Pocket Guide: Men's Fall | Winter Trends 2010-2011

Okay, we have something more to hold you guys over until our, well, "surprise."

We've created a Mini Pocket Guide for Men's Fall|Winter 2010-2011 Trends and Styles. This covers a few basic fall & winter trends that all Urban Gentlemen should know...

Crew necks: You may or may not have noticed the change, but designers are slowly switching back to the classic crew necks and moving away from the wide scoop necks and trendy v-necks. Of course you can still do a slight V if needed, but a classic crew will suit you, and all your masculinity, best.

More Topman...

Selvedge Denim: Everywhere I go, I find myself getting into "deep" conversations about selvedge denim... people are obsessed, some are a bit too passionate (usually the newbies), but it's understandable. Be sure to invest in atleast one pair of selvedge denim.

More Evisu...

MINI Lesson on Selvedge Denim: "What is Selvedge/Selvage Denim?"
Selvedge denim is basically premium denim, its the crème de la crème of the denim family. "Selvedge" describes the way the fabric is produced. The denim is made on a shorter loom, making the time to create them longer. In a pair of selvedge jeans you can actually see where the weaving stops and is finished by the loom... long story short: if you flip a pair of selvedge jeans inside out you can see the production and "self-edged" finish. The quality is higher, the fabric is heavier and more durable, and more thread is used to create them. Some companies mark their jeans on the selvedge with a woven stitch in a certain color. Some even mark the inside selvedge line with their company's name.

What folks love most about selvedge denim is that you can "wear them in" yourself- so no fake wear marks (even though these days some companies will scuff em a bit). Within 6 months of wearing them the jeans will customized to your body... some will argue longer times, many people wear their's for a year without washing to "completely" break them in... honestly the "breaking in" time all depends on how often you wear them.

***

Classic Boots: Whether it's vintage or workwear inspired, you must have a pair of quality classic boots. Some may go with duck boots, others may opt for chukkas, while the manliest will be keen on rugged utility boots. Choose your favorite brand and style in a color that fits your wardrobe and make it your staple. Or choose several to increase your fall and winter footwear options.

More Frye...

Hint Of Camo: You heard it here first. Just give em a hint of fatigue this fall and winter. Unless you're a solider, we need not see you in all over army fatigue... not yet anyway. Just a hint... a jacket, socks, a bag, whatever you like.

More Toms...

Canvas: Whether you sport a canvas backpack, watch, or jacket... its the chosen material for so many stylish things these days.

More Fossil...

Stay Tuned for the Complete Guide.

H&M Denim Style Guide Collaboration with The Urban Gentleman

The Urban Gent x H&M

We never got a chance to announce it, but earlier this summer H&M asked us to contribute to their style guide, here's the feature (it was up on their website August/September):

Pretty cool, right? Thanks for the feature H&M! When building one's wardrobe on a budget, H&M is a great store to shop at to find the latest trends, visit them here.

H&M x The Urban Gentleman 2010 Style Guide featuring Kanayo King

The Schoolyard Wardrobe, Part III

The Schoolyard Wardrobe, is our mini-guide for back-to-schoolers or back-to-workers (with "dress how you want" jobs). We started with a few tips and trends, gave you some sales, deals, and shoes, now we're wrapping it up with an informal look book of sorts. Basically a pre-fall run-down of what will be cool all-year long (dontcha feel lucky?). Cindy (Miss Urban Gentleman) and I casually put together a few looks to help you gents with your schoolyard wardrobe. Most are easy-to-get (simple) transitional looks that can take you from summer to fall.

8am class? Wake up and toss it on:
striped oxford shirt, seersucker shorts (rolled up), and
leather tassel moccasins (loafers)

More Lacoste...

-

short-sleeves button-down, linen trousers,
brown woven-detailed tassel loafers, vintage jean jacket.

-

Lets take a little time-out from all the designer logo "varsitywear"; take a trip to the campus bookstore, buy a shirt and/or cardigan, and properly represent your college or university.

college tee, navy double-pleated corduroys, vans authentic

(there's a pair of navy cords on sale at macys for 29.99)
-

In hand: The Filthy Rich Handbook

plaid button-down, paisley suspenders, white pants, loafers

More Brooks Brothers...

