Style

Winter Outfit #1

Posted on by thatstylishguy1

So Guys, it’s that time of year again. You’ve got a good haul from Santa and now it’s time to turn the style up to 11. It may be bleak weather and the days may only last around 20 minutes but winter is an exciting time for style. Sure, everyone loves summer, but winter provides the opportunity to experiment with layers and hey – what stylish guy doesn’t love jackets?
Let’s start with the basics.

Base Layers

Black Jeans – The basis of many a sensational outfit and should be a top priority for any guy. Black jeans could be the basis for any outfit no matter how smart or casual it may be.

Plain Black Tee – A tee with a killer fit is hard to beat in my opinion. For this outfit opt for a black tee with a killer fit. If you need to delayer you’ll still maintain an edge due to the black with black nature of the jeans and tee.

Mid Layer

Breton striped jumper – This adds warmth as well as a chic Parisian air to the outfit. The horizontal stripes suit most and it adds an element of interest to the overall look. The classic Breton stripes suit most as well as adding an element of roguish charm to the overall look due to the Parisian associations. If you don’t take my word for it, trust one of the most stylish cities on earth.

Top-Layer

Black-double breasted overcoat – This acts as the perfect final piece of most winter outfits. You can invest in this and wear it over basically anything during the winter months. This gives the look an air of elegance and formalises the look preventing it from straying too far into casual territory. The right overcoat can elevate near enough any outfit and paired with the black jeans and the Breton jumper this completes the look and makes it the perfect combination of badass, stylish and wearable.

Shoes

Chunky Trainers – One of the biggest trends of the last few years. The Fila Disruptor II is the best way to do this, a retro shoe for the modern age. With the right pair you can nail the chunky trainer trend as well as adding a splash of colour that is most definitely needed in the winter months. An added bonus is how surprisingly practical these shoes are in winter.

Style Moves

Tuck – Tucking the T-shirt into the jeans gives the whole outfit an extra element of formality that elevates the whole thing. It smartens the whole silhouette as well as making the look even armer for winter. This is a simple style move that really shows some style nuance and helps you stand out from the crowd.

This outfit was inspired by the fashion of Paris and so brings a timeless French chic. However current trends are also met with the chunky trainers giving the outfit a perfect High-Low contrast between the timeless elegance of most of the outfit and the hyper modern chunky trainer trend.

My Style

Posted on by thatstylishguy1

So, having written a few posts now it’s come to my attention I haven’t really outlined my own personal style to you all. I have many influences ranging from all over the world but have attempted to narrow them down for the sake of ease. 

My main style inspirations come from Italian, French (particularly Parisian) and American style. I normally attempt to mix the nonchalance and elegance of the French and Italian with the edge and prep that comes from American style.

In the Autumn and Winter I tend to favour Parisian style full of dark denim and striped tops with Chelsea boots or minimalist sneakers both high and low tops. I take a lot of influence from the Heidi Slimane era of Saint Lauren which led to the creation of an edgier French style. You can never go wrong with slim black jeans paired with a trusty leather biker jacket. I keep a razor sharp attention to detail and try to subvert expectations with subtle touches such as a woven belt or tucked T-Shirt. Another favourite accessory is a scarf which can be used in so many different ways to contribute to outfits.  I attempt the effortlessness that stylish Parisians are famous for but I’m not afraid to have fun with colour even in the darker months. Key to my style is the integration of American staples such as denim and leather jackets as well as other preppy items such as sweatshirts and chinos into a more continental way of dressing. In the winter months I tend to do a lot of black and navy tonal dressing with perhaps another statement colour such as burgundy or moss green as an interesting contrast. And I’m not afraid to use the occasionally preppy logos to jump on the Logomania trend. 

In the warmer weather I attempt to give my looks a more Rivera inspired feel. I tend to bring lighter trousers, particularly white jeans into the fold. I have always been a fan of a tonal neutral outfit of whites,off-whites and beiges which is heavily influenced by the Italians. I’m not afraid to experiment with colours just to add further dimensions to my outfits and favour blues and reds most of all. As much as possible I would wear loafers or espadrilles because I feel they add an effortless elegance to outfits that other shoes do not. I am also a massive fan of the Cuban Collar shirt trend and vary from floral styles to plain colours. Similarly to winter I tuck my shirts and T-shirt’s during the summer and attempt to add texture and interest to my style where possible. I’m not afraid to steer into naval colour palates despite the cliches just because I feel they are so timeless. 

