sexiest country

Wardrobe
Sweater & Jeans: J Crew
Shoes: Cole Haan
Accessories: Panerai, Tateossian, Miansai, Omegae

Wardrobe
Jacket: J Crew
Pants: Levi's
Shirt: Original Penguin
Shoes: Cole Haan
Accessories: Tateossian, Miansai, Fossil, Wall+Water, Tai Jewelry

Wardrobe
Jacket: G Star Raw
Pants: J Crew
Sweater: J Crew
Shoes: Cole Haan
Accessories: Vanishing Elephant, Omega, Panerai, Tai, Miansai, Tateossian

     I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful and safe holiday.  The Fab Forties in Sacramento collaborate for an amazing light display every Christmas.  I've never liked the over-the-top displays but when it's done classy and elegantly--it's absolutely beautiful.

     The wonderful couple over at Article Consignment (Instagram) were gracious enough to lend me the Louis Vuitton vintage mini-luggage for this holiday-travel themed shoot.  I typically travel with a one-day or two-day sized weekender but the LV mini-luggage does it with an old-world charm.





Wardrobe
Sweater: J Crew
Shirt: Save Khaki
Pants: Dockers
Necklace: David Yurman
Shoes: Cole Haan
Accessories: J Crew, David Yurman, Tai, Tateossian, Casio

     This was my last outfit during the San Francisco visit.  With fall right around the corner and fashion houses starting to release their fall collections, common trends across various designers were tweeds and the incorporation of vibrant colors (refer to my Paul Smith Fall/Winter 2013 Collection article).  

     Cold weather outfits can be at times dull and weighed down by drab colors and heavy materials, so an easy solution is layering something lightweight and colorful under the chunkier pieces.  In the following outfit, I paired a neon green vest under a classic tweed blazer to keep warm, but at the same time, not drown in dull fall colors.

Thank you for reading and remember to "Like" me on Facebook where I often post random stuff not found on here.




Wardrobe
Jacket: J Crew
Vest: Zara
Shirt: H&M
Pants: Dockers
Shoes: Cole Haan
Accessories: Ray Ban, Omega, J Crew, Gaspar











  

     The Boss was in Northern California for a conference in San Francisco, that's why we visited Healdsburg but stayed a couple nights in The City.  Because it was unseasonably cool, I was able to break up the monotony of dressing for summer and was able to layer up a little.

     San Francisco weather can be a tad fickle, windy and cold one moment, while hot and humid the next. For this reason, it was nice to outfit the day with a layering sweater and throw a light jacket over top.  I could wear the sweater all day long without worrying about overheating, but could easily take the jacket out of the bag during the chilly wind gusts and nights.  





Wardrobe
Jacket: Zara
Sweater: Mr. Brown by Duckie Brown
Pants: H&M
Bag: John Varvatos Star USA
Shoes: Cole Haan

     It's difficult to add variety and layers during the hot months of Summer. Layering an outfit adds depth, enhances dimension, and allows you to combine articles of clothing that usually wouldn’t go together on their own.  But throwing on a sweater or a blazer to bring an outfit together during the hot months just isn't pragmatic. 

     An alternative to the typical shorts and t-shirt day outfit, or the denim and blazer night outfit, was the inspiration for this shoot.  This outfit is comfortable enough for the day, but fits just as well for a sit-down dinner.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to connect with me on my other media sites.








Wardrobe
Jacket: G Star Raw
Pants: H&M
Shirt: Alternative
Belt: Lacoste
Shoes: Cole Haan
Accessories: Thai Jewelry, Casio, Miansai

IFB Project #105: What's Your Signature Color

     I believe I've only done one suit shoot, and it was for how to dress for business (::Suit Up::).  In honor of the warm weather, I realize some of us still have to wear a suit regardless of how hot it is.  When suiting up for the hot seasons, it's wise to choose light-weight materials such as cotton or linen.  But if you like the traditional look and feel of wool, there are light-weight alternatives out there.

     Take for instance this brown slim-cut suit from Kenneth Cole.  Although it's 100% wool, it's on the lighter side of the wool spectrum so it's perfect for a warm day.  To finish off the light summer look, I paired it with a clean white button down and a loosely knotted knit tie.  Leave the top button of your shirt undone and you'll look like the summer rebel that's ready to conquer the season with style.

!!Don't forget to like me on Facebook where you can easily share links and post comments!!












Wardrobe
Suit: Kenneth Cole
Shirt: Ben Sherman
Tie: J Crew
Belt: J Crew
Shoes: Cole Haan

     I try to play with different patterns and prints, but even for me, floral can be difficult to wear.  It is such a bold pattern that it is difficult to wear without making it look like I am trying to draw attention to myself.  I have previously used florals as an accent in a shirt or as an accessory such as a pocket square or scarf, but this is the first time I have used it as the primary piece in an outfit.  In the "Spring Rain" shoot, I did use a floral print sweater, but because it was a washed out print, it wasn't as in your face as this shirt.

     Trends will come and go, and the double-breasted (DB) blazer is no exception.  The large bulky jackets of yesteryear have given way to cleaner lines and a modern fit.  It has been extremely difficult finding the perfect double-breasted blazer.  They have been either terrible quality or way more than I would like to spend.  

     If money were not an issue, then the Ovadia & Sons jacket would be my top choice, but I have 99 problems and money is every single one of them.  J Crew was also another option, but I have been trying to steer away from that brand.  J Crew is a great brand for staples and classic pieces, but I have made a conscious effort to expand beyond my go-to brands.
     
     In this post, I played off the look of Southern men with a little mix of prep that I have seen in such places as Atlanta and Houston.  Their look is a mix of classic American with a little bit of hipster peppered in.







     It may be a little difficult to see, but the khakis have an internal print that can be seen on the cuffs.  The internal print creates an illusion that they are subtly patterned khakis.




     For Spring and Summer, I pretty much ditch socks unless I am at work.  The sock-less look just screams the casual feel of the two seasons.






::Wardrobe::
Jacket: Zara
Pants: Scotch & Soda
Shirt: J Crew
Shoes: Cole Haan
Bag: Wood & Faulk
Accessories: You Are Pretty and Handsome, J Crew