V-Style For Men

Cream PF Flyers - Your New Favorite Shoe

 

For seventy years, PF Flyers have been making a damn good shoe. The PF stands for Posture Foundation which refers to the posture foundation technology in the insole of the shoe that was patented in 1933 and then incorporated into the brand name in 1937. Blah Blah, PF Flyers pushed the fashion possibilities of the sneaker back in the day and continues to do that now.

In numerous posts you will notice my reference to "the stylish sneaker." I don't want to see a man in a Nike, Reebok or New Balance outside a sport. When you leave the gym I want you to slip your feet into a bit of style. Pictured above is the epitome of a stylish sneaker.

PF Flyers Number 5 in cream and white should be your next shoe purchase. Incorporating both cream and white into the shoe means you never have to worry that the shoe is going to match your ecru shirt or tan pants because it has all the tones you need. Also this shoe goes beautifully with light weight Theory pants, Gap Khakis, jeans and every other pant expect for a traditional dress slack. I have bought these shoes for three of my male clients already and they are in love them (as much as a man can fall in love with a shoe mind you).

To ensure that they look their most chic, pair them with straight leg pants and avoid baggier pants - which you shouldn't be wearing anyway.

Mens Magazine's

After reading a men’s magazine I feel dirty. Why do I get the feeling that everything is written by arrogant, self-hating (oxymoron?) jerk offs for masturbating couch potatoes? Poor fellas. On television you are portrayed like cheating idiots who can barely survive without a woman who hates you. And then you have to open a magazine written by hipsters with fashion spreads filled with scrawny hairless models that look like someone killed their mother. My advice to you is turn off the TV, shut the magazine and situate yourself firmly in reality where men are people with jobs, agendas, parents, lovers, friends and various hobbies. Chin up.

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.

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.

Men's Active Wear Sun Soul Heals Your Skin

Apparently, wearing a shirt while you workout outside does little to block the sun’s harmful rays. Who knew?! Sun Soul did. That’s who. For those who enjoy working out in nature (rather than in the confines of a gym where you are forced to listen to whatever God awful pop song playlist they are blaring), Sun Soul’s workout apparel “selectively amplify narrow bands of healthy light from the sun and deliver them to the skin while blocking the harmful ultraviolet rays.”

Now, I’m no scientist, but that sounds rad. Not only does this fluorescent material filter out the bad sun rays and let in the good ones, improving your skins beauty, but they make you look good while you do it. Looking like something between a cross of Under Armour and the Fantastic Four’s uniform, this line is going to improve your skin and your eye-catching power with the ladies... and cars to tell you the truth.

Ashton Kutcher & David Beckham Wear An Ascot

Unless your name is Pip, you are from from the 19th Century, or you’re that creepy guy on Gossip Girl, an American man should not be wearing an Ascot, even if you are Ashton Kutcher... especially if you are Ashton Kutcher. I think the only modern man that has pulled off the ascot is David Beckham. It's an iffy though.

I mean, can you see Jason Stathom wearing an ascot? I can’t. But I can see him punching another guy for wearing one. Do yourself a favor when considering risky neck attire. Ask yourself, what would Clooney wear? I can tell you, it wouldn’t be an ascot. More than likely a classy understated tie.

Dress Shoes That Feel Like a Running Shoe

For many men, their footwear collection consists of two items: Running shoes, and flip-flops. But, if you are interested in dating or having a grown up job (those two seem to lead to one another), you need more than a pair of Adidas.

To make it easier on you The Walking Company is trying to make this as pain free as possible. I know, I know, a dress shoe that feels as comfortable as your running shoe and looks good is considered as big a myth as the hand dick correlation. But, the myth is true and Ecco brings you the proof. The Seattle Apron Tie has the look to take you from your office to Happy Hour in comfort and style.

Dolce & Gabbana Military Jacket For Men

Dolce & Gabbana can make some pretty ridiculous stuff for men, but I have spotted a must-buy. The military inspired jacket for men is a chic purchase that will stick with you for years to come. Pair with denim, slacks, casual pants, corduroy and call it a day. The cooler season calls for a timeless, but stylish jacket to wear with everything and this is one of those jackets.

The Seersucker Sport Shirt

Oh how I love seersucker, let me count the ways. One, you don't have to iron it. Two, if you are a sweat-er, (a man that sweats for little reason) the fabric improves heat dissipation and air circulation. Three, if you live in warmer climates you can wear it year round. Four, I am over counting now.

I bring up seersucker because I am sure you have heard of the seersucker suit for the southern gentleman, but have you seen the seersucker shirt. It's rough and tough adorable. Seersucker is woven in such a way that some threads bunch together, giving the fabric a wrinkled appearance. You get the look of clean cut dishevelment with none of the usual cultivated effort. The perfect look for a sport shirt. The one pictured above is L.L. Bean. If you find a seersucker sport shirt without collar buttons let me know.

The Square Face Watch aka The Tank Watch

When you think men's jewelry accessories, you may not picture a tank, but that is exactly what a tank watch is: a square faced jewelry accessory for men. When Louis Cartier designed the original in 1917 he was inspired by the boxy compact Renault tank of World War I. Ergo, hello tank watch.

This square face watch is a classic man piece worn not only by "squares" but super stars as well like Warren Beatty (A man that has enjoyed innumerable women who love to romp and tell - insert Morgan Fairchild).

For the man itching for the classic, a tank watch I would punch someone for would be this Emporio Armani stainless-steel watch with croc-embossed leather band and second hand subdial. Very masculine chic.