While at Project Las Vegas mid-August, as a member of Marcus Troy’s Blogger Project – I decided to step away from being in front of the camera and wearing my stylist hat. I’ve been quite fascinated with how fast the athleisure trend has taken off over the last 5 years and I decided to tackle part of it head on. I teamed up with fellow #BloggerProject ambassador Leo Chan of the blog Levitate Style to introduce the world to the clothing brand – Strand. Special thank you to Naskademini for lending your photographic skills to this project.

The aesthetic of the brand is tailored sportswear with a streetwear vibe. With a strong emphasis on tailoring (button up shirts, tailored jogger & bomber jackets), Strand is a relatable brand that understands that athleisure style isn’t sloppy or overly draped. One of the best ways to introduce yourself to the athleisure style is to perfect different levels of monochromatic color-palette manipulation.

Color Black Shirt & Grey Sweat Jogger Pants – Strand || Leather Rucksack – Troubadour Goods || Black Leather Loafers – Paul Drish

Often, I receive email inquires asking – “how do you dress up athleisure wear?”. Primarily the question revolves around jogger pants. Here a few tips to set you on the right path.

• Like the joggers in the 1st look, opt for a pair with a weave to look more like “dress” pants than sweats
• Button up shirts are your friend, just leave them untucked — specifically with sweat pant material joggers
• Monochromatic styling is the key, specifically the black/grey/white color palette(s)
• Rock a loafer/monk or and Oxford shoe. Just don’t over think it
• By adding formal pieces like loafers and Oxford cloth shirts to a cotton jogger pant (in an appropriately dark hue), you’ll refine it’s otherwise sporty nature
• No you don’t need socks, unless you’re rocking no-shows

Bomber Jacket, Grey Woven Joggers & Sweater – Strand || Stan Smith Sneakers – Adidas 

Build some depth into your athleisure look by embracing tonal color pairing and mixing textures. This level of sportswear is inherently athletic, so play on that theme. By adding a varsity jacket in a darker tone of grey, this look goes from gym uniform to a casual, monochromatic day look.

Buffalo Check Bomber Jacket, Baseball T-Shirt and Mélange Woven Joggers – Strand || Stan Smith Sneakers – Adidas

Adding a patterned jacket is another great way to add some dimension to a sporty look. With outfit that feature jogger pants, the focused is shifted to the upper body when a pattern jacket is the featured. Also, when you’re executing a monochromatic look specifically in black & white, adding a strong base of white (see shirt) will break the overall look up enough to not make it dull.

Photography: NaskaDemini

Model: Leo Chan of Levitate Style

Over the next few months, Men’s Style Pro will be reviewing some of the best footwear that we can get our hands on. From boots to high-top sneakers, you’ll get a full run of what’s hot right now and why you might want to add them to your footwear collection. Even if you don’t make any immediate pick ups, you’ll want to keep them on your radar or drop a few hints for what you want under your tree.

First up for review are the Blake constructed, brown leather double monk strap shoes from Suitsupply.

Blake Constructed Monk Strap Shoes – Suitsupply || M3 Black Jeans – 3×1 || Black Henley – Forever 21 || Tan Leather Jacket – Punk Royal || Hunter S. Thompson Inspired Aviator Sunglasses – Boast USA x Reds || Hat – Forever 21 

As the double monk strap shoe market continues to widen with almost every brand dipping their toes in the pool, there are a few things that can set brands apart from one another. Known for their well-tailored, made-to-measure suiting, Suitsupply also has some quality footwear. I picked up these monks from their premium collection and based on looks alone – they’re impressive. Instead of reviewing them straight out of the box, I ran them hard for two weeks to see if they could take a beating. Before getting into a deep review here are the specs;

Monk Strap Specs

• Made in Tuscany
• Double Leather Sole
• Full leather insole
• Full leather heel
• French baby calf leather
• The sole of the shoes has the seem completely covered and finished with nails*(see why this is important below)
• Price $299

The Campus Refresh 

Blake Constructed Monk Strap Shoes – Suitsupply || Long Belted Cardigan – Onassis Clothing || Green Striped Wool Tie – Suitsupply || Blue Flannel Pants – Suitsupply || Denim Shirt – H&M || Houndstooth Waist Coat – Bar III  || Sea Dragon Limited Edition Watch – Zodiac via Hook+Albert

Here the Men’s Style Pro take on the Suitsupply Monk Strap:

• Comfort: with a double leather sole and leather insole the comfort level rates highly (8 out of 10). Why not give them a 10/10? Like most leather shoes, there is some breaking in time. Also, the vamp was a hair tighter than I expected. After two weeks of wear, the comfort issues were gone
• French Calf skin leather: the leather is supple and weathers well. The leather color is lighter in real life than shown on the Suitsupply site, but, that’s not an issue. The color is rich & beautiful. The hand-painted dark burnished captoe make the shoe extremely versatile. They pair well with black denim or bold blues
• Silhouette: with a rounder toe and a sleek vamp these monks are extremely versatile. The two looks styled here are on opposites ends of the style spectrum, but, the monks pair perfectly with both. Where some footwear brands create a more square and extremely sleek monk, limiting their wear to tailored suiting, this pair works with just about everything
• Wear & Tear: after two weeks of beating these shoes up, they stood up well. After being caught in the rain and having no moisture seeping through the double-leather sole, I was sold

Overall, these monks are deserving of a strong A rating based on quality, price, visual aesthetic and wear & tear

Photography by Lauren McGrath @lo_mcgrath

Someday in the near future we’ll actually be greeted by cooler weather and you want to be ready. By now you’ve acquired your extra technical, Arctic-level parkas and puffer jackets, but, now it’s time to diversify your outerwear with some plaid wool pieces. 

