Style Dictionary: Versatility

Like learning anything new, the process of acquiring style takes time. You have to learn multiple basics before putting them all together, like how a stripper learns how to work the pole before being able to really “Wow” you with a dance. Not that I’d know.

After last week’s post, I figured thought that I probably lost some people with my confusing rhetoric. In the past, I’ve talked a lot about balance, but also about versatility, without really establishing what I mean by these terms. So today I’m going to help clear the air and hopefully explain things more fully.

Versatility is a piece’s ability to adapt to many different functions, activities, settings, or outfits.

How do versatility and balance interrelate?

They do, in a sense, which I’d be more than willing to delve into in the comments below or a personal email. But for the sake of clarity, and since we’re all style beginners here at Midwest-Dressed, the simple answer is: they don’t. Balance is something you consider when you’re standing in front of your closet at 7 am (or in my case, noon), trying to decide what to wear for the day.

Versatility, on the other hand, is something you’re more likely to consider when you’re in a store, acquiring something new.

The idea is that, when you’re considering what to buy or whether to pull the trigger on something, will you actually wear it? Can you style it differently, can you wear it with several things you already own, or does it only really work well with your one pair of moss-green trousers that you never wear that often? 

If a piece isn’t versatile, if it can’t be mixed and matched and thrown on with whatever you’ve already got, chances are, you won’t wear it that much, and it’ll sit in the back of your closet where you’ll slowly resent it and yourself for spending the money on it. 

A white OCBD is versatile. You can throw on a tie and wear it to the office, throw on a blazer and wear it to a wine-tasting (if you frequent those sorts of things), or you can roll up the sleeves and wear it to a baseball game. It goes everywhere, does everything. A neon, yellow Brazil soccer jersey? Chances are you’ll only really be wearing it to theme parties or the rare Brazil soccer game (excuse me, soccer match). 

Simply put, when you’re buying new clothes, take the time to really consider how it fits into your wardrobe. It might seem girly to ask, “What will I wear this with?” But if the answer is nothing, put it back on the shelf and save the money for booze, because you know you’ll always drink that. 

Thanks for reading,

MD

Style Dictionary: Balance

Lately I’ve realized that I’ve been tending to write more concrete, what-to-wear or what-not-to-wear articles. And while that might be great for helping choose between two or three pieces of clothing, it’s not helping to build what my friend Robert, at Restart Your Style (which just launched this week and is looking quite good), would call “style basics.”

So today I’ll be explaining a term I’ve used often here at Midwest-Dressed: balance. In style terms, balance is about using two differently styled pieces together in correct proportions to establish an even distribution among the whole outfit. When done correctly, you can take two different, even competing style pieces, and make them work together to compliment each other in a good looking outfit. A rudimentary example:

There are many aspects of menswear by which a garment can be judged (“style aspects”). Color, size, pattern, fabric, weave, etc. can all be determinative in what you’ll wear and what you’ll wear it with (I’ll try to delve into these every week). 

For now though, let’s talk about what I’ll call formality, for lack of a better term. Essentially what I mean is, how dressy is the piece, and where is it appropriate to wear. A t-shirt would rank on the casual end of the formality spectrum, because it is very casual and chances are you wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) be wearing it to the office, a wedding, etc.

More casual

In contrast, a tuxedo is consider very formal, and the wearing of one is reserved for special occasions. For most guys, a suit ranks just a step below, relegated to either office-wear or classy nightlife events. 

More formal- definitely office appropriate, depending on the office

When you’re trying to balance an outfit’s formality, you’re taking two different pieces and combining them to compliment each other. It’s what Dan at TheStyleBlogger calls, “dressing down the middle,” which I like. In our example, the jacket adds a bit of formality, while jeans and a t-shirt or OCBD keep it casual. The formal aspect adds a touch of class, while the casual aspect keeps it from being too uptight. It’s stylish enough to wear out at night, but easy-going enough to wear while bouncing around town. 

Down the middle

Down the middle

Again, balance can be achieved in many “style aspects.” In terms of formality, “dressing down the middle” is a great trick because it’s so versatile. You can get dressed in the morning and wear the same thing throughout the day and into the night (at least in this example). 

In another example from one of my previous posts, you can balance the youthful, casual look of sneakers by pairing them with something more formal, more put-together up top. Balance is achieved because the two pieces come from different ends of the style spectrum, but they’re put together in correct proportions to achieve an even distribution of high-low. The same can be done with color, size, pattern, fabric, etc., which I will get into in coming weeks. 

