Styleforum’s Pitti Uomo 91 Streetstyle, Day 2.5

We’re back with more Pitti Uomo 91 Streetstyle. Check out the slideshow below to see some of the world’s best-dressed men – including a few familiar faces!

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All photos Andreas Klow. Follow Andreas on Instagram at @flannels_and_tweed.


 

4 Important Takeaways from the Independent Retailers Symposium

On Tuesday evening, Arianna and I attended the Permanent Style x Plaza Uomo x Stendström’s (whew) event, part of which was the independent retailers symposium led by Simon Crompton of Permanent Style. On the panel were Mark Cho (The Armoury), Mats Klingberg (Trunk Clothiers), Anda Rowland (Anderson & Sheppard), Ethan Newton (Bryceland’s), Patrick Lof, aka @Leaves (Skoaktiebolaget), and George Wang (Brio). Despite the fact that most people in the room couldn’t tell what was going on thanks to the party that was going on behind us (there were drinks, after all), I stood close enough to the front that I could hear fairly well.

You’ll note that, in addition to being some well-known names, all of these are brick and mortar stores. Their goods and online presences vary, but they are similar in that they all have a strong viewpoint and a devoted following.

  1. Brick and mortar is an advantage, rather than an outdated idea.
    1. Anda told us that a store can only be as valuable as its salespeople feel, and that the relationship between consumer and salesperson, and the knowledge a salesperson has of the product, is where things go very right or very wrong.
    2. Mark Cho compared what independent menswear retailers do to what boutique hotels do. He said that, really, they both operate within the hospitality industry.
    3. Ethan Newton told us that his store is an extension of himself, and an extension of the people that work within it.
  2. The internet works in tandem brick and mortar
    1. The refrain, repeated across almost all the retailers present, was that an internet store was good for in-person business, and that in-person visits were good for internet visits. Many shared stories of customers walking into the store to browse the merchandise, and completing the purchase online, or vice-versa. Mark Cho called this omni-channel approach to retail a positive thing, and the question is not whether it should exist, but how to best leverage it.
    2. Anda, at Anderson & Sheppard, said that they’ve seen particular utility in e-commerce as a way for established customers to buy multiples of an item they own and like – many men still want 5 of the same thing, perhaps in different colors.
  3. There is a give and take between store and client
    1. Stores are generally unsuccessful if they attempt to hard to push a vision that a client isn’t responding to (i.e. buying).
    2. Stores can easily lose their way if they respond only to what clients know they want to buy. There needs to be vision at the head of the retailer.
  4. Stores are brands unto themselves
    1. A good store, like a good brand, has personality – caring staff, knowledge of their product, and a story to tell. This is how retailers develop long-term, loyal clientele.

All in all, it was an interesting talk, albeit brief. It’s a pity it was so loud in the venue, as I would have liked the chance to ask a few more questions. What was most obvious about the group gathered was the passion devoted to both menswear and to retail, which made it seem equally obvious that the best prediction for the future of independent retailers is: “bright.”

The Pittilogues: Pitti Uomo 91, Day 1

Since I flew to Florence from Denver, there was of course a Weed Bro on the plane who had Everything Figured Out. I was banished to the window seat (Lufthansa having somehow ruined my seating reservations), and therefore couldn’t escape from the lecture he gave the young german man sitting in the aisle. Car people just don’t know business, he’s told us, which is why he’s managed to disrupt the entire hail damage repair industry. He wanted to know what everyone did for work, and I was tempted to tell him that I was an ostrich wrangler.

Somehow it seemed like a fittingly absurd conversation to overhear on my way to Pitti 91, where there is an equal amount of absolute certainty about the rules of the fashion system with no demonstration that any of it is even real. My arrival in Italy was punctuated by a 10 hour layover in Frankfurt, which I spent wandering the Innenstadt and people-watching. I watched, for example, a couple flirting at the bar where I ate a truly humongous schnitzel. The boy was wearing cowboy boots with jeans tucked in. The girl was very, very drunk.

