Sock it to you!

You’ve probably read about how to match your socks. Most experts suggest blending your socks to your trousers for a clean line. See here, the socks are an extension of the trousers so to speak. So, when seated, it looks better if the theoretical trouser is uninterrupted in most cases. When the socks match the shoes it break up the line of the leg, giving you a boot effect and downplaying your hopefully great shoes. Also, through caution to the wind once in a while and blend your socks to some part of your ensemble. Perhaps a dot or stripe in your tie or pocket square. Have fun with socks. This works with pretty much everything. This rule is unbreakable though. Black trousers, black socks, black shoes (shined).

Merry Christmas

Great day today. It's been full of family and food. It doesn't get better than that. As far as style goes, I haven't got much except to say it really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Obama

What's going on here Mr. Pres.? Walking 'round like you're some type of model. Can't a man just take a vacation. That said, the man's built. Here's to Obama. I've gotta get my workout on.

Hats!

Try on a hat without a team logo for a change. The prominence of hats in Hollywood and Washington may over but, they never stopped looking great. Think about how cool Malcolm X looked in his fedora or Harry Truman nailed a look with his Panama hat. These days with hats-wearers in the minority, you’re bound to stand-out above your hat-less peers. If you’re feeling a little trendy, go for a newsboy or driving cap (like this one). For the colder days, give this Irish fishermen’s hat a try. This one is herringbone tweed; perfect for the fall and winter. In my own opinion, the driving cap is quite versatile. It’s at home atop the head whether the rest of you is clothed in jeans or a cashmere topcoat.
Give a real hat a try. Remember, Jon Gruden gets paid to wear a visor. If you doubt hats look cool, google Brad Pitt.

Always bet on black

Flip through any fashion magazine and the ads are full of black clothing, regardless of the season. Why?

Those who love the world of style and fashion have always gone to black. Whether the event formal is as formal as the opera or a stroll in the park. Why does it look so good? It just does. Women rely on their LBD and men should have a black suit somewhere in the closet. With a change in accessories black be at different times solemn; sexy; elegant; and cutting edge.
When paired with white it creates a palette that is more or less unmatched. It's always guaranteed to work.
Black t-shirt and jeans is always a casual winner. Black jacket, black shirt for evening; black suit white shirt for business. It all just makes sense.
Check out what this model, decked in all black, had to say about her style.

Style school

I wonder if Dr. West has a closet full of black three-piece suits, and scarves because he's been rocking this look for years. He's here with Malcolm Jamal Warner (Yes, Theo Huxtable), Kanye, Common, Tommy Davidson, President-elect Barack Obama over the years. Actually, he rocks this exact same look at every public function...and it looks great. I'm all for something formulaic. Dr. West has this mad scientist/sartorial splendor thing going on. His clothes fit well. His hair obeys no force. His hair was a little shorter and he wore a different tie on the cover of one of his books, Race Matters. Wear the same clothes everyday if you're saving the world by introducing theories, dispensing knowledge and inspiring people to think, which doesn't even come close to everything he's done. Here's to you Dr. I-wear-the-same-ensemble-everyday-because-I'm-brilliant-and-I-can West.
P.S. Who's this young Hollywood couple? Surely it didn't take a stylist to come up with this. It just took a look at Dr. West.

The Best of the Becks

These two always look fantastic, Victoria and David Beckham. Becks was just introduced at an event for the Italian football club AC Milan. According to the Associated Press, he will be playing for them for the next three months. It will be interesting to see how his surroundings play into his style. L.A. is very relaxed; lots of jeans, t-shirts, flip flops. Milan, being the capital of fashion, I'm sure is miles ahead. But if anyone can adapt and has the wardrobe and pockets to do it, it's Beckham.
Right here we've got Beckham demonstrating a perfectly knotted scarf. It looks like paisley. It's just a eye-catching touch. I also am a fan of the white sneakers. Blindingly white sneakers and dark jeans will always look good to me. The addition of brown in the belt and scarf made such a sartorial difference. Black or grey would have been an easy choice but, brown ups the ante and it looks great.
In his dressed attire I'm reminded of Jude Law in the Alfie remake; slim pin-striped dark suit, white shirt, black tie. It's a look that won't go out. Slim has been in for quite a few years, it's a look that isn't for everyone. Credit designers (former Dior Homme head) Hedi Slimane and Helmut Lang for popularizing it.
The slim tie and suit look great on Beckham's build. Suits should contour the body, it looks better and gives a better line and a defining silhouette. Take a look at the mannequins in the men's department of any better department store. Suits are usually tapered to the body and it looks better.
Hats off to Mr. Beckham for always looking great.

