Scott Sternberg Rules of Style

I really enjoyed this top ten rules of style by head designer of Band Of Outsiders, Scott Sternberg. I don't agree with all of it, but it is entertaining. Enjoy!

1) Opening a conversation with "What do you do?" makes you sound like a shifty, social-climbing dickwad. Small talk is for sissies, but if you're stuck with it, you can certainly come up with something better than that.

2) Talking about what brand you're wearing is gay in the bad way. Just keep quiet and play dumb if someone asks. Talking about what a great deal you got on the aforementioned item is worse. If you must, tell your mom, because she has sale empathy and will take your victory as her own. It's sick.

3) I don't think a tie is a relic, not yet. It's purely masculine—that one garment that allows you to go a little outside the box. A tie with a well-cut suit makes you look put-together and confident. It's an auto-chic, easy uniform.

4) Cigarettes are a vile, dirty habit. Joints, on the other hand, are perfectly acceptable.

5) Whenever you start a new project or a new job, don't tell anyone what you're working on, because it can change direction a million times and once you start telling the world about it, you get constrained by your own mouth.

6) That skin-toned paste your girlfriend gave you to treat your pimple is makeup. Don't kid yourself. You're a girl if you use it. Figure something else out.

7) Rabid atheism does not lead to attractive or acceptable cocktail-party conversation. You know who you are and you need to chill. We get it, okay? God is for dummies. Now shut your hole.

8) It's just not cool to fart on a plane, even if everyone's ears are plugged from the altitude and they can't hear where it came from. Heed my warning: Airplane-fart karma is a bitch, and you will find yourself at the receiving end on a sleepless transcontinental red-eye soon enough.

9) Style fills the gap between how you see yourself and how you want other people to see you. It is not a mysterious quality reserved for Cary Grant or Liberace. You have a sense of it in there somewhere. It's just a matter of finding a way to express it without seeming like you're trying.

10) Rules, as they say, are meant to be broken. Don't get too caught up with what I—or anyone else—tell you about your personal style, except for No. 8.

The Perfect Bag

If your looking for a good quality, fashionable bag or luggage, I highly recommend Filson. High quality, and pairs well with all but the most formal clothing. They even had a recent collaboration with Apolis Activism, which looks like this:
If your looking for something more affordable, I definitely recommend checking out your local Army surplus stores. Simple, canvas messengers can very often be had for a very good price.

Cool Home 2

Check out this beautiful home for inspiration. Amazing.

Cool Home Design

I am loving this "U-house" by Natalie Dionne.

To see and learn more about this home, click here.

The Most Stylish Cellphones in Canada

After a careful review of the major players in the Canadian wireless industry, a few phones clearly differentiate themselves from the sea of Blackberry clunkers at the office. These phones all meet the aesthetic requirements of a stylish gentlemen. To qualify phones had to be readily available through Bell, Telus, Rogers and Fido. Based purely on visual standards, The Style Advisor has compiled this list of stylish conversation starters. Pun intended.

1) Apple Iphone - Available at Fido for 199.99, 8 gig, 3 year 299.99 for 16gb on a 3 year plan. Everyone has it, its battery life kind of sucks, but you can't deny its look. Even on this short list it has sparked numerous copycats. Available in white or black.2) LG Vantage 830 - The Vantage from Bell is available for 299.95 or 49.99 on 3 year contract. It has touch screen phone and a 2 megapixel. It is a sleek slider, no frills phone. What else do you need?3) HTC Diamond - Available at Rogers for 599.99 or 199.99 on 3 year. Available from Telus, it features a 3.2 megapixel and works on windows mobile. It features a slick minimalist design, reminiscent of the Iphone. At this time only available in black.4) LG Shine - Available at Telus for 399.99 or 29.99 on 3 year, it is a basic phone with a 2 megapixel camera. It is also available in a slider version from Rogers. Can be bought in silver or gold, it has a steel exterior that does indeed shine. Stick with the silver version for a refined look.
5) LG TU915 VU - The VU can be had at Rogers for 419.99 no term or 79.99 on a 3 year. It features touch screen, html web browsing, and 2.0 megapixel camera, and is another Iphone inspired device.6) Samsung Instinct 49.99 3 year bell 399.95 Large touch screen phone, 2.0 megapixel camera. Another Iphone inspired device,
7) LG Venus - Available at Telus for 399.99, no contract or 29.99 on 3 year, it has 2.0 megapixel camera, and a touch screen. A basic, but solid choice.It seems like Canadian cell phone companies have much to catch up on. Our selection is embarrassingly limited compared to European and especially Asian markets. So much so that many people have been importing their phones from foreign countries and unlocking them. For those not so inclined, these devices will have to do, for now.

