Fall Low-Top Sneakers & Suits

There are three types of guys you’ll see rocking suits with sneakers — The Post-Work Commuter, The Guy That Doesn’t Give A Damn and The “Style” Guy that gets the look. Hopefully, if this is a style that has piqued your interest, you’ll fall in line with the latter (to be honest, there’s probably five types of sneakers with suit wearers (See The Others At The Very Bottom Of This Post).

You may be inclined to reach for your high-top kicks as the weather starts to cool, this fall is time to consider rocking low-top sneakers with your suits. The generals keys to executing low-tops with suits are;

• Keep the kicks basic (Save your BAPEs for next summer and dark denim). You want your suit to still get the same shine it would with a crisp pair of Oxfords
• The silhouette of your low-tops need to be as sleek as your dress shoes
• Flannel suits can be paired with suede or leather low tops
• When in doubt, white, black or brown leather low-tops will satisfy your suiting needs
• Heavier weights suit pants look with a cuff, complement your sneaker better than a regular hem
• Of course, you can wear socks. It’s still relatively warm, so no-show or jay-bird free is the way for me

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The Running Inspired Kicks

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Navy & Red ML 565 MNR Sneakers – New Balance (c/o Exclusive To JD Sports UK) | Grey Flannel Custom Suit – Dragon Inside | Striped Sweater – J.Crew | Calder Chambray Work Shirt – Ernest Alexander | Plaid Pocket Square – The Tie Bar | Defender Watch – Fossil 

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One of the most common low-top sneaker & suit combination you’ll see in any metropolitan area is the “running” sneaker look. Most often worn by the guy (and women) that are on the go and hate they’re “work” shoes. It only makes sense that you’ll throw on some kicks that will help you get away from the office as fast as possible. 

As much as you want to rock your beat-up kicks that you actually run those weekend 5 k’s, you should find a sneaker that is a bit more refined and haven’t seen so much mileage. New Balance have become a favorite for guys because they’re comfortable, stylishly minimal and the silhouette fall inline with they’re dress shoes. This pair is an exclusive from JD Sports UK.

Tips To Perfecting the New Balance Sneaker & Suit Look

• The cut of your pants should be tapered slim from the knee down. As you can see in this look, the cut is tailored, not SKINNY. This pant taper will highlight your sneakers and avoid looking like someone’s normcore dad (you know the look I’m talking about)
• Suede New Balance kicks pair best with textured suits (flannel, tweeds). 
• Are you a novice to this style?  Opt for a pair of sneakers in Grey, Navy, or green. This colorways are neutral, but, rich enough to add some character to your look.
• Khaki suits are also look damn good with a pair of New Balances. They give of a sporty vibe that khaki inherently showcases

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The Black Leather Low-Top

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Brands To Watch: Cobbler Union Shoes

Creating a bespoke-inspired, ready-to-wear footwear brand is something of a tall-order.Cobbler Union is the brand-name and creating footwear that truly pays homage to the skilled cobblers of old and today, plus offering guys luxury-quality shoes at half the price of their competitors is their game. As a bespoke-inspired brand, each collection is made in limited runs. Each shoe is hand-crafted by a small group of cobblers to make sure every detail is properly executed. 

The shoes are made in Spain, which is where one of the co-founders resides (the other is in Atlanta, Georgia). Being in such close proximity to where the shoes are produced, Cobbler Union has the ability to oversee the entire process. I was recently in Atlanta and had the opportunity to meet up with the Head of Marketing for Cobbler Union, Stephen Beehler. After hearing the way Stephen spoke about the shoes, the brand and the heritage of what the founders draw their inspiration, there was no way I couldn’t share the brand with everyone. Just from viewing the collection online (which is where they’re shoes are solid primarily) I’m honestly floored at the high level of craftmanship. I’ve put in my first order and the Guillaume II boots should be arriving soon– I’ll post a full run-down on next week. 

