Big Sean Shows "How to Dress For Winter Without a Coat" in the November Issue Of GQ

I take it G.O.O.D. Music rapper, Big Sean has been reading The X-Stylez Blog because we just covered this Monday... guess we know a little something (ha) 

Big Sean shows you “How to Dress for Winter Without a Coat” in the November 2012 issue of GQ magazine: 

Dressing well in winter can be tricky. The conundrum: How do you fight the big chill without getting deathly sick of your giant winter coat? Short answer: Leave the coat in the back of the closet as long as possible by learning to layer up.
The field vest, once thought of as a blue-collar staple for postal workers and Wichita linemen, is now office-ready, thanks to high-fashion designers like Belstaff and lower-cost hubs like Club Monaco. The vest’s lightweight quilting adds warmth without bulking up your flannel suit or that new tweed sports jacket you just snapped up.

1. Let the Collar Pop
This collar should spread its wings over your lapel for a flyer look. 

Vest, $395 by Belstaff. Suit by Club Monaco. Shirt by Gant Rugger. Tie by David Hart & Co. Tie bar by The Tie Bar. Hat by Grevi at Barneys New York. Watch (throughout) by Rolex.

2. Cop Some Copper
Navy is a safe bet, but copper and olive are unimpeachable fall classics. Bonus: A vest doesn't bulk up the slim sleeves of your jacket.

Vest, $150 by Woolrich Woolen Mills. Suit jacket by Ovadia & Sons. Shirt by J.Crew. Tie by Topman. Tie bar by The Tie Bar. Jeans by A.P.C. Hat by Aviator Nation.

3. Tuck Your Scarf

Never wonder what to do with the floppy scarf tail again. Tuck it into your field vest and you're fully bundled.

Vest, $275 by AllSaints. Scarf by Smart Turnout. Blazer by Burberry London. Sweater by A.P.C. Jeans by Saturdays NYC.

4. Suit Up! 
As mentioned in the blog post Monday, switch out that 3rd piece and freshen up your suit or suit separate with a thin vest. It completely changes the look.  

Vest, $170 by Club Monaco. Suit by Michael Kors. Shirt by J.Lindeberg. Tie by Nobis. Pocket square from KSI NYC.

[GQ]

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GQ Blogger Bar Powered by Diet Coke

During Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, GQ Magazine held a "Blogger Bar" at Dream Downtown powered Diet Coke. 

Upon entering I was intrigued by the building's decor. I thought the door greeters were a nice added touch. (You can never go wrong with stylish and friendly door greeters to set the tone for your event.) 

  

The purpose of the Blogger Bar was to serve as a "wind down" location between fashion week shows at Lincoln Center..... and wind down is just what I did! After being directed to the area where the event was held, I was able to sit down and partake in enjoying a Diet Coke (out of the newly designed bottle) and grab a GQ September Issue (which I had previously read). 

As we know in the world of fashion, September issues set the precedence of style for the coming Fall season. GQ offered a double cover featuring football's holy man and New York Jets' quarterback Tim Tebow plus Carolina Panther's rookie Cam Newton. Some of my favorite things this issue offered were the Top Picks of the best coats for this season, Fall Watches-- Go Big or Go Home, and the association of "Geezer Style" featuring GQ's own Justin Doss and Mark Anthony Green. 

While panning over the second cover story, I enjoyed a turkey club sandwich, salad....

. 

 

and of course another Diet Coke. 

 While there, I also did my research on the launch of the newly designed limited time only Diet Coke Bottle. The latest evolution in Diet Coke's iconic "Stay Extraordinary" campaign features a modern new look and updated graphics on an aluminum bottle. Ironically, the new release of the Diet Coke bottle goes simultaneously in hand with Fall Fashion. "Fall is a time for new looks and renewed energy and Diet Coke's new campaign and can design celebrate just that", says William White, group brand director of Diet Coke and Coca-Cola North America. If you consider yourself a style guru you know that accessories have the power to bring your entire look together. Diet Coke also believes in this theory while providing dazzling finishing touches on their product. 

