Fashion Hobo

My laptop is, well, a Fashion Hobo.  When I bought it, its sleek black-and-silver form coupled with a brand-new sound system was the pride of my desk!  4 years, 23,491 essays and one unfortunate encounter with a Russian textbook later, it definitely falls under the euphemism “grunge chic”.  To be blunt, it has all the style of a Birkenstock-style combat boot.

If I were a girl, the logical next step would be to buy the newest HP laptop, by … Vivienne Tam??  While some doubtlessly wonder at the audacity of a technology company in their commissioning a laptop designed by a fashion designer (or, for that matter, vice-versa), more enlightened folk saw this one coming a mile away.  In its bid to reposition itself as a stylish, sleek and formidable Sony Vaio-defying entity, HP is taking the design of its laptops to a whole new level.  While more tech-oriented individuals may argue the subtle benefits of a Sony over an HP, there is no denying that the latter no comes with a much sleeker, more stylish look.  This is no small feat, given that the Vaio (along with the iBook) is one of the nicer-looking laptops out there.

A few years back, custom jeans were a pipe dream. Accessible only to the rich, the uber-fashionable or the sewingly-inclined, custom denim was an uneccesary luxury. After all, between Levis and the GAP, people had all the denim they needed. However, in today’s world, custom denim is the only thing that will let you stand out in the blue jeans crowd. In a nworld filled to the brim with Rock n’ Republics, True Religions, Citizens, and Earnest Sewns, you really need to spend a fortune on jeans to look different. Jennifer Lopez’s J.Lo collection, for example, purveys jeans with a 2kt. diamond front button - for a mere $2 million.

There is, however, another option. That option is custom denim. And, if you get your custom jeans at Indi Denim, you can even do it without breaking the bank. You get to choose everything from the stitching on the back pockets to the type of denim to the detailing (you can even get your jeans monogrammed - wow).  Men’s jeans, women’s jeans, they’ve got em both.  As for the fit, well… With inseam and waistline increments to the half-inch, it’s guaranteed that you’ll be able to find your fit. For the first time ever, I’ll be able to proudly stand up and claim “YES, my jeans are THIRTY TWO AND A HALF waist, by THIRTY THREE AND A HALF inseam!”… and I won’t even be lying.

You can tell that Indi Denim isn’t just out to be the Next Big Thing. Rather, they are people who truly understand the world’s frustration with a lack of clothing that fits just right. Based on my experience in retail I can objectively say that people are becoming more selective about how a garment fits. With more stores offering a wider variety of sizes, the clothing retail industry is doing its best to appease customers… But it’s not enough. Really, how could a store ever hold the veritable matrix of denim sizes, shapes, contours and colours? The answer: it couldn’t. Enter IndiDenim.com

Another great thing is that the jeans are not overpriced. The basic jeans start at $135 USD, with some finishes and features costing extra. Now, would you rather pay over $200 for high-end designer jeans that claim to be ‘back-to-basics, traditional denim’… Or would you shell out substantially less for a pair of perfectly fitted, back-to-basics denim? I can’t believe you even had to think that one through.

Now. That being said, it’s not like you get entirely free reign over how your blue jeans turn out. There are about 8 different denims to choose from, and (for mens jeans, anyway) there is only one ’style’… Though you can choose the width of the leg at the top, the bottom, boot cut, straight leg, even how the seat fits! I think the point is more “get yourself a pair of jeans that fit PERFECTLY!” rather than “get yourself a pair of jeans with not just *any* buddhe stitched on the back pocket, but YOUR OWN custom Buddha!” (for the record, they do not come with Buddhas on the back pockets. True Religion fans, you will know what I’m referring to). I’m just happy that someone finally gets it: selection and style be damned; if it doesn’t fit us properly, it doesn’t fit us properly! And now we have somewhere to turn when we can’t find the right pair of jeans in a store.

And, that’s my cool discovery of the week. Over and out!

-FH.

In my eyes, Tom Ford can rarely do wrong. Time and again he has brought his game to the runways at Gucci, working magic on collection after collection and re-vamping Gucci as one of the world’s leading fashion houses. Not only that, he is constantly flanked by some of the world’s most beautiful people, all dressed in some of the world’s most beautiful clothes. Be that as it may, that does not mean that everything he produces is necessarily gold.

