Friday Fashion Hotlist | 7.29.05

Issue VI of the Friday Fashion Hotlist: a compilation of some of the cutest and coolest stuff Style Intelligence Report saw out there this week.

This week, we're paying homage to our fair city of San Francisco with items from local designers: a crazycute set of button earrings from Good Together, a mother-daughter design duo out of Oakland, and an absolutely Mesmerizing t-shirt design from Da Hee Projects, a design firm that makes graphic clothing to generate money for social and political projects.

For women...

Button Dangle Earrings | $40 at Good Together

Amazingly cute earrings made from buttons, of all things. They also have a button necklace for $40.

And for men (and women!)...

Around and Around Tee | $27 at Da Hee Projects

Chaotic but captivating. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I like the bunny.

Working Days | Men’s Edition: Chic Friday

An outfit perfect for the most fashion forward guy in the office:

Fashion Formula = Polo over Sport Shirt + Slacks + Casual Shoes.

East Creek Polo | $49.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

Simmons Pond Shirt | $69.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

Straight Fit End-on-End Pants | $19.99 at Gap

Urban Driving Loafer | $118 at Banana Republic

Working Days | Men’s Edition: Chic Workweek II

More chic for the workweek:

Fashion Formula = Cardigan + Sport Shirt + Khakis + Loafers.

Pima Cotton Zip Cardigan | $59.50 at Banana Republic

Simmons Pond Shirt | $69.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch

AE Vintage Destroyed Khaki | $44 at American Eagle

Suede Loafer | $128 at Banana Republic

How To: Stay Manly While Wearing Traditionally Feminine Colors

You've been eyeing that pale pink dress shirt in the mall. Or perhaps it was an effortlessly au courant purple polo. Maybe it was a baby blue t-shirt.

Whatever it was, you want to wear it. But you want to retain your manliness, rather than serving it up on a silver platter as a sacrificial offering to the style Gods.

No problem.

While these colors are seen as more feminine than masculine, you can wear them without being labeled as a woman. Just follow these simple guidelines:

1. Limit potentially feminine-looking garments to one per outfit, unless you're a stylist/actor/metro/etc.
2. Balance out such outfits with garments with masculine elements.
   

Let's put theory into practice:

Situation: You want to add a chalk stripe pale pink sport shirt into your wardrobe.

Three possible solutions:

• Tone the shirt down with a sweater or pants in another, more manly, color such as grey.
• Add an overtly masculine garment, such as a tie, vest, or dress pants.
• Focus attention elsewhere with a unique accessory, such as an oversized belt buckle.
  

Before I close out this post, I'd like to share a couple of common sense guidelines that will serve you well when taking a walk on the wild side.

1. If you're planning to wear a potentially questionable color, make sure you pick a shade that works well with your skin tone. People will notice how radiant you look, not how pink your shirt is.
2. Finish your outfit off with a whopping dose of confidence! I can't say this enough, and this advice applies whether you're wearing a pastel purple shirt, a traditional suit, or manly military garb. If you don't feel good about what you're wearing, it'll show. Even if it's the most stylish and expensive outfit in the store. And conversely, the easiest (and might I say cheapest!) way to elevate a cheapchic outfit is to hold your head up high and walk, speak, and act with confidence.
   

Friday Fashion Hotlist | 7.22.05

Issue V of the Friday Fashion Hotlist: a compilation of some of the cutest and coolest stuff Style Intelligence Report saw out there this week.

This week, we're mixing it up with a silver sandal and a perfectly preppy men’s polo.

For women...

Ipanema Sandals | $150 at JCrew

The silver charm chain elevates this sandal from so-so to simply gorgeous.

And for men...

Penguin Jersey Stripe Polo | $49 at Nordstrom

A snug-fitting polo with artfully chosen colored horizontal stripes.

Working Days: C(ity)-Scape

For an au courant work look that’s as refreshing as a breath of sea air:

Fashion Formula = Fitted Blazer + Tank + Full Circle Skirt + Heels.

Gibson Denim Jacket | $148 at Anthropologie

Dip Dye Tank | $19.99 at Gap

Linen Blend Circle Skirt | $34.99 at Banana Republic

Suede Tango Heels | $278 at Anthropologie

How To: Mix and Match Shirts and Ties

While Mondays can be dreary, your work wardrobe doesn’t have to be. Say goodbye to plain shirts and plain ties, and say hello to the world of pattern!

Easier said than done.

But Style Intelligence Report is here to walk you through the basics of mixing and matching patterns. Let’s look at the shirt and tie combos case by case:

Case I: Patterned shirt + Plain Tie
Best Bet: Repeat in the tie one of the colors in the patterned shirt. Alternatively, choose a tie in a color complementary to the dominant color of the shirt.

Two-Color Stripe Premium Barrel Cuff Shirt | $78 at Banana Republic

Solid Repp Tie | $39.50 at JCrew

Case II: Plain Shirt + Patterned Tie
Best Bet: Have one of the pattern colors in the tie echo the color of the shirt. Alternatively, choose a shirt in a color complementary to the dominant color of the tie.

End-on-End Shirt | $59.50 at JCrew

Tonal Paisley Tie | $59.50 at Banana Republic

Case III: Patterned Shirt + Patterned Tie: Same Pattern
If you’re mixing two of the same pattern, say, two stripes, vary the size of the pattern. Choosing patterns of the same size and type can look too matchy-matchy. Show that you’re in the know by choosing one large and one small stripe.