Without going into too many technical details, my favorite feature of many of their shoes is the Fiddleback Waist on the Sole (see middle pair of shoes in the picture above or clickhere). If you were looking about the best way to describe their shoes, think of each pair as art that you can wear on your feet. If you get the itch to flex your creative muscle, Cobbler Union offers Made-To-Order shoes too (you could create your own collections). Below are my three favorite pair, but, be sure to head to the Cobbler Union site to see the full collection. 

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Guillaume II

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Jean Pierre II

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The Chukka III

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Visit http://Cobbler-Union.com to check out the amazing collection and to learn moreabout this passionate brand. 

The Three Best Brown Boots of F/W 14′

This fall & winter seasons, it’s time to honor this year’s unsung footwear hero, the Brown Boot. You can always count on some of your favorite footwear brands to beef up their shoe game during the cold weather months and I’ve found three brands that released some quality boots. Cobbler Union, Jack Erwin and Johnston & Murphy are three footwear brands that should be applauded this year or at least given a small nod for giving brown boots some live this year. Below check out each boot styled with 3 different looks and see what catches your eye. 

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The Guillaume II Boot by Cobbler Union

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The Guillaume II Brown Leather Boots – Cobble Union (available online) || Brown Knit Cardigan – Onassis Clothing || Custom Chalk Stripe Waist Coat & Pants – Imparali Custom Tailors || Custom Cutaway Collar Shirt – Dragon Inside || Watch – Daniel Wellington || Silk Tie –  Frank & Oak

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The Guillaume II is hands down my favorite boot of 2014. Even though this shoe has the heritage of a dress boot, don’t be afraid to rock them with a tailored pair of jeans or cargo pants. Cut from antique brown leather, the patina of this boot is old world classic but the silhouette is sleek and modern. 

Style Tips

• Pair these boots with a tailored pant. With having a sleek silhouette, a wide pant leg would not flatter these beautiful shoes
• No brainer – shine them up
• Think outside the box when choosing your pants. From worn in dark wash denim jean to green cargo pants, pair them all with these boots
• Also, cuffed pants complement these boots the best

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The Karnes Captoe Boot by Johnston & Murphy

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 Karnes Cap Toe Boots – Johnston & Murphy || Philadelphia Made Ready-To-Wear Moss Green Blazer – Commonwealth Proper || Tweed Vest – J.Crew || Plaid Shirt- Frank & Oak || 521 Jeans – Levi’s || Felt Wool Hat- Forever 21

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When these boots were dropped on my doorstep, I immediately knew that Johnston & Murphy had created their best boot of all time. The Karnes captoe boot has all the details of a traditional work boot – lugged rubber sole, six-inch high collar and 9 eyelet laces. But, when you take a deeper look at the details like hand stained detailing, broguing and the wool collar — you realize that you’re wearing the incognito “dress” boot. You can call these a dress boot in a work boot’s shell.

Style Tips

• If you’re pairing these boots with a suit, opt for a heavy weight fabric. Think flannel, tweed or worsted wool. The weight of the suit will complement the chunkier work boot
• For the casual Friday/Date Night look, pair these boots with dark wash blue or grey denim and your favorite blazer
• The Style Challenge: Find a pair of navy jogger chinos (or wool joggers) to rock them with (brands: Marine Layer, Publish Brand, Gap, New Standard Edition) 

Oscar Fashion Roundup

I’m not a huge Oscar watcher… in fact, I didn’t watch the Oscars, I just watched the red carpet pre-show. I just wanted to share some of my favorite looks of the night with you. I have to be honest though, I didn’t love very many looks. There were a lot of beautiful women, don’t get me wrong! There just wan’t a whole lot of wow.

But speaking of wow- Mila Jovovich definitely wowed in Elie Saab. It was her first time presenting at the Oscars and she sure made a great first impression!

I almost always love what Michelle Williams is wearing and last night was no exception. She’s so CUTE! She just looks and seems like such a sweetheart. Like we could totally be friends ;)
Here she is in Louis Vuitton looking as sweet as ever. Loving the brooch. Perfect touch!

