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.

#OOTD: Hook Up My Cable

#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.

#OOTD: Too Tired to Keep It On

This is a staged photo.

And I’m Ok with that, because its 9:30 at night, and I just got home from a full day of work this morning and class this evening. The artificial lighting in my apartment sucks. I hate taking pictures of myself in the mirror.

But I really wanted to do a post tonight.

So here it is. My “I just got home and ripped my clothes off and carelessly tossed them awry, oh look I just so happened to take a picture of them” staged photo.

Details: Shirt and tie by Nordstrom 1901, chinos by COMMUNE, socks by Happy Socks, shoes by ALDO (not seen, grey sport coat courtesy of local thrift store).

There you go.

Peace and Blessings, Gentlemen.

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.

Casual.

Even on my days off from work, when I dress “casually”, I add elements that’d spice up my outfit.

Details: Knit blazer by H&M, henley by River Island, Dockers Alpha chinos, hat by Urban Outfitters, belt and socks by Banana Republic, thrifted saddle shoes.

Peace, Gentlemen.

S.O.S.

#OOTD: Newsworthy