Good, better, and best! Spring Attire!

Just as sunlight peaks from beneath the clouds, so to do we emerge from the layers of clothing that warm us during the wintery absence of Mr. Sun. This exciting time allows us to tease and titilate with a glimpse of skin before the summer heat makes clothing more of a nuisance. Light Blue is de rigor for men this season. Now this is a bit of a corundrum as most of my Denim has faded and one does not want to be a visual representation of the color value scale. Gray and White are easy pairings, for the for the fashionistadors seafoam green and beige also work well.

Good:











Blake Boot Cut Jean, Greyline Corded Stripe 2-Button Jacket, & Walpole Embroidered Buttondown shirt Courtesy of Expressfashion.com

Champion C9 Shoe shown in gray Courtesy of target.com

Better:






The Dobby Buttondown shirt, The Tribute Falcon Jean, The Chill Shoe, and Thin Aviator Sunglasses



Courtesy of Guess by Marciano



Best:

Jultras Blazer & Spuntis Shirt by Diesel
Larkee Regular Straight Jean by Diesel

Prada Linea Rosa Blue Tennis Shoe

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.com

Good, better, and best!

So I stated that we would begin with the ground up, having covered shoes we'll move to socks. This is one area that you get what you pay for and unlike the designer shoes the bulk of the cost is in quality here. I heartily recommend a whole drawer filled with basic white cotton in calve and ankle length, as the weather gets cooler use the calfe lenght to provide extra warmth and protection for outdoor activities and workout routines. In warm summer months use the shorter versions, unless you are wearing sandals - socks and sandals are like oil and water do not mix! Sandals and Loafers do not require socks - thats the whole point of a boat shoe and a slip on. Sneakers, boots, and Oxfords, anything with a lace do require socks. If you coordinate you will earn bonus points for the ladies, and this is the element where you can personlize it a bit. However black socks do not go with light shoes and vice versa - a good rule of thumb is to think of the lint - will the socks leave a noticeable lint residue in the shoe - then you have the wrong color. Black socks should never be paired with white tennis shoes - which would lead you that white shoes should never be paired with a black tuxedo. Convesely white socks should never be paired with a Navy or black suit. One doesn't really want others to notice ones socks, but if you commit these fashion transgressions, sniggers will accompany down the hall, corridor, and mens room.

Good, better, and best! Casual Shoes

Have to tip my hat for a friend's suggestion (thanks A). As I have always wanted to be a style guru, why not jump in with both feet? I will state that class and taste can be inherant traits, but they can be taught as well. So as part of a new series, we'll start from the ground up with appropriate clothing for the season. (New shoes happen to be one of my personal fetishes!) While I shouldn't have to state it, it may be mistaken by my examples that better shoes are inherantly more expensive. This is not the case, it just happens to be coincidence with my examples.

Good CASUAL shoe: Cole Haan AIR GRANADA SPORT OXFORD $99.95
Style # C05152- Sleek sport-inspired sport oxford with visible NIKE AIR Technology in the heel in soft embossed nubuk and suede. Lightweight rubber nub sole. Shown in ink.


Better CASUAL Shoe: Louis Vuitton Zephyr Sneaker in Monogram Mini shown in denim. Inspired by the steamer bag.



Best CASUAL shoe: PRADA Linea Rossa Black & SiIver Sneakers
Price: $995.00 Black crocodile leather, gray mesh. Red logo tag. Tonal stitching and laces. Rubber driving sole. Imported. (Neiman Marcus exclusive)