Get Familiar: Pocket Protectors

If there were one understatement item to invest in this year, it would have to be the pocket square. In the eye of this recession, fashion is turning to it’s simple roots. In that transition, the age-old handkerchief has taken front seat, bringing a variety of contemporary designs along with it. And although traditionally male, square silks have become a clever accessory for women too (often larger and more vibrant). GET FAMILIAR!!

The color pallets and artistic details are what propel the new breed of pocket squares. Check out Liberty of London, they have a nice variety of squares and small silk scarves for both men and women.

And just in case you need some advice on how to fold one….

The Urban Graduate [play.vs.away]

I noticed this trend for the “homme”s popping up on the runways during Paris’ fashion week…leggings with shorts. Some designers chose to have the leggings pulled all the way down the leg and some didn’t.

Givenchy chose to pull the leggings up towards the knee. This is a little more tolerable, for me at least.

But below, I think this is the only time I have seen the trend done “right.” The longer shorts and the hi-tops [Those look like the Pierre Hardy hi-tops on his feet] make the look more urban and less “I would never wear that off of a runway.”

Honestly, I just want to know how our urban grads AND graduettes feel about this look and what do they propose to anyone who may try it. So what do yall think? PLAY or AWAY?

Big shout-out to the JAK & JIL BLOG for their awesome visual coverage of fashion week in Paris.

Don’t Act Like I Never Told Ya

The Year of the Ox is no more…it’s the officially the Year of the Strap (hi top that is)! Kanye West – more sartorially known as Martin Louie The King, Jr. — has leaked yet another picture of his collaboration sneakers. This one is…..you guessed it, A HI-TOP with STRAPS (proceed to gawk and gander)! Only thing left for us to say is….Don’t act like we never told ya.

My Gouyen is Black

…..She had captured my attention again. But I welcomed her invitation to respond. I asked the Gouyen why she said such a thing. The sun was in my eyes, so she waited until I was able to focus on her clearly before she spoke again. She told me that there was nothing a woman couldn’t get with a smile and a gun because she thought it was funny. Her response was not what I expected…it was simple. I thought to myself, sometimes thats the way fashion is. And then I noticed that she had on all black. I’m sure she was tired of me inquiring but I wanted to extend our encounter as long as I could. She responded that she was in mourning because her path to fashionable enlightenment was not one devoid of blood loss. Then I noticed the red stains under her feet; they reminded me of the Louboutin Declic’s. Subsequently, in that all-too-familiar solemn tone, she said that when the trends of Fall begin to die she wears black to signal the coming of Spring…

I wondered why our paths had to be crossing. Why couldn’t we be going in the same direction, why couldn’t we be parallel…

Greek 2 Chic: Picks of the Week

You already know what it is, let’s get it in. The top fashion items from around the web — Frats and Sororities, grab your pads and pens:

The Bag

Obama Tote Bag by Diane Von Furstenburg (Runway for Change). Divas…you need this one on deck.

The Jewelry

Necklace by Gulnur Ozdaglar (made from recycled PolyEtylene Terephtalate bottles). HARD!

The Shoes

Boat Sneaker by Louis Vuitton x Kanye West. I guess this is what he meant when he said, “my Kappa style”.

The Toy

15th Anniversary Giant Baby Milo Plush Toy by A Bathing Ape. Honestly, this is just ill. Black & Gold Members, make it an addition to the collection of apes.

The Outerwear

Wool Overcoat by Burberry. If there was ever an investment to be made, Sigmas…this would be the one.

The Scarf

“Rainer Maria Rilke” Poem Scarf by Edun. If you watched the U2 performance in the Inaugural Concert, Bono had this on (but the reverse colorway). African cotton = that sh*t. Open to all, grab one of these.

Denimation 201: Industrial [Re]evolution

It may not be a rodeo show, but Denim Button-down Shirts have found their way back into the market. The modern take on this classic garment is to use darker, finer denim or denim blends (as opposed to light-colored, heavier denim of the past), and to incorporate intricate stitchwork. Military pockets, pearl buttons, and bi-tonal interiors have been added to create the “Industrial-chic” look. Give these a try:

(in order: Double-Faced Military Shirt by S2VS; Pen Chambray Jacket by Woolrich Woolen Mills; ACNE x Lanvin; Raf Simons denim suit; Denim Demon)

Get Familiar: “Formal” Sneakers [Spring 'O-nine]

