Hermès Bugatti Veyron FBG

A lot of people may wonder why I am blogging about a car. Well this blog is about everything modern about a man and it just so happens that exotic cars are my vice, which is second to beautiful women. At the time no, I cannot afford a Bugatti or anything like it but you can always appreciate the intricate thought and precision that it takes to make one of these artistic pieces of machinery. This everything but ordinary Bugatti Veyron is priced at $1.3 million stock. This custom Hermes package is priced at $2.3 million, which does not even look different at a glance. Being a fashion student I am not surprised at how different the price change is compared to the actual difference in style of the model. It is practically the same model but with the name Hermes added with French craftsmanship throughout the interior.

With a W16 engine this rocket on wheels is looking at a top speed of 200 mph. That is pretty fast to be driving a car that cost over $2 million. Most owners would not be driving that fast anyway being that no one will be able to enjoy the wonderful look of the car driving past and that they would probably run out of gas shortly after. Typically the people who buy this car have the money to spend on it. Though most cannot buy it, it is cool to know what one of the most expensive cars looks like. I am not counting myself out but I think I will more than likely never drive one of these works of art. Even if I was super wealthy I couldn’t see myself paying that much for a car that could get hit at anytime.

Highs

Quickest and fastest car, horsepower bragging rights (1001), guaranteed a spot at the Pebble Beach Concours in 50 years.

Lows

Other exotics sound better, ludicrous price.

Behind The Wheel

Mind-altering acceleration, It’s even surprisingly agile for its size.

J. Crew's Trip To Italy

This is a cool video blog brought to you by way of J. Crew.  They take a visit to Italy to stop in on the family owned shirt manufacturer where J. Crew gets their men's shirts made.  It is a look inside of the intricate process of making a well crafted shirt.  For those who own one of these shirts made in Italy, this is great way for you to see the process in creating one of these wonderful garments.

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/made-in-italy.jsp#/thread

The Leather Jacket Done Right

There are just some things that never get old.  The leather jacket is a key staple in menswear, and has been for many years now. When I first started having an eye for well-put together outfits, I couldn’t help but notice the diversity of the infamous leather jacket. Though it is spring and the weather continues to get warmer, there are still opportunities where this garment can make it into your wardrobe choices. Believe it or not, I have a friend who loves to wear his favorite leather jacket during summer nights. 

Two popular style choices that you can find at any of your favorite retailer would be the bomber or the asymmetrical motorcycle jacket.  Another reason why leather jackets are a good choice is because they are appropriate for various occasions.  The point is to pick a jacket that would enhance the look of your figure and not look big and bulky on your body. Besides my love for suits and Italian shoes, there is still a part of me that loves a great denim and Jordan’s. I always stress comfort and it is rightfully important in the terms of wearing a leather jacket.  Your style is what you make it, but it is also important to know what is stylish.

Leather can be very expensive. If it is not lucrative for you to purchase a real leather, go for a nice faux.  There are many brands that have very well crafted faux jackets that I would buy just because there nice, but nothing better than a soft leather jacket.  The great thing is if you invest in a leather jacket you will have it for a very long time.  Or if you even want to save money you could shop thrifts and vintage boutiques that are popular amongst other merchandise. I totally agree in taking the opportunity to own one of the timeless pieces of fashion. Taking into account how much you will wear it. I think it would be worth your while. Either way you look at it, it is a win-win situation.

Welcome Back The Club Collar Shirt

It’s the return of an old legend. When we think of dress shirts we usually associate and refer to the standard spread collar shirt. When it comes to the club collar, there is a certain look that it gives its wearer. Viewed from a perspective where a man is sharply dressed you could almost mistake the fellow as being a captured image from 50 years ago. This style of shirt is usually used for looks where the actual style is vintage inspired. Also known as the Eton or golf collar for its form of use at the school Eton, this collar style has a rich history. This was mainly because at the time Brooks Brothers were known for giving styles designated names for various garments. Though it is not seen much today in the mainstream society, it is now making its way back as a staple item to put together a chic, dapper outfit. 

