Todd Snyder Spring 2014: NYFW Review

It's no secret I am a big fan of Todd Snyder (and not just because I was able to wear one of his tuxedos to the CFDA awards this year). Since launching, he has stayed on a consistent path with each collection, diverging slightly for a number of well-placed collabs -- Champion, Gap (for GQ Menswear Designer), suiting by Southwick.

For Spring '14 he continued on the consistency track, with a solid showing of everything from casual tees to printed blazers, and awesomely tailored pants and shorts.

My first favorite look was this striped tee paired with navy trousers. Loved the simplicity of the pieces together + I can already tell those pants will be a great addition to my Spring wardrobe.

Second on standouts from the presentation was partially due to the man wearing the clothes. I was really taken with this model and the attitude he exuded -- definitely felt right for the brand. But that aside, I loved the light button down with the plaid pants. The blues and greens make this a great transition piece as it could easily move into Fall.

And my third favorite was this blue coat -- a nice update from a traditional navy trench. The pleated shorts are another Spring must-have (yes, pleats done right are back).

While getting into the actual Todd Snyder presentation was a harrowing experience (Jenna Lyons, Frank Muytjens, and a couple of Jonas Brothers were there), it was definitely worth it. You can see the full collection here.

Madras Short Suit from Black Fleece: Things I Want

Over the weekend I decided I couldn't wait any longer to see Black Fleece Spring '13 in store. So I went on over to the Bleecker street store + started trying it on... 

The banana leaf motif was especially fun, and definitely something you won't see elsewhere.

There was (unsurprisingly) a lot of madras and I loved it all... this light cotton cut-away jacket was a standout. The weight will be perfect for warmer weather and as with most things designed by Thom Browne it fit without much need for alteration.

Then I thought, why would I just want the madras jacket when I could get the shorts and have  a new Spring suit! The matching bermuda shorts are also lightweight, and with the knee-length I could get away wearing it to a dressier occasion. 

The shorts hadn't yet arrived in my size, so you're seeing it here on a model and not on me... yet! But stay tuned, I'm excited to grab this look for sunny days soon.

MSGM: Things I Love

I love that moment of discovery -- finding a new brand (or new to me) that strikes a chord and piques your interest. For me it was a few weeks ago while perusing Fucking Young and coming across some pictures from Italian brand MSGM.

Founded in 2008 they produce both men's and women's collections, full of prints and patterns and wholly unafraid of color. So of course I loved it.

Designed by Massimo Giorgetti (and tagged by Vogue Italia as "Who's On Next" in 2010), there is a definite youthfulness to the men's selections. I started to see influences from Dries, Frankie Morello, Jeremy Scott, and Marni. 

Here a few of my favorite looks from the soon to be released Spring '13:

A mind-bending green and yellow dot print, shawl collar, and cropped just enough pant makes this a perfect bright + light suited look for Spring.

Multi-colored knit that is eye-catching but not overpowering, paired with a red and navy print short, cuffed for a neat and tidy look.

This jacket really did it for me -- either paired with the black and white shirt seen here, or just a black shirt and cropped white shorts. 

Now for the tricky part, finding MSGM in the States. Frankly, good luck (especially for men's). But check out their website + perhaps your upcoming European travels will score you some fun additions for Spring!

Rhett Bonnett Spring 2013: NYFW Review

Last season I had come across the first collection from designer Rhett Bonnett while at Project, and was interested by the styling (he also shot Cory Bond for the lookbook). So this season when I had the chance to stop by Bonnett's studio and see Spring, I was curious to check it out.

The collection was inspired by a photo of Paul Newman, looking young and relaxed in a polo shirt. Bonnett mentioned that while he will always have a red, white, and blue core to his line, here he introduced other colors -- including a seafoam green.

One of the first pieces is this cotton peacoat, with a striped cotton lining. The vintage looking white buttons etched with an anchor caught my eye (as always, a sucker for anything remotely nautical).

I also liked this navy jacket, with a cinched waist and detachable hood. The type of thing you take boating in Nantucket, or for a rainy Spring day in the city.

Sticking to the red/white/blue game, this striped shirt was simple yet stood out (and there is a matching tie... see below).

For Fall, Bonnett had sweatpants that he paired with sweaters and outerwear. With Spring he showed this washed striped tank with a matching pair of shorts. A muted take on his core color palette was a nice way of showing it differently and softening the look.

And now the neckwear... the striped tie to go with the shirt above; a vibrant blue and some seersucker rounded out a nice accessories story.

You can find out more about Rhett Bonnett and points of distribution on his website. I am interested to see what comes next!

Todd Snyder Spring 2013: NYFW Review

Over the weekend I got into a vigorous debate about Todd Snyder's Spring collection. Some felt it was too safe and similar to his past work. My opinion is that Snyder continues to deliver high quality, well tailored pieces in a tight collection that are consistent to his core aesthetic, with seasonal variances. 

For Spring he did just this, keeping within the arena for which his popularity is growing, but through an inspired lens... in this case the film The English Patient.

