Slim shorts are in this summer. Throw away your cargo pants (you shouldn’t own a pair to begin with) and start wearing a new hybrid in the shorts evolution. "I think the slimmer short is what is in right now," said Jim Moore, creative director of GQ magazine. "It's what all of the retailers are advocating. Try a small check, plaid, or pinstripe tailored pair of shorts. The khaki color is classic and always goes great with everything. The lighter the better I think when it comes to khaki and always stick with flat-front. If you own any pleated shorts, head over the retirement community, they have been expecting you. Slim shorts look more sophisticated with a button up shirt, fabric belt, and a pair of flip flops for a clean, crisp summer look. I personally love polo shirts, and I think they go great with a pair of slim shorts.

A button-down oxford shirt from Ivory, Skulls, & Clover, $88, is worn with Public Opinion slate plaid shorts, $49; Sperry suede Top-Siders, $120; and a Bailey straw fedora, $55 www.nordstrom.com

Hats are a great way to cover up greasy hair, avoid eye contact, and look like everyone else. Well, not really, but I do believe there are several hats that are trendy for guys these days—including baseball caps. I have compiled several thoughts about how to wear hats, what hats to wear, and hats that should be avoided at all costs.

Here’s an example of a hat that only looks good on a select few; the fedora. This hat originated in 1882, when the main character of a play “Princess Fedora” wore the hat as a fashionable accessory. Soon they became popular for men circulating the 1920s. Now I know fedoras are supposed to be chic (even today), but I have come to the conclusion that they are not supposed to be worn on college campuses. Fedoras are unflattering hats, that unless you have a certain face shape and definite jaw structure, they are not for you. So unless you are a long lost member of the Rat Pack; forget about it.

Honestly, if I was a man, I would probably wear a hat every single day. They’re comfortable, easy, you don’t have to fix your hair, and they go with just about everything. Although, there are some times when you just have to let it go. If you checked off even one of the signs above, please put your hat away! You can still keep it as a memorable piece that needs tender loving care, but don’t wear it anymore and go find yourself another beloved hat. There is a great blog (www.hatjunkies.com), where hat connoisseurs can buy, mingle, and inform each other on the latest head wear.

Some hats are to worn on occasion (sombreros) and some hats are never to be worn (trucker hats). As previously stated, I am a firm believer in having your own personal style and not following trends. With that being said, you still don’t want to look like a weirdo. Newsboy caps and military-style hats look universally good on all men. They’re different, fashionable, and little edgy. Beanies and ski hats should only be worn if it’s winter. And cowboy hats should really only be worn on legit cowboys. Exceptions include; costumes, western-horse-related activities, or camping. And of course, the classic baseball hat works too.

Want to know when to retire your favorite baseball hat? Here are the signs that it’s time to say goodbye…

1) When it smells like your scalp.

2) If it was originally white and then “mysteriously” turned brown.

3) If people say that you’ve worn the same hat for 10 years and it’s falling apart.

One last point—hats should be worn completely on your head.

May the force be with you on finding that new favorite hat.

The Oscars are usually the one award show when people keep it elegant and do their best not to stray from the boring "black-tie" dress code. Something I love to see is when guys take matters into their own hands with little twists on Oscar fashion. My favorite this year was Robert Downey, Jr. He had a colorful bowite, sneakers and an attitude to make it all work perfectly. 


Next on my list is Tom Ford. In my eyes, this fellow Texan can do no wrong. Behold...

 

Jake Gyllenhaal also chose the more traditional tuxedo look but opted for a slimmer bowtie. I really like the look of the bowtie because it is not the standard size. Anyone that knows me well knows that I HATE to blend in and its the little details like this that make your ensemble unique. 

And finally, a less traditional look from Zac Efron. While I like that he did something different with the skinny tie, I rather prefer bowties and therefore I cannot stand behind this look 100% . Sorry Zac!! [but you still look better than half the other guys on that Red Carpet]

 

Got comments/questions? Email me at the address below! 

-Farzad
farzad@themensfashionblog.com

Much like his runway shows, which never fail to shock (in a good way), Alexander McQueen has left the world in a state of shock (in a bad way) with his apparent suicide. He was a great designer and friend to many. TheMensFashionBlog would like to pay tribute by sharing some of our favorites of his designs from the past couple of years. 










-Farzad
farzad@themensfashionblog.com

Tell us what you think. Livin La Vida Loca or Glambert?

I remember when I was in grade school, glasses were usually only for the nerdy kids. In high school, it was all about contact lenses; you never knew who used them for the colored-contacts or for the actual necessity. Personally, as a life-long wearer of glasses, I've always tried to find the least "old-man" style of frames possible. I actually had Lasik done when I was 20 but my vision was so bad, I had to get glasses again when I was 23. I don't mind though, I LOVE my glasses.

Nowadays there are so many companies and designers making frames to fit our modern-day style. No more giant-nerd glasses, no more "coke-bottle" lenses; now we can wear our glasses as an accessory, whether they are a necessity or not.

Check out these handsome frames from California-based Raen Optics. They offer a variety of both prescription frames and sunglasses. For more info, visit their website RaenOptics.com.

