Getting Lost in Fashion

Something you may have noticed is that I have been using this set of pictures for quite some time. One as a display picture, another as a contact image, and I'm sure there are countless other uses of them around my blog. However, I've never really explained WHY I use them as often as I do. There's something about this scenery that just gets me. Something that I love about it, as if I could build a cabin in the center of the field and openly call it my home. But, there's something else that I love.

When I was standing in the center of this field surrounded by trees, grass, and an overall openness of nature, it made me feel playful and almost like I wanted to frolic through it all. It was like the natural embodiment of my idea of fashion. When I wake up every morning, I just want to get lost in my wardrobe and really play around with everything I own. The polka dots, the yellow denim, the grey suede oxfords, sure they all make for a very eclectic outfit, but they reflect my attitude and just how playful I can or want to be at times. To me, style is a reflection of how you feel and who you are. Patterns are bold or playful for the days you feel the same. Sometimes you wear black to reflect your mood, even if it's unknowingly. Overall, there's a lot more that goes into what you wear than just what does or doesn't match. It's all how you see things and if you allow your outlook of fashion and style to go beyond those limitations. What's your take on it all?

Just A Touch of Color

The pattern I'm wearing today follows the ethnic trend that is found in this season's menswear trends and styles. When I wear any sort of pattern, I like to make sure that it stands out against whatever I am wearing. As previously mentioned in many of my other posts, patterns should be noticed and not overshadowed by a combination of too many other statement pieces. That's why, with this Aztec patterning on my backpack, I decided to use a very colorless pallet of whites, greys, and blacks for the sake of letting the backpack stand out against everything else. The watch that I am wearing luckily matches to some degree the oranges in the backpack's fabric (a little touch which I really like about the whole look). 

As far as where I got everything, it's all very affordable. The jeans I'm wearing are from a thrift store like any other in your neighborhood and I was lucky enough to purchase them for around $5. My 3/4 length baseball tee is from American Apparel, which at this point in my posts might be recognized as my favorite store, and I purchased it for around $25. As for the shoes, they are identical to the white ones I wore in my post "Spring Green" and were around the same price. Equally loved, but probably worn more often as I wear black more than I do white. I'm not able to tell you where I found my watch as it just appeared in my closet randomly one day. (Now if only that happened more often!) Lastly, my backpack was purchased in Los Angeles last summer from a street vendor for $20 and I couldn't be any happier for making that purchase. What do you think of the backpack? Could you see yourself wearing it? 

Oversized Sweaters & Shoes of Leather

After last night's unexpected thunder storm here in Stockton and the hazy weather that followed, I decided to wear an oversized sweater I found buried under other piles of clothes in my apartment. What I love about this sweater is the kind of waffle knit detail in navy and beige. But! That's not the best part of it, the best part is that I found it at a thrift store for only $2.00. Tell me that isn't a deal! As previously mentioned in a few of my other posts (Like this one), thrift shopping is great to do if you'd like to find common items for a cheaper price. This sweater resembles one that I have been eying from +American Apparel for quite some time, but could never find it in myself to spend so much on a sweater. As far as the rest of the outfit, I kept it minimal with some plain black skinny jeans and my go-to cherry red Justin rider boots with kilties. What do you all think of the outfit? Too much? Too little? Not enough? Feel free to share! 

Thrifted Clubmaster Sunglasses (Similar), Thrifted Waffle Knit Sweater (Similar), Black RSQ Skinny Jeans (Similar), Cherry Red Justin Boots (Similar)

Invasion of the Stripes

Stripes have been found on the runway this season as one of the up and coming trends for this spring and summer. Granted, stripes have always been a trend, but I take this to mean that you will be seeing more striped products out in stores and boutiques. I'm all for it. This trend is one that I followed even before I discovered it as a trend this season. They add quite a bit of flare to an otherwise plain item. For example, a shirt is simple until you add some colorful horizontal or vertical stripes to it. Personally, I only wear horizontal stripes as a top simply because I feel like vertical stripes elongate my body's appearance and are hard to look at for a very long time. However, I love vertical stripes on shorts and pants.

They look nice, clean, and as previously mentioned, make boring pieces exciting. They're fun! And you can wear them on just about anything and look stylish. My favorite stripes items are accessories. The red tie picture above by Smith Street would look great with a white button-up and blue suit, giving a very simple look a bit of a nautical twist. Adding to the idea of flare, other accessories which look great in stripes include backpacks, shirts, and even some shoes if done properly. The boat shoes and espadrilles pictured above are examples of nicely constructed striped shoes. To you right, you can see how I personally wore stripes. I've paired my navy pinstriped shorts with a very eye-popping blue and a simple vintage brown leather belt. It's a classic look that has an added touch thanks to the patterning of the shorts. Take away the stripes and you have just another boring outfit. I don't like to mix more than one patterned detailing with outfits, so I personally wouldn't try adding another striped piece but that's just me. Feel free to mix it up and make them your own! And just as a quick style tip, I would suggest going nautical with navy blue or red stripes for this season to match that incoming summer feel. Thanks for reading and stay styling! :)

San Francisco Bliss

Today I'm just enjoying myself in the city of San Francisco with a glass of wine and a cute puppy. My outfit even to me is debatable with the color combinations, but I still think it looks nice enough to wear out. My friend told me I look like a tree stump, and he may be right! I'm wearing very earthy tones. But! I'd like you all to notice my shirt - it's cut and ripped to resemble a tribal design. Remember that post? Ethnic clothing is making its way into this seasons clothing and I'm trying to work it into my wardrobe. What do you all think? I'd love to know. Hope you're all having great weekends!

