[Source] [you_have_broken_the_internet]
*Additional Info
Navy Horween Chromexcel leather. Hand-stitched moccasin construction. Vibram sole. Form-fitting inner. Waxed stitching. Rawhide laces. Handcrafted in the USA.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Oak Street Bootmakers | Navy Vibram Sole Trail Oxford
The perfect shoes to welcome in the Fall/Winter season (in Houston). Thanks Ryan for these gems.
[Source] [you_have_broken_the_internet]
*Additional Info
Navy Horween Chromexcel leather. Hand-stitched moccasin construction. Vibram sole. Form-fitting inner. Waxed stitching. Rawhide laces. Handcrafted in the USA.
[Source] [you_have_broken_the_internet]
*Additional Info
Navy Horween Chromexcel leather. Hand-stitched moccasin construction. Vibram sole. Form-fitting inner. Waxed stitching. Rawhide laces. Handcrafted in the USA.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
How to Buy, Wear & Care for JEANS
Unlike the rest of your wardrobe, jeans are a living thing. Indigo-dyed fabric that actually transforms itself the more you wear it and the less you wash it. But buying jeans? That's where things get complicated. You can still find a great pair for less than a hundred bucks, and the basic principle is truer than ever: FIT is EVERYTHING. So if you still haven't picked up September's issue of Men's Journal, I strongly urge you to. Blogger Michael Williams was asked by the gents of the Journal to write the User's Manual on How to Buy, Wear and Care for JEANS and I promise, he doesn't disappoint.
I suggest goin' analog and picking up a copy on newsstands now. This by far is the best six bucks I've ever spent...well maybe if I don't count Chik-Fila-A. Here's a short excerpt to get you motivated.
[Source] A Continuous Lean
I suggest goin' analog and picking up a copy on newsstands now. This by far is the best six bucks I've ever spent...well maybe if I don't count Chik-Fila-A. Here's a short excerpt to get you motivated.
THE ALLURE OF RAW DENIM REST IN THE FACT THAT AS YOU WEAR THE JEANS, they conform to your body and develop their own personality. As the fabric ages, it will show more and more character, forming a set of markings unique to the things you keep in your pockets and the way you walk and sit.
Many manufactures recommend not washing your jeans at all. Others recommend washing only when absolutely necessary. If you can wait just a few months, the jeans will become treated simply through wear and tear, and they will shrink much less when you do actually wash them. Here's what we recommend:
1. ROTATE YOUR JEANS-Always have three pairs in rotation: a new raw pair, a pair you've been breaking in for a year, and your favorites. Focus on wearing your newest pair most until they wear in.
2. BREAK 'EM IN-Rubbing your jeans with Bounce Fabric Softener and then throwing them in the dryer for a few minutes at a low temp will make them more comfortable and act as a stop gap to washing.
3. WASH THEM (IF YOU MUST)-Go as long as possible and then wash them every few months. Turn inside out to slow the loss of indigo and use the gentle cycle with Woolite Extra Dark Care. Hang to dry.
4. KNOW WHEN TO LET GO-If your jeans become at all ripped, you should retire them. If you can't handle that and want to have them patched up, save them for mowing the lawn or painting the house.
[Source] A Continuous Lean
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Levi's Workwear by Billy Reid
Straight from the September issue of GQ is the Billy Reid for Levi’s capsule collection. In case you forgot, Billy won GQ’s Best New Menswear Designer in America competition and in doing so teamed up with a little denim outfit out of San Francisco to create the Levi’s Workwear by Billy Reid. The limited offering is set to go on sale (at select Bloomingdale’s stores and Billy Reid retail shops, plus Billy Reid online) next month — if you have your eye on anything.
[Source] A Continuous Lean
[Source] A Continuous Lean
The Proper Fit
I've said it before and I'll say it again. The average American man continues to wear his clothes one or two sizes too large. Ill-fitting or baggy clothing will make you look younger, skinnier, and sloppier, while proper-fitting clothing allows you to look leaner, more mature and yes, even a little tougher. After all, if you work hard in the gym and are in good shape, you might as well look the part. Right?
