Summer!

I used to dread summer. Oppressive heat and having to let go of fifteen layers of wool, scarfing, and cashmere never appealed to me. I'm fair skinned, so I was always too self conscious to wear shorts and short-sleeve shirts. However, after discovering a good pair of shorts and a linen orange gingham vintage button-up, I began embracing my pasty skin. I said goodbye to my inhibitions (and inner goth) and was able to breathe during the summer months. Sure, I miss layering when summer time comes along, but there are countless ways to accessorize a summer look (I'm a big fan of a short-sleeve button-up worn with a pastel pocket square) 

Spring/Summer 2011 has a lot of exciting looks in store. I think it's about time young fellas start embracing their nelly side, so I'm more than happy to see the return of floral print. And you can't go wrong with a plaid linen shirts, pocket squares, and shorts!

Here are some of my favorite looks for S/S 2011:

Don't be afraid of floral, boys! Engineered Garments serves up some great floral items that will show you have a sense of humor:

British designer Margaret Howell's Spring/Summer 2011 offers you simple, durable classics that will fit in with any summer wardrobe. Here are two standouts (Via South Willard):

I'm a firm believer that a bow tie is the perfect accessory to any outfit. Whether you're dressed down or dressed up, the bow tie always says something. Steven Alan has some great summer options:

The pocket square is another accessory that surely makes an outfit go from bland to dapper. The Hill-Side has a great selection of pocket squares (Via Union Made, SF)

 Last but not least: the gingham linen shirt. It saved my life, and it might save yours if it's August and you're hiding under a sweater.  Gitman Vintage, Via South Willard:

Dope Items of the Day

 Common Projects Low White/Navy Via Tres Bien:

Stephan Schneider: Selection Jacket via Opening Ceremony:

Gitman Vintage Indian Cotton Madras Tie Via Union Made, SF:

 And a rad track off Smallville Records would be the perfect soundtrack when wearing any of the above:

   

Some People Will Never Need A Stylist

There has always been a correlation between music and fashion. However, it's very rare that musician/band members who are effortlessly stylish are recognized. I've never cared about Lenny Kravitz wearing Versace, or over-styled rock stars. Looking back at the days of glam metal makes me vomit.  When I was a kid, I was more attracted to the videos on 120 Minutes than Guns n Roses. Growing up with an affinity for fringe music and fashion was not the norm. This brings me to an my endless love affair with two seminal hardcore bands: Nation of Ulysses and Bad Brains. When one thinks of style this genre rarely comes to mind. I grew up listening to Nation of Ulysses, and admiring Ian Svenonius' style. Not only did he have an illuminating stage presence, but his look was saying a lot, effortlessly. Bad Brains is another band that comes to mind. Much like Ian Svenonius and Nation of Ulysses, Bad Brains  looked great without making a fashion statement. I have never been a fan of the late 70s punk aesthetic, with superfluous spikes and zippers. Being a minimalist none of that has ever appealed to me. If you look at the images below, you'll see some incredibly sharp fellas, who not only brought the world amazing music, but did it with style. I'm a terminal preppy, yet I still look to these two bands for inspiration, not only in the way I dress, but also in how I approach life. I'd like to salute you, Nation of Ulysses and Bad Brains, for making me feel like I can look good and still be badass.

James Gobel

This is my friend James Gobel. I consider James not only to be one of my best friends, but somewhat of a mentor. Some of you might be familiar with James' whimsical paintings of cherubic men. I appreciate James' look, as he is never one to shy away from color in both his art work and every day style. JG's a big inspiration, so I took the time out to ask him a few questions.


Once again, special thanks to De Kwok for taking the photos.


In a body fascist world, I appreciate the fact that you're unapologetic about being a big man. Why do you think so many men of size shy away from experimenting with clothing? 
I don’t know why the chunky guys palette is so often just beige and denim. I get extra excited every time I see one all bright and gussied up. Leigh Bowery died too young to change the world. I love bright sparkly clothing and architecture. Learned all about that stuff living in LV years ago, and still can’t shake my admiration of glitz in clothing too. The bigger you are, the more sparkles!


You're the king of bargain shopping which I am terrible at. How do you manage to always pick the best pieces at the bargain basement?
Relentless desire to pinch a penny. I am a brand hunter, and like rejects. If I don’t have an extra button hole on one side of my new button down, I can't leave the house. That is a double digit fashion tip.


As a professor at a local art school, you're constantly surrounded by young people. Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you lately?
The students at CCA never fail to impress. Just when I think there is nothing left to do with high top… a whole new strap is added. I am way too old for most of it, but they make me smile all day!


What's the one thing you'd love to splurge on right now?
Jewelry. I want to start wearing more jewelry.


Any pointers for the clueless?
Burn all bootcut.

Brian Entler (Lady Bear)

For my first entry in the blog world, I took some time to chat with my boyfriend, Brian Entler. Brian's a local San Francisco drag queen who has a penchant for putting a look together (whether that is working a pair of jeans and a cardigan, or in a dress and pantyhose) With a great eye and a charismatic personality, Brian never fails in the style department. I sat down with Brian to ask him a few questions about his personal style, and what has influenced him in the past and present. 

Special thanks goes out to De Kwok for taking the photos!


How would you describe your personal style?
"Deconstructed post modern urban." Actually, anyone that comes up with a concept like this is a douche bag/student at FIDM. I guess I start with stuff that fits well and put things together that work well. When I stop to think about it, which i usually don't, I guess I lean heavily towards classic sportswear working around classic items, collared button ups, polo shirts, pea coats etc, but worn in a slightly unusual way/accessorized with something interesting.  


What was the first garment you bought that you were proud of?
The First?  I had a really cool sweater with an abstract pattern on it in middle school. I bet some hipster rescued  it from the Good Will and is wearing it right now with leggings and frames with no lenses. 

Who are your major style influences, both in the past and the present?

Hmmm, I guess skinheads and what are called "Teddyboys." When I went though that really awkward Ska stage in middle/high school I thought they looked really cool. Wearing really traditional clothing, but in a self conscious way that still said "fuck you". I found that much more punk rock than people who sewed band patches to their jackets but wore ugly, thoughtless clothes otherwise.  I had a total crush on Elvis Costello and I remember a middle school semi-formal outfit that was basically what he was wearing in the 80's, bolo tie and grey leather pimp shoes. All the other boys were wearing khaki slacks, navy blazers & topsiders. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but who cares? 

What's the first thing that catches your eye when you walk into a shop?

The sale rack. I'm a Frugal Fannie. 

What current trend bothers you the most?

Too many specific ones to count and they change day to day, sometimes hour to hour depending on where I am and who's around. But some good examples include:

 A) Conspicuous brand names(that applies equally to Old Navy or Marc Jaobs or anything else) This seems obvious and cliche-but somehow it persists despite being widely acknowledged as tacky, even by many of the people that still do it. Are we all in denial? 

 B) Gay guys carrying high end purses and pretending they are tote bags because they happen to be made out of canvas. Jack Spade makes tote bags. If it's $500 from Louis Vuitton, has brass hardware and a tassel on the zipper pull, then it's a canvas purse. FYI, my issue with this isn't men with purses (I'd love that). It's that they won't ADMIT they are carrying purses, and get all pissy when you call it one. 

Overall I'd say people that are just brazenly thoughtless & lazy, and are clearly just wearing whatever the retailers are putting out in front of them (and that applies to those that shop at old navy, Marc Jacobs and everything in between). 

If you were given a $5,000 giftcard what would you purchase?

I know this is a style blog, but I'd cheat and buy a new macbook pro. Then go thrifting with whatever is left over. I really don't buy high end, it never fits big boys.