-

When it comes to wearing a shirt in the spring, summer, and parts of fall, a basic schoolyard rule: "Button it down. Roll it up". Rolling up the sleeves gives you a more casual look.

vintage jean jacket, lightweight tweed trousers, canvas lace-ups
-


gingham button-up, gray jeans, army fatigue jacket, converse all-stars

While I usually let my back-pocket do all the fatiguing, I decided to amp it up and make my hint much more noticeable. (check part I for more camouflage/army fatigue options)

Subtle changes can be made to all of the above looks and the overall look will still be just as fly. For example: black or dark blue jeans instead of the gray; Navy trousers instead of the linen ones; etc. Be sure to go back and review Parts I and II to properly implement the schoolyard wardrobe.

The Schoolyard Wardrobe: Part I

The Schoolyard Wardrobe: Part II

The Schoolyard Wardrobe: Part III

Men's Fall | Winter 2009-2010 Trends & Style Guide

We've gotten many many emails inquiring about the Fall/Winter trends post, we're sorta tardy with it, but hey we have lives-- busy ones at that. Nevertheless, without further ado we present to our stylish/intelligent/fly/super-cool readers... The Official Urban Gentleman 2009-2010 Men's Fall Winter Fashion and Trends.

Conservative Dapper

(above: clothing by designer Calvin Klein)

Being polished, being perfect, being well-groomed-- these are the makings of a conservative man. He gets his haircut every week, he gets his shoes shined, he opens the door for a lady, he knows to undo the lower button on his 2-button suit jacket when sitting down, and to just as quickly button it up as he stands. This, is the man that women dream of.

Editors notes: There has been so many colors, so many styles, so many... well, there is just so much going on with men's fashion these days. You have guys bringing back the eye-catching hairstyles, the cross colors, the bright plaids, and much more. So this, Conservative Dapper, is like a break, a relaxing break from it all. It's a return to simpler, easier, classic times. This is my favorite trend for the fall and winter.

To get the look: Trench coats, suits, crisp white button downs, tip-clips, white pocket squares, perfectly polished lace-ups.

Hard Studded

(above: clothing by designer William Rast)

Hard times call for drastic measures. Some people are recession proofing their lives literally, while others are taking the figurative route. This means roughing up the wardrobe, showing the world that "you got this", you're hard and you know it, you're tough and a few troubles really don't phase you.

Editors notes: To me this look is like Pony Boy meets Michael Jackson. You take the main edginess and ruggedness from the guys of the Outsiders and mix it with the jeweled/metallic/shiny/studded MJ from his "Bad era". The late world icon has inspired alot of us this year and this trend is where his inspiration is placed for the fall and winter.

To get the look: Torn/ripped/worn jeans, leather jackets, studded everything- shirts, shoes, accessories, jackets, white t-shirts.

Assorted Swank

(above: artist Kid Cudi)

The men of the world are pleased with the fashions they have been dealt over the past year or so; therefore many of them have decided to just combine what they have learned. They mix their military jackets with their nerdish glasses, they combine their college cool tees with their Thom Browne inspired pants and oxford shoes. This season many guys are opting to be fashion connoisseurs, their phrase "we collect fashion, we create style".

Editors notes: I've said it once, I've said it twice, and I'll say it again-- men are lucky. Why? because their trends change so slowly allowing them to revel in trends for quite some time. And more than ever I have seen stylish guys mixing it up quite nicely- Retro Bandstand mixed with Geometric Retro Nerd mixed with Clodhoppers Delight with a little College Cool on the side. It's like whatever is necessary to look fly is what guys are doing... daring to be to different by adding their own spins on the hottest trends. To that I say "touche'."

To get the look: band-jacket, cardigan, loafers, glasses, graphic tees, harem pants, torn jeans.

It's a Man's World

(above: actor Brad Pitt)

As Men's.Style.com stated "enough with the skinny shit". I think we're all tired in some way or another of going out and seeing grown men in girl jeans, v-necks so low we can see their belly-buttons. We know there was a call for androgynous looks last year and men wanted to express their feminine side, but some people took it too far and now we have to re-instate manhood.

So that means get inspired by the manliest men you know then get either rugged or classic. Think Ocean's 13-- Rusty, Danny, Rueban, Basher, and the whole crew- all men, all masculine, all stylish, but in their own way. We're not saying be cookie-cutter models of gq men, but we do want you to "man up".

Editors Notes: "Ahhh (pleasant sigh of relief)" I feel like I just drank a nice tasty soda pop after being parched for an hour... well not literally, but that's the feeling I get when I think about this trend- it's just refreshing. Starting from this summer we saw all the men in Hollywood roughing it on the beaches- letting their beards grow in, chest hairs grow out. They were indirectly telling the world- it's time to be men again, so let's continue this trend for the fall. (I was going to make this apart of the summer trends and I did touch on it a bit in some posts, but I knew it would be better placed in Fall/Winter.)

