Pink Posse? Think Pu**y

The Pink shirt ... the most tragic piece of fashion to ever come off the lines at any sweat shop in Honduras. I mean these kids work for $0.45 a hour, can't they at least be proud of what they're making? Why, oh why did this color have to show up for a grown man?

As many of you know, I have a serious grievance against any grown man wearing pink. Actually, I would say after 13 (when boys and girls start actually start developing serious differences....namely hair growth) a male should no longer have feminine colors in his wardrobe like this. Pink, light yellow, light purple, general pastels and Easter colors....NO NO NO!

I understand that manhood is being redefined, and softer man is coming to life. But seriously guys, do you have to be so soft you move into limp-wristedly flaccid? Yeah....I said it. I had to make up a whole new word to describe this crap. And it's not just this shade of pink that must go....all shades (salmon, whatever you call it to convince yourself you aren't wearing pink). I have heard everyone try to justify a man wearing this color. Let it go. That dog just ain't gonna hunt folks.

People ... get it together. Let us find other shades of color in our wardrobe. Even the hottest man will not make this look good. Because really, when you see a hot guy in a pink shirt, are you saying he looks good in that shirt, or that he just looks good, OR that he would look good without that pink shirt on ... he should take that off? Yeah I thought so.

I am taking a stand on this like I took a stand on flip-flops. This isn't fashion. It isn't style. It's just plain tragic. I will not condone pink on a grown man. I will not Sam I am. At the end of the day it looks like Japanese baby doll fashion. And if any of you have seen that, you will understand why I target pink wearers. It's no different in my eyes. It's okay when you're young and don't know any better. But at a certain age, you let childish things go. The problem with our society now is that we are holding onto it. 30 and 40 year old men still play video games. They still go to clubs to pick up "chicks" or "hot girls." It's a reflection of how pathetic and juvenile men have become. They continue to be Peter Pan...forever a child. Their clothes even reflect it. Where are men? Throw down your pink shirts, join the grown-up world. Maybe if we're all lucky, the other childish things men continue to do in older ages will fall behind too.

Every once in a while I relate a fashion concept to societal norms. Bare with me. Eventually you'll find that clothing reflects society. And in some cases, dictates it. Take a look back at history and you'll see it for yourself. So, bare with me when my commentary dives into a societal piece.

A toast: to leaving behind childish ways. Starting with pink shirts. I'll definitely drink to that.

Here's to style. Cheers!

It's Time for Time

Word on the street is that watches may be the new "It" item in fashion.

"Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, Versace, and Roberto Cavalli have all introduced pricey new watches in the past two years, and brands like Dior and Chanel are expanding their watch divisions. "

Time pieces have been a neglected area of a person's look. You walk around and you see people wearing the latest trends, and it gets blindsided by a rubber watch that was clearly bought as an impulse buy at the registers of Wal-Mart or Target. You might as well be wearing a calculator watch, or one of those tacky hip hop, multicolored watches that are way too pricey to be that ugly.

If you flip through your latest fashion magazines, you will find a lot more editorials for watches. And as you have read above, the major fashion houses are even jumping on the watch bandwagon. So, this blog is gonna give you my top picks for watches, tips on when to wear them, and tips on which watches go with what style. Trust me when I say a watch isn't a constant accessory. I have two, and you don't always see me wearing either one of them. There are times when you can just leave it at home. You have a cell phone, don't you? You will always know what time it is. But if you are the type to need to wear a watch....here's how to do it with style.

MEN:

My top picks for watches are the kind that are so simple looking that they stand out when you look at them versus flashy. The Lange 1 by A. Lange & Söhne is a nice piece. It's simple, yet very sleek, fresh ... certainly vogue. This is the kind of watch that can be worn in business, and in pleasure. It is a very grey color...so be on the lookout for what you pair it with. A nice navy, black, or grey suit can be nice. And those colors are not bad at all for a business casual look either. Now if you're a brown shoes kind of guy, you can go with Breguet. Apparently Napoleon Bonaparte was once a client of this watch company (Established in 1775). The model 5327BA is a nice brown leather band and gold watch. It would compliment any uptown style that you can wear brown leather shoes with. Now if go completely casual and trendy....the Cartier Roadster is a great little find. This a sleek, and yet playful watch.

Very casual. outside of businesswear, this could polish any look...even shabby chic. Let's be honest, if you aren't wearing something that most can't afford, how will they ever know you're better than them? Oh, and if you are like me and you wear rings, or necklaces, or even wrist cuffs....no watch. Even men can overaccessorize. Unless you are in a band...keep the accessories to only two. A ring and watch, a cuff and necklace, etc. no cuff with a watch....EVER.

WOMEN:

For women, the styles choices are a bit different, so rather than tell you exactly what to buy, I will have to explain what to look for in a watch. For a business suit, you want something simple, small, and almost undetectable on your wrist. Try not to wear something with a link wristband. Leather bands are your friends with a suit. For a more business casual look, or your uptown wears, try a link band watch.Or for a more posh look, try a larger face watch...maybe jeweled a bit. And really only recommend a bracelet style watch with a below the knee skirt, or long pants (palazzo -esque pants..something with room...very Katherine Hepburn). It's much classier, and adds that appropriate feminine touch. There is no formal wear....NONE...that I can recommend a watch for ladies. NONE. Let it go. If you're in formal wear, your watch for the night should be on your date's wrist. You're not Cinderella...you don't need to be that aware of time in that situation. A good tip for finding these styles is DKNY. They have an assortment across the spectrum of watches to fit your needs. And DKNY is much more affordbale than Chanel, which would be my haute choice.

Now I know these choices are quite expensive. Remember that you can always find similar styles for a lesser price if they are out of your range. The point of this is for you to better understand what looks good and what doesn't. Just because it's A style, doesn't mean it is THE style.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Victor / Victoria: Fall 2008 Menswear

IT HAS FINALLY HAPPENED. It started with CK One, the unisex fragrance. Then, with the American embrace of Euro club fashions, we entered a land where men could share clothes with their woman. We let metrosexuality take over. It has all come down to the final assimilation of masculinity into the feminine world.

Welcome to the newest in men's fashion -- women's fashion transposed onto men. Check out the Fall 2008 Menwear Magazine. You will find a wonderful article on the latest fall wears for men. These lovely pieces include a beautifully detailed Versace shearling and leather coat, cashmere scarves, rug-embroidered hoods that resemble a woman's wrap, and a Prada Trench with a very a neckline that is only suited to show off a woman's cleavage.

I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised by it. Then again, the whole point of a collection is to shock a bit. This year, the hottest trend in women's fashion is Menswear. Women are wearing menswear-inspired fashions. What's good for the goose is good for the gander, right? So, here we are. Men are wearing Womenswear.

This season, Fendi has even sent their men out on the runway with purses and clutches. Fashion has gone to the women. And I actually like it. Don't think I'm crazy. I don't like the pieces that have been created, but I do think it's time to move in this direction. There are some things in Womenswear that I have wanted to see translated to menswear. Let's take a little looksie, shall we?

Do you love it? I do. I'm not a fan of the fur so much. But I can live it. The overall message is that fashion can cross genders. Gender really is an illusion most times. It should be with clothes. I am certainly enjoying the new lines.

Many of you will probably say the new styles have gone too far. For shame! Embrace these looks. You don not have to repeat them exactly. But don't be afraid that something looks "too girly" for you to wear. A strong man can pull this off flawlessly. Are you man enough to fem it up? I say we toast to the success of the gender-bending menswear, and hope it continues to the look I've envisioned for years.

Here's to style. Cheers!