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Archive for the ‘Do’s’ Category

Gossip Girl Guys: Chuck

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

A female reader recently wrote to LKc Style:

“Hi! My boyfriend is obsessed with Chuck’s fashion…and none of the Gossip Girl blogs seem to write about it. Any tips about where to find his stylish numbers?–Thanks! (an old friend of the Possessionista)”

Old Friend–I won’t judge your boyfriend for being obsessed with the Gossip Girls…TV can be violently addicting…especially when it’s about good looking people with lots of money! Chuck is always very well and uniquely dressed but usually at a lofty price tag. Here’s a few of Chucks always-colorful looks at PBS prices:

Pic from This Crazy is Catching

macys_club-room-conductor-jacketClub Room Conductor Jacket @ Macy’s for $33

Pic from Bright Young Things

express_argylesweatervestExpress Argyle Sweater $49

macys_clubroomestatepinpointClub Room PinPoint Buttondown @ Macy’s ONLY $10!!

The ideas= lots of color + always tailor your blazers and pants just for your body + add a bowtie when necessary + LOTS of argyle. Also go to Shop Gossip Girl to search looks by character–however, you’ll find much of the stuff is rather expensive! If you have any other specific looks /photos in mind, I’ll shop it on the afforadable circuit!! Let me know!

Un-Holey Jeans

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

A  reader wrote me a query recently: Something I have been struggling with lately is buying a good pair of jeans.  I’m a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy, but some of my stand by jeans are now wearing out and when I look at American Eagle type places they all have those pre-fab holey jeans, and I refuse to into an Abercrombie & Fitch.  Thoughts? Thanks for the question CC.

The world of jeans is so vast it’s scary. I don’t blame you or anyone else on the planet unable to find their go-to jeans brand on a regular basis. I have a couple things to say before I make a few recommendations:

1. Every man has a different shape and size. A lot of jeans won’t fit you and that’s normal. Try a couple pairs on in different stores and you’ll see differences in brands.

2. Go for a dark wash (coloring). It’s classic, slimming and can be casual or dressed up a bit.  A light wash might make you look like a cast member of Saved By The Bell…so, don’t do it, Preppy.

3. There are TONS of super expensive jeans…I say you can find awesome quality jeans at a reasonable price. Consider paying $40-80 for a good pair of jeans that you’ll have for many years (instead of $20 jeans that you’ll have for one year).

4. Find a sale on the jeans you like–$60 can become $40 with coupons or seasonal discounts.

A few I like:

levis_loosestraight569jeansshakergreyLevi’s Loose Straight 569® Jeans in Blue Steel $40

(previously mentioned in the blog post on Details Magazine Alternatives)

Gap’s Selvage Authentic Fit Dark Rinse $88 (Other Authentic Fits go for only $50 too)

(also: I wouldn’t usually recommend cuffs like this photo)

David Beckham Kicks it in Cardigans

Sunday, October 18th, 2009
Image from People.com

Image from People.com

Fan e-mail forwarded from my friend The Possessionista: “I have an obsession with David Beckham!! I saw this sweater on him from the PEOPLE website and I want to buy it for my husband!! It looks so cozy!! Do you have any idea where it came from? Thanks so much! Smiles, Lesia”

Lesia–David Beckham makes me sweat a little too. LKc Style readers should take note as well…not for the sweats but for the sweaters. He’s been seen all over town(s) rocking some pretty nice sweaters and cardigans giving a whole new look to the old-man-next-door style. He’s been noted for wearing Scotch & Soda, Hugo Boss, and Abercrombie & Fitch lately. I haven’t been able to identify the exact chunky cardigan David’s wearing, but here are a couple of equally cozy alternatives:

jcrew_woolcashmerecableknitcardiganSPLURGE: J. Crew Wool Cashmere Cable Knit Cardigan $158

gap_shawlcollarcardigan

FOR LESS: Gap Shawl Collar Cardigan $78

Guys–for your lady friends go e-mail Dana @ The Possessionista for similar inquiries on femme fashions.