One last thing (and this is where it gets tricky): Your outfit as a whole should be balanced as well. By this I mean, you don’t want too many “style aspects” battling each other. Think of each piece of clothing as a player on a team; you want the team, as a whole, to function and work effectively. You shouldn’t have colors competing with patterns competing with casual, that by itself is already competing with something formal. That’s too much going on. If you’re a beginner to style, pick one aspect to experiment with. Today’s discussion on formality dealt with strictly that. The colors here are neutral, the patterns muted. 

Thanks for reading,

MD

(All photos from GQ, because I’ll be damned if they’re usually the only people who have pictures of exactly what I’m talking about)

Swimsuit Standards, part 2

If summer means anything, chances are you’ll find yourself near a pool/river/lake/ocean at some point in the coming months. Now I love frolicking in the water as much as the next guy, but your sartorial choices are even more important in regards to swimwear, considering it’s likely the only thing you’ll have on. 

Let’s start with a breakdown of the basic options. First, there’s the brief:

Completely unnecessary unless you’re an athletic swimmer engaged in competition (and even then, it’s still kind of unnecessary). Wear these if you want to draw attention to yourself in the wrong way. 

Speedo- the original banana-hammock

Second, there’s the boardshort. The boardshort is roomier version of the conventional swim trunk described below. Built from surfing origins, the length and cut allow more mobility.

A classic O'Neill boardshort from Nordstrom, which I do not recommend

This style is currently popular among many immature males in age ranges from 15-35. Don’t believe me? Watch an episode of “Jersey Shore,” or head to South Padre Island on spring break. Boardshorts on a man are a bright warning flag, signaling a sharp turn away from maturity. It says to me, “I pride myself on my beer-bong-making abilities.” Long, past-the-knee boardshorts are perfectly acceptable for young kids in their early teens. They should be relegated to this age bracket. 

I can drink like, a case an hour, bro.

Guys, I get it if you think boardshorts make you look young, cool, or hip. In truth they don’t. If you rock gelled hair, tattoos, and boardshorts to the beach, you need to get a haircut and grow the fuck up. 

"The length and fit of shorts reveal a good deal about the true or desired age of the wearer."- Bernard Roetzel. A shorter-cut swimsuit will look better on you than its baggy counterpart. J.Crew offers some 7” boardshort options from $50-70, as does Brooks Brothers.

7" boardshort in basket weave by J.Crew- $70 

Finally, there’s the traditional swim trunk. Cut above the knee, they lack some of the mobility boardshorts offer because of their slim proportions. A well-fitting swim trunk shows off some thigh (you came to get at least a little sun, right?), but more importantly, works almost as well as a pair of traditional shorts. If you’re looking to upgrade your swimsuit this summer, look for something that looks as good on its own as it does under a  pique polo or oxford cloth button-down. That way, you can go from beach to the bar without having to change. 

Seersucker option from Lands' End- $45

Plaid Swim Trunks by Polo Ralph Lauren- $70

Looking for a solid color? Check out these by Original Penguin for $65

Try a cool print

Or go with classic, lifeguard red

More news as it develops, and don’t forget your sunscreen,

MD

What Not to Wear vol. 7

Nothing screams, “I’m a 40-year-old dad who might run to Home Depot after my kid’s tee-ball game,” than sunglasses like these. It’s another menswear product whose true use and purpose I don’t really understand. I mean sure, I guess it makes sense if you’re a baseball player engaged in an actual baseball game. Outside of that though, they’re are certainly plenty of stylish and inexpensive options for sunglasses. 

Photo from Oakley

So instead of the wraparound BrOakleys, check out the options below:

Ray-Ban is a solid option. Quality company at a good price point. Their Aviators and Wayfarers have been around almost as long as sunglasses themselves (maybe?), they look good on damn near anyone and they’re always in style. Try the Clubmaster for a little more “60s formal.”

Ray-Ban Aviator, from Sunglass Hut- $145

Ray-Ban Wayfarer, from Sunglass Hut- $150

Ray-Ban Clubmaster, from Sunglass Hut- $145

Mosley Tribes- These are the sunglasses I currently rock, and you’re more than welcome to jack my swag. I like them because they’ve got a similar style to Wayfarers, but they’re different enough to get people asking where you got them. I’ve gotten tons of compliments on them, enough so that when I lost the first pair, I didn’t think twice about ordering another. Notice the keyhole bridge, a nice accent. 

