Hi Everyone, thank you for all of you who visit this blog, I think I've gotten almost 250 plus hits in a weeks, which is half of how many had viewed since the beginning.
Unfortunately I'll have to take a few days away from here. There has a death in the family and I will be focusing my attention on my wife and her family as they need me to be there for them. Hopefully should have a post by the end of the week on packing for long-trips.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Dress It Up A Little...
A Blazer can add to any casual look and make it just a little more dressy. Usually most people wear a Navy blazer as that is the easiest way to match up your dark denim. Add a little gray and even a little bit of a earthy greenish gray. This blazer from Gap came out to about $35, thanks to it being 40% off and an error in their advertising giving me another 30% off. It has working buttons so tailoring the sleeves will be difficult.
Monday, June 18, 2012
A Quick Post About Me...
I'll be back to posting more advice with pictures in the next few days but I'd like to tell you a little bit about me.
I am originally from Inglewood, California but now reside in Middletown, NY; a suburb in upstate New York. To give all of you a reference point, I'm about 15-20 minutes away from Woodbury Common Outlets. I am a public school kid, who was lucky enough to attend Occidental College where I received my Bachelors in Diplomacy & World Affairs with a minor in Education. Right after I moved to NYC to attend Teachers College at Columbia University.
Yes, I am a teacher! Just finished my 3rd year actually. I used to collect sneakers, at one point having over 100 pairs but within the last year and a half my style has changed A LOT. No more sneakers or baggy clothing and t's, more tailored wear or simply stuff that fits properly.
My inspiration: my wife. My wife has always been one of the most stylish persons that I know and I've always felt the need to dress to match her sense of style. This doesn't mean to dress like her and match her, it means to dress like you give a damn and like you're 20-something and not a teenager. My wife is a beautiful woman and I feel she deserves for me to look my best day in and day out. I recommend thestyleblogger.com because the tips Dan offers are basic tips everyone should know; fit! Yes the items featured are expensive; bespoke but pay attention to the mixtures of patterns, colors, etc and use it to inspire your looks, not copy.
I am originally from Inglewood, California but now reside in Middletown, NY; a suburb in upstate New York. To give all of you a reference point, I'm about 15-20 minutes away from Woodbury Common Outlets. I am a public school kid, who was lucky enough to attend Occidental College where I received my Bachelors in Diplomacy & World Affairs with a minor in Education. Right after I moved to NYC to attend Teachers College at Columbia University.
Yes, I am a teacher! Just finished my 3rd year actually. I used to collect sneakers, at one point having over 100 pairs but within the last year and a half my style has changed A LOT. No more sneakers or baggy clothing and t's, more tailored wear or simply stuff that fits properly.
My inspiration: my wife. My wife has always been one of the most stylish persons that I know and I've always felt the need to dress to match her sense of style. This doesn't mean to dress like her and match her, it means to dress like you give a damn and like you're 20-something and not a teenager. My wife is a beautiful woman and I feel she deserves for me to look my best day in and day out. I recommend thestyleblogger.com because the tips Dan offers are basic tips everyone should know; fit! Yes the items featured are expensive; bespoke but pay attention to the mixtures of patterns, colors, etc and use it to inspire your looks, not copy.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Big Guys...Listen Up!
Look I know not all of us are thin and are the size of the typical guy you see on magazines and TV, etc. For some of us our size is genetic and we can't seem to change much of our width no matter how much we try (me!). For others is a doing of their own.
Nonetheless, there is no damn reason for why you should use your size as an excuse to dress like crap! I had a conversation with someone who is a blogger and he stated how he gets asked about doing a post for bigger guys all the time but has a hard time find stylish big guys. It got me thinking and he's right. Why? Because a lot of bigger guys think that they need to dress in clothes that are comfortable aka big and hide their size.
Newsflash! Wearing clothing that is bigger than it needs to be makes you look bigger than you already are, no matter if you are 130lbs or 230lbs! So wear clothing that fits properly. Many men in general are wearing clothing that is 1-2 sizes too big, so for the bigger guys who are XL or XXL, stop sizing up to XXL or XXXXL. Wear clothing that sits on your body, yea believe at first you'll be a little self conscious but you'll actually look smaller than when you're wearing these overly baggy and loose clothing.
Nonetheless, there is no damn reason for why you should use your size as an excuse to dress like crap! I had a conversation with someone who is a blogger and he stated how he gets asked about doing a post for bigger guys all the time but has a hard time find stylish big guys. It got me thinking and he's right. Why? Because a lot of bigger guys think that they need to dress in clothes that are comfortable aka big and hide their size.