Listening to them flirt was fascinating. I took my time over a beer, wondering why we, as a people, seem to only be fascinated by the process of falling in love, and not what comes after. I’m thinking of this in part because of the incredibly trashy YA fantasy romance novels I spend every plane ride reading, but why do we lose interest once the “ILU’s” are traded? Why do we skip from puppy love to heartwarming wrinkled people, with no appreciation in between?

It’s maybe not the greatest metaphor, but I’m going to extend it to fashion anyway. We’re obsessed with the anticipation of what’s next, with the climactic experience of the purchase, and then – well, how many of us have lusted after a piece of clothing only for it to fade to obscurity once it’s in our wardrobe? Arianna, who is at Pitti with me, tells me that something about living in the US just makes her want to buy, buy, buy. And Pitti is very calculated to make you want to buy buy buy, as well – because I can walk into the Monitaly booth and say “I want to wear this head to toe,” then walk next door to De Bonne Facture and say the exact same thing.

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Some quick snaps of De Bonne Facture at Pitti Uomo 91

This was a train of thought that continued to chug along through the haze of jet lag when I arrived at the airport for my flight to Florence – because I had forgotten how easy it is to spot the Pitti-goers, double-breasted and bearded just as they were the last time I made this trek; playing the game even at ten thirty PM in an airport.

It’s a bit awkward to realize that you recognize most of what everyone is wearing. There’s a Gray knit blazer. There’s an LBM casentino overcoat. An East Harbor Surplus down vest. Stone Island. Adidas.  I wonder what the tarmac workers think of us as we climb the ladders to the aircraft, our strange parade of coats-draped over-trousers and bellicose lapels cutting a fine figure through the Frankfurt fog. And once arrived, we descend en masse in equal majesty; a riot of sparkly skull rings and undercuts and white sneakers and hoodies worn under overcoats. I wonder at the cumulative worth of the wardrobes contained within the luggage at the baggage carousel. It takes away the fun of things when it feels as though none of us have any imagination whatsoever. 

Pitti, however, hides some gems. We’ll report back, but I do have some pressing thoughts:

  1. First of all, I can’t help but wonder how long it will take for the see now, buy now mindset to take over Pitti. Choya, a Japanese shirt maker, is taking MTM shirt measurements at their stand, and I can’t imagine they’re alone – or that other brands are far behind.
  2. It felt empty today, on the guest front. I’d be interested to see what the official numbers are.
  3. Hype rules all. Arianna and I went to the presentation of the new collaboration Liverano & Liverano x Roy Rogers denim, and I’ll be damned if I didn’t almost want a pair by the end. And I wondered, per bullet point 1, how many people would have thrown money at the stand hand they been allowed to take the jeans home.
  4. There are a lot of well-dressed people, proportional to the number that look, frankly, ridiculous.
  5. There are a lot of neat brands, too – perhaps it’s Arianna’s idealism that’s rubbing off on me, or perhaps I’ve somehow never noticed in the past, but some of the brands here are, well – they’re cool.
  6. Yasuto Kamoshita remains maybe the best-dressed man on the planet. Wish I’d taken a picture.
  7. The Italian way of eating lunch, in which you drink wine, eat tasty charcuterie, and talk for two hours, is much better than wolfing down whatever hellish fast food you can find while continuing to work, like we do in the states.
  8. Since I know some of you out there are just waiting for me to talk about how miserable I am – yeah, my feet are a little sore.

After all of that, we attended the Permanent Style x Plaza Uomo symposium event, where we saw some old friends. And tomorrow we’ll get into the full swing of things, with a day of fashion shows, parties, and lots of photos from the Fortezza. You’re following us on Instagram, right?

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An Outfit For Pitti Uomo 91

An Outfit For Pitti Uomo

We guarantee that you’ll see at least one person wearing this exact outfit when you’re browsing the media feeds from next week’s Pitti Uomo 91, so even if you’re not going, we figured we’d give you the information you need to look as though you are. Let’s start at the top:

1. Eidos hunting jacket from No Man Walks Alone

If you want to get blogged, you need stand out outerwear. Well, that’s not true. If you want to get blogged, you need to be wearing something ridiculous – which this jacket isn’t. It is, however, ridiculously nice; the kind of jacket that you’ll reach for 9 times out of 10. And it’s perfect for wearing over a sweater and a tee or a tailored shirt.