The Regan

The Ryko

The Underwood

The Casbah

The Squire

Got questions or comments? Email me!

-Farzad
farzad@themensfashionblog.com

 Something that I have always tried to do with my sense of style is to make it my own. Everyone has their own way of doing this and it's something that can't really be explained. You've either got the touch or you don't [Sorry to those who don't! That's what we're here for...]

For me, I've always stuck to a similar style. I'm almost always wearing jeans, a buttoned shirt and sneakers. Of course, my jeans fit perfectly, my shirt is always pressed [or steamed] and my sneakers are [almost] always clean. It's what I feel comfortable in for day-to-day wear and it seems to fit my lifestyle very well. 

The sneakers are quite frequently by Converse. I do have a large [and growing] collection of Converse and I have to say that my fave's are the most recently acquired Grey Jack Purcell's that my grandmother gave me as an early Christmas gift. [She's the best!]



One way that you can personalize your style is to create your own sneakers!! When I say i've got an obsession for Converse, I'm not lying [umm...20 pairs and counting]. When I found out that you can design your own Converse in just about all of their styles, I literally almost fell out of my chair. 

If you are interested in making your own Converse, check out Converse.com for more info and to get started on your design. 
farzad@themensfashionblog.com

p.s. here's a super small pic of my design... Jack Purcell Product(RED)'s in all red except for the blue back piece and off white laces and rubber. It even says TMFB!!!! Though I'm not sure you can see it. 

 


-Joey
joey@themensfashionblog.com

Both New York and London's Fashion Weeks came to a close recently and with them came a slew of new trends to look out for in the new year (which is only 3 months away!!). Since I could not be there to cover the shows in person, I've been following them on my trusty iPhone Style.com app and on men.style.com. Now that all the shows and pictures have been updated, I'll take you through just a few of my favorite looks for Spring 2010. 

Moschino
 I know I've previously done a post about Moschino's Spring 2010 looks but just look at them....they're perfect!! If I could wear these clothes for the rest of my life, I would. Let me tell you what I like about them. 


 
 


Michael Bastian
I'll admit it right now, I'm no fashion expert. I've never claimed to be, I never will be. I think of myself as the ever-evolving fashion student.....as I think we all should. We must always be willing to learn and re-learn. Michael Bastian is sort of the new American classic. Just when we thought "All-American" was rugby shirts, khakis and Sperry's, Michael Bastian's 2010 line proves us all wrong. Although his Spring 2010 line seems to be slightly south-of-the-border-inspired, there a plenty of American elements that bring it right back home. The shorts, the sneakers, the sportcoats and blazers; one of my favorite elements from his collection, the gloves [which were featured on more than the one picture I chose]. While it's not a main article of clothing, sometimes the accessory really makes the entire outfit come together. 




Louis Vuitton
While most people think of Louis Vuitton as solely a handbag or luggage retailer, the design house, currently under the supervision of Marc Jacobs, also is home to a very lucrative clothing line. Personally, I was only fond of a select few of the looks in their entirety. My interest in this show was in some of the individual pieces offered up by LV. Jackets in particular, along with shoes, sweaters and various other things. I was, however, definitely liking the last two complete looks. 

All in all, after looking through all the designers slideshows, I've realized one thing: cropped pants (or rolled cuffs) are in. At least for Spring 2010 they are. Also, with the exception of a few (oversizes-inspired) designers, properly tailored clothing is also very prominent. Keep your eyes open for accessories that will define an outfit....and yes, it's possible; one little thing can completely set you apart from the crowd. 

If you caught something that I didn't and want to blog about it, shoot me an email! We are more than happy to post reader submissions. 

-Farzad
farzad@themensfashionblog.com

Two Movements designer Adrian Correa [right] with model. 

 

Has the combination of American and Mexican cultures affected fashion inspirations?  With Adrian Correa’s line, Two Movements, his inspiration comes from a symbol in the Aztec calendar. He seeks to combine it with the idea of all things that a person has that involve the number "2", such as hands, eyes, legs. He goes further into the mystical aspect of viewing it with the idea of soul mates and so on. Here's the twist, it all must have movement to it. 

With his line and all the research he has done in Europe and Mexico with "underground street look", he is trying to bring something new to El Paso. Of course, and in his own words, he is not trying to make his Women’s line look "Ho Chic" but rather "a street retro look". Adrian describes his Men's looks to be “ fragile....but yet something has to pop out of the coat and the accessories like a watch". 

Adrian created one unique accessory to pop out and intrigue wondering minds. His extravagant stacked glasses attempt to show people how they could look at his line through different points of view. He was inspired to create this look when he saw a man using two different pairs of glasses at the same time, both resting on his head; reading glasses and sunglasses. He thought it was strangely artistic to use two different types of glasses at the same time. 

Some words of advice from Adrian: “ The one thing I hate are crocs....and sandals for suits”.

Yeah....that's a definite no-no, guys. 

In a sense, we all do inspire each other in one way or another. All that should really matter is that you feel comfortable with your distinct look; plus, as long as you wear it with confidence, what does it matter what anybody else says?

For more info on Two Movements and to contact Adrian, check out myspace.com/TwoMovements. 

-Paulina
paulina@themensfashionblog.com