Brit Style: Royal Edition

I'm going rogue here and breaking from our usual policy of original photos. I've paid little attention in the run-up to that wedding that's happening today, so I suppose my curiosity is somewhat justified. Don't worry; I'll keep it brief and relevant. And if you don't like the lyrics, you can press fast forward.

A confession: I love pretty much everything about Britain. Magnify that 10 times today. It's the anglophilia. Can't shake it. First of all, Kate Middleton. In that dress, outshining even Grace Kelly. File under: "How I want my bride to look." I had permanent tingles the whole time she was walking down the aisle. Guess I'd better start making a list of eligible royal British ladies.

Enter David Beckham for the men's style tie-in. Apparently everyone else on the Internet stole my idea, because when I Googled "royal wedding style," Beckham was all over the search results.

That tie, that collar, those tails. And how spiffy is that Order of the British Empire medal—which unfortunately wouldn't be appropriate to wear if you hadn't earned it. I realize this look is rather far from "Midwest," but I'd love to work it into my next formal outfit anyway. Well, maybe not the top hat. Looks good in his hand, not in mine.

Soccer, style, England, true affection. Everything I love.

Thrifty Thursday: Recycled pants

You guys remember when I was talking about making pants into a nontraditional pair of cargo shorts? Well, here they are. How? My girlfriend was kind enough to take on the project. Here's what it takes:

• An old pair of chinos (I conveniently chose these pants in particular so that I'd have an excuse to buy a new pair of khaki chinos, but that's neither here nor there.)
• A few buttons and some thread
• A sewing machine
• Someone who knows how to use that sewing machine

Originally, I said you should probably reimburse whoever constructs these things for you with some cash. Luckily, my girlfriend was willing to help me out. Why? Dinners, movies, gifts and unconditional love, of course. Honestly, what other reasons does she need? (And really, how many more sentences can I begin with an adverb?)

Seriously though, more power to you if you're skilled enough to pull off this feat of apparel construction yourself. If you're not, find a friend who is. Hopefully you've got one somewhere. And pay them well: Food, beers, yardwork... or money if you're not feeling creative.

The shorts turned out extremely well. The most obvious changes are the front pockets, which are great. The thicker belt loops are a little less noticeable, but they're probably my favorite change. Also, the roll at the bottom was intentional when these were first made, but ultimately they squeeze my soccer thighs a litte too much. A hem is scheduled for the near future. Overall, these are definitely shaping up to be my go-to/knock-around shorts for the summer months—and all for the price of four buttons and a spool of thread. Not bad.

And oh yeah: THESE RULE.

Spectator LX in "Incense" (courtesy of Vans) by Vans Vault, size 10; khaki chinos converted into shorts with pockets (originally from Urban Outfitters, $50) by Paul Frank, size 30; vintage plaid button-down (thrifted, $3) by L.L. Bean, medium; braided leather belt (thrifted, $4); Corter for Japan bracelet (Corter Online Shop, $25 shipped) by Corter Leather.

Photos by Jarred Donalson. And many thanks to the lady.

A look ahead: Nonnie Threads

Today, we're off adventuring and spending our allotted Midwestyle time with Nonnie Threads. Hence, no big post this morning. Nonnie's a local Chicago designer who makes her products right here in the good old U.S. of A., so we're excited to get an in-depth look at her operation.

We'll be dropping by Nonnie's studio this afternoon to explore her collection, snap some photos and interview her about her philosophy on men's style. Stay tuned for the full package in a few days.

Transmission will resume shortly.

midweSTYLE: Gold and wine

Let's be honest and admit that at times it is difficult to mix color, patterns and print. Sometimes it takes work to see what goes with what and how to change up that wardrobe of yours. Other times, things just work together nicely. Here are some questions and a few of my personal suggestions of tackling these issues. For example:

Can you mix black with brown? Yeah, why not? Just balance it out with other neutrals. Charcoal blazer + charcoal pants + brown shoes + brown belt + white shirt + neutral tie = you're in the clear.

