Showing posts with label to the nines.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label to the nines.... Show all posts
back in november, our friend, andi, threw her boyfriend a 007 party to celebrate his turning 30.
we all received the details of our mission - to "infiltrate and surprise the target" and came dressed to the nines as bond girls, villains, and a few variations of the spy himself.
complete with a hired bartender mixing up classic cocktails, the party was an absolute hit!
fall shopping: his
flyers . alpha khakis . flint . wool shirt . watch . denim jacket
a personal style study: his
When Kelsey asked me to write a style profile I immediately curled up into a ball in the corner and started to shake thinking about the inevitable ridicule I would receive after our friends read this post. After some thought, and maybe a bit of liquid courage, however, I came to the realization that such low hanging fruit would only provide temporary entertainment, especially considering the wit with which their insults are usually laced (a little gentle flattery to avoid the unwanted consequences of this post).
Like Kelsey, I have become more calculated, have taken inspiration from past trends, and have attempted to pinpoint why I put these clothes on my back. My elements include rugged, preppy, and classic.
Rugged: Shit Kickers. I am a huge fan of Wolverine boots. Blame it on being from Wisconsin, spending three summers as a general laborer, or just liking the outdoors, I would wear boots every day if the weather allowed. Flannel/Chambray. Similarly, if I lived in a state that didn’t become so hot people actually consider swimming in the weird public swimming pool in Central Park, I would live in a rugged button down with the occasional beat up t-shirt (holes and fading preferred). Denim/Alpha Khakis. Even with the heat I rarely wear shorts, and would prefer to wear them less. Instead, I sweat it out in thick denim, or, as self-articulated, alpha khakis - where denim ends and khaki begins. Randolph Engineering Aviators. Just check them out. Randolph kills it and these are the best of what they offer.
Preppy: Boaters. When I am forced to wear shorts, or when I roll up my Alpha Khakis and pretend that the roll is actually cooler than a full pant, I am rarely in anything other than boaters. They are easy, they are comfortable, and in a state of disrepair they add character. Gingham. Though this has become quite a trend, I refuse to move away from it. I don’t care how many Midwest men put a gingham shirt under a dark suit with a plain skinny tie and call themselves fashionable, gingham is good. (I am from a fly-over, so it’s nothing more than self deprecation.) Hoodless Sweatshirt. Once fall comes about, my sweatshirts move into weekly rotation. York Street from J. Press does a stellar version, as well as J. Crew.
Classic: Suits. Blue, Grey, Tan, Pinstripe. Though I would prefer to live in jeans or Alphas, that’s not really kosher in a legal office. Instead, the uniform is a suit, button down, and tie. The suit is usually Calvin Klein Collection, the shirt, anything in my closet including chambray/flannel/gingham, and the tie is thin, wool or silk, and usually subdued. Cap Toe Shoes. The majority of my dress shoes are cap toe. They are the most classic dress shoe, are comfortable as shit, and work just as well at a summer wedding as they do in an office. Beat-up Briefcase. Probably because the uniform has such a clean and polished feel, I appreciate the opposite in my briefcase. Call it character or holding on to things too long, I value a quality leather briefcase that looks like it has been around the block and is still as solid as it was when purchased.
up next: clothing
a personal style study: hers
when it comes to shopping - fall shopping in particular - i've become more and more calculated about my purchases. blame it on small manhattan closets or law school budgets, but i'm glad for it. each season i find myself wanting to minimize the extra stuff in my closet and edit it down to my essentials. i feel like i've honed my style in the last few years, evidenced by my pulling favorite pieces out season after season and still finding them relevant and flattering - easily mixed into my wardrobe. so i decided to step back and pinpoint my style elements for successfully strategizing this fall's purchases.
i am decidedly one part retro, one part preppy, and one part classic.
retro: i love a good cateye. and a high pony. and long leather gloves.
i like to add touches of retro glamour to my outfits for a personal spin. most people i know don't rock a full skirt and belted waist almost every day, and i like being unique in that way. but it can be small things, too. a bateau neck. leopard. skinny pants and a trapeze top.
preppy: try to keep me from popping my white oxford collar. i just can't help it.
classic prep is such an american (and truth be told, japanese) thing, and for good reason. the whole concept behind it makes sense - investing in good quality, timeless pieces and then wearing them until they're threadbare because you love them so much.
monogrammed cashmere, blackwatch blazers, aran sweaters, stripes, tortoise, headbands, bows... i could go on and on.
classic: to look back on a photo from 10, 25, 50 years ago and still think your look was great- i consider this to be the ultimate achievement. having enough style to keep your look fresh and current without becoming a slave to trends. identifying and adding elements of the zeitgeist to your look gracefully. black and white are always in fashion. clean and polished never goes out of style. and trench coats are forever.
up next: a shopping list
todd snyder x champion
we're so glad to have happened upon the
collaboration of todd snyder (a fellow iowa state grad) and champion.
the attention to detail and vintage aesthetic is incredible;
a great way to upgrade your active wardrobe.
inspiration from the champion archives
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