SNEAKERS + TIES

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Flight 🛩  Vibes 

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Stripes ²

I’m big into playing with Shirt-and-Tie combos such as stripes on stripes, patterns on patterns or even stripes on patterns, and although some would disagree with this style move, I’m all about experimenting with things and having fun with it. A rule of thumb if you may, as long as it’s not abhorrent (to your own sense of fashion) then you’re off to the races.

Alas, this big build up to today’s outfit is a far cry from a walk on on the wild side. I’ll definitely feature a 'edgier' fit in a future post, but for now I wanted to get the conversation going on thinking outside of the box.

It’s officially Spring! and with the change of season comes a flood of colour. Today’s office ensemble was a transition from winter monotone (navy blue pants and a striped grey blazer) to the bold and bright (striped yellow button up, striped blue/grey tie) months ahead.

OUTFIT:

• Blazer: GAP

• Shirt: Ralph Lauren

• Tie: H&M

• Pocket Square: H&M

• Pants: Dockers “Alpha Khakis”

• Wingtips: Ralph Lauren

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🕘 to 🕔 

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Canadian Tuxedo

Let’s start by stating a fact, denim is a perennial style move, you can’t go wrong. How can you turn up something already established? simple answer, the Canadian Tuxedo. For those unfamiliar with the the term, a Canadian Tuxedo is when you pair denim jeans with a denim jacket or even a chambray/denim shirt.

Funny enough, I was looking into the background of the term (cause if you’re gonna write about something you should know what the fuck you’re talkin’ about) and there’s a great little story which I’m sure can be argued as the origin, here’s the quick of it. Legendary American actor & singer Bing Crosby was denied entrance into a Vancouver (Canada) based hotel because he and a friend were dressed head to toe in denim. The hotel management eventually recognized who he was and made an exception, however word of the incident spread fast and eventually reached the ears of Levi Strauss and Co. The company immediately developed a custom denim tuxedo jacket for Mr. Crosby, so that he'd never have problems wearing denim on denim (of course by Levis) in any future fancy establishments. For more info on this story click HERE.

Now for my outfit, noir denim on denim was the perfect ensemble for a cold cloudy day in Vancouver and so I capped it off with a clean white tee, white hi-top sneakers and a black leather hat.

OUTFIT:

• Denim Jacket: Levis

• Denim: Levis

• T-Shirt: Dime

• Hat: Stampd LA

• Shoes: Vans Sk8-Hi

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Nickels & Dimes 📶 Vibes 

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Double-Breasted Business

I love blazers and approached practically there are only so many you really need, however I love having options and could never stop at just a handful in my closet. Double-breasted blazers or suit jackets are especially a favourite of mine as they immediately increase the elegance to your outfit with the mere inclusion to an ensemble. I highly recommend you visit your tailor, as it’ll ensure the fit is immaculate. Trust me, once you see it on, you’ll understand the money spent is worthwhile as all eyes will be on you.

For today’s business casual look, I went with the classic colour sequence of navy blue & brown. You can’t go wrong with this colour combo as it works in all seasons and compliments any mixture of apparel. Instead of chinos I chose to rock a pair of denim, as I wanted an easy transition from the office to some evening cocktails.

OUTFIT:

• Double-Breasted Blazer: H&M

• Shirt: Ralph Lauren

• Tie: Ermenegildo Zegna

• Pocket Square: H&M

• Denim: A.P.C.

• Wingtips: Johnston & Murphy

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Not "The Weeknd" but "Thursday" 🔊🎶

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Hoodie Layering Pt. 2

Although I previously posted on how I like to layer hoodies in various ways, I wanted to continue on that subject with another example. The catalyst for this you ask? One of my followers on Instagram reached out and asked if I bought my tops (shirts, jerseys etc) oversized to accommodate for the hoodie being worn underneath, what I told him I’ll say to y’all.