Take this year’s AW08 collection, for instance (one of the few I’d dare criticize - the man is a virtuoso). Ford sends models down the runway in a mishmash of autumn palette: prussian blues, regal reds, dark browns and rich blacks. We see some new trends emerging, as well as the follow-through of some old ones: the increasing use of enormous man-bags and the proliferation of the Shantung shirt (a button-down blouse with a wide open pointy collar). However, there were some drawbacks.

I found the clashing dissonance of patterns, though certainly a distinct look, not to be a very appealing one. Many looks that went down the runway were just too cluttered or laden down with a cacophony of distracting details. I guess you could call it ‘rustic’ or ‘nostalgic’. You could even postulate that it looks like the sort of clothing you’d wear, huddled around the fire, drinking hot cocoa. I’ll grant it that much, but it’s a little too tacky and laden with texture to be completely appealing. Furthermore, I’m getting sick of designers constantly looking backwards for inspiration. While the collection did thrive with a horde of new ideas I found that some old cliches were brought into play - like the rustic patterns that played out across the women’s collection.

Now that I’m done griping and looking like a very poor sport, let’s get on with what I liked about the collection. The evening gowns, for one thing, were incredible. This is as it should be: Gucci gowns have long slunk through swanky lounges across the globe. Another thing I really liked were the tassle boots, as sported in the ladies collection. The mens outerwear is definitely worth investing in (if you plan to remortgage your house anytime soon). Here are a few of the good (and bad) looks that capture the essence of Gucci’s AW08.

Starting out as a basic, quality manufacturer of luggage in the 1940s, Coach has become one of the choice brands for the well-to-do girl. The designs are practical, with a flair for fashion - as such, they have risen to iconic status in some circles. This season’s bags are no exception, with great new colour schemes, constructions and finishes.

1. With its updated yet classic construction, the Hamptons Leather Caryall is one of Coach’s most advertised bags this season. There’s a good reason for that: it is a mid-size bad that isn’t overly fancy, but still retains a classic sense of charm. Whether you’re headed for a stroll in the park or to a fancy dinner, this bag will accompany you in style.

2. The Carly Signature, popular through past seasons, is still going strong. You can get it in different colour combinations (including one with the black logo fabric), and has proven itself as a great casual bag for the urban girl. This bag loves being taken on shopping excursions, or day trips which will make full use of its capacious size. Several female friends of mine are in love with this bag.

3. If you’ve got the urge to strut about bedecked in mid-century style, the Hamptons Vintage Flap Satchel is the purse for you. Elegant, put-together and a bit nostalgic, this purse lends a retro edge to any outfit you pair it with. Though the turquoise colour is the nicest, they also carry it in a more sedate shade of white.

4. With styling reminiscent of Hermes’ Kelly bag, this python-embossed Hamptons Flap Tote is loaded with over-the-top glamour. Not for the faint of heart, the look may not stay fresh too far into the future - but for those of you who like to live in the now (and make a big statement while you’re at it), this is the purse for you.

5. For those of you who are sick to death of those oversized bags (let’s face it, as practical as they can be… sometimes they cross the line into overkill), you might opt for something smaller. This elegant patent leather Reese Mini Flap is the perfect solution! It’s killer stylish, and will give you that retro chic look that is so coveted lately.

There you have it, ladies; if you’re going to shell out for a Coach purse this season, these are the ones to go for.  Over and out!

-FH.

Ever the conoisseur of cheap wardrobe staples, I dropped by Swedish giant H&M today to check out their stuff. I was quite impressed. The North American stores just aren’t (I’m told by many) as great as the European ones, but it seems like there is some great stuff there - you just have to be quick to get it. Seeing as it’s still July and there wasn’t much left in my size, I’m hoping the cashier was right about more AW08 collection arriving in the coming month. I got *the* last burgundy merino wool pullover, and one of a few double-breasted vinyl rainjackets. I can’t believe I bought this stuff at the height of summer! Least of all from H&M.

That being said, H&M is great for some stuff. At its best it is cheap, trend-forward and interesting. At its worst… It can be cheaply made, outright tacky, and interesting. Cue image of the plastic, see-through neon pink cropped baby-doll raincoat that was sitting on the clearance rack for months. However, the new arrivals typically contain some really nice stuff (it’s just a matter of getting a hold of it before everyone else). Exhibit A: one Burgundy 100% Merino Wool Pullover.