In transitional seasons i tend to focus on light jackets layered over T-Shirts or if it’s especially cold a light gauge jumper. I favour leather jackets or trucker jackets when dry and trench coats when raining. I favour trainers in these months of both the high and low tip variety. I try rotate block colours such as navy, white and black. Each look great with a wide variety of outfits. 

No matter the season I am a massive fan of Breton Tees and horizontal stripes in general. And I always like printed shirts particularly with a Cuban Collar. I normally attempt to use prints and patterns as another way to build and improve my outfits, it’s a trick that most people don’t think to use but if done right and with restraint can add so much to an outfit. Another of my key influences no matter the season is Alessandro Michelle’s Gucci. I appreciate the pomp, bombast and old school elegance of the brand and so try to utilise some of these traits in the way I dress no matter the season. 

I also attempt to integrate some of the more streetwear trends into my outfits inspired by New York. I wear trends like chunky Trainers frequently and although I’m not the biggest fan of joggers I always appreciate a little Logomania. 

There we have it I have tried to give as succinct a summery as I possibly could to my style but it’s almost impossible to do so. There are so many ever changing influences and trends that alter this or that which means giving a definite answer is foolhardy as I know things will change almost immediately. However the key influences I mentioned will always be the foundation to my outfits. 

That being said someone’s personal style is ever changing and developing so while I have my foundations I’m also excited for the potential of what is to come.

Winter Fashion Essentials

Posted on by thatstylishguy1

So guys! I’m going to cover what I think are my winter fashion essentials.

1. Boots – now these can vary in styles depending on what you personally fancy but a good pair of boots are essential for winter. Anything ranging from Chelsea to military or even chukka boots are on the table. Hell, more than one pair of boots is more than ideal. I personally recommend some Chelsea boots in black, or brown lace ups; both of which can be used for any setting from casual to smart.

2. Merino Wool or Cashmere jumper – now time for the really warm stuff. Investing in wool and cashmere is more than worth it when temperatures drop. Not only are they highly insulating but they also breath so you avoid getting too hot. Anything from plain block crewnecks to cosy and elegant turtlenecks. By buying a couple of styles to rotate you can create countless outfits that will keep you warm and stylish. A must here would be a navy crewneck just for versatility. However, don’t be afraid to mix up colours or even patterns. A Breton striped jumper is also tough to beat if you want to nail that Parisian nonchalance. Feel free to play around with style here.

3. Wool Coat – now I would split this into three main styles. A Peacoat, a double-breasted topcoat and a single-breasted topcoat. You need to shop around to see which of these suit you better. The key thing is that you make it a neutral or dark colour. My top picks would be camel, navy or black, but you can also experiment with checks which is a major trend this autumn winter. You can even experiment with statement colours or greys, however for versatility I would say that you are best sticking to a single or double-breasted topcoat in camel, navy or black. These work with smart wear or to elevate casual looks. Throw an overcoat over anything and it will not only look great but also smarten the look considerably.

4. Black Jeans – simply the most versatile trouser someone can own. Black jeans can be combined in innumerable ways, smart or casual, and can add an element of French chic to most outfits. A simple way to make any look more Parisian is to sub in a pair of black jeans to any outfit – even in place of smart trousers. The base colour makes these jeans an ideal base to be classic or to experiment. White tee and black jeans is of course classic but the black colour acts as a base to experiment with other colours and patterns. Invest in a good pair and wear them with everything.

5. Leather Jacket – now this is risky because there are many days in winter when wearing a leather jacket would be nothing short of foolhardy. However there is nothing better to wear on those crisp clear winter days. The leather jacket acts as the perfect statement piece to an outfit. I would always stay classic with a black biker jacket however in winter, if you have the funds, a shearling aviator style jacket would also make an excellent statement. The leather jacket just adds an element of cool that only one of the most timeless and iconic items of clothing could. You can sub one in to almost any outfit and it will give it an edge.

