Men's Fashion archive

William Rast Movies Are Here!

Four out of the ten short web based William Rast movies have finally premiered.  These promotions were long awaited but we will continue to post the remainder of the movie clips as they become available.  Enjoy!

What do you think of Justin Timberlake’s portrayal of character William Rast?  Do you think this a good way to market the William Rast brand?

Keep Your Pants Up!

 

Has anyone ever pointed out to you that your fly was down?  The Zip Holder ensures this embarrassing situation will never happen again.  This clever little elastic button loop closure will keep your zipper up and is easy to attach from your jeans.  What do you think of the Zip Holder?

USA Gets a Gold Metal in Fashion?

The 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremonies were nothing short of spectacular.  Bejing hosted a marvelous 4 hour whirlwind of entertainment previous to the Parade of Nations introducing the proud athletes completing this year.  Our team at truejeans.com highly appreciates sportsman ship and we are proud of our USA team amongst all of the great athletes from around the world, but we always have our eyes on fit and fashion. 

Picture courtesy of boston.com.

For this year one of America's finest, Ralph Lauren, designed USA's uniform for the Parade of Nations opening ceremonies. The classic all American tailored look for both men and woman may have topped some of the looks showcased, but fashionista's on bravotv.com have mixed opinions.  Was USA a fashion do or don't?  What other countries did you think had great style?  

HonestMall - the Fashionista's (and Fashionisto's!) eBay

Perhaps you've visited the folks over at DenimBlog and HonestForum via our blog roll or some of our blog posts for some fashion advice or the scoop on the latest trends.

There is another really cool part of their website called HonestMall. You know how if you go into eBay and search for designer clothes, you end up with a gazillion results loaded with knock-offs and scams? Well, on HonestMall, it's a much smaller scale, and they've taken precautions to make sure that all of the listings are authentic.

The mall charges a one time $10 entry fee to keep the scammers out, and there are brand managers that review the posted items to make sure they're real. They dig through to make sure that the seller is a real person, that they have a high feedback rating, where the item came from, and they even comb over high-res photos to confirm stitching and tag details. No more squinting at your monitor to figure out if that sexy Juicy Couture sweatshirt or that cute Kate Spade bag is fake! Some sample brands you might find on there include Diesel Jeans and Sevens as well as Louis Vuitton, Dolce and Gabbana, Manolo Blahnik, and more.

They are also working on integration with myspace and facebook and are building a mini version to work on your phones and blackberries. The best part? They've started a charity too and a portion of all their revenue goes to the poor. Stay tuned for more info as we collaborate, and remember to shop safely! If you're ever suspicious, remember to have a look at our blog post about how to spot fake premium denim so you don't make an expensive mistake!

Esquire Magazine's Best Dressed Real Man

Esquire Magazine recently put its readers to the test with their contest for the "Best Dressed Real Man 2007."  The contest, which took place earlier this season, challenged readers to find men in their own lives who they thought were the best dressed.  Readers were asked to submit their candidates for voting, and then the group was narrowed down to semi-finalists and eventually a winner was chosen.

By looking at the profiles of each of the five finalists it is easy to see that you don't have to be a fashion designer to have the sharpest duds on the street. Contestants' occupations covered a diverse range, with the five finalists being a New York restaurant manager, an LA Clothing Shop Owner, a Floridian business manager, a Floridian attorney, and a North Carolina dental student. 

Viewers can look at contestants' profiles, watch interview videos, and learn some tips and tricks for enhancing their own wardrobe choices in the "How to be a Best Dressed Real Man" section of Esquire's website. With topics for how to dress like a million bucks regardless of your less than a million budget, how to choose a dress shirt, and an introductory how-to on pattern choices, this site could be a useful tool for all the men in our lives!

Jeans and Boots for Men???

 

 

 

Last week, Jonathan Rhys Meyers visited MTV's TRL to promote his new movie, August Rush.  Meyers and co-start Kerri Russel chatted about learning to sing and play instruments for the movie. 

