While the modern jeans and tee combo is chic and comfortable, I’m excited to see men’s fashion evolve with various styles—and the guys are taking note. Nothing is more attractive to me than a man who is well dressed and smells nice. And well dressed means different things to different people, but I’m talking about that grown-up look. That “I put a suit on today” look. Many people simply peg this type of Mission District guy as a hipster (usually because he wears a hat or a vest). But I see past the boxed labels. Hipster or not, if he looks good he looks good.
In his whimsical upbeat song “Change Clothes,” Jay-Z says, “But y’all acting way too tough, throw on a suit, get it tapered up.” He doesn’t wait until a red carpet event to get a little fancy with the clothes. He’s followed his own advice. And so have many others. Ralph Lauren Purple Label—though very expensive—offers many options in men’s fashion. With slim cut tuxedos, double-breasted sweaters and croc wallets, the line from this Ralph Lauren collection boasts high end, high quality and sophistication. Tommy Hilfiger has always offered the jeans and tee alternative. With nautical jackets, boat shoes, polo shirts and khaki shorts, Hilfiger has often been considered a more preppy, Hamptons-related look.
One of my most recent favorites is Benjamin Bixby, which was launched by Outkast member Andre 3000 (Andre Benjamin) in 2008. The line, inspired by 1930’s fashion, was a complete throwback to knickers, saddle shoes and bow ties—the stuff that I love when mixed properly with modern trend pieces. Unfortunately the line has most recently been in the news with reports of going under. We’re hoping for another line at Barney’s because it really pays homage to how far back men’s fashion dates.
Before women got Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) there was the Daily News Record—a menswear journal. The women’s fashion daily that started in 1910 was like a spinoff of the menswear publication. The Daily News Record was started by Edmund Fairchild in 1890, focusing on the men’s clothing business. The focus on men’s fashion is not a new concept, but it’s growing more and more each day.
With editions in 15 countries, including South Africa and Mexico, and a circulation of almost one million in the United States, Gentleman’s Quarterly is one of the most popular men’s fashion magazines in the world. And if you flip through the pages, you’ll see that men are now “allowed” to wear things that were taboo or only appropriate for certain groups in the past. Pink isn’t just for little girls anymore. Skinny jeans aren’t just for rock stars. And you’re no longer gay just because you care about fashion.
My classmate Martin is always sharp. He wears jeans with shoes, cardigans and blazers. He wears fedoras and V-neck sweaters with slacks. Last Thursday he wore the most gorgeous eggplant colored sweater. It was soft (probably cashmere) and the fit was a perfect compliment to his upper body. I once bought a boyfriend a deep purple t-shirt for his birthday (a follow-up to a lavender Trump Collection tie) and it was nearly the demise of our relationship. Perhaps Martin can talk to him one of these days. We’re still friends and he’s recently told me that he’s paying more attention to fashion. I don’t expect to see him in a pink Bixby sweatshirt anytime soon. But if men’s fashion has become relevant enough to convert him, it has certainly arrived.
This is so true! I was just telling Bernie that when she’s done getting treated for rabies she should go out and find a man who is well-dressed AND smells good! Both! Her last boyfriend wore a cape but I don’t consider that couture, especially if it’s made out of the floor mat from a pickup truck like his was. DON’T GET ME STARTED!!! I was flipping through Guns’n’Volvos Magazine, one of the oldest and most popular periodicals ever, and they said that the secret to The Three Tenors’ runaway success is their fancy footwear. And also, scarves! But I just don’t know. Those Three Tenors are the fattest men in the world and their scarves looked like little twisty-ties on a sack full of apples. I turned to Bernie and said, “I don’t care for the TENOR of this article!” She threw up.
menswear is still covered in conjunction with women’s wear daily, right here: http://www.wwd.com/menswear-news/
I like train guy better, maybe with some jeans. But see i used to dress like that and it was a thin line between Metro and…However I guess this look with moderation can’t hurt, but it simply doesn’t work for me as an everyday look. Sometimes my girl likes to see sweats a white tee and a du-rag–oh yeah and Timz.