Tuesday, February 15, 2011

A GUIDE TO BEING A WINNER & HERE IT MEANS WINNING A BROOKSTREET DENIM!!!





                                     - CEO Bradford & Stanley Designs

First things first:



Our Social Media page on facebook is handled by the Brand itself unlike other brands who hire agencies to run it and randomly update information. We want to connect and interact with you for the evolution of the brand. To use it to ask questions or just share information.


Now the Guide:
 It would make you wonder about the purpose of giving this information!!Well, at Brookstreet: WE LOVE DENIMS. And  the brand ideology has always been" love thy denim". We want people in India to know that the brand is about Passion, its for people who are passionate about what they do in life & if that means a passion for winning your self a free pair of jeans, so be it!!! Heck if you have taken out the time to read this article then you really do want it & we want to help u get it!!


So here it is:


1) The contest tab on the social media page, asks you a simple 
CONTEST
question. “ love thy denim, tell us why?"  It is not about do you love Brooks? More then half of you tell us why you love BrookStreet denims & how you love the Fit. Thanks for that and we do love to hear it but you don’t need to lie! Don’t get me wrong here!! A lot of effort went into getting the perfect fit & they do fit well but when these responses are from cities where Brooks are not available yet, that raises a doubt. Just tell us why you love denims and what is means to you, that’s it. Cos we are not having a contest where you need to flatter the brand falsely to win. Its simply to know our consumers and how they feel about their denims.

2) We also have the weekly bonus contest where just following the instructions will do the trick!! For e.g. the contest this month asks you to tag your self in your favorite denims. Which is precisely what you have to do.The purpose of asking people to tag themselves with names & images on profiles is to know who we are giving out these denims to.  If there are clone accounts or fake profiles, it does not serve the purpose of a company  who genuinely wants to use social media as a medium to connect. Again the purpose is to understand our consumers and their likes and dislikes. So that we can cater to their needs and know them better.


3)Follow-up: Lets say you have won yourself a Brooks jeans, then let us know what you think. Cos we would like to know your feedback on a product which we are confident and sure you would love!! And let others know about a company which is genuinely trying to create a niche with unique creations.


Well that’s all for now people.  Just  follow these instructions & if you still don’t win then that’s your luck and better luck next time!! But our pricing is competitive and these prices wont be there for long.So why not go to the stores & check out our denims. And let us know what you genuinely feel about our jeans Cos we actually want to know what you feel: As it’s the passion that drives us, not the commerce.


Looking fwd to hearing from you., Best of Luck, Love thy Denim

Monday, February 7, 2011

Here are 5 tips to help you choose the right plus size mens clothing.




1.       Stripes

There is a golden rule with wearing stripes... Horizontal: No. Vertical: Yes.

Vertical stripes will make your silhouette look longer and slimmer.

Horizontal stripes, however, will have the opposite effect and make anyone look larger than they are...

2.       Jackets & Bottoms

A single-breasted jacket will make you look far slimmer than a double-breasted one; this is because people’s eyes will automatically focus on the centre point.

Also, try to avoid jackets or blazers that are double-vented as this will draw unnecessary attention to your bottom!

Jeans: Simple Straight fit No Heavy Wash Effect.

3.       Sizes

NEVER try and squeeze into a size that is too small!

Wearing clothing that is overly tight will look terrible and you will feel very self-conscious.

4.       Belts

Belts are a very important accessory!

You should always wear one as it will hold your waistline and ensure that your trousers hangcorrectly!

5.       Colours

Wearing contrasting colours will immediately draw attention to the joins between your clothes, i.e. your stomach... 

Stick to shades that are more similar to one another.

OR 
Just work out! 

Love life, Love thy denim™

Monday, January 17, 2011

Mens Fashion Advice: The + Size Man

 

Fashionable?
We're not all born looking like Ranbir Kapoor but that doesn't mean that we can't look good. With the right clothes any man (plus size or not) can look great. The key is to emphasise the positive bits and hide the negatives. And with wedding season on its way (I for one will probably be pilling on weight,as you love thy food!) here are my top five tips on how to look your best even if you are plus sized. 

