Details Magazine: Look for Less

For our second guest post for Details Magazine, we decided to look back on a few great films of 2011. It's the look for less: the idea of taking something that styling crews shelled out hundreds for and recreating it for pennies on the dollar. This isn't necessarily dress-up; it's just a little inspiration.

A common thread amongst the films was one man. Ryan Gosling. Enter the Gos.
Okay, he couldn't make it for the shoot. So, I rolled out of bed and stepped in.

With the deadline approaching, we phoned our main man, Anthony Barlich, to make shit happen.
And he did. See for yourself:

Drive: Badass leather jacket, driving gloves and a ratty, old henley. You've got those, now make it happen.

(Special thanks to Wicker Park for being a dirty dive.)

On Jeff: Dark wash slim-straight, mid-rise "Max" jean (sale) by Acne; grey henley from Seth's closet; thrifted grey moto-style jacket with padding ($40) from Rad Vintage; silver-framed aviators from Mallory's purse; off-white "James" wingtip (end-of-season sale $100) by Frye; last-minute fingerless leather driving gloves ($10) from Urban Outfitters; vintage sterling silver "Southwest" inspired cuff ($10); skinny railroad spike cuff ($50) from Giles & Brothers.

Crazy, Stupid Love: Sharp suits, coy attitude, mixed drinks, beautiful women and The Bedford.

(Special thanks to The Bedford Chicago for letting us shoot in your amazing space.)

On Jeff: two-button, notch-collar midnight smart suit (on sale $300) by A.P.C.; slim-fit, mini-check button-down shirting (sale $50) by Scotch & Soda; thrifted woven leather belt ($2); laceless brown "Lexington" wingtips (Nordstrom Rack, $50) by Florsheim.

Ides of March: Politics, schmolitics. Dirty scandals, clean looks. Keep it secret, keep it safe. I also don't own a grey suit, so you gotta make do with what you have.

(Special thanks to Chicago for being beautiful at sunset)

On Jeff: Grey trench courtesy of Banana Republic's Mad Men Collection; thrifted wool scarf ($10) by Pendleton; shrunken charcoal sportcoat (sale at Halls for $260) by Bill Tornade; high-waisted charcoal trousers ($60) by American Apparel; short-sleeved white button shirt (end of the season sale $40) by rag & bone; gifted silk tie by rag & bone; thrifted patent leather penny loafers ($5) by Allen Edmonds; tortoise shell sunglasses from Mallory's trunk. 

Once again, Major eProps to Anthony for the photography for this project with Details. Also, a big bear hug to Mallory for being the lighting queen. She can hold a light longer than one of those schmucks on Survivor standing on a totem pole for a piece of chocolate.

Seriously, y'all. Anthony makes it happen.

midweSTYLE: Bridge

REAL TALK: I rarely have a very good reason to wear a tie. Honestly, events that necessitate ties in my life are few and far between. I mean, outside of the occasional wedding or sorority formal, opportunities to appropriately don neckwear are fairly infrequent. That means that when I wear them, it's typically for no reason at all. I'm not going to the office, I'm just going to class. If Mizzou were a little more Ivy, that may be normal. But in a place where T-shirts and sweatpants reign supreme, I figure most people just assume I'm a professor.

Now, switching gears, the comment we tend to get most when it comes to buying from thrift stores or vintage resale shops goes something like this: "I just don't have the patience to sift through all the inevitable crap to find what I'm actually looking for." While thrifting often leaves you frustrated and empty handed, I think I've come to realize why I genuinely enjoy it to the degree that I do. The prices are obviously the biggest draw, yes, but there are secondary elements to the thrift store experience that make it something that is, while tedious at times, still very worth while. For me, I love that it harkens back to a time when United States manufacturing was still king, before outsourcing apparel construction became the new black. There's something strangely satisfying about putting on a piece of clothing whose tag reads, "Made in the U.S.A." You guys know what I'm talking about, right?

LASTLY: Sorry for going YouTube crazy. Also, we're a handful of followers short of four digits on Twitter. Lets do this, team.

On Cameron: Blue oxford (thrifted, $2) made in the U.S.A. by Arrow Brigade, 15.5 neck; striped tie (gift from a lovely woman) by Kincora Irish Tweeds; brass tie bar (thrifted, $2); woven belt (thrifted, $4); chinos (UO, sale $10) by Dockers, size 31; desert boots (Christmas gift '09) by Clarks, size 10; "Preston" eyeglasses (online, $95) by Warby Parker; rope bracelet (homemade).

Photography by Jarred Donalson

midweSTYLE: Lost

Some of you are probably thinking, "Who is this guy again?" After all, it must feel like you haven't seen me in a month of Sundays. Where have I been, you ask? Long story short, I spent about four weeks in the smokey hills of North Carolina, making new lifelong friends and perusing the city of Asheville in a 12 passenger van. It was an incredible joy, but I'm also pumped to be back in Kansas City, at the Midwestyle office. And no, that doesn't actually exist. Or does it?

FIRST THINGS FIRST: The newest additions to my closet are a few Gitman Vintage shirts that I scored at a freshly opened Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th at Legends Outlets in Kansas City, Kansas. With the combination of some opening-event special discounts and a few other tricks, I ended up scoring two for about a hundred dollars. Considering they both retail for around $165 per, it felt like Christmas. Or my birthday. Or like I was stealing something.