This post features three wool coats/jackets from Cockpit USA, Timberland & Uniqlo. Each jacket style is quite different and with varying plaid patterns to give a small snippet of the somewhat endless possibilities of outerwear options. 

Vintage Style Cockpit USA Bomber Jacket 

Buffalo Plaid Vintage Wool Bomber Jacket – Cockpit USA (jacket set to release in 2016)| Merino Wool Turtleneck Sweater – H&M | Black Jeans – 7FAM | Kensington Black Leather Chelsea Boots – Crosby Square | Aviators Sunglasses  – James Dean Eyewear

The bomber-style jacket has become one of the most popular outerwear pieces over the last decade. With its Air Force roots, this bomber jacket is as much Top Gun as it is bad ass civilian wear. Cockpit USA is the current contracted by the US government to create outerwear for the different armed services, however; they also make pieces like this jacket for everyone to purchases. With such a rich heritage, you can see that piece in their collection is crafted with those Air Force roots in mind. 

How To Style This Bomber (tartan plaid)

• With such a unique shawl collar, this jacket pairs best with turtleneck sweaters, broken collar t-shirts and cutaway collar dress shirts
• Treat it like a blazer and pair it with wool dress pants
• For a bit of juxtaposition, pair this refined jacket with a distressed black jean
• When this wind is blustery, pop the collar and button all the way up

Timberland Plaid Check Traveler Mountain Jacket 

Plaid Check Men’s Traveler Mountain Jacket – Timberland |Lunar Rock Grey Cashmere Sweater Hoodie – Mooncats | Kensington Black Leather Chelsea Boots – Crosby Square | White Denim Jeans – Uniqlo 

Fisherman & dock workers know a few things about functional outerwear and the need stay warm — hence the birth of the dock jacket. This buffalo check version is from Timberland and was modeled after an early-1900s military piece of outerwear and is constructed with PRIMALOFT® Insulation. 

To be such an insulted jacket, it’s surprisingly light-weight. I’d suggest sizing down if you plan to purchase this coat for a more tailored fit.

How To Style This Dock Jacket

• Shape & style-wise this jacket is reminiscent of a peacoat — so style it as such
• You can’t go wrong pairing it with your favorite boots. Chelsea or military style boots are easy and welcome choice
• This is a WARM jacket, so layer lightly
• Plan to do some lumberjacking or motorcyle jacking (<– not really)

Uniqlo Glen Plaid Wool Topcoat

Glen Plaid Wool/Cashmere Chestfield – Uniqlo | Tan Turtleneck Sweater – Asos | M3 Black Jeans – 3×1 | Key hole sunglasses – H&M | Dark Tan Pebble Grain Peck Loafers – Crosby Square 

In the grand scheme of coats/outerwear, one piece every guy should own is a Chesterfield. More commonly referred to as a topcoat, this is honestly the most versatile piece of outerwear to invest in. Currently, the camel colored topcoat is the big trend in menswear, however; I’m making the case for grey glen plaid. 

Stylistically, the grey glen plaid topcoat can be paired with anything. Throwing on your favorite black jogger pants and sneakers? Do it! In need of a coat to wear over your navy blue suit? Go Glen Plaid. 

Photo Credit: Mike Flores

Men’s Style Pro Is Back and we’re getting in shape!

2016 is here and of course you’ve resolved to getting fit (just like most of us). While you’re making the effort to get ripped, looking good while you’re doing it doesn’t hurt either. No matter if you’re the outdoor cold weather runner or a gym rat, there’s something for you. This list features some of the most stylish & functional fitness gear to get you through the first half of the new year in style (even if you never make it off the couch).

Good Luck Getting After It

via GIPHY

It’s no secret that I’m an extremely busy person. Fitting in a workout at the gym, running Men’s Style Pro, trekking through Philly finding style inspiration or suiting up for meetings – I’m always on the go and tethered to my gadgets to keep me organized. One gadget/accessory I always have on my person is a watch. As the tech & fashion worlds merge, watches have gotten smarter and more a part of our style DNA, especially mine.

As much as I become accustom to checking my phone for notifications about calls, email & texts – having a more discreet and stylish way to update myself is ideal. Introducing the Movado Bold Motion, Engineered by HP.  

Working in the fashion industry, my personal style is reflected in the things that I wear. Not wanting to sacrifice style for functional – the Movado Bold Motion might be one of the few timepieces that can match my multi-faceted style.

Let’s see if the Movado Bold Motion can keep up with my ever changing style needs.

The Workout

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No part of my day is ever consistent. With a jammed packed schedule, I typically run around from day to night. More often than not, I set daily fitness step goals to make sure I’m not sitting at my desk all day curating content – which I check via the Movado Bold iOs app. When getting out of the house and  hitting the gym, I’d prefer to wear one watch throughout the day, so it should be able to take a beating if needed & be minimal enough to transition from outfit-to-outfit. Thanks to the K1 crystal face, shattering my watch isn’t a fear.

From a fitness prospective, the Movado Bold Motion’s silicone watch strap is comfortable and discreet. If I break a sweat while wearing it, I can just wipe it clean (big plus)! There’s also a great sense of satisfaction when the teal LED indicators all flash – letting me know I’ve crushed my step goal (it’s the little victories!).

