Casual Trends I’ve Had My Eye On (And Frugal Picks to Try Them Out)

I had a really interesting conversation with a friend the other day. We talked about how tailored, business, formal, or basically any 'suited' style can actually be easier than dressing casually - at least for a guy who wants to put some effort into dressing well anyway. Why's that?

When you put on a suit, or even a blazer with a shirt and tie, you are automatically presented with a set of garments and accessories, and forced to match them appropriately. Every time, you'll have you shirt, slacks and jacket, and then your tie and pocket square. It does take effort, it does take savvy to do it right, but the blueprint is there for you already.

When you dress casually, however, there is a lot more room to maneuver, which actually presents some more complicated issues. On one hand, it's easy to just resort to jeans and a tee - and not be wrong. The right jeans and tee combo can look even better than the most 'sprezzy' tailored fit. However, when you try to go above the basics, that blueprint you had with your tailored clothes, just isn't there. What's your first step? A graphic tee? Some mirrored shades? Stacked bracelets? When do you stop?

Anyway, the point of the issue is, it actually has taken me a lot longer to delve into stylish casual clothing than it did to dive into sharp, preppy tailored pieces. Now that I have the confidence in my style tastes and judgment to do so, I'm enjoying the hell out of it. Hopefully I'll have some interesting looks to share soon. Meanwhile, here are some casual trends I've really been hooked on, as well as picks so you can snag em yourself without breaking the bank:

Lightweight Bombers: Never really were out of style, but they really seem to be all the rage these days. They can sometimes be pretty damn pricey, but at the same time, it’s becoming easier and easier to find affordable options that have some of the same details and styling as high end, luxury goods.

Men's Lightweight Bomber | Old Navy - $45 ($42 at time of posting)

The Lightweight Bomber | Everlane - $68

Chambray Bomber | J.Crew Factory - $118 ($60 at time of posting)

Jogger Pants: Chinos meet streetwear with these cuffed trousers. Maybe hard to pull off in anything close to a tailored or business casual occasion, but they add some edge (without losing the class) to a more casual, off-duty look. And you know what? I could see them with a more relaxed blazer, too.

Twill Jogger Pants | Gap - $50

Jogger Pant in Campus Khaki | American Eagle Outfitters - $40

Regular Cuffed Chinos | ASOS - $47.61

Tailored Fit Jogger Chinos | Publish via Nordstrom - $82

Chore Coats: This classic workwear piece has seen a surge in popularity, probably in large part due to the popularity of visvim and other high end Japanese denim brands that pull from classic Americana styles. Another one that’s often very expensive, Uniqlo is finally offering a pretty stylish and darn affordable piece.

Denim Work Jacket | Pure Blue x Uniqlo - $80

Land’s End also has this one, which I just wish was denim rather than terry: 

French Terry Chore Coat | Land's End Canvas - $128 ($40 at time of posting)

Bold Printed Shirts: Another trend that has admittedly been around for a while now. To be honest, I thought most of the earlier, affordable iterations were just, kinda, poorly designed. Something about them just made it instantly clear that they were not the designer pieces that they were supposed to resemble. These days, however, there are a bunch of budget-friendly brands really doing it right.

Geometric Print Shirt | Frank & Oak - $55 ($25 credit with our referral link) 

Short-Sleeve Popover in Reverse-Printed Floral | J.Crew - $80 ($50 at time of posting)

Clear-frame (or translucent) Sunglasses: I keep seeing these pop up and love them, but the first pair I really drooled over was a crazy expensive pair by Garrett Leight. I’ve since found them on sale a few times, but never in my price range. Searching for cheaper options has largely been a bust, but recently I found a few that I really dig (for the record, I ended up settling on the American Optical pair via eBay, and love them, although the ‘smoke grey’ frames are a bit darker than I’d ideally like).

Clubmaster Sunglasses with Clear Finish | ASOS - $23 ($15 at time of posting)

Safety Glasses | American Optical via eBay (~$35) or Independence ($70)

Black Waxed/Coated Jeans: This is maaaybe the first mark NYC is making on my style - the edgier, kinda rocker look is much bigger here than in Chicago. Also, not working at a law firm any more is giving me the opportunity to explore my casual tastes more, and has me interested in trying moves along these lines. Just avoid anything too shiny, or it’ll look like leather...tooo rock and roll, man. Those H&M numbers might be pushing it, gotta check em out in person.

1969 Slim Fit Jeans (Coated Black Pigment Wash) | Gap - $80

Waxed Jeans | H&M - $50

OK, I'll leave it at that, but this is one where I'd really love to hear your input - both as to the original discussion at the beginning of the article, as well as any casual trends you have your eye on. Share below!

