True/False: Street Style (Part 1)

We're not exactly a street style website. But there are some times, like on a visit to a small mid-Missouri town, that you just have to stop and take note. And there were plenty of things that made me stop and look time at Columbia's True/False Film Festival. Most of these images aren't your typical "Midwestyle," or #menswear images, but I found them noteworthy none the less. 

In the next post, Seth will have your fix of blazers, cuffed denim and layers on layers on layers. Sit tight, menswearers.

Here's a way to get noticed: Carry a thousand things in your hand, belt your blanket and stud your sweater.

Grandma varsity cardigan swag with houndstooth scarf. Rad.

Lace always get me. And those natural curls don't hurt either.

Your grandparents probably have a blanket like this sitting on the couch at their original home. Well, Liz has got that blanket coat, fringe included.

 In this case, it's her Pendleton-esque blanket coat I'm drawn to. Hey guy: Maybe think about undoing that bottom button!

 Missoni for Target for Menswear by Marc Jacobs for Rodarte by Opening Ceremony, right?

Well, it was bound to happen, folks. Being in mid-Missouri, you're going to see camo worn in a non-ironic way. But next to a lady in fur? They must be friends.

Vintage Cambridge satchel from London.

I'll never turn down an opportunity for floral.

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.

Thrifty Thursday: Stolen motorcycle jacket

So, I bought a leather jacket a couple of weeks ago on my day off up in Andersonville...

Alarmingly broken-in and well-loved, this motorcycle jacket ended up in my hands right once I walked in. I mean, if this jacket could talk, I can imagine raucous stories of women holding on to it for dear life as the owner careened around the curves of mountain roads somewhere.

Alongside my brown leather "Member's Only" jacket and a padded grey leather one, black completes the series. So I strolled up to my favorite nook in Andersonville...

Rad Vintage is the place to go, people. It's stocked full of reasonably priced and well-curated options. You'll spend a handful of minutes sifting through their selection from the bossman, RJ. He's got a great eye and know's what he's doing. Check them out on the interwebz or head up their to the store one of these days.

----

While doing some vintage shopping on the Sabbath in Wicker Park, I bumped into the lovely Ms. Trés Awesome. She kindly asked to take my photograph for her street style website and I was flattered. She kindly sent over some extra photos to make this post happen. Tada. You're the boss, Emma.

Unfortunately, the jacket has already been snatched by Katie. I'll get it back tomorrow, hopefully...if she doesn't pass it off to Shani.

Black leather motorcycle jacket from Rad Vintage ($60); Fair Isle reindeer sweater courtesy of Topman; blue chambray button down by Gant Rugger; slim white denim from spring 2011 by A.P.C.; classic white sneakers courtesy of Vans; purple laces from the 'Crewcuts' section of J.Crew; black frame eyeglasses by Gant Rugger; slouchy dirty grey beanie from my floor; vintage 1950s monogram shopper by Louis Vuitton from eDrop-Off.

Photos courtesy of Trés Awesome.

Tuesday Inspiration: Men's NYFW 2011

A lot of the time, we base pieces of our own style on some odd sources:

• Jeff: home interiors & womenswear
• Seth: story & foreign culture
• Cam: the outdoors & historic events

Tuesday's Inspiration: Tommy Ton's Street Style from New York Fashion Week 2011

We were checking out GQ's coverage of New York Fashion Week, and we noticed some diverging opinions between us. Seth was drawn to more textured items: tweed blazers, knit cardigans, wool slacks, leather gloves, camel hair overcoats—all pretty posh British and woodsy, maybe accented with a splash of color. I (Jeff), on the other hand, was all about the experimental shit: puffy coats, bright primary colors, leather belts cinched around trench coats, cuffs and high hems everywhere.

Here's one that stood out to both of us:

credit: gq.com // tommy ton

ABOUT: You might not have camel hair sport coat in your closet, but I happened to thrift one last year for 6 bones on a whim.

WHY: I've been exploring different ways to wear it and this is one avenue sans oxford cotton button down.

WHY THIS LOOK WORKS: It's a good balance of neutrals, texture and style. The neutral black denim and fun striped tee are broken up by the brown and copper belt, which creates a unique contrast. In the meantime, the worn wool cardigan tames the stripes topped off with a soft camel color. The camel-hair sport coat adds an element of softness while tying back the brown belt with the wooden buttons on the coat.

INSPIRATION: The camel hair blazer was a trend for womenswear this past fall, and I wanted in on the neutral action. That was part of my inspiration even while rocking it this past fall and winter.

Nudie Jeans "Thin Finn" dry, coated, black denim during winter sale for $75 from Standard Style; The Jones Store for Men camel hair blazer thrifted, $6; Grey cardigan thrifted, $2; J.CREW men's leather belt during winter sale, $3; American Apparel Striped Tee, $40.

photography by Jarred Donalson,
sorry you couldn't come to Oklahoma Joe's BBQ for lunch.