Winter Jacket Style Picks

It's hard to stay looking good underneath the many layers that are needed to keep us warm during the winter months. A friend once asked me "Gabe, how do you suggest one can stay looking stylish and good while wearing possibly every article of clothing I own in order not to freeze outside?" My answer, pick a great durable utility jacket that functions not only as a jacket to keep you warm but also a stylish piece that will look great no matter what the temperature reads outside. 

My following three picks are a few of my favorite styles of winter jackets out right now. They're not your typical puffy down jacket that your mother used to send you out the door for school, they're stylish with unique details which set them apart from all the other jackets out there. With the use of many buttons and buckles these three jackets hit the mark on the military trend that has been big over the last few seasons. The trend is so big that Authentic Apparel Group created a US Army Apparel collection in collaboration with the US Army, their Airborne Army Coat pictured below is one of my favorites to grab out the door. Another brand I love right now is Woolrich John Rich & Bros. who created the Arctic Parka picked out here in this post. For a bit more of a polished and work friendly look, there is this Baracuta Blue Label Trench Coat from their Fall/Winter 2014 collection that made its debut at Milano Moda Uomo last week. Beat the cold and look great wearing any of these three picks.

Baracuta Blue Label Trench Coat

Authentic Apparel Airborne Army Coat

Authentic Apparel Airborne Army Coat

Woolrich John Rich & Bros Arctic Parka

The Perfect Sweater, Hillflint's Mark One

Described as thick, soft and well-fitting, the Mark One Sweater by Hillflint is truly a best in its class. Made from 1.4 pounds of Australian Merino wool, the extra-fine 19-micron count strands will keep you warm and feel just as soft as cashmere, but durable enough to last longer than other sweaters. The M1 sweater is tailored to fit slim through the torso and arms. Cutting out the usual elastic waistband that other sweaters have, this sweater avoids bunching and riding that other sweaters suffer from, which let's be honest; no one likes to have extra fabric around their midsection. Hillflint has created a Kickstarter campaign to bring the Mark One sweater from the design boards to customers worldwide, with 14 days to go the campaign has already exceeded its goals. As of now, the only way to get a Mark One sweater will be backing the Kickstarter fund. With a pledge of $85 dollars your own Mark One sweater will be delivered at the beginning of 2014.

Mark One
Mark One

With a vision to recreate the classic and iconic American collegiate sweaters Hillflint was born. With varsity styling and Alma mater designs, the luxurious and functional sweaters and accessories from Hillflint bring back the traditional looks that have been around for decades. With a rotating selection of collegiate apparel and various brand partnerships it will be hard to not find the perfect piece. Let Hillflint change the way you view knitwear and check out their sweaters and gear.

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dating_sweaters_02_web

High-End, Pumped-Up Kicks

High-Tops are having a moment right now. No longer relegated to just schoolyards and gyms, this certain sneaker style has taken the footwear world by storm. With designers like Isabel Marant creating a work of art in the form of high-tops for women, menswear designers have taken note and created luxury sneakers that would make any shoe aficionado jealous. While the words “sneakers” and “luxury” don’t really go together, the following three designer brands have created high-end high-tops that are comfortable to wear every day, but edgy and fashionable to wear on a night out. Ditch your Oxford's and wingtips and style your next look with the following three picks. Pair them with some straight leg jeans and a t-shirt or be bold and channel your inner Justin Timberlake and wear them with your suit. With muted and monochrome colors, these pumped-up kicks will not have anyone wondering if you’re paying homage to the 90’s; the minimalist style and subdued colors assure the following high-tops will go great with any style and look.

TRON BLACK.GUNMETALAlejandro Ingelmo Tron Sneaker 

FerragamoSalvatore Ferragamo Stephen Leather High-Top Sneaker

Saint LaurentSaint Laurent  High-Top

NYFW S/S14: Michael Bastian 360°

CROP 1

Many of New York’s fashionistas gathered at The Pierre Hotel at 3p.m. on the first day of New York Fashion Week to attend Michael Bastian’s Spring/Summer 2014 menswear collection. While there was plenty of action on the runway, all eyes were on social media. Creating hopefully a long-lasting trend, Michael Bastian has granted a full view of what goes on the day of a runway show through the social-media site Instagram. The social-sphere of Twitter and Instagram was buzzing with eager anticipation after the announcement of the #MichealBastian360 hashtag. In collaboration with Esquire Magazine, a behind the scenes look into the Michael Bastian show was documented throughout the lens of different members of the Michael Bastian team.