To get the look: dark denim, perfectly fitted suits, ties, elegant and serious fedoras (none of that funny colorful ish), wing-tips, boots, blazers.

More 2009-2010 Fall Winter Styles:

Other trends: Band/Military jackets are still at large, v-necks (there's a boycott against deep v's though), velvet ( ties, jackets, loafers).

Accessories: tie-clips, brooches/buttons, gold watches, knit ties.

Colors: Grays and dark tones.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have posted our Fall|Winter Style Guide on your site or plan to PLEASE have direct links back to this posting. It's wrong to copy and paste complete articles without including links to the original source. Urban Gent Fans, if you see this puh-leez call them out on it. (we added this note b/c there have been reports of this happening, thanks guys!).

Stay Tuned for places to get these looks.

If If Had to Shop for You, Online, Today... this is what I'd buy: Urban Gentleman BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING GUIDE PT.1

Everyday for the past month I've received several emails from urban gents around the world seeking advice on "back to school clothing". Some of you are going back to high school, others college, and some may just be returning from a summer long vacation and want to purchase a few things for casual days at work.

Let's be upfront about things- this recession is a b*tch... especially for us Americans. Now my readers from Europe, Asia, Australia, etc you guys probably have a bit more money to spend. So I'm going to mainly shop according to the current budgets of many people who reside in the U S of A, but of course I'll also shop for the readers who are banked and happily unaffected by the recession (sitting pretty on those trust funds).
Okay, lets get started.

I will choose items and place them in 3 or so self-explanatory categories: pocket-friendly (less expensive), i gotta trust fund (more expensive), and my favorite (items that I just personally like in addition to the other choices) or etc.

So here's your very basic back to school check list:

2 pair of jeans
4 or more graphic tees (or a polo/tee combo)
2 pair of shoes
1 outwear piece (cardigan, jacket)
accessory of choice

The trends you want to keep in mind are the same, but basically at the end of the day you should "do you" just in a really polished way.

First Up: Jeans.

(perfect sexy jeans)

POCKET FRIENDLY: Express. Great fit, nice quality, and you really can't beat their buy one get one half off sale. A pair of their jeans ranges from $50-$90... meaning on the light side you could get 2 pair for $75 (that's $37.50 each) or at max $135 for 2 pair.... basically its a great deal that I wouldn't pass up. Plus its tax free weekend for some of you,

I GOTTA TRUST-FUND: Levis. Oh no, not just any Levi's the oldest pair of Levi’s 501 jeans known- Vintage XX First Blue Rigid Jeans. At 407 bucks and 1 cent, these jeans are probably the purest ode to the classics you can find. If you have the cash, by all means spend away because if it wasn't for Levis we wouldn't have the jeans we know and love today.

MY FAVORITE: Nom De Guerre Classic Fit. These jeans are Super sexy, seriously I might melt if I see a guy in these- okay maybe that's a bit extreme, but you get my drift. They look to be the perfect fit, they're un-embellished, and they're dark- so basically they're a classic pair of designer jeans that are on sale from $250 to $148, niiiice.... and for you lucky brits that's only £90.

ETC: If you want to choose from a huge variety of denim- ever color, every style, all the fits you can imagine visit Karmaloop.

Tees.

(bookbag tee from Karmaloop)

POCKET FRIENDLY: As always Dr.Jays, KarmaLoop, and EastWest Worldwide reign supreme on selection. If you want, let's say, a more subtle selection choice, opt for Express or Armani.

I GOTTA TRUST FUND: To be honest as far as tees, no one entirely fits this category, but if I had to choose a store I'd say Oki-Ni. But they actually do have a quite a few pocket-friendly choices as well. I like their t-shirts because they're extremely different and I doubt you'll see someone else rocking it, so if originality is what you seek- choose Oki-Ni.

Polos.

FRED PERRY. enough said.... Okay, well maybe not, but everyone knows Fred Perry has some of the best polos. You can even catch guys wearing them on the red carpet.

POCKET FRIENDLY: If you want a larger selection of polos with a variety of colors, again I'd opt for Express... because their deals are just really on-point at the moment- 40% off.... only 20 bucks each.

ETC: Diddy actually has a nice selection of polos for Sean John, alot of great neutrals.

Shoes.

For this category, there's just too many to name. So I'll give you 3 of my favorite shoes now then I'll come back later (after I take a nap, I've been up for almost 24 hours, crazy I know) and add on a bunch more.

