Self-Satorialist > Vanity ??

Hello, Gents.

Lately I’ve been taking a lot of pictures of myself. It’s crazy because I’m really not vain at all. Though I do believe I’m very stylish and creative with my wardrobe. I’d like to think my confidence, yes, that’s it, confidence, doesn’t come across as vanity.

Well, enough about me. Actually, this post is supposed to be all about me, but that doesn’t mean anything, because I’m not vain, right? This is a week in review…about me…taking pictures of myself…and showing them off… For the record, I’m not vain.

You’re judging me right now, aren’t you?

Jacket by Zara, scarf and hat by H&M

Thrifted blazer, shoes by ALDO, socks by Happy Socks, chinos by Commune, turtleneck by Zara, belt by Banana Republic

Crewneck sweater by FCUK, toggle button sweater by Hawkins McGill, jacket by Zara

Chinos by Cotton On, Boots by ALDO

Hat by ALDO, shirt by Banana Republic, thrifted bowtie, pocket square by J.Z.Richards

I love how the blue laces complemented the shoes. I received a lot of compliments.

See? Not vain in the least.

Peace and blessings,

S.O.S.

H&M to Stage First Fashion Show in Eight Years… How About Staging a U.S. Online Store?

Hat and blazer by H&M

Good day, Gentlemen.

Woman’s Wear Daily (WWD) reported H&M will be hosting it’s first fashion show in eight years. The collection will be showed during Paris Fashion Week, February 2013.

That’s nice. I’m happy for them, really.

So let me get this right: H&M, Europe’s second-largest clothing retailer, is more concerned about showing a new collection rather than bolstering their already plummeting brand by implementing online operations in the United States? I realize revenue from U.S. online sales alone won’t send stocks positively trending, but wouldn’t it help?

Don’t get me wrong. H&M showing during Paris Fashion Week is a HUGE deal. They will most likely show pieces that will be available from their new brand, ‘& Other Stories’ (horrible name, way to go marketing department), set to drop this Spring, which has a higher price point and targets the female demographic. That makes sense. Diversifying your brand to compete in today’s fashion business makes sense.

Though, there lies my confusion. Spanish retailer Zara, a part of Europe’s largest clothing retailer, and Asos, the UK’s largest fashion retailer, both have online operations in the United States. H&M has delayed U.S. online operations longer than Dr. Dre has delayed his new album. When will the Swedish brand get it together? Do they even care?

The answer seems to be as empty as the imaginary shopping cart on their U.S. website. As reported by Bloomberg this month, the brand will simultaneously offer it’s new brand online and as a brick and mortar, yet makes no mention of when or if the U.S. online service will commence soon thereafter.

I wish H&M the best in their new endeavor. I am a long time H&M shopper, and it would be nice to have the luxury of conducting my business with them from the comfort of my home, wearing nothing but my skivvies.

Here’s to hoping H&M will give me that option by the time Spring rolls around. I need to incorporate some fast fashion into my wardrobe to deal with Virginia’s temperature change. If not, I’ll be writing a very strongly worded email to someone.

Peace and blessings,

S.O.S.

#OOTD: Hook Up My Cable

Exclusive Preview of Antoine + Stanley SS13 Men’s Shoe Collection

Good day, Gents.

With Spring just around the corner, Antoine + Stanley has just released a preview of their SS13 Men’s Shoe Collection. Antoine & Stanley is an Australia based brand specializing and men’s and women’s shoes and accessories. They range casual to dress, featuring classic silhouettes with bold, attention grabbing colorways with amazing attention to detail in each hand-made pair. The SS13 Men’s Collection that will be dropping on asos.com in February does not disappoint.

The SS13 collection is fresh, smart, and clean, yet fashion forward. It adds a kick to your favorite classic silhouettes. It features incredibly well-designed suede brogues, derby’s, longwings, saddle shoes, boat shoes, loafers and boots and transitions very well from winter to spring with it’s energetic colors. My favorites are between the elegantly rugged slip-on Chelsea boots and crisp white longwings with the contrasting soles.

Check out the rest on the Antoine + Stanley SS13 collection below, and make sure to visit asos.com to check their current designs.

 

Peace and blessings,

S.O.S.

Special thanks to The Clear Agency for the opportunity. All pictures used with permission.

#OOTD: Red. White. Blue. Lenses.

Peace and blessings,

S.O.S.

#OOTD: Feeling Green

I love this tie. Purchased from Urban Outfitters some months ago, I love how it screams for attention.

With that said, everything else in my outfit lays low, to an extent. That’s where a lot of Gentlemen go horribly wrong with how they style their outfits. Too many try to fit too much into every single outfit worn, be it over doing accessories, too much of the same exact pattern, and especially exact color matching.

