Find Your Fashion Identity

Many men struggle with their "fashion identity". I've many conversations with dudes that say "how do you do it?" or  "how do you know what to wear?". These experiences have taught me that many men do not know who they are when it comes to what they choose to wear. I feel like some do not try based on fear of doing it wrong, not knowing what to do or they simply are comfortable the way they are. The fact is everyone likes clothing to some extent. Wether its ties, a t-shirt, shoes, a suit sweats everyone loves at least one item of clothing that they own. All people want to look good and be comfortable in their own skin. Thats the challenge; to be fashionable yet comfortable.

For me fashion came naturally to me as I got older. I knew what I liked and sought to portray whatever it was that I wanted. I was never a dress up kind of guy... I hated a shirt and tie for more than three hours and preferred to wear flip flops and shorts year round. Everything I wore worked it was just a lazy wanna be surf bum thing year round. As I got older I started to wanted to look more polished so I sought to find that look that matched me.  It took me some time but I realized that ones style is an extension of ones personality and is a wearable statement of it.  So for me this motto/granola/street style thing happened. My good friend Carlos has always dug nautical colors and craftsmanship. He looks like a GQ yacht boy 24/7 and it works for him. The goal is find what works for you.

The trick is first establish a baseline in your head like Im Jonathan and like to wear comfortable fitted clothing, or I'm Paul and I like to wear rugged western clothes. Once you have found your baseline look at what you like. What catches your eye? What things make you say "yeah I could do that"? Find some things that you like and make the common denominator; usually there is one. Then think about you want others to perceive you. Im not saying put all your stock in what others think. Im saying think on how you want others to see you. The rest is simple; take your baseline and apply it to what catches your eye and then consider how that fits with how you want to be seen.  This is your Fashion Identity.

If you follow these steps I can promise you will find the beginnings of your Fashion Identity. Its not hard and it doesn't take much time, and I can guarantee that over time you will build a strong understand of your niche in the fashion world.

Go for the Double Breast

This spring it's all about the double breasted blazer and suits. Bold patterns, colors and designs are welcome. I favor the slim cut variety but looser fits are ok. Pair a blazer with shorts or denim for a casual look or go classy with a coat and matching suit pants. Hell... Wear a contrasting color with chinos. 

Double breasted jackets  have been in and out fashion since the 20's. Every man should have a least one in their closet. This way every time they come back you're on trend and people will see it as a vintage piece the next time they trend. Here are some examples. 

Making Errands Look Fresh

Today I went out and moved some furniture to buddy's place. It's great to get out there and get your hands dirty working on a project or moving furniture. Traditionally I would wear the most ragamuffin outfits to work in. But you don't have to go that route. Save clothes that are a lil old but are still current call it you b list collection. Use these pieces on days when something could damaged or too dirty this way you always look presentable. This way opportunity knocks you'll always be ready. Besides what women love a dirty man? Just don't be Joe Dirt and you'll hit it out of the park everytime. 

As always stay fresh gents. 

Business Casual

I think everyone in their lifetime will get an email or an invite to something and it says business casual... and the next thought is what do I wear? The answer is simple; don't overdress. You can wear a shirt and tie with just slacks and that's fine but wearing a full suit not so much. You could also do chinos, a blazer and no tie or you could go with jeans, a blazer and a tie. The key is balance the casual with formal for a more relaxed look. 

If you are going to a job interview try to visit the place before your interview so you know what is acceptable on a daily basis. Once you have the average dialed in make whatever you wear for the interview slightly nicer or matching what is normal. For instance if you are applying on Wall Street wear a dark suit and powerful tie. If you are applying some where more casual a jeans, a tie and blazer might be the best way to go. Just don't over do it. 

Events are more tricky because you can't scope it out before you go. The rule here is simple ask around what other are going to wear and dress slightly better or on the same level as the other guests. It's better to over do it than to so up underdressed. 

Here are some good examples of business casual. 

And for those of us who are more flashy 

All images found on Google. 

Today's Look

Today is all about simple comfort with a lil bit of sophistication. Today I wore New Balance trainers with Zanerobe sureshots in indigo blue, and a simple grey v-neck. I topped it off with my Timex for J.crew with a complimentary band And my wax cotton wind breaker by Obey. If you want to be casual but taken serious I recommend this look. 

V-neck by target. 

Pants by Zanerobe, New Balance trainers   and watch by Timex for J.crew. 

Waxed contton breaker by Obey. 

All photos taken the author. 

Grab a Fedora

This season having the proper headwear is a must. Having the right hat for the right occasion will set your style apart from the pack. When I was younger I thought only Miami types and the band geeks wore fedoras... I always thought they had a greasy vibe and I never has the courage to rock them. Now I see them as a sign of confidence and it's adds a lot umpfff to the right outfits. If you don't have one I would highly recommend getting one. 

Here is Pharrell rocking a wide brimmed fedora. This is one of my favorite trends because it adds gentlemen swag to nearly any outfit and it can both formal and informal. Also It makes you feel like Indiana Jones running around which is a huge plus. Here are some other wide brimmed fedora looks. We have Theophilus London, Hugh Jackman and Johnny Depp wear three styles. 