Mosley Tribes Lyndel, from Sunglass Hut- $180

Randolph Engineering- Wanna look like this guy? 

Try out these Aviators from Randolph Engineering.

Randolph Engineering Ad Man Sunglasses, from Randolph Engineering- $170

Or try any one of the 143 options you’ll find at the mall/sunglasses store. Just remember to try them on, in order to see how they look on your face. You want something that fits well and frames your face based on it’s shape. Two more tips? Stay away from anything in white, because you're a man, not a boy on a reality TV show. Also, steer clear of anything resembling this: 

They don’t work. On anyone. And while >$150 may seem like a lot for sunglasses, again consider it an investment. Find something that reflects quality and style, because if you invest smartly now, you won't need to be buying a new pair anytime soon (as long as you don't wear them in the ocean, like I did).

More news as it develops,

MD

Reader Questions

It’s Friday, and the weekend’s coming. I’ve been sitting on some reader questions I’ve received and answered, so I thought I’d share a few for some light reading to help you get through work. 

I have a few tye-dye shirts I’ve bought on vacations and other things over the years, but it seems like a shame to throw them all out. Is it ever acceptable to wear tye-dye?

Absolutely. At a beach-themed costume party. Or maybe Halloween.

PS- donate your old clothes, don’t just throw them out.

How old are you?

Creepy. But I’ll give you a hint. I can legally drive, smoke cigarettes, buy alcohol, and rent a car. Does that narrow it down?

I want to pull off white jeans, but I don’t want to look like a Miami drug lord. Any advice?

White jeans are a good late-spring/summer pant option, weather providing. I’ve always stayed away from white pants because I get them dirty way too easily, and stained pants aren’t a good look for me. But props to you for trying, and it’s pretty easy to stay away from this:

Just follow your standard rules for jeans and add some color on top and bottom (don’t get too matchy though). Peep these shots from Park & Bond.

Where do you come up with post ideas?

There’s a quote from Calvin & Hobbes somewhere that goes, “Creativity isn’t like a faucet. You can’t just turn it on and off.” That’s kind of true. Some days I can’t write worth crap. Other days, I can’t stop, even when I need to be doing something else. Usually I find something so thought-provoking, it gets me going enough to write about. Like right now, I should be studying for a test. But instead, I’m answering this email. It’s because I care.

Have a good weekend, 

MD

Warby Parker: Part 2

This weekend I finally, FINALLY made it to the eye doctor to re-up my prescription so I could place my order with Warby Parker (you may remember my write-up on them here in April). 

While at the doctors, I perused their selection of glasses. I was already pretty much set on ordering through Warby Parker, but being the intelligent consumer I like to think I am, I checked out what my doctor was offering. First, it wasn’t much. The men’s section of glasses was abysmally small. I think I’ve seen more options on a turning rack at a gas station. Second, each pair was at least $150. 

Forget that. I’ll stick with paying $95 for a pair I actually like and want. I placed my order with Warby on a Friday, and opted to have them get my prescription from my eye doctor. One week later, my new glasses were in hand.

Oh, and not only did I get a new pair of glasses, but so did someone in need. And there’s my good deed for the month.

More news as it develops,

MD

A Thanks to Those Who Serve

No menswear today. 

Memorial Day is always a special day for me. I’m a big history buff and a particular fan of anything World War II: the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers” and “The Pacific,” and the History Channel when it used to show history programming. But there’s also a personal touch to Memorial Day. My grandfather served as a US Army Airborne Ranger during the Korean War. He was recently inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia, for his service.

I’ve had a unique relationship with my grandfather in terms of his time in the military. To his wife and children, he was never completely open about his experience, but as a young kid I can remember him regaling me with tales of combat. Some were exciting tales, the kind every young boy uses as fuel for a future imaginary game of Army in the backyard. Others though, were emotionally wrenching stories of battles fought and friends, brothers in arms, lost along the way. I had never learned the true depth of my grandfather’s service until his induction and subsequent recitation of his meritorious decorations. He never showed anyone, told anyone, or asked for recognition.

Years later, a stranger contacted my grandfather in regards to his time in Korea. This man’s father had served with my grandfather, and gave his life in service to his country. It was a touching and emotional experience to see this man meet my grandfather, and for the two to connect over a fellow soldier; one, as a father, the other, a friend. 

