from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

I have to admit to being pretty much a fair weather motorcyclist. If it’s raining, I’m not taking the bike out. And if it’s cold? Forget about it. My lower temperature threshold is about 60-degrees. And sometimes even that’s pushing it. Because once you get over 40mph, you’re getting a good amount of wind and some serious chill.

| WEARING | All Saints leather jacket, Turtleneck c/o Ted Baker, Jeans c/o 7FAM, Boots c/o UGG | PHOTOGRAPHY | by Rob McIver Photo

Keeping my neck warm has never been an issue. Just throw on a chunky scarf or a turtleneck, which I’ve actually been favoring recently. And my leather driving gloves are all I usually need for my hands.

The one area I’ve always overlooked, however, has been my feet. I generally underestimate (or plain forget) how much exposure they have to the wind, which leads cold toes and regrets about 30 minutes into a ride.

Enter UGG’s latest boot – Treadlite Weather. They’re waterproof in case I do happen to get caught in the rain and are actually temperature rated for -4 degrees Fahrenheit – though I doubt I’ll ever be riding when it’s below zero. The entire line looks great, but my favorite is the Hannen TL. Simple, rugged, lightweight and warm. See you on the road.

Don’t miss our Fall Boot Guide.

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

Disclosure: In partnership with UGG Australia. The opinions expressed herein are mine alone and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of UGG Australia.

The post Riding In Warmth and Style: The Treadlite Boot first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

Dating apps are a beautiful, beautiful thing. With a left swipe you can totally dismiss someone’s entire existence, eradicating them from your life sans moral repercussions or having to suffer through a trial date.

With that being said, you know your gender of choice is going to be swiping past tens of hundreds of people at an alarming rate, so you want your own profile to stand out. Or at the very least, avoid falling into creating the stereotypical profile females avoid like the plague.

The following are 10 common dating profile cliches that I (at the very least), immediately dismiss. Most of this should hopefully seem like common sense, but you have no idea how often I come across these fallacies. Modern Darwinism at its best!

10 Dating Profile Cliches to Avoid

1. The Fitness Junkie

The Issue: We get it, you work out and appreciate your body. Congratulations, you’re one more narcissist in a sea of creatine junkies substituting fitness for love. Being in shape is great and strongly encouraged, but if you have more than one or two body shots in your profile, you’re going to come across as self-obsessed.

The Fix: It’s best to say in passing, or better yet, infer that you’re a gym enthusiast, rather than hitting us over the head with it like the huge weights you’re assumedly compensating something else for…

2. Where’s Waldo?

The Issue: Unless you’re a recluse living in a cabin in the woods, you’re going to have friends with you at a sporting event, wedding, or party. Congratulations, you have achieved the unthinkable and accumulated a group of people that at the very least tolerate you! But who is you?

The Fix: One large group photo is fine, but any more where we’re searching for whoever the hell you are, and we’re going to give up entirely. We’ve already wasted precious moments of our life we’ll never get back on your profile – any more is just damn greedy.

3. Is That Your Kid?

The Issue: Depending on your age, tolerance for children and fear of your own mortality, kids may be on your radar. However, this could be a huge deal-breaker. If you’re holding little ones and not specifying whether they’re nieces or nephews – we’re going to assume the worst.

The Fix: Again, this is either a big YES or NO for every respective person, so don’t let my immaturity dissuade you. If you have kids, be upfront, because no one wants to waste their time — I think that goes for both of us.

4. The Question of Religion

The Issue: Whether you’re down with Jesus, Allah, Buddha, G-d, Kurt Cobain, Emperor Palpatine, a Golden Calf – if it’s important to you then please join a dating app for your respective religion. Unless you’re on a site for your respective beliefs, most people you encounter will not share your passion.

The Fix: If you feel that strongly about your religion, definitely mention it and toss in a photo of you on a Church mission or Bar-Mitzvah, but realize that some people might not take the hint and go for it just because you’re hot. For the sake of everyone’s time, try to be upfront about what you consider to be of the utmost importance.

5. FYI, You Graduated College

The Issue: College was a wonderful time for most of us. Unfortunately, after four or so years of feigning scholarly pursuits and seeing how much of a sorority you could work your way through without them figuring it out, college ends.

The Fix: A plethora of drinking photos or – please, no – old fraternity photos is a red flag boldly waving in the wind. Keep the beer-bonging and blacked-out saga photos on a password-protected server for your bros.

6. The Corporate Drone

The Issue: Most of us are working a 9-6 (or more) in a corporate environment and are vividly aware that our place of business is where we spend the majority of our time. If you’ve ever listened to the lyrics of “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve while quietly sobbing during Cruel Intentions, you get it.

The Fix: This doesn’t mean you can’t show photos of yourself wearing something other than a suit or your Best Buy uniform. Show your full range of work/life balance and if you’re a workaholic, fake some semblance of a life.

7. Showboating

The Issue: Money makes the world go ’round. It’s an indisputable and cruel fact of life, but that doesn’t mean you should flaunt it and throw your excess of it in someone’s face.

The Fix?: There is absolutely nothing wrong with being wealthy but by showing off your most shallow assets, you’re going to attract people who are mostly interested in that instead of your sparkling personality (or lack thereof). But if you’re going for the PYT contingent with a one-track mind, then my friends and I will see you on Saturday!

8. Your Pet is Your Child

The Issue: Pets are the best because they unconditionally love you, genital warts and all. But no matter how hot you are, can I really compete with a sleepy puppy? Having an animal shows that you’re mature and competent enough to keep another entity besides yourself alive, but showing off too much of that animal is a red flag.

