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Street Detail: Freeballer

frederickm — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:53:23 +0000

NAME: Sam

AGE: 22

OCCUPATION: Educator

HOME BASE: Oakland, CA

GLASSES: Geoffrey Beene

SHIRT: Vintage

SHORTS: Champion

SHOES: Timberland

What are you saving up for the summer? A new skateboard.

What summer trends have you seen? J. Crew shorts with the whales on them.

What is your dream vacation? Eating fish tacos at the beach and then hitting up house shows in Tijuana.

What is the sneaker style you are rocking this season? Boat shoes or white Vans.

What is your summer drink? Miller High Life.

Vote on whether this week’s subject is “Stylin” or “Wildin” below…

What inspires your style? Comfort.

What city has the best style? Los Angeles.

What movie best captures your style? Risky Business.

Who has wack style? Ezra Koenig [of Vampire Weekend].

What trend do you want to see die? Boat shoes.

Last clothing item you purchased? A University of Illinois T-shirt.

What do you collect? Taiwanese stickers.

What is your favorite brand? Urban Outfitters BDG.

What is your favorite tech gadget? Roland TR-808 drum machine.

What do chicks dig about your style? My chest hair that looks like Eve’s paw tattoos.

What’s the most common statement people make about your style? “I love your glasses.”

What’s the item currently in your closet you most regret buying? A green crushed velvet blazer fit for a 16-year-old girl.

What do you see as the next big trend? Freeballing.

What is your favorite city? Los Angeles.

What is your dream job? Conceptual artist.

Who is your dream date? Rebecca de Mornay circa 1983.

Last book read? The Fan Man by William Kotzwinkle.

What is your trend proof style advice for our readers? Don’t use shampoo and always freeball.

How has the recession affected your life? Ever-flowing $1 organic coffee.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Want to be featured in our weekly Street Detail blog? Email a head-to-toe picture of yourself to: streetdetail@complex.com

20 Plaid Style Essentials For Summer 2009

frederickm — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:47:18 +0000

Plaid has been the pattern of choice for (at least) the last two seasons, and although you may be getting tired of the look, it’s not going anywhere (yet). With that in mind, we’ve put together a definitive list of the 20 best plaid items of the moment, including everything from sunglasses to shirts with brands ranging from Supreme to Alexander Olch. Keep in mind that a little plaid goes a long way; we strongly caution against overdosing on the pattern…you know who you are. Read on to see our top picks and cop accordingly…

STÜSSY DELUXE WARWICK HAT
Click here to Buy It Now at Stussy Deluxe, $76

SUPREME BIG PLAID CAMP CAP
Click here to Buy It Now at Supreme New York, $44

MOSLEY TRIBES LYNDEL
Click here to Buy It Now at Karmaloop, $180

BLUE CROWN WAYFARER BUFFALO PLAID
Click here to Buy It Now at Tilly’s, $12

ARMANI COLLEZIONI JACKET
Click here to Buy It Now at Neiman Marcus, $693

RALPH LAUREN RUGBY NEWBURY JACKET
Click here to Buy It Now at Rugby, $190

EVER WATSON SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT
Click here to Buy It Now at Ever, $143

FRED PERRY SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT
Click here to Buy It Now at Urban Outfitters, $85

ALEXANDER OLCH LINEN PLAID PRINT TIE
Click here to Buy it Now at Opening Ceremony, $150

J. CREW DERBY MADRAS TIE
Click here to Buy It Now at J. Crew, $60

ASHTON MICHAEL PLAID COMBO BOW TIE
Click here to Buy It Now at 80s Purple, $100

BROOKS BROTHERS SAFARI MADRAS PATCH
Click here to Buy It Now at Brooks Brothers, $27

POLO RALPH LAUREN PLAID LAKE SWIM SHORT
Click here to Buy It Now at Ralph Lauren, $55

J. CREW PASEO PLAID CLUB SHORT
Click here to Buy It Now at J. Crew, $35

A.P.C. DUFFEL BAG
Click here to Buy It Now at A.P.C., $115

JANSPORT SUPERBREAK BACKPACK
Click here to Buy It Now at Tilly’s, $30

COMME DES GARÇONS TARTAN CHECK WALLET
Click here to Buy It Now at Aloha Rag, $178

RALPH LAUREN RUGBY MADRAS WALLET
Click here to Buy It Now at Rugby, $40

CREATIVE RECREATION ROCCO SNEAKERS
Click here to Buy It Now at Karmaloop, $110

VANS CHUKKA BOOT
Click here to Buy It Now at Vans, $55-65

Retail Spotlight: J. Crew Men’s Shop

frederickm — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:47:45 +0000

STORE: J.Crew Men’s Shop

CITY: Soho, NYC

SINCE: 2009

FOUNDED BY: The Cinader Family

PRICES: $$$ (out of 5)

WHY WE COSIGN: After feeding your hipster fix at Topshop, get cleaned up next door at the J.Crew Men’s Shop. This recently-opened J. Crew post combines the brand’s traditional preppy basics with vintage menswear designers like Alden, Baracuta and Red Wing. Unlike the Brooks-Brothers vibe of the J.Crew Liquor Store in the Meatpacking District, the J. Crew Men’s Shop switches gears for a more rugged style and sophistication. “It’s a good way to mix a great pair of denim and timeless pieces,” says store manager Alex Goforth. In addition to quality threads, the store also offers vintage accessories, like old-fashioned Rolex watches.

BRANDS CARRIED: Alden, Baracuta, Jutta Neuman, Mackintosh, Mister Freedom, Persol, Red Wing, Selima, Timex and Tomas Mason.

