Trend Alert: The Casual Wedding

For years and years, the black tie wedding was de rigeur.  Tuxes.  Long white gowns.  Same old, same old.  But now, it seems that the uber-formal Black Tie Wedding is starting to take a backseat to the Casual Wedding.  

Indeed, the wedding party exuded style.  Ria’s pictures, below, show that you don’t have to dress to the nines to look fabulous at your wedding.  All you have to do is capture your own personal style.

Ria: "The green bridesmaid carnation bouquets matched my husband’s shirt, and their sashes matched the colour of my dress."

Ria: "The handmade family recipe books had green accents in the printing and purple ribbons, and the mini menus at each place had blue trim."

Ria’s cousin Katherine whipped up the wedding cake and cupcakes, each of which had a special design on top.  Ria’s husband, Johann, is into frogs, and his favorite color is green–so the wedding cake featured an adorable frog couple. 

5 comments January 30th, 2008

Where to Find The Best Men’s Peacoats

Peacoats come in many styles, cuts and colors, but for me, the perfect one is dark (but not black), tailored, and waist length.  I prefer a shorter coat (i.e. not thigh or knee length, but waist length) - some say “trend,” I say “sporty.”  Style tip?  As with all black wool clothes, a black wool peacoat easily picks up lint. 

This is the peacoat I ended up buying, so naturally, I think it’s the best one.  I loved the length and the sleek, tailored look.  The extra wide collars might be a turnoff for some, but I actually like the detail.  If you zoom in on the picture, you can see what spurred me to pull the trigger on this purchase: the texture.  It gives the coat personality.  Although I don’t normally like boxy cuts, I liked the boxiness of this coat, which gives the coat a dressier feel and a strong shoulder.

“Wuffy” Jacket | $450 at Diesel

I really like this peacoat in black/gray from the brand new online Diesel store–his check pattern reminded me of the pattern on the Oak flannel shirt.  Like the Michael Kors coat, this coat scores points for (tweed) texture. As with all things Diesel, it’s very form fitting and tailored.  You’ll definitely be noticed in this bold coat.

Juicy Couture Double-Breasted Peacoat | $550 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Yeah, I know what the guys are thinking: “Wait a minute, doesn’t my girlfriend have a towel-like pair of pants with the word ‘juicy’ on the butt?”  She probably does, but don’t be ashamed if you, too, wear Juicy Couture.  Juicy has evolved into much more than a terry cloth pants company for teens.  They make some great graphic T’s for guys and they make a good-looking peacoat.  And, with Juicy, you know you’ll be getting something trendy and with a twist.  In this case, that twist is a screen-printed satin lining.

Burberry Men’s Peacoat | $650 at Bloomingdales

With glowing white buttons, this navy coat is hit or miss.  To me, it’s a hit.  The navy/white gives the peacoat a very nautical, traditional feel.  With Burberry, you know you’ll be getting a boxier cut. 

Corpus Detachable Sleeve Peacoat | $418 (sale) at Oak NYC

I love the texture on this coat from one of my favorite stores, Oak NYC.  Again, this is hit or miss, as it is quite unusual – it has detachable sleeves.  This uncommon feature also makes it practical: do as the store’s description says and layer it with a sweater.

Wool/Cashmere Peacoat in Dark Charcoal | $250 at Banana Republic

Of all the coats I have suggested, this peacoat is the most timeless.  It features a more traditional length (i.e. thigh level), and it is dark and simple.  This is a great coat to get if you want something classy and tasteful.  I myself was *this* close to buying this coat.

My last pick?  The “dream on” coat: Michael Bastian Shearling Coat | $4,495 at Bergdorf Goodman

Got $4500 to drop on a coat?  This coat by the one and only Michael Bastian is for you. 

I’ll leave you with one last Style Tip, or rather a Style Rule.  Button you coat!  Double-breasted coats look very bad when you don’t button them.  You don’t need to fasten all the buttons, although traditionalists will rebuke me for saying this.  My best advice?  Leave the top button undone.

Have a great tip about where to find a great men’s peacoat?

Share it with us in the comments!

Style question?  We’ve got answers.  E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.

11 comments November 23rd, 2007

Trendscape [Men]: Men in Plaid

From the catwalk to the boardwalk, plaid appears to be the pattern du jour.  Here are a few choice pieces to help you get the look.

Our $$ Pick

Diesel Sparty Short Sleeve Plaid Woven | $88 at Urban Outfitters

Our $ Picks

Quiksilver ‘Santiago’ Plaid Shorts | $49.50 at Nordstrom

Bingham Madras Cambridge Tie | $49.50 at J Crew

Standard Messenger Plaid Short | $39 at Urban Outfitters

Plaid Madras Belt | $34 at J Crew

6 comments March 21st, 2007

Omiru’s Fall 2007 Menswear Trend Roundup

INSPIRATIONS

Colorful Accessories
Duckie Brown

February 14th, 2007

Six Must-Have Spring 2007 Men’s Fashion Trends

Spring is the perfect time to stray away from the heavy fabrications and monochromatic tones of Winter and Fall and turn to breezy, lightweight and colorful fashions. Presenting six items to add to your wardrobe this Spring.

5 comments January 24th, 2007

Trendscape [Men]: Velvet Blazers

Velvet Blazers are In, according to Omiru’s weekly poll. Though we love cropped styles on women, we’re enamored of full-length designs for men.  Presenting our favorites for men, for work or for play.

Blazing Glory Velvet Blazer | $298 at Kenneth Cole

Black Velvet Two-Button Blazer | $298 at Banana Republic

Luxe Velvet Two-Button Blazer | $248 at Banana Republic

Triple Five Soul Velvet Pinstripe Blazer | $159 at Urban Outfitters

5 comments December 13th, 2006

Trendscape [Men]: Striped Sweaters

Wide or thin, these stripes were made for wearing.  Think outside the box and pair these linear sweaters with patterned shirts for some extra oomph.

Penguin Camolet Scared Sweater | $79 at Urban Outfitters

Gill Brook Sweater | $79.50 at Abercrombie & Fitch

Expedition Stripe Sweater | $49.50 at American Eagle

Fink Rugby Stripe Sweater | $39.99 (sale) at Urban Outfitters

1 comment November 29th, 2006

Trendscape: Cuff Links

From the snazzy to the tacky, cufflinks have been a fashion accessory that men seem to take for granted.  Now, in the age of the Metrosexual, men are taking advantage of all of the resources at their fingertips.  Cufflinks are no longer just for dressy occasions–we’ve seen men linking their cuffs while at the club, at work, and even at Sunday brunch.

Nautical, anyone?

3 comments May 25th, 2006

Trendscape: Men’s Embellished Jackets

Embellishment once used to be reserved for womenswear, but men are now being let in on the fun (and the snazzy details), according to FashionTribes. But not every man can sport this ultra-stylish look. Confident men who aren’t afraid to don a jacket that may be a tad more feminine than that of their girlfriend can pull this look off. Men who fear being labeled a Metrosexual need not apply. 

Allen B. Herringbone 3-button ‘Scandal’ Blazer | $219.99  at Bluefly

Triple 5 Soul Floral Dressy Blazer | $156 at Urban Outfitters

May 17th, 2006

Trendscape: Shorts in Plaids and Prints

 

 
Women may have gone plaid-crazy with their tops, (check out Trendscape: Pretty in Plaid)  but for men, it’s the shorts that have been splashed with plaids and  vibrant prints that are perfect for the spring and summertime.  This can definitely add a little pizzazz to the neutral (and sometimes yawn-worthy) palette that are in great abundance in the average Joe’s wardrobe.

April 27th, 2006