Transformers.

Typically, the long memorial day weekend signifies bringing out the board shorts or trunks (as I recommend) and hitting the pool. But if any of you were in town this weekend, you bore witness to the chilling temps and wild storms that we are used to seeing in April, resulting in a bit of a canundrum this AM when it came to getting dressed. 

What is one to do when it is 40 degrees when leaving for work, and about 70 when arriving back home? The 30 degree swing can be a challenge for the fashion novice and even seasoned style makers.  

A little layering can make all the difference and allow you to pack away the wool suit and chunky cardigans.  Urban, Gap, Ivy and LD Man are all stocking up on featherweight cardigans and sweaters- perfect for days like today.

Detail Oriented-Patrick Doyle

All right, all right...it may seem unfair to post my brother on here. But when a guy demonstrates finely tuned style knowledge, (wether or not he is related to me) I will acknowledge it.

As seen here, Patrick took evidence from his surrounds (the preppy grounds of George Washington University) as inspiration for his library cardigan and classic cut khaki's.  Now, bringing "The End of Poverty" by Jeffery Sachs, as a little light reading for the graduation ceremony- may have taken intellectual chic a little far.  Let's stick to the clothes next time!

Detail Oriented-Cody Gavin

Even though I have never met Cody, rule of thumb is that 90% of MCAD students have a keen eye for trend and are superior in the execution.  Contributing blogger, Suzy Martin, picked this one out of the crowd (actually, out of her group of friends, but who's counting?)  

The jeans are Andy Warhol for Levi's (Cody found them at Buffalo Exchange) and the mustache ridden bandana is Cody's own design, Cholo.

Yes, that is a gold mustache!

Bluefly's The Tailor.

For those not lucky enough to have a haberdashery in their own city, Bluefly has created "The Tailor."  Promising not to be pretentious, shoppers can find smart designer duds from Etro, Michael Kors and Burberry.  In true Bluefly style, prices will be up to 40% off retail prices.

I don't know if this is the place to head for your first suit, for I can't imagine that an online store will offer tailoring to fit- even if it is called The Tailor.  Something to take into account when calculating the price- will you be spending the amount you saved to get it to fit perfectly? Or are you willing to forgo the fit for a discounted price?

First seen on See Jack Shop.

What is a Porkpie?

pork·pie· (hat) (pôrk′pī′)

noun

a man's soft hat with a round, flat crown

A good friend and I were talking the other night about what he should wear to Steeplechase, a horse raise held every year in Nashville.  Any who have witnessed the hat parade at the Derby- know that what you wear says everything.   The previous weekend, he rocked a white linen suit, floral pocket square and a mustache that could have won him the title of "Phillip Seymore Hoffman look-alike."  So, the goal was to top that.  I suggested he try a porkpie hat, he suggested one of the former "vote-for button" hats- come to realize that we were both describing the same hat.  

The porkpie was made popular by vaudville comedians (like Buster Keaton) and countless jazz musicians and has recently reemerged with the growing popularitiy of toppers- and being worn by trendsetters looking to have something different from the fedora or straw panama hat.   You can find them locally at Heimie's Haberdashery in St. Paul.

Super-heroes unite!

Somewhere on my life list, I have it stated that I want to be invited to the Met Gala to benefit the Costume Institute.  Being that the invitations are more coveted than Super Bowl tickets, and attendees are hand selected by Anna Wintour,  I am hoping that one day- I may be able to cover the event.

It is the who's who of the entertainment and fashion industry under one roof and always promises looks to lust after.  With a theme for each year, the crowd pays homage to the influences of design and entrainment on the fashion industry.  

Monday night, super-heroes (and super powers) united....some faves:

No wonder we love Rag and Bone!  Look at the gold shoes at left.

I nearly forgot that he was one a resident of "the creek"

A tale of the ill fitting tuxedo....  Gentlemen,  in both occasions- the top half is fine, next time...lets try to get pants that fit, and don't look like you are playing dress up.

A (wing)tip or two.

A graphically pleasing shoe such as a spectator tends to look costumey when dressed up to the nines. However, as The Sartorialist points out, dressing down the Swing Kids classic, results in a completely fresh look.

Tip: to keep this look fresh- invest in some Peds, or no-show socks.

I spy.

I will tell anyone, I am an AVID people watcher. To be completely honest- that it all started in a more judgmental manner. Straying from that now, I am so intrigued by cultures, mannerisms, relationships, and body language. My post as a hostess at “my neighborhood brassiere” several nights a week, is extremely fitting for a gal of my interests. Anyone who works in the restaurant industry will tell you, we see all kinds.

Last night, I was witness to a very interesting interaction between a young lady (who had imbibed a little too much liquid courage) and a darling young man. She had been eying several of our (openly gay) servers through out the night, but when Mr. X walked in, she knew she was lust. What she didn’t know before she approached him asking to buy him a drink …was that he was with his wife and parents. While trying to contain my laughter, I was super impressed with how he handled himself- introducing his wife and family, and thanking her for her compliment.

Whether you are gay, straight, committed or single and just not interested, if a woman courageously approaches you with the intent of getting to know you a little better, let her down very gently. Even though it was most likely brought on by booze, I admire and am impressed by the amount of gumption it took to go after exactly what she wanted.