Meyers also rocked a pair of skinny jeans tucked into boots.  This boot-iful look is something that I chatted about last week as a great trend of the season for women. 

How do you feel about men rocking this look?  Can't wait to hear your opinions!

Target Goes Model-less

With all the talk about model’s being too skinny lately, Target has ditch models for its latest showing of fashion and have enlisted the help of animated holograms to debut its newest fall fashions.  The 3-D projections were created by Musion Systems Limited, who also helped created the holograms used during the Gorillaz’s live performance for the MTV Europe Awards.  This show was the first virtual model-less fashion show of its kind.  

Target's show took place last week on November 6th and 7th at Vanderbilt Hall in New York’s Grand Central Station.  Streaming projections were broadcast several times each hour throughout the two day event.  The show featured men's, women's, bridal and maternity collections from Bowie by Keanan Duffty for Target®, Erin Fetherston™ for Target, Isaac Mizrahi for Target®, Liz Lange for Target® and Mossimo for Target™ as well as jewelry, handbags and shoes from Dominique Cohen for Target® and HOLLYWOULD for Target®.

What do you think of Target’s innovative fashion show?  Is it a strike of genius or should they have stuck with traditional real life models to show their new live of fashion?

 

"Love, Life, and Sneakers"

Have the past few posts sparked your interested in the sneaker culture?  If so, I suggest reading “Life, Love and Sneakers” from The Boston Phoenix.  The article was written over a year ago but is filled with timeless stories about the sneaker culture.

According to The Phoenix, the sneakerhead culture “isn’t just confined to online forums and brick-and-mortar high-end stores; it’s also creeping into the mainstream.”  The infiltration of the sneaker culture can be seen by watching the ESPN2 series It’s the Shoes, “a late-night sneaker-centric summer-series featuring interviews with the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Spike Lee, and Missy Elliott.” 

The hip hop culture has and continues to greatly influence the appeal of the sneaker culture.  Legendary MC and DJ, Biz Markie, shares his passion for sneakers in this clip from ESPN2's series It’s the Shoes.  Check out his old school 1970’s Puma’s and Super Pro Ked’s.  

So just how huge has the sneaker culture become?

So just how huge has the sneaker culture become?  American’s obsession with sneaker has grown so big that ABC’s Nightly News team covered the story. The segment is great because it touches on the fact that sneakers are a form of nostalgia that many people are willing to pay a pretty penny for.   

Click here to check out this segment.  The segment features clips from HBO’s hit series “Entourage” and Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing. 

Change your Jeans not your Genes-- find a pair that fits the TRUE you.

It is with great pleasure that I am able to introduce our True Life readers to our first official guest blogger.  Addie Smith works for Boston College as a Research Coordinator in the Women's Resource Center. Boston College is currently in the midst of their "Love Your Body" week long campaign to raise students' awareness about body image issues. Please read on the find out more about this campaign and how you too can get involved to promote healthier body image.

 

Change your Jeans not your Genes--
find a pair that fits the TRUE you.

 

 

 

Standing in front of the mirror squeezing, stuffing, and shimmying into jeans left over from my senior year in high school I realized—I’m not a size 2 anymore—not even close. I looked in the mirror, sighed, and like any other woman scrutinized-- hated.

For me, this scrutiny is particularly shameful. I run a research study looking at the biological (and genetic) correlates of anorexia nervosa - a serious psychiatric disorder where the fear of fat and weight gain is so over powering that individuals fast, exercise, and purge to points of severe malnutrition and life threatening medical complications.  So, shouldn’t I, the scientist, understand how ridiculous it is to try and make my body do and be things it simply can’t? And shouldn’t I, who sees women each day who have lost themselves in the pursuit of thin, lead by example and love all of me? Well, it would help if I could find a pair of jeans that fit.

