midweSTYLE: Summershine

A couple of weeks back, when we were finally getting used to the sun warming up the streets, Jeff and I caught up with our compadre Anthony Barlich, photographer extraordinaire.

The three of us generally palled around for the afternoon, first snapping some frames on a defunct freight track (known to some as the "Bloomingdale Trail")*, then running away from the rain, then scarfing down a few sweet, tasty Epic Burgers.

Solid day between hard-working friends.

Sartorially, I'll keep it brief. Here, I suppose, I'm endorsing the idea of fit and a splash of color. I don't think I'll get tired of a non-baggy silhouette any time soon. It makes us short-folk look not quite as dumpy. I've also been noticing that there's way too much blue in my closet. In school, I found that the color worked for me and overstocked. So I've been experimenting with other stuff. Took me a while to warm to the idea of sea-foam and grey, but there it is. I've also found myself woefully undersupplied in the short-sleeve shirt area. But no need to go out and buy a new shirt if it's not in the budget; just roll 'em sky high.

So, folks, buy something that fits. (Don't fulfill GQ's read on Kansas City.) And if you get the chance, throw a pop of color into the mix. Just a little.

On Seth: Button-front shirt by J.Crew; slim-fit carpenter trousers by Levi's; natural leather belt by Urban Outfitters; thrifted loafers by Giorgio Brutini.

Photos by Anthony Barlich.

*An earlier version of this post misidentified the Bloomingdale Trail, which was actually a track for freight transport from a manufacturing district on the northwest side of Chicago. It discontinued service in the 1990s, and these days there's a campaign to beautify, restore and develop the land into a park and trail for commuters, contemplators and those who would like to find "refuge from daily urban life." There are also 12 schools near the Trail, so it could double as a safe way for kids to get to class. For more info, check out the group's website.

midweSTYLE: Fight

What you don't know is that Seth and Jeff fight...often. Yes, yes. It's true, dear readers. Jeff and Seth, although former roommates in college and former couch residents, get in fights. We don't always see eye-to-eye on everything. Topics and past arguments have included but are not limited to:

• Why is addressing your parents by their first name rude/inconsiderate?
• What is a healthy B.A.C. level for a slow Tuesday at 2 p.m.?
• Should I still be subsisting on cereal even though I'm 23 years old with a full-time job?

We debate these pressing issues week in and week out at The Midwestyle office. Our boy Anthony decided to help us handle these issues on the street.

I really loved playing Mortal Kombat growing up. This image brings back flashbacks. FIGHT!

So the fight begins. FINISH HIM.

Pause for a shot of my fresh kicks.

Annnd...scene.

On Jeff: Chambray-lined, blue-and-white striped button down by J.Crew, small; broken-in orange striped tee by J.Crew, small; straight-leg front-pocket green cargo pants (sale $19.99) by Levi's, 31x34; classic white "Authentics" courtesy of Vans Shoes, size 11, vintage Clubmasters (Seek Vintage, $12); jersey slub cardigan by J.Crew, small; canvas green unzippered tote (thrifted on eBay, $50) by Filson.

On Seth: Navy cotton, shawl-collar pull-over by Nonnie Threads; light blue button-down (hand-me-down from brother) by Arrow; paisley tie (hand-me-down from grandfather); khaki chinos (retail, $40) by Gap, size 31x30; knock-off Persol wanna-be sunglasses (Seek Vintage, $12); brown suede "Moc" courtesy of Vans Shoes, size 7.5.

Photography by Anthony Barlich.

midweSTYLE: Entryway

Since moving to Chicago, I've been fortunate to meet passionate people. I love meeting folks who are going after what makes them tick. It's a beautiful thing to meet someone who loves what they do and attacks it relentlessly. I've met a few of these types already—take roommates Drew and Anthony. Drew is a hairstylist and Anthony is a photographer. Here's how we met:

When I was jet-setting to Chicago for interviews in the tail end of what we all thought was winter in March, I bumped into Drew at a Thursday-night event that bridged our interests. His style was a little West coast, relaxed but put together, but the dude is from Wisconsin. We starting chatting about why he was wearing slim-fit, white rolled denim and why he is in Chicago. I asked him what he liked to do and he replied, "I cut hair and you need a hair cut."

Cool, I thought. I've got my guy to cut my hair. It's a thing that many don't have these days: "their guy" at the barber shop, at the menswear store, at the tailor, at the local restaurant. Their guy. Your guy who helps you out when you need the latest or a fixing. He knows enough about your life to ask how your family's doing. How work's going. What you thought about that thing that happened on the Blue Line the other day. I just moved here, and I've officially secured another year of not having to step into a professional salon. Glory, glory, glory. I can pay AND tip the hairstylist in booze, meals and bargains. Relief.

---

A month later when I moved to Chicago, I show up to Drew's apartment and met Anthony while I was getting my hair cut. I told Drew to do whatever he thought would work best. (It's hair. It'll grow.) Anthony is a rad man from Pennsylvania who has got a serious case of trigger finger. Dude's got the camera glued to his face, and when you get a chance to see his face past the scruff, he has a smile that stretches from ear to ear an reveals an enthusiasm to know you and your passion.

Anthony took some time off between shooting medical hip replacement surgeries and New York weddings to hang out with Seth and I. We got a little work done...

FAVORITE PART OF THE LOOK: Clashing patterns and prints. If these socks had parents, Mortia Adams and Beetlejuice would be a notch above in the family tree. Kind of a dark and quirky feel much like the set in Anthony and Drew's old apartment entryway. Mix these with a preppy and spring-madras bow tie, and it somehow works. Or maybe it doesn't. Give it a shot.

Straight-leg "Mushroom" stretch chino ($175) by Nonnie Threads, small; brushed cotton navy button-down (900 Shops in Chicago, sale $30) by J.Crew, extra-small; spring-madras bow tie (Etsy, $20) by AnnaRuna; brown leather belt with brass hardware by J.Crew, size 32; black-and-green striped socks (sale $2.99) by J.Crew, one size; brown leather wingtips (Nordstrom Rack in Chicago, sale $40, reg. $140) by Florsheim, wool scarf (thrifted at Urban Mining in Kansas City, $8) by Pendleton; unzippered green canvas tote (eBay sale $50, reg. $90) by Filson.

Photography by Anthony Barlich.