Octavia Spencer looked so spectacular in Tadashi Shoji! What a great choice for her figure- I love it! Cream was really big this time at the Oscars. It so classic and pretty…

Another stunner in cream, Rooney Mara steps out of her usual severe black to wear this gorgeous dress by Givenchy Couture. I love this dress. I feel like it could be an amazing wedding dress btw!

Glen Close!! Wow mama, look at you. This is so great! Perfect shape, lovely color and totally age appropriate. I hope I look half as good…

George Clooney showed up with his own golden trophy. Stacy Keibler looking fantastic in Marchesa. Her dress fits so well and looks like liquid gold. 

One of my absolute favorites of the evening was Viola Davis in Vera Wang. This photo doesn’t do it justice I’m afraid. The color against her skin tone took my breath away. It was so perfect!! Her body is killer and this dress hugs it perfectly. Love love love!

This is a little better idea of the color…

And finally, my other favorite was actually behind the scenes. Giuliana Rancic knocked it out of the park with this TDF Tony Ward dress. Obsessed!

My Top 10 Favorite Oscar Dresses…

So I’m not really an awards show person. I find them boring and too long and I generally don’t care. What I DO care about are the red carpets before the awards. And the red carpet of all red carpets? Well the Oscars of course! So here’s a little list of some of my favorite Oscar red carpet moments…

Last year’s red carpet was pretty awesome. I remember Lupita Nyong’o walking down in that BEAUTIFUL blue Prada dress and my jaw just dropped! That color! The way it moved… the headband! It was perfection. Her whole red carpet season was flawless in my opinion but this dress makes my top 10 for sure. Cinderella come to life.

Kate Hudson in Versase was another perfect look for me. Her hair, makeup and that body… YES. I especially love the bold shoulder and the little cape action. I’m a sucker for a back moment.

In 2011 came two more of my favorites, both in beautiful pastel hues and both stunning for different reasons.

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy? Yes please. This dress got a lot of mixed opinions but I love everything about it. The pop of neon against the most perfect pinkish lilac and the intricacy of the beading detail make me swoon. That edgy sculpted shoulder juxtiposed against the pleated flowy fabric is that touch of badass that takes this dress to the next level.

Now Mila Kunis in Elie Saab is another story. Girly flirty sexy feminine perfection. Showing skin in such a sexy yet sophisticated way… I just love this dress. Romantic is an understatement.

In 2010 I LOVED another dress that got mixed reviews- Zoe Saldana in Givenchy. The ruffled purple ombre was UH-Mazing and that glittery top sent me to girly heaven! I loved it and was really surprised that lots of people hated it. Like, whaaaaa??

Ah, and Sandra Bullock in that perfect Marchesa number. She looked like a beautiful glittery Oscar. She looked like a goddess. And this was the year she won the Oscar for best actress and made a beautiful speech (ok sometimes I watch the speeches- I’m a sucker for a good cry) and then her disgusting cheater husband smiled at her lovingly while she thanked him. YUCK. …but I digress. She was stunning and I loved her in that moment.

Twirl With Me!

I am an avid Pinner (click my link up there to follow me) and if you use Pinterest too I’m sure you’ve seen all the cute ways girls are rocking tulle skirts! I scoured the internet for the perfect one and I finally found it! My new favorite skirt of all time is made by Space 46 Boutique. It’s exactly what I wanted and with a rainbow of color options and different lengths, (mine is the Wendy in dusty blush, 25″ length) you’ll find your perfect skirt too :)

I wore mine for this shoot for Love Luxe Life with a white cropped top and my Chanel candy necklace. The Chloe shoes I’m wearing are now considered vintage at nearly 10 years old, and they’re one of my all time favorite shoes. Perfectly pretty and girly!

ISABEL MARANT, DICTATOR OF FRENCH COOL, SAYS '80S FASHION IS BACK FOR FALL

A look from Isabel Marant's fall 2016 collection. Photo: Imaxtree

With all the attention the '90s have gotten from the fashion community for the past several seasons, we forgot how fun the '80s were. Having only spent about a year of that decade alive, I'm referring more to pop culture's depiction of it, and it appears that we're going to start dressing like that again soon based on Isabel Marant's fall 2016 collection (Lanvin went there too, as did a few other designers, though more subtly). As upbeat '80s hits played in the elegant Place Colette near the Palais-Royal, attendees forgot all about the gloomy weather outside. Marant seemed set on making this show a fun one.