Stainless Steel Bold Motion Smartwatch – Movado | V7000 Weave Black & White Sneakers – Diadora | Leather Jacket – Topman | Sulphur 7” Tornado Running Shorts – Rhone | Urban Green Tao Half-Zip Running Hoodie – Rhone | Element Tee – Rhone | Running Tights – H&M

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The Streetwear Midday City Search

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At least twice a week, I run around Philly looking for style inspiration. Anything from street style to architecture, I try to spend a few hours a week taking in the sites. If possible I forego my suited style and dig into my street/sportswear vibe. Tailored joggers and leather sneakers are a must, but refining my look with a plaid topcoat and surprisingly sleek Movado Bold Motion watch is a priority for me. Aesthetically, this watch bridges tailored style, sportswear & technology. While I was shooting this look, someone on the street stopped and asked me about the watch because they liked the way the teal LED indicator & silicone watch strap was reminiscent of an athletic watch, but much sleeker. Of course, I completely agreed and was happy about my watch choice for that day.

Stainless Steel Bold Motion Smartwatch – Movado | Custom Carraway Rucksack – Ampersand and Goods Co | Mid Top Sneakers – Axel Arigato | Plaid Cashmere & Wool Topcoat – Uniqlo | Custom Sunglasses – Lookmatic | Grey Tailored Joggers – Nike

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Pre Meeting Power Suiting

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 Suiting up for a meeting is almost an everyday occurrence during the week. I’ve set up the Movado Bold Motion, Engineered by HP smartwatch with notifications for my calendar (text & calls too). That means when a meeting is approaching, I’ll get a buzz and light display on my watch letting me know I should check my calendar. Why is this important? I try as much as possible to keep my phone away while I’m walking around. Living in the moment is cool and having the freedom to do so because of my watch is even better.

Why The Movado Bold Motion, Engineered by HP smartwatch works with a suit

• The stainless steel case with PVD black bezel is reminiscent of a sleek formal watch.
• In classic Movado style, the round black watch face is minimal.
• It truly looks like an analog watch. There aren’t any computer-like displays that distract you from your day.

This feature is sponsored by HP & Movado with all opinions being my own.

The menswear & tech industries are forming symbiotic relationship that may change the way we dress – with the brand Ministry of Supply being one of the leaders of this stylish new school. I’ve partnered with the brand to put their Aviator 2 suit through the wringer and test out its 4 way stretch characteristics.

Photography by Lauren McGrath

Aviator 2 Jacket & Pants – Ministry Of Supply | Gemini White & Black Check Shirt – Ministry of Supply | Black & Gold Pindot tie – Title of Work | The Eight Watch – Novo Watch Custom Whole Cut Oxfords – Incedo Shoes

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The first thing you think of when you hear stretchy suit is – Spider Man! You might not do much web slinging, but I can assume that you’re an on-the-go kind of guy. From making the mad dash to catch the bus for work, a bike ride through the city or your average day of parkour (well maybe that’s just some of us) – if you’re wearing a traditional fabric suit, your range of motion is often highly restricted.

Let’s be honest, when I first got these pieces I was skeptical. My skepticism wasn’t based on the fact that I wasn’t sure if the technical properties would hold true, it was more in the fact that I wasn’t sure if the tailoring would be on par with traditional menswear brands. That level of skepticism was easily thwarted upon the first try-on. Now that’s done, let get down to business.

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Aviator 2 Jacket & Pants – Ministry Of Supply | Gemini Light Blue Shirt – Ministry of Supply | Striped Tie & Tie Bar – The Tie Bar | Black Bit Loafers – Jay Butler | Watch – Fossil

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Favorite Features

• The 4 way stretch is impressive: The fabric is a warp-knit with 4 way stretch that is highly flexible, light and bounces back after a full day’s wear. I’ve mentioned in the past that if you can run in a suit, it’s passes the life essentials test – and this suit surpasses that standard
• The buttons: all the buttons are snaps, however; the ones that close the jacket snap and lock. So, you don’t have to worry about it coming undone. The cuffs are a series of traditional, yet, hidden snaps
• Hidden Jacket Pockets: Under the left jacket lapel is a hidden chest pocket. Fit’s my iPhone perfectly. The external patch pockets are very discreet
• The breathability – with an unlined jacket — this suit breathes well for maximum wearability
• Shirt Fit & Function – the button up shirts are tapered well through the body and have wicking properties. The knitwear (see SVK sweater below) have a mesh back that’s extremely breathable.

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Aviator 2 Jacket & Pants – Ministry Of Supply | Mercury SVK Sweater – Ministry of Supply |Black & White Mid Top Sneakers – Axel Arigato |Metropolitan+ Smart Watch – Timex

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Even though it’s a suit, the stretch quality of Aviator adds an inherently casual sporty vibe – which means you can easily dress it down or wear the jacket and pants separately. Like any suit, when you’re opting to dress down your suit with sneakers, keep it minimal. If you’re a risk taker, up the ante with a sporty trainer and go for a run – this suit can handle it.

The post is in collaboration with Ministry Of Supply. All thoughts & opinions are that of Men’s Style Pro

This Friday — April 22nd (6-8pm), I’ll be hosting an exclusive shopping event at Suitsupply‘s Philly location. Situated on the corner of 16th & Locust in the Rittenhouse section of Philly, Suitsupply is one of the premiere destination for menswear in the country. They’ve recently launched their spring/summer collection and I want to walk you through my favorite pieces and offer you 1-on-1 styling with me. If you’re looking for a suiting upgrade for yourself or maybe a father’s day gift, then you’ll definitely want to be here. 