The Fix: One or two pictures of you with your pet is fine. However, having Mr. Whiskers in all of them speaks to your avoidance of forming human bonds.

9. Is He Secretly Fat?

The Issue: I know I mentioned earlier that you shouldn’t show an excessive amount of body shots, but a lack of them makes for distrust. We start to wonder what you’re hiding. The same sentiment goes for height. If you’re sitting down in all your photos and not mentioning how tall you are in your bio, we assume the worst.

The Fix: Be honest. And no, you’re not allowed to photoshop your troubles away.

10. The Painful Bio

The Issue: Bios are supposed to speak to your personality in a succinct and creative fashion while successfully getting across sense of humor. Piece of cake, right? The good news is that most people don’t actually spend time reading your profile.

The Fix: Avoid these common, painful lines and you should be okay:

1) Work hard/play hard
2) Dog Daddy
3) My Mom says I’m a catch
4) The rash should clear up soon
5) Not my kid (but I’m virile!!!!)
6) Looking for a real down to Earth girls, no gold diggers haha
7) Emojis. Please, no emojis.

Chime in: Any other dating profile cliches to avoid?

Stylishly Yours,

Sarah Solomon

Follow Sarah on Twitter at her personal handle @sarahsolfails or her parody account, @urbanJAP.

Photography by Rob McIver Photo

The post Humor Me: 10 Dating Profile Cliches to Avoid first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

You already know we’re big fans of monochromatic dressing at HSS. It’s a simple way to make a serious statement. Here’s a monochromatic fall look featuring a dark brown suit and a turtleneck sweater.

| WEARING | Vintage Yves Saint Laurent suit, Turtleneck c/o Ted Baker, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Citizen watch, Silvano Sassetti wingtip shoes | PHOTOGRAPHY | by Rob McIver Photo

Turtlenecks have been making a big comeback over the past couple of years. Personally, I don’t know why they ever fell out of favor. In place a button-up and tie, a layered turtleneck conveys a sense of confidence, sophistication and suave elegance.

I’ve always considered myself more of a silver guy, but I’ve gradually started to shift over to favor gold accessories. Gold pairs effortlessly with brown – both are rich and earthy tones.

Speaking of brown, I still can’t get over that I found this Vintage YSL suit for $250 in LA. As you’ve probably noticed, it’s one of my favorites because of the fit and the color. When it comes to starting a smart suit wardrobe, navy and grey are the usual first choices, but I would put a brown suit right up there as a third option – if not substituted for grey.

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

The post All In: Monochromatic Dressing for Fall first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

When you think of classic menswear fabrics, it doesn’t quite get any more classic than tweed. It looks just as good on a lumberjack – classic or urban – as a rugged, outdoorsy coat as it does on a bookish professor as a soft-shouldered blazer, or even on a slick urban professional as a slim well-tailored suit.

So where does tweed fabric come from? And what is tweed, exactly?

Tweed goes back so far that it’s exact origins are little sketchy, especially when it comes to the name itself. My favorite story claims that a Scottish mill contacted a British buyer offering a fabric they described as ‘tweel’ – the Scots term for twill.

Being the pre-text message 1800s, the inquiry came by hand-written letter, and the merchant mistook ‘tweel’ for ‘tweed,’ which was at the time not a fabric, but the name of a river in Scotland. The buyer ran with the term and voila, ‘tweed’ entered the menswear lexicon for good.

From Scotland to the World: Tweed Usage Through History

As for the use of the fabric itself, things get a little clearer. Tweed was originally hand-woven by the peasants and farmers of Scotland and England and worn to fight the cold and damp climates, as it is characteristically warm and resistant to wind and water.

Eventually, tweed was adopted by the Edwardian elite as a sporting fabric (for the same reasons) for high class activities such as hunting, shooting, riding, and eventually early motorsports. It then became common among the aspiring middle class, who associated the fabric with the pursuits of the wealthy.

Over the years, it’s popularity has waxed and waned, but it’s never disappeared and is going as strong as ever in the age of the modern gentleman.

Tweed Production Then & Now

Unlike most menswear fabrics, tweed isn’t actually defined by a specific weave – in fact, it comes in many weaves, most commonly plain, twill, or herringbone. Instead, it’s defined by its rough woolen texture and its traditionally earthy color palette that comes from mixing yarns of brown, blue, grey and natural coloring.

Today, many companies mass-mill the fabric, but the best tweeds are still hand-woven. While it was once used primarily for jackets and coats, it has become especially known as a popular suiting fabric, but is now woven into gloves, ties, hats, boots, briefcases, trousers and more.

That said, in the eyes of this writer, you can’t get better than a rugged tweed sportcoat cut in classic British style, with casual, country-side details like leather buttons or suede elbow patches, and – if you’re lucky – stamped with the Harris Tweed seal of approval.

Stay tuned for some guides for wearing tweed this fall/winter and peruse the Style Guide for some inspiration.

Stylishly Yours,

Adam Lehman

The post Style Defined: Tweed first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

One of my favorite things about menswear are the options available when it comes to tailoring your style to the season. Fabrics, patterns and colors are all elements that can help define a look as spring, summer, fall or winter.

