Power Color

So often people feel that power colors are red and yellow. It is said that wearing those colors in a tie or an outfit will bring others attention, make the wearer denote strength and importance. While at Modern Dignified we do not disagree, we do feel that there is a color that trumps all others. A color that is worn by the most powerful men in world as statement color.  That color is pink.

Pink is worn by powerhouse men of business and politics. Two professions where outfits are crucial to the way a person is perceived. If pink did not give the wearer an air of superiority mixed with confidence and kindness, then it would not be in their wardrobes.

Pink is donned regularly by Donald Trump, President Bill Clinton and even President Barack Obama. It is stylish and statement about their manhood and career. Pink is power personified.

Next time you want to come off as powerful, try going for a pink shirt, pink tie or pink accent.

Subtle Sprezzatura - Color

I wanted to utilize the Morris Stockholm Spring/Summer 2010 collection to overemphasize the use of colors in a wardrobe.  Colors can add artful dishevelment to an outfit, a bold carelessness that makes an outfit pop.  Mixing non-matching colors in a seemingly nonchalant fashion, is exactly what sprezzatura is all about.  It is making the planned look unplanned, careless and artful.  While Morris Stockholm's use of color is anything but subtle, the lessons are easily learned for one's own wardrobe to use subtly or boldly.

Mismatching colors, textures and styles is often all it takes for an outfit to have that sprezzatura element it needs.  While mixing and mismatching colors takes a strong personal style, it is incredibly powerful and easily makes an outfit a standout.  The outfit above pairs bold red F-You pants with a classic light blue summer blazer.  This is worn over a white rugby shirt with a pink shirt underneath.  It is finished with a blue belt and a navy tie.  Essentially, the outfit is only two colors: the red family (pink & red) and the blue family (light blue, blue & navy) with a neutral white to balance the outfit.  Initially this outfit looks thrown together and the colors look mismatched, but instead they are two complimenting color family, used boldly.

Lets take a look at another Morris Stockholm color juxtaposition.  Here the dark green shoes compliment the sea green shirt while the salmon cardigan adds an additional pop on the outfit, off setting the match and adding depth to the outfit and color palate.  Like the white above, the khakis are used as a neutral that completes the look.  The bold green shoes are an unexpected pop of color for the outfit and they don't directly match the rest of the outfit, while still being complimenting.

With this summer mix, we can see that again Morris Stockholm use colors to add nonchalance to the outfit.  The pink & blue sweater vest, purple shirt, red pants and red pocket square all match, but non of them directly and obviously.  Like above, this outfit is made up of the red color family and the blue color family, which includes purple.  This outfit looks artfully disheveled and unorganized, but instead it is carefully crafted to look just the opposite.

Morris Stockholm continues to use these color principles through out the Spring/Summer 2010 Collection.  Notice how masterfully the colors subtly match and initially look mismatched.  Remember to keep to the color families and have fun mismatching colors in your own wardrobe.

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

  

 

Spring Essentials - Silk Knit Ties

At Modern Dignified we recommend that every closet should have multiple silk knit ties, which isn't coincidentally one of the best retro items of recent memory. This preppy classic is back with a vengeance. It is now slimmer, bolder and a great addition to any wardrobe. The silk knit tie adds texture to a suit and shirt combination, which makes the outfit more visually appealing. It also is a more casual, but still proper version of the suit & tie. While we would not suggest wearing this for power meetings, it certainly will not be shunned during a normal day at the office. The knit tie is a great way to throw a curve ball into an outfit and keep everyone guessing, especially if it has a bold pattern, a bold color or both.

 

The silk knit tie is perfect for spring, as it compliments linen, cotton and wool. The knit tie also is often the bold statement that an outfit needs to compliment the bold sun in the sky. Bright shinny days call for bright, bold colors, while the cold, dark days of winter call for darker, richer tones. Once spring hits it is time to break out the colors that come with some attitude.