- Converse, well they... hmmm, how can I put this- they're just really awesome. They have a new make your own shoe feature, and it only cost $62... that's not much for a custom designed shoe, actually that's VERY inexpensive.

- There's nothing, like a nice fresh pair of Vans to start the school year with.

- Okay, maybe I fibbed, maybe there's nothing like a new pair of Creative Recreations to start the school year with. And ummm, the selection of styles and colors at shoes.com is vast.

Accessories, Outerwear, and more shoes in Part II

Part II- customized shoes for school.

SKater STyle: Jereme Rogers and Terry Kennedy, Guide to Dressing like a Skater King

First, let me start out by saying I think skaters are cool-- they just are. I had a friend who dated a skater once... a few times last year we went to Union Square (New York) and watched her bf and his friends skate (in this randomly blocked off area). It was fun and the guys were really chill. It seems to me that skaters are the new "rockstars" of sorts... they're cool, get loads of cash from sponsors, everyone wants to be like them, and the list goes on. There are alot of great skaters out there: Jereme Rogers, Terry Kennedy, Paul Rodriguez, Stevie Williams, Ryan Sheckler, etc etc. But today I will only focus on two of the "skater kings": Terry Kennedy and Jereme Rogers.

For those who aren't versed on the skater world- you may know Terry Kennedy from his dramas with ex girlfriend Angela Simmons- yeah Rev Run's daughter. And Jereme Rogers well his recent mushroom shenanigans has lot of people shaking their heads laughing, but you also may have seen have him hanging with rockstars like Travis Barker on occasion.

Quicky Bios:
Name: Jereme Rogers
Hometown: Boston
Years in the game: Four (pro)
Signature trick: Backside flip

Name: Terry Kennedy
Hometown:Long Beach, California
Years in the game: Seven (pro)
Signature trick: Fakey stuff down handrails

I think it goes without saying that the typical skater style is... the stereotypical hip-hop style. I say stereotypical because these days most categorical "hip-hop" artist dress preppy or "urban prep" or they just do their own thing- which could mean wearing suits or dressing like a nerd. The baggy jeans, graphic tees, fitted hat, and bling bling can truly only be seen in movies or tv shows, on certain rappers, and on skaters kings.

Up first.... Jereme Rodgers:






Jereme reminds me of some of the guys I went to high school with. He just seems like he's really laid back and always up to have a good time.


Terry Kennedy

Terry is seemingly one of the freshest skaters alive with his blinged out grills, chains, and he even has his own line of shoes and apparel- TK Fly Society by Supra. His shoes have been worn by the Fall Out Boys, Lil Wayne, Heidi Klum, and Souljah Boy just to name a few.

Overall, to get their looks it doesn't take too much:

graphic tee + baggy jeans + fitted hat + fresh kicks (Supra) + blinged out necklace = The Pro Skater Look

Popular brands among pro skaters range, but they usually wear the threads of their endorsers plus whatever they feel is hot: DVS Shoes and apparel, Supras, Fly Society, KR3W clothing, Famous Stars and Straps, BBC, Nike SB, Nixon watches, RS by Sheckler, New Era fitted hats

Where to buy these brands? ... they all have a website.

Both guys along with buddy Paul Rodriguez have a website called SK8SITE (go figure). And on it it has everything a skater fan could possibly want... videos, photos, event info, etc etc.

So what's your take on skater style?

Men's Style: 2009 Men's Spring Summer Fashion Guide

Long time overdue. I've probably gotten an email a day asking me to post up information on what I think you guys should wear for the spring and summer... this should have been posted in late February/ early March, buuut its cool because global warming has many of us still feeling winter on certain days... spring on others... there have been days in Atlanta and NYC in which I felt like I experienced every season and type of of weather within ONE week.... But anyway, we have about another 5 (maybe 6) warm months to look forward to and my list of spring/summer looks will have you guys fully prepared. (<---- I wrote that in April, geeez I really don't why I procrastinated with this article, lol... anyway its here, yay!)

2009 Men's Spring Summer Fashion Trends

*Clodhopper: Farmer's Delight

There's nothing more refreshing than seeing Americans go back to the basics. Focusing on simplicity and ease, the "Farmer's Delight" look is the spring version of the blue-collar worker... but instead of dressing like you're working in factories and coal mines you dress like you're about to plow the cornfields.

Get the Look: Plaids, gingham, stripes. plain tanks, suspenders, rolled up jeans and sleeves, khakis and cords, fedoras, grandpa reader glasses... combining rustic colors and bold solids work best.

