Advice on men's fashion...because the world needs it.

69. Vests

[Sorry about the lack of updates last week, wasn't feeling too fabulous]

INFEASIBLE: "Edgy", "futuristic" vests

Dior Homme Leather-Back Vest
(From eLuxury)

The concept behind vests is a delicate one. Honestly, there isn't much room to fuck around with vests: veer away from the tried and true cuts, stitching, etc. and you get something out of a bad Orgy music video. Apologies Dior Homme, we're not in the cyberpunk world of William Gibson just yet, and if we ever are, I'll gladly take that state-issued arsenic pill.


Feasible
: Classic vest

Band of Outsiders Classic Vest
(Brought to you by eLuxury)

Ah, the classic vest. Nothing of shame here: sleeveless, v-neck, simple belt in the back, gray (!). Personally, I would probably replace the buttons with something a little more snazzier - lesson be learned, the color and shape of a vest's buttons are the only thing you can play with. But as is, this piece is still beau.

68. Pants

INFEASIBLE: 'Ricky' pants

Marc Jacobs dark brown cotton sateen 'Ricky' pants
(From Bluefly)

I didn't know what the fuck "ricky pants" were prior till like five minutes ago, but if ever pair looks like this, then I can safely say you will never catch me wearing them. Marc Jacobs, what the hell's going on with the cuffs? What's that flimsy belt doing there? The horrible buckle? The tight cut of the waist? I ask you, do you think anyone wants to look like a clown?



Feasible
: Simple straight leg pants

Joseph Abboud coconut linen straight leg pants
(Brought to you by Bluefly)

Simple, coconut gray (Dracon soft spot detected), uniform cut, nothing crazy here. And it's not terribly expensive. And you won't look like a buffoon, I promise.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

This Week's Fuck-Up: Shaquille O'neil

A wrinkled t-shirt with a Superman logo. Navy sweat pants. Some kind of blue and red cap. A look of abject confusion in his eyes.

At least he's wearing nice sneakers.

Cross-Web Chatter: Web Snob Updates (5/30/08)

  • 55 Secret Street indulges in Comfort Creams & Candles.

  • A Few Goody GumDrops tells us that mousse is not just a dessert! It's a beauty secret for summer that you won't want to miss!

  • Stiletto Jungle has 6 ways to refresh on a hot summer day.

  • All About the Pretty may have to buy her own bottle of Annick Goutal’s Le Jasmin.

  • Bag Bliss: Help the fight against ovarian cancer!


  • Bag Snob attends the event of the year: Sex and The City Movie Premiere!

  • Beauty Snob loves the sexy make up from Kat Von D!

  • Coquette falls for the perfect white dress.

  • Debutante Clothing gives a nod toCarrie Bradshaw - vintage style.

  • Fashion Indie's Ten Reasons to Skip Sex and The City.

  • Fashion, Evolved talks to Damali Ayo, the designer of a brand new line of sustainable fashions called CROW Clothing.

  • Fashiontribes takes a stroll in the new Patricia Field for Payless sexy summer collection.

  • I'm Not Obsessed shows you 6 feminine dresses for under $100.

  • KRiSTOPHER goes cheap and chic.

  • Ladybrille interviews sports legend about Sports Apparel Manufacturing in Africa.

  • My Fashion Life asks is the nautical look a trend or a staple?

  • Are clothes getting less expensive? Papierblog takes a look.

  • Quinta Trends begins a new interviews series with Latin-Americans designers

  • Second City Style has figured out why celebs are doing it up bright and has tips how to pull this look of yourself!

  • Shrimpton Couture spots vintage on one of the Sex And The City girls.

  • StyleBakery.com is crazy about color this summer.

  • Stylehive's Next Big Thing: Salvadoran Designer Eugenio Menjívar’s rECOlector Lamps.

  • Stylenotes nabs an interview with the fabulous Toni Hackerof Hayden-Harnett, an NYC brand known for their amazing prints, cool clothes, and luxe leather handbags.

  • SugarShock Beauty reveals what may be lurking in your shower.