1) Don't wear baggy clothes
PATENTED BY INDIAN MALE

I know that when you are carrying a few extra kilos it can be tempting to want to hide it all under big baggy clothing in a bid to hide your size. But don't - this can actually make you look bigger as it creates a bit of a tent look. Instead opt for tailored fitted looks that emphasise your best assets. So if you like you bum show it off! 

However, one word of warning don't go too tight here as tight clothing can emphasise bulging bits. A well tailored piece that skims over the parts of your body you don't like and emphasises the good bits is the way to go 

2) Wear a tie
It may sound mad but a tie can actually make you appear thinner as it draws the eye downwards and makes you appear a little less wide. 

3) Get the right trousers/jeans
Trousers and jeans that hit the waist can actually make you look bigger. But jeans/trousers that sit on the hip (low rise ones) mean that there is a shorter distance between the top of the waistband and the crotch than regular trousers. Also make sure the waistband can accommodate your bear belly (if you have one) as a muffin top doesn't look good on anyone as it lengthens the torso and shortens the leg. Also avoid pleating on trousers as they make the pelvis look bigger. 

4) Avoid busy patterns
A fussy pattern is just going to draw attention to problem areas so instead go for smart dark colours (women for years have been going on about how slimming black is and they're right!). A dark solid colour will make you look ten pounds thinner so is a definitely a good idea. 

One pattern that does work though is vertical strips as they draw the eye downwards so elongates the body and therefore, make it look thinner 

5) Take stuff out of your pockets
Emptying your pockets will improve the line of your clothes and stop people's eyes being drawn to a bigger stomach. If you have a bulky pocket on your trousers that doesn't sit right this can be sewn up a good tailor and will make your hips look smaller. 

Finally it's all about confidence – if you feel great you will look great. 
To be continued….
                                                                                   
                                                                                    Love Thyself, Love Thy Denim

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

You can do so much with them, Socks!




Albert Einstein
"I have reached an age where if someone tells me to wear socks, I don't have to"
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)


If you’re into looking your best & you are not Albert Einstein,  you should know that it’s often the details that make all the difference. Socks are details of an outfit commonly neglected and overlooked, so I’m going to run through some of the fundamentals in this quick entry.
Knowing the Difference Between Sock Types

Casual socks

Come in cotton and wool, and are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and thickness.
Adidas Athletic Socks
Athletic Socks

Athletic socks are usually cotton and available in gray or white. The also come low-cut so that when you wear your sneakers your socks are almost invisible. Do note they are called Athletic Socks not Casual or Dress JUST FOR SPORTS.








Dress socks
Dress Socks
Usually made from silk, cashmere, or fine cotton and wool. Long enough to stay up on your calves.
Choosing the Right Size
When shopping for sock sizes, there is nothing worse than a sock that doesn’t fit you. The heel of the sock should be on your heel, not below or above it. Generally your sock size should be a size bigger than your shoe size.

Mebaz Look 2011
Matching Your Socks To Your Outfit
When wearing dress shoes, the fashion rule is to blend the color of the socks with your suit color or pants.
Note the picture: when wearing lighter shirt, make sure the socks are darker than the suit, but a shade or so lighter than the shoes. 
The reason why you want to match your sock color to your dress pants is because you want your outfit to visually flow from top to bottom.
If socks are matched with the shoes instead, then people’s eyes will stop at the end of the pants because the pants and shoes seem separate. When the socks match your pants, you let the flow of vision all the way down to the sole of the shoe. This sets apart the apparel and accessories but at the same time well-coordinated.
For example, a navy suit and brown shoes should be worn with navy socks rather than brown socks. Charcoal suit and black shoes appears more stylish with dark gray socks.
NEVER wear white socks with dress shoes.
Although, you could want your socks to make a statement and not match them to your pants at all. More subtly, you can go for something bolder and match your socks to another part of your outfit. For example if you’re wearing a grey suit with a red tie and black shoes, you can wear black socks that have a red pattern.
Try patterned socks with a solid suit to break the pattern and add some flair, and solid socks with a heavy patterned suit. Having pattern on pattern makes things too busy.
If you wear dress socks with a suit and tie, make sure the socks extend over your calves. This prevents people from seeing your bare leg when you’re seated. It doesn’t leave the best impression to keep having to pull your socks up your legs.