Can you wear two different patterns with one another? Hey, give it a go. If it looks too busy, then try something more subtle. [See photograph below with navy + wine checkered shirt (busy) with the wine + brown zig zag tie (subtle) to mesh things well.] If you're wearing a busy shirt with an obnoxious color or crazy print, you can tame it with a blazer or cardigan along with a neutral tie.

Can you wear two shades of black? Well, as long as the contrast isn't too noticeable. I mean, the suspenders match the socks and shoes, but the pants are a shade light since it's a charcoal tone. Just maybe not a third major shade of black.

There aren't hard and fast rules about mixing colors, prints and patterns. Just some helpful tips and suggestion on what some, many or very few think.

It's your call on how you mix and match ultimately, that's the beauty about style. It's yours.

I'm not much of a fan of silver, but baby, gimme dat gold watch.

$2.50 for a pair of Target socks that will match my skull-and-crossbones bow-tie that I'll acquire someday. And come on, for $2.50, guys. Easy.

Wine colored tie (gift) by rag & bone; wine and navy checked shirt (Halls, sale $30, reg. $99) by Scotch & Soda, small; black skinny suspenders with gold hardware (thrifted, $2.99); welt pocket pant in charcoal (Country Club Plaza, $60) by American Apparel, size 31; skull-and-crossbone socks (Target, $2.50) by Merona; thrifted soft black leather dress shoes ($5.99), size 11.

Photos by Seth Putnam.

"Re: Fashion" — A Manifesto

"Fashions fade; style is eternal." — Yves Saint Laurent

A word about trends: Don't worry about them too much. Well, let me qualify that: If you can tweak your current closet to be trendy, go for it. Want to pin your collar à la "Boardwalk Empire"? Go for it. Want to roll your trousers so your socks and shoes are a little more visible? Go for it. But don't buy a brand new pair of pants with the cuffs pre-rolled and stitched into place just because it's thing to do this year. That's expensive.

Our style philosophy is this: Invest in a wardrobe that will last, not one that forces you to walk into your local boutique and buy one of everything each season.

Exhibit A: (Boom! Roasted!) The scientific graph above is the result of a thorough and legit studysurvey. Believe it.

The Spectrum of Style is a theme that keeps coming up in our conversations around the Midwestyle office. From Jeff to me to Israel (my brother/ideas man), there's a pretty wide gamut to our personal style sensibilities.

Israel, for instance, lives in a world of relaxed-fit trousers. He rejects rolling up his pants on principle. "It's trendy," he says, like that's a disqualifier. His world is not 'Nam; there are rules. (Like no black with brown under any circumstances.) But when Jeff flounces into the living room leather belt tied around his sportcoat, I draw the line. (Don't worry, fellas, I'm only ribbing you.)

On the "reserved" side of things, you run the risk of being governed by one era's rules and becoming outdated, which is fine if you're this guy, but we're not elderly yet. On the "bleeding edge" side, you can be trail-blazing, but you also have to perpetually splash out cash and update yourself to maintain your runway cred. If staying current with the latest fashion is your hobby, knock yourself out. For me, there are other demands on my wallet.

If you shoot for the middle, you'll be neither too wild nor too tame. Some would say that's boring. I say you'll look put-together, without making a spectacle out of yourself (unless that's your game.) A way to liven things up, a way to keep it interesting, is to embellish the exoskeleton of your ongoing wardrobe. That blazer you bought five years ago will serve you for a long time. Add flourishes: elbow patches, colored thread around button holes, a flower in the lapel. That's how guys like Gay Talese get by with suits they bought 40 years ago. The proof is in the details.

Now, don't get me wrong: Experimenting with your style is important. Try new things. Work with different combinations. The world needs people who will blaze new territory, but I'd prefer to see the most avant-garde of it on the runway—not in my closet.

YSL photo by Carolina Rodriguez.