Style Tips: Dressing for Rains

Nothing beats down a spirit like a rainy day. But not for me. 

Some of my favorite clothing is made for the rain.In fact rains should be used as an opportunity to stand out from the crowd.

Here are some tips that I have learnt over the years and used successfully

Remember

• This season:

Go Neon: Of all the neon trend this season,yellow has to be the color for rain wear this year

On the street, there seem to be a lot of 

children wearing it,but rarely an adult – 

which makes it so refreshing to see a man

in a bright, rubberized slicker.

It’s a great, “safe” way 

to wear a bold color in 

an off-summer casual 

outfit.

• Be Sockless & in trend:)

• Shoes with rubber soles.

• Cuff your denims.

• Carry an extra shirt or T.

• Invest in a good messenger bag.

• Dark denims.

• Use your smart phone’s weather

    app to make decision.

Men's Guide to: Cuffing Denim

Very few trends do a cross over, those which do say a lot about the mind set people are in.. wonder what SOCKLESS says, well if going sockless or showing your ankle fits your style & cropping them does not then the next bet is a FOLD, TURN UP or CUFF whatever you may call it. hear is a guide to that, love thy denim.

It's not that hard... But when you do it wrong, it just looks like you're either prepping for flood or hiding sausage inside your rolled denim. 

STEP 1: 
Fold your denim about the same length from your fingertips to the start of your palm

STEP 2: 
You're going to take step 1 and fold that in half. This creates weight (so it won't sell out on you when you walk) and also creates a flatter/cleaner look (no sausages!)

If you're successful, it should turn out like this. The sloppy cuff/ messy roll only looks good on womens' boyfriend jeans, not so much on men's denim. Keep it clean and classy.

Types of jeans that work with it: Slim Straights
Wear it with: Brogues, Oxfords, Boots (Unless you're going to an 80's themed party, don't wear it with sneakers)

from get plenty.

the Unstructured Blazer

For us, the year 2013 is the beginning of the casual formals, fashion is becoming more about practicality & individual style, an unstructured blazer is one of the many staples to this start.

Casual Blazer:

The Blazer is one of the most versatile pieces you could possibly hope to own. They work well as evening wear, great for day wear, great as outerwear, great for layering, great with a t-shirt, great with a scarf… you get the idea. Now, we have all heard of the blazer before and I am sure many of you out there have already experimented with them in the past? Being such a timeless piece there should be no excuse for a blazer not to appear in every mans wardrobe, even more so at the moment with some beautiful designs currently out there looking to lead your wardrobe into Spring.

I don't want to get into the details of a blazer, many of you I’m sure will already have a very clear idea in your head of what a blazer should or might look like and the chances are it won’t be the same as the subject this article; the unstructured blazer.

So What’s The Difference?

As is so often the case in the fashion community, terms are passed around on a regular basis that we might not always completely understand; the phrases structured and unstructured are no different. This is particularly the case for those newer to the community, taking the first steps in developing a wardrobe. The forums are full of suggestions for blazers but not all blazers are the same. So to help those who don’t know and for those who have an idea but just want confirmation, here is a quick explanation of the key differences.

Structured

The style you would most commonly associate with a suit, a structured blazer has a more defined and (unsurprisingly) constructed nature. They have padded shoulders and additional material within the linings to help hold the shape and cut. Most structured blazers will have a tapered waist regardless of whether it is slim fit or not as this also creates the shape of the original cut.

The pockets are generally flap covered and incorporated into the jacket itself but this is not exclusive; patch pockets are common on sports/shooting jackets and other heritage inspired styles. With pressed seams, strengthened collars and cuffs the structured jacket looks to maintain clean lines and a more formal aesthetic.

Unstructured

Generally made from lighter materials (cotton, wool mixes or linen) unstructured jackets are more associated with the lofty temperatures of summer than depths of winter.

