The X-Stylez Styles for a Vacation Destination: What to Wear on a Cruise

Tuesday of this week, I was contacted via email by a new client (reader of the blog) who was looking for something to wear on a cruise he was taking with his girlfriend in mid-October. The purpose of the requested outfit was for an "All White Affair" the boat was throwing during their stay. He was wanting to switch up his style completely and after looking through his facebook pictures to get a better sense of his personal style, I knew I had the elements to compile a comfortable outfit that was indeed out of his normal element of dress, but stayed within his comfort zone. My first thought was, wouldn't it be fly to do a short suit with comfortable espadrilles? You definitely don't want hard bottoms shoes on a cruise when the purpose is to relax. 


Due to the fact that I shop very frequently (don't we all?) I knew exactly where to go to get the look I envisioned (more so because I had been looking at all the pieces for myself envisioning  different wardrobe components for others occasions). Check out the breakdown of the outfit below that was styled within 48 hours on a budget of $250.

 Joe Fresh- short suit

I love the fact that these shorts can be adjusted to your size for a more tailored look! 

 H & M- lapel flower

 Zara- printed lien palm tree shirt

 I really want this for myself. It reminds me of Polo Ralph Lauren Resort Collection or the new Givenchy floral printed collection from this summer. I just may need to run out and get this today (lol).


After selecting this shirt, I had the color palette in mind of the navy and white mixed with mustard and a pop of crimson. 

  H&M- crimson belt

 H&M- espadrilles and woven bracelet 


FINAL LOOK 

Ready to be shipped off!


My new client will be the flyest person at the affair #FACT!


You too can partake in my styling services by going to HarrisonTCrite.com and filling out my personal shopper form. I contact all inquires back within 24 hours. For all other questions, feel free to email me at Styled@HarrisonTCrite.com. 

Blogger Spotlight: Color Blocking [Art + Fashion]

Yesterday, I decided to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan to check out the SCHIAPARELLI & PRADA exhibit. For this [Stylish Sunday] I went with a summer favorite theme: Color blocking. There is a very fine line in allowing the mix of different colors to work against each other, but when done effectively you are able to produce a combination worthy of a photograph. For this ensemble, I wanted to work with the dark contrasts of navy and purple by adding a pop of green hue for additional definition. The hint of orange is showcased in the sole of the shoe and is also brought out in my belt option. I used the bright orange belt as a focal point barrier to break up my shirt and pant. The pink lapel flower is just another dimensional layer of color I added to make the upper of my wardrobe pop when wearing the jacket. It serves the same purpose as my orange belt when the jacket is off. That forth dimension of pop color is a crucial element when selecting your combination while color blocking. Granted, it's not necessarily needed but when used correctly it solidifies the fact that you know what your doing!  

In a recent TREND REPORT  blog post relating to [Getting Dressed from the Sole], I talked about how this hot trend would be sure to surface in the summer months. Ideally the concept is self-explanatory. By literally allowing the sole of your shoe to depict your fashion forecast for the day, you are able to allow your shoes to speak for themselves. Check out that informative post here and the break down of my color blocking outfit below. 

 [Joe Fresh] Navy Oxford with orange sole- $69.99 (Sale rack---originally $99.99)

 [ALDO] Orange Belt- $19.99

[ALDO] Gold watch face- $40.00 (Comes with 3 additional bands) 
[American Eagle] Navy blue and white watch band- $2.99 (Clearance)
[Canal Street]  Gold bangle- $5.00 

[EXPRESS Men] Purple 1MX dress shirt- $59.90 (Now on sale for $29.99)
[H&M] Green suiting pant- $29.90
[Ralph Lauren] Navy weekend bag (free with the purchase of Polo Blue cologne--- this offer is            
                             no longer available)

[Goodwill] Navy peak lapel, double breasted blazer- $9.99

[Hancock Fabrics] Purple pocket square-$2.00 (1/4 of a piece of purple fabric]

Check out my post here on [Juliet's Pocket Squares] for other great square options. 

[H&M] Fuchsia lapel flower-$3.95
Check out my post here on [Male Lapel Flower Fashion]


::F I N A L  L O O K::

If you are in the New York area or will be visiting soon, the Met's Spring 2012 costume exhibition "Schiaparelli and Prada" will be showcased until August 19th. The educational exhibit explores the striking affinities between Elsa Schiaparelli and  Miuccia Prada, two Italian designers from different eras. 