UTØ is back with the second installment of the “formal” kicks segment. It’s still cold but it is gonna start warming up eventually and that means time to put up the outerwear…and bring out the lighter colors. And nothing says Spring like a pair of white sneakers. But I’m not just talking about any pair of white sneaks. I’m talking about ones that can make the difference between you looking like your ready for a fashion-forward Spring and you looking like Markell Shoe Company has your email address. The “formal crossovers” for the Spring season are from Dior Homme and Yves Saint Laurent. They go well with a dark pair of slacks and a lighter, collared top. Not to mention the subtle black embellishments on the Diors that will guarantee these bad boys (go see NOTORIOUS, out now!…kidding) a double-take from other urban graduates.

[Sneak Tip]: Supra + TK = FLYtops

Another lil birdie (shouts to SF2) pointed these in my direction this morning. Supra sponsors pro-skater Terry Kennedy (shout out to Fly Society – yadidamean) and they finally produced his own dope hi top. Double straps, sick colorways, and the signature Supra sole/construction. ** Let it be noted that we, [Urban+Take(øut)] , were the FIRST to name these….FLYTOPS**. Take a gander:

The smARTORIALIST: Flood Warnings

A style savant once told me, “A man’s ankles should only be seen by an athletic trainer — that is all“. Well, our good friend Mr. Thom Browne clearly thinks otherwise (as do I). As GQ Mag’s Designer of the Year (2009), his signature “high-water” look has become suprisingly….dapper. However, I felt it was necessary to lay out some lightweight “boundaries”, because  quite frankly, some of the attempts end up as follies.

Good Execution.

Utter FOLLY.

This “Flood” look goes best with NO SOCKS. As far as shoes are concerned, your best bets are simple sneakers (Jack Purcell’s, oxfords, topsiders), boat/deck shoes (Sperry), or good ‘ol church goin’ hard bottoms (sans clunkiness).

Proper Execution.

Complete FOLLY.

Now, the trousers themselves should be slimming slacks — not denim. Here’s the magic trick: The bottom of the pant leg–cuffed or uncuffed– should fall just shy OF THE SHOE (not the ankle). That way, when you walk or sit, you maintain just the right amount of ankle exposure.

Except for Thom Browne (arms folded)...FOLLIES, FOLLIES, FOLLIES!

**Please tread these unfriendly waters with extreme caution.  I would hate to catch you out of pocket, looking like a clamdigger fresh from the sea.

More Inauguration Love

I could’ve seen this one coming a mile away. UNDRCRWN linked with MusicSkins and created about 6 skins for your favorite handheld devices (including Macbook, Blackberry, iPhone, iPod, PSP, and….Guitar Hero guitar). This is complete MAYHEM. I also stumbled upon a pretty fly additive for the ladies. Peep game:

For the ladies, Inauguration Clutch Purse by Armando Javier. (This is sick!!)

Get Familiar: Your Friend In The Layering Age

This may be a small garment and something that doesn’t get much individual attention but its importance in your fashion arsenal should not be understated. Henleys are practically made for layering. They don’t have enough buttons to be cardigans but they aren’t sweaters. However they have just enough buttons for the adjustable exposure of an underlying tee. I wouldn’t recommend wearing a henley by itself. It makes you look like a bro or a law student. A henley works best as an intermediary, like on top of a tee and under a jacket. Or dont take my word for it, layer a henley as you see fit…but just make sure that you layer.

The 1.20.09 T-Shirt

As the Inauguration grows closer, many designers are frantically pumping out apparel to commemorate the occasion. So naturally, Inaguration T-shirts are dropping across the net left and right. Honestly, I can’t even hate — cuz you know there’s gonna be some sidewalk vendors out in D.C. sellin’ Obama EVERYTHING. I just don’t wanna see any wack slogans like, “Obama Is My Play Cousin”. At any rate, peep some of the available ones below:

Logo T-Shirt by Play Cloths. (Graphic is the Play Cloths logo with Inaugural colorway, and date).

The Official Inauguration T-Shirt by Shepard Fairy x OBEY x Obama Campaign. (Graphic is OFFICIAL recognized signage of the Inauguration).

The Historic Tee by Stussy x Commonwealth. (Graphic combines the 3 iconic symbols: Stussy – the S; Obama Campaign – the O; and Commonwealth – the C).

Obama Inauguration by UNDRCRWN. (Graphic is Obama in the Lincoln Memorial position).