Blogger Spotlight: New Age Lumberjack

The modern day lumberjack isn’t chopping down a tree trunk with an axe. This new aged lumber jack is the cool kid on the block in striking buffalo plaid. Buffalo check plaid is the name for a pattern of large square checks in two alternating colors. This combination of plaid has been around since 1850 when Woolrich Co. began making buffalo check shirts and jackets made of flannel. Buffalo plaid is one of those everlasting styles in men’s fashion that seem to cross eras throughout time. Depending on your personal style this plaid assortment can lend to its traditional elements of a tough guy role or be dressed up for a nicer guy approach. Check out my post on Men Go Mad About Plaid for additional plaid looks.

Today I decided to style my buffalo plaid to match the colors of a toboggan I got on sale at Urban Outfitters for $5.99. I blended its army green color with my ExpressMen Cargo Pants. I found this shirt last year when browsing the sale rack at PacSun for $9.99 and knew when looking at the sale racks in Urban (my gulity pleasure) last week this flannel Staple Ford laptop bag I snagged for $9.99 would match.

To keep the lumberjack feel I paired it with a pair of black military boots I got from a Nashville, TN army surplus store for $29.99. To add an additional style element, I layered assorted bracelets and tucked my pants inside my socks to bring attention to my boots. These socks are actually leg warmers, but if worn right you would never know (styling tip). 

Buffalo plaid has been in the trend market for a while crossing the runways from Marc Jacobs to Roberto Cavalli's 2010 Menswear Collection. I first remember seeing it in Ralph Lauren campaigns as a child and remember being fascinated by the pattern.

Celebrities in buffalo plaid (additional styling options)

Charlamagne The God of NYC Power 105 The Breakfast Club

Timothy Olyphant breakout star of Justified.

Actor, Ryan Gosling

Model, Levell Cole

Try coming up with your own trend reports of buffalo plaid and send them in... who knows it might just get posted!

Men go MAD about PLAID

As we are in the transitional months between fall to winter and back from winter to spring, one pattern that is sure to go with any type of weather is; PLAID.  Getting its popularity from the modern kilt, this pleated material has transitioned in the US as a premiere/ flashy statement piece among men who want to switch it up from a traditional solid color. You may also hear plaid referred to as madras (a lightweight cotton fabric with typically patterned texture and plaid design, used primarily for summer clothing) in the hotter months and flannel (typically a napped cotton texture which generally is coarser than the warp) in the colder ones. To give a brief history, plaid has been made since the 17th century. This textile product is most popular from being made from cottons and friezes.

           

After reading this post I know your dying to pull all your plaid from your closet and start compling outfits, just remember this VERY IMPORTANT tip: Don’t be afraid of color! If you want to switch it up, mix traditional patterns with your plaid garments to give it a fresh look for the season. I personally enjoy fall color stories in the fall and winter months. Refer to my Blogger Spotlight Post if you are wanting to go all out when mixing your patterns and prints with plaid. Below, I styled a shoot to give you a better visual of the things you can do with your plaid garments. 

For Men-On-The-Go your traveling bag is just as important as your ensemble so make sure they coordinate. Utilizing your pop color in your attire to accent your bag is a genius thing to do to pull your look all together (thank me later when your compliments start to roll in).

Also when mixing your patterns I suggest to add an additional element to your outfit. Throw in an argyle or patterned sock that is not plaid to compliment your outfit. This way when you sit down you draw your audiences’ eye right down to your socks and right back up to your outfit to see how they coincide with your signature plaid piece.  

Here are some additional options when mixing your sock patterns with "Cross Plaid" tie choices

As you can see there are several things you can do with plaid when utlizing your own wardrobe. Get creative, have fun and remember...... Kids Go Mad about Plaid too.

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