Fashion is an industry that employs a lot of people. It has to move and change its colors at least twice each year in order to sustain itself, which is why we have Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer seasons. (Then there are those extra “Resort” and “Capsule” situations we’re supposed to get excited about now, too.)
Members of elite corporate and political power circles are not known for their personal style. Quite the opposite, actually. The titans of industry who make headlines today practice such a rigorously uninspired, frumpy, Normcore anti-glamour that it must disappoint even the most well-paid prostitutes who show up to their suite at the Mandarin Oriental.
I’ve seen the question asked in every summer in magazines, on blogs and in my own inbox: how do you keep cool in a suit in the sweltering heat?
For the most part, men’s fashion shows or collection look books seem to cater to men in a rock band or to rich, club kid, fashion-slave pop tarts who might as well complete the look with a Michael Kors-branded lunchbox and a Molly-flavored lollipop. Personally, I’m interested in the more grown-up aesthetic that can actually be worn by a confident adult man over thirty-five without trying to recapture lost youth – a filter that really narrows the playing field.
How to go casual is not a problem with men. I never feel a compulsion to write about hoodies, jeans, sweatpants and sneakers because “As-Casually-As-Humanly-Possible” is a powerful and overwhelming chorus that doesn’t need another voice, no matter how many respected designers and luxury brands send them down the runway. As Bill Maher inimitably put it, our country won’t stop until we can hit the mall in Crocs and a diaper.
Put a guy in a situation like a beach, a gym or a JAY Z concert, and he can demonstrate uncanny sartorial appropriateness – even if he’s nowhere near a beach, a gym or a JAY Z concert. But send a guy an invitation to a black tie event and it’s like watching a dog walk on its hind legs.
A few weeks ago, my cousin was in town with his wife and son. He had a window of time and wanted to know where to get a smart summer blazer. I sent him over to J.Crew and told him…
Online custom suit maker Indochino sent out an email detailing the fabric, materials and construction of their suits. Not only were they being very transparent about the construction of their merchandise, but that the email was an obvious response to a growing number of men who are actually interested in this information.
As I see it, the right width of a jacket lapel, the right width of a tie and the right width of a shirt collar are all connected. It’s about proportions, not trends.
Who nailed it, who failed it and who elegantly derailed it...
In terms of colors and patterns, I tend to walk on the quieter side, going with more subdued choices in clothing. I'm not a sartorial screamer looking to get noticed from 100 yards away. My suits are mostly dark, either…