Overall they are a more casual style as they aren’t required to hold as much shape; the shoulder padding and inner structure of the jackets more rigid sibling is removed, making it softer and creating a more relaxed line. Rather than frame the shoulders it will follow the line and naturally drape closer to the body.With unstructured blazers often including patched pockets and featuring exposed seams, it means they suit more casual looks.

For us, the unstructured look is perfect with denims, unstructured blazer is certainly an item that deserves consideration. Our pervading desire for clean cut shapes and sharp lines make it a bold choice, but it could well be a choice worth making. So, will one be making its way into your wardrobe?

The Denim Shirt

Herringbone Brown blazer in store

One of my favorite things to wear is the denim shirt. It looks rugged but can be worn in a variety of ways. I like wearing them with slim chinos and sometimes with an unstructured sport coat. I could even take it further with a navy or brown silk knit tie as the Italians are so fond of doing. If I want to achieve a dressed down look I'd wear them with a pair of dark jeans (preferably raw), roll up the sleeves and round out the look with brogues. It's never a good idea to wear both a denim shirt and jeans in the same shade or washed look unless you want to look like a cowboy. Here are some Double Denim golden rules 

Denim shirts are sold in different styles which usually fall into two categories: refined and rugged. Either one is a good choice, If the choice is Silky Denim fabric is smooth and lightweight and is cut close to the body. It looks dressy and casual at the same time which allows it to be worn dressed up. On the other side of the spectrum are rugged denim shirts. Rugged denim shirts are made with rougher and often thicker fabric and are cut loose so they can be worn like a jacket over a t-shirt. Most of them feature Western detailing which also differs from each brand, At BrookStreet we prefer it to be simple and no BILLBOARD advertising on the shirt They are best worn with workwear chinos and boots.

 The best part about denim shirts is that it can be worn in a formal occasion and also in an informal party or any function. What I love is to see my girl in them @breakfast. :)

Love thy Denim 

Go Sockless Without the Stench

India men are loving this trend, but here is what you need to know people.

Ho to: Go Sockless Without the Stench

During the warmer months, it’s hard to beat the sans-socks look in the “effortless cool” department. Whether you’re rocking loafers with a crisp cotton suit or boat shoes with an old pair of chinos, flashing a bit of bare ankle is an easy way to add panache to an out fit. But there’s also a downside to going sockless – if you’re not careful, you might quickly discover a sweaty, repugnant aroma wafting up from your feet, and that stench will very likely turn off your friends, coworkers and even random people on the street. It’ll likely ruin your shoes, too. Rather than subjecting everyone around you to a season of unbearable stink, follow our foolproof techniques for keeping feet odour-free.

TRY LOAFER SOCKS
It might seem a bit like cheating at first, but think of loafer socks as the smart man’s method of going sockless. So low-cut they’re virtually invisible. This we especially recommend for Indian weather conditions

MAINTAIN PROPER HYGIENE
If you insist on going sockless, be sure to pay extra attention to the cleanliness of your feet. Scrub them down regularly with anti-bacterial soap, and consider using a foot powder avalibl at local pharmacy all over

USE a SHOE TREES
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Every man should own a pair of Shoe tree. They absorb moisture and unwanted odours, and can add years to the life of a quality pair of shoes.

Information on what shoes to wear on denims: http://lovethydenim.blogspot.in/2010/11/shoes-what-to-wear-with-your-favorite.html

For more article on Socks : http://lovethydenim.blogspot.in/2011/01/you-can-do-so-much-with-them-socks.html

Our Trend report on going Sockless: http://lovethydenim.blogspot.in/2012/04/sockless.html

Article courticy htp://sharpformen(dot)com

Pitti Uomo 2012 looks

Twice a year, flocks of stylish men descent upon Florence, Italy, for Pitti Uomo – 59,000 square meters of exhibition space filled with everything from suiting to streetwear – a buyer’s dream for all things related to men’s fashion. Not only does it give you a realistic idea of what will be on all of our minds come next summer but is a street style frenzy with every step, corner and walkway containing the very best dressed of the menswear realm.