For pics of the store and its most popular items, address and web site, see below…

MOST POPULAR ITEMS:
JASPÉ JERSEY SHORT-SLEEVE HENLEY
Click here to Buy It Now at jcrew.com, $38

TIMEX® MILITARY WATCH
Click here to Buy It Now at jcrew.com, $150

VINTAGE CHAMBRAY WORK SHIRT
Click here to Buy It Now at jcrew.com, $98

THOMAS MASON® FABRIC BUTTON-DOWN DRESS SHIRT IN BLUE GINGHAM
Click here to Buy It Now at jcrew.com, $135

MISTER FREEDOM FOUL WEATHER DECK JACKET
Click here to Buy It Now at jcrew.com, $890

THE SUIT SHOP
Make sure to get acquainted with Suit Shop located in the back of the store where you can custom-tailor your suit by G&G Cleaners and check out the crisp Tomas Mason shirts and the coveted Alden wing tip shoes. “The store is a curated version of J. Crew plus it’s our chance to show a guy how to combine all of the elements,” says Frank Muytjens, VP of Men’s Design.

J.Crew Men’s Shop
484 Broadway
New York, NY 10013
212.343.1227
Mon – Sat 10AM – 8PM
Sun 11AM – 7PM

Buy It Now: J.Crew Cashmere Sweatshirt + Hat

donniek — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:21:06 +0000

Who doesn’t love a sale? Online shopping is addictive enough as it is, but when you throw coupon codes into the mix'well, let’s just say that the line between “want” and “need” can get pretty fuzzy. We get access to a lot of discounts, so it’s only right that we pass on the savings to our loyal readers. It’s high time to re-up on that spring wardrobe anyway.

Today’s Buy It Now is a two-fer from J.Crew: the Cashmere Crewneck Sweatshirt in heather grey, a no-brainer that you’d only wish you bought sooner; and the Straw Trilby Hat, a classy headpiece to mix in with your fitteds. Cop both and you’ll get a special 20% discount . For the exclusive coupon code, detail pics and Buy It Now info, see below…

J.CREW CASHMERE CREWNECK SWEATSHIRT
Click Here To Buy It Now At JCrew.com, $158

J.CREW STRAW TRILBY HAT
Click Here To Buy It Now At JCrew.com, $35

Online Coupon Code:
• SECRET (20% off orders $175 and over)
• Expires 11:59 p.m., Friday, March 13

Just The Tips: How to Buy a Corduroy Jacket

frederickm — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:13:17 +0000

You might associate the look with your high school guidance counselor but if you wear it the right way, a corduroy jacket can be a strong addition to your arsenal. It’s a dependable, versatile piece that works great over a sweater or button-down in winter. Why is corduroy such a cold-weather staple? Extra sets of fabric are weaved into vertical ridges called “wales,” which help keep it thick and durable. A corduroy jacket may not make you act like a grown man but the ladies will surely think you look like one. Unsure on how to shop for the right corduroy?
For our tips on how to buy a corduroy jacket and to buy the pictured jacket, see below…

1. YOUR SHIRT CUFF SHOULD SHOW BUT NOT COVER YOUR HAND.

• Ask your tailor at the dry cleaners to help hem this issue.

2. SHOULDERS SHOULD BE WIDE ENOUGH TO WEAR WITH LAYERS.

• The jacket shoulder should align with your shoulder. So get a size up if you have broad shoulders. You need that extra room!

3. TO AVOID BUNCHING IN THE BACK, A JACKET SHOULD NOT BE TIGHT.

• It goes without saying a proper fit is a must, but if you can’t make your elbows meet then it’s best to put it back on the rack.

Buy It Now: J.Crew Holmes Cord Sportcoat, $130

J. Crew Book Tells You ‘What A Man Should Know’

Joe — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:08:31 +0000

Although we consider ourselves fairly well rounded individuals, we're always looking for ways to better ourselves. At first when this new book What A Man Should Know, Vol. 1'J.Crew's first foray into a men's guide'fell into our laps, we were worried that it was a long-winded outline on how to correctly crease our khakis. But it turns out the book offers principals about the basic knowledge a man should have, in fashion and everywhere else.

The WASPY shop tapped author Max Blagg to lay out 50 fundamentals for dudes to follow if they want to “raise cocktail conversation to a whole new level.” You'll be able to get the handy step-up guide at J.Crew's new Tribeca Men’s Shop or online for $20. If you buy one at the Men’s Shop, you'll also get your choice of a limited edition necktie. See the ties and our 5 favorite tips from the book below…

Our favorite principals from “What A Man Should Know.”

#9 A MAN SHOULD KNOW HOW TO READ A MAP
But if he does get lost, he should also be capable of asking for directions without the least hint of embarrassment.

#14 A MAN SHOULD KNOW HIS CAPACITY FOR A SINGLE MALT SCOTCH
Choose one brand (we prefer Laphroaig) and order it each time you drink. About the remote island where it is made you can casually say, “Population 35, of whom 20 are employed by the distillery.” It sounds so factual, it’s not liable to be checked. Never operate heavy machinery or drive a car after two or more single malts.

#19 A MAN SHOULD KNOW HOW TO PROGRAM THE REMOTE
And how to find it without pitching a fit when it gets lost. General practice of household skills is an admirable trait in a man.

#33 A MAN SHOULD KNOW CERTAIN FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL
Like how much it took to put the bibulous poet Dylan Thomas under. Tolerance to alcohol varies from oner person to another, but in Thomas’s case 18 blended whiskeys proved too many. He collapsed at the White Horse Tavern in New York and expired four days later in Saint Vincent’s Hospital. His last words were supposedly: “It’s not my round!”

#46 A MAN SHOULD KNOW HIS CELLPHONE IS ONLY INCIDENTALLY A TIMEPIECE
A good watch is something a man should always have on hand. On the left wrist.