Finding your other half is already difficult enough. The search for the right man is similar togoing on a treasure hunt. You know it's there, you've just got to keep digging for gold. But finding a guy with style is like Mission: Impossible. A man who knows how to carry himself and dress is so incredibly sexy, but only a handful of them exist. As women we either have to mold our guy into dressing like James Bond or deal with ratty jeans and holey t-shirts. Uber-stylish couple Ashley and Blake of Anything and Everything LA definitely lucked out when they go together. Both have not only a fantastic wardrobe but an ability to complement each other's style. When you see them out and about Ashley and Blake look photo shoot perfect. I caught up with Ash to chat about what makes her relationship really spark. 1. How did you and Blake meet? Blake and I met in High School. It was such an awkward time at both our lives, but we made it through and are so happy. We’ve basically grown up together, and that has effected our relationship in so many ways.
2. What attracts you to a guy? Confidence and a great personality. I love someone I can converse with, and someone who accepts and allows me to be myself. I guess that’s way almost 10 years later, I’m still extremely attracted to Blake.
3. How do you plan your outfits with Blake? Do you pick something out first? Blake and I never really plan outfits together, we’re so different. We do like to contrast color palettes so that the other stands out as an individual; we don’t want to go around looking like twins. That wouldn’t be pleasant. LOL. As a blogging couple, we’re always seen together, but in the end, we’re still individuals with individual style. We never plan ahead. We see one another before we leave and it’s a surprise. That’s always fun!
4. What inspires your style? I am greatly inspired by street style blogs around the world. I admire the simplicity exuded by real people. They’re my greatest inspirations.
Ash and Blake are too cute. They are the most darling couple and just all around really nice people. Check out their blog Anything and Everything LA to see how a couple that's in style together stays together.
I was cold. We were out at an event. He looked really sharp in a nice grey suit. I was wearing a very slinky dress with strappy heels. I borrowed his jacket and I still haven't given it back. It hangs in my closet, and every now and then I put it on and remember the fun we had. The jacket still smells like him... Black Orchid by Tom Ford.
I'm a sucker for nostalgia. Every piece of clothing triggers a memory. These black slacks are the same ones I wore the night we first met. The shiny wings necklace I put on the night his film made its hometown debut. I wore it for good luck. I remember he laughed so hard when I showed him this black and gold bag I got from a flea market. He said it looked like a fancy chessboard. Even this hat. We were in a beautiful middle eastern restaurant and he was snapping pictures of me. I was blushing when he said "I know all your right angles."
The Look Jacket- Wentworth Cropped Button-up - BDG from Urban Outfitters Slacks- J. Lindeberg Hat- Anthropologie Shoes- Zara Bag- thrifted Necklace- Tatty Devine Ring - Melody Ehsani Earrings- ASOS
There's a story to go with everything I'm wearing. Just call me a sentimental fool. As the years have gone by, I'm sure I've romanticized the details a little bit. But it all helps to keep the idea of him forever in my heart. "I am remembering... love."
Oh yeah! It's the cream of the crop. It's the best of the best. GQ has officially announced their Men of the Year for 2013 and it's so good. My future-husband-in-another-life Justin Timberlake holds the honor of "#Hashtag of the Year" I guess because he's so awesome you can't put him in just one category. Hit songs, a hot tour, and lots of new projects. Keep giving us more, baby. All hail Justin! Lyrical slayer Kendrick Lamar is one of the cover stars earning the title "Rapper of the Year". He totally deserves it. After that diss verse on Big Sean's Control, Kendrick solidified his rightful place on the throne of hip hop. Who else made the cut for GQ's list?
Aaaah Matthew McConaughey. This Texas gent holds the title "Leading Man of the Year". He's charming, handsome, and adds a certain likability to the characters he portrays on screen. You can imagine throwing back beers and playing the bongos naked with each and every one of them.
We lost a great man this year when James Gandolfini passed away. He was not only an actor and producer, but a husband, father and an influential man. His portrayal as Tony Soprano in the HBO series The Sopranos is forever etched in television history. Upon hearing of Gandolfini's death, Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston posted this on Twitter: "I'm saddened by James Gandolfini's passing. He was quite a talent and I owe him. Quite simply, without Tony Soprano there is no Walter White."