Inspired by the National Eating Disorders Association and in conjunction with the Boston College Love Your Body week the Eating Disorders Research Team in the Boston College School of Nursing has partnered with TrueJeans to encourage college age women (and men!) to change their JEANS not their GENES.

The lifetime prevalence of full blown anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in women are .9% /1.5% respectively and .3%/.5% respectively in men (Hudson et al. 2007). These numbers still surprise me and they barely touch on the amount of healthy individuals who struggle with poor body image and disordered eating patterns—especially in college!

Although exercise and healthy eating are important, we now know that the size and shape of your body is greatly determined by genetic factors—which are hard to change, but with a site like TrueJeans finding a pair of jeans that fits everyBODY isn’t so hard.

Sneakerpimps

For years now, Sneakerpimps has been on a revolutionary traveling sneaker tour that represents the sneaker culture through out the entire world.

Sneakerpimps is a lifestyle showcase with more than 1,500 shoes on display as well as sneakers crafted by artists and inspired by photography. Most sneaker events only have Air Jordan or Nike displayed and a couple more brands that have blown up the last couple years. However, Sneakerpimps has a wide variety of limited edition kicks that are hard to find anywhere else.

This show is a lot different from others traveling exhibits. The show takes an innovative look at not just the colors but also the artistic vision that goes into creating every pair. Most of the shoes that travel with Sneakerpimps were custom painted or custom created. The Aragon hallways were filled with sneakers.

If you are a sneakerhead, I definitely suggesting check out this show when it comes to a city near you!

Continue reading "Sneakerpimps" »

Jeans and Sneakers - The Ultimate Duo

America is truly becoming a denim culture.  Jeans are no longer reserved for casual weekend wear; instead they have become a staple in our daily wardrobe.  What better to pair with your jeans than a great pair of sneakers.  Not only are they totally comfortable, but a great pair of sneakers can also be the ultimate fashion statement.

I went on the hunt for the perfect pair of sneakers recently and during my search I learned a tremendous amount about the growing sneaker culture that is making sneakers one of the hottest commodities on the market.

My knowledge of this growing sneaker culture was pretty limited.  Besides the fact that I love the way a great pair of sneakers looked when paired with awesome fitting jeans, I did not know much about how the sneaker culture got its start and slowly invaded main stream America.

In order to begin learning about this social culture and find my perfect pair of kicks, I checked out Hypebeast.com, an online magazine for all things relating to the sneaker culture.  This site is a great resource for anyone interested in learning about the latest sneakers to hit the market and is also great for those looking to learn about the many vintage styles that are out there. 

Hypebeast.com also has a forum with topics relating to specific sneaker brands, custom sneakers, where to buy sneakers, and street fashion.  The conversations that are contained in these threads certainly show the passion for sneakers that is growing.    

From there, I checked out a site called Sneakerhead.com.  Sneakerhead is a term describing the newest generation of sneaker collectors, those in search of  the coolest, rarest sneaker on the market, whether it be Adidas, Nike or Reebok.  If you are at all interested in learning about anything from the history of sneakers to where to get the best selection of sneakers, Sneakerhead.com's Sneaker Academy is the place for you.

Check back all week for more about what I learned about the sneaker culture!!!

7 For All Mankind Broadens Its Brand

The Journal tends to support the idea the 7 For All Mankind’s expansion will give the brand a stronger presence in the market and will be good for the company, stating:

"Launched in 2000, without any advertising but lots of word of mouth in hip, fashionable circles, Seven For All Mankind's jeans quickly became hot sellers, racking up $70 million in sales in its second year in business in 2002, up from $13 million its first year… The brand burned hot enough to catch Wall Street's attention. In 2005, Bear Stearns's Merchant Banking unit bought a 50% stake in Seven for All Mankind LLC for nearly $300 million. Founder Mr. Koral owned the rest. He is staying on with Seven until his contract expires in February."

