A WORD ON JEANS

J.Lindeberg illustrates the most important pair of jeans you should own in his Fall 2011 look-book. Featuring model William Eustace in a formula you can't go wrong with. I personally use this all the time when going to an event. In a moment I'll explain.

Your basic, faded STRAIGHT-LEG jeans should be long enough to roll or fold up (as above) or if you're wearing boots they should fall just where the shoe ends and sole begins. Contrary to the belief of many, many men, shortening your jeans at a tailor is not going to ruin your jeans, provided they keep the same finish.

Straight legged jeans fall in the middle in terms of the varied styles you can choose from for men. Bootlegs are a bit of a sore subject for some of the fashion world but in time, trust me, it will make its return (just hopefully not for a while). Skinny jeans, more so neon skinny jeans, in my personal opinion should have moved on by now but there are still many who enjoy this style. The movement now falls towards a slimmer leg without it being too baggy or too skinny. As a result your slim straight-legged jeans will act as a neutral when dressing up. This way when you pair it with combat boots, Doc Martins, brogues or what have you, then a shirt or jacket that leans toward a louder style, it evens it out.

When you find a pair that you really love hold onto it and if possible buy another pair. The lived-in look will probably never go out of style and as they age you can at least remember that extra pair when the first one rips beyond wearability.

Look after your jeans by following some of these tips from a Stylescoop article I wrote last year.

I did this post to prove you don't have to spend a thousand bucks to buy a pair of designer shorts. Rolled denim is currently in style, so I thought to take a trip to Edgars to see if they have anything interesting. On the Sale Rail I found a pair of purple skinny jeans in 36. Now, I'm a 32 but with this style of cotton denim you can always have the waist taken in.

Adding bleach to colour dyed cotton reveals an opposing colour that will look professionally dyed if done right. Keep clean, don't over-do it, stick to a style you want and try to have it make sense. In this instance I didn't bleach the back or the belted section, making it look like it was store bought.

When dressing something this loud avoid clashing colours or prints. Diluting it in a sense will make the shorts speak for themselves. Pairing them with more expensive clothing makes it look like it could have been expensive too.

As a final touch, fold the shorts over and up a few times until they reach just above the knee. The jeans cost R100 and bleach no more than R16, considering I spent half an hour with these shorts I'd say it's far better to make something new than spend exorbitant amounts you may not have.

Now go try this and send me your pictures!

Men's Health Denim Guide

Branching to an online market, Mens Health magazine has plans to teach you how to buy the perfect pair of jeans. And not only that but they explain all the other questions you may have, and some you don't but are interesting nonetheless. Of course you could always just read the article I wrote in May. I'm kidding, go take a good look around. If you prefer the print version they have also gone into detail in their September Issue, which if I may say is the best I've read in a while.

Find your perfect fit!

David Gandy was spotted at the V Festival on the 21st wearing a pair of Larkee jeans from Diesel. There have been mentions online that this is a new version of Levan but in fact it's a new version of Lemmen, which coincidentally I pulled out of my closet today for the first time in over a year. Maybe it's his build or the way he's standing but these jeans seem to fit him a little more snug than mine. Especially around the calf. Perhaps he had his tailored to be more slim. It's a tough denim that will need some wearing in but still a great option because it's quite a masculine build. You know, like Gandy.



Available in Diesel stores nationwide! (021 425 5779)

(Gandy image: fashionisto)

How to buy Jeans, for men

Over at STYLESCOOP my article on mens jeans is up for your enjoyment. Having worked before in a top jeans brand for years I have accumulated some useful tips, so please do pop over there to read it!

For those who are puzzled about what style suits which body type this is the place to find an answer. And let me know what you think!

HOW TO BUY JEANS, FOR MEN >>

Paul Smith JEANS Look Book favorites

G-STAR RAW ARRIVES AT THE WATERFRONT

Ari Fabian understands competition. Not only is 'Fabiani' located in every possible location available in Cape Town but now he has added a new member to his growing fashion family. G-Star Raw opened it's doors two days ago in the V&A Waterfront and upon a quick tour was pleasantly surprised. Great interior and clothing but most importantly the shop assistants aren't over-bearing and desperate like some a few doors down.

With all the fashion that continues to fill our once humble and simple Waterfront we can expect brands like G-Star and Hugo Red to do well. It also starts making other shops nervous if sales decrease. Perhaps keeping them on their toes will ensure they try harder.

G-Star Raw now available at the V&A Waterfront.

Dsquared online store now open!

The fashion gods have answered my prayers. Well sort of. Dsquared2 who I love with all my heart have now opened an online store. They deliver worldwide but have possibly forgotten to add a little country called South Africa. We don't get Dsquared2 here anywhere and I'm desperate to fill up my wardrobe with some more of Dean and Dan.





The twins also shot a video to mark the opening and as if anyone is surprised they included a naked male model. Follow this link to get your 'shop on' and let me know of your successes! Go on now... shoo.

GQ - Kings of Neon

Photographer Neil Kirk delivers a colourful and tasty feature on the return of Neon (for guys anyway) in the Sep 09 issue GQ South Africa. While it may be a bit behind in terms of International fashion South Africa has always been lucky in that the delay works for those items you might not be ready to let go of, just yet. Paired nicely with Paul Smith (floral jacket). Mens Fashion in South Africa is slowly but surely replacing the likes of Nike and the boardshort/haviana combo. Kudos.