As if this is any surprise. Introducing GQ's "Funnyman of the Year" Will Ferrell. This guy doesn't even have to say anything and I bust out laughing. And when he does open his mouth... hilarious jibberish. Will Ferrell nails it every time. Ricky Bobby, Chazz Michael Michaels, Ron Burgundy. I can't freaking wait for Anchorman 2!
This is the 18th annual edition of these honors. I have no idea how GQ decides who's top dog, but I like the magazine's picks. Obviously I would've given Pharrell "Coolest Man of the Year" award, but no one asked my opinion. I would've also added other categories like "Most Likely to Steal Your Girlfriend But You Don't Mind" and "Most Fashionable of the Year" which would both go to Tom Ford because he's just so sexy.
Sound off: Did GQ leave someone off the list? Who's your man of the year for 2013?
Photography by Jonne Johnson, styling by Pei Lee, and makeup by Sheba Snow
A black suit with your usual dress shirt and bowtie is the standard. It's safe and expected. But white... now that's the business. Walk into a party and all eyes are on you. It's a clean, crisp look that pops without being too loud and works for any ocassion. I know this look is normally reserved for wealthy gentlemen going to formal affairs in the summer. Who says you can't wear a white dinner jacket all year round. Especially with all the holiday parties coming up, I say do it!
The Look White Jacket - H & M Bow Tie: Thrifted Slacks : H & M Glasses: Urban Outfitters
The white tux works on both guys and dolls. It's so sleek and sexy. Some so-called experts say you should never wear ivory or white in cooler weather, but I say who cares. If you're going to sport something like this "out of season" pair it with black pants and darker accessories in general. Having any trouble figuring out if you can wear this? Think James Bond in Goldfinger, Bogart in Casablanca, or Sinatra in anything. Got it? Just avoid drinking red wine or eating something with marinara while you're wearing this. Your dry cleaning bill will be ridiculous.
"I hope my black skin don't dirt this white tuxedo before the Basquiat show." - Frank Ocean
Power + Suit + Tie = man with style. There's something incredibly sexy about that. You've seen a guy who has a great face and nice body but his clothes are baggy and boring. Pull your pants up, son. But you get him in a nice suit or even a pair of jeans that fit just right, and OH MY GOODNESS! My girls and I were talking about how it seems like real men are extinct. Little boys who don't know how to screw in a light bulb or dress themselves are walking the earth... and they act as if they are God's gift to us. Ha! Move over, kid. Let the experts show you how it's done.
This is why for the second year in a row, I am dedicating the month of November to the guys. This one's for all the hot-bodied, red-blooded, chiseled-face dudes who know how to take care of business. All the hardworking blue collar boys who bring home the bacon. All the self-made innovators who don't wait for the trends, but create them. I'm talking about the Tom Fords, Pharrells, and James Francos. The Justin Timberlakes, George Clooneys, and Boris Kodjoes. I do this for selfish reasons. Give me any excuse to post photos of sexy, fine fellows everyday. But seriously. Men, I love your style, strength, and the bold choices you make that inspire the rest of us. This one's for you.
Ok, guys. I know it's been a hard week. You go to your job everyday and work hard for the man. No one appreciates your dedication. Well hey! I do. So instead of busting your butt these last few hours before the weekend, I suggest you take a break with these handsome gentlemen. To announce the nominees for the CFDA(Council of Fashion Designers of America) menswear designer of the year award, the organization created this video. It's a chorus of male models dressed in Thom Browne, Michael Bastian, and Duckie Brown singing Daft Punk's Get Lucky. Let's all join in.
First of all, I need to know who's actually singing in this? Did these guys have to audition? I need details, people! Anyway, it's absolutely delicious. If only I could get a group of male models to start singing and dancing in a flashmob just for me. Wink-wink. Have a great weekend, lovelies!
