Dressing in a Zen like Approach

The perfect men's outfit lives in the zen like place that exist between not trying and trying.  Not trying results in a slovenly outfit a kin to a hungover college student or a homeless man.  Trying too hard results in a tense, perfectly measured and overly contrived outfit.  No mistakes, no imperfections, excepts the lack of them.

The zen like approach is when it is just done.  The studying of style and etiquette has been done, the wardrobe has been selected meticulously, the tailor has made sure every piece fit properly and closet has been vetted of the unneeded, the unkempt and the unattractive.  Then the outfit that is created, is an outfit that just happens, it just exists, it lives somewhere between not trying and trying too hard.  It has its flaws, its eccentricities, its favorabilities, it nether perfect nor imperfect.

For me the perfect outfit exists in that zen like place.  The work is done in the preparation of the wardrobe, not in actual outfit.

Benjamin Bixby

Andre Benjamin, aka Andre 3000, has his own clothing line that he designs.  Said clothing like is named Benjamin Bixby, sold in Bloomingdales & at the flagship store in Atlanta.  It would make the most sense that the ATL would be home of the flagship store, since it is Andre Benjamin's home town.

Benjamin Bixby is a line with it roots in Southern Gentlemen style mixed with old fashioned classics.  The Bixby line has beautiful Linen suits, cardigans, and polos.  Some of the other pieces are more inspirational, but it certainly is a well thought out line of clothing.  It has a very unique and definite voice.  The clothing channels Andre Benjamin's own personal style.

I look forward to the release of the Fall 2009 line of clothing.  I would like to see how the line progresses.  I hope the line continues to look good.

It is time to start thinking about Fall clothes

Believe it or not, its time to think about fall, not because the weather change is eminent, but because in the fashion world, the fall clothes are in stores. I like seeing the new seasons clothes, the selections that are available at stores and then make a mental list of what each store is presenting as their trends for the season, what the trends are at each store and what the universal trends that are at every store. I then filter the trends that I see at stores through my own personal style barometer, what trends do I like? What articles of clothing are cool? What articles of clothing are universal? What articles of clothing are so unique that I must pick it up this season, or can I wait for the item to go on sale?

That is probably what I like more than anything else, making a mental list of the pieces in stores that I want to buy and then making a decision will this be around in two months on the sale rack? Or do I need to think about buying it now? If I think I might need to buy it now, I need to decide if I can find it at another store (for cheaper) or if it will be around in another season. If it is truly unique, that is when I pick it up. If it is not, then I will wait for it to go on sale. Most of the time I wait... sometimes I get disappointed, but usually I can pick it up on sale.

Over the next few days I will be posting my take on the fall trends and styles. There are some things I love, others can wait, others we can forget about all together. But I will share my thoughts and opinions.

Oxfords vs. Blucher - The distinction is key

Every man needs a pair of Oxford's in his closet. They are the most versatile and dressy shoe a man can own. They are the go to Wedding shoe, Interview shoe, Funeral shoe and if you don't have a true formal shoe the only shoe in the closet appropriate for Black Tie events. They are classy, simple and go with any suit, can be worn with business casual and with jeans. (Pictured above is a Bruno Magli Cap Toe Oxford). But please do not confuse the Oxford with the Blucher.

The Blucher is a casual shoe. It was originally designed to be worn on weekends and is a setup down from the Oxford. It is less elegant and very limited in its use. It can only properly be worn with business casual. It is not be worn with a suit, on an interview, wedding or funeral. And it must never be worn to a black tie event. The worst thing about Bluchers and Oxfords is that most shoe companies mislabel Bluchers as Oxfords. Search for a Cap Toe Oxford online and your search results will be inundated with Bluchers. Do these companies, which make and sell shoes for a living even know the difference? Do they care?

The distinction is simple. Pictured below are two examples of Bluchers mascerading as Oxfords (Giorgio Brutini on top and Johnston & Murphy on the bottom). The difference is how the laces are connected to the vamp. The Vamp is main front portion of the shoe. On a Blucher the laces are placed directly on top of the vamp. On an Oxford the vamp covers the laces creating a throat line. (Here is a great diagraphm of the anatomy of an Oxford). By having the vamp cover the laces and the creation of a throat line, the Oxford has a more finished and polished look. It ends up with a more sophisticated look which allows the shoes to be more a functions that require best dressed attire.

Next time you go shopping beaware of difference and choose appropriately. Go for an Oxford and leave the Bluchers for everyone else.

Persol sunglasses

Like a lot of the best things in fashion, Persols are made in Italy. The
name comes from Italian "Per Sol", meaning "For the Sun". Persols are the
best made sunglasses in the world. They have the style you'd expect from a
classic and the amenities you'd except from a luxury brand. Persols also
focus on making glasses, so they are as focused on the utilitarian function
of the glasses as much as the fashionable look. Throw into the mix that
they have been worn by some of the coolest men in the world and you can
understand why they are legendary.

Steve McQueen wore the infamous blue lens Persol 714 in the Thomas Crown
affair. James Bond (Roger Craig) wore two different pairs of Persols in
Casino Royale (pictured are the Persol 2720). Persols have also been donned
by other celebrities: Jack Nicholson, Richard Gere, Paul Newman, Roberto
Rossellini, Cindy Crawford, Nicolas Cage, Pierce Brosnan, Brad Pitt,
Angelina Jolie, Christian Slater, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Heath Ledger, Al
Pacino, George Clooney and Adrien Brody.

Persols are recognized by the classic metal hinge which looks stylish as
well as adds support to the folding arms. Each arm is designed with two to
four lines on it. These lines are utilitarian in nature making the arms
bend to prevent damage when you sit on them, or your child squeezes them.
Steve McQueen's Persol 714s even have hinges built in the bridge and the
arms, so they can be carried easily in a pocket.

Let us here at DF know if you have any other favorite glasses or sunglasses
brands.

Cuff Links

Cuff links are a great way to dress up a shirt, but they are also a way to show off your personal style and add flair to otherwise fairly normal and conservative outfit. These cuff links certainly add a little bit of rebellion and flair to wardrobe.

Up top are Ravi Ratan's James Bond Casino Royale cuffs

The Football cuff links are also Ravi Ratan. He makes an entire series of cuff links for each NFL and MLB team, chic way to show some team spirit. Especially in a stuffy office environment.

The Skull & Bones and the Multicolored checkerboard cuffs are both by David Donahue. I thinking adding details like Skull & Bones cuff links (done as exquisitely as these) can really show off your personality without offending anyone or sacrificing your dandy fashion sense. I think these are the cuff links are perfect for James Dean.

The last pair of cuff links are by Burberry. I think they would look impeccable with a Burberry scarf in the winter. The subtle connection between the two patterns is so understated it would almost seem accident, it would never come off as too perfect or too much of a match. The perfect combination, anything more than that with this pattern would seem too much like a Burberry catalogue ad, just not appropriate for real life.