A slight break from the normal...

Dear Steve

How long ago does it seem since we first met? Both of us so much blonder back then, and both slightly more obsessed with David Beckham. As the years have passed your clothes may have changed, remaining (more or less) stylish at all times, yet from the day we met we’ve been best friends. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

I wish you all of the happiness in the world today, and here’s to as many more birthdays as you could wish for.

Happy Birthday!

Lots of love,

EJ

Oh EJ you are so emotional. Happy valentines day to you (even though you don't believe in it)Thanks for choosing these pictures (there are far worse photos out there). I have had a very nice, quiet birthday in preparation for all of the weekend hijinks. I can't believe how long I've known you for. It's not my age that makes me feel old (24 is a fine age!) but the fact I've known you so well for so long. May we best friends for another 5 years atleast and let there be plenty of style changes along the way!

Much love

xxxx

The search for the perfect day bag

Over the last few weeks my consumerist attentions have gone off a number of different directions but the one constant longing has been that of a day bag. I have a number of different bags in my possession but the bulk of them fall in the weekend bag category and are deemed too large for everyday use. I am on the lookout for the perfect, universal everyday bag. Something that allows me enough storage space for my Poloaroid camera, a magazine (I have to carry a magazine at all times), a good book (I really have to get back into the habit of reading literature), my notebook, pen and possibly essential toiletries. I have fallen in love with the below bag from Topman Design but I fear it might fall into weekend bag territory.

I might need some help on this one...If I had the money I would invest it wisely in a bag by Jas M.B. like this one but unfortunately New York has robbed me. A little shopping trip lies in store for me this weekend, I have to put an end to this quest and hopefully a store like Hurwendeki can help.

The only sunglasses to wear inside a club

Am I mad to want a pair of these sunglasses?

My love for Daft Punk has been documented at great length on this blog and although the purists out there didn't like Kanye West reworking the song, I loved it and can't get enough of Kanye right now. Seriously, he was featured in this months Vogue where he gave his pick of the shows and he had some insightful and interesting points. Anyway, enjoy the performance!

Oh my god, I just fangirled so much I almost passed out. The.. the.. the EVERYTHING! I'm off to Cyberdog now to get me some of these. But first I might just have to watch that again...

EDIT: Pants, all the versions of this have been taken down on YouTube... anyone know where we can find a copy? I'm desperate to watch this again!

Blues on purpose

I've been more than a little neglectful of this here blog the past week or so, and while I could blame this on starting my new job, my visit to London or my side projects (ahem) including helping out at Independent Fashion Bloggers, really it's just been a mild case of the blues. I got blase and suit blind. Lovely as the offerings from the various fashion weeks have been, I got a bit... bored. I know, I know, there was a huge range of stuff out there, but some weeks it's just hard for me to find. I busied myself reading my latest blog crush, finishing my long neglected Christmas book and avoiding the last of the unpacking.

Thankfully, I wasn't sick of music... and Outkast were there to restore my interest in men's clothes. While So Fresh, So Clean has been a bit of anthem for me when it comes to getting dressed, it's the video the Whole World that reminds me that there's more to stylish men than suits...



... there's multi-coloured capes, top hats and skeleton make up as well! Every single time I watch this video I just want to dig through my wardrobe and play dress up in the classiest ways possible. Plus, who can possibly be sad when dancing to Outkast?

Is the Vanishing Point going unnoticed?

Just as I was leaving New York I had a few moments to kill as the gf was packing up (frantically cramming things into her suitcase and, when that was full, mine) and I read an article in the New York Times. The point of the article was that over the last few years the body shape of the male model has changed, the preferred frame aesthetic is now much leaner than before and whilst everyone worries about thin female models, the skinny man goes unnoticed.

The article refers to Slimanization - the dominance of the scrawny kid at castings.

