To get the ball rolling again, take a look at the latest thing I’m working on:
The Great Twitter Secret Santa

The idea came from a brainstorm about what cool things we could do online to spin the holiday season a new way. It works by bringing digital friends together in a real world way. Kind of a cool idea, hopefully you think so too. I’m going to lift some language from one of my co-conspirators since someone has always said it better:

“When we set out to make this, none of us really had any idea what it would all mean and still, we’re pretty convinced that its just a fun little blip in internet land. But as things progress and sign ups continue to grow, we’re also excited by the fact that this little machine is helping networks out there make their connections mean something a little bit more, a secret santa exchange has always been a bit trivial, but when you strip away the trivial nature, it’s a wonderful, exciting way to recognize someone you respect, learn something new about someone you only slightly know or strengthen a bond with someone you hold dear.

However way you slice it and however way you choose to participate is up to you. I know there are probably a million more questions to be answered and we’ll do our best, so keep them coming. In the meantime, we just hope you enjoy it as much as we have. ”
- full text: Available Here

The last sentence says it all. If nothing more it’s been a fun thing to work on.

Last weekend I was in Miami and forgot my jeans in the hotel…so I endeavored to find a new pair for the summer. I was walking down Broadway south of 8th St. and passed one of those storefronts with the windows entirely covered in ’sale’ ads for jeans. I always thought these places were a little sketchy or for tourists, so I never went in. This time, I said ‘what the hell’ and popped in to see what it was all about. This particular place was called ‘O.M.G. Jeans’ which in and of itself should sum up the shopping experience. It was like shopping for sunglasses on St Marks and 3rd Ave. Too many people asking if you needed help and everytime you even looked at one of the racks someone had three pairs in their arms pushing you towards the fitting room. It was really something else.

Shopping experience aside, I ended up with a pair of Levi’s 511s. Skinny, lightweight but firm denim, very stiff upon first trial but the hope was they’d stretch. I also thought I’d do something different. I went with the washed out gray. Really not my traditional style at all, I’ve always shied away from ‘alternative’ wash jeans and stuck to solid, dark blue. But lately I’ve been drawn to white jeans….and in lieu of making a REALLY bold statement, I went with the gray.

I love them. I think they are going to be a big hit this summer and become a ‘thing.’ So today, I came across the June/July Esquire laying around in my office. Flipping through, I was looking at all the recommendations for summer styles. And guess what was prominently listed as a must have for summer 2010?

Yep. Gray Skinny Levis. Now, I’m not trying to toot my own horn, but it’s always nice to feel like your weird urges and impulse buys aren’t that crazy. So check out the new issue of Esquire for some good style tips, and if you want to try something new, grab a pair of gray skinnys.

So for Friday I want to talk about something that’s been around for awhile but I never realized how cool it is, and that’s Nike ID. I’m slowly coming around to the custom sneaker world, and I guess this is my first foray in. Growing up I always associated Nike with track and field or sport specific shoes like cleats. I was a skateboarder and for us at the time Nike skate shoes had very little street cred and were seen as a big mean mega brand trying to cut into the underground culture of skaters. But now Nike owns a huge portion of the custom sneaker world and has permanently ingrained themselves in the skate culture.

I won’t bore you with the details of Nike ID, it’s really intuitive and fun to play with. I was inspired to try and design my own pair both for the interest of the blog but also because my beloved pair of purple/black/white Onitsuke Tigers are finally worn out to the point of retirement (a sad, sad, day) and I haven’t really found them for sale anywhere in the same style. So I thought to myself, “self, let’s try and recreate these.”

Starting from scratch with a blank Nike 6.0 skate shoe, I juiced up the colors and materials to make a cool replica mirroring the great colors of my Tigers.

And for just a bit of hilarity, check out the Custom ID. HAHA!