Street Looks 2012 

1) Pitti Street: Cropped & Cuffed

So there you have it guys, a few things we could all do with bearing in mind for next summer from this year’s Pitti Uomo. I’m sure there are plenty of you out there who follow the event as avidly as I do, so if there’s anything you feel I’ve left off or forgotten, as always, please give me a slap on the wrist and tell me how rubbish I am in the comments section below.

We will be posting more looks in the coming weeks.

love thy denim

Sockless

UK Street Trends : Sockless

Introduction

Thanks to the evolution and keen public interest in street style, it feels like every guy and his grandma are going sockless these days. And the reasons for doing so aren’t that hard to see. Sure, it adds a certain amount of zing to a look but it also allows bit more breathing room for your feet and ventilation for your ankles. However, just because you can go sockless, doesn’t necessarily mean you should.

The Art Of Going Sockless

Crop those denims 

As with most things when it comes to style, there are a few general guidelines that will help pull off the no-sock look without looking like a D#CK .('I' meant duck, because of their feet.)

First:  As with any fashion bear in mind your surroundings – i.e. the weather. If it’s raining outside everyone knows wet ankles are not sexy.

Second:  Be aware of where you are heading and is probably the more important of the two. A stylish gentleman always dresses appropriately for his intended arrival. For example, heading down the pub for a few drinks with a couple of friends? Sure, skip those socks you rebel! Heading off to a wedding reception event NO. 

Knowing where and when to bust out your ankles is everything these days.

Remember                    

“ankle is the new male cleavage”.

Tips & Tricks

If you are new to this whole sockless game, here are a few tips I’ve picked up along the way: -

•           Wear in your shoes – regardless of what style of shoe you’ve got and the material they are made from. I usually wear them for 4 hours an evening for a few days and then give them a good polish after, which seems to do the trick.

•           Be Sneaky – If you know that you are going to be wearing a heavy wingtip for a good ten hours in the city, then maybe a sock of some kind might be wise? But why not invest in some low-profile loafer socks to keep your ankles free, but your feet blister free. You won’t regret it!

•           Get Pre-emptive – Although going without socks can be a great feeling, it can do horrible things to your feet. Think about bathing them in hot water regularly and using talcum powder if you have particularly sweaty feet. I actually think the general state of men’s feet is pretty appalling and am not ashamed to say I get a pedicure every 4-5 months to make sure they stay their best. Let’s be honest guys, we wouldn’t like it on a girl would we?

Final Word

As with any trend if it makes practical sense it catches on, to us it does. So go sockless, love thy denim.

Blue Jeans WHITE SHIRT!

A long sleeve buttoned white shirt is a classic clothing item, that probably every guy has in his wardrobe. It suits everyone and goes with eveything. Whenever you hesitate about what to wear, a simple white long sleeve is the safest solution. However, it is still possible to go completely wrong even with a simple clothing item as this one. Here are some mistakes when wearing a white shirt – to avoid them in the future!

1. Leaving too many upper buttons open. This applies to shirts in all colors, although I have noticed, that a white shirt, especially in summer, has that certain casual and youthful touch, that you actually feel the buttons are meant to be left open. Don’t let the hot summer days and the light fabric of your shirt fool you – the buttons, except for the upper two, are meant to be closed!

2. Tucking it into your trousers – when you’re not wearing formal clothing and have actually no need to do so. Wearing casual trousers or jeans and a tucked in shirt, especially when you go beltless, makes you look like a nerd. It will look even more horrible if you have a beer belly!

3. Wearing a white shirt on a really hot summer day. Dust and sweat makes the shirt dirty in 30 minutes – you barely get out of the house when your clothing looks ragged already! So better choose a shirt in some plain pastel color and natural fabric, instead of pure optic white.

