The Gift Of Style

Just For Men

I stopped by the new J. Crew Men's Store in Soho (Below Broome on Broadway) yesterday to see what all the fuss is about and I have to say I was really excited about not only the store design, but ALL of the product.  Part Liquor Store concept, part flagship store concept, it marries the hip/cool side of J. Crew with the classic American side so many men have embraced for years.  As you know by now, I have always been a big fan of J. Crew for men, so it should come as no surprise when I tell you that this will become my absolute must-go-to for all of my male clients...I am just not really sure why a man needs to shop anywhere else!!!

J. Crew has mastered prep in a way that makes it so un-country club and so modern with an edge that I really think that they just have their pulse not only on what men are comfortable (from both and aesthetic and feel point-of-view) wearing, but also what guys today really desire.  Men, even the most stylish just don't want to look fussy or overdone anymore...its less about designer and more about true style and value.  Sure perhaps this is a sign of our recessionary times, but I think it has more to do with a real shift in the way we (men and women) think about fashion...we don't really want to be seen as the society of conspicuous consumption anymore.  We want to give back, we want to share and we want to simply feel more relaxed with regards to how we live our lives...no one really cares or should care about keeping up with the Joneses!!!  Its not so much about a return to minimalism as it is a departure from materialism...J. Crew taps into this more so than any other menswear brand right now and for that I give them mad props (OK I am a little Idol obsessed right now...couldn't help myself)!!!

So now on to the product...EVERY piece in the new men's store is closet worthy!!!  Their washed shirt selection is beyond stellar and was one of the categories I was most enamored with.  At about $60 a pop, you should own several...they can be the base of not only your work wardrobe, but also your casual wardrobe.  Don't get me wrong guys who have to be super polished, I am not suggesting you forego your custom shirts, I am simply challenging you to mix it up a bit.  I am also obsessed with their tie collection.  From the perfect chambray to smart glen plaids and ginghams, if I were a man, I would have gobbled them all up ($50-$70)...so spring chic, I could barely contain myself. 

      

       

After you have made your way through the all of the fab casual finds in the front of the store, the suit boutique in the back is a toned down habadashery of sorts and a must stop.  If you are a recessionista and just can't drop $2,000 for a suit right now, the J. Crew selection is fab!  From the perfect khaki cotton for about $400 (sold as separates by the way) to more serious corporate (not uptight corporate) mid-greys and spring blues for about $550, how can you go wrong?  I also hovered for a bit to watch the sales guys in action and I have to say, the service was up to par with any major tailored clothing retailer.  Big guys watch out...J. Crew intends to give you all a serious run for the consumer's money!!!

Of course, as you have read they also have some truly inspired vintage pieces...from the vintage watchbands (I was told they were found in Europe) to several choice vintage Rolex watches and of course the much touted vintage tie bars, this store truly has it all!!!  Finally, their designer collaborations are genius...from Selima to Mackintosh, I repeat myself, why would you ever shop in another store? The way I see it guys is that you can go ahead and drop $4,000 on a couple of Italian suits or you can buy an entire beyond chic, beyond understated, beyond modern wardrobe for the same price at the new J. Crew Men's Store...you do the math!!!  Now, if J. Crew could just figure out how to develop a cool chick concept, I would probably never rise from my bow at the J. Crew alter.

~Nancy

Style Mavens -Fashion Chameleons

Style Mavens is back after a little fashion week hiatus.  In order to start it off again with a BANG, I am going to feature not one, but several of my all time fashion icons.  About a year ago, in the need for a new "do", I happened upon the beyond fabulous Michael Angelo's Wonderland Beauty Parlor and instantly fell in love.  Of course, Michael and his stylists are crazy talented, but this is not what I am going to talk about this time around...I will save that story for another day.  Instead, I want to talk about the people who work there and how they are each in their own way a constant source of fashion inspiration...this place is literally an untapped hotbed of true individual style that editors and stylists should be aware of.

I am going to start off with my girl, Annastasia.  Her fashion sense rocks my world.  One day she is the ultimate pin-up girl throwback, the next she is western chic... She is the updo queen and can do 1950's sublime or 1960s Go-Go at the drop of a hat.  She also knows how to use makeup to create a mood, so when she is working it, she is WORKING IT!!!  The photo featured here is such a great example of her chameleon-like nature....old school geisha girl meets city chic.  Now if you think the way I am describing her sounds costumy, I promise it is not.  She certainly knows how to play with the fashions of eras-past, but she brings a modern, hip girl vibe every single time. I love this girl!!!

Next is my boy, Mitchell.  He is the ultimate vintage master.  Like Annastasia, he surprises me every time and has even taught me a thing or two about menswear.  He has the best boot collection...military, riding boots, punkish styles.  He doesn't necessarily reference a time period when he dresses; he has more of a innate ability to put several different ideas together to create the most chic creations. He also knows how to make his hair a major part of his look and is constantly changing the color and style...platinum, red, whatever color it is, it always looks perfect on him. Finally, he also has a fab hat collection and the picture I chose is all about the hat and all about his attitude.  I love this guy!!!!

I also want to talk about Lizzie.  She only did my hair once, so I don't know her as well, but whenever I am there I am always interested in what she is wearing.  She definitely has a little bit of that throwback thing going on, which you can see in this fantastic photo of her, but she also has this disco, Flashdance, ballet dancer thing going on.  It isn't contrived...it is subtle.  Her overall look is sort of sultry.  Oh and she wears these to die, crystal embellished, high-heeled Mary Janes that I just covet.  She too is the ultimate vintage girl and puts my vintage ways to shame.  

Finally, I just adore Amanda.  She works at the front desk and is the sweetest person in the world.  She is a vintage fanatic and knows how to work vintage accessories like no other.  She also always has the perfect makeup.  She perhaps has the most polished style of the bunch, but this only means different, not better.  She sort of has that girl next store thing going on.  I love the photo I chose...not many people can pull off that hairpiece and look so chic. 

The rest of the crew is equally as fab, but I only can write so much, so sorry guys if I didn't feature you his time...and Michael my dear friend, you get your very own feature very soon!!!

The key point I want to leave you with is something I preach all of the time...have fun with fashion, play with fashion, search for style references from the past that move you and that you can make your own.  Don't get stuck in a one-look rut!!!  Take a cue from these super stylish fashion chameleons and bring some good old-fashioned joie de vivre back to getting dressed.  Every day is a new day!!!! And...if you want to experience the Wonderland stylistas for yourself, you will also get the best haircut/color in NYC!!!

~Nancy