This is classic. Not only is burgundy one of my favourite fall colours, but merino wool - and only $50! I’m going back for another one in another colour. V-neck is also my preferred neckline and the knit of the wool is reasonably soft. I’m very much impressed - something comparable would cost $100 to $120 from Banana Republic or Club Monaco. Now for Exhibit B: one Black Double-Breasted Rain Jacket.

I’ve been looking for one of these for a year and a half and now, I’ve got one! Better still - it cost $60. Right?! I’m super stoked. I now have a complete collection of outerwear (as far as I need in this climate): A wool short trench, beige classic rain trench, cropped rain jacket, and a 3/4 rain/snow jacket. Woohoo!

over and out!

-FH.

I am something of a fashion blog hobo.  Not only do I read them obsessively but I tend to get my friends hooked on them too.  Oh well; the more the merrier.

There is this particular blog that I love to watch because the man who writes it takes photos of some of the most interestingly dressed people I’ve seen.

The Sartorialist Is a man’s journey through the world with an eye for those who know their clothes.  Warning:  He is not a trend-whore.  Rather, he focuses on people who can really pull off the look that they’re wearing, or those who are not afraid to show their individual taste through clothes.  You can get a feel of this through the multitudinous comments left by the public-general.

In a recent post was captured a look that I love, but have not yet had the guts to try (I have been dressing very low-key lately… who needs GQ when you could look General Mechanic?  heuheu).  The “shorts with blazer” look is a classic for the boating set, but not one that many are accustomed to seeing around on the streets.  Anyway it’s becoming more popular - thankfully it’s classic and refined.  I don’t know what I’d do if wearing head-to-toe Ed Hardy became a tr– wait, too late, it’s already happened.

Over and out!

-FH.

I have to do a post on how to tie a necktie before someone strangles himself. Every day, countless guys wake up and start their day by wrangling themselves what one of my friends refers to as “the upside-down noose” - in other words, the common necktie. Depending on your occupation or the occasion, you may find yourself with a quick and simple knot (or even… no necktie at all!), or you may find yourself hunnkering down in front of the mirror, looping and re-looping, tying and re-tying, in the name of perfecting that high formal look associated with trial lawyers.

Either way, it’s a good habit to get into. You don’t want to be one of those poor souls shamefully perusing the “clip-on tie” racks at the mall, do you? That’s what I thought. So, learn! Here’s how.

Personally, I prefer the Full Windsor knot for formal occasions… and I don’t have many other occasions to wear a tie, personally, so that’s the main one for me. Here’s a video clip from Youtube that demonstrates it really well:

If you’re still stuck, this website has everything you need to know about tying ties: http://www.tie-a-tie.net/

Not only do they have step-by-step visuals for the Windsor knot, but they have other methods for different shirts (or if you get bored with the same old knot…)

Over and out!

FH.

After moving house with a broken foot, I have a great new room and I’ve set out to decorate it loft-style. The thing is, it didn’t come with a closet (huh!? must have been a den previously). Luckily, the room was saved by my parents’ idea of putting in exposed clothing racks on the wall. At first I wasn’t too keen on the idea, but I quickly warmed to it when I realized there was nothing else that would hold all of my clothes. Now, my room looks even more like a loft, and I’ve got 10 feet of clothing racks (plus shelves) to put everything on.

If I do say so myself, it’s pretty wicked (and I’m getting my dad an extra-wicked retroactive Father’s Day gift in return :D). With the wood floors and exposed racks, I’ve got my very own art-student loft space in the heart of suburbia.

So now I’ve got a pristine new room to fill with stuff, and I’m making a wish list. Note: This wish list will not actually be fulfilled, because most designers don’t make shoes wide enough for my feet (which run a width-size above normal). However, one can hope for the other things…

1. Grey Vintage-Style Leather Shoes.  These ones by MOMA are beauties.  I love shoes like this because you can wear them with jeans for a retro sort of look, without looking pretentious.  Blazer, scarf, vest, cardigan … You name it, if it’s old-school you can wear it with these shoes.  I’m also a fan of these in ivory white, burnt umber, or that vintage faded black look.  Granted, this look has been in (magazines) for a few seasons now, but I never did get around to getting a pair of these shoes…

