Trend to Skip - Varsity Jackets (unless your name is Axel Foley)

Rag and Bone; $695.00

http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/

From the universally cool Converse Chuck Taylor's to the eponymous Polo shirt, men have been adopting items from the sporting world into their daily wardrobes pretty much since they started caring about fashion (lets not forget that the Bowler hat was designed primarily as a gentleman's riding hat). The problem is that some of these items make the transition more smoothly than others. This season brings yet another foray into classic ivy league sporting style with designers pushing the varsity jacket as the newest must have item. The varsity or letterman jacket traditionally has a heavy wool body with arms in leather and is adorned with various totems of athletic achievement such as patches, stripes or pins. When you wear one in school it sends a clear message that you are proud of your team and your athletic ability, however sporting one after graduation sends a more muddled message.

On the average man who doesn't spend his week prepping to play in the weekend's big game, a varsity jacket can end up looking sad and out of place. The wearer either appears adolescent and immature (in the case of most 20 somethings who attempt the look) or like they are unwilling to let go of the "glory days" (anyone over the age of 30, especially if you're exercise regimen has lapsed). If you want to incorporate a classic sense of school spirit into your wardrobe without the risk of appearing either inexperienced or washed up, a better option is the cardigan. Its more versatile than a varsity jacket and comes without the guilt of wearing championship patches you didn't earn (either way you go, skip the patches).

Dandy of the Week - Raphael Saadiq

Raphael Saadiq knows how to wear a suit. Slim and tailored throughout with a little flaring at the jacket and pant cuffs to help retain a sense of personal style. His close cropped hair, thick black glasses and slim ties display the kind of attention to detail in finishing a look that every man should embrace. Its the reason he both sounds and looks like authentic Motown soul. But what else should we expect from someone who played base for Prince, helped found Tony! Toni! Tone! and has produced for John Legend. Truly style to be emulated.

How to Survive a Wedding without Offending In-Laws or Sacrificing Dignity

Every gentleman should be prepared to properly navigate the experience of a wedding, whether he is the guest, the best man or the groom. Below are just a few things to remember when surrounded by drunken relatives and friends.

Tips for a gentleman attending:

• Wear a suit or tux; it shows respect for the couple and is a good excuse to get dressed up.
• Congratulate the bride and groom and thank them for having you, regardless of whether you’re some stranger there with their distant cousin (if this is the case, don't forget to introduce yourself properly. Their day has been awkward enough already)
• Dance until you’re out of breath
• Thank the parents of the bride and groom, they likely bought the salmon and top shelf drinks you’re enjoying
• Talk to strangers, not just the few people you arrived with.

 A true gentleman should not:

• Drink too much, regardless of whether it is open bar and especially if you plan on toasting in an hour.
• Roast the groom. while a bit of ribbing in a toast is fun, bringing up anything overly personal or embarrassing is distasteful.
• Wear anything that makes you look like a part of the wedding party, unless you are part of said wedding party; plan accordingly.
• Ruin their memories by sneaking into photo backgrounds; its not as funny to their families as it is to you.
• Unnecessarily draw attention away from the bride and groom; its their day and you’ll get yours, hopefully.

 Tips for the Groom:

• Regardless of your fear of public speaking, a true gentleman thanks his guests for attending.
• Chat with your new relatives; you'll be seeing quite a lot of them from now on.
• Buy your suit or tux rather than rent; its the difference between looking like James Bond or looking like a used car salesman.
• Have a drink or two, but maintain control. Slurred speech and falling over will not make your significant other happy.
• Your only job is to dress in a way that doesn’t take an eye away from the bride and to do everything in your power to make her smile.  

Groom's should not:

• Smash cake into your bride’s face. I’m not sure how this started, and it may have been funny and spontaneous the first time, but now its just clichéd and disrespectful.
• Make out in front of your friends, family and priest. Save it for the limo ride.
• Let all of your groomsmen and bridesmaids give speeches if you have more than two of each. Anything more than that is cruel to your guests who have to sit through two hours of increasingly drunken inside jokes; there’s a reason for designating the best man and maid of honor.
• Bang utensils on your glass to get people’s attention. Speak up if you want to be heard
• Show up late. Punctuality is a good rule in general but especially so for nuptials.

Five Picks, One Look - British Heritage

The British are no strangers to dressing well. England is, after all, the country that invented the dandy and London in the 1960's was a Fashion mecca rivaling New York, Paris and Milan. The Mod movement was at it's height; embraced by fashion and music savvy youths from predominantly middle and lower classes appropriating the styles and brands of the upper crust for themselves. Shaggy headed youths in Fred Perry Polo's riding around on Vespa's during the day and hitting Northern Soul hot spots like the Twisted Wheel in finely tailored suits at night. The Mod movement is today considered a milestone in British fashion and continues to permeate style in the UK and around the world, and just as American heritage style is getting its second wind, so to is British heritage. Below are a few, time-tested essentials.

Trim collar button-up

$89.00

http://www.benshermanusa.com/

 

Harrington Jacket

$280.00

http://www.fredperry.com/

http://www.zappos.com/

 

Slim Fit Trousers

$30.00

http://www.hm.com/

 

Skinny Suspenders

$18.00

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

 

Brogue Lace-up boots

$300.00

http://www.grenson.co.uk/ 

Last Chance! Alexander McQueen - Savage Beauty at the Met.

                                         http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/

This weekend is the last opportunity to see the Alexander McQueen - Savage Beauty exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art here in New York. From his early years studying tailoring on Saville Row before his rise at Givenchy, to the final few collections of staggering genius he produced for his own eponymous label; the exhibit offer a teasingly brief glimpse at the brilliant body of work produced by a designer who left us long before his time. It runs through August 7th (Sunday) and the Museum will be open late Saturday and Sunday to accomodate the rush, though when I went on a Tuesday afternoon weeks ago there was still a half hour wait, so be prepared and rest assured it is well worth the time.

Five Picks, One Look - Looking Forward to Fall

Fall is fast approaching and you don't want to be left out in the cold when the weather, not to mention the style, changes. Pick up any one, or all, of the five following pieces (all currently available) and get a head start on building that autumn wardrobe.

The Classic Herringbone Jacket
Whitman Herringbone, Ludlow Fit
$298.00
http://www.jcrew.com/

The Shawl Collar Cardigan
Available in navy or gray, each with elbow patches
$35.00
http://www.hm.com/

Plaid button-up for layering
Cotton or flannel, depending on the weather
$30.00
http://www.uniqlo.com/

Slim-Fit Cords
Rust is a great alternative to brown
$58.00
http://www.levis.com/

The Vintage Rucksack
The gentleman's backpack
$138.00
http://www.fredperry.com/