The term “vintage” has been thrown around loosely in the upcoming collections, with many designers recreating looks from decades past. Still, there’s nothing like the real thing, which is why we caught up with one of the true originators (no swagger-jacking here), Red Wing Shoes, to view its Fall/Winter 2009 collection. Having been in the footwear game for over a century, Red Wing Shoes is the epitome of “Americana” heritage and a big reason that workwear boots is ranked so high on our Top 100 Style Trends of the 2000s list (click here if you missed it).
As a bonus, Red Wing Shoes had a leather expert on hand to show Complex how to distress your own leather in order to maximize the antique effect. Michael Napoli, demonstrated how to turn your boots into intstant vintage, minus the break-in stage. See below for pointers on how to add 10 years to your leather in five minutes…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
Unless you did time at the Gap or still have your mom doing your laundry, chances are most of your clothes are unfolded and tossed sloppily about your closet and dresser drawers. And that’s cool—a little organized confusion never hurt anyone, but having to iron a shirt every time you want to wear it can get wearisome.
It may seem remedial, but keeping your clothes neatly folded will not only preserve the life of your clothes, it will help you keep your wardrobe better organized as well make packing for a trip that much easier. Not to mention it’ll make whichever girl you got spending the night think you got your shit together. So to help you out, we’ve put together a short-but-simple, four-step tutorial on how to properly fold your shirt. Read on for the illustrated tips…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
If you’re looking for some new jeans, we’d usually suggest a nice pair of raw, unwashed denim. There’s nothing better than buying a new pair, breaking ‘em in, and watching ‘em transform into a unique denim tapestry with rips and abrasions exclusive to you, and you alone.
But these days, everything’s about convenience and speed. If you want to skip the whole process and get that worn-in look from the get-go, we could put you on to a number of dope vintage jeans, but most of them are crazy expensive. Don’t fret, my dude, we got you. You can get that vintage look for…free. Free? Yup, like a mixtape or streaming porn. The technique is called light abrasion and can be executed with a couple of tools and a little bit of free time. (Sound like your usual weekend repertoire, yeah? Ayo!) Keep reading and we’ll show you how you can fake it ’til you make it…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
Before you scoff at the headline, let us school you a little bit. This season, shorts are getting shorter and shorter, and as much as you’d like to keep up with the trend, you should also be aware of how low to go. Read on to see two ways to rock the half-pants right, and then check out the look you should avoid—unless you’re trying to give your nuts a suntan…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
There’s a stench of rotten eggs in the air and you’re afraid to admit it’s emanating from your favorite pair of sneakers. After cleaning your kicks, the next step is to keep them smelling fresh. (Keep in mind that this process isn’t advisable for all-leather joints like Kanye’s LVs.) See below on how to properly remove sneaker funk and the products you need to make it happen…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
When it comes to summer prints, some are more tricky to wear than others. Throwing on plaid, seersucker and madras has some science behind it, and if you’re looking to make a bold statement this season without looking like you have no idea what you’re doing, let us bring you up to speed. To make sure we don’t have you going out there lookin’ like a mix-and-matched mess, we’ve compiled a complete guide on how to rock the prints of the summer.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
Like rolling your own cigarettes (or growing your own weed), rocking a flask of alcohol is not only an interesting “You’re cool” convo-starter, but it also saves you money. Yeah, it can sometimes come off as either pretentious or bum-like, but let the haters hate while you’re drinking Johnnie Walker straight out the side pocket. Then, in a comically slurred voice, yell out: “I don’t care what you think….I’m so happyyyy.” And stumble away.
Flasks are a bit of an old-school accoutrement but they’re making a comeback (just in time for the recession) with a lot of fresh new products. Along with a look at our top market picks, check out our guide to flask etiquette below…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
Cotton suits are a must-have this season. Why? Well, they’re essential for spring/summer daytime weddings, they work great for “special” date nights with wifey, and maybe the most important factor: They won’t cost you a G. Stores like UNIQLO, Banana Republic, and TOPMAN offer cotton suits that will give you mucho bang for your buck. So, to help you find the suit that suits you, we’ve compiled a guide on how to buy a cotton suit below…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
Fixed-gear bikes are cool and all, but for an everyday thing, most of us would prefer a bicycle that’s a little more rider-friendly—you know, like one with brakes. Enter the hybrid bike (a.k.a. “cross” bike), which is the fastest-growing segment of bicycle sales in the U.S. (Why do we love the word “hybrid” so much, anyway?) Hybrid bikes are essentially a cross between mountain bikes and road bikes, meaning rugged and smoove. Kind of like our recent Chain Gang bike-fashion story, actually. Plug alert!
To get the scoop on buying a hybrid, we consulted bicycle-education expert and producer of Ready to Pedal, Ray Keener. Read on for more about hybrid bikes, the best hybrid bikes on the market, and general buying tips…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
You may think it’s easy to purchase a bottle of cologne: smell it, like it, buy it. But following that basic route can lead to the same tired scent choices you used since high school. To bring it to the next level, take note of factors other than what you think smells good on you.
Variables such as diet, stress and your body’s PH balance can all affect the way your fragrance will smell on you. Above all, the most important thing affecting how a scent smells on you is your skin type. With the assistance of Pirooz Sarshar of The Grooming Lounge, we’ve prepared a handy guide on what kinds of cologne go well with different skin types…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
Choosing frames to fit your face can be tricky. Trendy sunglasses come in a range of styles and designs, so we put together a guide to help you find the perfect pair. Knowing your face type is the first step. Sunglasses should be worn to scale with your face but also contrast its shape. Find out how to choose the best frames for your face shape below…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
Image courtesy of Kristin Perers
If you didn’t catch the trend in our April/May issue, then you’ve surely been noticing it on the streets—the spread of hard bottoms (a.k.a. dress shoes) among the Complex generation. Yup, hard-bottom shoes are no longer just for corporate jobs and weddings (and court dates, you miscreants): If you’re still wearing sneakers 24/7/365 and you’re not in high school, it’s time to start incorporating some grown-up shoes into your repertoire.
Look, we’re not suggesting you go Gordon Gekko overnight. One solid pair of proper footwear may cost the price of an Air Jordan Pack, but it’ll last you many, many (many) years longer. So what follows is an easy introduction to the different types of dress shoes, how to buy a pair, and when (and with what) to wear them. We’re gonna ease you into some hard bottoms, my dudes. Pause infinity!
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
Spring’s here and we hear it’s gonna be a scorcher. To help you stay cool in the streets (and possibly land you in the sheets), we’re gonna let you in on a little tip: Pit stains do NOT attract women. Yellowed pits are created when the aluminum in your deodorant mixes with your sweat. If you’ve got funky yellow spots on a regular old Hanes T-shirt, just throw that shit away. But if it’s a dress shirt or a tee with some sentimental value, all may not be lost. Here are some tips on how to remove pit stains from a shirt…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
It seems the older we get, the more we realize how the wisdom of Ms. Badu when she sang: “Pack light.” Literally. Since she didn’t give us a step-by-step on how do it, we’re stepping in to advise you on how to pack a wrinkle-free suitcase. Besides rolling and inserting your socks and underwear into your kicks, see below for some tips on folding your jacket and pants for travel…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
You should already have caught up with our How to Tie a Tie video with the esteemed Alexander Olch. The next step? Knowing the difference between tie knots. We researched the most commonly used methods'Four-in-Hand, Windsor and Prince Albert'so you can be on point for every occasion. Read on to learn about the difference between the three most common tie knots…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