Click events@suitsupply.com to RSVP and get ready to enjoy an evening of amazing menswear, drinks and music! If you have any questions in advance, feel free to email me at Sabir@mensstylepro.com. Please RSVP by April 20th.

 See some of my favorite picks below!

A Few Of My Favorites From Their Spring/Summer 16′ Collection 

Click events@suitsupply.com to RSVP by April 20th.

Because being jungle fresh is the way to be!

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The Sundowner Bomber Jacket (French Connection) $158

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Last summer during my stint as a #BloggerProject Ambassador (curated by Marcus Troy) for Project Show tradeshow I stumbled upon this tropical leaf printed beauty of a jacket by French Connection. It was on display for this Spring/Summer 16′ season, but, it was a piece that I almost tried to steal for the Las Vegas tradeshow. 

With the plethora of bouquet-styled floral bomber jackets that are bound to upset your allergies flooding the market, it was a delight to see a fresh take on the ever-so-popular bomber- style foliage print jacket. With a Brazilian-inspired palm fronds pattern, the lush green is a manly take on the style. Unlike many of the current floral bomber jackets that are made of silk, this iteration is made from nylon — keeping it light and breezy (plus, there’s no sheen). Rock it with jeans + a t-shirt or dress it up with a pair of black linen pants and a pair loafers.  

This is your gateway printed jacket that you won’t want to take off. Check me out wearing it below.

Photo by Naska Demini 

If there’s one question that I get from readers of Men’s Style Pro, “how do I put together my outfits/looks” might be the number 2 most asked question. The team behind Axe Black Body asked me the same question and I’ll give you some insight in this feature.

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(The post is sponsored by Axe. All thoughts & opinion are that of Men’s Style Pro)

As a creative person, my mind is running at 100% all the time. With some many thoughts and ideas running through my brain, I’ve turned to the shower as my meditative space. I try my best to zone out while during shower and focus on one idea. Axe Black body wash’s soothing scent helps me to relax and clear my mind.

Once I’ve gotten to a place of zen, I start to building my look from the ground up. There’s are a few overarching factors in creating my look: Where am I going (during the day (meetings, lunch), What’s The Temperature & What Are My Evening Plan (happy-hour/dinner). After I lock down the aforementioned factors, I start pulling the look together by figuring out: How I Want To Mix Patterns, Colors & Textures. The entire process takes about 5 to 8 minutes and is really a mixture of art & individual style. Now that you understand my process, learn why this look works below.

The Very Bold But Thought Out Plaid Suit 

Blue Plaid Suit – Strong Suit | Black & White Striped Knit Tie – An Ivy Copenhagen | Black Double Monk Strap Shoes – Johnston & Murphy | Metropolitan+ Smart Watch – Timex | Extreme Cutaway Collar Shirt – Trashness

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You too have read the quote, “life’s too short to wearing boring clothes”! It’s a mantra that I live by, but, have fallen victim to especially when suiting up. After years of building a suit collection of basics (ie. Navy, grey & khaki), I decided to up my style IQ and purchase a few plaid suits. As you can read from my shower monologue, putting this look together comes with rules/guidelines. Here are my tips on how to pull it off & why to try it!

Pull Off A Plaid Suit w/ a Striped Tie

• Understand Your Base Color: Once you understand your base color (in this case, blue), make the effort to highlight the least pronounced color of the suit. There’s a black windowpane pattern that is heighten by the black & white tie + the black double monk strap shoes
• Scale Of Pattern: Along with highlighting the subtle black windowpane pattern, the scale of the striping of the knit is most important. With a suit with such a tight pattern, the scale of the tie pattern is more spaced out to complement the suit
• Keep Your Shirt White: Mixing too many patterns will kill the look you’re going for – stand out but be the peacock. A white shirt breaks up the monotony of the suit pattern and acts as a black canvas for your striped tie

Photography: Marina T. Peele

Stylish Reading Is Fundamental Too!

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Welcome To MSP Style Reads!

No! I will not be reading to you in a children’s sit-around fashion, however; I will be breaking down my monthly style reads to help you navigate the cumbersome world of style periodicals. From the best books to the most obscure magazines, I’ll do my earnest job of giving you some insight on books that will not only improve your style, but, will give you improve your outlook & knowledge on the world’s cultures.

GQ Style (“New” Quarterly Magazine) 

GQ Style isn’t a new concept for the GQ Magazine brand, however; it has a new editor-in-chief in Will Welch and a new quarterly roll out  schedule. In the past, GQ Style was a bi-annual edition that was seemingly a compilation of the best of style for the Spring/Summer & Fall/Winter seasons with a few long form interest pieces. 

That being said, the former iteration of GQ Style was really doing just fine, however; with The Debut Issue, GQ Style has taken a more personal approach to style with respect to its global reach. Encompassing special interest pieces, industry profiles, design & of course all the men’s style advice & grail pieces that you can wish for, GQ Style might have some lasting power. This is the first time reading a GQ branded product that felt like an international magazine that wasn’t too heady. Impressive!

Favorite Feature:

Marley Ever Lasting. I never knew the truth depth of Bob Marley family and how much of an impact they’ve had on music & culture worldwide. 

Fuck Ivy by Mark McNairy 

Designer Mark McNairy — better know as McNasty to the initiated #MENSWEAR crowd, is something of a menswear unicorn. His approach to men’s style & design has its roots in traditional American style with English tailoring, but, there’s a sense of whimsy (he’d skewer me for saying “whimsy”) & straight up arrogance that’s disarming and oddly inviting. 