Fall is all about breaking out richer fabrics and patterns. Here’s a sharp casual look with one of my seasonal go-to garments, a wool cashmere plaid blazer.

| WEARING | Suitsupply blazer, Michael Andrews Bespoke shirt, Yves Saint Laurent pants, Oliver Peoples sunglasses, Watch c/o Uniform Wares, Boots c/o Tawny Goods | PHOTOGRAPHY | by Rob McIver Photo

A plaid blazer is sporty but can also work at the office. That kind of versatility makes it perfect for a Friday you might have a date or happy hour drinks planned. Lose the tie, unbutton the shirt and you’re good to go – casually dressed up.

How a blazer is constructed factors in to how casual it will appear. A half-lined blazer will have a more relaxed drape, while a soft shoulder will make it appear much less formal as well (not to mention more Italian).

You already know we’re huge fans of boots for fall looks. A nice pair of cap toes is a no-brainer. Don’t miss our Fall Boot Guide for more recommendations.

Thanks, as always, for reading and have a great weekend.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

The post Autumn Essential: The Plaid Blazer first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

When I start thinking about changing up my fall neckwear game, instead of buying a new tie, I like to turn to an often overlooked accessory: an ascot.

| WEARING | Z Zegna suit, Al Bazar shirt, Salvatore Piccolo ascot, Oliver Peoples sunglasses, Watch c/o Uniform Wares, Shoes c/o Allen Edmonds | PHOTOGRAPHY | by Rob McIver Photo

What’s the difference between an ascot and a cravat? The short answer is that a cravat is typically thought of as more formal than an ascot. Also, an ascot is tied more like a scarf, while a cravat is sometimes fastened with a pin.

Ascots are often thought of as being stuffy. That’s a characterization I have to disagree with. It’s all in the wearer’s attitude.

However, if there is one prerequisite for wearing an ascot, that would be confidence. An ascot is a commitment and an advanced style move. Do it only if you really believe you can pull it off.

Check out another fall ascot outfit idea right here.

Chime in: Think you could add an ascot to your fall neckwear game?

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

The post Neckwear Alternatives: Consider the Ascot first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

Nothing ties a look together more than well-coordinated neckwear. (Pun definitely intended.) And just like changing up your fabrics seasonally, your neckwear choices should change as well. Here are five of our favorite ties for this fall and five ways to style them.

1. Bold Stripe

| THIS COMBO | Vintage Yves Saint Laurent suit, Suitsupply shirt, Drakes tie

Stripes can often appear overly businesslike. A larger stripe tones that down. Seasonal colors like burgundy and brown are quintessential fall options. Don’t shy away from incorporating pink into fall outfits. It provides a soft and subtle contrast to the richness of browns and deeper hues like burgundy.

2. Knit

| THIS COMBO | J.Crew blazer, Al Bazar shirt, Gitman Bros. tie

Some people will say that silk is a summer fabric. I wouldn’t completely disagree with that, but the rich texture of a silk knit tie lends itself to fall wear as well. Pair with a simple plaid wool blazer, crisp white shirt and contrasting edge pocket square for a clean, classic look.

3. Pattern

| THIS COMBO | Suitsupply blazer, Neiman Marcus shirt, Luciano Barbera tie (similar)

A bolder pattern often lends itself to styling simply around it. But if the other patterns are all complementary, have at! You can read all sorts of pattern-pairing rules and guidelines, but my golden rule is always: if it looks right, it works.

4. Plaid

| THIS COMBO | Michael Andrews Bespoke suit, Al Bazar shirt, Brooks Brothers tie

Plaids are seasonally agnostic, but fall is the best time to start breaking out the plaids in richer colors. As we move towards the holiday season, a rich tartan in a weighty wool paired with a tweed suit helps transition from fall to winter. See this combination styled completely here.

5. Ascot

| THIS COMBO | Z Zegna suit, Al Bazar shirt, Salvatore Piccolo ascot

Technically not a tie, but this is a fall neckwear guide. An ascot isn’t for everyone, but if you’ve got the confidence to pull it off, it can be a great alternative to a regular necktie. Unbutton an extra button and tie it low to avoid an air of stuffiness. See this combination styled completely here.

Don’t miss our video on the 10 Essential Ties every man should own.

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

Photography by Rob McIver Photo

The post Fall Neckwear Guide first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

There’s nothing like a quality made to measure experience. And I’ve been lucky to have experienced a handful of different programs over the past couple of years. One of my finest experiences, however, was at Knot Standard in New York City. (Read our review here.)

One of the most important aspects parts of any quality custom suit adventure is the contact you have with the individual doing your fitting and guiding you. It’s safe to say that if the chemistry isn’t there, you could walk out with a really bad feeling about the whole thing.

Lewis Malivanek was my point person at Knot Standard and we hit it off immediately. From our shared admiration of Italian style to an appreciation of quality and attention to detail, it’s good to find someone who “gets” your style vision, especially when it comes to custom.

In the latest installment of a HSS In Good Company, we’re thrilled to feature Lewis. Here he is in conversation and in his own words.

“I’m originally from Sydney, Australia. I got into the custom suiting business after I was introduced to the two co-founders of Knot Standard, Matt Mueller and John Ballay, by a mutual friend while living in Dubai. They had just started the company, and since I already had a passion for menswear, I jumped on the opportunity.

I think everyone remembers their first custom suit experience – both the good and the bad. For me, it was a suit I had made in Dubai for about $250 – a light grey sharkskin two piece suit. At the time, it was my first custom experience, and it was quite exciting. Looking back now, the fabric was low quality and the fit was poor in the jacket.

My favorite part about working in the custom suit business is that no two days are the same. I love problem solving, and each day I am able to do so with a new issue, whether it’s assisting with a client fitting or dealing with one of our many international suppliers on the business side.

