Beastin Fall/Winter 2012 Lookbook

Beastin, the Munich-based streetwear label with a particularly athletic leaning, returns with another sports-driven collection for Fall/Winter 2012. Titled “No Guts, No Glory” and dedicated to “game-changers” — apparently including basketball Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal and Euro legend Vlade Divac — the assortment of functional street gear splices good doses of classic aesthetics and outdoors inspirations with their more standard sportswear. Shot on a nature reserve in Austria, the label includes varsity jackets, down vests, and flannel shirts to go with its range of headwear and basketball-referencing tees. For “game-changers” who hustle as hard after wild ducks as they do after loose balls, expect the Beastin Fall/Winter 2012 collection to hit select stockists soon. 

VIA HIGHSNOB

Check out this and past collections on their official website http://www.beastin.de/.

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.

Speedos vs. Swimming Trunks

For men, picking the right swimwear can be tough. Choosing between skin tight Speedos or baggy swimming shorts when planning your holiday wardrobe can be a real headache. Do you go for the Speedos - tight, streamlined and showing what you’ve got, or the swimming shorts - baggy, relaxed and a bit more conservative?

Speedos

Speedos are a swim brief often referred to as budgie smugglers or a racing brief. These terms refer to any "brief" style male swimsuit such as those worn in competitive swimming and diving. 

Speedos are made of a nylon and spandex and like underwear briefs,they feature a V-shape front and a solid back providing form-fitting coverage. They typically are worn below the lower waist and are generally secured by thin banding at the upper thighs and either a drawstring around the waist or an elastic waistband. 

Swimming Trunks

Swimming trunks are made of nylon with mesh meaning that they are fast drying. This is an advantage to you if you are planning a pool side retreat where you will be jumping in and out of the swimming pool. There’s nothing worse than lying around sunbathing in wet shorts.

As these shorts are tighter, they may also be better for you if you’re planning to do some serious swimming on your holiday. Swimming trunks are more streamlined than board shorts, reducing drag and allowing you to cut through the water with ease.

Swimming Shorts (Board Shorts)

Swimming shorts, also known as board shorts, also make a great choice. They’re longer and baggier than swimming trunks, providing greater comfort as well as being more practical for surfers or water sports enthusiasts.

Swimming shorts also tend to be popular with younger people. Paired with a t-shirt or vest they can easily pass as standard shorts meaning that you can make the transition from beach to bar with ease.

The Verdict

Really, choosing men’s swimwear all comes down to your own personal preference of choice. If you prefer something more relaxed, then swimming shorts or board shorts might be the ones for you but if you’re working on your tan or planning on doing some serious swimming when you’re on holiday, Speedos could be the better and more practical choice.

Choosing men's swimwear doesn’t have to be a minefield - by thinking through what you’ll be doing you can easily choose the right swimwear for you and impress the ladies at the same time!

Know what works and looks the best on your body! 

Guest Writter: Catherine Moraru

How to upgrade your loafers on a budget RE-LOADED

I felt as though it was time to change the patch I put on my loafers a few months ago.

I found this patch at Who.A.U for $10. They have the best patches for creative projects. 

How to upgrade an old pair of loafers on a budget <----The steps are basically the same as in my prior post, but with just a few added ones that I've learned from doing this before.

Step 1: As you can imagine once I took off the patch there was left over residue, so I used sharp scissors to get it off. 

Step 2: After getting leftover residue off, I used a lint roller to clean up. 

Step 3: I didn't make it completely perfect because I'm going to put another patch right over it. 

 Step 4: I placed the patch in the desired spot and added stitch witchery in place to anchor. 

Step 4: A cloth was placed over so heat wouldn't go directly on shoe. (Newly added step)

 Step 5: STEAM IT UP! (Newly added step)

 Step 6: 1st shoe complete! 

Step 7: Use a ruler to align with 2nd shoe (right) and repeat steps 1-6. (Newly added step)

FINAL LOOK 

The above loafers were purchased at ALDO SHOES last season. They have a new version available online and in stores now. 

Try this D.I.Y project and send  pics (TheXStylezBlog@gmail.com) and get featured on the blog

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NYMBFW Arise Magazine Fashion Show Presents: Ozwald Boateng Spring/ Summer 2013 collection

So if you don't know who Ozwald Boateng is you have clearly been living under a rock. This British fashion designer of Ghanaian descent is world known for his keen eye for men's suiting and putting a trademark twist on British tailoring. Inspired by his father's suits, Ozwald opened up his first suit shop on Savile Row at the age of 23 offering 'bespoke couture'. Recognizing the potential that English tailoring could have on the world's fashion scene, Ozwald Boateng staged his first catwalk presentation during Paris Fashion Week in 1994 introducing "Classic with a Twist" to the world and becoming the first English tailor to do so. Since then he has been on the rise.  

I was recently contacted by a member of his PR team  to guest blog for his show. Luckily, I was at my desk reading via my laptop because had I been out on my phone, I probably would have dropped it. Ozwald's clothing is the epitome of Men's Fashion.... what an esteemed honor! I mean the man has collaborated with Givenchy to say the least...aaahhhhhhh.   

FIVE designers showcased for the ARISE Magazine Fashion Show during its annual gala extravaganza this September at the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 2012: Gavin Rajah, Maki Oh, Tiffany Amber, Tsemaye Binitie and saving the best for last, Ozwald Boateng. 

His collection was a juxtaposition of bright colors with neutral undertones and creative detailing.  Of course the tailoring seemed as if an assembly line of seamstresses were backstage adjusting models until the very minute they were unveiled onstage. I was most impressed with the pieces that catered to African prints. I'm all about creative prints of expression when making fashion statements and if I were styling a celebrity client and wanted them to stand out on the red carpet.... Ozwald would be the first call I'd make. It's one thing to watch his show online and see pictures as I have done in the past, but it's another thing to see it in person from the front row.... AMAZING.Take a look at his Spring/ Summer 2013 collection below:

Check out the added accessories/ props. 

 Joshua from Street Etiquette

BACKSTAGE 

In closing Ozwald Boateng says,

"I want to support the important work ARISE is doing for African fashion. It's good to help bring the stylistic messages of the AMFW experience of Lagos to New York. I have a good following in the States and have showed solo at NYFW three times...If you're interested in the American consumer. NYFW is where it's at."

----I couldn't agree more...NYMBFW is where it's at! Thanks again to Ozwald Boateng and his team for this wonderful opportunity!