Classic Stripe Shirt | $65 at JCrew

Regimental Striped Tie | $59.50 at Banana Republic

Case IV: Patterned Shirt + Patterned Tie: Different Pattern
If you’re mixing two different patterns, say, a dot and a check, keep the size of the patterns on the same level. If you mix two patterns of two different sizes, the results will be overwhelming to the eye. Unless you’re going for a super eclectic look, choose two patterns on the same scale.

Green Check Shirt | $69.50 at JCrew

Multi-Dot Tie | $59.50 at Banana Republic

Friday Fashion Hotlist | 7.15.05

Issue IV of the Friday Fashion Hotlist: a compilation of some of the cutest and coolest stuff Style Intelligence Report saw out there this week.

This week, we're mixing it up with a dreamy dress suitable for a summer date and a subtly chic men’s charcoal sneaker.

For women...

Sojourn Dress | $128 at Anthropologie

Between the frothy tulle, pintucks, rhinestones, and embroidery, we haven’t seen a dress more perfect for a balmy summer evening date.

And for men...

Gola Contact Mesh Sneakers | $75 at Kitson

Love the shades of grey on this sneaker. Just a great, stylish shoe.

Working Days | Men’s Edition: Chic Workweek

Look no further for an outfit that’s both professional And comfortable.

Fashion Formula = Half-Zip Sweater + Dress Shirt + Utility Pants + Suede Shoes.

Cotton Half-Zip Sweater | $55 at JCrew

Earth-Stripe Premium Dress Shirt | $68 at Banana Republic

Poplin Utility Pants | $49.50 at JCrew

Sydney Suede Shoes | $138 at JCrew

Working Days | Men's Edition: Professional with Panache

Perfect for adding a little panache to a conservative workplace wardrobe, while still maintaining a polished, professional image.

Fashion Formula = Dress Shirt + Tie + Slim Cut Dress Pants + Leather Boots.

Alternating-Stripe Premium Barrel Cuff Shirt | $78 at Banana Republic

Square-Dot Tie | $59.50 at Banana Republic

Class Roberto Cavalli Dress Pants | $142 at Yoox

“On Time” Leather Boot | $170 at Kenneth Cole

Friday Fashion Hotlist | 7.8.05

Issue III of the Friday Fashion Hotlist: a compilation of some of the cutest and coolest stuff Style Intelligence Report saw out there this week.

This week, we're mixing it up with an embellished cardigan and one of the most mesmerizing striped men’s shirts we’ve ever seen.

For women...

Villa Cardigan | $98 at Anthropologie

One part prim and proper, and one part sassy, this cardigan will give a jolt of style to any wardrobe. The triple rickrack stripes of trim along with the mother of pearl button set this cardigan apart from the legions of other cropped sweaters out in the market.

And for men...

BDG Drive In Dobby L/S Western | $49 at Urban Outfitters

Mesmerizing stripe placements make for an eye-catching look. Wear with caution: this isn’t the shirt you want to be wearing when you’re flying under the radar.

Trendscape: Patterned Shirts for Men

After a couple of seasons with striped shirts at the helm, the fashion world is slowly migrating towards the next In Thing: the patterned shirt.

Fear not, the striped shirt isn’t going anywhere—it’s too versatile and flattering to leave the style scene. The patterned shirt, on the other hand, can be less versatile and somewhat less flattering (no strong vertical lines to elongate your silhouette). However, what the patterned shirt lacks in these areas, it more than makes up for in personality. See for yourself:

Triple 5 Soul Jacquard S/S Shirt | $68 at Urban Outfitters
What it says: I’m a little quirky, a little offbeat.

Regal-Paisley Premium French Cuff Shirt | $41.99 at Banana Republic
What it says: I’m creative, fun, and the life of the party.

Lumber Road | $59.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch
What it says: I’m woodsy, preppy...or both.

Textured Bias-Check Premium Barrel Cuff Shirt | $49.99 at Banana Republic
What it says: I’m organized and in control. Always.

How To: Combat the Summer Pant See-Through Effect

Picture this:

You’re in your favorite store, you’ve picked out The perfect outfit for your friend’s beachfront soiree, and you’re confident that everything fits perfectly.

But then you look in the mirror and you see…it. Maybe it’s just that you can see the pockets through your pants, or maybe you can see *ahem* more than just your pockets down there.

The ugly underbelly of the summer pant, the see through effect, strikes again!

You’ve seen this before—on unsuspecting people going about their day, and undoubtedly in the fitting room. But while you can’t save everybody from the see through effect, you can save yourself. Depending on the severity of the problem, you have two main options: add a full lining, or just cut out the pockets.

Add a full lining
If you’ve got a bad case of the see throughs, my recommendation is to add a full lining. Or, if you don’t love the pants, donate them. If you want to save the pants, take them to your favorite tailor and add a thin allover lining in the same or lighter color than your pants.

Cut out the pockets
If you have a mild case of the see throughs, in that you can just see the pockets through the pants, all you have to do is cut out the pockets. Snip out the pocket linings carefully so that you don’t cut the actual pant. Follow up by sewing the pocket openings shut.

Friday Fashion Hotlist | 7.1.05

Issue II of the Friday Fashion Hotlist: a compilation of some of the cutest and coolest stuff Style Intelligence Report saw out there this week.

This week, we're mixing it up with an alternate take on one of the season's It Items, the Tiered Skirt, and a cool, sporty Mandal (translation: Man Sandal).

For women...

Ruffle Tiered Ribbon Skirt | $24 at Fred Flare

A different take on the tiered skirt--the ribbon detailing and the asymmetry make this skirt special.

And for men...

Cole Haan “Tucker” Thong | $79 at Nordstrom

One part technochic, one part mod, this mandal has style written all over it.

PS Happy July to all!