This type of collar can be worn pinned or unpinned. This style is better worn with uniquely styled jackets and suits that are less on the formal side. So though most people may not even notice it, someone with class and style will. It shows that you care about the clothes you wear, and you keep attention to detail without it being obvious. Looks like the club collar are very subtle, but can change the image and look of an outfit when viewed by someone who knows fashion. Sometimes when you wear dress shirts a lot, the look can get old. This is an alternative to change up your daily line up.  It is important to always keep your look fresh and new. For people who don’t really like to come completely out of their comfort zone, this collar style would be a good pick. It is different, but at the same time it is relevant in the history of American menswear. 

Why All Men Should Have a Tailored Suit

Tommy Ton (GQ.com)

So by now I am sure that everyone can sense my infatuation for a beautiful tailored suit. Though many are very expensive, there are still ways that you can get that tailored look. Getting your suit to fit does not mean that you have to go to the most expensive menswear shop in your local city. Though their merchandise is excellent, a man in an expensive suit can also wear it all wrong. There are people that I have come across who look really sharp and purchased a blazer they are wearing from a thrift shop or Goodwill. Besides the suit fitting very well, you have to have some sort of individual style to give it that custom look. I can go on for days about how a suit can make you feel, but until you try the tailored look for yourself you will never have a clue.

Personally, whenever I wear suit, it gives me a certain confidence in my appearance. At this point in time I do not dress up every day but I am getting the feeling that I may have to in the near future. There would be no problem if I had to everyday, I like the look. I also noticed that young women out-dress men when it comes to public events. Let us use a night club for example. If you were to go to a club in your major city or town you will find that the women are always in dresses and high heels of some sort. This is definitely not the case for men. I want to be the exception to that notion. If women can throw on their best for a night at the club so should we. It only makes sense being that what you put on is the best way to interpret who you are as an individual. I can almost guarantee that if you stroll up to a club in a nice tailored suit, you will be treated differently as you would if you were in regular casual clothes. I plan to try this out one day. Not that I am a flashy person, but I like to stand out. If I show up in a suit I will get treated with respect. Overall that’s the whole idea. It is all about the image. I want to be perceived as the gentleman I am. So it is only right that I dress and look the part.

Why Less Is Sometimes More

Sometimes we over think what we want to wear.  Me personally I have this problem in the morning.  I do not know why I choose to wait until then to pick out what I want to wear.  Maybe it is because I really don’t know how I am going to feel until the day actually gets here.  Emotion plays a big part in what we decide to wear for the day.  It also shouldn’t take us half of an hour to figure out what we are going to wear.  We are men, and men are simple human beings.  So it should be a simple task for us to get dressed.  Like every other situation that we approach, we should just go with our gut instinct.  When I take a while to figure out my outfit for the day it never comes out the way I wanted it to.  Then again the days that I am like half asleep dressing my self while I step out the door are the days where I feel the one with what I put on for the day.  There may also be problems with comfort ability of the clothes that you choose.  

With me comfort is everything.  Comfort is easier to pick as well because you can familiarize yourself with comfort in the early mornings.  Simple works well for just about any event or occasion.  If you decide to attend a dinner party, just throw on a black suit and a pocket square.  Keep it easy and refined.  I feel comfort connects with the concept “less is more” cohesively because you never over do your self or the image that you want to perceive.  When you have a lot going on with your outfit it may be too much for someone to interpret the style and image you are trying to perceive.   Your style tells a story, so you don’t want what you are wearing to tell the wrong story about you.  If you are true to your self what you wear will show that.  You do not need expensive brands or labels all over your clothes for people to see or think that you are well dressed.  It is all about how you carry yourself and how you are away of how aesthetically pleasing your clothes look on your body.  In a way the art of a well-dressed man is a science.  Though it can be complex depending on your interpretation, it is not rocket science.  Keep it simple keep it sharp and always remember that less is more. 

My 10 Most Stylish Men Of All Time

Michael Jackson

There is something that I always loved about Michael Jackson’s wardrobe.  Not that I would wear most of it, but his clothing was always intricately made.  I mean all of his clothes were custom.  Hey, he had the money to pay for things like that.  I think a lot of people underestimate the vision and work it takes to make his costumes and wardrobe.  They never looked that exaggerated because his normal wardrobe was very similar.  From a gold plated chest plate or that infamous crystallized glove, Michael Jackson was the man.

