Gentlemen, impress your family by showing up in more than a t-shirt and jeans this year to your holiday get together! You can still be comfortable and maybe even try something a out of the ordinary, but not crazy-sweater-party out of the ordinary. Try something like this, and don’t get any egg nog on it:
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Martin & Osa V Neck Sweater $23.80
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Van Heusen Dress Shirts, Easy Care $24.99
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Bugatti Striped Silk Tie $19.20 (Artfully Disheveled!!)
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[regarding Time Out Chicago's Public Eye feature this week]
I don’t often try to negatively critique others, but I saw this photo, which is oh so public, and I couldn’t help but say something. Peter Ladwig, shame on you for making your other wiley hipster friends look like a follow-the-leader-but-I-don’t-actually-care genre. Clean yourself up and stop wearing jeans with holes in them. And worse, you’re representing my alma mater town: Madison, WI. And if you were really trying to look the part so hard…should you not have gone with Hamm’s??
Photo courtesy of Time Out Chicago
For “The Boyfriend”: here are a couple items on sale that will allow you to be as colorful as Chuck Bass. You’ll have to do the womanizing on your own though! Thanks for reading and always let me know what you’re searching for.
J. Crew Red Chinos on sale for $29.99
Ssense Velour Ethan Striped Cardigan $49
Old Navy Argyle V Neck Sweater $25
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:
Levi’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)
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 Weatherproof Quilted Vest $34.99
AdMen Horn Rimmed Sunglasses $14.95
Old Navy Cord Blazer $49.50
Buckle Stripped Rugby Sweater $21.25
Robert Wayne Gash Response Leather Boot $89.95
Five Four V-Neck T-Shirt $15.60
Armitron Dress Watch in Black $36.99
Levi's Loose Straight 569® Jeans in Blue Steel $40
Nixon ShowOff Wallet $15.99
I most often don’t condone men over the age of 23 to wear shorts at any time unless an event specifically calls for it (swimming, etc). Most of you will go against this recommendation and wear shorts anyway. So, at least, may I say, if you are going to wear shorts, don’t wear stupidly huge cargo shorts. How much stuff do you really have to carry around that you can’t fit in a few pockets anyway?! Don’t let the pockets get crinkly and don’t leave them unbuttoned. Don’t let them hang below the knee. Don’t let the edges fray or, worse, buy them with frayed edges. Mostly just don’t.
Some examples of awful cargo shorts at the always amazing tourist trap Navy Pier today:
Blue Man Group
Mess.
Furthermore, if you must wear shorts, do not wear them with white socks and running sneakers–unless you are actually running. The reason you may wear shorts is because it’s hot. So, wear something that indicates the same for your feat. Consider a flip-flop (see my post on manicures/pedicures before though), a nice boat loafer, or classy slip-ons depending on your taste and look…without breaking the bank.
Piperlime Flip Flops $12.50
Globe The Don Slipper: $35-50
Slip Ons from Urban Outfitters: $24