Image : the sartorialist
Keepin’ it Casual
If you decide to wear dress shoes with jeans, go for dark navy socks or black as you can see above. The above image is also a great example of wearing a dress shoes with jeans.
If you’re wearing sneakers wear the low-cut kind in black.
While white socks are totally welcomed in the gym, they are never flattering in other situations. DO NOT WEAR WHITE SOCKS WITH JEANS.
For casual outfits you’d still look more stylish with darker socks than white socks. Just make sure to match the texture or fabric. Cotton or wool socks would go better with a casual outfit than a pair of silk ones.
Try to match the color to your pants, for example navy for jeans, beige for khaki pants. If you don’t want to be this matchy, I suggest wearing low-cut black socks for your casual outfits so they are invisible with shoes. This way when you take your shoes off at somebody’s place you have black socks instead of cheesy white athletic ones. Even better are fun casual socks that show some personality.
If you’re up to it, you can dress down a suit or an outfit and go really bold with an eye catching color or pattern.

As we have said before, sometimes it’s extremely stylish to go completely sockless (more appropriately during the spring/summer).  It always looks refreshing and hip. If you get sweaty feet, wear some low-cut socks to create an illusion of wearing no socks.Low cut sock looks very elegant & is a trend we love.






Socks are a small part of your wardrobe but because it’s important that your outfit is planned head to toe, make sure that you got your feet covered with the right socks.
Conclusion:
1. For formal wear, remember to match your socks to your pants.
2. Match the texture of the socks to the rest of the outfit. Silk socks with a slight luster complement tuxedos and other fine formal wear. Thicker wool socks are more appropriate for heavier winter wear. Cabled and ribbed socks go better with casual wear.
3. Keep the white athletic socks for sports and the gym.
4. For casual wear, you can match your socks to your pants for a more sophisticated look, for example beige socks with chinos, or stick to low-cut dark socks (low-cut black socks with dark blue jeans look very stylish).

Patterned Socks

5. For a bolder statement, try patterned socks to match other colors in your outfit, or go for something that stands out on it’s own.

6. Absolutely, Strictly no socks with sandles 

7. Take your worn out socks and make them  “BURN THEM” No Holes Man, why are people so lazy they are not even expensive Do not wear socks with holes.

For more information on Shoes .

Stay sharp from head to toe & Love thy Denim™
-CEO Brooklyn Lifestyles


Denims & Socks some times you can just have fun.
@streets of London 

Sunday, January 2, 2011

GUIDE to help you choose the right denims:




With trousers and ties becoming increasingly rare in most men’s daily
lives, the majority of men rely on denim to get them through occasions
ranging from casual days at the office to hip club nights, and even
weddings. The proliferation of denim-appropriate settings has led to a
seemingly endless, often overwhelming selection of denim rinses, cuts
and price points for consumers to choose from.

SO this is a GUIDE to help you choose the right denims:



Get the appropriate fit, cut and wash of jeans for your body. The
wrong pair of jeans can be a complete disaster. In contrast, the right
jeans can literally transform your physique to give you the appearance
of having a body sculpted by the GHAJINI trainer. When seeking that
great fit of denim, remember this.



 Fit (how the jeans sit on your body)



Cut (the shape of the jeans)



Wash (the color and finish of the jeans)


FIT:

 Is an all important factor to consider. There are four categories
that jeans fall into where fit is concerned: slim, regular, relaxed, and loose.



CUT:



Different cuts of denim include boot cut, skinny leg, wide leg,
straight leg, high rise, and low rise.



Wash :



The most common washes for denim are dark, stone, dirty, and distressed.