2. Overdyed Nudie Jeans.  I’ve already got 2 pairs of overdyed jeans.  What’s one more gonna hurt?  Hmm?  I am not a fan of those ugly faded-out jeans.  Unless you’ve worn a pair of dark ones so long that they’re faded… Then they’re really comfortable.  I have tried on many pairs of high-end jeans in my time, and I have to say I do not understand the high price tag.  It’s some sort of social-status marker to wear R&Rs, I guess.  True Religions have cooler designs, so it makes more sense to wear those but even so - I have suits to buy, who am I to spend $425 on a pair of jeans?  If someone gets me a pair, though, I’m not complaining…

3. Studded Metal Vest.  As seen in an issue of Flaunt, I covet this vest.  It’s like a punk’s get-up, but dressy.  How cool is that?  I plan to go on a conquest to find this, and when I do I’ll pair it with a pair of patent-leather dress shoes and slim fit black wool slacks.  If worse comes to worst, I’ll buy a plain black vest, get some studs, and stick them on.

4. Buckled Dress Boots.  If I could shop anywhere in the world for funky dress shoes, John Fluevog would always be it.  Superior craftsmanship aside, these shoes win for their innovative finishes and slick good looks.  Who wouldn’t be mistaken for coming from old old-money European family while wearing these shoes?  (Note:  this is fully my intention in buying these).  These I would probably wear with the aforementioned studded vest - but the slacks would have to be very well-cut and minimalist.

5. Burberry Trench Coat.  Granted, I wouldn’t be wearing this until the rainier months set in… But this is something that, once I bought it, I’d hold onto for dear life until it was finally used up.  Even then, I might cut off a button for posterity before finally giving it up and sending it packing to a thrift store.  When it comes to trench coats, Burberry is the ultimate.

6. American Apparel V-Necks.  Finally, something I can afford without selling my kidneys on the black market.  I love these shirts.  They are great for guys with broad shoulders (like myself) because they give you more flexibility and room across your upper chest.  You can also get them super-duper-V-necked, which I never do… One of my friends is trying to talk me into getting one, but that’s another story.  I have one of these ones in white, but I left it at a party (don’t ask) and I still have to reclaim it.  I plan to get one in black, one in red, and one in navy blue.  If they come out with other colours that strike my fancy, I’ll buy them accordingly.

7. Bamboo Tiger Hoodie.  This hoodie, from Lucky Brand Jeans, is one of my favourites.  I may enjoy dressing up but I still subscribe to the old teenaged adage that thou shalt never have enough hoodies.  But this hoodie is special.  It has tigers all over it with bamboo shoots.

And, there you have it … 7 items I’d stuff my closet with.  Granted, if one were to truly open the floodgates of my shopping vice I would buy a lot more than this - but let’s not think about that.  Over and out!

-FH.

How to wear a blazer is one of the more drastic dilemmas of the male fashionista (yes, I know - ladies, you have it so much harder, right?). However, with a comparatively limited wardrobe and so too a limited palette of patterns and colours, the degree of style associated with a man’s suit is, its cut. How it fits you around the torso, arms, shoulders, and where it falls to on your legs will say a lot about who you are, who you aren’t, and is much more important than how much you paid for it. **Granted, if you get a suit custom-made for you, odds are it will fit you amazingly well. I am lucky to have a friend who is an amazing fashion designer, whose suits are the stuff of legend.

So, how to wear a suit… First off, the shoulders. The shoulders of the blazer should not be falling off your own shoulders, but neither should they be so tight as to inhibit your motion. This can be problematic when buying ready-to-wear … if your shoulders are in between (like mine!) and you take a 41 when you haven’t been to the gym for a month, then either bulk up, or suck it up and look funny (or, suck it up and get the suit custom made).

Arms are next. You want the sleeves of your blazer to show off just a bit of your shirt beneath. When your arms are by your sides, the blazer’s sleeves can hang up to an inch past your wrists. This way you have some leeway when you’re reaching for something.

For the torso, you want to make sure it fits you well. Make sure that there is more room in the chest than there is in the lower part of the body - this will give you the ‘V’ shape that you aspire to gain by wearing a blazer in the first place. If you’re skinny you gain a bigger appearance. If you’re pudgy, it’ll hide your belly. It can take awhile to find a cut of blazer that does this for you, so shop around and don’t stop until you’re satisfied. Or, if you’re in a hurry, get your tailor to fix it. Don’t have a tailor? Get one… If you have to wear a suit to work, you need to invest in some tailoring.