Maison Martin Margiela Spring/Summer 2009

A sneak peak at MMM Spring/Summer 09. I am getting a bit of 70's Disco Vibe. Could it have anything to do with disco ball mirrored leggings, perhaps?

That said, there are definitely a few solid wearable pieces in the collection, like the fantastically cut blazers, and a great trench in a unique light beige color that would work well for spring showers.

Good Music 2

Most Stylish Men in America, Really?

Click here to check out GQ's list of the Most Stylish Men in America.

It sounds more like a list of celebrities with stylists that GQ likes. TI, really?! Come on, there has got to be better dressed people in America. I hope. Please. Anyone?

The End for Obedient Sons

It has come to my attention that the clothing brand, Obedient Sons, has recently folded due to complications with their primary investor, Green Day Bassist, Mike Dirnt.

However, the news is not all bad for designers, Christina and Swaim Hudson, they are planning on returning to the fashion world with a new label.

A sneak peak at the upcoming designs, reveals some interesting experimentation with proportion:

The Unwilling Artist

Today I took a long walk to pick up some paint for my current project.

Along the way, I came across so much artistic expression that I had to photograph it. Art is all around us, we just have to open our eyes to it.

Most of it is created out of randomness, not for a class, exposition or client. Just art for the sake of art. You just have to pay close attention to your daily surroundings, but it is there.

So much can be captured in the random expressionist art of the unwilling. From destruction, liability, loneliness and renewal. There is something about the unwilling artist that captures my imagination. They do not ask for recognition, fame or money, but just for the very act of expression.

The unwilling artist is sometimes not even a person but only an act. Like the laborious demolition of a building, or a vines growth on the side of a building. Or it can be very deliberate and examined like spray paint on the side of a wall.

Inspiration can be found anywhere, we just need to look!

The New Maybach Zeppelin

Pictures of the New Maybach Zeppelin have been released. Set to be available later this year, it offers a 640 horsepower, 6.0 Litre, v12 engine. Impressive numbers to say the least.

Interestingly, it also includes (as an option) a fragrance dispensing plexiglass dome in the center console.

However, considering the $400,000+ Euro list price, I have to say that the design of the vehicle is, at best, mediocre. With so much invested into such a project the fragrance "atomiser" really should not be the selling point. Daimler AG should focus on making a unique design that sets future standards higher across the industry, after all it is a Maybach.

Although I have to admit, the fragrance atomiser is pretty cool.

Band of Outsiders at Fashion Week

As promised, here are some pictures from Band of Outsiders at Fashion Week. BoO continues its tradition of American classic preppy. They also showed off their women's line, ironically called Boy.

Some fantastic suits coming out of the collection. The bow ties, rep ties and especially the madras suit exemplify Ivy inspired. Perhaps Scott Sternberg has been reading Ivy Take. Did I mention boat shoes?

Band of Outsiders

Band of Outsiders has received a ton of well deserved press in the past year. Kanye West is a big fan, and despite Mr. West's stylistic shortcomings, they are winning me over as well.