Here's to dressing up to get down

I happen to live in a city that's, let me say, not the trendiest. That's fine. Trends are expensive and rendered irrelevant in a year...or less. But nevertheless, it's a city that's growing (slowly). Restaurants are easily the most popular business to open, it seems. What's also a trend here is the nightclubs. Club owners have often tried to give the people of this city a little elegance for a nightspot selection. Clubs have come in, decorated beautifully, only to have arrogant citizens refuse to adhere to dress codes or decent behavior. What starts as a place where girls wear dresses and men were trousers devolves into a spot where boys in shorts down to the mid-calf and coordinating sneakers rock side-to-side to Wrangler and questionable stain and grime covered boot wearing, rebel-flag toting young men. Never a good situation. The clientele that yearned and finally got that sophisticated nightspot are yet again forced to leave the city limits to escape the thuggery and skankiness.
Having said that, last night the future Mrs. Hosten and I joined some associates at a new local club, Cloud 9. Thus far I have nothing but positive comments for the atmosphere, decor and club-goers there. Lots of people gave it a shot at getting dressed to come out. It's quite refreshing to be in an environment where people give a damn. The club owners did an incredible job decorating the interior and really emphasizing that the place is about class. I personally like want my $8 drink out of a glass.
That said, I hope for the best with Cloud 9. It's my second outing there and I'm likely to return...Here's to Cloud 9.

Watch Wonderland

Say you're stuck on getting that special person a neat-o gift for Christmas. You've been in mall after store, website after painstakingly-slow-to-load website and you just can't come up with any ideas. Watch this! Sure, an elegant slim watch with a black leather band or gold bracelet is perfect for the woman with simple, yet refined tastes. A beefy, rugged chronograph with a rubber strap would look at home on the wrist of you firefighter brother or Harley-riding aunt.
Watches are perfect. They're never the wrong size, they're functional and they can be works of art.

Surprise, Surprise

Time magazine has selected President-elect Barack Obama as its Person of the Year for 2008. Not much of a surprise, yet still a great honor. He captivated such a massive cross-section of people with his words, ideas and the movement that was his campaign. He's also the best dressed man to win the White House since Ronald Reagan. Hope to see more of it.

Style Minute

This week's Style Minute focuses on the the tuxedo.

Barack's Inaugural tuxedo sketches

President-elect Barack Obama has announced his intention to purchase a dinner jacket and matching trousers (tuxedo) for his inauguration. Fantastic! Hopefully men will take the cue and realize buying beats renting a tuxedo at every point; style, fit, cleanliness, comfort.
It's really not that expensive to purchase a tuxedo. Hell, you can go to JCP and get a dinner jacket and trousers for what you'd pay to rent an ill-fitting, partially clean garment. Having worked at a menswear store that also rented tuxedos I can attest to many instances where men picked up a tuxedo with jacket sleeves that were too short, wrong size shoes, pants too long. It's a headache. Take Barack's lead a purchase one if you have a full social calendar that requires black-tie. This first jacket is a one-button notch lapel from JC Penney. These jackets start at $70. Also to be had are DB jackets, shawl-lapel and peak-lapel

Ritchie, Madonna and Jason Stathum

Madonna and Guy Ritchie split. He gets $92 mil (money and assets). That's pretty solid. Perhaps he get back to the stylish route of his first big hit, "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels." Every character in that movie just looks cool, even though it was 1998. Snatch was another pretty stylish movie. Take some hints from star of both, Jason Stathum. The action man is normally quite natty on screen. Whether he's a gold thief ("The Italian Job") and bank robber ("The Bank Job") and the he's-here-to-save-the-day guy (Transporter series). His suits fit well; no big break in the trousers; jacket sleeves a tad shorter than shirt sleeves and great coats from pea coats to chesterfield jackets (noted by the velvet on the collar). These coats are never a wrong option.

Tom Ford's style rules

I can get behind most of these style rules. After all, I have an appreciation for what Tom Ford has done for menswear. It wasn't any revolutionary cuts or color combos like Ozwald Boateng or Duncan Quinn, it was a blend of classic looks and fantastic marketing. What's better than to be your product. It's hit or miss with designers and how they look. Mr. Ford sticks to the basics and looks great doing so The last rule though...

