You Better Werk!: Sam Hunt in Dolce & Gabbana at the 2016 Grammy Awards

I was expecting to swoon over some non-traditional menswear but if you had told me that it was going to be a country star who would be the one making me swoon I would have scoffed it off. Sam Hunt surprised me by showing up on the Grammy Awards red carpet wearing a dusty rose pink suit and making me swoon. I don't think I have ever seen a country music star that took a risk on the red carpet, and a risk that totally paid off.

Runway Report: Burberry Fall 2016 Menswear

I followed Burberry on Snapchat over the days leading up to, and the day of, the Fall 2016 Menswear presentation. They told a story of how they created the collection with the idea traditionally laid out from wedding's with "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." We saw creative director Christopher Bailey take the Burberry classics, the trench coat and plaid check, and reienvent them into all new styles. For the something borrowed Bailey seemed to take an interest in the pop star street style from Asia mixing sequins with bold blue and red to create track suit style jackets. I did miss the signature classic Burberry tailoring but it was nice to see something just a little different come down the runway while still holding true to the codes of the historic fashion house. I was not a fan of the satchel bags that were paired with some of the looks since I think that they are too small to be functional in day to day life of a Burberry man, but I did love the sneakers that Bailey paired with almost every look. While this might not be my favorite Burberry collection ever there are still quite a few pieces that I covet.

Runway Report: Louis Leeman Fall 2016

I had never heard of the name Louis Leeman until I stumbled across a pair of alpine pattern crystal encrusted slippers from his Fall 2016 Presentation during the London Collection's Men's while I was scrolling through Instagram. I started looking further into the brand and I was taken aback by how creative this man is in the design of men's shoes, he has not launched a women's line. While looking at this collection, whose inspiration was skiing in the alps, I found myself asking the question "if these are options then why are not more male celebrities wearing a statement shoe on the red carpet?" I think that if we are going to continue to see standard black, grey, or blue tuxedos on the red carpet then why not top it off with a pair of crystal encrusted shoes or a pair of dress slippers with a golden metal toe cap? I personally want everything from this collection (I'm a 9.5 for anyone who wants to buy me a pair) and I would kill to see these type of shoes on the feet of male celebrities on every red carpet. The alpine print shoes would be perfect for an ugly sweater Christmas part for the fashionable male who shudders at the idea of wearing an ugly sweater, so would the pair that are pictured above. I can't wait to see this label continue to grow and keep questioning why men's shoes have to be boring.

Runway Report: Coach 1941 Fall 2016 Menswear

"Finding the heroic in everyday American life." That is the ultimate summary from the Coach 1941 Fall 2016 Menswear collection statement that I received. I continue to enjoy seeing the reinvention of Coach. 3 years ago I would have scoffed off if someone mentioned Coach as a high fashion brand and now I am fawning over everything that (new-ish) creative director Stuart Vevers has been sending down the runways. The reinvention of the brand has made the pieces desirable again and I think that Coach is the perfect brand for budding fashion lovers to start up their designer collections. The leather jackets, shearling and down coats are among the pieces that I can see all over the street style scene on male style stars during fashion month. I am also a huge fan of the quirky jet and t-rex printed sweaters, they evoke this simpler time when fashion was not taken so seriously (but done in a high fashion and serious way.) I am even more excited now to see what Stuart is going to show for the Fall 2016 RTW collection during New York Fashion Week.

Runway Report: Pringle of Scotland Fall 2016 Menswear

I just happened to check out the Pringle of Scotland Fall 2016 Menswear collection because I was trying to get rid of the notification bubble on my Vogue Runway app on my phone. I was really happy that I did because I think that this collection perfectly embodies my personal style in how I like to dress for more relaxed occasions in the winter. I am the person that gets all dressed up to go to the mall or to lunch with my friends and I would kill to have some of the items in this collection, like the black leather jacket with white Mongolian fur on the collar and cuffs. I think that this collection almost blurs gender lines but eers on the side of masculinity. The Pringle of Scotland womenswear collections have never captured my interest so I never really checked into their menswear and now I am excited to discover a new brand to watch and covet.

