V-Style For Men

Justin Bieber's Hair

 

If your hair looks anything like this kid here, reevaluate your life. Then shave your head. 

 

A Different Kind Of Jacket

For many men, stepping out of their fashion box is about as hard to do as admitting that they like some chick flicks (Dirty Dancing, anyone? I know you loved it). For the fashionably tenuous a jacket offers the perfect opportunity to try something new. If you’re not feeling it or don’t feel comfortable it can always go over a chair or your shoulder.

The Belstaff Roadmaster is one mind blowing option for you. Made and designed in England since 1924, this jacket oozes masculinity. I mean, put this on and you look like Alec Baldwin leading the Doolittle Raid in Pearl Harbor. Go Michael Bay on that ass.

If you’re not up for raiding the Pacific Islands, you can always try a little Elvis Costello. The Velvet Sports Coat by J. Crew is perfect to dress up or dress down with a little flair of Rock and Roll. And, as George Costanza has pointed out, when you’re rocking Velvet, the ladies can’t help but touch the fabric. Wink.

Street Style in Chicago's Grant Park

High end duds are all well and good, but street style can be more interesting, comfortable and less expensive. Pictured here at Lollapalooza in Grant Park is Anthony Bianco from New York in a Pinzano hat, Levi's, American Indian belt and vintage Adidas sneakers.

How To Wear The Skinny Tie

I have noticed a lot of queries about how to wear the skinny tie and where to buy them. A skinny tie is a fashion forward trend so it should probably stay out of the office. In the workplace you can wear a thin-ish tie, but a skinny-skinny one will make you look too trendy, ergo unprofessional. This is particularly true if you have a jock or are plump. Your size will emphasize the slimness of the tie.

For out on the town you can dress up the skinny tie by pairing it with a classic button down shirt of a solid color. Your skinny tie can be patterned or solid. If you want to wear a patterned shirt with a patterned tie you’ll want it to be incredibly subtle. A nice example of this is Ryan Gosling in his GQ spread.

If you want a more a casual look for your skinny tie sport whatever you like as long as the shirt has a collar. When wearing a tie in a casual manner it is about being funky and having fun, but I find it far too trendy to wear a tie with a tee shirt. Not even a rock star can pull this off. You can see here that Justin Timberlake has completely embraced casual dress with the skinny tie. Sport a vest, mix your patterns, roll your sleeves…whatever you like, as long as you have a collar you are looking stylish.

On the occasion when a suit is necessary the skinny tie is a very hot choice and easy to pull off. Wear it as you would any other tie. As you can see Brad Pitt here is looking fabulous in this perfect fitting black suit, traditional white button down and black skinny tie. Gorgeous!

Now how long should a skinny tie be? Whether it be casual or dressy, your tie should sit directly above your belt or waist line. Don't let it go past your belt and don't have it rest higher than two inches above your belt.

Where to get the skinny tie and which to get? I love solid colors, subtle patterns and pointed ends. I am not a fan of the square ended tie, but it’s not a sin. In order to find one, head into the more youthful or modern sections of department stores like Nordstrom or Macy's. You can also try Armani Exchange and Express Men. You will find the biggest selection of skinny ties online with retailers like Tie Guys, Dance Store and Men’s Flair.

William Rast by Justin Timberlake

You already know that Justin Timberlake is the male version of Kate Moss when it comes to fashion, but did you know that he had a clothing line? The average person probably gestures no, while the fashionably inclined are laughing with a big “duh” on their face.

Justin Timberlake and good friend Trace Ayala debuted William Rast for men and women in October of 2006. Each season since they have continued to put out stylish clothing that, “overlaps the gap between casual comfort and cosmopolitan cool.” Their 2009 Spring line was even show cased at NY fashion Week in September of 2008 to get you drooling this coming March.

My opinion? The collection on the William Rast website is looking quite fabulous in that understated high-style rhythm that Timberlake is known for, but I would be interested to see the quality of each piece. With $68 t-shirts and jackets that range from $229-$726, these aren’t extreme prices, but its something to blink at for sure.

I would love to hear what you think if you own a piece from William Rast. Yea? Or Nay?