I get a lot of my style inspiration from the Italians, especially their high end tailors. Blogs and Instagram have allowed us to see how many people dress, in particular the international icons of men’s style.

For me it’s guys like Alessandro Squarzi, Lino Ieluzzi and Nicola Ricci who are years ahead of any trends in suiting and men’s fashion, in general.

My personal style is Neapolitan. No one does menswear like the Italians. I love the nonchalant dress sense – it seems as though everything is done with such ease yet the end result is nothing short of sophisticated and refined.

Most of my jackets are unlined and unconstructed, my trousers are cuffed and worn on the hips. My style is bold, most of my jackets/suits have patterns and are vivid. I have the luxury of being able to utilize all the fabrics we sell. Thankfully, my wardrobe is not just navy and grey suits.

Lewis Malivanek’s 5 tips for your first custom suit experience.

1) Come with an idea of what you want and what you NEED! Look in your wardrobe to see what you don’t have.

2) Start with the basics – a charcoal suit, a navy blazer, cotton chinos, white shirts. Start from there before you get crazy.

3) Don’t go overboard with customizations – your suit won’t look good, and won’t be timeless. Start with something simple, like choosing an interesting lining, contrasting buttons, but not making the buttonholes all pink!

4) Listen to the tailor. Allow them to guide you through the suit process and the fitting process. They do this for a living and know more about suits, style and fit than most.

5) Don’t expect ‘perfection.’ Many customers think that a custom suit is a ‘perfect’ suit, when in fact, there is no such thing. These suits are made by hand, and the beauty lies in their imperfections. A stray thread there, an uneven buttonhole there. You know it’s been made by an individual with care.”

–as told to HSS

Want more HSS In Good Company? Well, there’s more on the way! Be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel to be the first to see new episodes.

Video produced and edited by Corey Maloney. Photography by Rob McIver Photo. Shot on location at Knot Standard, 1123 Broadway, New York, NY.

The post HSS In Good Company: Lewis Malivanek of Knot Standard first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

Glenplaid, tartan, twill, herringbone. The immense variety of options when it comes to patterns in menswear is half of what makes style so fun. Here, we’re taking a closer look at a perennial fall/winter favorite: houndstooth.

Like so many classic menswear patterns, the houndstooth pattern was first created in Scotland. Its earliest appearance dates back to the 1800s. Traditionally making use of dark and light alternating ‘checks,’ the pattern quickly followed suit with other historical Scottish fabrics to become a staple pattern in wool suiting and outerwear.

The houndstooth pattern is characterized by an almost checked appearance. Rather than just squares, however, houndstooth is made up of a specific repeating geometric block. The term ‘houndstooth’ itself is derived from the protruding jagged teeth that define that particular block.

Despite its complexity, houndstooth isn’t a pattern that is just printed onto fabric – at least not originally, though some manufacturers may very well shortcut these days. Instead, it was/is the result of a rather technical weaving pattern – an explanation of which is beyond the scope of this article.

Houndstooth is a very versatile pattern. Playing with the size, scale, contrast and color of the pattern only adds to that. A large scale houndstooth can be bold and daring, while a micro-pattern will look almost solid from a distance.

Likewise, one can choose between pairing high-contrast checks like black and bright white, or more subtle variations like brown and tan or a mid blue and navy.

Add to that the fact that houndstooth patterns are now used for literally every piece of apparel (from ties to shirts to pants to socks to blazers to topcoats to gloves to vests to scarves to even shoes), and the options are truly endless – all you have to do is find the one that suits your need and style.

HSS Style Advice: A small scale houndstooth – or puppytooth, if you will – is an easy way to begin adding the pattern into your personal style. From a distance, it will appear solid, but upon closer inspection it reveals that you’ve got some advanced style chops. See an example of this here.

For the more adventurous, a big, bold houndstooth is the way to go. It will certainly grab some attention, but all the right kind of attention. Try a large pattern in a blazer for some creative cocktail attire or in a luxe topcoat for the winter.

Chime in: How do you like to incorporate houndstooth into your personal style?

Stylishly Yours,

Adam Lehman

Stumped by a men’s style term? Get the definition and see it illustrated in the Style Glossary.

The post Style Defined: Houndstooth first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

If you’ve ever been to Key West, you know that the island has a feel and flavor all its own. Totally laid back, relaxing and festive. Though I love the cold fall weather up north, I have to admit that it was nice to take a break from that for a quick trip to Key West recently.

My packing list for an island or beach vacation always includes a few staple clothing items – bathing suit, linen shorts and linen shirt. Because what else do you really need to lounge around all day?

For this trip to Key West, I was excited to try out a new kind of shirt option from Madda Fella – the Castaway shirt. It’s the perfect name for a shirt inspired by the island and, really, just the perfect vacation shirt with a mix of comfort and style.

It’s slightly oversized, which feels great when you get a gust of ocean breeze. And personally, I love the deep placket and band collar.

Rob and I spent the day exploring some of the island’s most famous and beautiful places. By scooter, of course! First stop was Duvall Street and the Ocean Key Resort. Next we scooted over to the beautiful Casa Marina, which is pretty close to the southernmost point in the US.

When we returned to Duvall Street to return our scooters later that afternoon, I checked in to the Rodriguez Cigars – the oldest cigar maker on the island – before we high tailed it out of downtown to catch the sunset a little farther north and avoid the mayhem and debauchery of Fantasy Fest.