Runway Report: Moschino Fall 2016 Menswear

At a first glance a lot of what creative director Jeremy Scott sends down the Moschino runway is very overwhelming and that still rang true for the Fall 2016 Menswear collection. Loud cartoonish prints on suits, jeans, shirt, and jackets dominated the collection with pop art style patterns rounding out the second half. I love to see statement suits, and I think I would wear either the hot pink or the purple suit, but I know not everyone would get on board with these type of looks. A lot of the jackets and coats would look even better when dismantled from the runway look and paired with basic jeans and white or black shirts. I think that is why I love the stuff that Jeremy Scott creates for Moschino because my personal style loves a statement in some way and his clothes allow for that statement jacket, shirt, shoe, or coat. My favorite piece from the collection is the blue motorcycle jacket. This is another collection where I would willingly take almost anything.

Runway Report: Alexander McQueen Fall 2016 Menswear

For the Fall 2016 Menswear creative director Sarah Burton stuck with the Victorian inspiration that she has been using the past few seasons at Alexander McQueen. This season the McQueen man is dark and brooding with pops of red, black and white florals, and moth print and embroidery featured throughout. When I pin collections to Pinterest I only pin the looks which I love at least one piece of (usually a coat or jacket) and I pinned every single looks in this collection. I think that what I love about this collection is that as we are seeing a lot of references to more relaxed silhouettes of the 70s and 90s on the runways at most brands that the Alexander McQueen Fall 2016 Menswear collection was structured and elegant with an amazing amount of diversity to keep it from being boring or standard. I would personally wear almost everything from this collection, so McQueen people if you are reading this I'm a 38 jacket, 32x30 pant, small shirt, and a 9.5 shoe!

#RunwayReport: Topman Design Fall 2016 Menswear

London Collections Men's kicked off today with the first of the Fall 2016 Menswear shows. Topman Designs was the first up on the roster and I have to say I hope that this collection is not a sign of things to come. I personally like to dress in a very classy and sophisticated style and the 90's grunge meets 70's leisure suit thing that was going on in this collection has be worried that I won't be able to embrace the trends that are coming into my own wardrobe. There were a few coats in the collection that I wouldn't mind but that is about it. The silhouette on all of the pants were very baggy and I would never go anywhere near a velvet track suit or a crushed velvet leisure suit. I know it is not Topman that usually sets the trends for the next season it just has me slightly worried. Check out some more of the collection bellow.

What are your thoughts? Excited for these styles or are your as terrified as I am?

#TIFF2015: "The Danish Girl" Premiere Wish List

Loyal readers know that I only feature a select few men on my red carpet wish lists because for the most part men are really boring on the red carpet. It would get a little monotonous to keep posting black and navy tuxedos from Tom Ford, Armani, & Burberry. Eddie Redmayne is one who is not so predictable, except this past awards season, and since the Oscar campaign is over I am hoping that we will see Eddie return to being one to the best dressed men not afraid to mix things up a little when it come to red carpet menswear. For the TIFF gala premiere of "The Danish Girl" I would love to see Eddie wear this amazing black Givenchy Spring 2016 Menswear tuxedo with dual lined trim piping on the jacket for this premiere. I would pair this look with a crisp white tuxedo shit, a black silk bow tie, and a pair of black patent leather lace-ups to ensure a classic yet slightly edgy look for Eddie on the TIFF red carpet.

Alicia Vikander has been killing it on the red carpet recently and I am super excited to see what she brings to film festival season. As a face of Louis Vuitton I am sure that we will see Alicia wear quite a few LV pieces, and while I am hoping that she doesn't exclusively wear the brand on the red carpet. For the TIFF premiere of "The Danish Girl" I would love to see Alicia wear this cream Louis Vuitton Resort 2015 gown which features gold embroidery on the sleeves and a front exposed zipper. I think that this would be a very chic modern take on a vintage inspired look for Alicia to rock on the red carpet. Finished with a gold Louis Vuitton clutch, a pair of gold sandals, a chic updo, and a red lip would ensure that Alicia puts her best foot forward for this premiere.