CROP2

Those who followed the #MichaelBastian360 feed were able to see the in-and-outs of the Michael Bastian show from various members of the brands team, including VP and PR maven Eugenia Gonzalez’s (@bastiangirl), who shared a look into finishing up the seating chart for the show and a ‘selfie’ prior to the first model gracing the runway. Not only was Team Bastian taking part on the fun on Instagram, but also top male models Tony Chung (@tonychungmodel) and Eduardo Nueves (@nueves), who shared peeks into the rehearsals leading up to the show as well as views from their hair and makeup chairs. Once the show started, Esquire’s Senior Online editor Jonathan Evans (@MrJonathanEvans) took us front row and shared with us the experience of attending one of America’s leading menswear designer’s show. There was no exaggeration when this unique behind-the-scenes experience was described as a full 360 view. Hopefully more designers will take note and lift the curtains to show us a backstage look into more shows next season. Proving himself to always be ahead of the trend, Michael Bastian wowed us all with his up close and personal look of his SS14 show. (All Images from Instagram.com #MichaelBastian360) (Post originally written for Fashion Houston)

CROP 3

Heritage Menswear Pieces Reimagined

There are certain menswear pieces which transcend generations and time to remain classic favorites of every man regardless of age or personal style. The following five brands have reimagined some of our favorite wardrobe essentials by adding creative fresh new takes on classic quintessential sartorial style. From the All-American blue jean to hand crafted leather goods, these five picks will surely become essential pieces to add to your personal wardrobe. Understated and made from quality goods, these picks are sure to last you a lifetime. Their mixture of vintage looks with modern style will allow you to wear them regardless of what is in style years from now.ix and match them with items you might already own to create your own personal reinvented classic look.

Dillon des Pres Co - Mercer Case20130813-185955.jpg

Greats Brand - Wilson

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Ebbets - New York Black Yankees Cap

   

Williamsburg Garment Company - Hope Street Jean

Todd Snyder x Champion- Pocket Sweatshirt

 

Affordable Menswear Workout Clothes To Upgrade Your Gym Style

Rarely is any thought put into our sartorial picks for the gym when we workout. Just because you're working up a sweat, it doesn't mean that you can't rock the best menswear workout gear available. Ditch your ratty tank tops and ill-fitting shorts and replace them with these great picks to look stylish while working on your fitness. From high performance, moisture wicking materials, to sophisticated poly French terry hoodies, the following five picks are the best of the best.

Gents Purple Line Cap Hat

Gents

Horny Toad Hi Jack Hoodie

Hoodie

Nike Legend V-Neck Men's Training T-Shirt

Nike

Lululemon Precise Short

Lulu

KOR ONE Hydration Vessel

Vessel

Wear It Wednesday - Gatsby Ties

Gatsby  

With the success of this past weekends box-office hit, The Great Gatsby, everyone has been trying to emulate Jay Gatsby's style and elegance. Gatsby in the movie has a wardrobe that any guy would envy, from silk shirts and ties to impeccable tuxedos. Catherine Martin, the movie's production manager in charge of costumes, worked with Brooks Brothers and Prada on collections for the looks seen in the movie.

While purchasing a well-made suit will make you feel as elegant as Leonardo DiCaprio looks in the film, sometimes adding a high-quality tie can spiff up any suit you have already own. Gatsby's money-is-no-object glamour is encapsulated in this Anchor Tie made by GQ's executive merchandising stylist and now designer, Brett Fahlgren's menswear collection. The Fahlgren collection includes American made 100% silk ties in an assortment of styles and colors, all portraying a style and elegance worthy enough of Gatsby's closet. Find a store carrying Fahlgren, or shop online at their online website here.