 To find the best jeans for your body, you need to know how to combine
fits, cuts and washes so that you end up with a pair that shows off
your assets while concealing your flaws. For example, guys with lean
body types can choose between slim or regular-fit jeans with a boot
cut, skinny or straight leg in pretty much any wash. Heavier guys
should look for relaxed-fit jeans with a boot cut or wide leg in a
dark or dirty rinse.  For more info on this click here.



Care for your jeans properly to maximize their life



There are a few basic precautions you can take to extend the life of
your jeans so that they’ll look virtually  new until you rip an
unsightly hole in them.

 First, make sure that the length of your jeans is appropriate for the
footwear you’ll be wearing most often with them. An inseam that is too
long means that the bottom of your jeans will drag on the ground and
quickly become ruined. If the jeans have a fantastic fit but are too
long, take them to a tailor and get them hemmed – but this service is
best left to experts in the store. Denim Care More Info..



Match your denim to the occasion



Nowadays, jeans are appropriate for all but the most formal events
unless you are Mr. Bollywood or a Rock Star. Having said that, not all
jeans are right for all occasions. Your favorite pair of ripped, distressed 
jeans for instance, is better suited for weekend lounging than a 
business dinner.



To decide which jeans you should don and when, compare the fit, cut
and wash of your jeans to what’s on your schedule. Slim-fit or
boot-cut denim in a dark wash is your go-anywhere standby, and will
get you through casual days as well as dressier affairs. For lazy
weekends, grabbing a pint or chilling out with friends at sporting
events, you can be less cautious in your choice of denim, opting for a
stone-washed or heavily distressed pair.



Whatever the occasion one thing is for sure,
denims go with everything.

Love thy denim™

Thursday, December 9, 2010

A womans Perspective:

Denim Head thought of bringing in a woman's perspective
 on fashion for the India male. Hers is what she had to say:

RANT:

Spandex Ad
Men have reason to cheer!!  Hi-tech briefs and vests that promise to suck in beer bellies and tauten the butt have arrived!! Way to go men!! If women can use Push-up bras, corsets, designer girdles and Double-Ds to enhance their appearance, why not men??

 


Men now have the opportunity to look like eye candies and not the eye-sores we women are often subject to!  While a balding pate can be considered sexy by some women, ask any woman and she would be quick to admit, that a huge belly is a total turn-off.  And while we are at it,

let’s look at what turns on women about men?  As we strictly discuss physical appearance and attire, we shall not consider other valuable characteristics such as being loving and caring. Those will require a separate article in itself!!

Suit & Shoes by Mebaz
Denim by Brook

A well-cut suit and well fitted jeans are clear winners in this
department. Purely due to the impracticality of suits which remain

reserved for certain occasions & season in India, its denims that win this round and my personal vote. While I don’t discount the fact that an
impeccable suit on broad, sexy shoulders can get any woman go weak in her knees, its jeans that are versatile by virtue of their sheer flexibility. They can be combined and paired with to create an informal or a semi-formal look with complete ease.  Lets look at some of the highs and lows that come with it!!





Denims have invaded almost all the classes and be it an investment 
banker, a photographer, an architect, a model or even an entrepreneur, denims would find a place in their closets. It’s what he does with that denim to create his own personal style that can make all the

difference.
Vintage Man

Is it only women or some men also who find the ultra- tight denims that some guys wear as grotesque. Even a good physique is just no excuse to sport this look complete with a T-shirt 2 sizes small with muscles rippling. It’s the worst a guy can do with denims to look macho! As Zsa Zsa Gabor said “Macho doesn't prove mucho.” N definitely not if trying so hard.

Then comes the ripped, torn denim look. And I mean the literally very torn look.  Can someone please explain the purpose of this style? I mean it does not look good on anyone I have come across. Maybe teenagers in college, but anyone on the other side of 20 should just stay away from this disaster.