  • Sxy Fashion QueenanalyzesVictoria Beckham’s style.

  • The Coveted's findscomfy strapless bras for all sizes

  • The Fashionable Housewife finds several practical and stylish hats to protect your face from harmful rays.

  • Organic beauty products AND a free summer bag? The Organic Beauty Expert gives the lowdown on the newest online retailer on her Fave list!

  • The Shoe Goddess shares her take on Jimmy Choo sandals featured in Sex and the City.

  • V-Style shows you how to accessorize Betsey Johnson's Twist on the Little Black Dress.

  • eBeautyDaily tries the roll on peel kit from Skin Amnesty.
  • 67. Style and Sandals

    INFEASIBLE: Sandals featuring plaid

    Sanuk Suit Up (Brown)
    (From Zappos)

    Oh, summertime. How you bring the best sunsets, yet evoke the worse footwear imaginable. Not that I hate the idea behind sandals (although they end up pools sweat from the soles of my feet from time to time), just what terrible additions manufactures make to an otherwise perfectly fine design. Take this piece for instance: who the fuck thought plaid should go on a sandal? Plaid is one of those bastard fabrics: it works on hats and SOMETIMES (but very rarely) a suit. I ask you, Sanuk, what do you expect people to match this pair with? A 1950's cabbie hat? DURING THE SOLSTICE?! Jesus.


    Feasible
    : Sandals rocking leather

    Reef Bonzer (Whisper)
    (Brought to you by Zappos)

    Now leather and sandals go hand-in-hand. This pair would do you just fine.

    As a side note, there is no such thing as a casual/dress distinction in the world of sandals. Sure, one piece may be fancier than another, but the notion of a professional-setting sandal is just painfully misguided.

    What's Wrong With This Picture?

    This Week's Fuck-Up: Jay-Z

    To be honest, this isn't that huge of a fuck up. I like his tux's color and cut, and (unlike so many other rappers) he keeps it swanky by limiting his jewelry accessories to a minimum. So, you may ask then, where is the fuck up? Check out his vest; it looks like it was cut for a midget. And since his shirt has some frilliness to it (rarely a good thing on clothes for taller gents), I must admit Jay-Z to the halls of WWWTP. Pour one out for you later, homes.

    Cross-Web Chatter: Web Snob updates (5/23/08)

  • A Few Goody GumDrops tells us what choos to wear to a graduation.

  • Stiletto Jungle shows you how to get sexy, sun protected summer hair.

  • All About the Pretty is excited about her new travel skin care line M Lab Travel Collection.

  • BagBliss loves technology. Meet the new Christian Dior Cannage Cell Phone.

  • Bag Snob finds Ten Bags under $1,000!

  • Beauty Snob gets a Boob Job--- NOT!

  • Cheap JAP reviews Rogan Gregory for Target...and it's not pretty.

  • Fashion, Evolved talks to the creative force behind MINK Shoes.

  • Take Louis Vuitton along as a tour guide on your next trip, suggests Fashiontribes.

  • I'm Not Obsessed shows you how to steal two of Gwyneth Paltrow's red carpet looks from Cannes.

  • KRiSTOPHER finds the best - and worst - of Net-a-Porter's sale.

  • Ladybrille recommends the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans!

  • Papierblog wonders whether Vera Wang is right on the recession

  • Quinta Trends shows NSBP Diseño de Autor: new collection.

  • Second City Style spots a hot trend on the red carpet in Cannes...metallics.

  • Shrimpton Couture Spots Dita Von Teesein vintage!

  • Are Serena, Blair and Jenny the newest style icons? StyleBakery tells you how to get the Gossip Girl look

  • Sex and the City Style: Stylehive Takes A Look Back at Carrie Bradshaw's Defining Looks.

  • Stylenotes states seven wardrobe must-haves for this summer.

  • SugarShock Beauty is singing the praises of Stila's classic Kitten and the new summer eyeshadow palette.

  • Sxy Fashion Queen shows how much Hollywood loves Lanvin.