His book F*ck Ivy should serve as a manifesto to the wayward souls that haven’t grasped any concept of their own style and are looking for a proper sartorial frame-work. The major take away from this book — stop being so prissy about menswear! Clothes are meant to be worn and beaten up, fashion is a fleeting concept and have some balls. It sounds brash, but, there’s something to be said about a book that is blunt about the state of menswear that actually wants to help. 

Favorite Feature:

The life advice pieces. For example — Always Carry Your Own Pen. I do, so should you.

Monocle April 2016 

Monocle is the best magazine around that takes an anthropological approach to presenting fashion, style, architecture & design, culture & politics from around the world. What does that mean for you? Your worldly knowledge will increase ten-fold. 

The April 2016 issue opens with a in-depth report on the state of the economy of Afghanistan with Nato controlling the airfields for military training, while the Afghan government is in the midst of seeking foreign investment. With the current influx of Afghan students seeking jobs post college and with Nato pouring millions of dollar into the infrastructure — things appear to be looking up for the impoverished nation.

Shifting to style features, there are two inserts in this issue that will serve as the perfect guides to upping your wrist game and how to literally through beautiful city of Milan (with a special running guide with Nike x Monocle). In the Timekeeping & Penmanship insert,  we learn the art of watch-making from brands like Hublot to Harper & Brooks — with a global introduction to stores that are supreme destination for the watch lover and novices alike.

Also, the lost art of writing is brought to the forefront with the presentation of some dope pens (step your penmanship game wayyyyyyy up). 

Favorite Feature:

Anything with a focus on architecture. As you read through Monocle and stumble upon an architecture and design feature, you’re instantly transferred to that city and learn so much about how the structures influence the people and vice versa. 

Word Of Advice:

Outside of an outstanding magazine, Monocle’s Youtube channel will inspire you to see the world or at least want to learn more about it’s people.

Dodging Raindrops In The Most Tailored Way Possible

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Tailored Streetwear 

Stealth Waterproof Raincoat – Commonwealth Proper | Short Sleeve Sweatshirt – Tee Laundry | Black Jeans – 7FAM | Philadelphia Phillies Fitted Hat – New Era | Waterbury x Timex Collaboration Watch | Midtop Black & White Sneaker – Axel Arigato

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The Brand: Commonwealth Proper

Item For Review: The Waterproof Stealth Raincoat

I’ve sat on this coat & review for a few weeks because I really wanted to take some time to try to beat the hell out of this stealth piece of outerwear. If you get a chance to watch the video review below, I mentioned that this jacket is made from waterproof Swiss performance material — so I wanted to push performance to the limited. Here’s a list of all the things I did in this jacket:

• Ran half a mile
• Taken multiple naps
• Climbed scaffolding
• Visited a cigar bar
• Actually played in the rain like a 4-year-old

After all those fun activities, I did actually menswear things — attending a few events, rocked it with a tuxedo (see below) and gave it some streetwear love.

Overall Impression:

Aside from the waterproof properties, there are three things stand out about this coat — the tailored fit, the stretch/breathe-ability of the fabric & the self-fabric elbow patches. With this trappings of a blazer (peak lapels, breast & ticket pockets), with the length of a modern topcoat, it’s a no brainer that wearing this with a suit or formal wear is a must. Because of the colorway, mixing this coat with casual & streetwear pieces elevates your look to a level worthy of a street style-god.  Needless-to-say, I really like this coat. To accommodate my height (5 ft 9.25), I took the coat back to the CMMP showroom and had it chopped two inches. Grade: B+

My Only Con

The color is listed as jet-black, however; depending on the light, it shows blue. It’s a con wrapped in a pro because the variation in color makes it a bit more versatile than one would think when you hear black coat. 

Video Review

Formal 

Stealth Waterproof Raincoat – Commonwealth Proper | Custom Tuxedo – Oliver Wicks | Micro Check Shirt – Twillory | Custom Whole Cut Oxford Shoes – Incedo Shoes | Watch – Caravelle

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As someone that suits up often (and attends for events), this jacket is perfectly tailored for any occasion. Because of it’s light weight, it still works as the weather gets warmer and you need a topcoat for inclement weather. My only alteration was the have the jacket shortened two inches. The tailored torso creates the perfect silhouette. 

Remember the recent feature of Craig Von Schroeder of Commonwealth Proper? Check out that post here to learn more about the CMMP brand & Craig’s story.

Photography: Marina T. Peele @cantwinklefty

 You’re probably going to end wearing it most of the year too!

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Intense Blue Hopsack Blue Three Piece Suit (constrasting waist coat) & Brown Knit Tie – Oliver Wicks  | White Crew Neck T-Shirt – Uniqlo | Cargo Green Pronto Sneakers – Greats | Camo Sunglasses – Diesel | Blue & White Dotted Pocket Square – Drakes (via Tobox Philly)

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Blue suits are a dime a dozen, so finding one that stands out from the navy crowd can be somewhat of an insurmountable feat. This summer, trying turning up the saturation and finding the in-between hue of cobalt & electric blue is the sweet spot. At this point, this isn’t rocket science, but, you’ll finally find a suit that will give you some much needed juice (that’s what the kids are calling it).

Outside of the refreshing color, it’s time to talk fabrics. You might be reaching for your favorite linen number as the heat turns up outside, but, think about investigating hopsack. By definition hopsack is: a loosely woven fabric (cotton, wool), often displaying a weave given a patterned square appearance. Technically speaking, think of hopsack as a rigid version of linen that is office appropriate.

