midweSTYLE: Oh, Pioneer!

UPDATE (3/5/12): This comment from Some Assembly Required was on point:

"Thumbs up on hats, love them, wear them all the time. For cooler weather, I have wool flat caps in tweed patterns; a couple of Stormy Kromers (made in Michigan) for when it's colder; a "crushable" fedora-style hat like the one above that I got at Orvis (also made in USA); a couple of Panamas for summer to protect my head from the sun; and yes, a couple of ball caps, which I'm most likely to wear while walking the dog. 

One thing though: NEVER WEAR A HAT INDOORS. When you go into a restaurant, your workplace, a movie theater, etc., you need to remove your hat. Not doing so makes you look like what my grandparents used to refer to as a "greenhorn" (a person with no class or manners). A lot of guys, especially younger ones, don't seem to be aware of this, probably because no one ever told them (and because hats, while on the upswing, haven't been as popular as they were in the past). 

So I mention this not to put anyone down, but because I want guys to look dignified and dashing, not clueless and ignorant."

Well said, sir.

We're on a need-to-know basis, and I need to know: What are your thoughts on hats?

I bought this hat over the summer and couldn't figure out a way on how to wear it. Its particular style is unique—probably something a hipster lead singer in a folk band would wear. Guilty.

It's a hybrid between a safari, panama, fedora and a trilby. You tell me, menswear geeks. The tag says Banana Republic Outdoor Safari Collection, so we'll run with that and call it a safari hat. I snagged it for a dollar up in Andersonville one summer's eve. Brown Elephant, y'all. They've got some great digs from time to time.

I decided to play with some different ways you could wear it. All seemed appropriate considering the brim was a bit wider and rather flexible. Perhaps it's a homburg style, as this Art of Manliness article on hat etiquette suggests. Either way, I dig it and have worn it on occasion.  I paired it back to some other textures and styling to give it a folky, pioneer kind of vibe. I mean, you totally love Mumford & Sons. So shut up.

First, are hats actually on the rise? Do you wear one?

• Ballcaps on the weekend?
• Fedoras to brunch?
• Chef hat in the kitchen?
• Newsboy around the office, you writer, you.

Also, can we pause for a minute and vow to not give the guy a hard time if he's wearing a fedora. Fedoras are good in my book. And no, you don't have to mention Jason Mraz* and say I look like him because I'm wearing a fedora every time I'm wearing one, okay? Jerk.

On Jeff: two-button "Harris Tweed" blazer (from Barney's) by A.P.C.; evergreen cross-weave wool pullover sweater (from Nordstrom) by A.P.C.; chambray shirt (from Saks) by rag & bone; slim-leg "Johnny" corduroy pant in Sante Fe courtesy of J Brand; blue suede bucks (from Nordstrom) by 1901; thrifted brown homburg hat (from Brown Elephant) by Banana Republic; "Weekender" watch (with colored band from J.Crew) by Timex; black eyeglasses by Gant Rugger.

Photography by Amy Creyer

Thanks for snapping some quick snaps on a lunch break, Amy!


*(Seth's note: If you are wearing a fedora, you look like Jason Mraz.)

Street Style: Tuesday in Wicker Park

A quick little street style update courtesy of Amy Creyer of Chicago Street Style. 

There isn't anything particularly exciting about my outfit, especially for my general thrust for anything obnoxious or questionable. However, take a closer look at the jacket.

A recent find at Barney's, the Harris Tweed A.P.C. (although Context carries this) blazer has quickly became my favorite fall/winter wardrobe piece. The different colors woven in this badboy are beautiful. It's easy to pair with denim for a casual look. Or I pair it with another color trouser or button down that is woven throughout the jacket, like the rich burnt orange/brown, purple and blue. A definite investment piece, sure. Worth it though.