Having said that, here are a couple of rules I live by:
1) When finding the right size be aware that: Every brand, every design for that matter fits differently. The trick is to make sure you try an item on before buying it. In the fitting room, dowsize until it gets too tight, then buy one size up. Don't assume that because you bought a large in one shirt that you're automotically a large in another. TRY IT ON.
2) When shopping online, I recommend only doing so if you know the brand and the fit of the specific style (Lacoste polo shirts, for example). If you must, buy more than one size, try them on and return the ones that don’t fit, this will keep you from “settling” with a bad fit.
3) Also, if you’re in the process of updating your wardrobe/image keep in mind that wearing fitted clothing for the first time is a transition that can take some getting used to. Some are a little weary when first trying more sharply tailored clothing. There is a BIG difference between clothing that you can “feel on your body” and clothing that is “uncomfortable”.
4) Lastly, NEVER buy something that is not your size only because it’s on sale. You will eventually regret it.
Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
AFS
[Pictures] The Satorialist
Having said that, here are a couple of rules I live by:
1) When finding the right size be aware that: Every brand, every design for that matter fits differently. The trick is to make sure you try an item on before buying it. In the fitting room, dowsize until it gets too tight, then buy one size up. Don't assume that because you bought a large in one shirt that you're automotically a large in another. TRY IT ON.
2) When shopping online, I recommend only doing so if you know the brand and the fit of the specific style (Lacoste polo shirts, for example). If you must, buy more than one size, try them on and return the ones that don’t fit, this will keep you from “settling” with a bad fit.
3) Also, if you’re in the process of updating your wardrobe/image keep in mind that wearing fitted clothing for the first time is a transition that can take some getting used to. Some are a little weary when first trying more sharply tailored clothing. There is a BIG difference between clothing that you can “feel on your body” and clothing that is “uncomfortable”.
4) Lastly, NEVER buy something that is not your size only because it’s on sale. You will eventually regret it.
Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
AFS
[Pictures] The Satorialist
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Mishka Fall 2010 Collection Lookbook
I really like the direction this brand continues to take as they move forward...
New York brand Mishka presents their new Fall 2010 Collection. They continue to dive deeper into a more mature look, while maintaining their identity, yet with signature colors appearing rather in the details and in more subtle ways. The new Fall offering boasts some solid jackets, outerwear, denim, shirts, jersey pieces, caps and more.
[Source] Highsnobiety
J.Crew Fall/Winter 2010 Preview
You are cordially invited...
Come by J.Crew tonight to celebrate the arrival of a special selection of their most covetable pieces. J. Crew will be introducing a new assortment of luxe items now available in stores. So if you want to see what all the hype is about STOP BY.
*Be one of the first to spend $150 or more and receive an exclusive handpicked gift from Jenna Lyons
Thursday, August 19th
5-7pm
J.CREW
Houston Galleria
5085 Westheimer Road
Houston, Texas
RSVP: 713.626.2739
Come by J.Crew tonight to celebrate the arrival of a special selection of their most covetable pieces. J. Crew will be introducing a new assortment of luxe items now available in stores. So if you want to see what all the hype is about STOP BY.
*Be one of the first to spend $150 or more and receive an exclusive handpicked gift from Jenna Lyons
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
A Short Essay on Post-Contemporary Curation : Blogs
A beautifully written piece of literature from Vincent Tsang of On & Beyond that leaves us with one question. Where do we, as photographers, stand? or as Bloggers? While the 60′s had John Szarkowski to re-establish the balance between curation and photography. The internet is a much bigger Art Museum than the physical institutions...
"As I peruse through my regular list of inspiration blogs or properly known as moodboard blogs, I came to an interesting comparative theory. These modern day curators like JJJJound, The Impossible Cool or One Man’s Style, are no different from the classic ones like Newhall, Steichen or even Szarkowski.
