Personal Style

Men’s couture is often taken rather too seriously by some of us.  We forget that personal preferences play a role in choosing clothing and simply bring home anything that is shown in the latest fashion magazines.  This is a huge mistake.

Each and every person, man, woman or child, has his/her own limitations and assets.  Dressing in keeping with these will help enhance a person’s look optimally. While it is true that in today’s competitive world making a good first impression is very important, it is also a fact that simply wearing clothes considered to be the latest trends will not help achieve this aim.

It is good to draw inspiration from fashion magazines or even seek out the expertise of an image consultant, but it is very important to balance it with your personal comfort.  Right from a men’s dress shirt to even a casual pair of shorts, everything must be worn keeping your age, body structure and even face cut in mind.

Do not end up looking like a fashion victim simply by copying men on the ramp. Remember this section of men’s couture is designed for the red carpet and the ramp only and does not work too well in the real world.

It is also crucial that you wear your clothes with a certain confidence.  This is the reason why a men’s dress shirt may look great on one person and disastrous on another similar structured man.  Attitude and confidence are both very important when you choose your clothes.

Do remember that brand names are not always safe buys.  Simply buying a branded men’s dress shirt or pair of jeans does not guarantee that it will look good.  Personal style is the most important aspect of men’s couture and should never be ignored in trying to keep pace with the latest in the fashion industry.

Spotted: Swamp boots

In early March, when Milan Fashion Week ended, we told you to start buying fishing waders and swamp boots because the Prada show is one of the most accurate trend prognosticators out there. Well, the trend has already been spotted by The Sartorialist: The picture above was taken in Marais, Paris. The trench is perfection, the hair a risky choice, but the boots? The boots are forever.

Would you take fashion advice from this guy?

Idiosyncratic fashion designer Rick Owens is featured in Details giving a top ten list of fashion advice. Before you consider any of it, keep in mind that Mr. Owens has worn this , this, and made this. He is also in the new Vice fashion issue, where, in response to the question, ‘what’s your fashion aesthetic?’, he answers, “The low hum of a heavy industrial motor.” Grim. In any case, his rules:

1. I’m not good at subtlety. If you’re not going to be discreet and quiet, then just go all the way and have the balls to shave off your eyebrows, bleach your hair, and put on some big bracelets.

2. Working out is modern couture. No outfit is going to make you look or feel as good as having a fit body. Buy less clothing and go to the gym instead. [ed. we actually agree with this one]

7. Jean-Michel Frank, the thirties interior and furniture designer, supposedly had 40 identical double-breasted gray flannel suits. He knew himself and is a wonderful example of restraint and extravagance. [ed. this is what Jean-Michel looked like]

9. I hate rings and bracelets on men. I’m not a fan of man bags, or girl bags either—or even sunglasses. I don’t like fussy accessories.

Valentino: the movie

The most talked about fashion movie of the year is Valentino: the Last Emperor. The film follows the Italian designer on his farewell tour, as he finished his last ready to wear and couture collections in 2008. Valentino has been working for 45 years, during which time he dressed Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor among other luminaries. Of the other great designers who came of age in the 60s, only Kaiser Lagerfeld, who actually went to the 45th anniversary Valentino celebrations in Rome last year, has outlasted him. The film is now showing in selected cities. Above and below, shots from Valentino’s last menswear shows.

We know you like expensive clothes

In February, we told you about a $43,000 suit from Brioni. Well readers, you may want to sit down for this one: Balenciaga, the legendary fashion house, is not asking $43,000 for a whole suit. They’re asking $50,000 (!!) for just one top, one beaded, shiny, expensive top. Again, we say, What recession?

For $24,870, you too can be one of GQ’s best

GQ has a roundup of the most stylish men in America. The combined cost of their wardrobe? $24,870. Kanye’s Dior Homme jacket ($,3425) is the most expensive on the list, and T.I.’s Calvin Klein Underwear tee is the cheapest ($16). The most stylish man on the list? Interview magazine editor Glenn O’Brien, half of whose outfit has no prices listed because they are “model’s own.” “How have I stayed stylish?” He is asked. “It’s about dressing with respect. My grandmother was a big influence on me in that way. If I was going on a date, she’d say, ‘You can’t wear that pink shirt—what’s the girl’s mother going to say? Have some respect.’”

High end pair of socks!!

Based in New York, V.K. Nagrani has been the emblem of men’s high end socks. Nagrani’s goals are simple and straight forward: superior products that would exceed one’s expectations, a life of luxury and elegance.

Nagrani creates the best cotton socks with an elegant, stylish and colorful design. It’s a pair of socks for the connoisseur, a man with an exquisite style and confidence.

Nagrani hosiery is sold to an elite group of men’s specialty boutiques throughout the world. Robb Report selected V.K. Nagrani’s hosiery as the “Best of the Best.”

The socks are very affordable and start a 35$ a pair. The designs will “knock your socks off”.

Tom Ford – photographer?

Women’s Wear, the fashion industry trade paper, is reporting that Tom Ford shot his own Spring menswear and eyewear campaigns. “I have always felt that an advertising image is in a sense the last layer of the design, and so decided this season to just shoot the campaign myself.” Longtime Ford model, the Spanish Jon Kortajarena, and model Karen Elson will appear in the campaigns this March.

43,0000$ suit

Legendary Italian fashion house Brioni unveiled a 43,000$ suit. No need to ask what it is made out of because we already know the answer: it is tailored to perfection and with the best and rarest material that couture can put their hands on. The suit is not for the elite, but for the elite of the elite, the top 1% earners worldwide.
Certain people may think that it is ridiculous to buy a 43,000$ suit. I disagree: value is in the eye of the beholder. I wouldn’t buy that suit, however, there is a market for it and Brioni recognized it. I would like to congratulate Brioni because they had the guts and confidence to introduce the suit in such chaotic financial times.
A 43,000$ suit for a person who earns 1$ billion annually is like a 430$ suits for a person who earns 1$million annually. My only suggestion is to the dry cleaners: be extremely careful with a 43,000$ suit.

Loro Piana – A symbol of excellence

Established in 1924, Loro Piana is an Italian clothing company known for its high-end, luxury cashmere and wool products. They have a tradition of excellence across their men’s, women’s, children’s and accessories’ collections. Loro Piana products are made from the finest, rarest and most exclusive cashmere and wool in the world. Loro Piana is a symbol of premium fabrics, high end luxury, quality, elite and a product for the connoisseurs.
The ideal client for Lora Piana would be James Bond. We picture him in a Tom Ford suit accompanied with a Privé men’s dress shirt from Bogosse, a coat and scarf from Loro Piana.
Below is a coat from Lora Piana. The picture is from Nieman Marcus and available for 4,455$.