2. Chimala denim shirt from Mr. Porter

Chambray has been a hit for a few seasons now, and a full-on western shirt is a more casual version of the same. We like this version from Chimala, which is neither too precious nor too rugged.

3. Eleventy cargo pant from Stanley Korshak

Tailored cargo pants are another item that’s not new to the #menswear circuit, but soft cotton and a hint of stretch make this pair from Eleventy the perfect match for a tailored jacket or casual outerwear. And if you really are headed to Pitti Uomo, you’ll enjoy the added comfort and utility of an extra pocket for your chapstick.

4. Braided leather belt from Brooks Bros.

Simple accessories can go a long way, and the added texture that comes from a braided leather belt is a nice bridge between the denim shirt and the sharp-but-casual trousers. Besides, it’s the kind of item that will see a lot of use in your wardrobe, no matter what you’re wearing.

5. J. Fitzpatrick Westlake button boot

We’re big fans of J. Fitzpatrick’s classic-with-a-modern-twist line of footwear, and this par of button boots is an absolute stand-out. Wear them with a suit, wear them with your favorite jeans – hell, wear them with a pair of slim-cut cargo pants. You’re certain to cut a fine figure in a sea of double-monks.

There you have it. You’re ready to watch Pitti from the Fortezza, or from your computer screen. On that note, make sure you’re following Styleforum on Instagram, because next week we’ll be keeping you up-to-date on all the goings-on from Florence.

An Outfit For Pitti Uomo

Who Wore it Best? Styleforum Goes Formal

Winter is terrible for many reasons, not the least of which is the long, long night.  There’s just something so – depressing – about leaving home for work in the dark only to come home from work in the dark.  There are ways, of course, to prevent full-on Seasonal Affective Disorder.  The more common escape is Netflix and chill, which ends up being Netflix and Ben and Jerry’s.  Or you can break out the formalwear and head out for a night out on the town, which is what many of StyleForum’s users did this past month.  How’d they do?  Let’s see.

Styleforum goes formal

@Lensmaster

Lensmaster dusted off his white tie for what looks like a festive evening.  Dive a little more into the WAYWRN thread and you’ll see his headgear for the evening (hint: it’s not a top hat).

Styleforum goes formal

@SprezzaTrash

SprezzaTrash wore what looks like a vintage double breasted tuxedo, and while there’s nothing wrong with his accessories, I wish his placket was ironed a bit more and the handkerchief a touch more stuffed in.  Otherwise, a good fit all around.

@SmittyCL

Smittycl pairs his single breasted peak lapeled dinner jacket with a pleated shirt.  This is a perfectly acceptable option, rarely seen nowadays, possibly because of the reminiscence it conjures of the groovy Seventies, when they (and most everything else) was taken to the extreme.  As an example, I’ll give you Sonny Bono.  Apologies.  But at least his collar hugs his neck.  Yes, burn.

Styleforum goes formal

@Acridsheep

Old e-pal Acridsheep is a hot mess, yet looks great in that sweaty tux.  To his credit, he just performed The Humpty Dance from Bay Area locals Digital Underground (also on WAYWRN), and look at him.  He’s the king of the evening.  Well done.

Styleforum goes formal

@Cleav

Cleav keeps it simple in a double breasted dinner suit with a perfectly pressed shirt, black onyx studs and cuff links, and what may quite possibly be the cutest pocket square the forum has ever seen.

Andy57 looks like a million bucks in this fantastic bespoke velvet dinner jacket from Steed.  I’ve always thought that velvet shawl collared dinner jackets are the rogue, debonair cousins of the tuxedo jacket.  Like other black tie fabrics, such as barathea or mohair/worsted wool blends, the shine of velvet looks best at night, but the shawl collar and softness of the stoffa adds a dash of swanky guile that your regular black tie rig won’t have.  