Then is the “look at my designer underwear” look.  Ok, it’s not the most  common sight, but makes you wonder if forgot to wear a belt or trying to show a shaven- unshaven belly which no woman finds hot. Infact looks like a fashion victim trying to pass off as cool. And lastly, is the tuck-in look. Now, don’t get me wrong, it can look great if done well. A great fitting denim with a crisp white shirt tucked in to reveal a striking belt on a sunny afternoon is a welcome treat!! But when on a 36 inch waist with the belt constantly being pushed up(!!!) to keep jeans in place is hilarious

 
 Lets just call her. 
Queen of London

                                                                                                         Love thy denim™

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Is there such a thing as Bollywood fashion?


Ask fashion retailers or marketing gurus this & their answer would be Yes, Bollywood Fashion is very much there & it does influence the average, below average & yes, also the above average Indian Male. Bollywood has always influenced Indian fashion and continues to do so.

Bollywood has had some distinct eras of fashion. We do not take into account fashion before the 70’s but some in that era had distinct personal styles (Guru Dutt, the Kapoor brothers, Dev Anand to name a few)

Three remarkable eras of Bollywood fashion are:

  • The Eastman Colors : Black, Red, White & Blue
  • The 90’s: The Era of Fashion Disasters
  • Beyond 2000: The Era of Packaging, PR & Stylist.

Bobby: Fashion Trend 101
Part One: The Eastman Colors

Fashion during Eastman color was in tones of Black, Red , White & Blue.

Black: Suite for office

Red: Shirt for Song

White: Funerals, please excuse Jitu Ji from this, he is Eternally Blanc... 

Blue: College & Picnics

Mithun Chakraborty Icon of 70's
This was the time of Bollywood Tailors, when clothes were decided by the Stars or the Director, the time when there was a Costume Dada & Make- up Kaka…
Fashion was
Romantic: Rishi Kapoor
Angry: Vinod Khanna, Amitabh Bachan
Tragic: KAKA, is it just me or that Belt over Shirt to hide the Blob underneath Genius.

The 80’s brought a whiff of fresh air on the fashion scene. The Time of Vintage Denims had arrived…. Kamala Hassan in SAAGAR or Mithun in his Dance Chronicles. The action heroes, Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt as well as Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff all sported jeans. Be it Anil Kapoor in Mashaal, Jaanbaaz, Tezaab, Ram Lakhan, Parinda or Jackie Shroff in Hero or Andar Baahar, they flaunted their jeans with aplomb. Bollywood  Heroes had clearly defined their style quotient. Denims were here to stay and how!!

True Bollywood Vintage
still from Saagar.
Point to note: In SAAGAR: Kamala Hassan depicted as Poor, was in Denims, and not just denims, he was in’ Denims on Denims’ ; while Rishi Kapoor the Rich kid dressed in Suits and boots!
Just watch that movie for its true vintage denims & Dimple K coming out of the water leaving Rishi Kapoor and every hot-blooded male mesmerized.
Vintage Ad
Or check out the sheer style of Jackie Shroff in denims as he seduces the oomph girl Moon Moon Sen in ‘Mausam Bada Suhana hai” from Andar Baahar. Jackie carried off his denims with flair, cos he knew a thing or two about fashion. He evolved his style well into the 90s and continued to reinvent his denim quotient. Check out his look in ‘Rangeela’ where he pairs Bandhini shirts with his denims. A lesser stylish actor could have easily faltered with this look.Which brings forth the point that confidence and style go hand in hand. But the 90s took away  focus from fashion in a big way for the masses and aping Bollywood fashion was  no more a trend.  The 80s star didn’t wanna fade away as the Khans came on the scene and set new parameters of fashion sensibilities…..
90’s The Doordarshan generation was fading & the era of Cable had begin . This was also the time of FASHION DISASTERS …


PS: I have always wondered: In Bollywood, we have hardly seen any actress r*ped by Ranjeet in Denims, was it that in 80's the quality of zip was so bad that denims wont come off? or does being in denims protect women.
To Be Continued....

Coming Soon: 

Part Two: The 90's, Era of Fashion Divide.

Part Three: 2000 & Beyond: The Era of Packaging, PR & Stylist.