4. Wearing a colorful or printed T-shirt under it. White shirts usually let the clothes worn under it see through a little, so you might end up looking like you have gone out wearing your pajamas.

5. Overstyling the white shirt. A simple white shirt makes you look fresh and stylish anyway, you don’t have to add hundreds of accessories to it. One or two garments to complement the shirt are great – a piece of knitwear, a nice jacket or some stylish scarf , but you don’t have to wear all of them at the same time or in different bright colors. Don’t underestimate the white  shirt’s ability to shine.  Less is often more when it comes to clothing.

6. Wearing a white shirt with huge designer labels on it. White is such a bright and fresh color, that it makes every print on it draw attention immediately. You might be a fan of Versace or Armani, but if the label screams all over your white shirt, it’s not stylish anymore – it’s tasteless.

7. Wearing a white shirt with breast pockets and tucking a lot of your personal stuff in there. Whether it’s just a pen, a handkerchief, a pack of cigarettes or money – other people don’t have to (and usually don’t want to) know all about it. White, more than any other color, lets a lot see through, so it’s kind of the same as carrying a plastic bag with your personal belongings. Even if you wear a white shirt with breast pockets, make sure you don’t put anything in there.

8. Ignoring a few little staines or wrinkles on a white shirt. You might think that it’s such a small thing, that noone will notice, especially if you’re in a hurry to rush out and spot them yourself on a last minute. You can be sure, that eveyone will notice! It’s possible to hide wrinkles and dirt on a colorful or patterned shirt, but never on a white one.

9. Wearing a shirt in a wrong size. If you have gained or lost weight, make sure to avoid clothing in white color – it is so bright and shiny that everything not right about its wearer will show immediately.

10. Don’t consider a long sleeved white shirt and a short sleeved white shirt exactly the same clothing item – they are not! Choose only a long sleeve, you can roll up the sleeves if you feel hot. Wear a short sleeved shirt only on a warm summer day and only in some bright color or fun pattern. Leave the plain white short sleeved shirts to grandpas.

Remember all of these possible mistakes to make sure you avoid them. You will look amazing in your simple white shirt!

Love white love thy denim... from the web

From the Streets of London

Denim On Denim


Last winter we had reported on a fast trend catching up from the 70's & 80's
Denim on Denim


Here are some images from the catwalks & street's of London

London Fashion Week 2011

Denim Jacket & Shirt

Vintage Look

Vintage Wash Jacket 

Light Top Dark Botton

Vintage & Basic Note belt & shoe to cut the Blue overtone

Light Top & Dark Bottom, again note the shoe & belt colour to cut the overuse of Denim




Love thy Denim

Clint Eastwood on Cover of GQ 

Accessories Make The Man

Fashion Week Trend Report 2011: By Brooklyn Lifestyles

Clothes speak & accessories whisper; one can wear the trendiest of clothes but it’s the accessories that complement and complete it.

Continuing our series on Men & accessories,  we take a look at one of the most visibly used accessories by the Male Species : The BAG…..



Lets first distinguish between the different types of  Bags & their purpose:

Briefcase

LV Briefcase

Briefcases are probably the oldest form of “acceptable” handbags for men. Modern-day briefcases, however, have evolved a great deal since the days of our father’s sharp-cornered case. They’re no longer boxy; in fact, that’s about the only traditional element discarded in the modern briefcase. The classic shape (without the sharp corners), buckles, leather exterior, and practical interior compartments help make this bag a timeless addition to any working-man’s wardrobe.

Carry with: Business attire

Messenger Bag

Gucci 2011 Messenger

Aptly named, the messenger bag is designed after the bags traditionally carried throughout history by -- whom else? -- messengers. Often made from canvas and swung across the shoulder, messenger bags have taken on a whole new meaning in urban fashion. From students with canvas bags to urban hipsters with modern leather bags, the messenger’s laid-back style will always have a classic casual flair, but today’s leather messenger tote also exudes a hint of uptown sophistication.