 Gift Bag: Info card, lip balm, mirror and mints. 

One of the highlights of the entire "Blogger Bar" experience was getting interviewed by Jennifer Stocker, current director of Creative Services for GQ Magazine on a piece that they were conducting on "What makes YOU Extraordinary?" She is extraordinary within her own right as having a background working with Condre Nast Publications for over six years as well as the former Merchandising Manager for Lucky magazine. Wearing a "Sail to Sable" tunic from her own line (lifestyle brand that is connected too the sun and sand), Jennifer was very candid in offering help and being available to answer any questions. 

I had a great time! 

 Be sure to follow @GQ, @GQFashion, @DietCokeUS and @DreamDowntown on twitter. 

Thanks for reading. Be sure to tell a friend to tell a friend and come back. Also, subscribe to The X-Stylez Blog by becoming a member (located under archive column to the right of your screen) and to follow us on twitter and friend us on facebook. Select pictures are located on instagram via @IamHDiddy #TheXStylezBlog.  

Denzel Washington Covers 'GQ' October Style Playbook

Denzel Washington suits up for the cover of GQ‘s October Style Playbook issue in the signature "walking pose". He wore: 

Suit, $3,995, and shirt, $325, by Giorgio Armani

Tie, $195 by Burberry Prorsum. 

Tie bar, $15 by The Tie Bar. 

Pocket square, $160 by Brunello Cucinelli. 

Shoes, $1,360 by Tom Ford.

In a preview of our October issue, two-time Oscar winner and box-office giant Denzel Washington shows you how to dominate a double-breasted suit here.

Here is what the 57-year-old actor had to share with the mag:

On staying out of the public eye:

“Sidney Poitier told me this years ago: ‘If they see you for free all week, they won’t pay to see you on the weekend, because they feel like they’ve seen you. If you walk by the magazine section in the supermarket and they’ve known you all their life, there’s no mystery. They can’t take the ride.’ My professional work is being a better actor. I don’t know how to be a celebrity.”

On Mitt Romney: 

“When I see him, he’s always uncomfortable. You can see that uncomfortableness. Forget about his being Mormon. He hasn’t said anything about his faith.”

On roles he regrets turning down: 

“Seven and Michael Clayton. With Clayton, it was the best material I had read in a long time, but I was nervous about a first-time director, and I was wrong. It happens.

On Whitney Houston: 

“Whitney was my girl, and she had done so well in recovery. And that is the toughest part about addiction. …That was a monster drug that got a hold of her, it was a mean one. You can’t go back to that one. Nobody beats that. I look at people—and I don’t think I’m speaking out of line—Sam Jackson, I’ve known for thirty-some-odd years, he was down at the bottom. And he came all the way back. And when he cleaned up, he never looked back. But he can’t have that beer, because it might lead to the tough thing.”

For more from Denzel, visit GQ.com.

2 in 1: How to make an instant hem x Wearing White after Labor Day

I was recently re-reading an issue of GQ Magazine where an article entitled "The New White Suit" was highlighting new ways to wear all white for the summer. As stated in the article, we as men normally tend to migrate towards lighter color palettes when selecting the components of our white suits (I know I do). The feature suggested toning down all white suits with darker colors to give the once all white, all bright concept a slight pick me up.

It's been about 2 years since I've worn my white EXPRESS suit. I don't know why, but last year I just wasn't moved to wear it. Still waiting on my invite to Diddy's All-White Affair in the Hampton's I guess [shrugs]. After reading the article I immediately got inspired to break it out and I plan to wear it AGAIN specifically after Labor Day just to get to Ooh(s) and Aw(s) (What, like you've never premeditated an outfit (lol). The main photograph in the article showed a model wearing a cropped pair of white pants. I thought it would be a cool concept to grasp... hence the purpose of this blog post. 