With the constant distractions the world bombards us with each moment, it can be hard to remember what others have given so that we may enjoy the freedom and prosperity of this country. I know I've found myself wondering over America's true degree of “freedom," when it seems the rest of the world is nearly as democratic and free as we are. It’s easy to forget that what we have today was built on the sacrifice and determination of generations before us. Servicemen and women have always been ready, standing tall to the order to defend our freedom and the freedom of others around the world. Regardless of your political leanings on the justifications for various wars, the men and women who have served have always, and will always deserve our utmost thanks and respect. They’ve certainly earned it.

If you know someone who has served, be sure to always let them know your appreciation and admiration for all they’ve given and all they’ve given up. The kind words of a respectful stranger are just as much a boost to someone as the love and support of their family. Buy them a beer and shake their hand. It takes a special breed of person to stand up for what they believe in, and it takes an extra ounce of courage to risk life and limb. Lord knows they don’t do it for money, and it certainly wasn’t the idea of a free beer that enticed them into service. My grandfather has never asked for anything in recognition of his time in Korea, and neither do any other troops at home or abroad. Although they may not ask for anything more, and they may admonish the idea, they do deserve it. They deserve everything we can offer, because they’ve given everything they have.

Thanks for reading, and to our servicemen and women, thank you for all you have done. 

MD

Reader Question: What do you sleep in?

For Christmas years ago, I asked my parents for a set of silk pajamas. You know, the classy kind of pajamas you see James Stewart wearing in "Rear Window." Collared shirt with a button opening, paired with matching trousers. It was pretty boss of me, considering my sleepwear before that consisted of Santa boxers and an oversized t-shirt. 

Swag on full

Problem is, I’m a hot guy. Physically yes, women tell me that all the time, but also I’m hot, like warm, especially when I sleep. I love, no need, a cool pillow, a fan on my face, and a temperature setting not a degree above 73. And as luck may have it, while those silk pajamas were certainly cool to rock before bed, and the morning after, they were hot as hell to sleep in. 

Ever since, my sleepwear has ranged from completely nothing (which is okay. Comfy, but people tend to think it’s weird, especially people you’re in a relationship with. I don’t know why), to flannel pjs, with everything in-between. Without getting too personal, right not it’s old soccer apparel from high school. 

My question is, what are guys wearing as pajamas?

-MD

NATO Straps for Summer

It’s my birthday this week. And before you get all, Congratulations!-y, let me stop you right there and say, I’m not a big fan of birthdays. Part of it is because I have the soul of a 90-year-old curmudgeon. But the main reason is because for some reason, birthdays give people a sense of entitlement that supposedly justifies them being drunken, annoying brats all day. I don’t care if your mom pooped you out 25 years ago (that’s how it works, right?), you’re being a complete jackass right NOW and your mother would be embarrassed to see you. 

That being said, I can’t find a good reason to deny myself some simple pleasure in order to modestly celebrate my own birthday. I went a little crazy this year and bought myself a new NATO strap for my watch.

I don’t think I can sing enough praises for why you should invest in these. #1 they add flexibility to your watch, because #2 they’re easy to install and swap out, and #3 they’re cheap. It’s no problem to grab a couple in different colors/styles and switch them out depending on your outfit/mood/daily de rigueur (Yeah I speak a little French).

For my first go-around, I went with an olive band, which I found for $13 on Amazon. I chose olive because it’s a neutral color that can go with most anything, and I thought it’d be a cool nod to the NATO strap’s military origins. For details on how to install, check out this site here (which is picture heavy), or the one from my Facebook page (which has more detailed instructions). Just find one in the same millimeter width as your watch (which you can find online if you look up your watch from a retailer and check the tech specs) and take care when removing the spring pins. Other than that, it’s not hard at all. 

One thing to consider, which I learned the hard way: Not all straps are designed the same. Notice the difference in these two nylon straps.

The one on the left has a lot more fabric between the watch bezel and the clasp, while the olive one has barely any. This affects how the watch sits on your wrist. I didn’t take notice of this when I bought the olive strap, and I personally prefer to have more fabric between the bezel and clasp, because the whole thing feels more like a normal band. 

The clasp on the olive strap sits on the side of my wrist, which is an odd feel if you’re used to that being under your wrist. However, it does make for a more rugged, military-inspired look (good thing I went with olive huh?). In any case, make sure to look at the thing before you actually pull the trigger so you know what you’re getting. Though at $13 a piece, you can afford more than one. 

More news as it develops,

MD

PS- find your new strap to be too long? Check out this video on how to shorten it.


