Todd Snyder

At first glance, one notices similarities in this line and Gilded Age for fall. But rest assured, they are very different. One thing to notice is the rolled up pants in several designers’ shows (we’ve also seen it in the last post about Alexander McQueen, Burberry, and Armani). Todd Snyder’s line shows up yet another way to pair this “rolled up pant look” with an outdoorsy flair, albeit another layered one, with pops of unexpected color, like rustic orange, in between the browns, greys, and khaki colors.

Todd Snyder, Fall 2012

Vintage Orange Italian Silk Pocket Square

What we love: the working man’s boots, layered cardigans, rolled up fitted pants, fur lined coats, fingerless gloves (especially in olive green) coupled with a simple beret. All amount to one sexy, effortless look for fall.

Todd Snyder, Fall Fashion Week 2012

French Vineyard Stamp Cufflinks

Joseph Abboud

GQ Reports: “In his first fall collection for Joseph Abboud, newly-enlisted designer Bernardo Rojo goes in for the kill. First up, details, lots of them: flecked wool and houndstooth trousers, slick Glen plaid and flannel suits with wide lapels, luxe trucker and cruiser jackets, chunky turtlenecks and cable knits, and one well-groomed mohair suit jacket. These unlikely combinations mingled with equally curious colors, from pinkish brown to you-stay-classy burgundy to winter white. Blended together, it all became a two-pronged look: one part super-fly businessman, one part tree-chopping outdoorsman.”

Joseph Abboud, The Details for fall 2012

Joseph Abboud, Fall 2012 Fashion Week

Gilded Age

This upcoming fall season, Gilded Age (GA), it seems to be all about layering (well of course) and the mixing of textures. In this ultra modern, yet throw back to the 90s with a nod to sophistication, GA sends a rough, refined message to viewers (and wearers). We Love: the well-worn leather jackets, chunky sweaters, layered fabrics and textures, soft leather boots without adornments, and pops of unexpected color on hemlines.

Gilded Age, Fall Runway Show 2012

Caymanian Sea Turtle Hand Painted Coin Cufflinks

GQ Reports: “Racing stripes were subtly woven into scarves and sweaters and the subdued, dusty grays and blues used throughout ensured this season stay on the softer side of chopper culture.” So that’s the unexpected color pops we love?

Vintage Motorcycle Cufflinks

The most popular color on the runway for New York fashion week? Take one guess. We’ve always had this theory that fashion mirrors political/social consciousness and we, as a nation that is, are in a grey zone. But that is nothing to fret about because stylistically these looks are positively stunning. Take these three fashion mongols (dictators of the fashion realm, pioneers, Gods of Wardrobe, whatever you want to call them): Alexander McQueen, Burberry, and Emporio Armani.

Let’s take little Alex’s new looks. Bless his soul, his runway dreams are still magical. With the physical help and design aesthetic of Sarah Burton, the end result for Fall is a grey dapper, dandy, old school English aura:
Alexander McQueen, Fall 2012

Pair these Alexander McQueen looks with a Black and Grey Silk tie, like this one from Daniel Dolce:

It’s obvious that 90s fashion has long left us–we’ve swapped the oversized pants and greasy looks for tailored, exquisite suits, cropped pants, and long socks.

Alexander McQueen, Fall 2012

Next up we have the ultimate suit designer, Armani. GQ Magazine reports:

The Vibe for Fall 2012
This is a collection for the urban pioneer: a layered look with duster coats resting loosely over flannel suiting or draped knits, and topped with a felt fedora. Mr. Armani moves away from the futurism that has punctuated recent collections and focuses instead on soft tailoring, the cornerstone of the Armani aesthetic.

Emporio Armani, Fall 2012

Grey Magador Italian Cotton Silk Tie, Daniel Dolce

And finally, the champion of three, Burberry brings in a grey masterpiece, slightly similar to McQueen’s runway looks. GQ magazine reports: “A gray scale—that’s how Christopher Bailey weighed his collection this season. Using a series of refined two- and three-button wool gray suits in deepening shades, he’s updated the Gregory Peck look with colorful, textured splashes—Navajo-inspired patterns, bags in maroon and navy suede, mustard-tipped trenches, and watch out for the owl and cat-face bundle-necked sweaters. This is where trad meets mod.” And yes, it breeches the line and teeters between traditional and ultra modern. Love.

Burberry, Fall 2012

Grey Whispers: Cashmere, Wool, and Silk Scarf

 

 

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way — in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”-Charles Dickens

Aymara Brown Sea Rectangle Butterfly Cufflinks

As we saw yesterday, great literary figures have a major influence on fashion, as well as their works. Dickens, with his classic Great Expectations, Christmas Carol, and Oliver Twist, has, after a long 200 year stretch, greatly affected our fashion sense.

“Please sir, I want some more.”

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Something you may not know about Dickens: “He was obsessive-compulsive. Looking in the mirror and combing his hair was an obsession of Dickens. He would do this hundreds of times each day as well as rearranging furniture in his home because if it wasn’t in the “correct” position, he wouldn’t be able to concentrate. He also made sure that his bed was always aligned north-south, he believed that this would improve his writing. He’d touch certain objects three times for luck and was so fixated on cleanliness that he would frequently clean other people’s homes too.” and “He practiced hypnotism Dickens was always interested in mesmerism and often practiced on his wife (a hypochondriac), his children and friends — to great results.” Or so says National Post’s Melody Lau.

