Dsquared2

Amidst the strictly fashion-forward crowd that inhabit Milan during fashion week, Dsquared2 brought confidence and style to their collection with a mixture of different looks and perspectives meshed together, topped off with their signature-cut jeans. 

Leather, studs, and a splash of color brought together a glam/punk theme for Dsquared2’s collection. Male models strutted something manly on the Dsquared2 runway with class and sophistication to rival all of Dsquared2’s previous collections. Imagine if you will, fit men somewhat taller than the average guy who just happen to be extras on a sequel to Fight Club complete with the black eyes and fat lips – this is the 2010 collection for Dsquared2. 

My favorite look for the collection:

One of my favorite looks was a black overcoat with lining on the collar. The pants were classically cut and creased at the top. This is in addition to what looks like to have been a v-neck sweater that was more than a little transparent, slightly covered a black slim tie. A basic white shirt and black pointy-toed shoes topped off the look. Together, the ensemble glittered and screamed, “I was on a date with a married woman and her husband found us just as she was unbuttoning my overcoat!”

Prada

Prada is classic. Since its inception, Prada has made the man look as elegant as possible – but every now and then, like the man – Prada deviates from the script adding the element of surprise and intrigue. This was the case during Milan Fashion Week when Prada premiered its latest collection. 

This collection, ironically – showed more colors than Prada’s spring collection. Purple, yellow, and a vivid magenta took to the runway nestled in overcoats, blazers, suits, and cardigans to accentuate, while trying not to intimidate. Everyman doesn’t necessarily look good in every color. Still, Prada does a good job of bringing together their collection of color amidst their trademark gray, blue, and black. This year, khaki made a guest appearance that was just enough to tease the fashion senses without dulling them. 

My favorite look for the collection:

One of the things that I liked the most about this collection was the appearance of brighter colors. The collection comes off as a fresh perspective. My favorite piece epitomizes the feel for the men’s element of the Prada show. A light-tan overcoat with buttons impeccably placed on the breast and torso of the coat along with black/blue slim slacks dominated the model who also wore a yellow/brown sweater underneath with a basic blue shirt. I will say that Prada did a horrid job of choosing the model, which looked absolutely sickly in the look. Just the same, the perspective was strong and well-stated.

James R Sanders is a Guest Blogger and Fashion Muse for Blank Label's co-creation blog. You can also find his thoughts on Fashion and Brands at James Sanders at Large.

This growing trend in denim wear is getting hot, but is it for you?  A lot of girls are already accustomed to turning up their jeans for a collared denim look when wearing flats, or sneakers.  However, does this look translate well for men?  

 one classic example of what we're talking about thanks to lostwithoutwords

Men’s magazines such as GQ are offering this look as the new single-man sheik.  So what’s the issue?  Well to be completely honest, although this new style can take your denim to a new sexy extreme, it can also make you look shorter, like you don’t have enough jean to cover your legs, or just plain like a tool.  Men who value their fashion and sex appeal should be daring to try this turned up jean style, but be careful to follow a few steps.

1. Don’t get too anal.  If you’re usually OCD about a lot of things, this style may not be for you.  Think about how many times you would have to fix your pant leg if one side was folded up higher than the other as you walk around town.  This style is meant to give you a laid back, careless fashion, so don’t worry about the neatness of the cuff. 
2. Don’t over-fold.  One cuff is enough.  If you start multiple layers of cuffs by folding the pant over and over, your look will become cheap and overworked.  Chill with the folds.
3. Don’t show your bare skin.  I’m sure your ankles are very manly and sexy, but no one wants the make their jeans look two sizes too small…helloooo redneck.  Make your look fresh and buy pants that you can fold once without baring skin.

As I often discuss, there are a lot of trends out there with a lot of good-looking people promoting them; however, we know that there are just some things that will never work on us, will never look good on us, and should never touch our bodies or even come near out 25m periphery. Now, besides the spangle jumpsuit and the feathered fedora, a rather subtle perpetrator of style cataclysms is the infamous and notorious “boot-in.” Now, what is the “boot-in?” This overvalued look is one in which men tuck their jeans or pants into their boots, thereby producing somewhat of an equestrian look (or a nouveau riche hipster get up at the appropriate bloc party.) Alright, I understand that this sounds and looks kind of cool, and we are tempted once in a full moon to just go crazy and tuck that shit in. Why not? Johnny Depp does it.

 courtesy of jjwphotos2 

Well, good gentlemen, believe it or not, shoving your jeans into your boots has a much more detrimental effect on your overall look than you can imagine. The only way it could work as splendidly as we so  often hope is if you have REALLY long legs and a considerably proportioned body, the boots are a perfect height (ankle, calve, knee, depending on your build) and your clothes in corresponding looseness to the said boots. Look at that list. Gross. Just thinking about all those specifications makes me want to plop down on the couch in my underwear with Cheetos. However, if you do NOT fulfill at least 80% of those criterions, you risk making your legs look extremely stumpy and short, your torso look incommensurate with the rest of your body (in the sense that your chest may look the same length as your legs), and overall, make you look at least 5lbs heavier. Still, perhaps the most thwarting aspect of the “boot-in” is that it ultimately makes you look like your trying way too hard. When it comes to men’s fashion, I really do believe that the simplistic approach is the best: t-shirts, canvas tennis, jeans, flannel, etc. On special occasions you can bust out the three-piece or the leather loafers, but overall there really is no need to push so much. You’re a man; you don't wear bangle earrings and nail deco for a reason. The “boot-in” can be an overbearing detail that can either add a simple touch to an equally simple outfit or make people chuckle at you in a pitying manner. I’m not saying NEVER do it, I’m just suggesting that you shouldn’t necessarily strive for it. Simple, simple, simple: I can’t stress it enough. Do not forsake a substantially quality outfit by the subtle, yet deadly activity of taking your pants and slipping them into your elongated footwear!

This post was written for our Co-Creation Blog by Youmi Park, Blank Label's crazy vixen Fashion Muse. If all this talk about boots makes you want to buy a new pair, well, frankly, we can't help you there, but please do go ahead and design custom dress shirts online.