Dashing. Charming. Sexy. Three words that I use to describe one man who's style has captured the hearts of moviegoers for 50 years. I'm talking about Bond, James Bond. This British secret agent is who men imagine they could be with his witty one-liners and dangerous escapades. When I was was trying to think of topics for this month's column, I would've ended up writing about being a male model. Well, you can watch Zoolander for that one. So let's take a departure from the usual Blank Like A Model and live like Bond. Oh James Bond. Your immaculate sex appeal. Your fantastic suits. Your taste for suspense. I just can't get enough of you. Daniel Craig's 007 is truly a complex character that battles many personal demons but still manages to look fly doing it. Besides the fact that his life is constantly at risk, why wouldn't you want to be this dude? After ooing and aahing my way through the new movie Skyfall, I came up with a few simple rules so that you too can be a debonair super agent.
1. Make An Entrance - When James Bond walks into a room people notice. He doesn't have to announce himself, but all eyes are on him. Even if he crashes through a door or a train, he dusts himself off and keeps it moving. Push aside that social anxiety. The key to making an entrance is confidence. Let it breathe through your pores and let everyone catch a whiff.
2. Dress for the Occasion - 007 never looks shabby. For goodness sake, the man wears suits while chasing bad guys. He puts on a tux and ends up dodging fists and bullets. He's not afraid to get his clothes dirty. Daniel Craig's Bond sports menswear that moves with his body. Every thread looks and feels like it was tailored especially for him, and it was. In fact, Bond's suits for Skyfall were designed by none other than Mr. Sexy himself Tom Ford. Swoon. The lesson to be learned here is that if you're wearing anything by Tom Ford, you're always dressed for the occasion.
3. Accessorize - Maybe it's a gun that only fires to his touch or even a classic roadster to speed around town. Bond is never without his shiny toys. He finds the right watch or pocket square to complement his look. Bond never over-blings. When you're a secret agent, you can't be too flashy but you've got to fit in with your surroundings. So no huge gold chains or diamond rings. Remember, don't let the accessories wear you. You wear the accessories.
4. Mix Business with Pleasure - James Bond is a ladies' man who works hard and plays hard too. Somehow in his busy schedule (pronounced shhedule), he makes time for the occasional romantic rendevous. Who cares if the chick is working for the enemy. Bond is a player. As long as he doesn't get too emotionally attached, he's good. The trick to this game, as long as there's mutual respect you have nothing to worry about... unless of course someone gets killed.
5. Be Cool - Have you ever seen Bond break under pressure? Sure, he's an emotional guy who's lost the love of his life and even come back from the dead, but you've never really seen him lose his cool. Even with his hands tied behind his back with a gun pointed in his face, 007 keeps it together. How does he do it? This all goes back to confidence. If you act like you've got a lot on the line and something to lose, you will lose. But if you live like tomorrow isn't promised to you and nothing matters but that moment, you'll break out of those ropes a true champion.
Alright, my little secret agents. You've got the rules of engagement. Now go conquer your own adventures.
Since I was a kid, I've been surrounded by men who get their hands dirty, but who also clean up pretty nicely. They know that you don't wear ripped up jeans to brunch. They never go somewhere important looking like they just rolled out of bed. And most importantly, they know how to tie a neck tie. These guys were taught how to carry themselves as men. But as I get older, what I thought was a standard is actually an anomaly. When did dressing like a slob become attractive? It's obvious that dudes these days need help and how! Enter celebrity fashion stylist Reinaldo Irizarry... Mr. Reyal Fashion is sharing his talent and knowledge in a new book called Style Protocol. It's an impeccable go-to guide for men's style that doesn't read like stereo instructions. Reinaldo realized that men need a little more guidance than women when it comes to clothing. Think about it... the average guy doesn't wear clothes that fit him and really doesn't know when to wear what. They actually have to google black tie affair when they see it on an invitation.
“The indispensable advice in this book will help you gain an understanding of how the different elements of dressing all relate and how you can use them to develop a polished and confident sense of personal style.” - Reinaldo Irizarry
The book covers topics like what to wear for everyday life, instructions on tying both a necktie and a bow tie, and dressing well on a budget. Reinaldo also goes beyond the call of duty and teaches men the ins and outs of suits even down to how to tell the difference between a canvased suit and a fused one. Genius.
