Back to the Basics: CUT YOUR NAILS

I am always shocked and amazed when I meet a guy with long nails. I ask myself, "Does he think that's sexy?" Because it's NOT- it's soooooo NOT sexy, not even a little. Then I'm even more shocked and appalled when I run into associates with long nails I'm like ,"Don't you read the Urban Gentleman... dude, you need to subscribe." Lol, but seriously meeting a man with unkempt nails is one of the most unattractive things ever! It automatically gives the impression that you weren't taught well and that you may be a dirty/messy person.

Gentleman, for the record, there are two things that even the most basic man must do outside of showering, washing his face, and brushing his teeth... he must:

1.) maintain his haircut /hairstyle
2.) cut his nails.

There is never an excuse to walk around with long nails- you can buy a pair of nail clippers anywhere for about 2 or 3 bucks. But each of you should own a manicure set of some type. If you don't have time to cut your own nails, just go to a nail shop and get a basic manicure for about $15-$20. (go on a Tuesday or Wednesday night if you feel self-conscious about being there b/c those are usually the slowest days).

I asked a variety of women from different backgrounds how they felt about long nails and they pretty much all responded, "ewwwwwwww". One woman even went on to tell a story about her boyfriend having long nails and how every night she's tempted to cut them while he sleeps. I personally think that she obviously doesn't have that close of a relationship with him if she can't just ask him to cut his nails, but who knows.... Anyway guys, I cruised the web and found 3 different quality maniucre sets in 3 different price ranges- check them out on the left or click here.

Please please Urban Gentleman, I implore you to cut your nails!

Rockin' Recession, Tom Ford Blues

I just got word of Rock & Republic's new recession jeans... and I would have to say guys- now is the time to buy. There jeans usually retail at about $300, but the new recession jeans will be a staggering $130--- hey that's cheap for them. And that's without the store sale, so I figure you'll be able to buy these for $80-$100 at some point. They come in 2 styles: straight leg (Neil) and skinny (Colburg). The jeans will be available March 1st at rockandrepublic.com. Looks like some of you will be upgrading the wardrobe .

Neil jean, $132 and Colburg jean, $138

But on the opposite end of the spectrum WWD reports Tom Ford is saying, "Fck the Recession" (he didn't literally say that, lol) and has created a pair of $990 jeans... yeah you read that correct. Nine hundred and ninety dollars...

Check out the excerpt (from wwd.com):

Tom Ford is taking designer denim to a whole new stratosphere with men’s jeans that retail for $990. The jeans, hitting stores now, are made from Japanese selvaged denim that feels and looks raw, but has been pre-washed and pre-shrunken so the indigo doesn’t rub off. They also come in black or white. The seat is distinguished merely by a straight line, stitched across the pockets, and a small black tab reading TF001 or TF002. The first number designates the boot cut that Ford wears himself, and the second is a straight-leg cut. In the front, the button is plated with 18-karat gold, and the pockets are lined with the same silk as Tom Ford suits. But is the price justified for classic, unembellished jeans? If you have to ask, you can’t afford them.

I can just hear him now, "Fck the recession" "hahahaha".
I don't know why, but.... I'm sort of lovin it, lol.

Suspend Me

For the days that you don't want to wear a belt.... black & white suspenders. $14.99 urban gent store.

Presidential Branded: Hart Schaffner Marx

These days its all about America, American Made Products, and American Made Brands... for us Americans anyway. And President Barack Obama chose "made in the usa" for his inauguration suit, tuxedo, and topcoat by wearing Hart Schaffner Marx- he also wore the brand several times on his campaign trail. One of my friend's forwarded me an article from Chicago Tribune about the company filing for bankruptcy. Quite unfortunate huh... But don't worry I'm sure someone will buy the company. (let's hope anyway)

They have some pretty good online sale items, check out a few:

Tan Camel Hair Sportcoat:
Price: $595.00
Sale Price $357.00

Black Stripe Suit:
Price $1,595.00
On Sale $957.00

Cashmere Topcoat
Price: $540.00
Sale Price $270.00

For more Hickey Freeman/Hart Schaffner Marx classic american clothing:
hickeyfreeman.com
hartschaffnermarx.com

Who is Kanye's Crew?

from left to right

Don. (aka deadstock don)
Taz Arnold. (a rapper/artist, has a line called Ti$a)
Chris Julian. (Owner FRUITION in Las Vegas)
Kanye West.
Fonzworth Bentley.(host of from g's to gents)
Virgil Abloh. (a creative force/ PASTELLE designer of sorts)
Ferrai Murakami. (his barber) (not featured here)

there's more depending on the day, the time, the moment.