First let’s examine the evolutionary line of being that defines photography as Art. We first heard of this theory through avant-gardist Newhall’s conception of what it means to consider photography on the same plane as high art painting or sculpting. While he failed to penetrate masses with the idea, it was undoubtedly a stepping stone for this unclaimed ideology. His focus on curation was purely artist-based; in other words, he preached personal expression and the photographer as an autonomous artist. Public mass wasn’t ready for this. A photographers work was imcomparable to the time and competence needed to achieve an oil painting. Visitors didn’t comprehend the concept of a presence by absence of the photographer which, at the epoch was seemingly viewed to be snobbish and pontifical; often criticized for being submerged in some esoteric fog. Of course, the rise of mechanical reproduction made it impossible to praise the uniqueness, singularity and authenticity of a photograph.
This is where it gets revealing. His successor however, Edward Steichen remapped the idea of what it means to curate an photo exhibit. With the help of Bauhaus designer Herbert Bayer, four guidelines became the appraisal of curation’s organizational logic: space, color, elevation and most importantly typography. His goal? Penetrate and endoctrine an idea and specfic reaction by persuading the visitor to a, not so much biased opinion, but definitely a planned one. Much like these blogs, the photographers were almost or nearly considered a run of the mill. While I, myself as a photographer, hold no belligerent thoughts, it is simple historic fact and modern day truth. The photographer now became an illustrator of another artist’s ideas(in this case, Steichel); the designer’s hand soon became more important than the photographer’s eye. Nonetheless, he succeeded in grabbing the public eye, not because of the talented photographers, but because of the installations and the way photography was being displayed. During Steichen’s 15 year stay as the photographic curator and director at the MoMA, some of America’s most notable photographers went through unnoticed: Callahan’s formalistic style or Robert Frank’s romantic and poignant style slipped through the editting and cropping that Steichen allowed himself to do."
[Source] On & Beyond
"As I peruse through my regular list of inspiration blogs or properly known as moodboard blogs, I came to an interesting comparative theory. These modern day curators like JJJJound, The Impossible Cool or One Man’s Style, are no different from the classic ones like Newhall, Steichen or even Szarkowski.
First let’s examine the evolutionary line of being that defines photography as Art. We first heard of this theory through avant-gardist Newhall’s conception of what it means to consider photography on the same plane as high art painting or sculpting. While he failed to penetrate masses with the idea, it was undoubtedly a stepping stone for this unclaimed ideology. His focus on curation was purely artist-based; in other words, he preached personal expression and the photographer as an autonomous artist. Public mass wasn’t ready for this. A photographers work was imcomparable to the time and competence needed to achieve an oil painting. Visitors didn’t comprehend the concept of a presence by absence of the photographer which, at the epoch was seemingly viewed to be snobbish and pontifical; often criticized for being submerged in some esoteric fog. Of course, the rise of mechanical reproduction made it impossible to praise the uniqueness, singularity and authenticity of a photograph.
This is where it gets revealing. His successor however, Edward Steichen remapped the idea of what it means to curate an photo exhibit. With the help of Bauhaus designer Herbert Bayer, four guidelines became the appraisal of curation’s organizational logic: space, color, elevation and most importantly typography. His goal? Penetrate and endoctrine an idea and specfic reaction by persuading the visitor to a, not so much biased opinion, but definitely a planned one. Much like these blogs, the photographers were almost or nearly considered a run of the mill. While I, myself as a photographer, hold no belligerent thoughts, it is simple historic fact and modern day truth. The photographer now became an illustrator of another artist’s ideas(in this case, Steichel); the designer’s hand soon became more important than the photographer’s eye. Nonetheless, he succeeded in grabbing the public eye, not because of the talented photographers, but because of the installations and the way photography was being displayed. During Steichen’s 15 year stay as the photographic curator and director at the MoMA, some of America’s most notable photographers went through unnoticed: Callahan’s formalistic style or Robert Frank’s romantic and poignant style slipped through the editting and cropping that Steichen allowed himself to do."
 | ||||||||
| Trolly, New Orleans by Robert Frank |
 |
| The Americans by Robert Frank |
 |
| Cuzco, Peru by Harry Callahan |
 |
| Untitled (#372) by Harry Callahan |
Monday, August 16, 2010
AFS's 10 most common mistakes a man can make
Here's a list of style blunders seen commonly on everday men on the streets...