PSS- also consider the size (i.e. length) of the strap. Nearly one month in and I've found my strap has stretched a bit, enough so that I've had to go down (or is it up?) holes in the strap. What I mean is I'm having to wear the strap tighter so the watch won't slide on my wrist, but I'm now on the last hole. Maybe it's because I have baby wrists, but just something to take into account when buying and sizing.

Guest Blog on Weekly Hustle

You all know I love the occasional bit of guest bloggery. Today’s post details the essentials of nailing an interview, from a stylistic point of view. The last thing you want to be worrying about when walking into an interview is your clothing. 

My post is featured here on Weekly Hustle, a business-oriented blog for aspiring entrepreneurs. Its creator and author is a fellow blogger who, like me, appreciates the value of earnest hard work. Be sure to check out the link to my guest post below, and peruse his site if you’re interested in starting your own business or trying to make a career out of blogging. He’s got tons of helpful insights and articles that I’ve used to help expand my blog and readership. Read on and enjoy!

 

Okay, so you’ve got an interview (which in this economy, is a battle in and of itself). The last thing you want to be worrying about as you step into that office is your clothing choice. A great way to stand out, look good, and boost your own confidence in a job interview is to be well-dressed. What follows are some tips to consider as you prepare for the big day.

A big part about style is recognizing the setting you’ll be in... READ MORE

Thanks for reading,

MD

What Not to Wear vol.6

Gentlemen. It’s a mantra I’ve oft repeated in a variety of forms. How you dress sends a message about who you are and the values you represent. 

When you wear a suit, you give off an air of, “I’m here to do business,” even if you’re not. Right now I’m wearing a swimsuit, styled from the mid-60s, a Hawaiian, Tommy Bahama shirt, and white Chuck Taylors. The message I’m sending is something like, “I’m here to party,” or “Weekend at Bernie’s.” But I’m also drinking a rum drink out of a coconut and about to actually go to a party, so I’m kind of spot-on.

You don’t always have to dress up, because there’s a way to dress down the middle, looking put together without overly stuffy. Even I threw on shorts and a madras button down before running to buy the rum & coconut.

Yes, I saw someone wearing these.

I don’t know why Crocs were invented. I don’t really care frankly, because I can’t see any justification for wearing these shoes, let alone owning them. When I see a grown man wearing Crocs, I start to wonder about him. What was he thinking in buying these, and more importantly, what does that say about other life decisions he’s making? No one will take you seriously if you’re in Crocs. Even camo ones. 


Stay classy,


MD

Bombfell- Clothing Concierge

Today's post is a guest entry from my friend Blake Vanderbilt. You may remember his gentlemanly post here. Today though, he's offered his take on Bombfell.com, a personalized online shopping service that offers, well, someone to shop for you. Read on friends:

This afternoon I was thrilled to find a package on my door. About two weeks ago I had gone onto www.Bombfell.com and signed up for their service. Advertised as “Girlfriend-approved clothes for the lazy man,” Bombfell is a monthly clothing concierge service for your wardrobe.

It seemed like a cool concept, and as much as I prefer choosing my own clothing, I’m also rather lazy and usually very busy. 

It’s a simple process to start off, once you log in to the website, you tell them about yourself, your basic measurements, what kinds of clothes you like wearing and what brands/sizes fit you well (If you want, they can even send you a free fiberglass tape measure in your first order to really nail down your measurements). Using nifty little sliders, you select the type and amount of items you wish to receive to per month. To start, I went with three. 

My first package arrived in an economical, soft, flexible pouch with a wonderful little bomb logo that I’m sure explained why it appeared to have been opened by the shipping company and taped back together. I opened it and wrapped inside were the clothes the Bombfell stylists had selected for me.

Included was a description of each piece of clothing, and recommendations on how I could wear it. In addition the stylist that had selected each piece told me why they had chosen it specifically for me.

The customer service aspect of Bombfell is amazing. They have a live chat feature on their website that is almost always staffed (I went on at 12:30 AM randomly and had a great chat with someone).

In the end, I decided not to keep all they had chosen for me, but with each response you can give feedback on why you did or didn’t like it. Over time this helps them get a sense of your style, fit, and other aspects that you’d normally consider if you were the one doing the shopping. 

Overall Bombfell is WELL worth the money. There is no obligation to buy any of the products they send you, plus shipping is free and the clothes are quality. If, like me you like the idea of new clothes but don’t have the time to get them yourself, you should try it. You have nothing to lose but plenty to gain.