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

Disclosure: In partnership with Madda Fella. The opinions expressed herein are mine alone and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Madda Fella.

The post A Castaway in Key West first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

Hats are both functional and stylish. And you should have at least one for every season. In the summer, I’m all about the Panama hat, while for fall/winter my preference shifts to a fur felt fedora.

If you remember our very first HSS In Good Company video with Alex Mroz, you’ll know that I’ve been on the hunt for a new fall hat. I actually picked up two that day, including this great rust-colored felt fedora.

| WEARING | Suitsupply blazer, Uniqlo shirt, J.Crew pants, Goorin Bros. hat, Al Bazar tie, Watch c/o Uniform Wares, Tateossian and Dee Berkley bracelets, Shoes c/o Allen Edmonds | PHOTOGRAPHY | by Rob McIver Photo

The more you wear a hat – and the more hats you wear – the more comfortable you’ll become in them, which will extend to your choice of stye and brim size.

MORE: Explore looks with hats in the Style Guide.

A narrow brim is a good starting point if you’re just getting into wearing hats. It’s a little more casual and versatile. A fedora like I’m wearing here could very easily be your everyday headwear.

The best outfits are always the ones that are held together by subtle details. Like the ones that don’t necessarily call attention to themselves, such as the blue in this blazer’s plaid and the blue of the denim shirt. I love a denim or chambray shirt as a way to dress down a look with a blazer and tie.

Don’t be afraid to mix different patterns. Plaid, herringbone and houndstooth can easily work together. The trick is to vary the scale of the patterns. If one is large – like the plaid here – then go smaller with the others.

Stay tuned for our Fall Hat Guide!

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

The post Fall Style, Topped Off: The Felt Fedora first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

The old adage about men being from Mars and Women from Venus is tiring and dated at best. Men and women should be mature enough to say what they mean because honesty is the foundation of any relationship.

With that being said, women can sometimes be guilty of only alluding to what they mean, instead of the brutal, nearly sadistic honesty we say we crave but could really live without.

I’ve highlighted 10 common phrases that carry hidden meanings/veiled threats as kind of a primer on the fairer sex.

Things Women Say & What Women Mean

“We can talk about this later.”
Translation: We can fight about this later.

“Nothing’s wrong.”
Translation: We’re going to play a little game where you try to pinpoint where you screwed up. It’s like “SAW”, but you’re not locked in a single room, it’s our apartment.

“Where were you?”
Translation: I was forced to spend an entire night worrying about your whereabouts when you didn’t text back. Worry grew into anger, anger snowballed into guilt in case you weren’t actually in the arms of an ex and in grave danger. Then I polished off a bottle of wine and ordered Thai on your card but it’s okay because we’re okay!

“How does this look on me?”
Translation: If you say anything negative I know a lot of other men would find this attractive. And I will find them.

“The function on Instagram where you can see what people have liked is so much fun!”
Translation: I saw you that you liked twenty pictures of girls’ asses.

“Do you think she’s hot?”
Translation: Given the chance, would you sleep with her?

“It’s cool, we don’t need to have a label.”
Translation: Do you hear all the texts coming in from my ex? At least we have a definitive, if past tense, label. And if I remember correctly, he has a much nicer apartment than yours.

“Do you think I’m overreacting?”
Translation: Crazy is in the eye of the beholder.

“K.”
Translation: You’re dead to me.

Stylishly Yours,

Sarah Solomon

Need more dating advice with a hint of sarcasm? Read more of Sarah’s Humor Me columns.

The post What Women Say v. What They Mean first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

Any time you’re thinking of investing in a new piece of clothing, the first question you should ask yourself is, “How many ways can I wear this?” That’s especially true when it comes to a suit.

Suits don’t come cheap – if they do, you should probably pass – and you want to be sure you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck.

A brown tweed three-piece suit is quintessentially fall and infinitely versatile. Here are six ways to wear one this fall.

1. Jacket & Pants: Fall Classic

| WEARING | Michael Andrews Bespoke suit and shirt, Brooks Brothers tie, Maxwell Scott briefcase, Shoes c/o Johnston & Murphy | SEE MORE | Click here for the full look

It really doesn’t get any more classic than a brown tweed suit in the fall. During my college and grad school days, I used to dream of owning a tweed suit with brown elbow patches, which was why that was my first custom suit. There’s something very professorial and proper about it, while also being permanently stylish.

2. Full Three-Piece: Sartorial, Not Stuffy

| WEARING | Michael Andrews Bespoke suit, Neiman Marcus shirt, Brooks Brothers tie, Ralph Lauren pocket square | SEE MORE | Click here for the full look

Though I love to get a three-piece any time I buy a suit, it’s actually the configuration I wear least often. Especially with my tweed three-piece. The cloth is so heavy that it’ll have me breaking a sweat! However, if it’s not too cold out, it completely negates the need for a topcoat.

It’s easy to dress up any three-piece suit. But knowing how to dress it down is the key for maximum versatility. One trick I like is to choose a patterned shirt. Brown gingham works perfectly.

3. Waistcoat Separate: Casual Layering

| WEARING | Levi’s denim jacket, J.Crew shirt, Michael Andrews Bespoke waistcoat, Pants c/o Ted Baker, Oliver Peoples sunglasses, Shoes c/o Johnston & Murphy | SEE MORE | Click here for the full look

The waistcoat is the most versatile part of any suit. Out of all of the pieces, it’s the one I get the most use out of. Adding a waistcoat to a look is an easy way to elevate your style.

