Ready Made Outfit: Refined Biker | Men’s Edition

For a stylish look that is one part one part polished and one part hip.

Biker Jacket | $150.00 at Kenneth Cole
Just a great addition to any man’s casual jacket collection. You can dress it up and dress it down to suit your mood, and the biker jacket’s detailing adds a extra dash of style to almost any outfit.

Cashmere V-Neck | $178.00 at JCrew
Look for a sweater in an interesting color. The V-neckline shows off the collared shirt and tie underneath.

Solid Tie | $39.50 at JCrew
Pick a tie complementary in color to the shirt(s) it is accompanying. Here, I’ve chosen a tie whose purplish tint forms a stylish complement to both the blue and white collared shirt and the bright green sweater.

Washed Chain-Stripe Shirt | $49.50 at JCrew
Stripes, to give the outfit some visual texture through pattern.

7 For All Mankind Relaxed Fit Jean | $143 at Nordstrom
A versatile, comfortable fit that is equally at home with the casual biker jacket and the more formal sweater/collared shirt/tie combination.

Add comment May 13th, 2005

Ready Made Outfit: SoCal Casual Chic | Men’s Edition

Radiate the essence of the beachy Southern California lifestyle with a casual, yet fashion forward, ensemble.

Scunthorpe Soho Fit Shirt | $79.00 at Ben Sherman
Patterned for a dash of style! For a more metro look, go for a fitted cut in the shirt. For a more casual look, try a shirt in a looser fit.

No Tag Fitted Ringer Crew | $16.50 at Banana Republic
Nice and simple.

Braided Cotton Belt | $24 at JCrew
A nod to the nautical style of the season.

Nashville Slim Jean | $98 at Lucky Brand Jeans
Narrow-leg jeans cut in a dark, slimming wash.

Tulum Leather Sandals | $65 at JCrew
Leather sandals for a more polished look.

Add comment May 6th, 2005

Ready Made Outfit: Prep School Meets Casual Friday | Men’s Edition

I highly recommend this look for a casual, yet pulled-together ensemble. It has enough polish to make you stand out, yet it is casual enough to be comfortable and fun. Great for casual workplaces, and Casual Friday at those workplaces with stricter dress codes.

Repp Pique Polo | 2 for $48 at JCrew

No Tag Fitted Cotton Crew | $16.50 at Banana Republic

3-Stripe Ribbon Belt | $55 at Polo Ralph Lauren
This belt also comes in blue, orange, and black.
For a less expensive alternative, try the belts at Club Monaco, another RL company.
Their color combinations can be a little more sophisticated as well.

Holman Fatigue Pant | $97.50 at Polo Ralph Lauren
Love the zipper detailing!

Add comment April 14th, 2005

Ready Made Outfit: Prep School Chic | Men’s Edition

What I love about this formula is that it’s so simple. It’s a very easy look to wear—great for those days when you need to look pulled together without looking as if you’re trying too hard.

The trick in upping the style factor of this formula is the color combination you choose.

My recommendations:

• Green + Navy + White. For a sporty preppy look.
• Sky Blue + Coral Orange + Purple Tinged Grey. Check out Club Monaco for these colors. Their coral color was spot on.
• Khaki + Sky Blue + Lime Green. Use the lime green as an accent color.

Summer Weight Cashmere V-Neck | $158 at JCrew
More choices abound at JCrew: a similar Pima Cotton sweater for $58, and a regular weight Cashmere one for $178. I love JCrew colors for a nice, preppy look. Check out the emerald (pictured) and navy sweaters in particular.

Summer Stripe Shirt | $65 at JCrew
A clean stripe that’s nice enough to get noticed, but not loud enough to call attention.

Tissue Chino Prospect Pant | $59.50 at Polo Ralph Lauren
This versatile pant comes in a variety of colors to suit your mood and your outfit.

Check the Style Intelligence Report tomorrow for more men’s fashion!

Add comment April 13th, 2005

Ready Made Outfit: Streetfresh Urban | Men’s Edition

For a cool, sporty look that rises above standard casual fare, try the following combination:

Jeans + Tee + Button Up Shirt + Track Jacket

To make this combination your own, look for garments with visual interest—through pattern, texture, and/or color.

You may want to add some sporty-casual sneakers to round out the outfit.

Add comment April 7th, 2005

Ready Made Outfit: Preppy Rockstar | Men’s Edition

As promised, I present to you the Style Intelligence Report’s first foray into the Wide World of Men’s Fashion.

I bring to you the look of the season for men that’s nearest and dearest to my heart: the Preppy Rockstar.

The foundation of the look consists of a good quality jean and a casual-to semiformal top…or two. Pictured are American Eagle’s Eagle Stripe Pique Polo ($29.50), and Armani Exchange’s Boot Cut Jean ($105).

Eagle Stripe Pique Polo ($29.50)
Photo Courtesy of American Eagle Outfitters.

Boot Cut Jean ($105).
Photo Courtesy of Armani Exchange.

Another, perhaps more sophisticated, shirt possibility is a woven, button-up shirt that has some extra style detailing. One of my current favorites: Kenneth Cole’s "Pieced and Love," ($110) shown below. The ribbon detailing provides an interesting counterpoint to the otherwise standard button-up shirt.

Ribbon-detailed Button-Up Shirt ($110).
Photo courtesy of Kenneth Cole.

To this basic foundation, add your jacket of choice. Two suggestions:

1. A Blazer: To mix things up a bit, try one in an unusual fabric. The blazer pictured below ($89 at Urban Outfitters), for example, is made of Velvet.

Signature Blazer ($89)
Photo courtesy of Urban Outfitters.

2. A Biker or Motocross Jacket: Very attractive on a wide variety of body types. The Cotton Biker Jacket pictured below goes for $145 at Armani Exchange.

Cotton Biker Jacket ($149)
Photo courtesy of Armani Exchange.

All you have to do is add sunglasses and some attitude, and you’ll be ready to go!

Add comment March 31st, 2005