On Jeff: Grey Harris Tweed blazer by A.P.C.; grey crewneck sweatshirt by Jack Spade, thrifted purple madras shirt by GANT; blue cotton scraggly scarf by rag & bone; thrifted two-tone knapsack; beloved dark wash 11.5 oz slim "Henley" with stretch no wash for 2 years by Baldwin Denim; chocolate suede boots by Red Wing; black framed glasses by Gant Rugger.

Thanks again, Amy. You're a sweet and talented friend who's also got some wacky style. 

Also, Can we pause and talk about this bookshelf print top? I want that in a button down.

Friday Wrap-Up: Topman

Okay, party people. It's the end of the week. And what a week it was. Quick rundown, then you can get outta here!

Tuesday: Sneak preview of Buckshot Sonny's, which will launch at a certain men's market in the Midwest this weekend. Wastler looked like a kid at Christmas as he opened the bats, baseballs and caps that arrived in the mail.

Wednesday: An unexpected invitation to an exclusive party hosted by Sir Philip Green to celebrate the launch of Topshop's new Chicago location on Michigan Avenue. Full write-up coming on that place, but for now, suffice it to say the night was insane. A few highlights:

• Cocktails, dinner and an after-party at the Paris Club
• Gerard Butler
• Miley Cyrus
• Miley Cyrus dancing
• Miley Cyrus dancing in Jeff's suspenders
• You'll have to ask him about that
• Did I mention my quick chat with Rahm Emanuel?*
• So, one of the most memorable birthdays ever

For more on the celebrity element, check out Ernest Wilkins' read on the night for RedEye.

Thursday:

• I'm in Time Out Chicago with a fun piece about a street corner in Chicago where you can get haircuts for $5.
• Jeff and I ran into Isa from Chicago Looks at Topshop on Wednesday. After filling us in on what she's been up to for the past few months since we saw her last, she snapped a couple of photos.

Friday: I'm hastily tossing some clothes in the Saddleback and hop in the truck for a casual road trip with Max Wastler and Joe Gannon to Minnesota. Why Minnesota? Oh, no reason...except that NorthernGRADE is this weekend. Next week, there will be a full recap of shenanigans, characters and adventures encountered there.

If you're in Minneapolis, say hi—and come check out Wastler and Gannon's new project, Buckshot Sonny's.

Now go take on the weekend.

*And by "quick chat," I mean: We made eye contact, and I said, "Hey!" He said "Hi." Then he walked on.

Weekend Review: Late August

The Midwestyle Boys reunited in Missouri again for yet another weekend wedding.

But first, let's congratulate Seth. After ushering three weddings, Seth was promoted from Usher to Bridesmaid Groomsman. Well done, Seth! And while Seth was slinging back brews with bros at bachelor parties and watching baseball, Cam and I took a moped for a spin. Booyah.

Yes, that's a moped.
Yes, those are my scrawny legs.
Yes, we are spooning.

Noteworthy news we're excited to share with you:

• Seth, Brad and Max were named among the cutest men's style bloggers in Chicago. (Refinery 29) Why was Jeff missing? Blame the scale. Where was Ryan? Blame it on Yeezy.

• Amy Creyer of Chicago Street Style explains how style bloggers are changing the city. (Feast)

• Again, Amy Creyer of Chicago Street Style teamed up with Timberland to throw some boots on some boys in the City. Click through to see the photos! (Chicago Street Style)

• Kat, of That Kind of Woman, stands her ground when Snarky McSnarkerson sends a few questioning vibes our way.
  
  

Dear Snarky,
You're right. Our clothes aren't real. We actually spend a lot of time rehearsing and practicing our poses with DJ Khalid stroking our egos. I force Seth to rehearse every evening by walking over a flaming pile of tie clips. I also make Cameron not shave for weeks on end and tell him he's not perfect until he looks like Phillip Crangi.

I'm a slave driver, Anonymous. You found out our secret: We're models pretending to be real people, and we run a tight ship around here where everything is forced, the deadlines are insane, and our editorial calendar is so packed that we're thinking about quitting our (real) jobs so we can be more authentic for you. These are not the droids you're looking for.

Best,

Jeff

Hope you had a great weekend!