4. Waistcoat & Pants: Understated Elegance

| WEARING | Michael Andrews Bespoke waistcoat and pants, Brooks Brothers tie and shirt, Bellagio pocket watch | SEE MORE | Click here for the full look

One of the most underrated combinations, in my opinion, but one of the most elegant. When the full three-piece is too much and the jacket and trousers still a little too proper, the waistcoat and trousers together is the perfect in-between.

5. Pants Separate: Holiday Party Statement

| WEARING | Brooks Brothers Black Fleece blazer, Banana Republic shirt, Pocket Square Clothing bowtie, Shoes c/o Allen Edmonds | SEE MORE | Click here for the full look

Get a quality tweed three-piece suit and you’ve got an excellent pair of tweed pants. Brown is great for fall and pairs extremely well with other more vibrant fall colors. With a bold plaid blazer, you’ve got a statement look for your next holiday party.

6. Jacket Separate: Easy Sharp Casual

| WEARING | Michael Andrews Bespoke jacket and shirt, Banana Republic sweater, A.P.C. jeans, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Coach messenger bag, To Boot New York loafers | SEE MORE | Click here for the full look

Though I always coveted a tweed suit, what I really wanted was a tweed blazer. The weighty fabric makes it a go-to fall outerwear piece. Paired with a classic v-neck sweater and slim denim, it’s a campus-ready, everyday, easy-going fall combo.

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

Photography by Rob McIver Photo

The post 1 Piece/6 Ways: Brown Tweed Suit first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

We all have clothing that we love to wear – favorite pieces that never seem to leave the rotation. However, when you wear something so often, it might start to seem a little stale and uninspired.

Style ruts are real. So how do you break out of one? It doesn’t necessarily mean having to change the foundation of your look. A lot can be done with some subtle attention to detail.

| WEARING | Al Bazar blazer and shirt, Yves Saint Laurent pants, Gitman Bros. tie, Watch c/o Uniform Wares, Cantini di Firenze and Tateossian bracelets, Loafers c/o Tod’s | PHOTOGRAPHY | by Rob McIver Photo

Regular HSS readers will know that I love both my vintage YSL suit and my grey Al Bazar double-breasted blazer. I’ve styled countless combinations of them over the past year – but always with slight variances.

MORE: See what I’m talking about?

Differences do not need to be over the top to be recognizable. For example, I don’t like to stray too far from classic menswear color palates of blues, browns, and greys. How do you make that interesting? One option is texture. A silk knit tie adds an immense amount of interest, depth and visual appeal, not to mention hitting one of my favorite style points – only revealing itself upon closer inspection.

If you’re uneasy about man jewelry, ease into it with a couple simple pieces. Small beaded bracelets or a plain cuff are good starting points. Jewelry can balance out the watch on one wrist and pull together the color palate of an outfit.

I’ve never been crazy about crazy socks. I’ve always felt that “funky” socks are one of those “look at me” items that beg for attention. Sorry, it’s not clever, it’s obvious. Instead, you can’t go wrong with a small scale herringbone pattern. Just enough texture and contrast without all the flash.

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

The post Upgrade Your “Comfort Zone” first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

Though you should have a hat for every season, there’s no better time to wear one than in the late-fall and winter, when you get the practical benefit – keeping your head warm – as well as the style benefit. Here are a few of my favorite hat styles right now.

1. The Narrow-Brimmed Fedora

As worn last week. A narrow-brimmed fedora is a great starter hat for those just beginning to wade into the headwear waters. A feather is optional but adds a nice sartorial touch.

2. The Newsboy Cap

This is my go-to casual hat. I tend to wear it most on weekends and while traveling – times when I don’t feel like or don’t want to comb my hair.

3. The Fur Felt Fedora

A classic men’s hat. With a bit of a wider brim, it may not feel like the right hat for a headwear novice, but once you feel ready, this is one you’ll want to have. Like all classic menswear items, it looks great dressed up or down.

MORE: Explore looks with hats in the Style Guide.

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

Photography by Rob McIver Photo

The post A Fall/Winter Hat Guide first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

It’s worth reminding everyone that there is no such thing as a stupid question, especially when it comes to wearing your clothes properly.

And judging from the number of guys I’ve seen doing this wrong, asking how to button a suit jacket should not be considered a silly question under any circumstances.

The truth of the matter is that the simple things are often overlooked and done incorrectly because they seem so, well, simple. Here’s something that will make sure you get it right: a guide on how to button the three most common types of suit jackets.

1. Two-Button Jacket

| WEARING | Vintage Yves Saint Laurent suit, Suitsupply shirt, Drake’s tie, Brooks Brothers pocket square

The simple two-button jacket. You’ve got a 50-50 chance of getting it right if you’re just guessing. The correct way to button a two-button suit jacket (or blazer, for that matter) is just the top one. Never the bottom and never the bottom and the top. Please, please don’t do that.

2. Two and a Half Button Jacket

| WEARING | QG Custom suit, Al Bazar shirt, Drake’s tie, Paul Stuart pocket square, Watch c/o Uniform Wares

The two and a half button jacket is an interesting beast. For all intents and purposes this is a three-button jacket, but when you’ve got one of the button holes rolled softly into the lapel, you call it a two and half button or a three-roll-two lapel. It’s a classy and elegant take on the three-button jacket.

For this style of jacket, fasten the middle button. If it’s cold and you want a little extra coverage, go ahead and button the top button as well. But as a rule, just roll with the middle button buttoned. And, as always, never button the bottom button.