Seven has also recently been acquired by the major apparel label, VF Corp, who also owns brands like Lee, Wrangler and Nautica.  Seven should be able to use the resources already in place at these sportswear brands while breaking into the accessory market.  

7 For All Mankind’s premium jeans literally exploded onto the scene, quickly earning critical acclaim and an immediate following for its innovative us of fits, fabrics, and finishes in denim.  Will the same happen for the brand’s new line of accessories? 

What do you think?  Will 7 For All Mankind be able to successfully crossover into other product categories or should they keep their focus on the quality denim that so many of us how come to love?

Halloween Costumes for the Denim Lover

With Halloween only a week days away, the clock is ticking to come up with some last minute costume ideas.  There is no need to panic with these three simple ideas that can all be assembled with your favorite pair of denim jeans. 

You can easily create a cowboy or cowgirl costume by pairing your jeans with a western inspired vest, a cowboy har and some cowboy boots.  

To create a scarecrow costume, throw on some jeans and a plaid short and stuff the pockets full with straw or shredded raffia.  Tie twine of rope around your waist to make a belt.  Add a few touches of straw to a hat, gloves and boots.  Finish the look with a corn cob pipe and or even a fake crow perched on your shoulder. 

For those looking for a costume that is slightly more creative, check out the Where's Waldo above.  This costume can also be super easy.  First, pair your blue jeans with a red and white horizontally striped shirt.  Add a pair of round, black framed glasses and a red and white striped cap. 

Please feel free to share any other costume ideas that can be created with denim jeans!  I can't wait to hear what you come up with! 

Denim Hits the Runway with Chanel

When you think of Chanel, black and white classic elegance most likely comes to mind.  However, Chanel’s recent catwalk show at Paris Fashion Week moved away from the world of classic elegance and moved into the edgy world of denim!

It seems like everyone in the fashion world, including Louisa Kinoshi at Tartan Online, is buzzing about this collection.  "The last thing the fashion world expected was a show proclaiming American nationalism", says Kinoshi, “but that's just what they got. With a prevalent theme of reds, whites and blues, Chanel Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld showed the high fashion crowd that denim can belong on a fashion week catwalk, in more ways than one.”

With this line, Largerfeld has taken an everyday fabric like denim and has translated it into the haute couture world of high-end fashion.  I am not sure how I feel about the use of denim in this collection.  Don’t get me wrong, I really think the lines of these pieces are gorgeous.  I just don’t know if the fabric is appropriate for the image Chanel upholds. 

How do you feel about Chanel’s new line?  Do you think Chanel is taking the denim trend too far?

Take Forbes Advice on How to Wear Fall's Fashion Trends

A recent Forbes article, entitled "How To Wear Fall Fashion's Top Trends," discussed the latest fall fashion trends and offers advice on how to take the runway trends and make them work with your everyday wardrobe. 

 According to Forbes, wearing runway looks can "pose  a risk: What won applause on the runway can get you hooted off the stage of real life. Says David Wolfe, creative director of The Doneger Group, a fashion-forecasting firm in New York City, "For the designers, it's an exciting time; but for consumers, figuring out how to wear these trends without looking foolish can be problematic."

Yellow and other bright hues were a major trend to hit the runways in designer's menswear fall collections.  Forbes advised that the best way to incorporate these brighter colors into your wardrobe is to "use sparingly."  A great way to pull this look off is to incorporated brightly colored accessories  such as a tie or pocket pocket to your outfits.  

For women, the major color trend is grey.  But for those who are looking for a little more color, geometric patterns are the way to go.  Forbes warns that you can "run the risk of looking a fool, though, if you wear too loud a print in too conservative an office. And to wear more than one patterned item at a time is definitely a no-no: You'll look like a test-pattern." 

To learn more about the right way to wear this season's trends check out "How To Wear Fall Fashion's To Trends"  at http://mt.corpblogsite.com/mt2/www.forbes.com

The Skinny on Tight Jeans for Men

Just how tight is too tight when it comes to men's denim?  It seems like the men's denim scene has been dominated with one look for as long as I can remember; the low slung, baggy look.  Recently though, we have begun to see a new trend emerging in the men's denim world. 