Amber Heard has been finding her sexy again after a stint of oversized suits and baggy ensembles on the red carpet over the past year. I am excited to see what Amber will wear for TIFF. Will she go with a sexy Zac Posen gown? A Tom Ford cocktail dress? I personally would love to see Amber wear this ink blue Ulyana Sergeenko Fall 2015 Couture jumpsuit. I think that this is a formal look perfect for Amber, who loves a red carpet lady pant. A bold red lip, back sandals, pulled back hair, a silver clutch, and a statement diamond collar necklace would ensure that Amber looks all the part of a movie star on the red carpet.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook during the 2015 Venice Film Festival, which runs from September 2 to September 12, to keep on top of all the looks that come down the red carpet.

Runway Report: Moschino Spring/Summer 2016 Menswear

Hope you guys enjoy the new format for runway reviews! I am working on a whole lot more but I thought I would give you a sneak peak into the future of If I Was A Stylist. You can watch the whole show here.

 

Please leave comments on things that you like, dislike, and would like to see. Hearing back from my loyal readers is something that I really look forward too! Cheers!

Runway Report: Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2016 Menswear

Hope you guys enjoy the new format for runway reviews! I am working on a whole lot more but I thought I would give you a sneak peak into the future of If I Was A Stylist. You can watch the whole show here.  

 

Please leave comments on things that you like, dislike, and would like to see. Hearing back from my loyal readers is something that I really look forward too! Cheers!

Runway Report: Burberry Prorsum Spring 2016 Menswear

Hope you guys enjoy the new format for runway reviews! I am working on a whole lot more but I thought I would give you a sneak peak into the future of If I Was A Stylist with this Burberry review. You can watch the whole show here.

Please leave comments on things that you like, dislike, and would like to see. Hearing back from my loyal readers is something that I really look forward too! Cheers!

Grammy Menswear: A How To Guide

The Grammy Awards are Sunday night and all the clamor is about what the female music stars like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus and Madonna will show up wearing. I have to say that menswear when it comes to the red carpet is typically boring. Guys either show up in t-shirts and jean or in full on black tux. There is not really any variation. I will say that thanks to designers like Saint Laurent we have seen slight deviations from the "typical" menswear look for the red carpet. I actually pulled two pieces from Saint Laurent, a tuxedo jacket with leather lapels ($2,750) and leather slim fit pants ($3,190) for the look that I would wear if I was going to the Grammy Awards. I thought that this crisp white Givenchy shirt was a perfect edgy addition with its zipper details on the collar and cuffs ($520) as well as the black and white Alexander McQueen skull embroidered silk bow tie ($170). Finish the look with a pair of unexpected white Adieu derby shoes ($700) and you (or me) would be ready to take on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. This would also be a perfectly complimentary look to the Grammy look I posted yesterday for a beautiful lady.

Runway Report: Marni Fall 2015 Menswear

 Marni is slowly becoming a favorite of mine, in both men's and women's wear. I love the Italian influence on classic silhouettes. I love mixing classics with bold statement pieces and prints, and that is exactly what this Marni collection was all about. The statement multi-colored  fur patchwork sweater was one thing that I was instantly drawn too in this collection. I could see myself wearing this piece with tight jeans, a pair of dressed up sneakers, and aviators for fashion week. This collection could travel the world, from skiing in Park Slope to dinners in Italy and destination weddings on the French Riviera or business meetings in New York City. The collection made a bold statement while sticking to a classic silhouettes.

Runway Report: Gucci Fall 2015 Menswear

 Gucci announced this morning that senior accessories director Alessandro Michele will be taking over the roll of full creative director for the house, starting with the women's wear collection next month. I am fearful Michele at the helm of Gucci. Having always been a favorite, for both men's and women's wear, the Gucci Fall 2015 Menswear failed to excite me in any way. Michele did have a hand, and was one of 12 team members to take the bow at the end of this show, and I feel that this is one of the worst Gucci collections that I have ever seen (it really stings to type that.) Overtly feminine silhouettes, including silk and lace 'blouses' are not anything that will translate into sales for menswear in most markets.