Affordable Fall Alternatives for Details Magazine

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

If you’re not pouring over men’s magazines, particularly men’s fashion magazines, I can’t blame you. First, most of the looks are absolutely ridiculous, over-the-top, non-real-people outfits AND/OR out of real-people price ranges. (If you can pull off ridiculous outfits and have lots of money…call me or go to Details Magazine…if not, keep reading and know you are normal, average, probably not taking naked pictures with hot models, and that we still love you).

Details Magazine September issue provided a “10 Ways to Modernize Your Wardrobe” spread with some actual decent suggestions, with the exception that they’re all very expensive for an average joe. Here are suggestions very similar to their article but that might fit into your budget this year. Treat yourself to a few new necessity items if your old ones are wearing thin.  ***LKc Style budget: $369.22, Details Magazine Budget: $10,500.00***

Macy's Quilted Weatherproof Vest $34.99

Macy's Weatherproof Quilted Vest $34.99

AdMen Horn Rimmed Sunglasses $14.95

AdMen Horn Rimmed Sunglasses $14.95

Old Navy Cord Blazer $49.50

Old Navy Cord Blazer $49.50

Top Man Grey Twill Canvas Satchel $50

Top Man Grey Twill Canvas Satchel $50

Buckle Stripped Rugby Sweater $21.25

Buckle Stripped Rugby Sweater $21.25

Robert Wayne Gash Response Leather Boot $89.95

Robert Wayne Gash Response Leather Boot $89.95

Five Four V-Neck T-Shirt $15.60

Five Four V-Neck T-Shirt $15.60

Armitron Dress Watch in Black $36.99

Armitron Dress Watch in Black $36.99

Levis Loose Straight 569® Jeans in Blue Steel $40

Levi's Loose Straight 569® Jeans in Blue Steel $40

Nixon ShowOff Wallet $15.99

Nixon ShowOff Wallet $15.99

Street Smarts: Birthday Suit

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

20090909_geyer-001b

Here’s Geyer dressed up for his birthday and about to grab some boots of beer for his birthday @ the Chicago Brauhaus in Lincoln Square. He’s smartly dressed in a hipster-meets-prep uniform. Great use of monochromatics (using different shades of the same color–in this case blue–to create depth) w/ a pop of yellow. The brown shoes make it old school casual and tie in the glasses.  This is a great weekday casual event outfit. Happy Birthday Geyer!

Green Clothing

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Poll: Do you buy sustainable/green/organic clothing items and why?

Have any of you specifically sought out green clothing stores or clothes? Were you aware this niche market even existed? I am curious to know how big the green movement is affecting buyer behavior…it definitely seems to have perforated buyers’ decisions on cars (obvious direct and immediate benefits to less $$ for gas) and houses (reduced utility bills, etc)…but are people looking as much for green clothes? If you can buy green for the same price, would you do it?

There are affordable green clothing companies out there with decent style:

Green Tee Clothing

$32 Bubbly Blue Graphic T @ Green Tee

$32 Bubbly Blue Graphic T @ Green Tee

Even @ Target!

$32 Certified Organic Cotton Military Jacket

$32 Loomstate Certified Organic Cotton Military Jacket

Nordstrom

$29 Organic Cotton Dress Shirt--More Colors too

$29 Organic Cotton Dress Shirt--More Colors too

Sports Fetish: Baseball Game Attire

Thursday, August 27th, 2009
Sausage Race!

Sausage Race!

I’ve had the pure luck of being at three baseball games in three different stadiums in under three weeks. That’s a lot of organ music in a short amount of time. Sporting events always seem like one of the only places to truly “let loose” and do/say/wear whatever the hell you want. Let’s discuss the “wear” part of that and I’ll leave you to the do/say part. Don’t get caught on the jumbo-tron looking like a sloppy mess!

DON’T:

Sleeveless Joe Jackson

Sleeveless Joe Jackson

…WEAR THE CLOTHES YOU PAINT IN, YOU’RE STILL IN PUBLIC…

Flying Free Shit

Flying Free Shit

…WEAR THE FREE T-SHIRT YOU GOT AT THE LAST GAME…

No Tan Lines

No Tan Lines

…WEAR NOTHING…(seriously please)…

Layer Caked

Layer Caked

…WEAR MISMATCHED COLORS OR LAYERS UNDER YOUR JERSEY…

Daaaaaaaaa Wrong Team...