KeywordHerringbone Driving Cap, $35 Banana Republic

And let’s face it America: One of Britain’s greatest novelist ever would have probably not “made it” had he lived today. His commercial success came while he was still living, which is a huge success for any author. But with modern man’s lack of appreciation or funding of the arts (not to mention the excess of video games, internet, Nooks, McDonald’s chicken nuggets, the invention of the espresso machine…), there is hardly a place for unprecedented literary talent in today’s hustle bustle and financially motivated society.

Tateossian Rt Scoubidou Brown Black Cufflinks

But then we always have fashion and thank the heavens for that. If we cannot fund all the great writers and authors out there, we can at least fund the fashion scene, which happens to be the most lucrative commercial artistic venue we’ve seen in centuries. Want to look like Oliver Twist? Try these green relaxed pants from Banana Republic and Rugged/Chic Silk scarf from Daniel Dolce:

Polo Ralph Lauren Straight Fit Pants $79.50

Gotta have something to put your books and soup bowls in too!

It’s not cheap to look shabby, is it?

Frye “Logan” Flap Briefcase  PRICE: $478.00

Sterling Sharpei Cufflinks

Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby captured the wealthy Hampton American way of life during the Prohibition era, rich with turn of the century fashion, scandal, and lush parties. While the women took the main spot light for fashion, with their cloche hats, drop skirts, and boyish hair cuts, the men sauntered in the background complementing their new head strong ladies with staple pieces and sharp clean lines.

finity Stick Pin

Recently, sauntering on the Parisian Runway for Spring 2012, we saw an inspiring come back of the Prohibition Era clothing.

Spring 2012 Great Gatsby Looks

Antique Gold Metal Collar Pins, Set of Six

First it comes by way of the woman and inevitably men’s fashion is shaped by it. Take these Three Drop Waisted Looks from Paris’s Spring Fashion Week. Harpers Bazaar reports: “In perfect Calvin Klein fashion, Franciso Costa interpreted the trend through a minimal lens, with an emphasis on easy shapes, light hues and the t-strap shoes of the day. Marc Jacobs wowed with flapper dresses worthy of a modern day Daisy Buchanan, while Ralph Lauren took the most literal approach with drop waist beaded dresses paired with feather cover-ups and pin-striped gangster suits for ladies — ideal for girls who like a 20s vibe but don’t have that boyish shape. It’s perfect ware for Spring fêtes — and hey, at least the cocktails are legal this time.”

Read more: Three Is a Trend: Gatsby’s Got It – Harper’s BAZAAR

Rose Gold and Mother of Pearl Cufflinks

GET THE LOOK:

Since Spring is around the corner (yaaah!), try adding a basic Linen Suit to your wardrobe. Something to wear at a summer wedding, and you can mix and match the pieces. For instance, wear the jacket with basic trousers rolled up at the bottom for a more casual look with nice socks underneath (spend the extra $10 or so). Pair the linen pants with a solid cuffed shirt and bow tie.

Red Ambassador 100% Silk Bow Tie, by Daniel Dolce

Match it all up with a broken in pair (yet still shined and sleek) of Brogues and top it off with a silk handkerchief.

 

 

We’re in that weird limbo between winter and spring, and counting down the days. With roughly 40 days to go until the blessed season arrives, we strongly advise you take out all those winter accessories and start experimenting. Because, we all know, fall/winter takes the Best Dressed Award every year.

Aymara Forest Night Tear Drop Butterfly Cufflinks

(And don’t forget dear readers, any Aymara cufflinks you purchase from us help a Peruvian Butterfly Farm. Aymara gives you wings.)

At the bottom of your underwear drawer, you have a really cool pair of wool socks. Deep in the recesses of your cluttered closet, you have a vintage neck scarf screaming to be worn. And what about that wool driving cap? Corduroys anyone? Mix and match these infamous staples with colors that pop and touches of spring, just to remind yourself that it’s on the way…

Mix this Burberry Cotton Shirt with a Blue Blazer or Vintage-y Blue Jacket to properly juxtapose the two seasons:

Burberry Brit “Langley” Single Breasted Rainwear Jacket
PRICE: $695.00

Add a flash of bright sun popping color to your traditional blue jackets/blazers with these Aymara Sun Square Butterfly Cufflinks. You can re-wear every dark piece of clothing in your wardrobe, just remember to add that extra touch of color. Believe us, it’ll keep you going during those long winter days (or are they short winter days?)

Aymara Sun Squares

And with that said, it’s not just about adding color–it’s about adding texture and cool (unique) pieces to your outfits. Try this Alexander Olch Plaid Tie for example: it’s thinner than your usual tie and will look either ultra sophisticated or quirky on a collar shirt. Maybe even go extra bold and don’t wear it with a collared shirt..

Pair a retro thin tie with a sleek In-Between Seasons Blue/Purple Shirt like this one from CLM. Keep your shirts light and layer them with winter wear. Think jackets, sweaters, cardigans, hats, etc. Don’t weigh yourself down the rest of the winter season with heavy flannel shirts that suffocate, go light and springy:

Blue Purple Collared Shirt (Christian) by CLM

Top it all off with a classic, retro pair of Ray-Bans. It’ll remind you of the upcoming summer months and give you that coveted chic winter look

Ray-Ban Classic Wayferer