  I can not see an American millionare buying a red silk poet blouse with a  pussy bow. There were a small amount of coats, six out of the 36 looks, that I think are actually market worthy. I hope that there is an amazing commercial collection in the works because this just does not live up to the Gucci standard set by Tom Ford and Frida Giannini. I just can not get behind much of this collection. In a season that has been wowing me this collection was a HUGE disappointment. 

Honestly, what is going on with the accessories for this collection. Two strap sandals, clogs, and leather slippers with fur insoles did nothing to help jut this collection into any better status. The suede bag reminded me much of Bulgari bags that already exist, that could defiantly spark a lawsuit for the house for copying signatures. I will keep an open mind going into the women's fall show next month, but I am fearful that one of my favorite fashion houses might start to loose it's luster in it's new era.

Runway Report: Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2015 Menswear

 "No matter how, no matter when, no matter with who, no matter where, family is what matters the most in everyone's life." Family was at the forefront of the Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2015 Menswear collection presented in Milan last week. A theme that has been woven through Dolce & Gabbana's runways and ad-campaigns for seasons now. Thankfully, it was not the same old business that came down the runway for the Fall 2015 Menswear collection. Classic looks in formality and casual wear made up the collection, there was no innovation on the construction front and not really on the design front either. The looks are easily wearable. They could translate from the runway to a red carpet to reality very easily. This is something that we don't see from runway collections very often. Usually we see over the top styling and overcomplicated ensembles. At Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2015 Menswear we really saw how they see an Italian man dressing for his every day life.

 Screen sweaters and t-shirts printed with "family" portraits was a big focus in casual wear, not some of my favorites, alongside cartoonist (almost South Park-esque) depictions of the nuclear family and renaissance and baroque portraits. Baroque embellishments updated and gave a new life to classic sweatshirts, tuxedos, and bomber jackets. A motif used throughout the collection, a crown over a bee, meant to evoke the idea of a coat of arms, thus weaving the idea of family further into the collection. Dolce devotees like Matthew McConaughey, Liam Hemsworth, and Channing Tatum are all the types of people that I can see wearing this collection on the red carpet and in their daily lives. I am holding out a major prayer that Eddie Redmayne wears the golden crown and bee embellished tuxedo blazer, not the matching pants though, for the Academy Awards next month.

The accessories were as stereotypical to Dolce & Gabbana as the rest of the collection. Embroidered loafers (pictured above), velvet oxfords,  combat boots and rubber galoshes, some adorned with fur, showcased a wide variety of shoe styles. I did not see any shoes, except for the embroidered loafers, that I would run out and purchase for my own wardrobe. The bags on the other hand made me weak. Favorites being the baroque jacquard black and white print leather document case, the backpack style briefcase patterned with crowns, and the classic Dolce 'Miss Sicily' style bag re-imagined for a more masculine style. These bags would make great additions to any wardrobe. They would spice up a formal business ensemble and add a statement to any look for the fashion week elite. I will be excited to see who will be rocking these types of items come the men's collections in July, and fashion month next September.

Runway Report: Calvin Klein Fall 2015 Menswear

Shades of grey, no not the 50 Shades, but all the shades of grey that made up the frames of vintage black and white movies that inspired Calvin Klein menswear creative director Italo Zucchelli's Fall 2015 Menswear collection for the brand. I love this collection. I can not tell a lie. It is that classic streamlined look that I personally love, mixed with modern sleekness. I have to say that this is one of the best collections that Calvin Klein has put out hands down, in both Women's or Men's wear, in seasons. This is the first time that I could see stars, specifically stars like long time Calvin Klein devotees Charlie Hunnam (who was seated front row) and Kellan Lutz, wearing the suiting on the red carpets. The coats in this collection just continue to help reiterate that I am living in the wrong climate (I live most of my year in Southwest Florida) because there is no need for coats, but that does not stop me from falling in love with all of them and praying that they will appear in my closet.

Runway Report: Moschino Fall 2015 Menswear

"Mountaineering Ravers" that was what Moschino creative director Jeremy Scott entitled his Fall 2015 Menswear collection for the house. "They are in a snowy forest," Scott said. "But are on their way to a rave." Scott also looked at Bruce Weber photos as an interpretation for this collection. What we end up getting is an over the top collection that is a visual assault and one where you really have to step back and dissect the looks. "I always over exaggerate" Scott said. "I always try to push." The collection mixed plaid checks, shearing, and faux fur with plastics, sequins, and metallic patterns.