Daaaaaaaaa Wrong Team...

…WEAR SPORTS GEAR FOR A DIFFERENT TEAM (even if the city is the same)…

DO:

wrigley_aug09-006b

…WEAR A FITTED JACKET W/ TEAM COLORS AND NON-RUNNING SNEAKERS…

Sporty Spice

Sporty Spice

…WEAR A TEAM T-SHIRT THAT FITS YOU–>NOT TOO LONG OR BIG…

Good Luck Sports Fans!

Courting Your Career: Interview Attire

Monday, August 17th, 2009

I was recently featured as a guest blogger at Courting Your Career regarding affordable interview attire.  Shawn Grahm, the CYC blogger, is Director of MBA Career Services at Pitt and has an impressive list of accomplishments including a published book and features in The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and msnbc.com.

I was just thrilled to have the opportunity to colloborate. Check out the post!!

Merona Wool Suit Jacket $150

Merona Wool Suit $150

The Possessionista on Guys Attire

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Of recent Red Eye Chicago fame and blogger of  The Possessionista, Dana Weiss looks for celebrity-wear for less! She put together a round-up of dapper, easy, AND affordable Hollywood gentleman looks just for LKc Style readers:

I am not going to lie to you.
I don’t know much about guy’s fashion.
What I do know a lot about is starlets.
And what I know is that behind every great starlet is a guy in a tee-shirt.
Get your mind out of the gutter.
What I mean is that in almost every US Weekly picture, Hollywood’s most fashionable femmes are usually trailed by her significant other, simply radiating hotness in a simple tee.
So here are five shirts inspired by the five hottest significant others in Hollywood.

I’m not saying any of these shirts is going to make you the next Mr. Angelina Jolie.
But you just might want to charge your camcorder.
After all, behind every great starlet is a guy in a tee-shirt.
Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens

Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens

zac_shirtShirt by Shirt Cotton Chambray Pocket Front Shirt

$89.99
Bluefly

Penn & Blake Team

Penn & Blake Team

penn_shirt

Fine Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck

$19.00
American Apparel

Timberlake + Biel + Dogs

Timberlake + Biel + Dogs

timberlake_shirt

BDG Hoodie

$39.00
Urban Outfitters

Brangelina in White

Brangelina in White

pitt_shirt

$66.00
Splendid

Jake Gyllenhaal + Reese Witherspoon

Jake Gyllenhaal + Reese Witherspoon

jake_shirt

$24.50
Old Navy


Putting the Man back in Man-icure

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Guys: look at your hands…are they dirty? Do you have crap under your fingernails (even just a little)? Are your nails scraggly and jagged? If not, good job; you’re doing at least OK. If so, gross; let’s fix this quickly and affordably:

Step 1: Realize that ugly hands attract no one. It doesn’t scream, “Hey, I am a busy man, no time for trivial and useless hygiene…” It screams, “I don’t give a shit…about anything.” So, start giving a shit…at least a little.

Step 2: Leave your ego at the door and go to your local manicure/pedicure shop—I require you go only once! Believe it or not, lots of guys do this on a regular basis, but for your ONE time visit I suggest: watching and learning the basics—then save some $$ and do it yourself in the future. Most manicures range between $20-30, unless you’re overpaying at a hoity-toity place (don’t bother).

Step 3: Don’t go buy a fancy nail-trimming set (unless you really want to and have the dough). Do go buy yourself two simple nail clippers (a small one for fingers and a big one for toes)—shouldn’t be more than $5 altogether.

Step 4: Every couple days employ what your manicurist showed you:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly in warm water
  • Clean the dirt out from underneath the nails w/ clipper tool
  • Clip each nail to a rounded pattern with no angles or corners; not too short—have just a little white at the tip of each nail
  • Push back each cuticle (the fleshy part where the nail meets your finger)
  • Wash your hands again to get the extra junk off
  • Consider using an unscented lotion afterwards; keeps the roughness and cracks to a minimum

The truth is, it’s possible no one will ever notice your nicely groomed and clean hands…but it’s incredibly possible for many people to notice anything less. So, keep up the simple bathroom routine.

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