Formalwear really hasn’t changed all that much in the past 80 years or so, which in today’s world of fashion that revolves faster than Lady Gaga can change outfits is wonderfully constant.  Even so, because it’s seen so rarely, it’s never staid or clichéd.  For that reason, one can browse eBay and stumble upon amazing finds that, with few alterations, can look just as fresh today as they did when they saw their first gala.  Which brings us to what I wore for an evening of ballet at the San Francisco War Memorial:

Styleforum goes formal

I was fortunate enough to find this deadstock double-breasted tuxedo from 1949 that required no alterations whatsoever.  I especially like how the peaks point up at an angle; many from that era had more horizontal, “Tautz” -y lapels, which while not necessarily wrong, can look a bit dated.  Keep your eyes peeled throughout the year and you may find black tie and even full dress white tie outfits, and since they were probably rarely worn, they are often in near-perfect condition.

Technically, the days are starting to get longer, but I do like the opportunities that long nights provide for well-dressed merrymaking.  If nothing else, it’ll force you to host a party of your own to fill up those long, empty evenings.  Because if your only memories of this winter come from binging on Netflix, then brother, ya gotta get out and live.

Pitti Uomo 91 Preview

Pitti Uomo is more than you can possibly grasp from looking at pictures online. Sure, it’s a peacock parade, and this receives an disproportionally large amount of the media attention that surronuds the fair. But then again, this is where you’re likely to meet anyone who’s anyone in the menswear business. As I look forward to returning for the 7th time, Pitti has begun to feel like a reunion of sorts. I’ve met a lot of people at the show who I now consider friends, although they are of course too numerous to name in this text without resorting to tedious name dropping. I think pictures speak louder than words in this instance.

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… and that’s about a third of the people I’m looking forward to seeing again.

Although the crowds milling about inside the Fortezza da Basso are the butt of many jokes, being outside the fair gives you a chance to see some of the clothes that are on display inside the pavilions being worn by actual people. It’s also the place where some of the brands and makers who can’t afford a booth at the fair have a chance to showcase their clothing, shoes, and accessories by wearing them. I’ve met some of the finest craftsmen within their trade on the square outside of the main pavilion. So no, it’s not attended only by men and women who have found fame by dressing for an Instagram or tumblr audience – not that there is anything wrong with that, in my opinion.

There are a lot of people (I think around 50,000 attended the last time around), both outside and inside the pavilions. Some are there to get a chance to get a first glimpse of new collections, to see and perhaps buy some of the finest menswear in the world, and some are there to mainly to mingle. It’s a place where you can fully engage in menswear nerdery for several days in a row, either by talking about it in detail with other guys, or by studying the actual products. From what I’ve gathered from friends who are exhibiting at Pitti, the time is equally focused on making contacts for future sales, as it is on making sales during the days of exhibition.

Meeting people doesn’t stop when the fair closes down for the day. A lot of magazines, websites and brands host nighttime events. Some of the events that we never miss are Plaza Uomo’s (Swedish menswear magazine), Ign Joseph’s (shirt & accessories maker), Simon Crompton’s Symposium (this year luckily cohosted with Plaza Uomo) and a few others. I also try and squeeze in as many dinners as possible, because…you know, Italy. If you haven’t run into anyone by the time events and dinners end, you’ll have a 99% chance of meeting them at Caffe Gilli, in the historic center of Florence. I’m no big fan of Gilli’s overpriced drinks, rude staff, and cramped space, but I’ll probably find myself there at least 3 out of the 4 nights I’m in Florence.

While at the fair I generally don’t look at all the biggest or most well-known exhibitors. I can see their wares displayed in shop windows back home, and on every #menswear tumblr and Instagram account. For me, it’s more fun to venture into the exhibitors’ halls without too much of a schedule. I’m not there to buy (mainly), I’m there for inspiration, and to write about this for you guys.

Of course, makers such as Drake’s and Ring Jacket and other equally famous#menswear brands are super inspiring, and I will definitely look up their new collections, but for me it’s usually most rewarding to head into the makers section of Pitti. I always come back to this in all my trade show write-ups, but it’s where you’ll find the most new and small brands at Pitti. The ones who try out new and weird ideas, for better or for worse. It is never boring, though.

I also like to see new and inventive ideas mixed with traditional designs. A lot of the makers I often find myself talking to for the longest time are Japanese. Like Hybrid Sensor, for example, who integrate new, man-made high-functionality fibers into traditional tailoring. Of course, this is off-putting for a lot of traditionalists, but personally I’m quite interested in technical advancements in the making of classic clothing.