The hair

What Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich might be thinking, "Can you people see me, I'm kissing my wife. This proves I'm not an underhanded, money-hungry, power-abusing snake. This shows I'm a good family man...Did everyone get this shot?"

And, what the hell is up with the hair? I just wanna know. Then again, there are still brothas with jheri curls...80s never die.

Winter in Florida

It really is the most wonderful time of the year. Something about the cold weather gets me feeling good inside...as long as I'm dressed for said weather. That's tricky here in Florida. It's may be 40 degrees at 8:30 in the morning but, by 3 p.m. it's 67. Carrying around a chunky coat from The North Face just looks dumb when it's close to 70 degrees. But you don't want to freeze when you're headed to work, right?
Well, it's all about layering. People in warmer zones should try a few thin pieces instead of one huge piece. Sweaters in merino wools and cotton blends are perfect, especially when paired with dress shirts underneath. As the temp raises, ditch the sweater, walk around the office with the dress shirt (that means you do have to iron it). For the colder days, think about a blazer or sport coat in cashmere, a heavier wool, corduroy or velvet for the evening.
These two jackets are from Banana Republic. In the $200-300 range. But that's a retail price. BR is a company that has reduced prices during this recession stuff.

Recession! What recession?

During some Christmas shopping with the future Mrs. Hosten (my last name) we stopped by several malls in the Orlando area. With only 12 days remaining until the 25th of December, we wanted to catch some sales our loved ones would like. Great. What wasn't so great was the stores who failed to acknowledge the economic situation in the country right now. Now, my fiance and I are seasoned shoppers. We hunt out bargains quite well. No shame in that. She found some amazing pieces, heavily discounted at the outlets of Neiman Marcus and Saks 5th Ave. I nailed a $1,250 Burberry DB suit far less than half the retail price. Although we found some amazing deals, I couldn't believe there are stores that still refuse to have sales. In a story published in the NY Times companies like Abercrombie and Fitch (think big bucks for heavily worn and soiled clothing) don't want to have have sales because they fear it will cheapen the brand. Really! Cheapen the brand...during a recession. Yeah. Now this doesn't too much affect me because I've never stepped foot in A&F and don't plan on it. However, the arrogance is what's appalling. It's the same with luxury brands at the outlets like Dior and Armani, who have a few mildly reduced items on racks in the back. If they're afraid of losing some appeal, take a look at Luxury god (lowercase g) Tom Ford, who took out a big ad in the NYT advertising a sale. It's almost trendy right now to cut prices. What's not trendy is believing that keeping your prices high will maintain your credibility as a luxury brand. Luxury is all about the construction, the fabrics the cachet of having something that looks and feels nicer than other pieces in the wardrobe and may cost a bit more. I strongly believe educated consumers are still willing to shell out cash for Dior (which is still a lot of paper) but it goes both ways.

Congrats

So, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford won the Heisman. Congrats young man. It's well deserved. If you haven't seen him, the man's vicious on the field. His accuracy is mind boggling. Now it's all about beating Florida for a national title. That may not prove as easy as the first place win. Gators QB Tim Tebow may have placed third in the voting but, was miles ahead of Bradford and Texas QB Colt McCoy (perfect name for the Longhorns QB) in the sartorial department. Sam Bradford went the George Bush (W., not H.W) route with a solid black suit, white shirt and red tie. Yawn. It's a dull lifeless combination. There are so many possibilities if he wanted to incorporate the colors of the Sooners. A striped shirt, like this one from Banana Republic, would have worked. A check shirt would have been better. And for goodness sakes, throw in a folded square of white linen, a puffy silk square. Not even get gonna get started on the hair.

Tebow on the other hand pulled out the 3-piece suit. Nice work sir.

Really, Mr.Boateng?

One of the best designers (bespoke couturier he claims) in the game right now, Ozwald Boateng, recently said James Bond (dressed in Tom Ford for QOS) should be dressed by a British tailor. Boateng claims there is a natural history and relationship with Bond and British tailoring. True. However, Bond has since become an international symbol. He is British, but he's no longer only Britain's Bond. Pierce Brosnan wore Brioni suits and looked great in them. Daniel Craig is impeccably dressed in his first two outings as Bond. Mr. Boateng, you sound a little whiny. Like, "Why didn't anyone call me?" 

Look at Hugh...

Hugh Jackman has been steppin' out in a fierce way for the premieres of his new movie, "Australia," with Nicole Kidman. Kidman normally looks great in her own right but, Jackman has scored sartorial goal after goal in the different cities he and Kidman attend premieres. Jackman switches his look from charcoal peak-lapel, single-breasted suits in Paris and Sydney to a fantastic beige glen plaid double-breasted number in Madrid. It's a long way from Wolverine.