Music Festival Style (Do's and Don'ts)

Here in Chicago, all the hype this week is in anticipation of Lollapalooza coming up this weekend. Personally, I’m a bigger fan of the smaller fests (with better lineups, IMO) like Riot Fest in September, or Pitchfork a few weeks ago, but there’s no avoiding the hubbub that comes with the Windy City’s biggest annual fest. Appropriately, I’m turning my eyes to festival style, and we’ve got a quick guide to keeping you good-looking while you rock out with your..well...you get the idea. 

The best thing about trying to stay stylish at a summer music fest? The competition is darn slim, if any, which makes it easy to pick just a few easy updates and come out looking sharper than your average bear. Below, we walk you through the transition from schlubby festival-goer to presentable young music enthusiast to sophisticated-gent-who-just-happens-to-be-enjoying-the-tunes. Avoid the first, aspire to the third, and be proud and satisfied if you land in the middle. 

Shoes:

         
           AVOID                             ACCEPT                                              ASPIRE

People tend to just go for comfort, with no regard to style, and fest footwear is the perfect example of this tendency. Thinking only of the heat, they opt for flip flops (or, thinking only of standing on their feet, go for some sort of running shoe or gym shoe). What a lot of guys don’t realize, is that you can be comfortable and stylish. White canvas sneakers give a laid-back, continental vibe that just gets better as they get beat up (which is never a bad quality to have at a music festival). The breathable fabric keeps your feet cool, while the sneaker sole will be comfortable. Of course, if you want to take things up a notch, you can rock some slick penny loafers and no-show socks, or camp mocs for something a bit (just a bit) more rugged. Just remember that there’s a decent chance you’ll walk through the mud, get your feet stepped on and scuffed, etc., so pick a leather that can take a bit of a beating and leave your luxury leathers and suede at home.


Bottoms:

  AVOID                                  ACCEPT                                      ASPIRE

I’m not sure where people get the idea that gym clothes or pajamas are appropriate clothing to wear in public, all day long, but they’re wrong. End of story. Not only do your mesh shorts make you look like a 12 year old carpooling home from soccer practice, but they are also actually very impractical, and make for a sure-fire way to lose your ID, cash, and keys along with your dignity. Just as we recommend chinos over sweatpants, here we suggest that you opt for some chino shorts to beat the heat but stay sharp and sophisticated. All the appropriate pockets are included, and a crisp, lightweight cotton will be cooler and more comfortable than nylon athletic shorts anyway. To up your style quotient like a true gentleman, linen trousers are the way to go - the fabric is cool and breezy enough to make you forget you aren’t wearing shorts. Press them sharp in the morning, and then embrace the wrinkles as the day goes on for the perfect air of gentlemanly nonchalance.  



Tops:

  AVOID                                  ACCEPT                                      ASPIRE

To be perfectly honest, if you’re nailing the shoes and bottoms, your shirt becomes way less important - but notice we didn’t say, ‘your shirt doesn’t matter at all.’ Sure, even a band Tee or tank top will look OK when worn with some chino shorts and white canvas sneaks, but we still don’t recommend it. Rocking a short sleeve OCBD takes just as little effort, keeps you just as cool and unencumbered as you dance your pants off, and yet remains a sharp enough option to wear right to the bar after the show and have no hesitation making moves on that pretty gal (or guy) making eyes at you from across the room. Now, if you’re taking our high-style route, a Tee won’t even come close to cutting it. The SS OCBD won’t fail you, but take the opportunity to be a bit more fashion-forward and grab a popover - find one with a sharp print to embrace two shirting trends at once. 



Shades:

  AVOID                                  ACCEPT                                      ASPIRE

Accessories are no time to start slacking off, either, although we do understand if you want to avoid bringing $100+ sunnies into an environment where there’s a pretty decent chance of them getting lost, stolen, or demolished. That said, those $5 ‘wayfarers’ you picked up at the convenience store on the way in - the ones with neon arms and mirrored lenses - have the power to negate every other style move you’ve made and leave you firmly planted in ‘obnoxious fist-pumping frat boy’ sartorial territory. If you want to stick with something inexpensive, the same stores that you go to for affordable takes on high fashion will treat you right - we’re talking H&M, Topman, Zara, etc. Stand out from the crown with some on-trend clear frames, or imitate the classics with a pair of vintage-y aviators. Now, if you actually trust yourself to take care of something a little more valuable, get the real deal - we’d go for a pair of Ray-Ban clubmasters to channel some off-duty Don Draper.