The '80s can be a tricky inspiration point to execute, but Marant did it the right way — without much of the tackiness that's often associated with that era of fashion. Hair was teased just the right amount, and several models' bouncy curls had me rethinking my decision to straighten my own. Plus, the fact that this was a fall collection helped keep things classy: patent leather miniskirts and pants were tastefully paired with wool knits and/or oversized, ankle-length coats. Preppy sweaters were layered over button-downs and Victorian-style blouses. Animal prints were balanced out by somber grays and plaids. Ruffly, partly sheer, black silk dresses looked romantic and luxurious while evoking an '80s dance club vibe.

A few of the bolder pieces, like a long, bright red patent leather coat with a studded belt or a shiny, red, skintight satin jumpsuit with a gigantic bow on one shoulder, won't be for everyone, but there were plenty of wearable pieces with commercial appeal. I'm also willing to bet that even for those of us who can't afford Isabel Marant, her '80s influence will still find a way into our wardrobes in the coming year. The designer does have a way of knowing just how women want to dress, after all.

RIHANNA AND MANOLO BLAHNIK COLLABORATED ON A LIMITED-EDITION CAPSULE COLLECTION

Manolo Blahnik and Rihanna. Photo: Dennis Leupold/Manolo Blahnik

Rihanna is adding another exciting project to her busy fashion plate. Less than a month after the singer and influential style star presented her first ready-to-wear collection in collaboration with Puma at New York Fashion Week, she and footwear legend Manolo Blahnik have announced a new joint project. Together they have designed a limited-edition capsule collection of six pairs of BadGalRiri approved shoes, priced from $895 to $3995. 

As if demand for anything designed by Rihanna isn't high enough already (her Puma creepers sold out fast in September and the February releases are also proving popular), this capsule will only be available at three Manolo Blahnik stores —London, New York and Hong Kong — starting on May 5 in limited quantities. Now that's serious exclusivity. 

The shoes are sexy in a signature Blahnik way with tall, thin stiletto heels and pointed toes. But Rihanna and the designer focused on denim as their core material, embellished by sequins and embroidery inspired by the singer's hand tattoos. And for fans of the singer's loud, statement-making style, she's delivered the truly outrageous "9 to 5" thigh-high stiletto boot complete with... a sparkly garter attachment? "Those boots are dangerous," Rihanna told British Vogue. "If you're trying to get back home to your bed, don't wear them boots! You will get kidnapped in those boots, those boots are trouble." You heard it here first, people. You have been warned.

CFDA RELEASES ITS (SLIGHTLY OBVIOUS) STUDY RESULTS ON THE NEW YORK FASHION WEEK FORMAT

Ralph Lauren fall 2016 during New York Fashion Week: The Shows. Photo: JP Yim/Getty Images

After announcing its aim to reevaluate the format of New York Fashion Week back in December, the CFDA released its study results with Boston Consulting Group on Thursday morning. Over the course of six weeks, the two organizations conducted nearly 50 formal interviews with industry insiders — mostly designers, but also retailers, members of the press, influencers and corporations who are regularly involved in the fashion space.

While the study expanded in depth on the conversation that's already surrounding the traditional twice-yearly format, the CFDA hasn't exactly come up with a solid solution, but rather a clear call for change. Their results highlight the industry's main challenges, or "recurring ideas," such as in-season relevancy, newness perceived by consumers and creative burnout among designers.

CFDA study. Photo: Screengrab

The study also provides a few potential models for designers, both young and established, to choose from, such as intimate presentations four to six months before the collection's deliveries; biannual, in-season activations geared towards consumers; or offering capsule collections available immediately after a traditional runway show. Other alternative solutions, include merging men's and women's collections; merging main and pre-season collections; or adopting the timing of the pre-collection calendar (December and June).

