V-Style For Men

Brooks Brothers Introduces Mad Men Edition Suit

I watched an episode of Mad Men and was quite bored with the exception of the incredible costumes. I am guessing all those Emmys have more to do with the sixties dresses and suits then the story line.

If you have been attracted to this look you will be excited to hear Brooks Brothers is launching a limited “Mad Men Edition” suit designed with the series' award winning Costume Designer Janie Bryant.

The hand finished, American made suit is directly inspired by the sharp 1960s tailoring of the main characters' attire. The suit will evoke the sophistication of the early 1960's with its trimmer silhouette and period details but has been reinterpreted for today by Janie Bryant.The grey sharkskin 2-button jacket features narrow lapels, diagonal pockets and side vents to reference Brooks Brothers' archives from 1961 when the company introduced a new 2-button suit silhouette. The “Mad Men Edition” suit retails for $998.

The Windowpane Suit by Tom Ford

Tom Ford has been described as the straightest gay man in the world simply because his sexuality boils over onto everyone around him, women fully included. I am sure you have noticed this sexuality has spilled across his ad campaigns with nude men in fake glasses and cologne bottles nestled into a gentleman's derriere. For the average straight man it can be difficult to over look all this and concentrate on the clothing, but once you get passed the blatant nudity, Donald Trump wigs and masculine homosexuality you will find incredibly well made suits for the fashionable man of any sexual preference.

The Tom Ford suit for Fall 2009 that piqued my interest today is the windowpane patterned Buckingham suit made of light grey wool cashmere. Obviously this for the men who want to make a statement. Not for the guys saying it is too loud, too gay, or inappropriate.

For the guys in between the statement maker and the haters, you are most likely asking, "where would I wear this crazy suit." Wear it to work or special parties like you would any well made suit. If you are an architect, a CEO, a magazine editor or an accountant you could probably get away with it in the workplace. Otherwise a good event is an excuse to wear this gear. One tip though, please I beg you, don't wear your hair like this poor model.

Michael Fassbender Pairs Stripes With a Checked Shirt

Mixing a checkered pattern shirt with a striped tie can go either horribly wrong or ass kicking cool. So, because mixing patterns is like porcupine mating, read closely.

Basically, this can be a stylish look if the people around you can see that the colors in each garment compliment each other beautifully. For a step by step: A striped tie generally has three or four colors in it, anymore than that and you will look like a tepid mess if you pair it with a bold pattern. Once you have picked out your tie you want to get a checked shirt (not a plaid one) with two of the same colors from the tie. Pair these two items with a simple suit or pants and you have the black belt of style (I am making a joke to tie in my reference to ass kicking by mentioning the highest level of karate skill. Not referring to a black colored belt).

You can see in a recent issue of GQ, actor Michael Fassbender performing karate moves in a lovely pairing of checks and stripes. His outfit is entirely Gucci.

Brad Pitt In Tom Ford At Inglorious Basterds Premiere

Brad Pitt walked the red carpet at the Berlin premiere of his new film, Inglorious Basterds, in a classic regency grey mini-houndstooth suit and a white French cuff shirt. A silver silk jacquard tie, a gray pocket square, 18k gold cufflinks, brown leather loafers and "Pablo" aviators topped off this outfit created entirely by Tom Ford.

A grey suit and tie shouts style in a smart light way that black, navy and charcoal cannot. Next time you have to don a suit look into a light to medium grey one with a subtle texture. Then add a grey tie. You might like it.

Alexander Wang Designs a Shorts Suit

Have you heard of the short suit? I am not speaking of a suit for a short man. I am referring to suits that have matching shorts rather than matching slacks. The summer suit is starting to take on a whole new meaning now.

Like most fashions the shorts suit appeared in Europe first, but will start showing up on American runways in Spring 2010 by designers Issey Miyake and Alexander Wang.

This is trendy. I hate trendy, but I cannot deny the fact that men need professional attire for incredibly hot climates. For designers it’s a line to cross, for men it’s utilitarian, but everyone can agree that pale hairy legs with black dress socks cutting into the ankle is not arousing.

To veer off topic, it’s almost comical. Many women often feel bad for not being able to wear something in the work place that would be so comfortable if it didn’t reveal so many “flaws.” The short suit could very well end up being this for a man. The fit, tan account struts around in his shorts suit, showing off his stems, while the portly fair skinned office manager looks on with envy. 

The general consensus is a no go, but I must say with the right legs and sock less loafers, this could be a nice casual suit for weddings and summer cocktail parties. I just hope everyone doesn’t end up looking like a schoolboy, (Alexander Wang, you really do), because that is where the short suit actually has its roots (I’m guessing).

SPURR Makes a Three Piece Suit

I miss the days of dressing up, dressing with flare, dressing with elegance. Yes there is a cutting edge appeal to the many turns fashion has taken throughout the years. I am thinking of punk, torn bleached jeans, graphic tees, gladiator sandals, chucks and leopard leggings. My god how I love leggings.

But I implore you. What about a pair of heels and a full-skirted dress on a random afternoon? A three-piece suit to the office? In my line of work when the topic of dressier clothes comes about, I often hear: “When will I ever wear that?”

It can be a lengthy process teaching people that; one, over dressed is better than under dressed and two, there is more to life than denim and sweats.

Pictured above is a three-piece suit by SPURR. Besides being able to wear this to a job interview you can wear this three-piece suit to work if you are a lawyer, the head of a company or conducting business with conservative clients. SPURR has given this classic look a clean and modern appeal for the contemporary workingman.

I know it can be difficult to wear such a classic and professional garb, particularly for those with an aversion to wearing dressier clothing, but you must shake off your aversion. Don’t be afraid to adjust your look or take your style up a notch. After all, it is never too late to acquire taste, class and charm.

The Light Blue Summer Suit By Banana Republic

Banana Republic’s light blue suit in linen and cotton is a divine choice for the gentleman who wants to stand out this summer… or any other summer for that matter. Wear it to next month’s wedding (whether it is your own or not) or your next dressier occasion. To look your sharpest, pair it with a nice white shirt and thin black tie with high style black dress shoes. If you are feeling loose pair it with the white button front or a sold indigo colored button front with no tie.

You can also wear this two-button suit in a professional manner if you work in a creative environment like an ad firm, magazine or suit store. Extra style clue: If you want to pair it with brown shoes, a rich chocolaty brown would look best.