Style Profile - Vampire Weekend

We all know the typical Rockstar style, while it changes over the years, rarely is it a style that is transferable to people outside of the Rock star lifestyle. That is part of the reason that Vampire Weekend is so refreshing. They have a style that is fairly universal and can be embraced by most people. Not to mention they have good solid rock songs with catchy rifts and addicting melodies. Vampire Weekend is a modern rock band, with the style to prove it.

Vampire Weekend wowed the critiques and fans of music a like with their second album "Contra". It has a sound of their own that stems from a varied and eclectic mix of musical influences. It is neither completely modern nor completely vintage. It is unlike anything else on the radio, yet it is completely familiar. Vampire Weekend is catchy, but not pop. Emotional but not still light and fun. It is a contradiction that turns into good solid rock & roll.

Like the music, Vampire Weekend has a style that lives in an area not quite housed by any other band. They do not dress like Rock stars, or hipsters, or some other trendy classification of style. Instead Vampire Weekend owns a style that is a mix of styles, Hipster shoes and cardigans, mixed with East Coast elements like Pea coats and Buffalo Check, mixed with modern Preppy jackets and boat shoes. Vampire Weekend isn't playing dress-up or imitating these styles instead they are taking all of their influences putting them into an blender and coming out with a look that is uniquely Vampire Weekend.

Whether you like their music, or their style it is nice to see that they are not just a carbon copy of bands that preceded them but instead a band with their identity.

Style Profile - Pharrell

Hopefully, you have heard of Pharrell. He is one of the mastermind behind the Neptunes and N.E.R.D., both of whom fill our airwaves with there aggressive and catchy hip hop beats. The Neptunes have produced beats and albums for all of the top pop artists alive. Pharrell has also added his vocal stylings to some of these tracks, including collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z and P Diddy, among others.

Pharrell isn't blazing trails only in music, he is also doing it with his stylish wardrobe. Pharrell has turned Hip Hop fashion from downright awful to quite appealing. He has embraced bright colors, the use of a tie as an accessory and wears suits as well as he wears hats. Pharrell now have others like, P Diddy and Kanye West following in his stylistic footsteps.

Thankfully Pharrell has brought preppy style and class to Hip Hop fashion while he has also given us some damn good beats.

Style Profile: Norman Rockwell

Currently, I am enjoying looking back in time to how people dressed.  Understanding what truly is meant by vintage, beyond just what is spoon feed us by retailers and designers, but instead what the people of a time period really wore. Or at least what they wore in pictures and in paintings.  Norman Rockwell is a perfect place to look for an honest representation of a time period. His artwork may be idealized in themes and concepts but certainly not in his representation of people's looks and clothes. A few things about Rockwell jump out at me as I studied his artwork and him.

First off, I was impressed with his own personal style. I think that is part of the reason he represented other peoples style in such a flattering way.  He wore appropriately sized suits, great overcoats and hats.  A well dressed man for sure.

Even more impressive is his representations of other people's style.  Take for example the Freedom of speech picture at the top of the blog.  The gentleman in the picture has a vivid blue plaid shirt and well tailored jacket.  He represents the weather patina on the jacket, distinguishing it realizing the style in the man's outfit.  He looks like the man next door, with inherent style.  Take a notice at the gentleman in suits on either side of the protagonist, they both have nice suits worn in a stylish manner.

Take the picture of college student Willie Gillis.  He is casually relaxing in his dorm window reading a book and smoking a pipe.  He has a crew neck long sleeve shirt, brown pants and loafers, a very nice combination that fits him well.  To give the outfit a kick, Rockwell gives Gillis a pair of striped socks.  The reds, yellows, blacks and whites of the sock are the pop that takes the outfit from plain to stylish.

Lastly, take a look at the picture entitled, The Lineman.  Rockwell represents a power line worker in fall or winter in the middle of a repair.  The worker is quite stylish in his work clothes, utilitarian and stylish.  The buffalo check jacket with a hint of a blue workshirt popping out from the collar.  The brown khaki work pants, brown boots and matching leather gloves.  On top of his head is a navy wool cap, keeping hi head warm.  This is an effortless outfit, but still quite stylish.  Amazingly, the outfit feels modern, even now.

Norman Rockwell definitely has style.

Style Profile - Gitman Vintage

After reading the recent GQ I noticed Gitman Vintage popped up a couple of times and on items I really liked.  I immediately had to check the website and was enamored with the style and design that emanates from the brand.  All of the clothes are vintage inspired clothes both in pattern and texture of the shirts.  They certainly show the timeless quality of a great shirt and simultaneously prove not everything from the 80's was un-stylish.  The Gitman Vintage Spring/Summer 2010 collection is inspired by Spring/Summer 1984.  I guess people in the 80's were cool.

The brightly colored are a great addition to the chambray shirts that are hopefully already hanging in your closet, if not, then pick up a Gitman Vintage gray chambray as well.

I have always enjoyed seersucker shirts and suits, since they don't wrinkle ever.  It is even easier to love seersucker when they look this good.

If a handshake can tell you the kind of man you are dealing with, the same can be said for the oxford when it comes to designers.  Oxfords are that essential to every man's wardrobe.  Gitman Vintage does the plain oxfords well, but I personally love there striped oxford.

Gitman Vintage has created a great selection of cotton poplin shirts, every color and design that a man would need.  These would look great under a suit for a modern pop on your favorite suit or could go well with jeans or khakis on a casual weekend.  No matter how you wear these shirts, they are cool and stylish.

Personally, I have never seen a patchwork madras that I would ever wear.  Most of them are so hideous I can not disassociate myself from them fast enough.  Well, that is until I saw this patchwork from Gitman Vintage.  It is perfect for a vacation in some beach town or for a day on the boat with shorts and topsiders.  If you don't own a boat, at least with this shirt you can look like you should.

Whatever your favorite shirt, Gitman Vintage certainly can add some style to your wardrobe and hopefully it can be as timeless as this collection.

Style Profile - Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake has a modern hip style.  He balances a look that effortlessly flows between suits and casual wear, while looking equally as sharp in each.  Part of the ease comes from each outfit being situation appropriate, which is key to any free flowing style.

Timberlake has been able to own certain looks which highlight his style while not defining it.  He often wears fedoras, three piece suits and cuffed jeans, but these elements are not needed in each outfit for Timberlake's style to be complete.

Timberlake also utilizes variations on these key pieces, pairing a cardigan sweater with a leather jacket and tie.  This is a great variation on the three piece suit.  The sartorial contradiction in this outfit, is what I personally appreciate.  The cardigan sweater and leather jacket are not typically worn together, it is this unusual pairing that makes the outfit really stand out.

Here are some additional looks from Timberlake for you to enjoy and gain inspiration from.  He may be one of the better dressed young celebrities in Hollywood.  Hopefully, if our youth emulates his style, our next generation will have a cool and good looking sartorial style.

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.