*These guys pretty much refer to themselves as the G.O.O.D. Music/ Pastelle Fam. So basically everyone you see him rolling with is pretty much helping him with the label in some way or another.

Kanye and friends have been in Paris just "ackin a fool, stuntin' on em" , but seriously though many of you all HATE the looks being worn by Kanye & Crew, I however have to applaud in many aspects--- okay, yes they may seem to be trying to hard, but really they aren't.

Taz, well if you know anything about the dude he just dresses over the top- that's him. Fonzworth he's staying true to himself and continues to make us proud by looking like a true dapper southern-bred gentleman (Georgia-bred to be specific). And Kanye, well he just has a love for labels and that's just how some people are, but I'm pretty sure with age he will transcend the labels. And the other guys, well I don't really know their history per se, but from what I've been learning about them they seem to just be "doing them". They all may be turning it up a few degrees for fashion week, but hey Kanye's trying to launch a label so they're getting ALOT of publicity from this... and from what it seems they will surely have a superb line.

Sidenote: seriously though, these guys have style in their own way... I'll do an individual profile on each of them later.

Fonzworth Bentley: PAGE SIX & Paris

Mr. Fonzworth Bentley is not just stuntin' with Ye's in Paree, he's stuntin' on the inside of Page Six as well. He talks about how Donna Karan and Diddy are quintessentially Mr. and Miss New York, click the image to read more.

But seriously though guys, with your Louis and MCM Bags, Gucci boots, Gucci shades, Rayban wayfarers, Gucci suits, and MCM coats.... but really though guys, can I be the chick in the crew next time- puh-leeez.... with cherries on top.

ABC's: Men's Fall/Winter 2009/2010 Fashion Week Reviews

The runways of Paris and Milan have been haute for the past week or so as all the top designers flaunt their newest creations. Some left me overjoyed and totally inspired while others left me wondering "why"? I'll highlight different shows over the next few months, but I figured I'd start you all off with the ABC's- meaning a quick synopsis of the collection of a few designers whose names just happen to start with A, B, or C.

Fashion Week Milan Paris: (prepare yourself... I'm in fashion mode and I am therefore not responsible for the things I say... lol. just kiddin)

-----------------------

Adam Kimmel.

Adam Kimmel. frumpy see as frumpy do. Even though it seems as though many have moved passed baggy and saggy and turned to more clean lines and straight silhouettes, Kimmel like other designers this season, are showing otherwise. Here again we have a rising of the over-sized and bulky... do we leave it or do we love it.... who knows. But he certainly takes the worker look to a real level, almost giving each look its own personal story- and for that reason I am a fan... 7.8/10.

PS- I live for the star and striped sweater. People who dress like this in real life are always so cool.

-----------------------------------------------------

Alessandro Dell Acqua.

Alessandro Dell Acqua. flesh tones, cuffs, bigger tops smaller bottoms, structured shoulders... in the water we all must go (high-watered pants)... Though Dell'Acqua's new catch phrase is "bourgeois revolution", I for some reason, get a feeling of "modern goth with alot of class"- clean yet emotional in subtle ways- the elongated sleeves, cuffed pants, flesh tones... immaculate pieces for the most part... 7.9/10.

-----------------------------------------------------

Alexander McQueen.

Alexander McQueen. drama is his middle name- always has been always will be. I must say aside from the scary faces McQueen unsurprisingly brings it once more- his array of designs, patterns, textures, shapes, can easily be seen in the wardrobe of any well dressed man. When viewing his collection, like always, you have to look at the individual pieces. And the pieces are very well executed. Though I feel like these models are going to jump off the screen and get me- I do like the overall collection... but I didn't however like the order of the show, I would have changed it a bit... 8.9/10... The man is a brute.

-----------------------------------------------------

Bottega Veneta.

Bottega Veneta. "Excuse me gentlemen, but can I take you home with me," that is the feeling I get after viewing Veneta's collection. These are the clothing of a pristinely dressed gentleman. Great, I mean just great jackets- especially in the chocolate section- this is what fall is all about! My only criticisms would go to the short sweater and large trouser combos- oh how I do hate that silhouette, I am simply not a fan... never have been never will be. Overall, Bottega makes the monochromatic trend I spoke of earlier this month seem like a work of art. I absolutely adore this collection... (applauds) 9.3/10.

-----------------------------------------------------

Burberry Prorsum.

