Michael Bastian Spring 2014: NYFW Review

Yesterday menswear maestro Michael Bastian showed his Spring '14 collection and he continues to show he knows his sweet spot and how to pivot from it.

The sweet spot -- whimsical knits, well tailored jackets, short shorts, and a continuation of Stubbs & Wooten slippers -- were there and updated to reflect Bastian's Parisian inspiration. 

The pivot -- a fantastic pineapple print, more athletic driven pieces, and a bag collaboration with Frank Clegg -- rounded out a very solid collection for Spring.

Three of my favorite looks:

Those damn pineapple pants! Bastian did the print in shorts and a hat, but the pants are totally me and I'll be coveting them come Spring.

The backgammon sweater. He's always in for a playful knit and this one has just enough subtlety that it takes you a minute to know what you're looking at.

Peak label printed tuxedo jacket. Bastian continues to design tuxedo jackets that don't take themselves too seriously, and I love it. What better way to stand out at a 'black tie' than in a white tie and eye-catching jacket!

Another strong showing and gives me something to look forward to next season... check out the whole collection over at GQ.

Lapo Elkann for Gucci: Things I Love

Lapo Elkann, Fiat heir, CEO of Italia Indepenent, and all around style icon has now collaborated on a capsule collection for Gucci. It's well, a pretty robust capsule with both suiting and separates.

And for me it evokes an amazing throwback to Lapo's grandfather Gianni Agnelli -- wide lapels, spread collars, rich fabrics -- and an aesthetic that Lapo himself has largely adopted.

Here I've picked my three favorite looks, starting off with this great one button blazer paired with a wide collar button-down shirt, and very Gucci looking trousers. The beautiful carryall doesn't hurt either.

In the suiting department I loved the light windowpane for Fall, and the styling of the wider-than-currently-trending tie helps anchor the spread collar shirt. Office ready for sure.

And for a more formal night out -- this velvet double breasted tuxedo is the epitome of luxe. Staying on the wide collar trend, I feel like this jacket could sprout wings and fly, but I love how neatly tailored it is on the sides. Velvet is a bold choice for a tux, but that wasn't always the case -- again showing a nice look back at Italian fashion legacies.

All images here... and definitely a collection to watch for in-store.

Navy Tuxedo from Todd Snyder: Things I Love (And Wore)

With the CFDA Awards approaching a few weeks ago I was a little worried about what I was going to wear. Luckily the good folks at Todd Snyder came to the rescue, hinting they had a pretty cool tuxedo available. Was that an understatement!

It's funny because during his Fall 2013 presentation I noted the navy tux and how cool it was. Great peak black lapel, and a dark rich navy to contrast with it.

So I was blown away at being able to wear the tux yesterday to the CFDA Awards. Without any alterations it fit perfectly -- hit on the shoulders, tucked in the back, and showing just enough cuff. All the signs of impeccable craftsmanship (and someone who's been doing this for a while).

Was asked quite a lot who I was wearing... but it's from Fall '13 so you'll have to wait just a little bit longer to pick one up for yourself!

In the meantime, head over to the Todd Snyder site to see what you can grab right now.

Just One Look: Public School Spring 2013

Okay, well actually two looks... I am definitely coveting the jacket with leather sleeves, below. But the dinner jacket with shawl collar also caught my eye.

Public School was high on my list to see for Spring '13, as I'd really enjoyed the vibe they showed during their re-launch last season.

So about this dinner jacket... the favorite piece currently in my closet is a Patrik Ervell navy tuxedo, and the jacket has a black satin shawl collar. So how could I not obsess on this version from Public School.

And given that Noah Mills closed the Michael Bastian show in his own version of a light colored dinner jacket with black shawl collar, this is looking like a trend for Spring.

But for me the real winner in the collection, and a piece that seemed to connect to the brand's ethos, is this cotton jacket with leather sleeves. It's not your regular dark denim jacket: the washed fabric gives it a well-worn look. And the color of the leather sleeves is light enough to keep the contrast from being too harsh. 

This is definitely a jacket perfect for Spring, and one that can be worn any number of ways.

GQ has all of the looks from Public School and stay tuned for more info via the brand's website.

Things I Love: GQ's Trends for Men

This morning I read Jim Moore's top trends for men, over at GQ.com. He pulled out some great stuff from the recent men's shows in NY (a lot of Michael Bastian's work, yeah!).

What made me smile was how many of the items are things I've been rockin' lately (or hoping to rock)... I'm just saying!

One trend was tuxedo jackets. Now this is possibly the blurriest photo ever, but I took it while I was in Miami for Art Basel, on my way out to some parties. I threw on my navy Patrik Ervell tuxedo jacket, with a tailored white shirt and dark Uniqlo jeans. Plus my favorite yellow Nixon watch.

Another trend was dark khakis, which is something I just picked up when I was in Shanghai last week (in a sort of washed olive color). Wore them to work this week with a white shirt.

He also mentioned waxed jackets, which I bought last year (J. Lindberg jacket) and have been using in colder climates ever since.

And then there was the corduroy suit. This is something I have been wanting for a while, most recently when Opening Ceremony collaborated with Levi's. So fun!

Now you better go read the whole article to find out what Jim calls out, so you can start shopping: http://www.gq.com/style/wear-it-now/201003/trend-report#slide=1.

Things I Have: Tuxedo by Patrik Ervell

I fell in love with this tuxedo the moment I saw it at Opening Ceremony. I'm a huge fan of Patrik Ervell... and the navy jacket with black lapel was perfect. Tried it on, loved the fit, but couldn't justify owning another tux.

Then I stopped into Opening Cermony last month and randomly asked if by any chance they had any of the tuxedos left. Somehow they had one, and it was my size. Fates had aligned and I bought it on the spot.

Now the photo here is from the lookbook... I haven't modeled it yet because I still need to take the pants in to my favorite tailor (Dina, at Sweetzer/Beverly).

But soon, very soon, I will be rockin' this amazing look!

That is all.