Get Familiar: The Playsuit

I’m going to step out on a limb here and guess that most women haven’t worn a playsuit since…elementary school. You remember them vaguely — they were essentially a one-piece tanktop + short set, something like overalls. Well, just like everything else making a resurgence, the Playsuit is back, in full effect. However, the modern approach to the Playsuit loses the straps, and boasts flowy, lightweight materials creating sexy-playful silhouettes. Perfect for warm-season shopping excursions, beach outtings, and midday romps, you can expect for the strapless playsuit to make a huge splash this spring and summer; Get Familiar, por favor.

Above: By Malene Birger playsuit available at Net-a-porter.

Get Familiar: S-Cubed (Saks Spring Shoes)

Ladies, Saks Fifth Avenue is releasing a timely delivery of capsule collections for you to enjoy! The collections will feature footwear from 6 of the hottest designers: Heather Williams (exclusive to Saks), Daniele Michetti (exclusive to Saks), Diego Dolcini, Gianvito Rossi, Jonathan Kelsey, and Rupert Sanderson. Here’s the statement Saks released:

“’Special Delivery to 10022-SHOE’ is about showcasing rising designers, which Saks has always believed strongly in, and layering high fashion into our core assortment,” said Ron Frasch, President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Saks Fifth Avenue. “Our shoe trend for the season is the sandal bootie and the designers of these collections offer a variety of interpretations of this must-have item.”

So, go ahead and get your sheckles together…or your sponsors (if you have one/two/more of those) and make the necessary moves to cop these!

Get Familiar: Simply…Suede

SUEDE is apparently becoming hot this season with sneaker designers. It’s an interesting choice because it has strong weaknesses like the ability to become dirty and absorb liquids quickly, but it’s also soft probably making for a comfortable wear. Not to mention it just looks more luxurious. Here are some S/S 2010 offerings…

Get Familiar: Strap For The First Time

Just when I thought straps on hi-tops would O-ver used, O-bsolete, and be O-ut of the picture, one of my favorite, underrated brands DIET BUTCHER SLIM SKIN revamps the sneaker strap. When hi-tops were getting higher, DBSS  decided…WE OFF THAT! They’ve hit hard with the “W Belts” Sneaker from their S/S ’10 line. The pics, courtesy of Highsnobiety, speak for themselves.

u|T|ø endorses…Penfield

If you haven’t got the memo by now….we’re knocking on Winter’s door. Before she opens up that bad boy up, it’s essential to have the proper gear on deck.  Now, we’ve been putting people onto all kinds of outerwear titans, but the Massachusetts-based newjacks, Penfield, may be edging out the competition. Their latest collection of 80/20 premium down-filled vests and jackets not only showcases their attention to detail (i.e. pocket placement, material usage, lines and contours) but their full understanding that good quality should be AFFORDABLE. That my friends is a Win-Win.

Check out some of the classic styles available this season from Penfield.

Get Familiar: Cole Haand of Winter

Cole Haan has resurrected the name of its’s long lost co-founder with the COLE ROOD & HAAN line of “roaring-twenties” inspired brogues, wingtips and dress boots and some cool complementary bags.

For ze Urban Graduette…

…and ze Urban Graduates:

Purchase here.

u|T|ø endorses…B-Side

One of the best ways for women to add character to any outfit during the Fall/Winter season is to take FULL advantage of unique accessories. Sure, everyone is gonna have a scarf or a bracelet here and there, but how many ladies will have truly eye-catching pieces? ….riiiiiight…not many.

Insert B-Side by Ken & Dana. Their latest accessories collection features a variety of exotic, vibrant pieces. B-Side recreates the modern accessory by using geometrical shapes and mixing them with fluid, yet textured staples like silk scarves and beaded neckwear. The dopest thing about these accessories is that they actually have VOLUME! Chunky accessories are GREAT complements to fall/winter wears. Kudos to B-Side for being bold in the fall, and kudos to the Graduettes with enough moxie to pull of these accessories.