Hat:

  AVOID                                  ACCEPT                                      ASPIRE

Whether it’s to keep the sun and sweat out of your eyes, or to adopt a more outgoing, music-loving vibe, a lot of guys will end up throwing on a hat that they would never wear otherwise. Unfortunately, that ratty baseball cap is far from the most efficient instrument to protect your eyes, and that Backstreet Boys fedora makes you look less like a hipster troubador than you think (if that’s even a look worth aspiring to). Honestly, we think the best middle-ground here is to forgo the hat entirely. Shove a bandana in your back pocket to wipe away the sweat, and let your shades do the heavy lifting when it comes to blocking the sun, and a hat really isn’t necessary. You’ll have one less thing to keep track of, and lose one more chance of throwing off your much-improved festival ‘fit. Of course, though, if you’re looking for top-notch style, a real, grown-up hat can be the touch to tie the whole outfit together. Just don’t shy away from a substantial brim (an easy way to avoid that adolescent Justin Timberlake vibe), and be ready to throw down a few pesos for quality. 


The Outfits (In Full):

  AVOID                                  ACCEPT                                      ASPIRE

Accept:
White Canvas Sneakers by Converse
Chino Shorts by J.Crew Factory
Short-Sleeved OCBD by Frank & Oak
Sunglasses by Topman

Aspire:
Penny Loafers by Jack Erwin
Linen Trousers by J.Crew
Print Popover by J.Crew
Sunglasses by Ray-Ban
Hat by Goorin Brothers


To Wrap It Up...
In the end, each style move is small on it’s own, but yields a pretty significant transformation. Instead of wearing a hodge-podge of marginally comfortable ---- you can, at the very least, look like a presentable, music-loving young man. Step things up a bit more, and you’ll look like you should be signing the bands, and not just blending in with the rest of the countless screaming fans. 

Got any plans to hit some music festivals this summer? What will you wear? Share in the comments!

Deals and Steals for the Weekend - 5/9/2014

Woof. This felt like a really long week. All the better that it's finally time for some weekend fun - and maybe some weekend shopping? Here it is:

"Every weekend, check in on the blog for a collection of the best (read: my favorite) deals and steals on the interweb for some quality shopping over the weekend. Have any to add? Share them in the comments or shoot me an e-mail. Also, if you're biting on any of these hooks, I'd love to hear about it!"

Alpha Khaki Collection Sale at Dockers:
I feel like we've been throwing Dockers on the Deals and Steals list a lot, but we've always focused on their (awesome) pants. There are still plenty of chinos on sale, especially if you are up for venturing beyond the Alpha Khaki collection, but this week I was really caught by their other apparel. They've had some really stylish stuff running, but it never ends up in the sale section...until now. First thing that caught my eye was this casual button-up shirt in a perfect-for-summer madras-y plaid:

Wrinkle Twill Shirt in Coral | Dockers

They are calling it 'wrinkle twill,' but I'm just interpreting that as their version of seersucker, which makes this bad boy all the more tempting, especially as we just had our first 'hot' day of the summer here in Chicago and my mind is finally full swing focused on hot-weather duds. Normally $68, this shirt is going for just $41.

Definitely take a look at the rest of their tops - along with some other nice shirts, they have some good-looking sweaters and other knits, if you are looking to stock up for next fall. Back to the pantaloons, I noticed these 'City Khakis' also listed under the Alpha collection:

City Khaki in Navy Smoke Stripe | Dockers

They aren't described as Alphas in the product details, so I'm not sure if that's a mistake? The fit sounds similar, with a slim cut and taper below the knee. Regardless, I'm kinda digging them...the microstripe, again, seems like a play off of seersucker and will look very seasonally appropriate this summer. The 'permanent crease' will dress these up a bit too, I can see myself rocking these with a nice summer blazer. At just $40, down from $68, these might be hard to pass up.


Additional 25% Off at Brooks Brothers (code FF25):
Brooks Brothers, one of the original pioneers of American prep style, is having their yearly(?) friends and family sale, knocking down pretty much all their prices by another 25%. Brooks Brothers is usually a bit out of my budget, but when you combine that discount with some already-great sale prices, things get affordable fast! First off, if you happen to be a size large or bigger, please buy this popover oxford:

Solid Oxford Popover Sport Shirt | Brooks Brothers

I want it, so bad, but they've been sold out of my size forever. This was a great deal even before the F&F discount, which takes the final price to only $30 (originally $80). I'm kinda obsessed with popovers this season, and they are hard to find at an affordable price, with this classic and risk-free of a style. Jump on it.