[Styling Tip] "DO" Try this at home: H & M Floral Clip x Men's Lapel Accessory

So I've found myself again obsessed with yet another accessory "Lapel Flowers". Many men may question adding a flower to their attire in fear that they may transcend too far into the feminine territory, but I guarantee a "Man of Style" knows that the floral ornament can be perfectly masculine when worn with the right amount of confidence. I've often seen floral lapel pins on many Etsy shops and other online stores but one day I got that "I want it right now" kind of urge for an outfit concept, so I got to thinking of creative avenues to accomplish the look I was going for. I initially had a lot of options running through my mind from craft and fabric to 99 cent stores when thinking of where I should go to get a plastic flower and then a light went off in my head to look at women's accessories. I then ventured to one of my favorite go-to stores H & M and low and behold they had an entire section of flowers equipped with clips in their women's hair accessory department. 

And for a set of two for only $3.95, I purchased as many colors as I could find that would match existing pieces in my closet while making mental notes of what I could come back and get for future purchases. 


If you have been seeing this look and are wanting to try it, this is an inexpensive way to accomplish it. The red carpets don't lie, and with major powerhouse celebrities planting the seed early on, I promise you this trend is sure to grow!


Take a look at some of my outfits this week if you need additional styling tips.  

If you are more of a conservative dresser, keep the look classic with a a blazer and a pair of trousers. 

Adding a contemporary flare, I rolled up my pants and wore a mid wingtip boot. 

 You don't necessarily need a physical lapel to adapt this look. 

 Camouflage x Leopard is a winner for me this summer. The Contrasting prints just compliment each other so well.

I paired a lapel flower on the pocket of my fisherman's vest. I got this multi-pocket vest that's actual a jacket with zip-off sleeves at a Murfreesboro, TN thrift store for $19.99 [Sweet Deal]. As I recently blogged about this week in my [Trend Report] Pattern on Pattern post, this summer try wearing prints (contrasting or similar) when wanting to achieve a stylish outfit.

Blogger Spotlight: Tone on Tone

It's SPRING TIME! #TeamNoSocks is in full effect. Today I wore a cognac and slate pair of Cole Haan saddle oxfords from last season. I paired this looked with a tonal bag from the spring canvas collection of H & M and a 3 piece gray and white seer sucker suit from Express Men. To complete this look, I added a thin white henley tee. Simple.

P.S. There is a bottle of lotion in the bag (lol) #TeamNoSocks

Fashion Star: A new twist on shopping

NBC may be setting new rating records with their new show "Fashion Star". The reality television series puts a new twist on designer fashions. It focuses on fourteen up-and-coming designers embarking on a journey to win the ultimate prize: a chance to launch their own fashion line. The show stars  John Varvatos, Jessica Simpson, and Nicole Richie as mentors for the fashion designers, Jeannie Mai as the digital correspondent and former supermodel Elle Macpherson as the host. 

The fashion buyers on the show are Caprice Williard from Macy's, Nicole Christie from H & M, and Terron Schaefer from Saks Fifth Ave.

So this is how the show works: Designers get a chance to put their designs on models as they walk the catwalk to persuade buyers to make an offer to get their product to be featured in their store for purchasing to masses. These buyers will bid on the clothing they see with the highest bidder taking the item.The twist is the clothing item will LITERALLY be available the next day to buy either in the retail store or online. If no bids are offered, that designer could be eliminated from the show. Watch today, buy tomorrow. Now this concept I can live with. One word: CREATIVE! A much needed twist to reality shows to break away from singing competitions.

Featured last night was 28 year old Detroit-native Nzimiro Oputa. His winning design was bought by clothing retailer H &M and was immediately available today. It retails for $49.95. 

Oputa received $50,000 from H&M for his sports jacket for men. Today he was also at the H&M store off 55th in NYC signing autographs and doing press for his line. 

For Nzimiro's sports jacket you can go to www.hm.com/fashionstar to view and PURCHASE it. This is a fun way to get your hands on some H&M styles without having to travel hundreds of miles. Yup you heard that right, for the time being you can purchase the H & M winning designs if you don't live in an area within store limits. Now, let’s all make a little wish that once the show ends that H&M REALLY launches an online store as they've announced!

Fashion Star airs on NBC on Tuesday nights at 10pm EST. I'll be watching.... will you?