DSquared Shoes Look For Less: Red Carpet Savvy

We all know that celebrity looks from the red carpet transcend to our everyday personal style. This mainly plays a part when selecting an attire to rock on a night out or a date night with a special lady when trying to impress her with our dress. Although we never really know how much celebs spend on their shoes unless we can identify the item on spot, it's pretty safe to say that (1) the shoes are designer and (2) they are expensive. Depending on your pockets, it may not be feasible for you to spend $500+ on a pair of fashion forward kicks to mimic the celeb looks we all like. With it being "award season" and our favorite shows like The Grammy's, Golden Globes, NAACP Image Awards, Screen Actors Guild, Oscars, People's Choice and Emmys all having their run on our television screens over the past few months, we've all seen some great shoes.

Well here at The X-Stylez we want you to know that you don't have to spend your last dime to keep up with the Jones', WE'VE GOT ALTERNATIVES!

Although popular celeb favorite, Dsquared is a great clothing designer they are most popular for their sleek shoe designs. Since patent leather and velvet are the "prime real-estate" of shoes on the red carpet, I felt I should highlight both textures in this post.

This Dsquared Joe Jackson patent leather slipper retails for $795.00 at Saks Fifth Ave. I personally don't think that's a bad price considering that some of their price points are at a stack. However, I do realize my mind is a little more irrational from normal standards when it comes to paying the cost for fashion pieces....but that doesn't mean I don't like a good bargain.

A good alternative for this shoe is from ALDO shoes, an economically priced shoe retailer that I mention a lot on this blog.

A good alternative right? This shoe that's almost identical (with the exception of the extra fabric bow) retails for $100 and is currently available online at ALDO.

Both the D2 and ALDO shoes come in crush velvet and and again almost identical, the ALDO shoe will fit your pockets much better.

This shoe will run you $761....

... and well this one, still a mere $100. I say that's a good deal! One thing about ALDO is when it's gone it's gone so don't procrastinate.

The Synopsis: 2012 Oscars Men's Fashion and Tips

(Disclaimer, I'm not sure why this post appears in all caps once I post it)

The Oscars was a true spectacle of events. The 84th annual Oscars was filled with fanfare and was nothing short of what we have come to expect from one of the largest red carpet events of the year. I personally enjoy when men of style take risks and opt for color on the carpet, however the Oscars is just not the place for that. Classic black tie is the style of choice and year after year invited guests never seize to steal a dual moment when approaching the red carpet. For the Oscars I decided to highlight looks that intrigued my interests. 

Also check out my post on The Golden Globes Top 3 Best Dressed Men for additional red carpet looks. 

Host Billy Crystal opened up the show in a classic tailed tuxedo paired with a white textured shirt, bow tie and vest. You can never go wrong with a tailed tux, it's just timeless. 

 Rapper, Pharrell Williams stole the show in a vintage velvet bow tie. I'm an advocate of vintage velvet bow ties but that's another blog post. He wore a fitted black tux with a high cut black vest outlined in satin to match lapels on his jacket. I wasn't a huge fan of his shoe option. I'm all for a rounded patent leather shoe, but I fill like the fit could have been pulled tighter or another style could have been selected to complete this overall look.

The man on the hour, Diddy made his presence known in a one button fitted tuxedo. Now this shoe option I approve of. When going to events like this you want your shoes to come fresh out the box. No wrinkles. He took it back to the kid and play days with the retro part. He decided to square off his handkerchief to complete this look. 

You can't go wrong with Angelina Jolie on your arm. Brad Pitt kept it classy with a slicked back hair style. He wore a single breast single button satin lapel'ed tuxedo. Not a man on the dare with neck ware, Brad wore a classic black bow tie. 

Actor/ Producer Zachary Quinto looked clean cut in his two toned black shawl collar dinner jacket. His style also was transcended through his scruffy beard, large frames and parted hair. Style is just not limited to clothing, but an overall look from head to toe. Pay attention to details fellas! 

Producer Brain Grazer paired his crazy hair with a swagged out half velvet lapel blazer. Another member of the vintage bow tie crew, Grazer complimented his jacket with the textured fabric. 

Actor Christopher Plummer kept it really smooth in his piped lapel velvet blazer and slippers. With actress Elan Taylor in tote the Mac-Daddy-Mac award of the night went to...... 

Funny man, Jonah Hill kept it all black everything. Who said all black was boring? The silhouette of Jonah's tux was very size appropriate. He proves big doesn't have to be baggy. 

If your feeling inspired and wanting to throw on a tux after reading this post, here are some helpful tips in being a true X-Stylez man of style. 

10 formal wear tips from the Oscars

1. Pick the right silhouette: A good rule of thumb is to find a tux similar to a suit size and silhouette already purchased, whether single- or double-breasted. Never cuff tuxedo pants, and steer clear from anything synthetic, like polyester, since it can encourage perspiration.

2. Accessorize to personalize: Satin or grosgrain stripes and braids, shawl or peak lapels, vest or no vest -- these are the choices available to you. Cufflinks, studs, shoes, and bow ties come next.

3. Wear a color: Jamie Foxx may have been one of the first to sport midnight blue on the red carpet. Chocolate-brown or gray are other color options, and there’s always the white dinner jacket, which is normally reserved for a super-fancy swagger in warmer weather environs.

4. Dress head to toe in formal wear: Footwear has to be just as dressy. Black patent-leather shoes are still considered conservative.

5. Master the bow tie: It’s simple, but a clip-on is never acceptable. Today, the bow tie is back in even bigger and wider iterations than in past years.

6. Master the formal tie: Many high-profile designers and celebrities have tried this one on, from the sheen of silver silk to a swath of monochromatic mixes (i.e. ties of black on black or white on white).

7. Don't forget  the waistcoat: Also known as the vest, this can add signature personality, as well as change up an investment tuxedo over the years. Go for silks in textures or patterns to mix it up, but stay away from conversational prints that can go out of style fast.

8. Wear the cummerbund correctly: Cleans up the silhouette by providing a sleek band of fabric at the waist. Always wear pleats up; it’s said the original purpose was to catch crumbs.

9. Wear patent-leather shoes: Probably a “real” guy’s only opportunity to wear this dress accessory. It’s crucial to a formal look.

10. Use cufflinks and studs: Choose a classic stand-up collar, wing-tip shirt with French cuffs and coordinate studs and cufflinks to express personal style. Skull and crossbones? No problem.

Tips via Ask Men