Brooks Bros is one of those brands that names all their fits actual names (as in, not just 'slim' and 'regular' or 'classic,' etc.). They also have a lot of them. Just know that Milano is their slimmest fit, and probably the one you want. Lucky us, they have some nice Milano fit chinos in the sale section as well:

Milano Fit Vintage Chinos | Brooks Brothers

Originally $100, the sale price combined with the additional discount marks these down to a crazy low price of $22.50, which would be a steal almost anywhere. Classic colors like navy and khaki are contrasted with a bright mustard, so you have some safe options and a bold kicker in there too. 


Extra 30% Off at J.Crew Factory (code SALE30):
J.Crew Factory is at the discount code game again, this time offering 30% off sitewide. While the whole site is worth a browse, I headed right for the clearance section to see what I could get dirt cheap, and I was disappointed. Their leather plaque belt has been very highly recommended to me as an ultimate go-to dress belt:

Leather Plaque Belt | J.Crew Factory

Normally the price doesn't dip far below the original $40, but with the discount it's currently all the way down to $12, which is kind of insane. So just buy it, don't even think about it (ha! horrible advice for budget-conscious shoppers, I know). 

I was also pretty delighted to see chinos in the clearance section, and even though they only have this 'apple green' color, as opposed to your more standard chino colors, I'm actually a big fan of the color:

Slim Broken-In Chino | J.Crew

It's light and bright enough to really take on that spring/summer vibe, but is a bit more grounded than a full-on mint or teal. Even better, there are tons of sizes available, which doesn't tend to be the case for JCF clearance. Along those lines, I always check out the accessories for one-size products, like these socks (bright, yes, but also under $3 a pair).


Dharma Eyewear at Touch of Modern:
So, Touch of Modern is a modern design flash-sale site. Full disclosure, I've never actually bought anything through them, but I've been getting their e-mails for years and always enjoy checking out the beautiful products they sell. After all that time, this sunglass collection is the sale that might make me actually try them out. Never heard of the brand before, but I'm really liking this style:

Karma in Indian Summer | Dharma Eyewear via Touch of Modern

It's got that vintage-y modern vibe, with the keyhole cutout and Persol-ish shape - but I'm taking a poll here, what do you think of the color scheme? I keep seeing shades with that clear-ish acetate frame, and the more I see it the more I like it - but is it too bold for me? Is this specific example tastefully done? Please, chime in! I'm horrible at decisions and could use your help!

Regardless, they also offer the same frame in a much tamer tortoise-shell color:

Karma in Tortoise | Dharma Eyewear via Touch of Modern

Normally $100, these are already competitive with Warby Parker, but Touch of Modern is offering them for only $70 - and they have all the attributes of a quality pair of sunnies (polarized lenses, 100% UV protection, shatterproof, hell, they're even inspired by Radiohead). Sounds like a winner to me.


Lastly...
DON'T FORGET - Sunday is Mother's Day!
Treat her to something special! Flowers are never a bad choice and are sure to brighten any Mom's day. Delivery can get expensive, but lucky for you, From You Flowers is offering free shipping (a $15 value), but only through midnight on Friday, so act fast! 

So there you have it, shop away! Also wanted to mention quickly that I had the pleasure of writing a product review of some goods from Gagliardi for Effortless Gent. The review went live this week, and focuses on a great plaid summer blazer - definitely worth a look, plus they are hooking EG readers up with a discount! Check it out over here, and let me (or Barron) know what you think!

Summer Wishlist

I didn't really start dressing well until the cooler months last year, and as a result, I'm suddenly finding myself overwhelmingly unprepared to keep up the level of dapper in these warmer months. I've been working overtime to remedy the situation, and here is what I have left on my list to round out my wardrobe:

Lightweight blazer:

I already got a cotton/linen blend, unlined blazer from Uniqlo in dark blue/navy, but I'm hoping to add one more summer-weight blazer in a lighter color. I'm considering another from Uniqlo, probably this one in a red cotton/linen blend:

Uniqlo

as I was very happy with the one I just bought (review forthcoming), but am also considering this tan option from H&M:

H&M

Normally I stay away from H&M due to previous quality-of-construction issues I've had with their clothing, but I've heard good things about this blazer (for the price), and I'm digging the ticket pocket. Unfortunately, it is fully lined, which seems counter-intuitive for a lightweight jacket, so I guess I'll have to stop in and check it out.


Swim Shorts:

No joke, I haven't bought a pair of swim shorts since high school. Therefore I only own two very 'cool-at-the-time', past my knees, big-Hawaiian-floral-printed pairs of board shorts. It's definitely time for some man shorts to wear to the beach (if you can call it that) here in Chicago. What I really want is this pair in seersucker from J. Crew:

J. Crew Factory

but alas, they don't have my size, so I'm on the lookout for something similar.