6. Chunky Trainers – a massive trend in recent years and one that continues to endure. A chunky trainer can add an entirely new aspect to an outfit. On top of that, the chunky silhouette is perfect for the winter; the large soles helping to keep the elements at bay. The soles also help give added traction which is a great bonus in icy weather. In a plain colour chunky trainers add texture and interest to classic looks. A pair of Fila Disruptor II in White for example can be worn instead of any other white trainer and completely changes the look to make it right on trend.

7. Minimalist Trainers – as much as trendy chunky silhouettes add interest to a look, sometimes a pair of luxe minimalist trainers just look so clean and contemporary. This is a style that will never age. In plain white, navy or black, a minimalist shoe will make smarter looks more casual and casual looks smarter as well as just adding a refinement to any outfit. They are a simple option that never fail to look excellent and can be the perfect final piece in many an outfit come winter or summer.

8. Overshirt – okay everyone, an overshirt is the most valuable layering tool a man can possess. It’s a versatile alternative to a jumper and can be slipped on as a mid layer on almost any outfit. Coming in materials such as wool, corduroy and cotton twill, an overshirt provides warmth and depth to the look. It acts as a perfect jacket on warmer days that can then be layered under another jacket when temperatures drop. By donning an overshirt, anyone can look like they have a profound understanding of layering when in fact it is the easiest trick in the book. You can feel free to experiment with colour and different materials here as a overshirt can act as a nice pop of colour and texture in many outfits; bright blue popping out of a mostly navy ensemble for example. By messing around with texture you also keep the look more interesting and visually appealing.

9. Scarf – used correctly a scarf can either give you that certain je ne sais quoi of a Parisian style god, or the adorable charm of a British rom-com protagonist. Another versatile accessory in the winter wardrobe, a scarf can be used in countless ways. The sheer variety of colours, textures and patterns available means there is something for everyone. The scarf can be used to compliment and blend in with the existing outfit, or a bombastic print or colour can be used to make the outfit POP! In addition to the scarf itself, the way it is tied also affects the style. Varying from a drape as seen in many a British rom-com, to the easy and versatile once-around, to the effortlessly cool Parisian knot. A scarf is a piece that anyone can use to stamp their identity on an outfit, and it is recommended as a starting point for experimentation to those just entering the world of fashion.

10. Statement Trousers – 2018 was the year of the trouser. Moving away from the standard jeans and chinos, an explosion of different styles occurred. So this winter, it’s time to move away from the standard duo of men’s trousers and experiment. Try a wool style or perhaps a pleated or high-waisted alternative. Don’t be afraid to mix in patterns and colours that you would never dream of. With a top half always covered in layers of (normally) dark colours, experiment a little with your trousers. Try any number of cuts, styles, shapes and patterns. Don’t be afraid to shop around to catch something you really fancy and would really make the whole outfit sing. If 2018 taught us anything it’s that trousers have never been more interesting, so continue this in 2019 by getting additional styles to match the more traditional options. A simple and relatively risk free way of attempting this is by opting for a slightly baggier leg or a black and white houndstooth print. These will go with everything else in your wardrobe whilst still bringing your trouser game bang up to trend.

11. Sweatshirt / Hoodie – sometimes you just want something stylish and easy that you can throw on in a hurry. An ideal winter sweatshirt whether hooded or not should be warm and go with nearly everything else in your wardrobe. Whether you want to go crazy with colour and channel Logomania or the laid back grey crewnecks of American preppy a sweatshirt or hoodie is the easiest style imaginable. Throw it over any pair of trousers and prepare for the easiest mid layer imaginable. A hoodie or sweatshirt can also be used to add a great high-low element to styles by mixing them with overcoats and leather jackets.

12. Trench Coat – My final winter essential is a trench coat. Now this has many of the benefits of an overcoat only with a thinner lighter construction and added waterproofing. It does pay for this benefits by loosing some of the warmth of a traditional overcoat however with a few layers added underneath this is hardly noticeable. One of the most iconic pieces of mens wear the trench coat dates back to WWI and hasn’t gone out of style since. I would recommend a double breasted beige style as this is the most timeless. This can then be adjusted for modern trends if desired by messing with the length and making the trench coat oversized. However you decide to style it the trench coat is a versatile and iconic bit of menswear and as long as you dong stray too far from the classic it will never go out of style.