More Spring Essentials - Sperry Topsider

Sperry Topsider is an iconic piece of footwear and has been worn by generations of men on sailboat or by men who wanted people to think they had a sailboat. Due to this Sperry Topsider is synonymous with summer, the beach, boats and sailing, excess money, stylish blokes and everything that comes with that lifestyle. At least that is the heritage of this iconic shoe.

Now, new versions of the shoe are available with slight changes to it's historical roots, but it still represents the same ideals and it still has the same classical style.  Ever brand from J Crew to Band of Outsiders is taking a stab at redefining the boat shoe. While some of the new iterations are quite modern and stylish, there is still something romantic about a pair of weather beaten, salt water soaked, wind whipped Topsiders.  J Crew's version of the Topsider is distressed to simulate this stylish look.  At Modern Dignified we opt for the natural wear and tear of Topsiders, since this is more unique and authentic.   (To speed up the process spend a day at the beach in the Topsiders, wearing them in the water and letting them dry out in the sun. Add a couple of similar trips and the shoes will have accelerated wear and tear).

 

Band of Outsiders opt for a more colorful suede version of the Topsiders.  They also are infatuated with making Topsiders into Chukka boots.  They come in a mixture of colors and textures, but still keeping the iconic nature at the heart.

Sperry has also re-designed a few versions of the Topsiders, including a tieless, slip-on version of the shoe. This version comes in various shades  of brown suede, but unfortunately does not come in the color navy. At Modern Dignified we feel that Navy Topsiders are the optimal color choice. Classic, different than any other shoe in the closet, distinguished and slightly arrogant in the same way as a pink shirt and seersucker suit or a pair of bright F*** You pants, the Topsiders have a little bit of everything.

While it is hard to make a bad choice when it comes to a pair of Topsiders, we prefer the classic Navy, which by the end of July will have worn in look that we desire.  Keep it classic and rock the Topsiders.

Spring Essentials - Alden & J Crew Shoe

The best shoe of the spring is the Alden wingtip in tobacco coloring.  It is the best color to encapsulate spring, since it is light, colorful and classic.  It will go with any color in the closet and help make an outfit sing.  Naturally it goes well with blues, tans, light colors and jeans, but I personally think the best look for this shoe might be with a gray suit.  The unexpected pop of color on the feet with a gray suit would be unmistakably stylish. 

Alden is renowned for being one of the best shoe manufacturers in the world.  To see them teaming up with J Crew is a nice combination, especially when they come out with a classic hit such as these.  The tobacco colored Alden wingtip is only sold at J Crew for $440.

If this Spring's fashions are as cool as this shoe, we are in for a treat.

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.

Spring Essentials - Bucks

White Buck shoes are as classic Spring as they get.  Spring after spring gentleman in the south have been breaking out their white Bucks.  As sure as the flowers bloom, girls wearing sundresses and taxes, the spring has brought us Bucks, year after year.

Well now Bucks can be found at stores everywhere, for good reason.  White Bucks are commonly only sold by classic shoe makers like: Johnston & Murphy, Crockett & Jones and Alden.  Our favorite versions of the Bucks are modern takes on this classic shoe as offered by J Crew and American Eagle.

J Crew is selling their version of the White Buck and Dirty Buck for around $140.  These bucks have a modern texture and color offerings.  A true tribute to the classic.

American Eagle has a pair of Bucks on sale for around $30.  These are a distressed version of the shoe with a very modern silhouette.  These certainly meant for nice suits, but they can help liven up your jeans.

Spring Essentials - White "Natural" Denim

White has made a come back, big time.  It was seen in a lot of fall fashions, including often at the Modern Dignified headquarters.  That momentum is carrying into spring with white or natural or wheat colored denim popping up everywhere and we are quite happy.

Nothing says spring like a plaid shirt and white denim pants.  It is the easiest, simplest and hottest outfit of the spring, just ask my girlfriend.

Once again, J Crew, Band of Outsiders, Brooks Brothers and others have white denim this spring.  But our favorite is American Eagle, they have a natural white denim jean that is only $39 and looks as good as any of the other top designers.  It is in a straight cut and for the cost, just can't be beat.

Spring Essentials - The Bold Plaid Shirt

For good reason the bold colored plaid shirt is a popular choice this Spring, it is a Modern Dignified Spring Essential, every closet needs one.  It should have vibrant summer colors that pop, hopefully against a dark base.  The shirt should be lightweight but dressy enough to look good with chinos, shorts, jeans or even a suit.  Our favorites made this season come from three of our favorite designers.

Gitman Vintage has a full line of plaid shirts, but out favorite is this one with a strong orange accent.  The bright color will really pop on a nice sunny Spring day.  Man, we like think about the sun when it is this ugly out.

J Crew also have a few bright madras plaid shirts.  Once again our favorite features a bold bright color against a dark background.   The red and blues here make for a beautiful combination not often found in the same garment.  This makes the shirt versatile and a statement piece in every closet.

Band of Outsiders have a more traditional plaid shirt, but once again in bright, bold, spring colors.  The yellows, reds, blues and greens in this shirt, once again make it a nice versatile choice.

This Spring, add some bold plaid shirts to the wardrobe.

Spring Essentials - Crew neck Sweatshirt

The most common Spring 2010 Trend we have seen, aside from rolling up the pant legs, is the crew neck gray sweatshirt. This is a look that is seen in every spring fashion show, but is not spotted in stores. It is a vintage look that harkens back to Steve McQueen in the Great Escape (even though his
is blue).

Then Esquire copied the shot for a recent photo shoot using a horribly ugly Steve McQueen wannabe mannequin. With all this modern technology, this was the best they could do as a representation of his face? Did they think no one would notice? It looks as bad as Heidi Fleiss' lip on Celebrity Rehab.

GQ even jumped into the mix with this outfit.

J Crew released an image of a fleece crew neck (top of post) as well as had one featured in their Spring 2010 look book (above), but we have yet to see it in stores.  Except this (just above) $250 crew neck cashmere sweater, which is way too rich for what it is.

Recently, Band of Outsiders joined the party using a crew neck sweatshirt under a suit at New York Fashion Week.

The vintage look, requires a heathered gray sweatshirt, with a triangle stitch at the neck. Orvis makes one, featured above for $69, which can be bought online.   Hopefully, others will reach stores this spring. The crew neck sweatshirt is a nice alternative to the sweater or the t-shirt.  At Modern Dignified we would wear it under a jacket like McQueen or over a shirt like J Crew and GQ show.  Yet another vintage look that is coming back, since it is so stylish.