My favorite part about wearing or using something over and over again is to see how well it ages. My Vans, Baldwin Denim, and Duluth Pack are all developing their own characteristics that make putting them on or throwing it over my shoulder a different experience week to week, month to month. I love products that have the quality and longevity to take on a distinct life of their own (note: those are also the products I'm also willing to shell out more cash for). Sorry mom, I know I should be saving, or something like that (note #2: my mom reads the Midwestyle religiously. You da best, mom!).

In other, unrelated news, I lost my Timex and Corter for Japan bracelet somewhere in the state of North Carolina. That said, I find myself in between watches and without any leather on my wrist, the feeling of which, I must say, I had grown quite fond of. The search has begun for replacements. Like this. And this. More suggestions are welcome.

LASTLY: Because I feel like things are meant to be shared.

On Cameron: Kurabo 77's (Standard Style, $198) by Baldwin Denim, size 31; s/s madras shirt (Saks OFF 5th @ Legends Outlets, over 50 percent off) by Gitman Vintage, size medium; Authentics (online, $40) by Vans, size 10; "Preston" eyeglasses (online, $95) by Warby Parker; waxed canvas "Wanderer" backpack (online, $215) by Duluth Pack; ratty woven belt (thrifted, $4)

Photos by my good friend Jarred Donalson

midweSTYLE: St. Louis (Part One)

You know that feeling of joy when you are reunited with best friends who always greet with you a warm, bear-like slap on the back followed by a quick rub to diffuse the gentle sting? That's how I feel when the Midwestyle reunites.

We got together in St. Louis for our good man Patrick's wedding. If you're from Missouri or have Missouri friends, you know Kansas City hates St. Louis. And that St. Louis hates Kansas City right back. Or maybe it's just our friends have this thing with their hometown pride.

Either way, Patrick, a Kansas City boy, met Emmy, a St. Louis girl, and forged peace between the Montagues and Capulets of KC-STL—at least for the time being. Naturally, we brought our favorite Kansas City goods with us to this wretched great city!

Actually, we just found all of these belongings in our car. Let's be honest: You need to take some hometown swag with you wherever you go. We chose Boulevard Pale Ale, KC Baldwin hat and a throwback "Wizards" jersey.

But really "St. Louis" people, do you actually live in St. Louis? Nope, you live in Chesterfield, West County or Kirkwood. We, on the other hand, actually have mailing addresses that say "Kansas City" not "Lee's Summit" or "Overland Park." Represent.

The Three Madras Amigos showing our St. Louis denizens how we feel. Everyone loves a meaningless, mildly offensive middle-school gesture.

Noteworthy details: My no-break chinos and "Lexington" wingtips by Florsheim.

Noteworthy detail: Seth's thrifted woven and stitched loafers by Giorgio Brutini.

Noteworthy detail: The "KC" welt and felt hat by Baldwin Denim.

On Cameron: pink, fuchsia and orange madras shirt (thrifted at Wild Man Vintage, $7) by Royal Knight, medium; grey slim-fit trouser shorts (Urban Outfitters, $40) by BDG, size 31; "KC" baseball cap (Standard Style, $42) by Baldwin Denim, size large; well-loved and worn "Authentics" (online, $40) by Vans, size 10; throwaway aviators from Urban Outfitters ($10).

On Jeff: Grey slim-fit "Davis" chino (retail, $50) by Club Monaco, size 28x32; brown leather belt with brass detailing (sale, $4.99) by J.Crew, size 30; blue-and-green large-check madras shirt (sale, $29.99) by J.Crew; "Lexington" wingtips without laces (Nordstrom Rack, $50) by Florsheim, size 11; knock-off "Clubmaster" sunglasses (Seek Vintage, $12).

On Seth: Blue and violet plaid button-down (swiped from Cam); "Corporal" chinos courtesy of J Brand, size 30; woven and stitched tassel loafers (thrifted, $6) by Giorgio Brutini.

Photography by Jarred Donalson.

Things Organized Neatly: The Bruiser

"You can't do that."
"Do what?"
"Wear black and navy."
"Says who?"
"You just can't."

Gentlemen, who gave us this no-black-and-navy rule?
Hell, who said you can't wear brown and black together? I'm sure they had every good intention of steering you away from being gawked at or accused of being color-blind (because hey, I know a few guys who are color blind.) But let's step back and reassess of our views on mixing black and navy.

For us Midwestern boys, we were told not to wear black and navy together because...

• It's too dark.
• It doesn't match.
• It doesn't look "good."

Disagree. You can do it, and you can do it well.

• It's too dark: Try breaking up the navy and black with some white, grey or another neutral—even olive or khaki. (Yes, those are considered neutrals.)
• It doesn't match: That's the point. You don't have to match your belt to your shoes to your watch strap color. Although you can, you don't have to. You've heard the expression "matchy-matchy?" Yeah, let's avoid that in this scenario and roll with the bruised-looking palette, that's often how I look walking out the door. (A little black and blue, with a dash of purple or mustard.)
• It doesn't look "good." Well, that's in the eye of the beholder. And I'm beholding you and telling you it looks sharp. You were probably told that you can't wear dress shoes without socks and that you can't wear white after Labor Day. Bullshit.

Feeling ballsy? Add a touch of yellow or an obnoxious pattern.

Grey straight-leg chino by Nonnie Threads, small; black trim fit waxed stretch cotton "Brayden" jacket (Nordstrom) by Comune, small; black-and-white-striped tee by American Apparel, small; navy cotton button-down by J.Crew, extra-small; Weekly-Planner Notebook by Moleskine; thrifted black leather belt with brass detailing; white "Authentics," courtesy of Vans.