Boat Shoes:

For a while I was struggling to find any summer-appropriate shoes. Recently, this purchase off of eBay covered my 'colored suede wingtips' bases, but I'm still on the hunt for some good boat shoes. My biggest problem so far is that I do most of my shopping online, and honestly, I think all boat shoes look crappy in product photos. The soles look clunky, the laces either weirdly long or weirdly short, etc. etc. However, when I see these bad boys in person (just took a browsing trip to DSW today), they all look damn fine. So, as soon as I can belly up to a straight up $75-$85 (depending on where you buy em') purchase in one fell swoop, I'm grabbing this pair of Sperry Top-siders for those more casual and/or nautical sock-less days:

Sperry Top-Sider

Light Wash Jeans:

Dark jeans are fan-fuckin-tastic pretty much year round, making that smooth move from casual to dressy without breaking a sweat. However, I've started breaking a sweat wearing mine, so I'm searching for some more lightweight denim. While I'm at it, I'm going to shake things up a bit and get something with a lighter wash as well to better embrace the bright sunshiny-ness of spring that I miss all Chicago-Winter long. Right now I got my eye on these cotton-linen blend jeans from Uniqlo:

Uniqlo

but I just wish I could visit a store in person to take advantage of the on-site, complimentary hemming. I've tried a few pairs of Levi's out, but haven't found the wash or weight that floats my boat. You know, that boat I'm wearing my boat shoes on.

Prescription Shades:

Cuz I'm blind as a goddamn bat. And I'm dainty and sensitive to the sun. Haha no, in all seriousness though, having a good pair of sunglasses is key during those summer months when you're trying to soak in as much sunshine as possible. I used to wear contacts and would just throw on a pair of knockoffs, but I've switched back to glasses in the past year and am going to have to pony up for a pair of prescription shades. I've been loving pretty much everything coming out of Warby Parker, and for $150 (prescription included), the price can't be beat (plus, fingers crossed, hopefully my insurance will cover them). Personally, I have my eye on the Jasper:

Warby Parker

 or the Winston:

Warby Parker

but there are a bunch that I'd rock any day.

Shorts

I only have two solid pairs of shorts in my wardrobe, and honestly, that's almost enough. Monday through Friday I'm pretty much limited to pants by the dress code at my day job. I have one pair in khaki, and one in grey chambray (super comfortable, by the way), both 9"-10" inseams. However, I'd love to have a few more pairs of chino shorts to let me show a little variety on those days off. I'm keeping my eye open at the J. Crew Factory website, since they have some damn good sales, but I'll be happy with a pair from Gap, Frank and Oak, and a small variety of other brands as long as they come in the right fit and at the right price. Right now, my ideal would be a pair in dark blue:

Gap

 and a pastel pair in oxford cloth:

J. Crew Factory

Linen Shirt

Another problem of mine: it gets hot as all get-out in Chicago in summer. However, I do prefer to wear a tie every weekday, especially at work. More unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the short-sleeves and tie look (this is widely debated across style blogs, so make your own decision). That said, my best option for staying cool on summer workdays is probably a nice, linen dress shirt. The biggest challenge I'm facing is finding a shirt that is reasonably priced but also comes in a slim fit. Most moderately priced linen shirts are much more casual and are designed for a loose, beach-y look. By the time you get up to dress shirt stylings, the prices are usually pretty damn high. Frank and Oak has a linen shirt that I'm going to give a try:

Frank & Oak

but if all else fails I'll snag one for cheap from Uniqlo and get it tailored (I checked their fabrics and I'd say it's tie-appropriate with a cotton or knit tie).

Cotton Ties

While winter weather calls for more substantial fabrics like thick silk or wool for your neckwear, summer similarly calls for it's own weather appropriate ties. I'm looking for options in cotton and linen, as well as some light-color, solid knit ties. I've already stocked up my closet at Tie Society, but for my permanent additions, I'm turning, as usual, to the The Tie Bar. I especially have my eye on this knit tie in coral: 

The Tie Bar

Or this one in cotton seersucker:

The Tie Bar

Uniqlo also has some great options for linen ties clocking it at $12.90, which is a steal. Most are in plaid/madras, and I'm a fan of this one:

Also, here is a short list of some other recent purchases for the summer:

Light (almost white) Chino's in Stone from J. Crew
Light Blue/Slate Chino's from Gap
No-show loafer socks from Nordstrom Rack
Short-sleeve casual button-up (needs tailored) from American Eagle
Mint OCBD from Frank & Oak