I haven’t decided if I would actually wear sneakers with the blog rep’d so blatantly on there…but maybe. The real question is are they worth $110….Maybe in a moment of weakness. Let’s stew on it over and weekend and check back with you on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

So today the first round of entries went up on the Original Penguin website for their Be Our Model contest. The gist of it is: you send in two headshots and two body shots in your best outfit and they put their favorites up on the site for people to vote on. The winner get photo’d for the next print campaign.

I have to admit the rules were pretty vaguely set out, so people have taken a lot of liberties with what they consider a head shot versus a body shot, but I guess that’s part of the deal. The pictures on here range from seemingly professional models on runways to one guy who just grabbed some pictures off his Facebook account. Anyway, I just sent in my entries so we’ll see if I make the final cut. If so, I will surely let you know!

Wish me luck.

Last night was the Academy Awards. The night were all of Hollywood asks their stylists to dress them up in something stunning and different so they can in turn be the subject of talking heads across the internet, print, and TV worlds. Well here is my take: I can’t get on board with the ‘Dress Sneakers’ thing. Here are some of the examples I found just checking out the net….some examples from Dior, DSquared2, and Topman.

Wearing sneakers with suits has been more and more popular lately, especially with the styles and materials that make up sneakers changing a lot. Where sneakers used to be all canvas and rubber, all functional for skateboarding, running, etc., designers are embracing sneakers as the next item to mold and reinvent. I’m 100% for cool stylish new sneaker designs, but don’t wear them with tuxedos on the red carpet.

I have nothing against RDJ as a man and actor, just as a man wearing sneakers and a tuxedo. Taking a traditional outfit and tweaking one part of it to make it unique is the basis of fashion innovation, but a man’s shoes are something that should set the tone of the rest of the outfit. Want to refresh a boring tuxedo? Do something with a tie color/style, or maybe a hat or patterned scarf. I would even prefer something as outlandish as NPH’s sequin sparkle tux jacket to sneakers. They say a man can be judged by the quality and style of his shoes. When wearing a tuxedo, keep the shoes nice and dress down something else.

Designed by Burton, they are relatively plain and straightforward. A plaid ski jacket with a large crest on the front and jean look-a-like snowpants. Snowboard fashion often is highlighted by bright patterns and flashy designs, plaid is huge right now on the slopes and in the streets, and let’s not forget how popular tartan patterns are this winter. The choice makes total sense, it’s topical, trendy, reserved but still flashy. It reflects current styles, especially the large logo crest which is reminiscent of the large crests Ralph Lauren has all over his latest stuff.

I get it. But shouldn’t snowboard fashion, which is often outlandish and convention-breaking, lead the charge into some new stylish area instead of simply reflect the common trends of the day? This is the Olympics, where the best in the world come together to represent our country and pioneer new feats of strength and skill. Burton decided to clad our snowboarders, a sport where the US is way out in front of everyone else, in drab tartan plaid jackets with Ralph Lauren rip off crests? Unfortunate.

What is even MORE unfortunate is the jean pants. Jeans are bad enough already (look back to old posts for more anti-denim ranting), one thing that was always differentiating about snowsport fashion was the loud patterns and colors of the snowpants. To cover our most elite athletes in denim look-a-like is a sad reflection of our nation’s gradual slide into ‘casual’ homogeneity.

Articles abound about how young men are shifting back to the dressed up styles of the past and breaking with our parents generations feeling that success was the opportunity to dress down. We young men are embracing style and saying to the world that we can be gentlemen, look good, and live well in the world. Perhaps Burton could have played off this feeling rather than paint the blank canvas of snowpants with something as quotidian as denim.

First we have two Victorian styles of neckwear, the first is called a Puff tie and is a mix between an ascot and a scarf, which one ties tightly to the neck and then lets fall freely down the front of the shirt.

The next is called a Ruche tie, which is a style of ’scrunching’ the cravat to achieve the look here. One uses a regular ascot or cravat but ties it using the method found here. These really only look right with a vest, otherwise, the extra material hanging from the tie just floats around and goes wild. The vest keeps the extra material tucked in and positioned correctly.