Style Protocol is the perfect holiday gift for they men in your life. Hurry! From now through Monday November 26, you get 25% off the book. BONUS ALERT: You can also receive an additional 30% OFF when you use the promo code DELIRITAS (all caps) at checkout. If you're not buying Style Protocol like right now, you've got problems. You know what to do...
Fussing over their hair is not something men typically do. Sure they mess with it and say they need a cut, but you'll rarely meet a man as obsessed with his perfect coif as John Travolta's character in Saturday Night Fever. "Ma, watch the hair!" But don't think guys aren't concerned with their hair at all. The right hairstyle can make a man while the wrong one can wreck him. Girls can pick up a thing or two about good cuts from a dude's style book. Don't you just love a woman with a short, sexy haircut? So, grab a seat in the barber's chair and let's getting chopping.
When you're considering cutting your hair like a guy, take a few things into consideration. Can you really rock short hair? Does the style you want fit your features? It really sucks when a girl with fantastic long hair chops it off and loses her appeal. So how do men find the right cut? A guys goes for something that works with the angles of his face. Our features are a little softer, so we need hairstyles that frame our cheeks and bring out our eyes. I'm super partial to cuts that are really cropped on the sides and the back, but a little longer on top. This way you still have length to play with if you want to do something fun with your hair for special occasions.
Getting a guy cut can be tricky. You don't want people to say "Oh, what a cute little boy," so make sure your hair still looks a little feminine. You don't want to look like you just stepped out of a barber shop, so make sure your hairline isn't edged up and precise. Let your hair be a little messy, it will make you appear more easy-going and carefree. Also, scale back on the styling products. Don't you hate it when you go to play with a man's hair and he's got tons of gel in it? Well they feel the same way about ours. Your coif should look awesome, but still be touchable. Instead of overdosing on hair serums and pomade, just use a dab. Remember, a little goes a long way.
The good thing about a short cut is the idea of not fighting with your hair to get it to do what you want. I always pick styles that are easy to handle everyday and won't look weird when when my hair is growing out. My routine is so simple, even a kid can do it. I wash my hair when it feels dirty. While I'm in the shower, I condition everyday with a tea tree conditioner. Once I towel dry my hair, I apply a leave-in conditioner to seal in the moisture. My tiny curls hold perfectly without any extra product, and my hair is still touchable.
And that's it! There's no detailed perfect hair formula when you've got a boy cut. Come on, do you think dudes put a lot of thought into their hair routine? Of course not. So why should you? Snip-snip.
"The woman shall not wear that which pertains unto a man..." - from Deuternomy 22:5.
For centuries ladies have been dressing themselves in men's clothing, but it was considered taboo. Not anymore. We've traded in our corsets and bustle skirts for trousers and button-up shirts. Can you imagine trying to run your daily errands let alone breathe in something with that much fabric or that constricting? I'd trip on my dress every few minutes and fall flat on my face. Needless to say, women have gladly adopted some clothing traditionally associated with gentlemen. It's so much more practical. But we still have a ways to go. Here are 5 things chicks can learn from menswear.
1. Suit Up - Nothing says power like a really great suit. Don't get me wrong, dresses are great. But think about the attention you'll command if you're wearing a tailored jacket and pants. No wonder working women in the 80s wore shoulder pads and power suits. Too bad they did it all wrong. The suit presents an image of strength and prowess that used to be reserved for Wall Street types. Channel that energy and dress for success.
2. Keep It In Line - Creating a suit is like a lesson in geometry. There are angles that must be connected with straight lines to create shape and definition. It's all about precision. Even though a woman's body is a little more complicated, we can still apply these same principles to the way we dress. Your clothes should have structure. You should be able to draw an imaginary line from your head going through the buttons of your shirt intersecting your waist and falling in line with the zipper of your pants. You should be perfectly symmetrical and well put together no matter which angle someone sees you from.