Suit Details

• Brand: Oliver Wicks (custom |
• 9 oz Hopsack Angelico Intense Blue wool fabric | Highly Breathable 
• Design Details: Jacket – wide peak lapel, half-lined, self-fabric elbow patches, pick stitching on lapel, patch pockets
• Design Details: Pants – Side Tabs (no Belt Loops), 1.5 inch cuffs

Give it the sneaker + t-shirt remix. But, remember to keep the look simple. This isn’t the time to rock you favorite vintage band t-shirt. A trusty white, crewneck will get the job done — just be sure to tug on the collar a little.

Jacket + Contrasting Vest 

Intense Blue Hopsack Blue Suit Jacket (contrasting waist coat) – Oliver Wicks | Burgundy Striped Tie – Oliver Wicks | Cutaway Collar Shirt – Trashness | Oxblood Tassel Loafers – Johnston & Murphy | Slim Fit Distress Jeans – Gap | Reversible Leather Folio – hook+Albert

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With a loose weave texture, you’ll finally have a suit jacket that you can wear as a blazer. Adding a pair of slightly distressed jeans will break up the formality of the look and is the perfect pairing for a date night or “Casual Friday” kit. If you’re not sure how to make this look work, here’s a few tips:

• If you’re going to wear a tie, go with a knit (silk/wool) or woven one. The textures will add to the casual vibe
• When wearing a jeans with a blazer, make sure they are as tailored as your suits pants. The silhouettes should match up to complement each other
• Lastly, a pair of loafers is a great way to ground this look without being too formal

Fully Suited |  Dodging Rain Drops 

Intense Blue Hopsack Blue Three Piece Suit (constrasting waist coat) & Brown Knit Tie – Oliver Wicks | Light Blue & White Striped Spread Collar Shirt – Trashness | Floral Pocket Square – CMMP | Chocolate Brown Captoe Shoe – Paul Evans | Camo Galoshes – SWIMS | Camo Umbrella – Uniqlo

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Staying Grounded

Learning how to tame a heighten blue suit will be your key to making it work without feeling like a walking lightening bolt. When in doubt, add brown details to pull the look together (see knit tie & suede shoes). There are two directions to go with your brown details – chocolate or cognac. 

Work Ready = Chocolate Brown

Extra Panache = Cognac

To lessen the severity of the suit, pair a blue shirt in a lighter shade of blue.

Don’t wait to cop those MB grail pieces because they’re almost all gone. I went through MichaelBastianNYC.com and picked my 10 favorite pieces that are still available (and up to 75% off). Good luck and happy shopping@

The Classic Jean Jacket

Navy & Pink Plaid Shirt 

Classic Chino – Banana Leaf Print 

Formal Tiger Stripe Slipper 

Pink Oxford Formal Jacket 

Formal Rugby Polo 

Bel-Air Snap Cargo – Black 

Nylon Racer Jacket 

White Carpenter Jeans 

Denim Short Sleeve Button-Down Shirt 

Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

The Full Monty Workplace Style 

(Photography: Austin Horton)

Navy & Green Cotton & Silk Gingham Suit – c/o Hardy Amies | Navy Knit Tie – Oliver Wicks | Picadilly Snuff Oxfords Shoes – Cobble & Hyde |  White OCBD – Uniqlo | Gold Fairfield Watch – c/o Timex 

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You’re excited as hell that summer is here, but, you dread the idea of wearing a suit to work. It’s understandable, it’s hot and the thought of wearing your heavy wool suits is making you sweat bullets. There maybe a bold, yet, surprisingly versatile solution to your sartorial doldrums — The Gingham Suit. Mind Blown? Yeah, it even threw me for a loop at first too, until I put together three looks that made this suit seems like the fun one that the rest of your wardrobe would get jealous (if they had feelings). This post will show you how to rock a gingham suit like a boss or at least entice you to try something new.

First Up: Work Ready

This goes without saying, gauge your workplace atmosphere and general dress code. If you’re a finance officer for a corporate giant (typically a more conservative environment) — leave this suit in the closet for the weekend. If suiting is optional but welcomed at the office, this is a time test your ginghamness — especially on a Friday.

Style Tips For Pulling This Off As a Full Suit At Work

• You’ll need three things to ground this look color wise: White Oxford Shirt, Navy Knit Tie & A Brown Suede Oxford or Loafer. These colors complement the deep blue & green of the gingham check. A blue oxford shirt moves this look toward garden party or Easter basket fresh — which isn’t your intention at work
• Avoid adding more patterns! This suit is busy enough without trying to balance a second or third pattern
• Don’t get fancy with your pocket square. A plain white cotton or colored tipped white cotton square will do the trick

Sneakers + Polo + Gingham Suit = Meta Geezer

(Photos: Lauren McGrath Photography)

Navy & Green Cotton & Silk Gingham Suit – c/o Hardy Amies | Classic Premium Tennis Sneakers – Nike | Navy Pique Cotton Polo Shirt – c/o Hardy Amies | Brown Tipped Sky Blue Pocket Square – The Tie Bar | Sunglasses – Urban Outfitters

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I’ve seen so many old dudes rock this almost exact outfit and I’ve always admired their “don’t give a sh*t” attitude. As with the office appropriate look, you’ll see that the color navy again is used a grounding agent —  this time it’s with a pique cotton polo shirt. Here’s a life changing style quip about wearing short sleeve shirts with suits.