The skinny jean is now making a crossover into the men's fashion world.  The trend of slimmer menswear is popping up on celebrities and rock stars who have begun wearing slender, tight, and even women's jeans.

According to an article in Men's Health Magazine, there is a simple way to determine if jeans are too tight.  Quickly do an "anatomy test. If I--or you--can see any of your frontal anatomy through your pants, they're too tight."

Skinny, tight jeans are certainly not for every man!  Check out the clips below from Seinfeld to see what happens when Kramer tries out the tight jean trend.

 

The Great Debate - Button vs. Zipper Fly

Have you ever wonder about the logic behind a pair of pants that takes an extra 10 seconds to unbutton, an extra 15 seconds to button?  Many can even argue that buttons close the fly less completely and less efficiently than a zipper.  So why do some many of the premium brands only offer button fly jeans?

The button fly was included with the first pair of Levi’s, presumably for the same type of sturdiness provided by the rivets that made jeans last longer than other pants. At some point zipper flies were introduced, and the confusion began.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld let the world know that he only wears button fly.  During an episode of his hit TV show Jerry stated: "That is one place on my wardrobe I do not need interlocking metal teeth.  It's like a mink trap down there."

What's your stance on this issue?  Do you prefer button or zipper fly jeans? 

 

Fall Denim For Men

I came home from work the other night and sat down to relax and check up on the day's news in the local newspaper.  While reading, I came across an article in the lifestyles section that I have been meaning to share with all those guys out there who are wondering what looks will be hot for fall and winter.  The article, "Standard Time: Deeper Blue Hues and an Authentic Fit Rules Men's Jeans This Fall," was published in the Lowell Sun on September 25, 2007.  

According to the Lowell Sun article, men's denim look this coming fall and winter are reflecting a James Dean look. "The standard fit is the perfect everyday pair of jeans that work for just about every occasion," said Kimberly Terry, spokesperson for Gap stores.  Many men's denim retailers are returning to a more classic look for fall.  According to Terry, "Washes are more subtle, moving away from the more extreme washes of a few years ago."  

This is great news for the guys who are sick of the trendy washes and treatments that go out of style so quickly.  This season, look for a dark, clean wash and classic fit.  Check out Chip and Pepper – Bobby Baby in New Credit to see an example of a classic fitting, dark washed jean.

For the Men: Matching Shoes to Jeans

We have received many messages from men asking how to pair shoes with their jeans for various occasions.  I have been searing through the web and found a few useful resources for all the questioning men reading our blog:

About.com has a whole page about men’s shoes to wear specifically with denim.  About also boasts another article about men’s shoe suggestions in general.

Ehow has a great seven step process to find the shoes to match with your denim perfectly.  I just love having steps, makes everything so much easier to remember.

To make it easy on everyone, here are a few steps and suggestions to remember compiled from everything I’ve read.

Make it a Casual Thing...
Sneakers are always a safe bet for a casual look with jeans.  Some easy to find favorites are Pumas and Adidas.  These brands offer a more retro style offering and can be seen on streets from LA to NYC.

One Step up…
Boots and slip-ons are an easy and not to mention faster alternative to sneakers.  If you’re going the boot route make sure to find something a little more cutting-edge or urban.  Straps, buckles and especially square toes are always sleek and in style.  Unlike women’s boots, Men’s look best in an ankle boot, regardless of style or material.

Lace it Up
Most sites suggest choosing an Oxford or any other lace up loafer based on the shirt you are wearing.  For example, a tailored button down denotes a nice pair of Oxfords but a more casual T-Shirt is better with sneakers.

No Fail Advice Tidbits
Stay away from anything shiny.  Overly shined leather, patent leather or shiny animal skins are a bit over the top when it comes to jeans.  Stick to faded or distressed leather or suede if you have to.

