Editorial Report | Coat Yourself

If GQ Japan feels that they have to prove themselves a valid and worth-wild publication, mission complete. Proving that they have a voice worth noting, they continue to produce editorials that have a directed focus, trend-setting notion, and present men as they should be: tall, dark, and masculine. Case in point, “Coat Yourself”. Photographed by Giampaolo Sgura, model Gen Huisman finds comfort in the season's most coveted coats, all reserved in design yet modern in their fit.

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Collection Report | J. Sabatino Fall 2009

While reserved seem to be the way to go these days, there is still some 'New York hipster' in all of us, J. Sabatino brings that out. With his fall 2009 collection, he decided to play on the border - pairing straight-forward pieces with a smorgasbord of creative excitement. Interestingly enough, such forced infusion works towards a great contrast and creates a hipster look that was familiar way-back-when. From sweatpants, denim, and leather pants to waistcoats, blazers, and vest, the combination is by all accounts odd...and that's a bit refreshing.

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Will The Real 50 Cent Please Stand Up

So, apparently extreme photoshop isn't limited to females and Ralph Lauren models. Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson appears in the campaign for his new fragrance, Power, a victim of heavy photoshop - evident by his missing stomach tattoo, doll face, narrower frame, and missing shirt buttons or button holes. Why not just pick a different model considering those tattoos (not to mention his face) are somewhat symbolic to his persona. And something tells me the gone-soft-rapper didn't object, he probably had a hand in the bidding. If even the homophobic-alpha-male types are photoshoping it up to a false reality...is there any hope for humanity? Can all the real men stand-up!

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Style Report | The $300 Question

"A moment of silence, please, says the New York Times, for ultra-expensive designer denim. The $300 pair of jeans has come down with a bad case of recessionitis, and despite the best attempts of marketers, PR people, and aggressive salespeople, it's pretty much died.
To which we say: Hold on. Those $300 jeans, as the article argues, may well have dropped to $200. And we’re the last guys who'd say that’s a bad thing. But really? $300, pricey? Have you been to Paris lately? Which brings us to Christophe Decarnin’s motorcycle jeans, from his menswear collection for Balmain, which at $1,100 are the heir and successor to Tom Ford's $990 pair (the ones with the 18-karat gold button)—and which, we gotta say, are really cool.
They’re perfectly faded, frayed, and whiskered, but don't let the lived-in look fool you—Balmain's whole collection is expertly made in the house's small Parisian atelier. And, yes, that comes at a price. But when a pair of jeans all but promises to transform you into a Stooges-era Iggy Pop, maybe it’s a price worth paying. Steep, yeah—but still cheaper than a pair of 501’s and a motorcycle...
— Matthew Schneier

Here's the thing...I agree whole-heatedly with Schneier, but I'm not sure if that constitutes a problem or not. To some, a $300 pair of jeans is pushing it (especially when you can go get something "basic from K-Mart," Anna's words, not mine). But then there are people like me, who don't splurge, rather look for quality. Considering men only need maybe...two pair of jeans with the right fit, grade, and wash. And that's what $300 will get you in menswear. On the other end, you can continue to buy $20 jeans from, oh I dont know...K-Mart but in the end its a complete waste. They won't last long and will eventually fade - that's $20 down the drain. And it ends up being a reoccuring cycle. Its comes down to looking at the bigger picture rather than the instant polariod. Is that so wrong? or am I justified by my $300 purchase?
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Style Report | H&M Fall Knits

Fall is among us and without too much of a push, we are being ushered into a movement of fall trends that have been present for decades; only now being incorporated as a fashion, not simply a utility. By way of being over-the-top in a realistic persona, H&M has launched their fall knit campaign. With Andres Velencoso Segura in fall’s heavy knits, layered up no less, we get the basic just of what they are trying to convey - buy our knits, they will take you far. Outside of that mode of thinking, they introduce a new way of layering that hasn't been discussed much in the past, putting knits on top of knits. A smorgasbord of fall's greatest trend...I can dig it.

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Accessories Report | Fine & Dandy Fall 2009

In a clear effort to bring modernity to masculine and classic accessories, Fine & Dandy delivers up pieces for their Fall 2009 range that are just as refined and dandy as the 1960's and 70's. Without casualties, however, they have played around with design aspects - adding fun patterns to irresistible bow ties, slim detailing to leather goods, and quirkiness to tie bars; decided to leave well enough alone with their perfected head gear and exquisite pocket squares. Lots more over at Fine & Dandy.

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Buy Report | J. Lindeberg Gray Shawl Cardigan

Time to populate your closet with more basics...as if that is something folks in DC need anymore of. But there is something special about the quality of the material that helps to elevate this J. Lindeberg Grey Shawl Cardigan from basic to quite cool. And despite men in DC's over-abundance of grey, the quality of the material creates a salt-n-pepper color that would showcase itself when paired with your usual grey trousers and even the always classic black. The possibilities are endless, making this an essential buy that would easily stretch its original valued price. Get it now via Oak NYC.

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