What I would take most out of this collection would be the coats. I tend to keep my shirts and pants very classic but love to incorporate bold jackets and coats into my closet. I would gladly incorporate any of the coats that Jeremy Scott presented into my wardrobe. Backstage Scott is quoted as saying "There is still a ton that is missing from menswear that is still plausible but pushes the boundaries." This collection defiantly proves that. I would love to see someone rushing down the ski slopes wearing one of the sequin puffer coats or the washed denim printed, from a photo that Scott took himself, coat. If you want to push boundaries this is the collection for you to find your next coat or really anything from.

Runway Report: Alexander McQueen Fall 2015 Menswear

 Sarah Burton, Creative Director looked to World War I and military uniforms as the inspiration for the Alexander McQueen Fall 2015 Menswear collection that she dubbed "The Decorative Muse." The British brand paid tribute to all those who paid their lives during World War I. Using the prints of the English rose, and the remembrance day poppy as prints in the floral jacquard's featured in the collection. I absolutely love almost every jackets and coat in this collection. These fabulous items would look amazing being weaved into my wardrobe. I particularly love a rose printed black and grey sweater. I could see myself wearing this sweater with a pair of dark jeans and combat boots to run my weekend errands. I am honestly hoping that house favorite Eddie Redmayne, who knows how to take a red carpet menswear risk, picks up one of these poppy jacquard suits for a red carpet appearance.

Love, love, love some amazing embellished suit jackets and coats. They are classic with just that hint of a fashion edge. Wool pinstripes, distressed houndstooth, Lodan felts, floral jacquard, velvet, needle-punched sheepskin, leather and silk rendered in crimson, black, Air Force blue, and military green made up the amazing McQueen collection. Pointed creepers with thick soles and shepherd shoes were the only accessories that were shown with the collection. I love the silver studded creepers and totally want them in my closet. I always look at these collections piece by piece. I think that the pieces in this collection are amazing on their own and when styled all together this was an amazing show to watch.

Runway Report: Burberry Prorsum Fall 2015 Menswear

 "Classically Bohemian" that is the title that creative director Christopher Bailey gave the Burberry Prorsum Fall 2015 Menswear collection which was presented in London on Monday. Models David Gandy and Jourdan Dunn sat front row alongside the likes of Anna Wintour and singer Tinie Tempah in a tent draped in thick curtains. The collection took a departure from the typical English preppy style in favor of a more worldly earthy collection of classics that met off-kilter and bohemian ideals. I have to say that this collection really spoke to me. These are the types of pieces that I look for when I am buying for my own closet. Classic, with a twist. The show opened with an olive green tasseled cashmere poncho, which just looks so comfy and warm, and the punches just kept on rolling in.

Solids mixed with paisleys, florals, the signature Burberry Scottish check, camo, leopard, and mirrored embellishments just enforced the ideas that these pieces were acquired across travels across the globe. Bailey said the collection was "decorative and free," and I have to say that I totally agree. Cashmere, wool, velvet, leather, suede, shearing, linen, and cotton helped craft the amazing clothing that took to the runway in colors like cornflower, olive, teal, burgundy, turquoise, mustard, ink, purple, charcoal, and fuchsia. The most exciting thing that I saw take to the red carpet were the blanket shawls that were so popular from the Fall 2014 Women's Ready-to-Wear collection make an appearance for men. I can see a lot of the daring male members of the fashion industry wearing these type of coats, along with the mirrored tuxedo blazer. I hope that as more and more brands that hold classic ideals, like Burberry, start (and continue) to break the mold on traditional menswear.

The accessories in this collection were totally on point. I want the carryall in every single texture and color that it came in. Only two bags were presented with the collection the Carryall and a suede fringe document case. I want them ALL. Men get a bad rep for carrying a bag but I think that if you need to keep your life organized why not do it in a stylish manner. The classic Burberry scarf got an update this season was well. The cashmere scarves feature a long all the way around fringe and are printed in a bevy of new colors.