Looks of the day

As usual, I browse the AP gallery daily. I came across these photos of some well-dressed and cool people. Jada and Will always look great. The pair attend the New York premiere of "The Day the Earth Stood Still," Tuesday evening. I like how Will Smith always mixes up  his look. What appears to be a car coat, a v-neck sweater and a great driving cap are fantastic touches and still evoke a certain formality with the darker tones. Smith is looks great in suits or jeans but, unlike some stars doesn't stick to rigid formula of dressing. I like this hair for Jada. She can look too severe with her hair pulled back and relaxed. Overall, I love the coat and the braids. The belt breaks up the look nicely. It's nice to see Prince Harry in a single-breasted suit. Even better...slanted flap pockets and a ticket pocket. He's young and should dress with some flavor. Poor Prince William. Trying to look like dad in boxy double-breasted suits and just not pulling it off.  Joshua Jackson looks great in this grey two-button, black sweater and chunky scarf. Always bet on black and grey for the winter. Beat Arthur is here just because I'm a Golden Girls geek.  Keanu Reeves looks great...from the neck down. There are some who can pull off the facial hair; John Legend, Tom Ford. Reeves isn't one, I'm a believe that when one dresses like this, the hair at the very least should follow the same pattern of attention given to the clothing. Finally, President-elect Barack Obama. I can't wait until we can ditch that hyphen and elect. Ebony's person of the year. I didn't even know Ebony had a person of the year but, why not invent such a category for Mr. President, Barack Obama.

A Christmas Style tip

I thought about this while doing some holiday shopping. Why do people feel the need to announce their alleged Christmas spirit with reindeer, Santa or Frosty on their too-big sweatshirts? Christmas should feel good and look good. Nice fabrics like merino wool and cashmere feel amazing against the skin. Beautiful shades of green, red, white and off-white look and feel just like Christmas without the ridiculous images. Announce the spirit with hues, not Rudolph.

Football style...sort of

Today is championship Saturday in college football. There are lots of great match-ups on the field. Florida and Alabama is a big one, especially in a city 40 miles away from the Gainesville (home of the Florida Gators). High school football in Florida is winding down, state title and semifinals games have been decided. I shot video at one Friday evening and have covered prep games during this season. A trend continues that I just can't get behind. The nylon-jacket, sneaker and visor wearing coaches. I wasn't exactly alive during the days of Bear Bryant or Joe Paterno's early days but I am still able to appreciate the style they brought to the game. Shirts and ties, coats and hats on the sidelines. That, to me, commands authority. Don't get me wrong, a tie won't make players catch every pass but, it will elevate the coach to looking like he's in charge. When Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow wear the same jacket during a quick discussion I'm feeling like they're a band of equals. It's college, a time for maturity and a certain expected progression in manliness. A coach who is a buddy is fine, but I look for something more. Something more than baggy, pleated chinos, logo-emblazoned sideline jackets, visors (which are just plain ugly and useless) and two-sizes-too-big polos. I want the Bryant days which Jim Tressel (Ohio State) brings. Ties, sweater vests, dress shirts, hell, shirts with long sleeves. Maybe not every piece should bear the team logo. Everyone knows. Alass, it's all about the cash. Nike pays big money for the visible swoosh logo every .1 second of a college game. It'snot dressing up, it's dressing for the occassion. I'd say millions of tv viewers and thousands at a stadium are a pretty good audience to do it up a bit. Just look at NBA and college basketball coaches. Nuff said.

Until...
K

AP stuff and Tom Ford's store

I was browsing the Associated Press image wire and came across these. Jamie Foxx looks cool in that Shaft kind of way. You will never look  bad in a black turtleneck, pea coat and gloves. Throw on some great sunglasses and you're a star...if that's the look you're going for. 

Mr. Smokey Robinson looks smooth here at the Grammy Awards Nomination Concert last night in New York. His suit is definitely Tom Ford. Everyone from Steve Nash to Usher to Will Smith to David Beckham has been wearing Tom Ford for well over a year. The former Gucci head's designs are noticeable by the wide peak-lapel jackets with ticket pockets and tapered waist. They're mainly two-buttons. I visited his store on Madison Ave and more or less salivated for a good half hour. It's a beautifully designed menswear shop made to look like a home. There's lots of dark wood shelves. Most of the clothing is behind glass, which can be intimidating but, just ask and the Associates will help. A view of fresh flowers, and elegant foyer are included. There's a fantastic shirt closet with anything variety you can imagine. And, if it's not there, you can more than likely have it made. Problem is, shirts start at around $400, suits...about $3,500, shoes; $1,500. It's a fantastic world to be in if you love men's clothing, as I do. If you can't swing the prices but, love the cuts, take your suit to reputable tailor and give your specifications.