Other interesting exhibitors for me are:

Camoshita United Arrows – beautiful mix of Japanese austerity and Italian flair & tailoring.
Pitti Uomo 91 Preview Yasuta Camoshita
Hestra – Swedish glove makers who offer bespoke gloves in all the most beautiful materials you can imagine.

Inis Meain – original knitwear from the island of Inis Meáin, off the coast of Ireland. Sounds romantic right? Their knitwear definitely reflects it.

La Portegna – Spanish leather artists, making some of the most beautiful leather goods around.

Le Loir En Papillon – the man behind the name, Mickael, has built his own little world consisting of beautiful and original accessories. All truly personal and quite tasteful.

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Levi’s Made & Crafted – in my opinion, one of Levi’s most interesting collections at the moment.

Loic et Gil – yet another highly unique and interesting accessory maker.

Norwegian Rain – combining high tech materials with natural fibers, in both fashion forward and more traditional designs. Very Scandinavian friendly in downplayed colour schemes and clean designs.

Sastreria 91 – this is a family owned tailor and haberdashery store from Spain, owned by my dear friends Paul and Kat. They offer some truly original tailoring and accessories, all very true to their Spanish heritage.

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Kat of Sastreria 91.

Sciamat – the Ricci brothers have really made an impact with their very recognizable house style. It’s a bit daring, but I find it quite inspiring.

TBD Eyewear – a company making handmade glasses, started by the always delightful Fabio Attanasio. They have made quite an impact in a short time. Not only because of Fabio’s #menswear fame, but also very much due to the clean and classic designs.

Viberg – classic workwear boots and casual shoes. What’s not to like?

All in all, I’m looking forward to a week without much sleep, but hopefully a week that leaves me with new inspiration, ideas and friends.

This year my fiancée can’t come along because of work, but I will try to do some coverage of the fair anyway, with @Anden doing some photography.


Erik is co-founder of EFV Clothing. You can find him on Instagram at @ErikMannby. If you’re attending Pitti Uomo 91 this January, let us know in the comments below!

Member Focus: Anden

Anden, who has graciously agreed to be the first “Member Focus” of 2017,  is a classic menswear poster who manages to bring a youthful slant to a world of men accused of dressing like grandpas. Of course, in his mind, that’s no bad thing.


I have always been interested in clothes, and I remember my grandfather always being well dressed – even when taking me to the playground. How I have dressed in the past has been a matter of context, so I haven’t always worn a coat and tie (even though I always loved my wine DB jacket from Givenchy – my 90’s Christmas jacket). 

My employment for the last decade as a lawyer led me into the world of classic menswear. I work in a mid-sized firm and I have the freedom to dress as I like most days. There are days where the dark worsted suit, white shirt, and black shoes together with a soporific tie is the only available option, but the rest of the time I can dress in a variety of formal suits and less formal sport coat and odd trouser combos. 

When I started working in the firm I got me a new blue suit. Having no real clue, I ended up with one that was too large all over and I wore it with an ugly pair of black shoes from Lloyds. Those shoes and the bad fit of the suit were’nt the worst part… I spent a summer in Chicago prior to graduation, and while there I picked up a pink tie from the Trump collection. I was so proud of this splash of color that I wore it a lot. When writing this I tried to find it, but it seems to have gone missing in my latest move.

What a pity.

When I was in law school I purchased a pair of cognac chukkas from PRL (the lower grade stuff) that I wore extensively for roughly a decade. They developed a great patina, and I decided to get something similar but in black. This was my first contact with Styleforum – researching which model from RM Williams to buy. After this purchase I decided to get a better dress shoe, and influenced by the current #menswear trends at the time I went for a double monk from Crockett & Jones. This pair has seen a lot wear, and is among my most comfortable shoes. This was in 2010-2011, which is when I feel my sartorial journey started, and without SF I wouldn’t have been able to acquire all the knowledge. Posting in the WAYWRN thread is the best way to get honest feedback on your fits. 