To put things in perspective, I’m 5’ 10 and 165 pounds. In typically all brands across the board I cop my hoodies in size large, unless the piece itself is designed to be worn oversized. I make sure that my sweaters fit this way to allow for maximum wearability in proportion to my STYLE, not my size. I don’t wear my clothing skin tight nor do I wear it baggy. Despite the fact that majority of my gear is slim and fitted, I make sure to buy the size(s) that hangs right in the proper places. As well I still get every piece tailored according to my specs, which ensures for my own perfect fit.

Keeping in mind that it’s still winter in Canada, today I decided on a long tank top under a hoodie (that provided the base to my layers in all the right proportions) and topped it off with a button up. The resulting fit was breathable indoors but warm enough to rock in the streets.

OUTFIT:

• Hoodie: Dime

• Shirt: Supreme

• Tank Top: H&M

• Denim: Levis

• Shoes: Nike Air Max 90 “Infrared”

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Buttered Toast 🍞 Vibes 

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Cardigans

Vintage cardigans are a tricky piece to wear. If you’re not too careful you can wind up giving off a “grandpa” vibe (not that grandpas aren’t cool, but you know what I mean) or even worse, make yourself look dull and dated. Thankfully, the modern cardigans are cut slimmer and will help nix both of these problems like Mr.Clean on porcelain.

I like the versatility of denim jackets and for business casual days I tend to choose them as my top layer as opposed to a typical blazer. For this particular fit, I really liked how the denim jacket tied the whole look together by anchoring top and bottom hues of navy blue.

OUTFIT:

Denim Jacket: Levis

Cardigan: Denim & Supply

Tie: H&M

Shirt: Vintage Gap

Pants: Dockers “Alpha Khakis”

Derbys: H&M

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Casual Monday 👔 Vibes 

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Ma(i)son

Anybody catch that?

In anything above sub zero temperatures, thick sweaters can be tricky to layer as they are prone to being stuffy and a catalyst for those ‘under the clothing’ sweats. You either sport them on their own as the primary top (with or without lighter pieces underneath,) or you throw on a breathable jacket and have the sweater as the secondary bit.

Today was a not-so-typical Canadian winter day. I was able to pull off this look without feeling too warm or too cold, regardless if I was inside or on the streets.

OUTFIT:

Sweater: Maison Martin Margiela x H&M

Denim Jacket: Levis

Denim: Levis

Hat: @stampdla

Chelsea Boots: @topman

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Margiela ⚽️  Vibes 

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Channel Orange

Done in the right shade, Orange is a fun colour to have in your wardrobe as it adds a ‘exotic’ or ‘energetic’ feel to an outfit. I like to use it for a burst of colour accenting a serious ‘boardroom’ look, a statement piece in a casual fit, or in this case a fresh take on a rather simple business casual ensemble.

OUTFIT:

• Leather Jacket: Topman

• Shirt: Ralph Lauren

• Sweater: Brooks Brothers

• Tie: The Tie Bar

• Pants: Dockers “Alpha Khakis”

• Oxfords: Dr. Martens “Weldon”

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Work Work Work Work Work 🎶 Vibes 

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Nostalgic Feels

There has been periods of my life that I’ve come across fashionable pieces or entire outfits that I’ve loved, appreciated and subsequently yearned to own for myself, but due to my age (to young to earn) or circumstances at the time I just couldn’t. It’s understandable that you can’t have everything you see and even though I was lucky enough to sometimes acquire these pieces (via my parents, as gifts, or thru other ‘means’,) I still missed out on some shit I really really wanted.

Since my late teen years, I happily started to collect some of the fashionable pieces which I coveted and held in high regard as a kid i.e: Jordans, Ralph (Polo Bear), bespoke suits, timepieces etc. Throughout my time growing up, my taste has obviously matured (as a man’s should) but I consciously make an effort to look back and reflect on the past for inspiration. What I’ve learned is that my instinctive taste from when I was lil one to who I am today are still pretty much the same… what can I say, I stay with the classics ;)

OUTFIT:

• Vintage Jacket: Starter Pullover ’Chicago Bulls’

• T-Shirt: Supreme x Hanes

• Hat: Mitchell & Ness ‘Chicago Bulls’

• Denim: Levis

• Shoes: Air Jordan IV ‘Fire Red’

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Nostalgic⏳Vibes