  • The Coveted's tips on 5 Ways to Take Sun Protection to the Next Level

  • The Fashionable Housewife found the cure for your flat booty!

  • Indie perfumers are rocking the sexy summer scents and it's brought to you naturally by The Organic Beauty Expert

  • The Shoe Goddess has found the perfect pair of Mary Jane pumps for the fall!


  • V-Style: Angelina Jolie breaks away from her "black" uniform to wear a Max Azria Atelier emerald green gown at Cannes Film Festival!

  • WE LOVE BEAUTY.com learns about the amazing adventure our Magnet stylemakers participated in at SUPERLOVE in the Superdome in New Orleans.

  • eBeautyDaily ventures to the Warren-Tricomi salon in West Hollywood for a haircut.

  • nitro:licious gives you the first look at Old Navy's "The Spotlight" Collection!

  • 66. A very simple lesson in polo shirts

    INFEASIBLE: Buttoning up piqued shirts

    Grey J. Lindeberg Polo
    (From Asos)

    Polo's are meant to be left open. Otherwise, you end up looking like a tightwad that calls up mommy and asks what to wear to classes at Lawrenceville that day.



    Feasible: Pique polos with single buttoning

    J. Lindeberg Sportswear Fitted Pique Polo
    (Brought to you by Tobi)

    With just that slight adjustment, now we can appreciate a JL shirt. With the collar propped properly, the center seam looks much better and, for whatever reason, their respectably tiny logo looks less like a stain as a result. Also, chicks totally dig red these days so BUY IT.

    65. More pocket squares love

    INFEASIBLE: Green pocket squares

    Kelly Green 16" by Elite Solid
    (From Wild Ties)

    As promised, more wisdom on pocket squares. Here's an easy one to compute: Don't ever use a green colored pocket square. Sure, it might half-work with a pure white suit, but you're not going to wear a bleached suit (unless you're JT, respect) and it won't go with any other kind of suit color.


    Feasible: Your standard white linen pocket square

    J. Crew White linen pocket square
    (Brought to you by J. Crew)

    A white pocket square, however, works with every imaginable suit color. Blue, navy, black, gray, white, red (but don't you dare buy one) - it's simple, it's distinct, don't get it dirty and learn how to fold it (see? Even Details can get it right).

    Cross-Web Chatter: Web Snob updates (5/16/08)

    So I was asked to join the illustrious Web Snob group recently - no, you can't get an invite. Here we go:

  • Stiletto Jungle contemplates Yummie Tummie, the shapewear that's meant to be seen.

  • All About the Pretty is really enjoying her custom Bobbi Brown Palettes.

  • Bag Snob ponders Louis Vuitton: To Louis or not to Louis?

  • Beauty Snob snags an interview with Jose Eber!

  • Cheap JAP keeps it classy by showing us The Top Five Things Not to Buy at American Apparel.

  • Coquette gets crafty for the DIY Paper Hermès Kelly Bag.

  • Fashion, Evolved examines the innovative new fashion factory called Catwalk Genius

  • Fashiontribes travels to the Age of Discovery on a sexy Steampunk time bender. (*Dracon's favorite for the week*)

  • I'm Not Obsessed shows you how to get Helena Christensen's entire look for under $125.

  • KRiSTOPHER explores Tokyo.

  • Papierblog looks at the wisdom behind Banana Republic Monogram stores.

  • Quinta Trends finds a Chilean designer in New York: Maria Cornejo.

  • Second City Style asks who wore it better (and why) in our weekly Celebrity Fashion Smackdown.

  • Straight to the Closet or Leave it On the rack? You decide at Shrimpton Couture.

  • Pinching your pennies? Look like a million while saving money and gas with over 200 cheap chic online finds at StyleBakery.com.

  • Stylehive's Next Big Thing: Cassie Kogler of New York Couture.

  • Stylenotes chats with Jack Mackenroth of Project Runway's Season 4.

  • SugarShock Beautymay never go back to regular shampoo and conditioner again now that she's discovered Wen Cleansing Conditioner.