Newsflash! Wearing clothing that is bigger than it needs to be makes you look bigger than you already are, no matter if you are 130lbs or 230lbs! So wear clothing that fits properly. Many men in general are wearing clothing that is 1-2 sizes too big, so for the bigger guys who are XL or XXL, stop sizing up to XXL or XXXXL. Wear clothing that sits on your body, yea believe at first you'll be a little self conscious but you'll actually look smaller than when you're wearing these overly baggy and loose clothing.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
What Everyone Should Have...Black Plain Toe Dress Shoes
Every man should own a pair of black Plain Toe Dress shoes. By plain I mean no medallion, no brogue detailing, no split in the toe to make it a cap toe. What makes these so great is that they double not only as a nice black shoe to wear with your suits but on those occasions that a tuxedo may be necessary no need to wear a patent high school reminder of a shoe.
Below are a nice pari I found on eBay worn 1x from Banana Republic. Total with shipping $34.99!
Below are a nice pari I found on eBay worn 1x from Banana Republic. Total with shipping $34.99!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Bespoken For...Sergio Arteaga (Me)
After a long wait, almost 6 months to be exact my first Bespoke suit from Michael Andrews Bespoke is done! I went with a charcoal, 4 season 9oz wool. This is great as I can wear the suit as separates; I will be adding the vest soon as well. Some details include working cuffs with purple lining, purple felt on the neck, white and purple checkered lining, and side adjusters on the pants.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Cheap Low Tops
Found this very nice and simple low top canvas sneakers at Banana Republic this past Saturday. I paid $12.50 for them thanks to a 30% off coupon my wife and I had. I received many compliments today, wearing them with some simple khaki colored chinos. Just shows that you don't need to spend a lot of many to find some nice low top sneakers that can dress down some chinos.
Banana Republic Low Top Canvas Sneakers Size 11
Here is the picture I took earlier today while at work of them being worn today. Just a very basic and simple fit. Originally was not 100% sure about the look but it has been one of my most complimented looks.
Suiting Up...
Finding a good suit, that fits off the rock is extremely difficult but when you do find it, it is pretty damn awesome. I've personally have gotten very lucky with Calvin Klein brand suits...twice. I have two suits from them, a plain Navy suit and a Navy striped one. The one featured here is the Navy stripe. I'll be looking for a picture with me wearing it to show you how it actually fits. I got very lucky with this particular suit, paying about $150 from clasdmen.com, thanks to their closing out sales as the website was liquidizing everything.
The pocket square is a simple white cotton pocket square that I found at Marshall's for $5, for a box of 5 folded into a square.
The pocket square is a simple white cotton pocket square that I found at Marshall's for $5, for a box of 5 folded into a square.
Calvin Klein Size 46R and Size 36 pants
Be Comfortable
Post with a picture to come later tonight hopefully...
But as the title says be comfortable, be comfortable in whatever you are wearing. Don't try to be someone else, don't try to dress like someone else, be yourself. If you don't think it looks good and are already walking out the door with the "this doesn't look right" mentally and that lack of comfort/confidence then you probably are right. Be confident and pull off the look no matter how crazy it may be.
But as the title says be comfortable, be comfortable in whatever you are wearing. Don't try to be someone else, don't try to dress like someone else, be yourself. If you don't think it looks good and are already walking out the door with the "this doesn't look right" mentally and that lack of comfort/confidence then you probably are right. Be confident and pull off the look no matter how crazy it may be.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Creating a Wardrobe for Under $500
Just saw a post where someone asked how they can create a new wardrobe for $500 or less. Long story short the advice given was that $500 would only get the person 1 good pair of shoes, 4 slacks and 5 dress shirts. I have to completely disagree.
For $500 if you are a smart shopper you can find a great variety of things as long as you are willing to be patient and know where to look. My suggestions are the following: shop discount stores such as TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Century 21 (for those near one), Ross, eBay, etc. For the sake of argument lets take eBay out of this equation. I'm very familiar with Marshall's, Ross and TJ Maxx, and I'll even add H&M to this equation.
At any of these store you can find a great selection of slacks for around $20 or less. What colors to get? Navy, a medium gray, khaki, and if you want a 4th pair of pants, a light gray. Honestly, at most places of work rotating the first 3 pants would get you through the week and then some, if jeans are a casual friday mainstay, even more so.
Shirts: basics, basics, basics! white, light blue, light purple or lavender, striped blue with white, cheek blue with white, light pink, gray, light purple stripe, light purple check, white formal shirt. Most of these shirts or a variation of these can be found at many of these stores; from $15-25. H&M as well. As of now estimating on the high end with both, $310 thus far.
Shoes: Again, shop around. If you don't mind wearing some lightly worn shoes, browse eBay and you can find a nice pair of cap toes or wingtips for $50 or less. Still want new? Again go for a cap toe or wingtip that mimic the shape of your foot, NO SQUARE toes. If you're lucky you should be able to find a decent pari of shoes for $100 and under. If you can only do ONE pair, go with a brown pair. Why? Brown matches each and every pant combination above best. If you can do two, obviously go with a brown and black.