After some purchases that I regretted, I decided to make a list of what I would like to have in my wardrobe, and my wardrobe-building started. I spent a lot of time looking for a perfect navy jacket, which I think is one of the first items to get. Well – I thought I got the perfect jacket but that has been revised since – and now I am in a place where I have almost everything on my initial list (and quite a lot more items too…). 

What defines my style? I wear sports coats with an OCBD, wool or cashmere tie and flannel trousers almost every day during autumn, winter and early spring – and very rarely without a vest in wool or cashmere. I get to hear that I dress like an old man, and to me that is a compliment. I have done my experimenting and I know what I like and feel comfortable to wear. 

I will be going to Pitti Uomo in a couple of weeks as a correspondent for SF so you will hear more from me soon. I’m looking forward to meeting those of you who will be going too. 

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You can find Anden on Instagram at @flannels_and_tweed 

A 2016 Hangover Outfit

hangover outfit styleforum

As we finally wave goodbye to 2016 and watch it dwindle in the rearview mirror, it’s not a bad idea to face the New Year (and any lingering headaches) with a sense of humor. In that spirit, we’ve put together a 2016/2017 hangover outfit that’s a combination of predictions for the year ahead, as well as a gesture to the one that just came to an end.

Let’s start with shoes. Zespa became a forum favorite overnight, thanks to clean design and some very timely sales shared in the Official Sales Alert thread. Expect to see a lot of these in 2017, as people grow ever more bored of Common Projects. We’re certain that, along with Zespa, ESK knits will continue to grow in popularity on the forum, especially since there hasn’t been a de facto piece of required knitwear since the SNS Herning “Stark.”

Second, track pants have been making another weird resurgence, thanks both to the continued rise of athleisure and some canny marketing on the part of several large streetwear brands. Kappa, in particular, featured at Gosha Rubchinskiy’s s/s2017 show this past June at Pitti Uomo, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the 90’s logo’d side tape makes a comeback as hype for nostalgia brands reaches a fever pitch. On that note, don’t forget your Calvin Klein branded trunks, which are ideal for showing off over of the top of your track pants.

Finally, a printed shirt and a really loud coat will give your hangover outfit the presence it needs to let your admirers know that you don’t take yourself too seriously. And combined with everything else, it’s a mishmash so calculated you’re bound to end up on at least one streetstyle blog, because even in 2017, those are still a thing.

You see, this year is going to be the year of the ignoring individual trends in favor of showing a middle finger to your Instagram followers. We’re all looking for the visual long-tail-keyword to define our individual fashion alt-text, and specificity – both on social media and in our wardrobe choices – is the new meta. So wear what you want to wear, and damn the consequences.

  1. Ann Demeulemeester sheep fur coat from FWRD
  2. ESK Jim cardigan
  3. Marni print shirt from East Dane
  4. Kappa Track Pants
  5. Zespa ZSP4 from END.
  6. Damir Doma x Mykita sunglasses from SSENSE
  7. Calvin Klein Trunks

How to Look Great on New Year’s Eve

At Styleforum’s global headquarters, we’re exposed to a great deal of really bad advice on how to look great on New Year’s Eve. It’s understandable – we’re constantly exposed to a great deal of really bad menswear advice in general. However, when we see suggestions as egregious as, for example, “Dress up your business casual by wearing a dinner jacket with chinos,” we do feel compelled to intervene.

Now, there’s no foolproof way to look great on New Year’s Eve, just as there’s no longer any foolproof way to look great all the time, period. After all, we don’t know what your plans are. You could be attending one of the ubiquitous 1920’s balls that pop up year after year. You may plan to arrive at a costume party festooned in peacock feathers (in which case, please invite us). You may be headed to a frat party (in which case, you have our pity). You may plan to spend the evening at home with loved ones. Our point is that there are no hard-and-fast rules for New Year’s Eve, aside from what you find written inside your party invitation. Frankly, that’s what makes it kind of fun.

Nevertheless, for those of us without glamorous balls to attend or kegs to stand upon, there may be a happy medium. New Year’s Eve is a chance for revelry and – dare we say it – hedonism, and at Styleforum we recommend you embrace that spirit in whichever form you see fit. Here are a few tips on how to look great when the lights go dim and the champagne starts to flow.