These past two styles will definitely be a talking point and crowd pleaser if carried off well. If you’re looking for something a little bit more reserved or more ’stylish’ or relaxed, try the loose ascot look Beckham is rocking in the tuxedo below. This is a look that not everyone can pull off, but with the proper accessories and attitude, this will steal the show. Notice that the wild style of the tie is the real star of this outfit, the actual clothes themselves are reserved. Black pants, black jacket, plain white shirt. When adding something unusual like an ascot make sure to play down the rest of the outfit or else you will end up looking like you’re in a costume instead of clothing.

Ascots can be found pretty easily online just by searching around or checking out vintage stores that have mens sections, I will go into that later, the point here is to mix up one of the usually standard parts of your outfit and having a little fun with tradition.

More New Years tips to come!

K Chocolatier is the new line of luxury chocolates made by Diane Kron, who has been making chocolate for the stars (Andy Warhol, Jackie O, Katherine Hepburn, etc.) since the 1970s and is widely viewed as one of the finest in the country. Their products had been only available in their LA storefronts until a few months ago when this store opened on Madison and 69th. It’s still a family business and Diane’s son was behind the counter offering copious samples and knowledge about the history and products of the company.

Aside from the general line of chocolates, there are two products that really take the cake, so to speak. The first is the ‘HIBALL’, which is a ball of dark chocolate filled with Johnny Walker Blue. This isn’t some sort of scotch flavoring, it’s actual liquid scotch (about 1/2 a shot) contained within rich, dark chocolate walls. The strong scotch taste really hits you when you bite into them, but it mixes incredibly with the dark chocolate and trust me, they are irresistible. If not for the fact that two bites is the equivalent of a shot of scotch….they can get dangerous quickly.

The second is more of a niche/novelty product. It’s called K Sensual and is a mix of various types of cocoa beans and an ancient Chinese concoction of herbs and spices traditionally known as not only an aphrodesiac, but one that specifically effects women. It’s supposed to not only stimulate but intensify ‘the experience.’ The website has a clip from a morning TV show interviewing people who’ve tried it, to apparently great success. It doesn’t do anything for men, so I can’t say I have or will ever try, but could be a fun gift for you boyfriends out there.

]]> http://theosoares.com/archives/194/feed 0 http://theosoares.com/archives/185 http://theosoares.com/archives/185#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:40:39 +0000 Theo http://theosoares.com/?p=185 I generally avoid spending a lot of money of sneakers -not my cup of tea- but I have developed a soft spot for Onitsuka Tigers. They are so very comfortable and stylish. With a simple, retro design and classic cool, Tigers come in every variety of color and pattern.

Interesting note on the history of Onitsuka – in 1962 a man named Phil Knight, having just graduating business school, traveled to Japan and stumbled across Tigers on sale at the local shoe store. So impressed by the quality and price he arranged a meeting with Mr Onitsuka and talked his way into being the US distributor of Tigers. He began selling the sneakers out of his car under the name Blue Ribbon Sports, which due to the great success of the Tiger in American allowed Knight to start his own company, called Nike. But I digress.

Known as the Mexico 66 because of their roots as the specially designed track shoe of the ‘66 Olympics, these sneaks are really growing on me. Available in Houndstooth, Plaid, and Tweed, aka my favorate patterns, these Mexico 66’s are a very cool spin on the traditionally solid colored leather/rubber sneakers, and will really jazz up a pair of jeans or if you’re feeling really bold, mix and match some patterns to create a totally unique look.

Anywhere you can pepper in something different or interesting is key to having a unique and memorable style, and something like Houndstooth sneakers is much more interesting matched with a denim shirt and slim kahkis or jeans and a knit sweater then boring black sneakers and a houndstooth jacket. Putting patterns/colors where they are unexpected is what differentiates true style from vanilla fashion sense.

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