1.Oversized Clothing
Ever wonder why European men generally look sharper than their American counterparts? The average American man wears his clothes one or two sizes too big. Incorrect fit is one of the biggest culprits for making men look sloppy, it is also the most noticeable and beneficial upgrade when corrected.
2. The ABDC Haircut
I got nothing, but love for the dudes of America's Best Dance Crew, but this hairstyle has to go. Opt for a more natural looking haircut that won’t look different from one day to the next and give your girlfriend's hair straightener a rest.
3.White Athletic Socks (You ain't Michael!)
It's 2010 and men are still shockingly doing this. This is like the original and most commonly known mens fashion "faux-pas." For the record, your dress socks should be relatively in the same color family (preferably one shade darker) than your pants (not your shoes!).
4.Sagging pants
5.Wrap-Around Sunglasses (Leave the 'Sace shades at home!)
If you're running a marathon, on skis, or hiking Mt. Everest, I get it. Otherwise stick to something a little more classic and a little less EXTREME sport oriented.
6.The Deep-V (I'm too sexy...wait a second?!)
This look didn't work for Right Said Fred and I'm positive it's not gonna work for you (brah).
7.Walking Billboards
Wearing loud symbols is just free advertising. It doesn't make you cool.
8.Hybrid footwear
While it may seem practical, try not to wear shoes that allow you to go from work straight to the gym.
9.Trying too hard
Stop trend-humping. Just because something is in style right now, or it looks good on someone else, doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for you. Wearing too many trends can make you look like a ‘fashion victim’. Use others as a reference point, but find your own look by understanding what works for you.
10. Matching (from head to toe)
One word "contrast". Stop trying to match your sneakers with your shirt, sunglasses, or hat. It's alright if you're shoes don't match your outfit. Take a page outta Yeezy or Kid Cudi's book. Choosing clothes that don't match your shoe's color will give your shoes that extra "pop".
1.Oversized Clothing
Picture via StyleBlogger.com
2. The ABDC Haircut
I got nothing, but love for the dudes of America's Best Dance Crew, but this hairstyle has to go. Opt for a more natural looking haircut that won’t look different from one day to the next and give your girlfriend's hair straightener a rest.
3.White Athletic Socks (You ain't Michael!)
It's 2010 and men are still shockingly doing this. This is like the original and most commonly known mens fashion "faux-pas." For the record, your dress socks should be relatively in the same color family (preferably one shade darker) than your pants (not your shoes!).
4.Sagging pants
If you are genuinely a rebel that doesn’t need to fit with societies norms, this doesn't apply to you. But if you’re part of the other 99% of the the population, and want to be taken seriously, show a little respect and pull up your pants.
5.Wrap-Around Sunglasses (Leave the 'Sace shades at home!)
If you're running a marathon, on skis, or hiking Mt. Everest, I get it. Otherwise stick to something a little more classic and a little less EXTREME sport oriented.
6.The Deep-V (I'm too sexy...wait a second?!)
This look didn't work for Right Said Fred and I'm positive it's not gonna work for you (brah).
7.Walking Billboards
Wearing loud symbols is just free advertising. It doesn't make you cool.
8.Hybrid footwear
Picture via StyleBlogger.com
While it may seem practical, try not to wear shoes that allow you to go from work straight to the gym.
9.Trying too hard
Stop trend-humping. Just because something is in style right now, or it looks good on someone else, doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for you. Wearing too many trends can make you look like a ‘fashion victim’. Use others as a reference point, but find your own look by understanding what works for you.
10. Matching (from head to toe)
One word "contrast". Stop trying to match your sneakers with your shirt, sunglasses, or hat. It's alright if you're shoes don't match your outfit. Take a page outta Yeezy or Kid Cudi's book. Choosing clothes that don't match your shoe's color will give your shoes that extra "pop".
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