Louis Vuitton Fastball Sneaker Boot

Louis Vuitton has released their Fastball Sneaker Boot from their Spring/Summer 2012 collection. The shoe is inspired by the iconic American College letterman sweatshirt & jacket. This jersey fabric retails for $660 & features an embroidered outsize fabric LV logo on the side.

 The stylish sneaker boot is also available in grained nubuck calk leather which retails for $720.

 

SN: If looking for something to match these kicks, a GREAT website to checkout for designing/ customizing your own letterman jacket is http://www.varsityapparel.com.au/.

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

How to upgrade an old pair of loafers on a budget

Last month, in comparison to a D squared shoe, I blogged about a look for less "ALDO velvet slipper". Well today I will be using that shoe to show how you can upgrade an old pair of kicks and make them look even more expensive than your purchase date. 

But first, there are a few key elements you would need.

SUPPLIES

I frequently shop at military surplus stores to find unique clothing items that aren't in main stream department stores. I was inspired to "upgrade my loafers" when seeing a bin of $1 patches which brought me to think of popular shoe brands; Deltoro and Stubbs and Wootton, who are known for having classic velvet loafers with embroidered crests. Infatuated with the thought of creating my own unique pair, I spent $2 to purchase 2 crests.


Crests can also be purchased at fabric or craft stores.

If you don't know about "Stitch Witchery" also known as "Instant Hem Tape", well you should! It's perfect for hemming a pair of pants without having to use a needle, thread or sewing machine. The fibers act as adhesive when placed with fabric under a hot iron. I've never used this product outside of hemming a pair of pants, so I thought it would be interesting to see if the "magic tape" could do more than its intended purpose.

I purchased the permanent hold roll from a local Walgreen's. This tape can also be found at any fabric store.


THE BREAKDOWN

 Step 1: To start with a clean surface, I used a lint brush to rid the shoe of unwanted particles.

Visual presentation is everything, even down to your shoes!  

 Step 2: To insure that the rougher part of the crest would adhere to the texture of the shoe, I      
               pealed back the outer layer.

 Step 3: I then began to frame the crest with the stitch witchery by outlining the edges before
               placing it on the shoe.

 Step 4: I placed the patch on the shoe in its desired position.

 Step 5: I began to iron.

When trying this at home, I suggest using a really good iron, preferably one with a steam function. I used the highest setting on my iron to insure that the adhesive would react with the texture on the shoe. I was careful not to place the entire iron on the shoe by just using the tip to prevent iron marks. If you use a crest that could be potentially damaged if an iron is placed directly on it, try using an old t-shirt or towel  to put distance between the iron.

Step 6: After the crest was secured, I used more adhesive along the outline to insure the edges

              would hold. 

Step 7: Repeat on additional shoe.

FINAL PRODUCT

Simple right? Now these $100 pair of slippers have been upgraded a couple hundred dollars with under $10 being spent.

If you are wanting a more permanent crest, I would suggest taking the time to sew the patch down. I thought about using a thick red thread and going along the outside to outline the shape of the crest however, I decided not to permanently sew it down because knowing me I will probably want to switch it up at a later date.

I've worn these shoes several times in the past 2 weeks from the date that I upgraded them. Even encountered a little rain and the crest is still in tact!!!

Try it for yourself and send me pics (styled@HarrisonTCrite.com) to post on the blog.

Also follow the blog's twitter and like us on facebook. 

Are your socks happy?

In today's dress code your socks are just as important as the kicks you stuff them in. No more solids, it's time to spruce up your sock game with print!

Designed in Sweden, Happy Socks is paying attention to detail with a large array of socks that will literally brighten up your day, hence the name. The vibrant colors and bold patterns are hard to pass up and sure to be a conversation piece when styled with contrasting pieces from your wardrobe. Take a look at some of the male fashion pics from the Happy Socks lookbook:

Here are my 3 personal favorites from the collection:

 Leopard

 Color Block

Big Polka Dot

Happy Socks can be purchased on their Official website here. Although the socks are happy, the prices won't make you sad. A starting price of $12.00 is the going rate to get your hands or shall I say feet in a pair!

This sock brand proves although you can have a mean shoe game, your socks can be happy (lol).