Issues in stores now!
Model: Samuel Allerton for Boss NYC

WISHLIST

DSQUARED2
2009/10 Autumn Winter
Logo Tag Straight Jeans (Blue)
[74LA262 30006 089]
432.61 USD
Available from Diabro here.






I cannot wait for the new collection. Spring seems to me to be their better runway show every year. I need a new pair of Dsquared jeans pronto. The fit is always unparalleled and the worn-in detail make their jeans ready-to-wear with any basic tee for a cool, casual look.

Snapshot!

Philip donned head to toe in Paul Smith, he is the manager there, after all.
This, my friends is how it's done.

FIVE KEYS TO WEARING WHITE JEANS (GQ STYLE)

5. Bet on Black
White jeans never look better than when paired with black—be it a polo shirt or a V-neck sweater.

4. Get Your Footing
White sneakers work great with white jeans, as long as the sneaks have some detailing. Wear all-white tennis shoes and you’ll look like a male orderly.

3. Bring on the Sand
White jeans say summer. Bring a pair with you when you head to the beach for a week and wear them with everything from flip-flops to an unbuttoned shirt.

2. Lose the Belt
Do like most of the guys here and wear your white jeans without a belt for a lighter, leaner look. Just make sure the jeans fit well.

1. Pick the Right Coat
And go ahead and throw on a suit jacket or sport coat. But remember: If you want to maintain the clean, minimal look of the white jeans, opt for a jacket neutral in color and without a pattern.

Skinny Love

I've been wearing skinny jeans for three years, they've been in style for longer than that and I see them staying in "style" for a while longer still. But like all fits and fads they come and go and while the majority of fashion minded men make a safe segue from skinny to slim fit, there are the few (like myself) playing with a new fit altogether.



You get the sailor style as shown by this Dsquared model, which basically has no "fit" other than to hang, but the fabric is light and comfortable.



The other option, which is like a safe medium between the two is a low waist and lower crotch while still maintaining the skinner pipe.



Or a version where your pants merely appear a size too big but fit the waist.



It's this last few that I particularly like because it's different without standing out too much. Rolling it up carelessly at the bottom and adding a faded vintage belt could finish it off nicely. Play with it. But notice the fit of their upper body wear. Not long hanging t-shirts or Glimmering Bling. They still keep the original fits, only the trousers change, that is what makes the outfit work.

William Rast Fall 09

Last night we witnessed the third show from William Rast, love-child of Justin Timberlake and Johan and Marcella Lindeberg in pursuit of making the perfect denim. While that might be a bit ambitious for now I did however enjoy the 80's acid washed jeans he used. Denim and Leather has always gone together well and you can see that story ran through the whole collection. Nicely cut leather jackets and blazers and the introduction of tassled boots? Well not too bad considering he's a Pop star, songwriter, Producer and an Actor. Adding designer to his list of creds isn't a bad thing! Nicely done.



These are my favourite looks! (ABOVE and BELOW)







Unfortunately this studded jacket looks like Timberlake got hold of a bedazzler between recording sets.

Snapshot

Guillaume from Switzerland




I really like the simlicity of this look. The colours match even though it's just for schlepping around a mall, even his Haviana's are green.

How do you feel about...

White Jeans

I owned a pair years ago, granted I was a teenager who at one point thought three-quarter pants were cool. But now that I have come to understand fashion a little bit more (thank God), I have tried to be as open minded as possible about all trends. I bought a pair of skinny red jeans last year but never managed to wear them out the house (I have big strong legs, it just wasn't happening). So now my thoughts have veered off onto another coloured denim; white.

I personally quite like it, when worn correctly. One must be sensitive about how the whole look is put together. Here are a couple looks I pulled from my growing archive. Rock and Republic used white jeans in their latest show and I think it was rather nicely executed. Pairing it with black is definitely a great idea, what better contrast can you think of?





GQStyle offered these tips:

5. Bet on Black
White jeans never look better than when paired with black—be it a polo shirt or a V-neck sweater.

4. Get Your Footing
White sneakers work great with white jeans, as long as the sneaks have some detailing. Wear all-white tennis shoes and you’ll look like a male orderly.

3. Bring on the Sand
White jeans say summer. Bring a pair with you when you head to the beach for a week and wear them with everything from flip-flops to an unbuttoned shirt.

2. Lose the Belt
Do like most of the guys here and wear your white jeans without a belt for a lighter, leaner look. Just make sure the jeans fit well.

1. Pick the Right Coat
And go ahead and throw on a suit jacket or sport coat. But remember: If you want to maintain the clean, minimal look of the white jeans, opt for a jacket neutral in color and without a pattern.






There are so many different ways of making this look so have fun with it, and don't be afraid of wearing white jeans- especially in this day where fashion has no boundaries.

Please comment and let me know how you feel about white denims!

The turn-up

Four strapping young-men walked into my store on Saturday. They were brothers, Swedish I think, and each one impeccably stylish. I said to a colleague that I would very much like to take their photograph for Man of the Cloth but alas I didn't ask them and out they went.

Each brother was unique in their dress. But the one detail which they all had in common, was the roll-up/turn up. There are different ways to do this, and it changes with whatever type of trousers you're wearing. I'm a big fan of it, but as of right now South African men don't seem too ready for it. Here are a few examples.






This one above is my favorite of the lot because it almost shows the whole ankle- it's a great Summer look, very European! Unfortunately all of my work-wear trousers don't have the length to allow this look but I just purchased a great pair of grey skinny Red-Ear jeans from Paul Smith which I'll style rolled up.