 
Our favorites are the patterned ties for this spring. Whether it be polka dots or stripes the silk knit tie is certainly looks great with a pattern.  Currently a lot of designers and tie makers from Ralph Lauren to online tie retailers have knit ties in expressive patterns.

 

The knit tie do its unique texture looks equally good with jeans, a suit or a cardigan. Sometimes a standard silk business tie can look stuffy when worn with a more relaxed outfit, but the silk knit tie will instead just look cool. It is a fun tie to wear, a great tie to experiment with and it is now a Spring Essential.

Style Profile - Ign Joseph

Sometimes a fashion statement can be as simple as brightly colored socks.  Ign. Joseph has created a fantastically eclectic and unique style out of exquisite shoes, navy blazers, gray slacks and socks that pop with color.  Ignatious Joseph makes great shirts and clothes, they are well tailored and come in bold colors and patterns, without losing their classic feel. 

The bright burgundy shoes and bold socks seem to fit perfectly with the classic feel of the rest of his outfits.  And since the socks and shoes are so powerful, it seems appropriate that the pants don't reach the shoes and in fact are tailored to expose his bold decisions. 

Normally, I would frown upon the dramatically shortened pants, but Ign. Joseph owns the look and makes it seem quite normal.  Even without the shortened slacks we all can learn to brighten up an otherwise ordinary outfit with a bold choice in hose.

Morris Stockholm: Fall 2009 Collection

Morris Stockholm called their Fall 2009 collection, Preppy Autumn.  An apropos name for the feel and look of the Fall collection.  I have become a fan of the Morris Stockholm look.  A look that is preppy, sprezzatura, carefree, classic and modern.

Morris Stockholm utilizes the classic F' 'em pants in the both their Spring and Fall collections.  Appropriately, the Fall collection are strong classic colors, base colors; red, blue & green.  The Spring F' 'em pants are in pink, pastel blue & pastel green.  Each season the color pallet changes and this is well recognized in the collections.  Heavy usage of colors, but the appropriate colors for each season.

A classic corduroy blazer, with elbow patches and leather buttons in a modern slim fit.  The sleeves are trim, which make the blazer look quite trim.  Navy patterned tie and patterned v-neck sweater, worn over a blue oxford shirt.  This is a nice combination of colors and patterns.  I also like the combination of wheat colored coat with gray slacks.  A mix of colors that is quite fall.

The lines on this outfit are very modern: slim, trim and clean.  The jacket is beautifully cut and in loud and broad colors in a great plaid pattern, this jacket will certainly stand out in the crowd.  I also love the tan shoes, both color and cut. 

The clean cut blazer in this outfit is gorgeous.  It is elegant, classic and has a modern cut, a great mix of two worlds.  The purple socks are an amazing touch with this outfit.  They are a pop of color that is otherwise not in the outfit.  That is the definition of artful dishevelment, sprezzatura.

I love the red flannel lining the underside of the jackets collar.  It adds a great unique element to an otherwise classic jacket.  And with this kind of jacket, you should actually be wearing it with the collar popped.  On overcoats, it is okay, on polos, it is a disgrace to your entire family.

Red plaid shirts are quite popular right now.  They are being worn in a variety of ways, but paired with tan/wheat colored corduroy pants it is not seen that often.  It is a great way to wear the shirt without channeling lumberjacks or farmers.  The oilcloth jacket is nice as well.

The story here is the red scarf with an otherwise purple outfit.  This is a beautiful mix of colors, but a very unusual one.  The addition of a red scarf takes this outfit to another level, something to remember when picking out a scarf in the future.

If a red scarf is the story in the last outfit, the red belt is the story in this outfit.  Once again the outfit is trim and modern in the fit.  Which makes the classic pairing look young and modern.  Add a bright red belt, as the sprezzatura element on the outfit, and you have an amazing outfit.

More bright colored F' 'em pants cut in a modern slim fit.  I personally would opt for a charcoal jacket, instead of the black featured here.  I actually think it would help make the whole outfit more cohesive.

Enjoy the weekend.