Check out the Happy Socks Official Blog here.

Quick Pics: Think like a Man, Act like A Woman Movie Premiere

So what do you wear to the a movie premiere? Well last night celebs were on hand in Atlanta for the premiere of book written by Steve Harvey, turned movie "Think like a Man, Act like a Woman". Male personalities wore a lot of springs colors, comfortable pull over tops and light fabrics as the walked the red carpet and celebrated for this highly anticipated movie release. 


Take a look at these quick pics via ATLpics.net of the event:

T.I.

Nelly

Funny Man, Kevin Hart

Michael Early 

Steve Harvey

Will Packer and Terrance J

Ne-Yo and DJ Drama

Think Like A Man will be in theaters nation wide on April 20th. 

The Big 3 revisit 1920's: Chris Bosh's 28th Birthday Party

Recently NBA star Chris Bosh celebrated his 28th birthday with his wife Adrienne and Miami Heat teammates Lebron James and Dwayne Wade. The party was hosted by Rémy Martin, and the theme for the celebration was 1920s style. 

Bosh wore a crimson double breasted window pane peek lapel suit jacket. It was paired with a white pinched collar button down, patterned gray tie to accompany his gray slacks and dark-to-light medium faded peanut butter wingtip loafers. He used a single flower as a brooch to bring in the 20's era. [Bosh 'ya done well son' as my grand dad would say].

Dwayne played it safe in all black everything.  He wore an all black dinner jacket with satin shawl lapel paired with a black crew neck tee and black slacks. He accented the richness of the 20's era with a gold belt buckle to match the gold of his watch bezel.

 Lebron James wore a salmon colored blazer with a thin muted gray sweater and blue trousers. He too accented his jacket with an ornate turquoise brooch and added some bling around his neck. Not really 20's style per say, but we approve! 

 Bosh photo'd with his pregnant wife Adrienne.

Chris getting a surprise performance by Chrisette Michelle.


All in all it looked like a great event to attend..... I just had one overall issue, where was my invite? (lol) Maybe for the 29th, The X-Stylez Blog will be a shew-in. 

Gucci offers in store tailoring "Made to Measure" to 11 cities

Italian fashion power house Gucci is extending its menswear offerings to include "Made to Measure", an in-store tailoring service that is only offered in 11 cities worldwide.

In addition to offering fabrics from an exclusive selection, the service provides for customizable options with finishes and detailing which allows personal tailoring according to the client’s individual measurements.

James Franco stars in Gucci Made to Measure advertising campaign, named “All the World’s a Stage” and shot by Nathaniel Goldberg in Rome’s movie studio Cinecitta’.

The range of exclusive, top-quality materials includes nearly 82 textiles which allow for 178 possible combinations of colors and fabrics – wool, cashmere and mohair in classic shades of gray, navy blue and brown, alongside silk satin, velvet and baby lama for evening, with Diamante embroidery and jacquards featuring the House’s iconic horsebit in tone-on-tone combinations-------- WOW.

I didn't think Gucci could be upgraded even more outside of their outstanding lines each season, they never seize to amaze me. Already at their peek in leading men's fashion, they continue to soar to new heights. I look forward to seeing what else comes in the future.

(Credit:: Gucci)

The Little Black Jacket for Chanel

Chanel has just recently released an "Oldie but Goodie" --- The Little Black Jacket. The idea was revisted  by designers Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld. With rising pop stars and fashion inspirations in marketing ads, I'm sure sales will be boosted among fans. The campaigns utilize personalities including Yoko Ono, Joshua Jackson, Kanye West, Theophilus London, and Riccardo Tisci just to name a few. 

Mr. West gets his own picture (lol), SELF EXPLANATORY!


Not really liking this one. I get where the designers are going and I appreciate this unisex high fashion piece but the fit is not proportional for most men. The little black jacket is indeed "little" and in most regards reminds me of something my mom would wear to work. This piece would be GREAT for a fashion powered photoshoot but in my opinion not practical for everyday wear. However, I do appreciate the awesome black and white photography...... now that's A1. Check out the full look-book on the Official Little Black Jacket for Chanel Website.
What do you think about it?