Stand Out in Camo

One thing that I was reading today is that a trend for this season is camouflage. Now, camouflage to me has always been a trend, but that all depends on how you wear it. If you're going to walk down the street in covered head to toe like a soldier, then it's as much of a trend as it is a faux pas. Camouflage adds a nice touch to any piece of men's clothing - it adds a sort of implied masculinity because of its militant use. There are two types of camouflage though: good and bad. You might be wondering what that means, but I'll show you. Pictured above are what I deem as "good" camouflage. The colors are very simple, muted, and not too offensive with all-over camouflage fabric or design. However, the image to your right is what I consider to be "bad" camouflage.
Notice how some of the use of bright greens is almost painful to look at. Not only this, but the materials used in the jacket are very displeasing as well. That doesn't mean that all clothes by this label (which will go unmentioned) are bad, though. It simply means that they did not use the pattern well. There is good and bad in every trend, and I feel like it applies more to camouflage almost more than any other. Just remember that simplicity can go a long way. You may want to try out camouflage, but as previously mentioned, make sure that the camouflage pattern itself uses earthy tons; some different shades of green, greys, and browns are what I feel look best. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll find a camouflage pattern which uses black and grey (my personal favorite variation of the style). Remember, stand out in camouflage this season, don't stick out.

The Secret is in the Scent (Part I)

For me, the most important thing to do before leaving my home is applying my cologne for the day. No matter what occasion, I also feel as if there is a scent which can accommodate the theme, weather, feel, or whatever mood it is that I am experiencing at the time. Pictured left is my very first cologne that I got my sophomore year of high school, Lacoste Essential. Now, what I loved most about this cologne is not that it was a strong, statement scent, but that I was a 15-year-old boy who had such a thing in his wardrobe collection... And I wanted more. So, I started collecting and overtime I just acquired more and more types of colognes by different labels and, although it might have been overkill, I just couldn't stop myself! So soon after the first Lacoste cologne was given to me, I ended up getting this beauty, Burberry Summer (right). First off, the bottle is beautiful. With the Burberry pattern imprinted on the glass, it already has that sort of class that you associate with the label. The scent is no different - it has a sweet and subtle citrus-like aroma that sort of lures you in to get a closer look. The only unfortunate thing that I find, both about the Lacoste and the Burberry, is that they are two very daytime-esque fragrances - meaning, I personally wouldn't wear them at night given their spring and summery resemblances. For that sexier, "I'm all yours" kind of aroma, I go straight to my favorite (and newest) cologne that I actually happen to be wearing right now, L'Homme by YSL. It's very alluring in its own way. It has a blend of fresh spice, mixed with a citrus and woody melange. There's that hint of citrus that makes it fine to wear during the day, but that oh-so amazing spice that makes it beyond perfect for an outing for dinner, a show, or an adventure with friends. You're bound to catch attention with this fragrance by YSL. As a matter of fact, you'll turn heads (in a positive way) with all three of these. Just don't be that guy who wears TOO much (Remember, less is more!).

Lions and Tigers and Burgers, OH MY!

Now here's something that you don't see every day, FULL GRAPHIC sweaters. The dynamism of these sweaters is something that would definitely catch anyone's eye walking down the street. The lion itself  is the king of the jungle, but why not own this statement piece and be the kind of the urban jungle?! What I love is how the sweater just catches the fierce expression of the lion and the mane is dramatically sprawled across the fabric of the jumper. But, this sweater isn't the only sweater of this type available from the trendy UK label, Purple Pop. To your right you'll find yet another KILLER graphic top featuring a female lion (tiger? cat? I'm not quite sure!) with flames coming out of its mouth. Inappropriately, yet hilariously, called the "Hot Pussy" sweater, like the first lion sweater, it has a sort of edge that calls attention to you. Now, some people aren't those who like to call attention to themselves, but who's to say that you can't at least invest in something like this just for the hell of it?  And for those of you not interested in these animal motifs, try this one on for (super) size. The burger jumper looks delicious and completely feeds my love for outlandish fashion . Alongside the lion and "Hot Pussy" sweater, I'm in love not just because the sweater is a giant hamburger, but because it has a sort of humor that you won't get from many other brands. You can find each of these sweaters at around £45 with an additional £12 for international shipping, so if you can like one then I say buy it! They're definitely worthy investments and they're going out of stock faster than you think. Also, keep in mind that elaborate printings like this aren't cheap, so they're a bargain for the detail! Lastly, don't forget to check the other products available HERE on the Purple Pop site. Thanks for reading! :)

Nautical but Nice

Today I'm wearing more of a nautically inspired outfit in some of my favorite pieces of clothing. Here I'm wearing my navy blue Foreign Exchange military jacket paired with more blue in my navy & white striped top from H&M (out of season). I've paired them with a simple styled skinny jean in charcoal grey and my white canvas Lacoste L27s (very comfortable for a lazy day). I always love wearing blue for the simple fact that the color can be worn so many different ways. It just never gets old to me. What about you? What's your idea of a timeless color?