Designers for this look: Paul Smith, Junya Watanabe, Z Zegna

*Retro Bandstand

Wayfarers, band jackets, and ripped jeans- its time to party, let's Rock n Roll! Retro Bandstand is a mixture of the 50s/60s and 80s... think James Dean "Rebel without a Cause" meets Michael Jackson "Thriller" plus a bit more... let's add The Beatles in the mix too.

Get the Look: Alot of denim- ripped and worn, retro glasses, basic shirts and basic color combinations mixed with overly glamed or basic band jackets. Everything you wear should be well fitted.

Designers for this look: Gucci, True Religion, BBC

*Pale Ambitions: Spring's Monochromatic

Earlier this year I wrote about the monochromatic trend that has been showing up in many designer collections over the past 3 seasons -and- upon trendsetting stars. Well, Spring's Monochromatic seems to revolve around 3 main colors: khaki, grey, and white. Keeping it clean and simple for spring is the high-fashion thing to do.

Get the Look: Flat front pants, light blazers, windbreakers that look like baseball jackets, basic tees, man capris (lol, sounds sort of funny to say that), and skinny ties. To take this look to another level pair your khaki/grey/white with a pastel sorbet color (ex. pink, green, yellow.)

Designers: Calvin Klein, Alexander McQueen, Lacoste

Lackadaisical Fella+

"You look like you don't care, yet your work is impeccable." That's what people will say when you rock this look. This is the new-baggy... no it's not gangsterish instead it's care-free and beggarly. It's all about seemingly oversized clothes that may leave some mistaking you for being destitute (but don't worry it's only a mistake).

Get the Look: Harem pants, exaggerated cardigans, loose fitting button-ups, and wide leg trousers. This trend can be best accomplished with visiting your local thrift store- just one visit to a Salvation Army and you'll atleast have 2 articles of clothing to rock.

Designers: Junya Watanabe, Bottega Veneta, Burberry Prorsum

Mr. America+

Barack Obama has inspired us all. He has even inspired people who have, well, completely hated America for atleast 8 odd years to have hope in the US of A once again. Many designers have candidly said that Mr.President has had alot to do with their design choices these days, some even creating logos based upon their renewed since of patriotism (i.e Justin Timberlake/William Rast). The point is-- we're proud. So rockin' red, white, and blue has Neeever felt sooo good.

Get the Look: loafers with no-socks, ray-ban clubmasters, polos, leather goods (belts, shoes, watches, murses/manbags ), canvas shoes, khakis, baseball jackets, you should always look like you're about to go sailing or to a barbecue.

Designers: Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors

Technically Polished

Some people are tired of the bold bright colors and seemingly random pairing of styles from opposing decades. Their answer: Technically Polished. This look is Exactly how it sounds... hair should be perfect, facial hair well-groomed, suits perfectly fitted, obvious matching, and very clean straight-line silhouettes.

Get the Look: Keep it simple. Nicely fitted blazers and suits, satin ties, loafers and lace-ups, light colored button-ups, and white pocket squares. Combine black with a light neutral color.

Designers: Tommy Hilfiger, Louis Vuitton

* original Urban Gentleman trends
+men.style.com inspired.

__________________________________

Best Designer for this Seasons Trends:

Band of Outsiders

They cleverly combined many of this seasons freshest looks: Mr. America, Clodhopper, Retro Bandstand all covered, and they even used Charles Hamilton in their ads to boot!
(DSqaured came in a close second, followed by Gucci.)

Best Star to watch for this seasons Trends:

I Hate to be soo cliche, but Kanye West.
Well, no I can't say him because it's way to cliche' so I'll say,
Zac Efron.
(And to be honest they're both neck and neck...
with a slight edge to Zac because he just seems so amazingly cool.)

Whether he's premiering a movie or cruising around Hollywood with girlfriend Vanessa Hugdens, Zac Efron is always sporting the latest trends.

Must-haves for the Spring/Summer:

- plaid shirt
- wayfarers or the modified wayfarer (aka "the lady gaga glasses)
- jean jacket or light weight baseball jacket
- canvas shoes
- worn or ripped jeans
- a pack of quality white tees
- gold jewelry is still hot on the scene
- consider putting a "ring on it" with a silver knuckle ring

The thing I love most about these trends- they're RECESSION PROOF. Over half of these trends can easily be created by simply taking a trip to your own closet... perhaps depending on your closet. Everything else can be found at a variety of stores-- from Target to Bloomingdales, Salvation Army to TJ Maxx or Filene's Basement.

More Spring/Summer trendy pictures,
from the designers mentioned above:

fashion photos via style.com