3. These Are the Breaks - I doubt that anyone other than true menswear aficionados knows what in the world a break is. So let me give it to you. A break is where the cuff of the pant meets the shoe. The importance of this is the difference between high-waters, slacks that are dusting the floor, and pants that hit just right. Women have to be especially aware of this. Think about how many times you've tried on a pair of trousers in a store then got them home, put on heels, and the length was all wrong. You don't want to look bad or sloppy which leads me to my next point...
4. Oh Tailor, My Tailor - Let's go back to the store scenario. You've found a jacket and a blazer you absolutely love. The price fits your budget, but there's one little snag. The pants are a bit too long. Ok, and maybe the jacket is a little boxy. Don't walk away from a great outfit because of a few inches. Take it to a tailor. I know it sounds like something your grandfather used to do, but it's worth it. Getting your clothes tailored will make you feel like you're in couture. The clothes will hug your body just perfectly instead of looking ill-fitting. It may cost you, but a great tailor is priceless.
5. The Cool Factor - Let's face it. The perfect outfit can make anybody look good. It can transform the cute guy from the coffee shop into a handsome devil with chicks swooning for him. Just imagine what it can do for you. People will see you as the woman who's really got her stuff together but can still hang with the boys. And the guy you've been crushing on will start to imagine what you look like in one of his button-ups the morning after. Oops, did I really say that? We women have a tendency to get ahead of ourselves. Anyway, just remember when it comes to men's duds, play it cool. You're a real classy lady, and not some floozy.
Thanks to Kawai Matthews and the fantastic staff at the J.Lindeberg store in the Beverly Center for the style tips and the great pics. I had so much fun wearing men's stuff for the shopping event we did a few months ago. I think I make a pretty good looking gentleman. Ha! Oh, and I scored the best fitting trousers I've ever had in my life thanks to J.Lindeberg. It hits all the right angles.
Style tip to live by: It's better to be overdressed than underdressed.
We all know how boring black blazers can be. Sure they match everything, but where's the fun in that? Where's the risk? Maybe you should hang that blah jacket in the back of your closet and opt for something with a little more flair. Go for the stripes. This gray and white blazer is something I'd totally grab from a guy's closet and wear like it actually belongs to me. Wait, is this yours? I could've sworn I let you borrow it. For men, the slim fit means that it will accentuate your body ever so perfectly without being too tight. For women this means you won't look like a little girl playing in dad's clothes, but it will still look like a boyfriend cut... well, because it is. Duh.
Oh, and the price has been slashed tremendously. This blazer just keeps looking better and better. 2 buttons + 3 front pockets + too many stripes to count = perfection. So what are you waiting for...
Nothing excites me more than a well-dressed man. He is the definition of cool. The way he carries himself. His demeanor. He knows nothing can phase him. When he is in his element, he has a power no one can touch. You long to be in his presence and you are drawn to his charm. He is a killer. Cold as ice. I am so intrigued by guys whose style is so impeccable that I'm dedicating this month to menswear. I've always been drawn to men's fashion. As a teen, I was such a tomboy that I'd buy Brooks Brothers button-ups and Ralph Lauren sweaters instead of chick clothes. I even went as far as wearing guy's cologne. I dressed the way I wanted my boyfriend to dress. Eventually I gave him some of my stuff and started dressing more like a girl. Even now I still have this habit. This morning, I had Steve McQueen in my head, so that's how I wanted to look. I threw on my fave boyfriend jeans, boots, a tee, leather jacket, and shades and walked hard like a dude. There's a way to look feminine in masculine clothes, but sometimes I just don't give a ...
A well-dressed man isn't all suits and ties, but also about structure. The angles of a guy's face and his body intersect the lines in his jackets, shirts, and pants to create a strong image. It's that strength and power that we're all attracted to.
So for November, I'm pulling inspiration from the best in menswear from film to fashion to music. James Bond. Ozwald Boateng's A Man's Story. My own gentlemen's club photo shoot. We've got so much to look forward to. The swoon factor is about to get out of hand! "Cuz every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man."