Carry with: With everything Cool

Holdall

Image from Selectism

Any traveling man needs a holdall for those weekend jaunts or three-day business trips. Big, bulky luggage has transformed into sleek, stylish holdalls (or carryalls). It’s design is inspired by the duffel bag, but its predominant leather exterior and more refined appearance attribute a classic look to this practical tote.

Carry with: Casual weekend wear, business-casual attire

Camera Bag

Boss Orange

A smaller version of the messenger bag, a camera bag is a longer rectangular bag that is meant to be strapped across the shoulders. Convenient for tourists, but good for any man on the go, a camera bag is a discreet but severely stylish way to lug around your belongings. What makes the camera bag stand out as a classic men's bag is its ability to bring a touch of masculinity to an outfit, even if it is hanging from your shoulder. It’s a simple style with a whole lot of function.

Carry with: Leisure wear

Salvatore Ferragamo

Tote

A tote is the modern approach to the classic briefcase. Resembling an artisan’s bag, the tote is the utmost in casual business attire. Its basic design and usual soft leather exterior allots it a classic status, while its long handles give it a contemporary edge. If purchased in a chocolate brown or black, this bag can add a touch of laid-back masculinity to any casual work wear.

Carry with: Business-casual clothes

Newsboy Bag

Canvas Bag

Like the advent of the newsboy cap, the newsboy bag is a classic style that has become synonymous with men’s casual wear. It’s similar to the messenger bag’s style, but its traditional canvas exterior makes it a little less formal. This bag style is perfect for the student on the go, as it makes a fashion statement and exudes more masculinity and style than a knapsack.

Carry with: Campus-chic wear


It’s In The Bag

Throw out the idea that bags are for women and move with the fashion-forward times. While classic bags like briefcases are still popular; bags with classic elements like the messenger are becoming necessary accessories for today’s modern man.
London has seen an onslaught of messengers & this trend seems to be fast catching up on the Metropolitan Indian Streets.

Messenger bags are the crème de la crème totes this year,  from Bollywood rows to urban high-streets. This bag has made a 360-degree turn in fashion; the style is back with a bang. Its presence is now stronger than ever,  uniquely styled on the runways for suits and ready-to-wear looks.

These bags with long straps are a guy’s version of a woman’s handbag, but have just the right amount of masculine definition. Often, they have patch pockets to accommodate your little bits and a significant amount of room in the main compartment to keep your priorities safe. Messengers have, in a short time, become a global must-have bag  and no one does messengers like London. Londoners are famous for their eclectic mix of fabrics, prints and styles.

These messengers are seen on canvas, corduroy, suede, leather, and even denim, with buckles, buttons and zips -- the choices are endless. Every male Londoner will have a selection of messenger bags in his wardrobe this season. The styles most popular are in neutral tones and is obvious why; with such an interesting fabric selection, the neutral tones are a perfect balance, ensuring that it becomes the ultimate multipurpose bag.

Brit advice to flaunt the Messenger:

• Do not hang on one shoulder unless you are a WOMAN, it  should always be hung cross

• Age appropriate: Under 25 : canvas, corduroy, suede or denim, Over 25 : Leather

• Color Coordinated: If in leather tones somewhere near  your shoes & belt would look good, generally Black shoes Brown Leather Messenger is frowned upon

• Do not carry too much stuff in the messenger, if you have to carry a lot invest in a good Holdall

• Its not a gym bag

• If you are a heavy user invest in @ least two:  a black & a brown would do, let one breathe while the other works.

• Its always advisable to invest in a reliable brand but then like T-shirts,  Do not buy a Logo over tone, it’s a bag not an advert billboard.

Whatever you carry, remember..........

“A smart-looking bag on a man is great;

the bag as a focal point of your outfit, however, is not”.

Be yourself, love thy denim.