Like APC, it is another great company offering classic styles with slim profiles. They are best known for their dress shirts, which are extremely well cut (think short, and skinny), but come with a hefty price tag of 200+ retail. Many people swear by the shirts while others grumble about the price, but rarely about the cut.

The company is doing some great marketing on their website, and offering us an image that is well constructed. The retro use of Polaroid photographs really conjures up an eclectic nostalgia of stylish, modern clothing worn in a classic way. As you surely know by now, the prevalence of wayfarers is something I approve of as well.

This year they are offering a BoO x Sperry collaboration, which really does look fantastic and I encourage you to check out. It looks like boat shoes are making a big comeback this spring with BoO, Sperry and APC leading the pack. However, the boots are definitely the stand out of this collaboration.

Band of Outsiders is a great American prep inspired collection, I look forward to their future offerings.

BoO will be presenting at Fashion Week today, check back soon to see some pics, until then their site is here.

APC Spring/Summer 2009

Long known for their beautifully cut raw jeans, APC has been the focus of some criticism with its most recent collection of Spring/Summer 2009. The argument basically follows that APC is not doing anything new or creative, it is just the same designs as previous seasons.

I understand the argument and in reality it is a fair criticism. There is simply not much innovation going on with the brand. They are safe, focused, and deliberate in their collections.

Everytime.

That is what I like about them. They are a French, minimalist brand who season after season produces high quality, stylish clothes, for both men and women. The materials are quality, the cuts are slim, and the designs are classic.

If it ain't broken don't fix it.

That being said, I am not a big fan of the Nike collaboration. The boat shoes on the other hand are fantastic. I am also liking the slim cut navy suit, a must in any wardrobe.

I will continue supporting the brand, I just wish they would bring a retail outlet to Canada.

Disheveled Elegance

I have been obsessed with a look that can be only described as disheveled elegance. Let me explain:

First there is a majority of people who just don't care about their looks at all. Easily recognizable by their Crocs, sports jersey's and sweatpants.

Then there is the small minority who care a bit too much. Although clearly far superior to the majority who don't care at all, they to seem to lack something. Maybe everything is just a bit too coordinated. A little too matchy matchy. Everything falls into place just so, and any imperfections that may arise are quickly adjusted.

Then there are those who conjure up the term disheveled elegance. These people often appear as though they after a hard night of drinking, or are even taking the walk of shame. They do not seem consciously aware of their style, no matter how planned it may really be. It might be a shirt untucked, a button missing, or untended facial hair. They look like they have lived interesting lives. You wonder what kind of stories they have to tell.

Their clothes are chic but lived in, and that is the essence of disheveled elegance.

Painting: Willem de Kooning, Gotham News

Ivy League Style

It is difficult to find much information on Ivy League style despite its formidable influence on the fashion world.

However, I was able to find an interesting post on a continuous lean. It shows some great illustrations from a book titled Take Ivy photographed in the 1960's. The book can still occasionally be bought on Ebay, but expect to pay 500+ dollars for the pleasure.

Regrettably, Ivy League style seems to have almost descended into oblivion in recent decades, but that does not mean we can not draw inspiration from it. To me the style embraces bold fabrics such as tweed, flannels and madras. Penny loafers, duck boots, plaid ties and rep sweaters layered with dress shirts encompass the core look.

However, there is something more to it then just the clothes. I believe it is the aura of a time forgotten. The style takes me to a time. An era when you knew most of your graduating class by name. When your classmates became your life time friends, co-workers and spouses. When you walked to class, you were met with smiles from other students, instead of people listening to their Ipods with their heads down, scared to make eye contact.

Having gone to University in the 2000's, I sometimes long for a simpler time similar to that conjured up by Ivy League Style. Although we often think about how we could have lived without our cell phones or internet, sometimes I wonder how we can live with them.

But, I digress, Ivy League style still has it's place in todays world. Loafers, flannels, and chambray's are essentials in every man's wardrobe. Maybe, when we wear them we can be taken back to a simpler time. Even if it is just for a second.