Get Familiar: Gucci In A Flash [Gucci x Mark Ronson]

OPENING TODAY IN NEW YORK (via Crosby St.) is the GUCCI ICON-TEMPORARY pop-up store. This “flash sneaker store” has brought Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini and DJ Mark Ronson together to design a limited edition collection of sneakers. At each stop on this 18-city international tour a new Gucci Ronson sneaker will be introduced to the world, in addition to exclusive editions of 18 sneaker styles in the Gucci Icon-Temporary collection. The Gucci Ronson sneakers retail between $500-$600, while the Gucci Icon-Temporary sneakers are between $500-$1,400. Each sneaker comes with exclusive packaging and the option of having your initials placed on the leather lace adornments.

Shout out to Bay Area Kicks for the photos.

**UPDATE** — Here are some shots from the pop-up store, courtesy of Nitrolicious

Get Familiar: The Hunter Gath’ress

As an Urban Graduette I’ve come to realize two truths.

Fact 1: Men like when we wear their clothes. Fact 2: Every girl wants to wear items of men’s clothing.

It’s not really a secret, sometimes we just want to breath and not have everything so close. And I’ll agree, women do have a thing for an Urban Grad who can bring out his inner Brett Favre and make it his own. But sometimes we just want to be “ruggedly sexy” in our own way.

Hunter Chic isn’t just for the boys anymore. It’s for us women who want to show that clothes can empower us in an appealing way [sans the big shoulder pads of the 80s…gross]. To get the look across successfully there needs to be that mandatory dance between hard and soft; rugged and smooth. The subtle play between opposites that a guy who appreciates a mean shoe game will recognize. Let’s do some fashion addition:

- Ceci Staff writer & F.I.T. student

u|T|ø endorses…Public School

Very rarely do we come across brands that effectively merge conceptual wear with practicality. In the case of Public School, their S/S 2010 line accomplishes the unlikely. The collection, which is inspired by The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, offers some of the most stunning pieces I’ve seen from any brand for that season. Raw materials blended with synthetic….in a manner that comes off as Nuvo — not contrived; It doesn’t get much better than that.

We’ve been watching Public School’s collections for the past few seasons. One of the dopest things about this brand is that it actually takes risks! Their craftsmanship is superb, but more impressive is the subtle sense of maturity that comes with each collection; it’s almost as if there’s an organic progression in construction, concept, and presentation.

If you haven’t got the picture by now, Urban Grads, you should renew your Public School spirit! Support quality, support conceptualization, and support practicality.

Get Familiar: The Hunter Gatherer

Here at u|T|ø, we’ve come to realize two truths. Fact 1: Every woman loves Brett Favre. Fact 2: Every man wants to be Brett Favre (somewhere deep down). Don’t be upset, it’s just how it is! When you boil it all down to the raw extract, the quality that makes Favre the quintessential definition of MAN is his ruggedness. Hence, this fall…use your instincts – go rugged.

There’s something very GQ about the look we call, Hunter Chic. First thing that comes to mind – Texture. Most rugged apparel is composed of heavy materials that are perfect for insulation, while still being visually appealing (think Tweed). Next, they rely on patterns to create a traditional garment (think Plaids and Quilted pieces). Finally, the key to the Hunter look is LAYERING; we’re talking a thermal, under a flannel, under a down vest (and maybe even a coat if need be).

Below are some items we feel you may want to invest in to bring out you inner Favruh-ness. Man up, Get Familiar!!

u|T|ø endorses…3sixteen Fall 2009

Frankly, 3sixteen needs no introduction. Back in April, we previewed the S/S 09 collection just to give Grads a taste of the creative genius this brand possesses. This fall, our friends over at 3sixteen have truly outdone themselves, presenting a collection that is both sophisticated and unique. View the video look book here.

The entire collection emits a rich urban zest, offering a variety of pieces (from staple outerwear like pea coats and toggle coats to elite accessories like ties, bracelets, and glasses). Their latest look book is set against a New York City backdrop, adding a sleek cosmopolitan element to this collection.

Honestly, it’s refreshing to see such an astute approach to presenting a designer collection. A brotha can look at something like this and visualize himself in these settings, wearing this apparel, and giving off this vibe. With that said, u|T|ø stands behind this product — unequivocably.