The Hong Kong Dream: 2008

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Argentina is never a hotbed for fashion. Nobody ever said, styles from Tokyo, London, New York, Milan AND BUENOS AIRES. But seeing all this from GQ's layout changed everything. Indulge!

SPORTING CHANCE
One of the best ways to integrate color into your wardrobe is through sportswear. Pick two colors that obviously go together and let it ride.

NOT-BLUE JEANS
Colored jeans—remember them from the ‘80s?—work best when they’re the only color in your outfit. Opt for a white dress shirt and black suit jacket and you can’t miss.

PASTEL, POR FAVOR
If you’re going to wear turquoise pants, do so with an equally spirited shirt. Skip the white button-down and go with something in a soft pastel, like this one

COLOR SUITED
Can’t deal with matching too many colors? Then don’t. A boldly printed dress shirt always works best with a dark suit.

MONO A MONO
Whenever wearing colors, you can always go monochromatic and let patterns provide the splash.

RIGHT FOR WHITE?
First of all, yes, you can pull off a white suit. Especially one that’s cut as well as this one. Second, wear it with a dash of color so you won’t look like Mr. Roarke.

THREE-WAY THE RIGHT WAY
A trio of strong colors work together if you keep patterns to a minimum. The dark shade of green helps to anchor the mix.

COURT SENSE This modern take on the tennis sweater becomes evening wear when matched with dark trousers and white shoes.

LOOPY IDEA
Believe it or not, belts are made in colors other than black and brown. Buy one.

Evisu Ninja Shoes and Bad Ass Clothes

Remember Brando as Johnny Strabler in The Wild One? Or Joey Ramone onstage at CBGB? They were cloaked in leather jackets so hard and stiff, you wonder how they lifted their arms past their waists. But just as we now buy prewashed T-shirts that look and feel as if they’ve been ours for years, leather has kept pace. Trading horsehide for the softer treated leather of lamb- and goatskin, manufacturers have created a look that you don’t need a Harley to pull off.

But it’s not just the skins that have changed; it’s the entire treatment process. Designer Rick Owens, whose supple leather jackets are obsessed over by fashion types, says the secret is in the timing. “It all depends on how long the jacket is washed, how long it’s dried, whether we hang or machine-dry. It’s not an exact science—it’s not NASA—but there’s a lot of elements that go into it.”

Dress It Up
Sure, you can wear a tie with a leather jacket—as long as you keep both items on the slim side. This isn’t business attire; it’s night-out gear.

Dress It Down
If you’re going to buy a leather jacket with attitude, the rest of your outfit needs attitude, too. A trim-cut biker jacket doesn’t jibe with comfortable casual-Friday khakis and a polo shirt.

The Perfect Fit

• A leather jacket should hug your shoulders, not slouch off them.

• Well-made leather jackets come with high-cut armholes, eliminating excess fabric—like a quality steak trimmed of unnecessary fat.

• Notice how slim and snug—and cool—this jacket is? Don’t be afraid to try on a jacket a size smaller than you think you need. It will often give you the fit you’re hoping for.

• Slim sleeves—that aren’t too long—are the final ingredient. And you want that ingredient list complete. Unlike with a suit jacket, you’re not going to get your leather jacket tailored.

• Your jacket should not reach halfway down your thighs. Like a good jean jacket, it should hit at your waist.