It is certainly true that the sleekness of Dior Homme suits made other designs appear boxy and old. I actually took a class at Uni for my Law and Sociology degree titled Masculinities which explored, amongst other things, the Male Body and back then in 2003 a musucular and athletic form was preferred. It was interesting reading the view point of American who are used to seeing muscular male models championed by the likes of athletic menswear brands such as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren. John Bartlett is interviewed and says "The eye has changed. Clothes are now tighter and tighter. Guys are younger and younger. Everyone is influenced by what Europe shows." It is true that designers like Raf Simons, Prada and Slimane champion the scrawny and younger guy so this leaves the big, powerful models of old even unable to squeeze themselves in sample sizes. Demian Tkack an Argentine model has the last words within the article "I understand the designers are not looking for a male image anymore. They're looking for some kind of androgyne."

The image used in the article, models Sascha Kooeinga (left) and Artem Emelianov (right).

Should we be ranting and raving about the state of male models in the way in which has recently taken place for Womenswear or is this the scrawny kid getting their own back on all those guys who used to kick sand in their face on the beach? Personally I feel that trends go round and around, this has just been the time where the thin guy takes the limelight as androgyne prevails. As tastes and fashions evolve,masculinity should not be measured by the size of a man's bicep but by a myriad of complimentary and contradictory facets. If people believe that the scrawny ideal is an unhealthy ideal as they champion the more butch body, then they forget how unhealthy the road can be to reach this ideals. A fact that has stayed with me ever since those uni lectures is that if the Wolverine (a member of the X Men) action figure was lifesize his biceps would measure 48 inches. Is a waist of twenty eight inches more or less unhealthy than a body (Wolverine's) of such celebrated (allbeit caricature like) of masculinity? In conclusion, as long as the man is 'healthy' there is no need for debate. Let the clothes speak for themselves.

I think this is a very complex issue that I find difficult to discuss briefly here. I will, however, say that while I agree that as long as the man is healthy, then it shouldn't be a big deal, when people are shown only one body type (whether pumped up or super-skinny) it can lead to feelings of inadequacy that can have very negative and strong impacts on men's lives. Whether this is fashion's responsibility or not is very much up for debate.

Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow

I had a day of sightseeing today but was fortunate enough to visit the new Oak store which has only just opened its doors. I can't (or maybe more truthfully the gf can't) go a day without a little window shopping and sandwiched between visits to Ground Zero (where we took advantage of Century 21 - I bought a bargain of a Martin Margiela white t shirt), the Statue of Liberty and China Town was the trip to NoLita. Only five years after opening their flagship Williamsburg boutique (which I visited early on in the trip) Oak co-owners Louis Terline and Jeff Madalena have made the famed East River crossing with great success. The store looks great and is home to some great pieces. The store introduced to new brands to me, Handmade in USA and A-Z (I've looked for links but as yet have been unable to find any) I went away empty handied but this was achieved only through a demonstration of terrific restraint from me. If you are ever in New York you have to visit both of the Oak stores (as they seem to have slightly different stock offerings)

Oak, 28 Bond Street, (between Bowery and Lafayette streets); no phone yet. For more information, go to oaknyc.com.

Observing New York

I must say that I have been surprised by the dominance of one brand since I've been in New York. I had epected to see alot of locals wearing the likes of Nike, Abercrombie & Fitch, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren and of course American Apparel, but these have been insignificant compared to North Face. Be it on the Subway or walking the streets I am confronted by men, women and children sporting jackets and bags from this brand! I am a little scared...

Shopping Diary

I had an easy Sunday morning (and afternoon) in Williamsburg yesterday which began with buying Polaroid film (I just ran out of time before we left London) and then eating brunch at Relish (I had steak and eggs over easy, it was the best meal I've had in New York...it was so damn tasty!). On to shopping, ordinarily I just wander inside and out of shops perusing the rails as I go but this shopping adventure was a little more structured. Yes, I was exploring a new area which offered many a good retail experience but at the same time as I was exploring I was also working to a shopping list. On that list (which was only mental, next time I will write it in my notebook) I had hi tops, raw denim jeans and then the slightly more subjective and vague...interesting pieces. Here is how I got on:

YMC hit tops. If I get bored of the off white leather top I can swap it with a new canvas top as the shoe has a zip fastening to the sole. Two shoes in one!

All of my new purchases forming an outfit. The trousers stand out for me. They are just what I had in mind when i noted them on my shopping list. The jeans fit pefectly, I am an APC 31. Fingers crossed chafing is minimal! I wouldn't wear this outfit all together, it is just used here to illustrate my successful shopping experience in Williamsburg.