If you don't know how to sew this post is perfect for you. Today I'll show you how to make an instant hem using the following: 

 Tape, Hem Tape (Stitch Witchery), and an Iron (preferably one that has a steam button)

 Step 1: Place a piece of tape at the length you want your hem. (Outside of a cropped pant, this can also work for a basic hem).

 Step 2: Fold your pant under to make sure it's at the length you want it. If you aren't satisfied, reposition the tape. (I would suggest using a mirror to get a better visual)

 Step 3: Turn the pant inside out 

 Step 4: Cuff pant up to the hem line of the tape. 

 Step 5: Place hem tape at the seam of pant. Line it up as perfectly as possible for best results.

 Step 6: Use an iron to press over the taped area.

 Step 7: Repeat on opposite pant leg.

Step 8: Turn pant back outside in and iron over taped area. Use this time to adjust if you have any kinks to get out for  perfect hem. 

The great thing about hem tape is that it's temporary (well until you take it out). This literally took me under 5 minutes to do. Not hard at all!

FINAL LOOK 

The GQ article also stated that the new idea of an all white suit is to dress it down, embrace the wrinkles, and let it get a bit dirty. When you treat it that way, you'll be surprised how versatile it becomes. Taking their advice, I paired my suit with and 

[H&M] lapel flower, Henley tee and a 

[Prada] Silk scarf 

 The colored sole shoes are from [Joe Fresh]. See how they were color blocked in my past post: 
Blogger Spotlight: Color Blocking [Master the Art]

Originally, the "ALL WHITE FASHION RULE" states that "White is only to be worn between Memorial Day and Labor Day".  It's purpose was mainly to avoid wearing all white ensembles and dress shoes. White tennis shoes and off-white boots seem exempt, "Winter white" clothing (e.g., cream-colored wool) is acceptable after Labor Day and Memorial Day too. 

The rule stems from a class issue. Acting Director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Valerie Steele notes that in the late 19th century and the 1950s, more people were entering the middle classes. These nouveau-riche folks were often unaware of the standards of high society, so they were given specific codified rules to follow in order to fit in.

Well readers, some rules are meant to be broken! I think it's such a silly rule that has changed with the times. It's 2012 people! You bought it... wear it whenever you want..... and beg someone to differ! 

Check out other uses of hem tape on my my past post: 
How to upgrade an old pair of loafers on a budget

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[Trend Week] Day 4: Spring Forward in Colored Chinos

"Chinos" or "Khakis" like most clothing items got its origins from the military. During the 1840s, British soldiers fighting in the Punjab realized that their white and scarlet uniforms made them easy targets, so they decided to dye them to blend in with the natural terrain. Nowadays colored chinos are essential to be deemed a "stylish" debonair. Once enjoyed by boat, golf, and polo enthusiasts now the world over can indulge in the trend that never goes out of style.


The pant has appeared on stylish celebrities ranging from Kanye West to Justin Timberlake and continues to grace the cover of men's magazines like GQ and Men's Vogue. 

 Top designers like Michael Bastian and Tom Ford have also incorporated the stylish slack in their collections. 

Looking for colored chinos? Check out a starter kit brought to you by The X-Stylez 

A. Topman $60.00

B. Asos $34.79

C. American Apparel $85.00

D. Urban Outfitters $54.00

E. Zara $59.90

F. Gap $39.99

G. Ralph Lauren $125.00 

H. Asos $139.16

This trend fits in the genre of prep and works GREAT as a pop of color laying a solid foundation for the palette you create. Here are a few visuals to help you conceptualize ideas when styling a pair of your own:

Randy B of www.theblaquebook.com

Tip:  If you're shorter in stature you may want to skip cuffing your pants, this causes a break in the line of the legs which can work more against you than for you. If you still want the cuffed look, try a single cuff that meets the top of your shoe.

This classic pant will forever be a part of  American men’s fashion! It's comfortable and simplistically fashionable. Remember no matter your personal style, make your mom proud by keeping it tailored! 

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