When choosing the length of your suit, it must fall below the widest part of your hips. If it doesn’t, it will look like a girl’s blazer on you. If you have a longer torso (as I do), you must find a blazer which falls right. You don’t want it to be too long, but too long is better than too short in this case. Granted, you can play with all of the proportions I’ve mentioned thus far, as they pertain to your body type, and your personal style.

Now, for different ways of wearing a blazer or a suit combo. I prefer 2-button blazers. 3-button is classic, but 2-button gives you a bigger V, and more of your shirt shows. When it is buttoned, you won’t feel as confined. As well, 2-button seems to have more room in the chest (if you have shoulders, as I do) so you can move around more easily, and not look like a robot. Most North American men wear their suits a size too big - pants, jacket, everything. The same is true of blazers: if you’re stuck between sizes, suck it up and go smaller. You will look more professional and much more well-groomed. If you are particularly fashion-forward, try getting sleeves that fall just to the wrist, with a very narrow torso and slightly shorter cut in overall length. Especially if you’re in with the skinny-jean crowd, this will look good (and in this case, 3-button works well, too).

Now that I’ve dealt with basic sunglasses (see last post), I’m bringing Burberry to the blog - until recently, a fairly old and stodgy brand. However, Burberry has taken control of its image in recent years and has regained its place as one of the world’s most prestigious fashion lines. Burberry sunglasses are, without a doubt, coveted by everyone: bankers, rappers, artists, anyone with money and an eye for the expensive (not to mention that notorious ‘Burberry Check’ - red, black, white and tan) all wear these, so if you’re looking to spice up an otherwise ordinary summer outfit, and attract some gold-diggers — er, look stylish and successful — then Burberry sunglasses are the ones for you. Ladies, I’ll start with you.

OK, Tortoiseshell Burberry sunglasses: Very cool. These manage to look updated, with a touch of Retro Brit in them. These are pretty neutral, but obviously not for use with businesswear. These in particular would look great with a headscarf or shawl of sorts, as they have that 50s appeal.

Next up, these space-age shades are really cool and updated, but definitely anything but retro. These are great to wear out to a party or with something pretty trendy. If you move with the clubbing crowd, these are the ones for you.

Now, gentlemen, on to our shades. This first pair is my hands-down fave from Burberry to date. They’re aviators, so they have a hint of retro about them, but they’re so much cooler than just that. They’re sort of a sleek, updated version of the aviator which makes them a lot more timeless. Not to mention, they’re great all-around glasses. These would even look good with a more dressed-up outfit (but they’ll still look wicked at the beach!). Definitely, definitely, worth saving up for.

This next pair is basically the same thing, but full-on aviator form. These shades are great for more casual outfits, and they’ll never fail to make you look like a star (or at least cool). Not as versatile as my favourite pair but to each his own. These are definitely great glasses to look cool in while roadtripping or going to the beach - just some summer imagery for you there. Clearly, I need to get outside and spend time in the sun.

OK dudes, one more post for us because I’m a guy and I need to research men’s sunglasses desperately (I have still not found a pair for this summer - yes, yes, I’m wearing my Polo Sports from 2 years ago! Cut me some slack eh?). This pair is more unisex than any I’ve shown so far… I could definitely see some ladies pulling these off. The thing is, they’re pretty mod. Make sure you’re trendy enough to wear these, as they’ll just look dorky with most outfits. If you’re prep central, you’re not going to want to wear these - unless you’re nerdy prep, in which case these would be just the thing to complete your summer wardrobe. Tricky, huh? Not really - just remember: these seemingly square shades are NOT for squares (because you will look like even more of a square). If you’re quirky and a little offbeat, or so conservative that it’s a mod statement, then you probably want to pick these up.

So, recap: Burberry sunglasses are great, if you’re prepared to shell out and generally fit into the middle-of-the-road stylish crowd. Nothing too far out here (aside from the token pair of space age shades). So these sunglasses are perfect for the fashionista ready to branch out and try something new, but nothing too scary/offbeat/trendy. Over and out!

-FH.