The street terminology of this offense is called “peacocking”, and yes, many of us are guilty of it.

The best example I can give is this: You select your top, bottoms, and shoes. But then you get the socks that match perfectly with the tie, and the pocket square matches exactly to those two, with a lapel pin that does the same. Wrong, wronger, wrongest.

You might look at my featured outfit and say how I seem to be doing the same thing I’m bashing. Well it’s obvious I went with a green theme. The tie, socks, pocket square, and laces. Though here’s the difference. The tones for each green piece are different. The laces and tie are almost spot on, but the socks and pocket squares were a bit off as to not be too matchy-matchy. Coordinating the tones rather than matching the colors exactly gives a more pleasing aesthetic.

Peace and blessings,
S.O.S.

#OOTD: Saddle Up

I don’t know how I would live without these shoes.

I purchased them for a whole $6 from a thrift store in Hampton, Virginia. It was love at first sight. The moment I slipped my foot in to them for the first time was comparable to…well…slipping my foot into a great shoe for the first time (This post is rated G).

I can style them up or dress them down if I want to add some flavor to my casual wear. Speaking of which, you may or may not have noticed I wear some of the same clothing often. There’s two reasons for this: One, I have that good or bad habit of really liking an article of clothing and wearing it once every week. Sometimes even once during the week and then again on the weekend (depending on who I may bump in to, of course). Two, I recycle my wardrobe very well.

Now you may be asking yourself, “What does he mean, recycle his wardrobe?” Well allow me to explain, my inquisitive audience I’m imagining myselfgiving a college-grade lecture to.

When I say that I recycle my wardrobe very well, I mean I am able to wear certain items different ways, with different pieces, to make it look like a totally different outfit. Its quite simple really. Here’s my trick: there are certain items I bought because of the high versatility of the garment. Meaning I will be able to wear it with more than one or two items in my wardrobe. With that versatility I also want sustainability. There are items in my wardrobe I’ve owned for over five years at least, that I’m able to mix and match with newer items and no one would be the wiser. I build my wardrobe on a foundation of those two characteristics, versatility and sustainability, and everything else becomes easy. It’s a joy having clothes that coordinate with many pieces and will last for a long time if cared for properly. It saves money, and it builds creativity within your wardrobe.

This post went a little off track, but I’m glad it did. I’ve been meaning to talk about my “recycling program”. I encourage all Gentlemen to give it a try. 

Peace and blessings.

S.O.S.

Measure of a Man

I wasn’t planning on posting this tonight, but, I had this idea and it couldn’t wait until morning. The idea is to create a bi-monthly series that features men from times past who were influential in their own right. These men won’t necessarily be style icons or have had any impact in the world of fashion. They will be great men who’ve left their mark for others to be inspired and follow.

That’s the purpose of this site anyway, right? To “cultivate the image of men”. With that being said, I hope you enjoy.

The first Gentleman in this series is Alexandre Dumas, the French writer most famously known for his work “The Three Musketters“ in 1844. I didn’t know the author to The Three Musketeers was of African decent. Guess you learn something new everyday.

Peace and Blessings.

S.O.S.

#OOTD: School is in Session

Good day, Gents.

I’m not attempting to school anyone, as the title suggests. This is just my outfit as I head to school this evening. Sometimes I get asked what’s the point of me dressing up for class. Simply put, this is how I almost always dress. Everyday I leave my apartment dressed as if I’ll come across an opportunity to further my personal journey or professional career. And why not? First impression is EVERYTHING, especially in my career field. Also, I’ve been approached too many times by men saying how they dig my style. The influential dynamic of style is so amazing. If I can help a man take just one step outside of his box and start thinking as an individual stylistically, I’ve done my part.

Details: Thrifted sport coat by John Ashford, shirt by Nordstrom Calibrate, chinos by Old Navy, tie and shoes by ALDO, socks and belt by Banana Republic, watch by Stauer, laces by Nordstrom 1901. *paperclip by Target (Tar-je’) haha

 

Peace and Blessings, Gentlemen.

S.O.S.

#OOTD

Good day, Gents.

This outfit was based around this jewel of a tie I purchased at the local thrift store. I don’t recommend building an outfit around one article of clothing, especially an accessory. Any man can attest how frustrating and time consuming it can be. I made an exception in this case because I rarely wear the tie, and my wardrobe has a strict equal opportunities policy.

Details: Hat and blazer by H&M, Nordstrom Calibrate oxford, John Varvatos waistcoat, Dockers Alpha chinos, Banana Republic belt, socks by Happy Socks, shoes by Aldo, laces by Nordstrom 1901.