  • Sxy Fashion Queen loves celebrity coloured jeans trend.

  • The Coveted Shares her tips on How to Buy Vintage Clothing

  • The Shoe Goddess dishes about Christian Louboutin.

  • If you are tired of the same old trendy purses, V-Style has found some fabulous evening bags for you.
  • What's Wrong With This Picture?

    This Week's Fuck-Up: Dog the Bounty Hunter

    Mullet? Check. Exposed chest? Check. Ridiculous earrings? Check. Sheriff star buckle? Check. I could go on and on, people.

    64. T-shirts and logos

    INFEASIBLE: Armani Exchange t-shirts

    AX Fashion Superpower T-Shirt
    (From Armani Exchange)

    There's this weird trend in fashion, starting from the late nineties till the present, that I like to call BATTLE OF THE BRANDING. For some reason, a bunch of brands decided, "Hey guys, fuck original designs for our t-shirts, let's throw our name on there with some FuNkY lettering! Yay!" The people at AX have always been particularly keen on the idea, and also happen to be the flat out worst at integrating their logo into the design of t-shirts.





    Feasible: Original Penguin t-shirts

    Original Penguin Retro Logo
    (Brought to you by Original Penguin)

    Let me preface this Feasible option with a disclaimer: I don't like logo integration at all really. OP just happens to be the best of the logo-crazy crap (like being the most handsome of the cavemen). You could walk by me in this and I wouldn't scoff too loud.


    What's Wrong With This Picture?

    This Week's Fuck-Up: Jeff Goldblum

    I like this winter coat, actually. It's just that this particular version of it was made for sumo wrestlers, not for Jeff Goldblums. I don't care how eccentric he is, such a gross mistake of sizing cannot be attribute to "quirkiness".

    63. Summertime + Suits

    INFEASIBLE: Chino-based suits.

    (From Banana Republic)

    I know what you're thinking these days. Sure, it's getting close to the summer and you wanna be cool and slick looking when the sun's a-shining high and the birds are making it with the bees. That's fine, hell, that's what you SHOULD be thinking. But you might also be thinking, "Hey. I tend to associate the material wool with winter - so why would I wear a wool suit during the summer?" BR is prying on this line of thought with this cotton/khaki suit, and fuck, you might have fallen for this trap. Guys, if there's something to ever snub in the fashion world, it is a chino-based suit. That and a 100% polyster getup. Both REEK of Miami Vice.




    Feasible: Light wool, light color

    (Brought to you by Bluefly)
    Here's a little known fact: wool breathes. Air passes through strangs of wool, thus providing ventilation of sorts. Sure, cotton breathes too, but wool always looks good. And wool doesn't shrink. And wool isn't CHEAP (I went there). As for making this Ted Beaker a little more festive (yeah, I know, my love of gray isn't universally revered), try having the breast pocket unsown and sticking in a cheerful pocket square. "Which pocket square?", you ask. Just you wait and see.

    62. Wallets. Again.

    INFEASIBLE: Whatever this fucker below is

    (From Men.Style)

    I guess one could call this latest Frankenstein from Entermodal a "portwallio". I'll stick to calling it ugly, blucky, difficult to handle, and tacky. Naturally Men.Style raves about it. Don't you let my catch you holding one, unless you're returning it to its rightful place in the trash.






    Feasible: Bifold made of kangaroo leather

    (Brought to you by Saks.com)

    Now this, THIS is a piece of awesome. I loves kangaroo leather and this color is just so rich and attention-grabbing but not flashy in the slightest. And logo is tastefully placed and blended into the material. Anyone wanna get me an early birthday present? Seriously, I blew too much money at the bar last night. :(



    What's Wrong With This Picture?

    This Week's Fuck-Up: Ashton Kutcher

    This guy just can't help himself, can he? Ashton: Do not wear a tshirt, ESPECIALLY ONE WITH GRAPHICS OR WORDS, under a blazer, sports coat, jacket, etc. Also, invest in a belt that doesn't look like someone glued a piece of metal from a junk yard to it. And could your chain be any longer.