Burberry Prorsum. (Christopher Bailey) We all love you and we all buy you, but... if you don't mind me saying so- "the show" was completely uninspiring. Well, maybe completely is a bit harsh, but the only thing I found special was the use of velvet. Again we see the frumpy crotch heavy harem pants... I really do wonder if this trend will hit America in a big way. Seems totally appropriate for England and the pebble stone streets of Italy, but America, hmmmm- who knows.The highlight of the show was... well, there wasn't really one, but I did like the 2nd to last look because of the blouse and jacket- so perfectly tailored, so burberry. Besides that, the ever changing shapes and cuts of the pants were completely distracting leaving me slightly annoyed. And the random graphic tees left me perplexed. But again, just for the record- we do all love you Burberry- today just wasn't your day.

-----------------------------------------------------

Comme Des Garcons.

Comme Des Garcons. dressing in the dark is so obviously the name of this game. Perhaps the Comme Des Garcons show would have meant more to me if I had been there, but since I wasn't I can only ask "When did the circus come to town"? The girly shoes, wide yet short pants, and unsuccessfully playful silhouettes left me thinking- wtf? Rei Kawakubo', my darling, I hate to ask, but "when will the show end". Though her shows are always playful, they also always include pieces that can be confidently worn alone- this years collection lacks that. Coincidentally this is the same show Kanye and his colorful crew were photographed outside of and many weren't fans of their get-ups either... but hey, maybe we just didn't get the memo.

-----------------------------------------------------

Stay Tuned for more mini-reviews of the
Fall/Winter 2009/2010 Menswear Collections.

J a c i n d a S a r t o r i a  of the Urban Gentleman

YouTube Videos of The Year: AlphaCat as Barack Obama

During this entire election a guy by the name of AlphaCat has been doing Barack Obama impressions on youtube. I thought everyone was "hip" to his videos, but after talking to some friends it seems that everyone is not. So I decided to post his 4 funniest videos... this dude is h-i-l-a-r-i-o-u-s.

Barack Obama Before a Debate


Barack Obama After the Debate**
(this is my favorite)


Barack Obama Wins November 4th
(to T.I's "You Can Have Whatever You Like")


Barack Obama Inauguration
(to Beyonce's "Single Ladies")



Alphacat's real name is Iman Crosson. He's 26-year-old and is from Dayton, Ohio. He's a dance major who started perfecting his Obama impression while working as a waiter in Manhattan, but he's recently moved to Los Angeles to start his career in Hollywood.

Kanye in Paris: Swagger on a Hundred Thousand Trillon

I must say Ye'.... you're a hoot. (laughter).

.

Did he just say, Martin LOUIS the King Jr.??? I think he did.

Another Photo of "Kanye & Crew"
(I like this angle better)

Yes Ye', you're the "numba one stunta" and we applaud.
(applauds in the background)

But really guys, how fly is this guy.... yeah, he could be a bit more humble, maybe a bit more nice, but we can't deny his flyness.

via teampeterstigter

Kanye? 50 cents?// Kanye West Louis Vuitton Sneakers

Lol, this video will make you laugh.

He forgot to remove his bag from the runway at the Louis Vuitton show, so the photographers are making remarks about this. This video is shot from the photographers pit.

Here's some pictures of Kanye at the Louis Vuitton Show:

And finally, here's a closeup of the Kanye for LV shoes:

PARIS — Marc Jacobs and the Louis Vuitton men’s studio director Paul Helbers have some design competition this season. Kanye West, who was sitting front row at the Vuitton show, has designed a line of five LV sneakers. Only one design, above, was featured in the show — a monochromatic midtop with no frills, save for a quilted flap in the back, all the easier to tuck pants into. “The inspiration came from a jacket with a huge collar in the movie ‘Dune,’ ” West says. “Most sneakers focus on the tongue, so I wanted to do something different.” West knows whereof he speaks: he says he has no idea how many shoes he owns, but he does know that he routinely needs to send shipments off to storage. The LV-meets-Kanye kicks will be available at Louis Vuitton stores in June.

via themoment.blogs.nytimes.com

One Photo, What Do You Think: Kanye and His Entourage

As some of you may know all the Men's Fall/Winter 2009 Fashion Shows have been in progress over the past week ( ... I've been pretty busy writing about all those shows over the weekend- yes all of them... but I will probably only share a few of my reviews, hmmmm, we'll see.) Anyway check out this picture of Kanye and his crew outside of the Comme Des Garcons Show and they're quite colorful. I recognize Fonzworth Bentley and Taz, let me know if you recognize any of the other guys. (Milan and Paris Fashion Week)

So, what do you think?

(click to enlarge)

from jakandjil.com