V-Style For Men

How Should A Man Dress?

By Dominic Valiente

I have a trifecta for you. A Don’t. A What? And a Not so much.

The Don’t: Beryll Cool Accessories for Him.

The What?: Barnaby Black Tees & Thermals with a “hard style, soft Feel.”

The Not So Much: Johnny Depp voted sexiest man alive by People Magazine. 

Now, it’s not that the Beryll accessories aren’t stylish and downright whips and chains sexy. Nor are the Barnaby Black tees not something you can just throw on for a day trip or wear under a jacket for a night out. It’s not that these things are not stylish or complete fashion failures. And, we all know Johnny Depp is sexy (just not the sexiest). But, these ideas are not apart of a true stylish man. 

The Truth: Let’s face it, if it weren’t for the overlaying fact that dressing nice allowed you to talk to women, you all would be wearing the same ratty jeans and t-shirt day in and day out like you did as boys before you discovered the secret that girls like it when you look nice. But, then you also found that you liked looking good.

And, with the effort of looking good comes rules. You don’t want something gaudy that screams look at me. You want to attract attention by emoting panache, class, and confidence. Douchebaggery-wear such as pirate boots, “murses”, ostentatious hipster belts, and print for print sakes t-shirts (for $65 no less), reeks of desperation, low self-esteem and worst of all un-cool. 

A simple rule for men’s fashion: What Would Clooney Do?

Clooney (the TRUE sexiest man alive), is NOT going to be walking around with some leather purse (call it whatever you want in the end, it’s a damn purse), some studded belt, or pirate boots that look like they belong to Captain jack Sparrow’s Gay Rapist Cousin. Often, people forget that style and fashion are different for men and women. “Fabulous” doesn’t always work for men. In fact, it rarely does. What does work are the tried and true rules of simple, clean, and masculine.

But, in order to stave off boredom you must bend, tweak, adjust, fudge and tweak the rules. But, NEVER break the rules. There’s a reason that Cowboys still look cool…and good. Why a smart three piece suit is swell. Don’t over think, over do, and definitely, don’t over primp. Leave that to the ladies. You’re a man. Dress like one.

Stylish Flasks From The Metropolitan Opera Shop

You’ve bought your tickets, taken your seat and the Orchestra at the Metropolitan Opera is warming up. You reach into your coat pocket and pull out your flask for a snip...

Even when you are doing something illegal you need to have some class. So for those times when drinks are just too damn expensive and you need to be that guy that brings his own booze, be that guy in style.

To assist you in your style search, the metoperashop.org is offering a plethora of “pieces inspired by the Met’s history, architecture, and productions”. As a result this pewter kidney flask is riddled with the geometric pattern of the Met’s proscenium and gold silk curtain to make a chic container for your illegal drinking.

Back to you reaching into your coat pocket... when the usher comes by to ask you to put it away, you can give him a wink, raise your “glass,”  and tell him, “If the Met didn't want me using this here, they shouldn't have sold it to me."

Tom Julian's Nordstrom Guide To Style

The economy is improving! Who knew? Not my unemployed brother... but, with the holidays upon us, a gift that can not only help to improve ones look, but in turn, help them get that paycheck we’ve all been looking for is just the thing.

Follow the sage advice of 30 ROCK’s Jack Donaghy, "dress for the career you want, not the job you have," and look into a copy of Tom Julian’s The Nordstrom’s Guide to Men’s Style for that job-hunting friend or your own unemployed arse.

In a saturated job hunters market, you have to stand out, whether it is your resume or how you present yourself. TJ (as I like to call Mr. Julian), recommends adding the classic masculine look of tweed. “Tweed is not just for college professors anymore” and when you’re sporting the cloth of the educated man, you’re going to stand out. So, if you’re looking for a job as a business ethics professor or a bartender, heed Jack Donaghy’s Words of wisdom: “never follow a hippie to a second location,” and look the part…the stylish masculine part.

Men's Vegan Wallets With Cool Prints

If your weathered tattered wallet lets out a Velcro ripping screech when you go to pay for the check… we need to talk. A man needs a man’s wallet. Something for grown ups. The ‘ole tried and true back pocket piece is your classic leather wallet. But, what if you want something fun, or even more pressing, you’re a tree hugging hippie or just a consumer with a deep caring compassion for the environment?

Alternative Outfitters has a little something that will satisfy both beasts. This vegan boutique brings you a leather alternative wallet with a little flare of Pulp Fiction. Wrapped in Tarantinoesque comics of the Golden Age or news print, this conscientious objector to leather offers a man’s wallet for men who want to be fun. No Velcro. No moo-cow.

Clothing Review: Life After Denim's Military Jacket

By John Serbian

I’m not the type to wear a polo or button down shirt with epaulets or something I could put a bandoleer through, (though that sounds cool)  but Life After Denim has changed my mind. They have made a very stylish, yet subtle military jacket that I was pretty stoked to put on. Its definitely fashionable, (which is not something I like to portray - hence not being too keen on epaulets), but without being overtly so.

The feel of the jacket alone is a statement of its quality, the fabric being a very good tweed cotton with an attractive texture. The stitching too is noticeably well executed, not that I have tailor training or anything, but it just looks and feels well made. I love too, that the inside was made with the same attention to detail with a cool and soft plaid pattern. Heck, the hidden button snaps seem to be of superior quality as well. Plus the fit is great. Not too bulky like other military inspired jackets, and sits close to the body without making me look like a lady.

Now the real kicker that won me over is the amount of pockets. Seven, count em’, seven pockets fellow nerds. The first thing I always check for in a jacket is the inside pocket, and low and behold. Not to mention the outside lower pouch pockets have pockets behind them! My dreams of toting all my crap around and still keeping my mitts toasty has been realized. Can you tell how excited I am? What can I say I am sucker for quality you can see and pockets to boot.