Since the v-neck tee I bought from his Spring '12 collection is the softest and most comfortable I've ever owned, I definitely gravitated to this lightweight long-sleeved sweater with a chest pocket. Paired with white shorts with low slung pockets, it is casual but with an obvious luxury and refinement.

Another area that Snyder has excelled is outerwear. In fact I just tried on a fantastic quilted reversible cropped jacket for Fall that I may just have to buy... with that in mind, this cropped navy jacket for Spring caught my eye. With the khaki/khaki shirt and tie combo (which I already own from him), this jacket would get a lot of wear.

I think my favorite piece from the collection was this double breasted jacket. Snyder's suiting has been a staple of the line (as seen through his recent pop-up at Odin) and I am confident this will also fit perfectly. The color keeps it versatile, and worn here with shorts and boots shows you can definitely dress it up or down.

Needless to say, I remain a fan of Todd Snyder and will be shopping Spring when it hits stores. Get over to GQ for a full set of photos.

Maison Kitsune Spring '13: Things I Love

I was recently commenting on the frequency of shorts suits being shown in Paris and Milan for Spring '13 -- and Maison Kitsune's collection for the season is no exception. And to be clear, I like it! It ties in well to my own tendency towards a cropped look and also helps to beat the summer heat.

This first look from Kitsune is a favorite of mine, with a great shock of plaid. Together it really stands out, but you could take each piece separately and put together a great look.

If you know me, you know I'm a francophile and so the use of the tricolor on this polo will get me every time.

 

Another (more tame) shorts suit, this one more aligned with traditional suiting, and perhaps a more acceptable option for the office.

Now that Kitsune has a store here in NYC, I've been dropping by to check out their wares in person... but you can get on their website to see more!

Shorts Suit from Raf Simons: Things I Want

As the temps climb in NYC, I've been discussing with colleagues the viability of a suit with shorts to combat the heat. While I have some nice shorts, and no shortage of jackets, nothing in my closet that is polished enough for office wear.

The other trend noticed coming out of last week's Milan menswear shows is the strong solid colors in suiting: Gucci had some great ones, and as I write this the Twitter feed out of the Dries show is saying the same. 

Bringing these two together... Raf Simons, in this week's Paris show. I am obsessed with the bold green and blue he chose. It is stronger than what was shown at Gucci, not quite as pastel, which for me means more cross-season versatility. 

I also love the shorts -- the length is perfect for me, and the front slit adds a great dimension to the overall look.

You can see the rest of Raf's Spring '13 collection here -- and stay tuned for me rockin' a shorts suit next year!

Carven Spring 2013: Things I Love

Both here and on Twitter I've been extolling the virtues of Guillaume Henryand his work on the Carven menswear line. I really love the subtle French influence, the boxier cut on a lot of the pieces, the fun patterns + colors he's used. 


And I found it totally understandable that he was invited to be showcased at Pitti Uomo this year. 


For Spring '13 he continued the success with suit/shorts, great prints, and the same cropped/French influence he's used thus far. Here are a few of my favs...


Never one to shy from prints, i loved this shirt, jacket, short combo.

 

This peacoat in a light green has a nice length and the color works well for warmer weather.

I really enjoyed this contrasting shirt, paired with the light blue pants and red loafers -- perfect Spring look!

Always a fan of the crop, and I love the check on these pants. Also the jacket seems similar to the Carven one I bought this Spring, which means I'll love the fit.

You can find the rest of the (incredible) collection at Style.com.

Steven Alan Tennis Shorts: Things I Have

Over the weekend I stopped into Steven Alan, as I was looking for some new shirts. I ended up taking home two great white shirts (one with a club collar, that I am very excited about). But I also had to buy these fantastic tennis shorts!

Now they may be considered a "short short", as they hit mid-thigh, but I thought they had a really great fit. I also liked that the light cotton will make these perfect for summer...

And in fact, I've already worn them... to my going away party! (My friend Carlo is also wearing a great Steven Alan shirt he picked up that day.)

Go check them out at the Steven Alan site!

Shorts from Trina Turk: Things I Have

In my shopping spree a few weeks ago I picked up some fantastic white shorts from Trina Turk. They're a great cotton/linen blend that I think will be light and cool for summer.

They are also white... which for a klutz like me is dangerous. But I shall do my best to keep them clean + pristine!

I really liked the length of the shorts, and the back pockets (with buttons) were a nice addition.

Go to the Trina Turk site for more of their rockin' menswear selections!

Michael Bastian for Gant Madras Shorts: Things I Have

I always love when I can turn something "I Want" into something "I Have". Tonight I picked up the Michael Bastian for Gant madras shorts I had written about in April.

They have a slim leg and fit perfectly! While I still do want the coat to have a complete madras-fied look, I am so excited to get these shorts some beach, BBQ, poolside time this summer.

In case you (somehow) missed it, here's my original post. MB for Gant continues to consistently 'wow'!

