The SmARTORIALIST: Knit Ties…Spring’s Underdog Story
There once was a little cravat named, Knit. Knit was unlike all the other ties in his class. Knit was flexible. Knit had texture. When properly looped, Knit would make a variety of masculine, yet sophisticated knots about the neck. But all his classmates made fun of him, because he lacked ‘a point’. The pointy ties were favorites among all the power players; you know, businessmen — captains of industry. Knit’s pointy collegues were traditional, accepted by EVERYONE, and thus, far more popular than knit could ever hope to be.
But one day, the Bold Graduate came along. Debonnaire, in an artsy-book-smartsy kind of way. He was respected and reputable, well-versed and cultured. The Bold Graduate approached the class of cravats — poised and perspicaciously. He once-overed the Broad, Power ties — quickly writing them off for being too ostentatious and gaudy. The narrow, yet structured Repp ties desparately grabbed his attention, causing the Bold Graduate to vacillate a bit. Eventually, he broke their subdued trance and moved beyond them as well. Skinny, Bow, and Ascot…all starved for attention; he would not indulge them on this day. Finally, in his periphery stood Knit — bashful and quiet — yet, confident.
The Bold Graduate was intrigued by Knit’s humility. Knit seemed to get along with EVERYTHING knit came in contact with. Knit was refined, and had an accent. Most of all, Knit, by design, did not look like everyone else — The Bold Graduate could identify with that wholly. The Bold Graduate and Knit went on to become great friends, showing Spring how to be a modern rebel…and to look good while doing it. The END.
Class|in|Session: The Nifty Knot
I saw this on the Sartorialist‘s blog and thought to myself, ‘Hmm…this would be a nice little jewel for our grads and graduettes to have — especially since scarves are a year-round accessory’.
Thank you, random street guy. Your nifty knot will serve us all.
First|Løøk: Kitsune’ Woman – Fall 2010
The creative minds over at Kitsune’ are making a bold statement for Autumn 2010, introducing Trad Fashion to it’s women’s imprint. Well — Urban Takeout is definitely NOT mad at them! The collection features some great tailored pieces, with vivid tonality and sophisticated silhouettes that scream “Yaleharvardcornellumbiaversity”. I’m a huge fan of the tops, infusing the rounded collars to create a softer, feminine ‘Ivy League chic‘ look. Kudos…like the throwback snackbar.
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.
Thom Browne x Supreme [FAKE!!!]
THIS JUST IN…THE THOM BROWNE FOR SUPREME COLLECTION IS FAKE, I REPEAT FAKE. This is NOT AN OFFICIAL COLLAB. Thom Browne came to speak this evening at the Katie Murphy Amphitheater located on the Fashion Institute of Technology’s campus and quickly denied the collaboration. He specifically said that there was no official collab and that Supreme simply bought Thom Browne oxfords wholesale! We are interested to see what becomes of this…
NOTE: Urban Takeout is not taking sides in this matter, we are just making sure that you the Urban Graduate stay informed. Urban Takeout, we got you covered!!
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!
Kehinde x Puma
A friend put me on to this kat a while back. His style of art is simply the TRUTH. Watch as he teams up with PUMA for his latest design project!
The SmARTORIALIST: The Masters
I’m perpetually astonished by men who avoid color. On every blog we’ve been featured on, every bit of style advice delivered through the u|T|o lens, we offer ‘pops of color’ as the most readily-integrable sartorial option for fellas. But, some just don’t listen.
Fine. We’re wiping the slate clean — winter is ending (slowly, esp. for mid-atlantic and northeasterners), and Spring is anxiously peering around the corner. Invest in COLOR NOW.
As guys, we have a tendency to “go COMPLETELY IN“. Why have a hamburger when I can order a STEAK (it’s ALL red meat…right)? Don’t give me a $10 haircut…I want the tapered fade, the edge up, the beard and mustache trim — why be half-assed?
Fine. Have it YOUR way.
This Spring, if you’re going to try out ‘COLOR‘…hell….GO ALL THE WAY IN. Commit entirely. Our suggestion — rock a green blazer. Arnold Palmer did it. Jack Nicklaus did it. Tiger Woods did it.
Green is a regal color when worn properly. In terms of hue, aim for rich tones (True Green, India Green, Hunter Green = GOOD; Chartreuse = BAD). Avoid all military greens — period. Pair with light-colored trousers (i.e. bone, white, khaki), or denim. In my opinion…pair with anything EXCEPT…more green (you will look like Leprechaun in the Hood).
Use the picture above as an example of what you want to look like….use the picture below as an example of the Jacket you want…but not the follow through you need (baby steps, baby steps). I mean, c’mon….what’s the worst that could happen — you looking like a Tournament champion fresh from Augusta??
Post-Valentine’s Day| The Clean-Up
Valentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day — how we love thee. February 14th marks one of the most romantic, and hopefully, electric days of the year for Urban Grads & Graduettes. I’m sure yours were filled with falling rose petals, candlelit dinners, chocolate decadence, and of course…the special occasion unmentionables. But now that the the roses are wilting, candles have melted away, chocolate devoured, and the encapsulated passion has experienced its “decrescendo”… what are you going to do with THAT lingerie?!
For the good graduettes who said, “Take It with Me” — one point for you (it’s a recession, I understand — plus, lingerie is NOT cheap). For the naughty graduettes who said, “Leave It with Him” — two points for you (trust me…every guy wants to be left a pair of panties or a bra at least once in life — a token of your appreciation). Either way…the person who fails to WASH these underthings is a complete filthmonger.
Delicates are a very…well…delicate subject; caring for them can easily be over or under-estimated. Many cute bra/panties sets have been sacrificed, teddy and corsets completely ruined because of this laundry tug-of-war. Simple solution: LINGERIE BAGS.
It’s actually quite easy to protect your lingerie. Just place garments inside the lingerie bags, and wash on the DELICATE CYCLE with COLD WATER. After completion, DO NOT TUMBLE DRY — lay them out flat atop a bath towel, and let the capillary action do its thing.
Just because you washed it doesn’t mean that the memory will ever fade — you and he will know EXACTLY what made those unmentionables worth mentioning.
Mr. McQueen, Thank You
Lee Alexander McQueen
Mar. 17, 1969 – Feb. 11, 2010.
Our prayers are with his family and friends. Celebrate his life, celebrate his art, and be reminded of how closely the two can be interwoven.
Cheat|Sheet: Suits + Sneakers
Here’s a nifty little video conjured up by the good gents over at GQ mag. Quick breakdown of how to pull off sneakers with a suit:
[ URBAN + TAKE(ØUT) ] 
