Okay, we have something more to hold you guys over until our, well, "surprise."
Selvedge Denim: Everywhere I go, I find myself getting into "deep" conversations about selvedge denim… people are obsessed, some are a bit too passionate (usually the newbies), but it's understandable. Be sure to invest in atleast one pair of selvedge denim.
MINI Lesson on Selvedge Denim: "What is Selvedge/Selvage Denim?"
Selvedge denim is basically premium denim, its the crème de la crème of the denim family. "Selvedge" describes the way the fabric is produced. The denim is made on a shorter loom, making the time to create them longer. In a pair of selvedge jeans you can actually see where the weaving stops and is finished by the loom… long story short: if you flip a pair of selvedge jeans inside out you can see the production and "self-edged" finish. The quality is higher, the fabric is heavier and more durable, and more thread is used to create them. Some companies mark their jeans on the selvedge with a woven stitch in a certain color. Some even mark the inside selvedge line with their company's name.
What folks love most about selvedge denim is that you can "wear them in" yourself- so no fake wear marks (even though these days some companies will scuff em a bit). Within 6 months of wearing them the jeans will customized to your body… some will argue longer times, many people wear their's for a year without washing to "completely" break them in… honestly the "breaking in" time all depends on how often you wear them.
Classic Boots: Whether it's vintage or workwear inspired, you must have a pair of quality classic boots. Some may go with duck boots, others may opt for chukkas, while the manliest will be keen on rugged utility boots. Choose your favorite brand and style in a color that fits your wardrobe and make it your staple. Or choose several to increase your fall and winter footwear options.
Canvas: Whether you sport a canvas backpack, watch, or jacket… its the chosen material for so many stylish things these days.
Stay Tuned for the Complete Guide.
Like we do in school, let's outline the article:
I: Summary
A: Checklist- the contents of an urban gentleman's wardrobe
B: Trends- the latest men fashion trends
II: Clothing, Shoes, Accessories (separate post)
A: Sales and Deals- the best deals from around the internet for men's clothing
III: Example Photos (separate post)
A: Urban Gentleman Kanayo King gives us examples of looks for The School Yard wardrobe
The Urban Gentleman has made "a hint of fatigue" very official, ever since we featured it I've seen an increase all around town– whether it's a fatigue bandanna in the back pocket , fatigue shoe-strings, or jacket.
Plaid is just going to be in until we're all just done with it. But I mean, how many more patterns are there– gingham, paisley, stripes… the point is– adding a little more plaid won't hurt you.
Monochromatic hues are still a favorite, and we're going to properly explore that over the next year. There's not alot of it on the streets because most people don't quite know how to do it, so we'll re-tackle that at some point over the next few months.
Not-so-skinny jeans are being happily received by those who thought jeans would just keep getting tighter– nah, we had to nip that in the bud. "Skinny" (or more like slim-fit) is still a yes, but skinny-as-hell is a no (basically bulge should not be seen, lol).
Boots all year round in different types and materials.
Jean jackets and jean on jean.
Era themed– whether it's 50s, 60s, 80s, or 90s.
And you guys can peruse through last year's fall/winter trends and this years spring/summer trends for the rest…
And while looking at these trends remember our motto, "We Collect Fashion, We Create Style". Think about how you can integrate these trends into your own personal style; adapt the trends to your style, don't let the trends change your style.
Next up, we'll have a list of sales and deals from around the internet to purchase clothing, shoes, accessories. For now, you can look through last year's Back to School Wardrobe List.
Urban Gentleman Kanayo King
(shirt: Ralph Lauren, vest: vintage, jeans: RL, shoes: Converse)
We’ve combined a few trends to get this look: colorized, shades of blue, summer layers, and well, jean. Basically we’ve jeaned up urban gent Kanayo King, threw in some ‘characterized’ classic chucks, classic frames, and beaded accessories to top it all off.
Detailed Notes: These days when you opt for monochromatic or colorized, you can either keep it classic 80s with everything matching exactly or you can update it and add depth by varying the shade of the color you’re wearing… we did the latter. We also mixed jean textures: chambray shirt, hard denim vest, and soft denim jeans– this adds a sort of visual interest to the look and it gives it a bit of stylish ruggedness. (PS: The vest is actually a vintage jean jacket with the sleeves cut off).
Get the look:
(taken by Tommy Ton.)
www.jakandjil.com/blog
looked on the show. (It was taken with my phone, lol)
Pocket square by Jack Spade. Sunglasses by Ray-Ban.
More on the jean shirt here.
The task of creating this Spring/Summer 2010 was a bit more arduous than I had foreseen. When I initially began to outline this article in my moleksine I kept coming up short… nothing dramatically stood out, nothing new atleast, but then when I thought harder, just a little harder it became so clear. Check out..
Trend, Fashion, and Style Guide
Get the Look:
90s looking graphic tees, rolled up shorts and jeans, well-fitting cargo shorts, hi-top boat shoes (or mid-top), duck boots, chukka boots/sneakers, boy scout or military shirts, 90s looking hats.
Harem Nation
Get the Look:
Harem pants, slippers, blazers, t-shirts, low-top sneakers. With Harem pants its all about proportions and editing. The easiest way to seamlessly integrate harem pants into your wardrobe is to first create an ensemble using trousers the same color as the harem pants… this can be any ensemble: casual, dressy, preppy, rock, etc. Now take away the trousers and replace them with the harem pants. From here the harems will either flow nicely or the other items you have on will look a little off. If it is the latter, then look in the mirror and try on different jackets/sweaters, shirts, and shoes until you get a look that you like.
Get the Look:
T-shirts of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Distressed, ripped, torn, and/or slashed jeans. And anything/everything rock and roll!www.theurbangent.com
Get the Look: Wear white on white on white. Atleast 3 white items on at all times.
Colorized
It's like we're refined 80s babies this year. We match it all, but in the most tasteful ways– sorta elegant, but mostly preppy.
The Urban Gentleman
Colors: Orange, shades of blue, white, plaids
Accessories: colored sunglasses, buttons, colorful boat shoes, boots, bookbags, sew-on patches.
2. Booted Up- this spring and summer is all about finding ways to integrate boots into your spring wardrobe. Hi-top boat shoes are easy for most guys, but integrating chukkas and desert boots may be a bit more challenging for some, buuuut if you can do it, if you can pull it off, well, you win
3. Shorts (usually cargo) over thermals, skinny jeans, even leggings
4. Subtle military shirts- we're not going into full combat anymore, keep your military flares a bit more discreet unless the occasion calls for full decoration.
5. Printed slippers (ie. monogrammed velvet slippers)
6. Denim shirts
7. Sockless
8. Summer rolls– rolling up pants and shorts and sleeves and and and, lol… nah, just kiddin'.
- jean jacket
- high-top/mid-top boat shoes and/or desert boots
- bright colored hat
- pair of colorful sunglasses
- jean shirt
- clear pair of glasses
- slim-fit jeans
- white shorts, jeans, or trousers
- blazer
- a favorite plaid shirt
- harem pants/shorts (if you're bold enough)
Inspiration photos:
(Designers above: G-Star Raw, D-Sqaured, Gucci, Martin Margiela, John Richmond, Lacoste, Givenchy, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Costume National, Salvatore Ferragamo).
The Urban Gentleman
Stayed tuned for How to Get the Look for each trend &
the Urban Gentleman Spring Summer Trends photo shoot.