The Rat Pack

The style of the Rat Pack has been attempted time and time again.  That alone gives this crew of stylish friends a reason to be on my list.  Besides loving the original Ocean’s 11 and Frank Sinatra’s classic music, The Rat Pack more than anything were well-dressed gentleman (all the time).  That is the real reason why they made my list.

 Justin Timberlake

There are some people that look great in just about anything. Justin Timberlake is no exception.   The young Timberlake is one that shows how style is suppose to be effortless.  Though people pay close attention to it, the best just exude it with no thought or regard.  You can never go wrong with a suit, and to be able to perform and dance around in one and still look cool is also a plus. 

 Kanye West

Kanye has not been in the entertainment industry as long as the other members of my style list.  That goes to show you the impact he has had on men’s fashion in the last 7 years.  When he first started out as a rap artist he followed suit by saying he was the best dressed.  Some people may have looked at this as a arrogant act of self glorification, but honestly he was right.  Mr. West seems to always be 10 steps ahead of everyone.  His love for fashion has even landed him design gigs for Louis Vuitton where he had his own collection of luxury sneakers.  Kanye’s style is an important part of his image, and he is becoming a trailblazer for men’s fashion.

 Pharrell Williams

Some people like to be unconventional, and some people like to stay more conservative.  When the two are mashed up into one concoction of a man who feels reaching for the sky is limiting yourself, you get Pharrell Williams.  There are times that I would look at the outfits that Pharrell wears and it would make you think, “Who would wear that”? To me I would ask that because it sometimes seems bizarre, but that’s what makes Pharrell so righteous and cool.  To be honest it is expected if you know the type of person he is.  From a music standpoint his image reflects his music.  That is called staying true to your self, a key factor in having great style.

 Paul Newman

This is a man who finds that less is more.  Paul Newman has a certain aura about him that is fairly relative with all of us.  With his decisive picking of roles you can sort of gage what Mr. Newman likes as a man.  Newman is known for making a plain white t-shirt a staple piece that can be used frequently in many different ways. Though in real life he was not Cool Hand Luke.  He still remained one of the most cool, calm, and collected individuals I have come across in the entertainment industry.  I also find myself to be a cool mellow guy. Maybe that’s why I find inspiration through his style.

 Steven McQueen

When I think of Steven McQueen, I think of fast cars pretty women and luxurious lifestyles.  Known as “The King of Cool”, my rendition of McQueen’s life is everything I would imagine an eligible bachelor would like to live.  There is a certain dream we envision when it comes to the life of the actors we know and love.  Though in many of his movies he is perceived as swanky and well dressed, the man makes the clothes. No matter what the circumstance or atmosphere, McQueen always looked cool. I think that’s why I really like him. 

 Sydney Poitier

Actors are looked upon in society as these individuals who are trendsetters.  Thinking about the time that Sydney Poitier was popular in Hollywood were hard times for African-Americans.  Poitier was more than just an actor to the black community. He was a leader, visionary, and trendsetter.  He paved the way for many actors today.  Even one of my other picks for this list played one of his best roles (A Raisin In The Sun).  I feel I would not be doing this list justice by not putting him on it.  Hats off to you Sydney Poitier, a living legend.

 David Beckham

I truly have a love for the European lifestyle when it comes to fashion.  David Beckham is a prime example of a modern day young stylish European.  I think one of the reasons why I like his style is his influence from American culture.  It gives me something to connect with when I see what he wears and think, “I would wear that”.  His style is very edgy at times but is very classy when it comes to formal wear.  There has to be a balance of the two, and I think Beckham is a good example of that.

Sean Combs

When I think of Sean Combs, I of course cannot forget about his alter egos.  With the numerous images of the legend, it must take a man with a vision to keep up with them all.  In a way ego plays a big part in a man’s style and confidence.  Besides always looking sharp, Combs is also an entrepreneur managing an enterprise.  He is the epitome of a modern black businessman.  He has come a long way from the shinny suits.