Minority top with zip front detailing. This was my interesting piece, so I could tick this one off my list!

My shopping highlights include:
About Glamour - Ridiculously cheap store which mixed designer vintage alongside unknown designers (by me atleast). I had heard that the staff within the Brooklyn stores were a little snooty but the girls here were so helpful and friendly, one of them had even lived in Archway. Anyway as usual I digress. This is my favourite store of New York so far.
Oak - Had a good selection of designers where I took advantage of the strong pound. There was YMC, Y3, Opening Ceremony, Surface to Air on offer alongside some great accessories from the likes of Commes des Garcons, alex and chloe...I could go on and on. In summary this store contained so many items which I was tempted to buy.
A.P.C - This is a surplus store where past seasons have slashed prices (60% off) which are housed in an old bank which has now become a cool shopping space. There was a grey, single breasted wool suit which was extremely tempting but I resisted temptation I bought what I had to buy, a pair of skinny raw denim jeans...all I have to do now is break them in a little, the fear of chaffing is quite a prominent one in my mind right now.

Oh, j'adore the jeans. Clearly the US is the place for jeans since I managed to get two pairs while I was over there too. Speaking of ME, don't forget to bring me present other than the t shirts I've asked for!

The top is very peculiar. I will reserve judgement for when I see it... which, by the way, may be this weekend as I am headed daahn saath. Make sure to have extra exciting things to tell me and enjoy your day of culture!

Style Diary: Travelling and First Day

The all important travel outfit. I am far from a seasoned traveller. The furthest I had ever been prior to New York was Crete which was a four hour journey, this was twice that long and comfort was the key. Before the trip I visited Uniqlo and picked up some great basics. Quite surpisingly the first part of this travel outfit diary is filled with colourful bargains from the store which is seemingly taking over London town and in particular Oxford Street (seriously how many Uniqlo stores can you fit in such a small space?) and prior to this I had never bought anything before. Excuse the below mugshot looking image. I'm not really a psycho killer, blame my crazy stare on jetlag or something.

The 'New York Here I Come' outfit

1 - Uniqlo grey ribbed top

2 - Unconditonal wrap trousers

3 - Omar Kashouri cardigan

4 - Battered old Converse. I am looking for some new hi tops on this trip

The 'New York Here I Am' outfit.

1 - Unconditonal t shirt with bibbed front

2 - Uniqlo red jeans. Red jeans? This has to be my most unusual purchase ever, but I like them. They have a good selection of colourful jeans and these add some colour to my otherwise monochrome focused palette.

4 - Uniqlo (yes Uniqlo again) blue cardigan. I thought I was over cardigans but they are so useful when layering and again this adds colour!

The first day in New York was spent wandering around downtown, concentrating on Soho and Nolita. It was a relatively quiet day because I was just getting used to my surroundings and if i'm being honest a little grumpy because I was tired. The shopping highlight for me was INA, a consignment store which had some interesting items, friendly 'stoned' staff and great music. I tried on a pair of Prada trousers which had stirrups. Unfortunately (or luckily) they were just too short for me, they fitted like a glove otherwise (althought I was a little perplexed by the stirrups). Off to Brooklyn today which has a host of great stores and Brunching options.

I landed in New York last night so I awoke this morning into a world that feels more like a film/tv set than anything else. It is my first time in New York (my first time outside of Europe if i'm being honest!) so I am just getting used to this new world. The best little anecdote that sums up my feelings thus far comes from a walk from the hotel down Fifth Avenue in search of a good breakfast (which we found, I had French toast with Canadian Ham) and I saw a church which looked familar. I then realised that it was the church shown in the Sex and the City episode where Carrie bumps into mr Big who she finds out takes his Mum to church every Sunday (I have seen every single episode multiple times because my flatmates have the box set and are obsessed!). As you can read I'm pretty excited and with good reason. There will be so much to write about and show you over the next 6 days. The shops I visit, the sights I see (good and bad) and I will also share with you my little travel outfit diary, which will begin with my travel outfit alongside the first 'I'm going to fly the British style flag' ensemble that will be posted later on today...but first I need to go out and explore this new yet strangely familar land!