3. Double-Breasted Jacket

| WEARING | Al Bazar blazer and shirt, Yves Saint Laurent pants, Gitman Bros. tie, Drake’s pocket square

There are many types of double-breasted jackets, though the most popular is the 6×2 button configuration – six buttons in two rows. Of those outer buttons, two can be fastened. Again, button the middle button and leave the bottom one alone.

One feature of the double-breasted jacket that many may not pay attention to, is the presence of an inner button that isn’t seen. Should you button this one? Absolutely. This helps to keep the jacket laying on the body as it was meant to.

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

Photography by Rob McIver Photo

The post A Simple Guide for Buttoning Suit Jackets first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

I’m always up for a road trip. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that the need to travel is in my DNA. To some of my close friends who know me as a creature of habit who fancies a well-worn routine, this may come as a bit of a surprise. However, inside I’m driven by insatiable desire to explore new places, experience new things, discover beautiful cities and meet inspiring and passionate people.

If you follow us on Instagram, you may have noticed that we were over in Europe a couple weeks ago. The occasion was a once in a lifetime road trip from Zurich to Milan to Munich. Along the way, we got to experience luxury in many ways – from restaurants to hotels to shopping. So it was fitting that for our mode of transportation during the week, we were literally driving luxury in the form of a new BMW 7 Series.

First impressions of the car? As a BMW owner myself – I currently drive a 3 Series – I’m used to the quality, craftsmanship, performance and passion inherent in the brand. But our 7 Series took that to a whole new level. Not only was the car next-level in so many ways, I would go so far as to say, quite simply, that it redefines luxury.

When it comes to travel, I think we’ve all been in that place where we’re completely overwhelmed – there’s so much we want to do, so much we want to see, and so on. And when you get in that kind of headspace – worried about directions, space for luggage, and stressed about any number of things – it’s very easy to get pulled away from the amazing experience you should be having.

Believe me, I’ve been there and was nursing some serious anxiety about all we needed to do and accomplish on this trip in particular. But when we picked up our car, all that stress melted away when I was shown all of the BMW’s features meant to make any trip more relaxing, more comfortable and infinitely more enjoyable as a result.

After checking into the beautiful and elegant Storchen Zürich, we spent a couple hours exploring the city before hopping in the car and driving over to meet the composer and musician Nik Bärtsch for a quick bite before his band Ronin’s performance at the Exil club that evening.

One of the things that musicians love to say is that the music world is a small world. If you’ve made a career in music you will often discover very few degrees of separation between you and another musician you’ve just met. Maybe you’ve attended the same school, worked with the same composers, played with the same musicians at some point. And that was the case with Nik and I.

Never mind that we speak different languages. Never mind that we live on different continents. Within moments we connected with each other on a deep level over our shared musical passion and discovered that we’d actually run in the some of the same musical circles.

Though I’ve become accustomed to these kinds of connections over the years, they still never cease to amaze me. It was pretty thrilling to learn that Nik was friends with and had played with many of the same people I know in the NYC scene. What that highlighted to me was not only the power that music has to connect people, but that music can transport you.

And that evening we were absolutely transported and transfixed by Nik and Ronin’s performance. Not only was I reminded of the power of live music to be so affecting – talk about infectious energy, passion and joy! – but also of how important a role the environment you experience the music plays in your enjoyment of it.

In terms of the concert, the club environment was so perfectly suited to the music. The sound system was optimized for Ronin’s unique fusion of acoustic and electric of classical, jazz and funk. The lights – cool colors which subtly shifted in perfect harmony with the music as it developed – created an ideal listening environment.

Knowing that Nik was a fellow audiophile, between sets, I couldn’t help but show him the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system in our car. As someone who clearly understands the importance of optimal speaker placement as well as that perfect lounge environment for listening to and enjoying music – he co-owns the Exil club – I knew he’d appreciate it.

So we popped in his CD and I adjusted the car’s ambient lighting to match the intensity, color and mood inside Exil. There’s no substitute for live music, but as the sound from Nik’s live album came through the speakers, it truly felt like we were still sitting at our table in the club.

Nik’s perfect touch at the piano, each articulation and timbral nuance from the contrabass clarinet and every ghost stroke on the snare came through the speakers with amazing clarity. And after the experience we had that evening, I know we were all excited that we’d be able to recreate the feeling of that evening in the car as we continued our journey.

Thanks, as always, for reading. And stay tuned for more of our European adventures!

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

Photography by Rob McIver Photo

In partnership with BMW. The opinions expressed herein are mine alone and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of BMW.

The post European Road Trip: Zurich first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

Even on my quick walk to the coffee shop this morning, I could tell that winter was in the air. And as the temperatures plunge, it’s a good time to start thinking about bulking up your outerwear game with some serious insulation. Nothing beats a puffer jacket when it comes to warmth and casual style.

| WEARING | Jacket c/o Duvetica, Uniqlo turtleneck, A.P.C. jeans, Timberland boots | PHOTOGRAPHY | by Rob McIver Photo

A puffer jacket is a good option if you’re looking for something more casual than an overcoat. Additionally, its cropped cut allows for greater mobility than you’ll find with a three-quarters or full-length topcoat.

When shopping for one, it’s important to understand that not all fillings are created equal. Goose down – like the filling in my Duvetica jacket – is the gold standard. Synthetic fillings might make the garment cheaper, but that’s just it – they make it cheaper, and not necessarily in just the price sense.

If you opt for genuine goose down, be sure your jacket’s shell is water repellant, as goose down doesn’t do so well when it gets wet.

