its fun, sophisticated and wearable and i can still show a holiday spirit but in style!
My favorite are these skull T-shirts, the graphic is so simple yet soooo cool, the fit is slim and the cotton seems so soft.... i also LOVE the ceramic skull money box...i know its not really wearable but make a great gift!
Check out the collection and browse other T's, cufflinks, necklaces and more... for a fun yet not "Costume-y" items...

Ceramic Skull - Money Box

Men's X-ray Silk Handkerchief

Paul Smith Warehouse Sale in London this week!

I usually do not blog about sales and these types of events but its Paul Smith! and you know how much l love this brand.  Its enough that i would love to be in London this week for million other reasons (love this city...), here is another reason... this is a Spring/Summer 2011 warehouse sale and its taking place on Wednesday 6th, Thursday 7th and Friday 8th of April. Check here for more info..... and just in case you find something for me dont hesitate, my birthday is coming up.... Enjoy the sale!

Findings - Paul Smith Enameled Bike Cufflinks

Enameled Bike Cufflinks from Paul Smith on Forward by Revolve

WHY: Finding your personal style is what this blog is all about, and one of the best way to do it is by finding the little things  that you'll feel comfortable wearing and that will unveil small pieces of your unique individuality. When wearing Cufflinks such as the ones featured here you are not only showing style but also telling a story- your story. Its  a subtle and sophisticated way to share a little about your interests in life, your  hobbies, your sense of humor and anything else you'd like to share with the world.... and off course most importantly you will do it in STYLE!
INFO: 70% copper 30% zinc, Made in China. Available in blue or Black.
PRICE: $125.00
WHERE: Forward by Revolve

How to color your Holiday season? 5 gift ideas from Paul Smith!

Wool blend socks - $43

Are you running out of time? Holiday is just around the corner and you are still looking for that special gift for that special stylish guy that requires a little more attention in choosing his gift??? well...here are accessories that might just do it!
If you are a regular reader on this blog you know by now that i love Paul Smith's style, it mixes the depth of the classic with the fun of the contemporary perfectly, making it a great fit for guys of all ages! So when you are looking for a shoot of color to brighten an outfit you can always count on his sophisticated multi color stripes that became his signature.....and in holiday time what can be more fun and joyful than a colorful gift for an adult???

These are 5 last minute gifts ideas from Paul Smith that will grantee bring joy and style to anybody's life!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

Wool Hat - $110

My style journal - week twelve - Trench Coat

This look is a mix of items i have been blogging about for these last few months. A couple of weeks ago i had a post about the Trench coat, and how to incorporate it into your wardrobe. My trench coat is a casual cotton trench with contrast top stitching and buttons, but since i don't wear suits in my daily life it works perfect for me. I added suspenders which i have posted about last week, and just had them hanging down my hips as an accessory to add a bit of a militant touch... and yes i know most gentlemen will probably not approve of the way I'm using the suspenders ....but, oh well this blog is all about personal style, right???
I love this gingham military style shirt, it's one of my favorite shirts that i have made so far, the fit is amazing,its slim but very comfortable, and the details like the long tabs in the back of the sleeve or the tab+button in the back collar or even the red buttonholes on the cuffs are subtle but still stand out just enough to make it unique.
The black corduroy vest added a fall season touch and made it more interesting when i took off the coat...The jeans are skinny in dark blue and i liked that they are bunched up it supported the militant/roughness feel of the look.

This week I'm wearing:

Trench coat - Report Collection

Corduroy vest - BOAZ

Purple gingham shirt - BOAZ

Dark jeans - Levis

Boots - Paul Smith

Suspenders - Gillmons

Findings - Chintz shirt jacket by Paul Smith

Chintz shirt jacket by Paul Smith

WHY: The fall season is knocking on the door and before we know it one layer is not enough and we start to layer up, and this great light jacket is a good start. With a fit and style of a shirt it can be used as a casual jacket over a T and would look great with Jeans either open or buttoned up. The color is safe to match with probably most of your fall wardrobe and it could easily be a jacket that will not go out of style for a long time..... a great investment for fall. 

Findings - Paul Smith Taylors shoes

Purple Taylors Shoes from Paul Smith

WHY: Summer sales are on and its a great time to get yourself some of these extraordinary fun items that you would like to have in your closet but wouldn't necessarily feel comfortable spending full price on while you are still working on getting the basics in your wardrobe. By now you guys know about my shoes fetish and my love for Paul Smith but did you know that purple is one of favorite colors??? (there was a time when i wore all purple from head to toe....) so when there is a summer sale of 50%

Father's Day gift ideas - 10 accessories for your cool Dad!

This weekend is Father's Day in the USA  -   

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 

to all of you COOL DADS out there!

And  here are 10 fun and colorful accessories that you can get your dad to make him an even cooler dad!!! (or wish your kids will get you....)

Knomo Tokyo Briefcase -  $149.00 at knomo.com

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

Findings - Paul Smith Osmo sneakers

Osmo sneakers from Paul Smith.

WHY: Light and colorful fun sneakers for spring/summer, can be worn with jeans or any shorts... multicolored but still sophisticated and smart, simply fun!
INFO: Suede, Lace closure, Colored eyelet on each side of the eyelet panel, Striped vamp, Textile lining, Textile insole, Synthetic outsole. weight;:10.00 oz.
PRICE: $204.00
WHERE: zappos.com

What to look for when buying a button down shirt?

When thinking of men’s clothing there is one item that defines men’s style more than anything else - the BUTTON DOWN (UP) SHIRT!
I personally LOVE Button down shirts and most of my closet is dedicated to them. My favorite is what I call the SMART SHIRT (thank you Natalie). This is a contemporary version of what known as the traditional dress shirt that our fathers and grandfathers use to wear… with more flair, more flattering fit and a larger variety of fabrics, colors and details. What I love so much about this shirt is the fact that it’s very versatile for today's life style. It can be dressed up or dressed down depends on one’s mood, needs and the occasion. The modern man is constantly on the move and needs items that with small tweaks can be made suitable for few situations. I for example don’t wear suits in my every day life so the traditional dress shirt is not an item I have much of, (if you are
looking for tips on the classic dress shirt check out

Paris fashion week - Autumn/Winter 2010-2011

Well....in a short delay of few days here are my top favorite looks from last week's Paris fashion week. The mood here was again of designers showing and doing what they do best. The general look was more tailored with a technical futuristic chic, more like a sophisticated sportswear which made the clothes very practical and wearable (fall orders were boost up to 15% according to WWD). The Key look was the tailored pants tucked into military/workwear lace up boots that almost every collection had a variation of those....



My favorite collection was Lanvin - lead by the Israeli born designer Alber Elbaz and men's designer for Lanvin Lucas Ossendrijver, this collection had a tech touch to very wearable silhouettes with exquisite attention to detail and finishing – The new Matrix wardrobe!




You can always count on Paul smith for tailored twisted classic looks and COLORS!




and count on Raf Simons to always push it....




Not many knitwear as we saw in Milan but the Raf Simmons one with a sophistication to perfection... and the detailed scarf and sweater from Jean Paul Gaultier's boxer are enough for me...



Variations of the trench coat.....Dries van Noten, Tim Hamilton, Jean Paul Gaultier




Patch your jackets up!.... Luis Vuitton, Raf Simmons




Now all that is left is to wait......for next year!!!


photos by GQ