And here's Indiana himself. 

Any of these styles are acceptable are great choices. 

For those who feel their inner rat pack or dream of attending the Kentucky Derby the straw fedora is the way to go. They come in many materials and bill sizes and any shapes. These hats have a low key island but still business vibe and are great accents to any spring or summer look. Here is my friend Ami and his son Enzo wearing fedoras. 

Perfect examples of the wide brimmed style and the ttradional curved bill. Next we have my friend Chi Alexander wearing another style of the traditional fedora 

And here's Ashton Kutcher wearing a floppier design. And Brad Pitt with a more traditional look. 

Any one of these styles is I great choice for spring or summer wear. If you don't have a fedora you ought to grab one. 

The Perfect Shades

When it comes to style it's all about assembling pieces that, when put together, paint the picture of who you want to be seen as. I don't care who you are every day we see people we don't know and consciously or subconciously judge them based on their appearance. That's why every part of your wardrobe should work together in some way to show what you are all about. Why not dress to express who you are and what you are about?  It's easy to put things together once you have the vision. Or simply just defining your taste. Today it's all about sunglasses. 

Sunglasses come in an array of styles, shapes and colors. Many dudes out there don't wear sunglasses because they can't find a pair that fits their face or that they comfortable wearing. I was one of those guys. Growing up I wore glassss, or goggles as I called them. I hated sunglasses because I had to take my glasses off and I had no I interest in trying find a pair I liked. Around the time I was 16 I switched to contacts and I really didn't wear sunglasses at all. Never tried any on never shopped for them. Then I saw how cool Johnny Knoxville looked in aviators and I thought "damn I need some of those" so the quest began. I started trying on shades in gas stations sporting good stores and I didn't really find anything I liked. Then I happened! I'll never forget this... I found these aweful blublocker fishing style aviators and it was love. The were big enough for my long nose but narrow enough I didn't look like a big. I bought to pair for ten bucks each one black and one tortoise shell. I couldn't wait to sport them in my car at lagoon, or anywhere really. Looking back they looked so rediculous.

This is me with shaggy hair and those "awesome" shades.  This is high school at its best but in order to look smart, sharp, edgy or what whatever look you want make sure to match the shades to your look. If you have a few looks then have two pair of sunglasses. 

Sunglasses come in many different price ranges, styles, and colors. This is was makes it daunting to find the perfect pair so what I've done is broken down sunglasses into a few categories to make the search more simple. 

 

Wayfarer Sunglasses 

This classic shape will always be in style and goes with nearly every spring or summer look. You can wear them in virtually any color and this shape fits nearly any face. If a smart fun look is your goal these are perfect. If you want a timeless look or are on the vintage tip these are also a great option. I recommend doing a dark color for everyday wear try a black or tortoise shell color scheme. There are plenty of companies that make this shape. I prefer Rayban or Raens for this style and both brands sell these for around $100 or $150 a pair. If that's too spendy you can get great shades at Nordstrom, Forever 21 and H&M for around 20 bucks.  

Aviators 

These sunglasses have been a staple since the 70s and are a favorite of any auto or out door enthusiast. I'll never forget Smokey and the Bandit, Hyde on that 70's show or Ashton Kutcher wearing these iconic shades. Aviators are classically masculine and go well with any classy or edgy look. For example wear them them with dark denim, dark leather jacket and boots the look screams badass. On the flip side put them with a shirt and tie and these look very professional. So if you want to look motto     or like a million bucks these are your shades. A couple notes: always go for a metal frame, chose a lense that compliments your skin tone, and don't get a size that is too big or too small for your face. Make sure that he sit right on your brow, and don't look too wide for your face. 

Persols and Carreras 

Nothing says cool like race inspired sunglasses. Carreras and Persols have been the chosen shades for the rich and famous for years. Steve McQueen, my hero, was all about Persols. Everyone from Daniel Craig to Downey Jr. has been seen rocking these race inspired frames. Carreras are the choice of pretty much everyone from Brad Pitt to Kanye West and they look rad on nearly everyone. They have a sleek look that just says I'm a badass and I know it. These shades shades come in more conservative colors for the most part and I would suggest matching the lense to compliment the skin tone just like the aviators. Add the shades to any look year round and it will set it off right. 

Rounded Lense styles 

The round style has become recently popular for men and there are some cool shades out there. This style a small twist on the wayfarer style and is not for everybody. If you have the guts to rock them go for it. Raen Optics is huge in this trend and pro surfer Alex Knost has been the front runner. I recommend the knosts to anyone who digs the style and wants to make a statement. The Daytons are a cool twist on the style and are a lil more conservative. The tortoise shell colors are awesome for both frame sets. I really like the dark brindle solid colors look killer too. These frames are a lil more casual than the others but if you wanna make a statement then go for it. 

Last but not least shout out to my boy RiFF RAFF for wearing those crazy Neff shades. If you wanna be off the map eccentric follow his lead. 

And last not bust not least the don'ts. I don't recommend any athletic style shades for anything but sports. Put away the Oakley gas cans and white shades are for the girls. Stick with the frame styles above and you will have a timeless look that will neve fade.