To execute this look perfectly, the sleeves of your jacket need to be tailored. Most off-the-rack suit jacket sleeves are too wide and need to be taken in any way. Head to your local tailor and they can taper your sleeves for about $30.

As a finish touch, throw on some fresh white kicks. A white sneaker always looks good with a suit, especially a cotton summer suit. Classic style like the Adidas Stan Smith’s, the Nike Tennis Classics and Axel Arigato Clean 90s work well with this type of suit.

A Jacket Solo Act 

(Photography: Austin Horton)

Navy & Green Cotton & Silk Gingham Suit Jacket – c/o Hardy Amies | Denim Shirt – Suitsupply | Pocket Square – Drakes London | Cognac Leather Loafers – Paul Evans | Gold Hunter S Thompson Aviators – Boast USA x Reds 

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With any bold patterned suit, the jacket is meant to ride solo. If there are multiple colors in your blazer and one is very subdued, find a pair of pants in the same color (if appropriate) to highlight it within the jacket. There’s subtle ways to introduce variation of the same colors that worked in earlier looks, the key to change the texture. 

How Texture & Color Changes Improve The Versatility of The Gingham Jacket/Suit

• Cotton suits look best with other textured pieces – pique cotton polos, Oxford cloth button downs & knit ties
• Poplin & flat fabrics complement cotton suit best for formal situations (think wedding)
• The best warm tones for this particular suit/look are: orange (see tip of pocket square) & cognac (see loafers).

In partnership with Square Cash, here are 5 MSP-Approved style & tech moves to lighten your load and make your life easier.

(Photography: Lauren McGrath)

The Tech Advantage

The age-old story of, you’ve met up with friends for dinner and left your wallet at home or you just didn’t have enough cash on hand to pay the bill – plus, the ATM is blocks away. For most of us, this type of situation would cause an instant panic attack because you know you said your daily mantra – Phone, Key, Wallet before leaving the house. Hopefully, you grabbed your keys because we know your got your phone (no one leaves their phone behind). To save you from not bucking up at dinner, Square Cash app might become your new best friend. I’ve personally used a few financial apps to transfer funds to friends but none have been as functional as Square Cash. There’s no lag time in transferring cash to a friend and it’s free if you link your bank account or debit card (huge plus).

Talk about lightening your load, there’s no social feeds running to distract you like other apps – so, you can get down to business and transfer that $20 over to your friend and get back to crushing those oysters. With a superior and clean design, an instant funds transfer process and it’s free – Square Cash hits is leading my top five right now. You can download Square Cash for iOS & Android!

Card Case Initiative

Bulky wallets are literally a “pain in the butt”. A traditional tri or bifold wallet takes up some much space in your pocket and inevitably end up becoming a storage unit for receipts. Slim down your pocket to a card case and carry just what you need. Some cash, debit/credit card, business cards and insurance card (you know, for those pesky emergencies). Upgrade your life and add your store loyalty cards to your cell phone – there’s apps for that.  Don’t be afraid to punch up the style of your card case with a funky pattern because your money should l fly too!

Commuter Fresh

There was a point where everyone wanted to a mountain bike – when in reality, you spent about three-percent of your bike time anywhere near a trail, let alone a mountain. As a bike becomes a valuable & inexpensive way to commute around town, the one thing that is paramount is its weight! Mountain bikes weigh a ton (around 45 to 70 lbs), so I suggest getting a fixed gear bike. Also known as a fixie, these bike weigh a maximum of 30 lbs. The one slung over my shoulder – 22.4 pounds and is light as an alloy feather. For those moments when you need to pick up your wheels and run up a flight stairs or throw it on the front of the bus, it’s about as heavy as a bag of some hefty groceries.

Cotton Tanks & Canvas Duffles Aspect Collection Duffle Bag – Herschel Supply Co (P’s & Q’s Philly) | Striped Tank Top Shirt – MB x Uniqlo | Black Jeans – 7FAM | Midtop Sneaker – Axel Arigato | Mod Watch – Todd Snyder x Timex | Fixed Gear Matte Black Bike – Vilano Bikes | Wild Beast Graffiti Camo Cardcase – Gary Baseman x Coach

Tanks top shirts have gotten a bad reputation for being “bro-tastic”, but, they’re extremely practical as the temperature creeps up to ungodly hot levels. Aside from going shirtless, a tank to is your next best option. The are some guidelines that will help you find a tank to wear like your favorite t-shirt:

• Leave the basketball/lacrosse/recreation league practice jerseys at home
• Details Matter: a chest pocket and piped seams move a tank into t-shirt territory which is exactly where you want to be. Stripes & geometric patterns can add some character without going overboard into novelty territory
• The proper length should fall at your waist or just past your belt
• The chest of your tank shoulder be more fitted than the rest of your torso. Remember you’re not wearing an Olympic track & field speed suit.

Moving on to the canvas duffel bag, which is a highly underrated travel accessory. Brands have pushed leather duffel bags for years now, touting their refined qualities – but, when you pack them full of clothes & shoes that leather is heavy. Canvas duffels are lighter, can be waterproofed. Opt for a bag with functional details and a structured shape. You’re looking for a duffel bag more than a regular gym bag.