As of now our grand total with 1 pair of shoes is around $410, 2 pairs $510.
If you are on the slimmer side, H&M has great suits for about $100. Get a Navy or Gray suit, solid navy or gray. Remember that you can double the pants on either the navy or gray suit as separates as well and the jackets can double as individual garments that can be combined with dark jeans, khaki pants, etc.
For $500 if you are a smart shopper you can find a great variety of things as long as you are willing to be patient and know where to look. My suggestions are the following: shop discount stores such as TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Century 21 (for those near one), Ross, eBay, etc. For the sake of argument lets take eBay out of this equation. I'm very familiar with Marshall's, Ross and TJ Maxx, and I'll even add H&M to this equation.
At any of these store you can find a great selection of slacks for around $20 or less. What colors to get? Navy, a medium gray, khaki, and if you want a 4th pair of pants, a light gray. Honestly, at most places of work rotating the first 3 pants would get you through the week and then some, if jeans are a casual friday mainstay, even more so.
Shirts: basics, basics, basics! white, light blue, light purple or lavender, striped blue with white, cheek blue with white, light pink, gray, light purple stripe, light purple check, white formal shirt. Most of these shirts or a variation of these can be found at many of these stores; from $15-25. H&M as well. As of now estimating on the high end with both, $310 thus far.
Shoes: Again, shop around. If you don't mind wearing some lightly worn shoes, browse eBay and you can find a nice pair of cap toes or wingtips for $50 or less. Still want new? Again go for a cap toe or wingtip that mimic the shape of your foot, NO SQUARE toes. If you're lucky you should be able to find a decent pari of shoes for $100 and under. If you can only do ONE pair, go with a brown pair. Why? Brown matches each and every pant combination above best. If you can do two, obviously go with a brown and black.
As of now our grand total with 1 pair of shoes is around $410, 2 pairs $510.
If you are on the slimmer side, H&M has great suits for about $100. Get a Navy or Gray suit, solid navy or gray. Remember that you can double the pants on either the navy or gray suit as separates as well and the jackets can double as individual garments that can be combined with dark jeans, khaki pants, etc.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Linen, Linen, Linen!
As my previous post stated, make linen your best friend with this upcoming summer. Invest in a linen jacket. I would state suit but frankly when I tried on the pants that were sold as separates with this jacket, the pants were HUGE...and they were a slim cut. The length was bad but something that would have been easily hemmed but the legs were no where near slim, they were ridiculously baggy. Naturally I just stuck with the blazer.
What sold me on the blazer was how it looked when I tried it on with what I was already wearing (posted below). The picture is from it being tried on in-store, it needs to be shortened as do the sleeves. I had to cut open the lapel hole, didn't like the stitching so hand-sewed it myself after as well. The jacket itself was a great price at $99.99.
What sold me on the blazer was how it looked when I tried it on with what I was already wearing (posted below). The picture is from it being tried on in-store, it needs to be shortened as do the sleeves. I had to cut open the lapel hole, didn't like the stitching so hand-sewed it myself after as well. The jacket itself was a great price at $99.99.
Tallia Orange Linen Jacket-Size XL
Yes this is me...I'm not a small guy but notice that a well fitting jacket does wonders.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
LandsEnd Canvas Moc Toe Boots aka Poor Man Indy's
One of the most versatile boot styles out there is the Moc Toe made famous by Alden with their Indy boots. Unfortunately, they retail for well over $400 and for many of us that is way too much money to spend on a pair of boots or any type of shoe. I'm one of these people, not because of lack of money but because there is just no way I can justify spending $400 plus on a pair of boots or any type of my shoe for myself. I rather add a couple hundred more and get my wife another pair of Louboutin's instead.
Nonetheless LandsEnd Canvas has had these for a good while, originally retailing at around $150. I picked these up for about $34 with shipping about a month ago with one of their 30% and free shipping promo's that they had going on at the time. These look great with jeans and slacks.
Fit: true to size
Friday, June 1, 2012
Keep Your Cool
With summer and an unusually hot spring in New York City, considering fabrics that will let you breath and are light on the body are a must. For shirts start considering linen and light cottons and of course short sleeve. Pants, cotton, chinos especially.
It's Getting HOT!
In New York City it has been unusually hot and dressing for the weather is definitely on the top of my list. Considering that being in a school building most of the day where it feels like it's over 90 degrees, keeping cool is essential.
Yes the picture isn't the best but this is something that I think everyone should, a basic and simple striped short sleeve shirt with button down collar. I honestly have another one similar to this one already with a bit of a broader stripe. Truth is this is something that in my opinion is classic and won't be out of style in a year or two or three. And the price, $7.50 at Old Navy.
I'm Back and a Post to Follow...
My apologies to everyone as it's been over a month that I've updated this blog. Things have been a little hectic to say the least so my apologies but back to posting.
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