Make sure to match your shoes to your belt.

Any other suggestions?

Is Global Warming Changing the Way We Dress???

Everyone who has seen Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth knows that global warming is no joke but who knew that one of the most obvious effects of the warming trend can be seen in your closets.  A recent article in the Wall Street Journal examines how we as a global community are moving toward “seasonless dressing.” 

The WSJ also claims that “people spend so much time indoors and in cars that their lives are essentially climate-controlled. There's less of a need for bulky sweaters and tweedy woolens.”

So what are designers trying to do to adjust to the climate change?  Liz Claiborne Inc, Target, Kohls and JC Penny are all shifting the way they sell clothes, so they have items on the rack that customers need "month to month, instead of season to season." These companies have been working with climatologists and meteorological consultants to how plan the fabrics and styles that should be available month to month.

Because there are lee dramatic changes between seasons, the chore of switching out your entire wardrobe every few months is no longer necessary.  I wonder if that means that the near future we will be wearing white denim all year round – kind of a scary thought!!!

What do you think about the climate change’s effect of fashion?

The Skinny On Business Casual

There seems to be an external disagreement between old and new schools surrounding what ‘business casual’ is.  The custom of ‘casual Fridays’ has been more accepted in years past, with most organizations launching to a ‘everyday business casual’ state of mind as of the past few years.  Thank you, Silicon Valley, for spreading the idea!!

So…let’s go ahead and define it, shall we?  Or better yet, we will let Wikipedia do it for us:

I am one who likes to dress a bit casually at work.  I am also interested in any way to defend my right to dress more on the casual side.  Sure, capris or skinny jeans might not make the cut, but what about a great trouser cut?  I wear my pair of Orchid Wide Leg Trousers quite a bit with a dress shirt or sweater.  To me, the key to wearing jeans to work is ensuring that the details in the seams and back pockets are simple and the wash in more monochrome and on the darker side instead of lighter washes with a distressed look.

I’ve recently found my silver lining, not to mention new source of rationalization!!  In a recent
Boston.com article, research conducted by Ladders.com was shared.  Ladders polled over 1,000 executives who make more than 100k annually, about their own (and their employers’) view on business casual.  The response to me was great!  Results found that of respondents polled:

- 62 percent said business casual is their standard workplace dress code
- 80 percent of executives prefer to wear more casual attire at work
- 42.2 percent mention that they see more company’s adoption a less formal dress code
- 22.3 percent said the definition of ‘business casual’ has stretched to include JEANS!

On the flip side, however, as reported by USA Today, some employees are finding that their industry does not think business casual is appropriate.  I guess you have to look at business casual through the eyes of your boss, not to mention the industry you work in.  There are helpful hints all over the web, one of which is About.com’s HR section. These sites are especially helpful if you don’t have a written dress code at work.

For a good laugh to see just how far telecommuters will go to stay comfortable at work, click here.

These are problems and questions we all face at some point.  Feel free to share your opinion or story here.

Men's Premium Denim Forum: Style Forum

Men have just as many woes as women finding jeans that fit.  There are countless blogs for women’s fashion, most specializing in specific fit and body issues.  There are resources for women for everything from plus sizes to petite sizes and everything in between.  I have used these sites numerous times for suggestions, product reviews and shopping hints.

But what about the guys?  How do men with athletic thighs find help with fit?  What about the tall and lean men out there?  I think I’ve found one possible solution for this lack of help online.

Style Forum is an active forum with more than 15,000 members.  Registration is free, and the forum is really fun to read and interact with.  They offer categories that run the gamut of men’s fashion from urban to more tailored fashion topics, not to mention a section on fitness and social life suggestions for cities across the globe.  More than anything thing else, I like this forum because of the community members that contribute.  I love reading through the threads and seeing the helpful tone and overall camaraderie between the members.  

I have already found threads that might be helpful to some of our male readers.  One recent