Because, you’ve got enough grey & blue suits in your closet

A Little Business 

Photography: Austin Horton

Burgundy Wool/Silk Blend Custom Suit – Oliver Wicks | Black & White Striped Knit Tie – An Ivy Copenhagen | Mini Check Shirt – Twillory | Whole Cut Black Oxfords Shoes – Incedo

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Adding one suit to your wardrobe that is wedding, drinks & party ready is worth the investment — so go with a wine colored hue that can pull triple duty. Over the past few years the burgundy suit has been a red carpet staple & even if you’re not accepting any awards, the deep saturated suit is a an unexpected flash of style.

Work Ready

A burgundy suit may not work in the traditional corporate environment but, with a few tweaks you could crush the office and then head to a gala afterwards (the latter might not happen, maybe you could crash one).

• Opt for a mini check or a black & white bengal striped shirt. A stark white shirt is too formal
• Adding knit tie keep gives this look more personality and adds a casual vibe. Stripes are optional, but, their a well-received suggestion

Pattern Play 

Britton Navy & Red Shirt – Sproos | Custom Burgundy Suit – Oliver Wicks | Oxblood Wingtips Oxfords – Johnston & Murphy | Gold Fairfield Weekender – c/o Timex 

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You’re taking a style risk by rocking a burgundy suit, so don’t be afraid to add more flash with a micro pattern shirt. Why do micro patterns work? From far away, the pattern looks solid and they’re not too “in your face”. 

• This look is great for an evening party, so ditch the tie
• Colors are key. Navy, tan, oliver green & red should be your go to choices

Somewhat Groovy 

Tan Merino Wool Turtleneck Sweater – H&M | Custom Burgundy Suit – Oliver Wicks | The Martin Whole Cut – Paul Evans 

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Take a cue for the 70’s and rock a turtleneck sweater with this suit, but, be sure to lighten up your color palette. The tan sweater is a neutral contrast to the rich burgundy of the suit and complements the buttons and shoes almost perfectly. 

• Maximalism is key! Go all the way and add some gold accessories to this look (i.e., gold watch). 
• A pair of blonde tortoise shades keeps the look sleek and festive without being costumey 

The post Not Your Basic Burgundy Suit 3 Ways appeared first on Men's Style Pro | Men's Style Blog & Shop.

(all text in burgundy is clickable)

Custom 3 Piece Glen Suit by Imparali Custom Tailors (available online) – Vintage Suit Knit tie – Custom French Cuff Shirt by Enzo Custom Clothiers

Ok, we’ll admit it, suits can get boring. With the hoards of young professionals donning their navy, grey and black two-piece suits, there comes a point when everyone starts to look exactly the same. Of course, we’ll applaud the effort to “suit up”, but we think you can up your style acumen by going Glen Plaid with your next suit purchase.

Glen Plaid refers to the woven checked pattern, typically large and small checks in black and white. This pattern is named for the Glenurquhart valley in Scotland where it was first used in the 19th century (wiki). If you’ve perused any menswear magazine, or you’ve kept up with brands like Michael Bastian and Ralph Lauren, you seen an added color like red, orange, purple or bold blue in addition to the black and white color scheme in their glen plaid suit options.

Typically, glen plaid is a subtle pattern, however; depending on the brand, the pattern is sometimes enlarged for a more dramatic and bold effect. Depending on your personal style preference, you can place yourself on either end of the Glen Plaid Boldness Spectrum (or GPBS, which is not an actual scale). Below are some style tips on styling your Glen Plaid suit, and images for inspiration. The three-piece custom suit featured in this post is by Imparali Custom Tailors (with locations in NY & Texas).

Style Tips

• Shirts: if this is your first venture into plaid suiting, stick with solid shirts. Don’t be afraid to mix up the look with patterned ties. Pin dots and solid knit or woven ties complement this pattern best.
• Shirts: if you would consider yourself a seasoned veteran, some gingham shirts and plaid shirts (with large or smaller patterns than the suit) will work well.
• Shoes: if you suit is purely black & white, you should stick with black shoes. If your Glen Plaid has a third color (think red, blue, purple or orange), this will give you more options in terms of shoe colors to pair with it. If that is the case, definitely mix in a pair of chestnut-brown kicks.
• Mixing It Up: Break Up This Suit!! Glen plaid pants with a blue blazer (or the inverse). The blazer from this suit works perfect with white chinos & denim (it’s almost summer).
• Keep It Versatile: if you’re going custom, choose buttons that will not isolate your choice of shoes or other accessories (see the grey buttons on this suit).
• Know your place: This pattern is not the most conservative, so be sure to know where you’re planning to wear it or what position you hold at your place of work.

Waist Coat & Trousers

Custom Glen Plaid Waist Coat & Trousers by Imparali Custom Tailors

Custom Spread Collar Shirt by Ratio Clothing – “The Judge” Wool Tie by The Knottery

Silver Watch by Timex – Vintage Cordovan Leather Briefcase

Blazer & Trousers

Custom Glen Plaid Suit by Imparali Custom Tailors

“The Jury” Tie by The Knottery – Custom Pink Gingham Shirt by J.Hilburn – Lapel Circle by Vivarati –

Watch by Alias Kim

Cooper Brogues by Fin’s For Him

Full Three Piece

Custom Three Piece Suit by Imparali Custom Tailors – Black Tassel Loafers by Johnston & Murphy

Custom French Cuff Shirt by Enzo Custom Clothiers – Vintage Silk Knit Tie

Silver Dial Watch With Mesh Strap by Timex

Visit http://www.imparali.com/ to check out more suits and other custom pieces.

Best,

Sabir

@MensStylePro

The post Patterns: Mad For Glen Plaid appeared first on Men's Style Pro | Men's Style Blog & Shop.