That's it for now.

Until...

K

Quantum of Solace

I saw Quantum of Solace on opening day...by myself...in the afternoon. Normally, this would sounds creepy but, I was getting some work done on the car and the theatre was just across the street. Before the movie, while I was at the service department, I watched Thunderball on my Powerbook. Now, as far as sartorial matters go, a great deal can be learned from two James Bond movies 40 years apart. Both contain 007 in beautifully cut dinner jackets and suits. Mr. Connery's Bond isn't as dark as Craig interpretation and this is echoed in the wardrobe. Connery had various tones in black and neutrals like brown. His trousers were cut with less of a break and the bow tie was slimmer; fitting for the times. Craig's era is very contemporary, yet timeless in the same moment. The suit of the suits of both eras are slim, but not skinny. If anything, the quality of the equipment renders Craig's wardrobe a bit sharper but, that's a technology thing. Craig sticks to black, blue and white throughout the movie but it's done in a way that makes a man say, "I wanna look like that guy." He wears the suits effortlessly. He proves, as designer Tom Ford said, that basic isn't boring, it's classic. I say, take a cue from Bond's selective color palette. Those classics will never die.

Until...

K

What is a Stydol?

It's a quite ridiculous word I just came up with. Style-Idol. My two for the past few months are (drum-roll...) Daniel Craig and John Legend.

Both of these men consistently score sartorial goals or serve up style aces (I'm partial to soccer and tennis). Of course, both men were in the press a great deal in the last few months. Craig was promoting his second take at 007 agent James Bond in Quantum of Solace and Legend was promoting his new album, Evolver. Naturally, with high visibility like that, a man should be prepared. Occasion after occasion, these two showed up in perfectly tailored suits, great shoes and immaculately groomed. That last one should be a given, but these days, entertainers walk the Red Carpet in loosened ties and unkempt hair. Craig continually stepped out in elegant dark suits and ties in fairly muted tones while promoting the 23rd Bond movie. Legend, meanwhile is a bit edgier in his choices; ties over cardigans and jackets, suit trousers tucked into riding boots. His evening attire however, is on point. Slim dinner jackets, trousers and ties. He's stepped out in lots of black and silver.

Until...

K

Recession Shopping

So we're officially in a recession, so the Feds say. I'm sure you weren't previously aware. I'm hearing this term pop up from every major fashion media outlet: recession shopping. Apparently ways to save money include not spending it (Serious!); going to clearance racks; and discount stores. Hmmm. Again, hmmm. Wasn't that obvious all this time? Perhaps not.

 I guess I've been "recession shopping" for the better part of my adult life. Not spending a ton of money really is quite easy (and you can still look great!). Here are some of my lifestyle shopping tips, because saving money is always positive.

1. Clearance racks. Style isn't about what a magazine said was in seven months ago, it's about what works for your body type, personality and lifestyle. I love reading GQ, but of course it's beholden to advertisers (which aren't giving up that much these days). Bypassing regular-priced items and heading to clearance is a great way to not put out so much cash at the register. Gap always has clearance items but, Gap covers the basics. Why not pick up a classic crewneck sweater in a neutral color or tone? 

2. Discount retailers. TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshall's are just a few of the spots to pick up deals all the time.

3. Consignment shopping. My fiance and I love it! She's picked up some really gorgeous basics from St. John and not so basic pieces from Jean-Paul Gaultier. I found a great pin-striped charcoal, 3-piece suit. Yes, 3-piece is all over the mags right now but, it's also classic. Think Steve McQueen in the Thomas Crown Affair or Mr. Sean Connery in Goldfinger.

4. Shop on the weekends!!! Having worked in retail, sale and clearance items are further reduced on weekends. If you squeeze in on a Thursday night, you may even find the associates putting up sale signs. Good sales clerks will honor the discount even if it's not technically Friday.

When I think up some more tips or ask my better half, I'll come back by.

Until then...

K

Style Minute launch

Hey, I'm back and have launched my style minute program. Here and on YouTube, I will be chatting about style and dispensing what I know and  am learning about style.