Another challenge that the CFDA addresses in the study is the industry's favor towards shifting delivery dates later to better match with the seasons. (Perhaps the poor sales on last year's inventory of winter coats was a red flag.) The association's "strong call for action" involves a targeted dialogue specifically between brands and retailers.

CFDA study. Photo: Screengrab

Although the ideas and models addressed by the CFDA aren't entirely new and have been practiced by designers — and have been covered by many outlets (including Fashionista) in the past — it's good that the association has carried out a more formal approach to these issues and is offering its designers options and the resources to carry out those decisions. A concluding statement in the study says, "Ultimately, it is up to the brands to decide what works best for them, and the CFDA will support designers as they experiment and define what is right for their collections."

Judging from the myriad of formats that designers adopted this past New York Fashion Week — from Rebecca Minkoff's consumer-facing runway show to "see now, buy now" capsule collections by Michael Kors and Proenza Schouler, among others — experimentation is already underway and will surely continue. According to the CFDA's study, they want to "alleviate the pressure for designers and brands to conform to a singular model." So it's only a matter of time for these brands, and New York Fashion Week as a whole, to figure out what will actually stick.

5 style hacks every man should know

Life’s hard. So if there’s an easy way of doing things, well, you can always colour us interested. Looking your best costs time and money, so to save you a bit of both, we’ve cobbled together a list of ways you can cut corners without sacrificing so much as an ounce of style.

1. Roll Your Shirt Sleeves Like A Marine

Sometimes it’s the little things that let your outfit down. Messily rolled shirt sleeves not only make you look like you’re about to do battle with a blocked toilet, they’ll also repeatedly fall back down your forearms. Annoying.

For a neat roll, deploy the marine’s approach:

1. Start with your sleeves fully extended and cuffs unbuttoned.
2. Bend the sleeve at the cuff, curl it upward and over itself until it’s inside out.
3. Straighten both the bottom and top of the rolled cuff, ensuring there are no creases.
4. Repeat the process as necessary, gradually folding up to the desired height on your arm.

2. Sock It To ‘Em

Nothing quite kills a carefully curated ensemble like a pair of wayward socks. Small (and mostly out of sight) as they may be, a flash of Spongebob under your glove-fit suit trousers instantly undoes any and all of your efforts.

Stop playing a game of chance with your sock drawer and stock up on styles that actually work with what you usually wear. As a general rule of thumb, match the colour of your socks to that of your trousers (a shade darker or lighter works too); or, for more seasoned players, try a contrasting colour that doesn’t clash so much as complement your trouser and shoe choice.

For more tips on this subject, check out our guide to matching your socks to your outfit.

3. Put A Stop To Pilling

Bobbles wrecking your knitwear vibes? Restore your garment’s true nap with a Sweater Stone. Simply stroke this pumice-like lifesaver gently over your pilling pieces and see the finish of your jumpers, jacket collars and cuffs instantly renewed.

In a pinch? Raid the bathroom cabinet instead. A disposable razor will do a similar de-bobbling job, but should be used sparingly as the blades can damage sensitive fibres.

4. Rotate

Not only is wearing the same thing day in, day out terminally boring, it’s bad for your clothing’s lifespan too. Leaving a day or so between wearing your favourite pair of brogues or that trusty white T-shirt allows them to absorb perspiration and dry thoroughly.

Fail to do this and your footwear’s shape warps, while your tees quickly acquire that pungent fragrance you’ll never quite be able to wash out.

5. Kill Creases With Ice Cubes

No time to iron? CBA to iron? Get rid of wrinkles the easy way by chucking your shirt into the dryer along with a couple of ice cubes and then run it on its hottest setting. Once the ice cubes melt to steam, the dryer’s hot, moist air relaxes creases, leaving your shirt smooth and fresh.

Don’t get heavy-handed, though – use two to three ice cubes max, and be sure to only run a couple of shirts, or a shirt and a pair of trousers, at a time.