Billy Reid Seersucker Shorts: Things I Want

I always feel like I never have enough shorts... so I am currently on the hunt for a pair of seersucker and some brown khaki shorts.

Yesterday I did some shopping at Bloomingdale's (who has, IMHO, one of the best men's departments right now) and tried on these seersucker shorts from Billy Reid.

They are fantastic! Great fit, and a very wide waist/beltline, which I really liked. They also are very lightweight (as seersucker should be) and I know they'll be cool for summer.

Since the focus of yesterday's shopping was for my friend, and not me, I left these shorts behind... but want to go back and snatch 'em up!

Madras Coat + Shorts: Things I Want

While I was at Barney's over the weekend looking for a swimsuit, I also perused the Michael Bastian for Gant selection. I saw this fantastic madras coat (with gray elbow patches), and then I saw the matching shorts.

Had. To. Try. Them. On.

The result was totally amazing. These two items just rocketed to the top of my "want" list for S/S '11. With a white shirt and some loafers this would be *the* outfit of the season.

Given they pieces were designed by Mr. Bastian, they of course fit perfectly. The shorts were snug around my waist, but not too tight in the leg. The jacket hit me right in the shoulder and was not too boxy.

For now I'll just imagine myself at a summer party rockin' this look...

Images from Barney's, go check these items (and the rest of the MB for Gant range) there.

Spring/Summer from Freshjive: Things I Want

Getting in the mood for summer is easy with the bright + colorful collection from Freshjive.

I am really into the shorts, the striped button downs, and the tank tops. Actually I want all of the tank tops. Great colors, fun patterns, and really look fresh (excuse the pun) for warm weather.

Came across the new collection on one of my favorite new sites... Antenna Mag! Head there to check out the rest of the shots.

Shorts from Bonobos: Things I Have

I have been looking for a new pair of shorts for a while now. Everything I've seen has either been too long, too tight, too expensive.

Then I took a look at the Bonobos website and found they had a small but colorful selection of shorts. Since I l-o-v-e my two pairs of Bonobos cords, I figured I'd give their shorts a try.

I settled on the Crabby Shacks, a washed red color. Except when I was ready to buy, they were out of stock. So I submitted my e-mail address and was notified when they had more available. Then, the first size I ordered was a bit too small. Urgh. So I exchanged them (with free shipping!) for the next size up, which fit perfectly.

This weekend I wore the shorts for the first time and LOVE them! They are the most comfortable things... and I adore the Hawaiian print on the pocket linings, always a nice detail from Bonobos.

You can go here to pick up a pair of Crabby Shacks for yourself: http://www.bonobos.com/store/item/crabby_shacks, or go to the general Shorts page to see the other colors and styles: http://www.bonobos.com/store/cat/shorts.

Enjoy!

Jil Sander S/S 2011 at Pitti: Things I Want

This year at Pitti Uomo, Jil Sander was invited to do the special presentation (an honor Thom Browne had last year... I'm still salivating over it!).

And after seeing photos and video today of the show, let me just say that Raf Simons turned it out! What an amazing collection for Spring 2011! While the label's namesake has been rockin' and rollin' over at Uniqlo (with her J+ collab), I think Raf has been doing a great job at invigorating both the men's and women's lines (plus the new Navy line).

I love the solid bright colors, the layering of colors, the striped knits, and the floral motif. I am seriously pining for purple shirt and green pants below. And the light pink jacket. And the purple shorts. And...

I shared a few of my favs here, but please do check out the rest of the show: http://blog.wearethemarketblog.com/?p=6647. And a great review from Esquire: http://www.esquire.com/blogs/mens-fashion/jil-sander-pitti-061710.

Things I Want: Doppelganger edition!

The label Unis just released their S/S 2010 Lookbook and I immediately thought two things: first, the model on the bicycle looks like me, in an outfit I would wear, and with something similar to my glasses; second, does it start to become difficult to differentiate between Unis and Company of We and J. Crew?

Either way, I dig the canvas jacket, which seems like a great length for Spring days or Summer evenings. And I am still searching for some new shorts, and like the look (and length) of the ones pictured here.

Go to Hypebeast and check out the rest of their post, including more photos: http://hypebeast.com/2010/05/unis-2010-springsummer-lookbook/.

Ride on my friend, ride on!

Things I Want: Umit Banan S/S 2010

Today everyone seemed to be talking about Umit Banan, with photos of his S/S 2010 collection. And listen, if I could get the jackets + shorts in this photo, I'd be talking too!

Very cool look... the shorts remind me of a Shipley & Halmos pair I tried on last summer. I like that the shorts are short, and the flaps with buttons add a nice touch. The jacket (with the slouchy white tee) has a very light + casual feel and paired with the shorts makes a perfect outdoor dinner party/BBQ outfit!

Please please check out the rest of the collection at: www.umitbanan.com

And you can read a short interview with the designer courtesy of Valet Mag: http://www.valetmag.com/style/profiles-features/2010/3-questions-for-umit-benan-011110.php/