Outfit Tips

Avoid Office-Wear

Maybe this isn’t the time to wear a charcoal notch-lapel jacket and your well-worn chinos. It’s New Year’s Eve! Live a little! We’re not saying you have to wear a purple velvet suit (although you certainly could), but at least a pair of black jeans will look more festive than khaki trousers.

If you’re looking for a simple way to elevate your existing wardrobe but you don’t want to wear a tuxedo, consider sporting a trim black turtleneck under your sport coat. These look great with both solid colors and subtle patterns, and it’s an easy and inexpensive way to gussy up what you’ve got already.

Ditch your beat-up selvage denim

Bet you never thought we’d say that, but unless you’re taking cues for our most recent holiday outfit suggestion, consider hanging up your well-worn denim in favor of something a bit more polished. The aforementioned black jeans are one option, as are, y’know, trousers – black or navy are a good bet.  And on that note…

Embrace Dark Colors

Eveningwear tends to be dark, and for good reason – deep, lustrous colors pick up on the limited light sources that accompany a festive atmosphere without looking washed out or gaudy, have a more formal appearance, and are generally more forgiving under harsh light. That doesn’t mean you have to wear black, though – in fact, we recommend against it unless you’re wearing a tuxedo. Navy is a far more appropriate color for evening than grey, and midnight blue is a true classic for a dinner jacket or tuxedo. If you’re after something a bit more spirited, deep purples, navies or burgundies are rich and eye-catching without being gaudy. Options for your consideration include velvet and sharkskin, both of which look fantastic after dark.

Pay Attention to Your Shoes

We have read, on websites that shall not be named, that shoes don’t matter because nobody is going to look at your feet. Wrong, wrong, and wrong. Shoes are one of the few areas in which we regularly encourage our readers to engage in what could be construed as irresponsible spending, and one of the reasons is that people absolutely do notice what’s on your feet – including you. New Year’s Eve is an occasion that asks a bit more from us than our beat-up Converse sneakers.

Forego the chukkas, forego the pristine Common Projects, and try a pair of sleek black boots or even evening slippers for a more celebratory tone (or pumps, if you’re in a tuxedo). If you’re wearing a suit or tux, black wholecuts are always an elegant option, although oxfords – without a toe-cap – are also a solid choice for a formal occasion, and are much more versatile than a patent shoe.

Try Not To Overdo It

Seriously. Go ahead and wear that snakeskin-print dinner jacket if you want to. We can’t think of a more fitting occasion. However, we do feel compelled to warn you of the perils of over-accessorizing. The horrible truth is that you’re probably not as cool as Captain Jack Sparrow, and that few of us look nice when dripping in sparkly things.


Further Advice

Know Your Audience

Remember when we said we didn’t know what your plans are? You’re going to have to make your own judgement calls on what is or isn’t appropriate for your NYE plans. f you’re having people over for a night of board games, maybe don’t wear a tuxedo. Likewise, if you’re going out to a nice dinner with evening plans, don’t go in PJ’s. See what we’re saying here?

Wear Something You’re Comfortable In

Every year, we see photos of revelers in ridiculous themed outfits, star-shaped stunna shades, and intentionally absurd get-ups. In many of these images, tucked away in a shameful back corner, you can spot a party-goer who wasn’t quite feeling it. Maybe they didn’t really think they looked all that good in a fishnet bodystocking. Maybe they weren’t sold on the “Warning: May Contain Alcohol” t-shirt their friend insisted they wear under their jacket. Feeling uncomfortable in your own skin doesn’t lend itself to great style, and more importantly, it doesn’t lend itself to having a great time. If you really want to look great on New Year’s Eve, make sure that your outfit, even if it’s a party outfit, feels like you.

If that means ignoring everyone one of these pieces of advice, you have our blessing. We’d rather you have a great time in untied sneakers and a pair of gym shorts than feel like a schmuck in the finest tux.

 

Last, But Not Least

If you’re going to a black tie event…wear black tie.


From all of us at Styleforum, have a happy, stylish – and SAFE – New Year’s Eve!