One word of caution: a puffer jacket has an overstuffed and oversized silhouette. This doesn’t make it the best coat option for larger guys since it adds bulk to your frame. However, if you’ve got a slimmer build, it can add a nice amount of bulk.

Thanks for reading and stay warm out there!

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

In partnership with Duvetica. The opinions expressed herein are mine alone and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Duvetica.

The post Gearing Up For Winter: The Puffer Jacket first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

Any menswear fan will know both twill and herringbone. But did you know they’re actually almost one and the same? Twill, one of the most common fabrics in men’s clothing (and women’s, for that matter) is crafted via a diagonal weave in running in a single direction.

Herringbone, on the other hand, is actually just an alternating twill weave – instead of continuing the diagonal weave endlessly in one direction, herringbone fabric switches the direction of the twill at regular, repeating increments. The resulting pattern looks strikingly similar to the skeleton of a fish (specifically, a herring), hence the name, ‘herringbone.’

Where a regular twill will look solid from a distance, herringbone can yield some more visually distinctive results, (especially when accentuated with colors or textures. At its smallest scale, herringbone still looks relatively solid. Up the scale just a bit, and an almost striped appearance becomes evident. Up it even more, and the skeletal pattern truly shines on its own.

As for the origins, the weave is actually based off of a design far removed from textiles. The very first use of herringbone patterning was in the construction of roads in ancient Rome, where the crisscrossing structure allowed for the compression and movement of the road as traffic flowed along it. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense that the earliest herringbone fabrics were also linked to ancient Italy.

The Italian connection also makes it logical that herringbone has traditionally found it’s place in men’s suiting, while it’s spread to Ireland brings in it’s popularity in tweed pieces. That said, like most classic menswear patterns, the usage has proliferated across the board, and herringbone is now found in cloths from lightweight cotton to heavy wool, and applied to pieces ranging from crisp dress shirts to chunky sweaters to toothy suiting and outerwear.

Are you sporting any herringbone this season?

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Adam Lehman

The post Style Defined: Herringbone first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

from He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice

As many of you know, in a previous lifetime, I was an elite-level bicycle racer. Getting there was a long journey that included immense dedication, countless training hours and a focus that an outside observer might have described as obsession bordering on insanity.

Once achieving elite-level racing status, the game changed. Sure, I still had to train hard, but there were hundreds of other guys at the same level also training hard. At that level, it’s not just the training that can mean the difference between winning and losing, but also the equipment.

| IT’S ALL ABOUT PERFORMANCE | The new BMW 7 Series Efficient Dynamics features are all about maximizing driving comfort, handling and agility, while reducing emissions.

Being that intimate with my bicycle – it really did become an extension of my body – I was acutely aware the huge benefits and performance advantage small equipment details could make. If my tires were inflated 5 PSI less than they should have been, I could tell in the corners during a criterium. A 40mm rim versus an 80mm one on the front of my time trial rig could mean the difference between winning and losing if there was a wicked crosswind.

I could seriously go on and on about the all the minor equipment details that I learned to appreciate at the top level of the sport. And it takes that kind of specialization to really be able to notice and appreciate what kind of performance advantage one can reap from such things. On day two of our European road trip, we got to meet someone who truly understands that: the CEO of Radical Sports, Mark Farner.

One of the biggest equipment-based performance innovations in the world of sport has been the use of carbon fiber. The material is exceptionally rigid and very lightweight with an incredible strength to weight ratio, making it uniquely desirable when it comes to high-level performance.

And Mark, a former World Cup snowboarder, was on the leading edge of incorporating this technology into his boards. Being on a road trip with the BMW 7 Series, which incorporates carbon fiber into the frame design, I was eager to get Mark’s take on the benefits and performance innovations possible through this incredible material.

An early – we’re talking 1980s – Radical Sports board design. It’s amazing how much design and aesthetics can change in 30 years.

Mark and I bonded over our shared history of elite-level athletics and the understanding that subtle tweaks in equipment materials could have huge effects on performance. As a competitive snowboarder looking for any advantage he could gain, Mark pioneered the use of carbon fiber technology. His passion for performance, exceptional quality and beautiful aesthetics has become a successful company that makes some of the most innovative and special products in the industry.

One thing I picked up on very quickly was that Mark is not your stereotypical CEO. Outfitted in jeans, sneakers and a Radical t-shirt and hoodie, it was clear that success and the job title of CEO hadn’t changed his fun-loving sense of adventure that no-doubt made him so successful as an athlete. We could all learn a little something from that attitude.

Before wrapping up our morning meeting with Mark and hopping in the car bound for Milan, we had a little on the yet-to-be-released Radical skateboards. Rob and Robin did not think I had it in me!

And since Mark was such an innovator in terms of using carbon fiber technology, I showed him one of the newest features and innovations of the BMW 7 Series: the Carbon Core. In addition to aluminum and steel, the body of the new 7 Series uses carbon fiber, which has many of the same benefits you find in the world of sport.

First, it makes the car lighter – around 285 pounds, to be exact – which contributes to lower fuel consumption and emissions. Additionally, its rigidity enhances driving comfort, handling and agility. It’s a difference I could really feel, especially when I was navigating the challenging hairpin turns through the Alps.

Though the 7 Series is a larger luxury vehicle, it has the soul of a sports car when it comes to performance. This is due in no small measure to its use of advanced materials, like the Carbon Core. It just goes to show you that no matter what the application – bicycle racing, snowboarding, or automotive design – this attention to innovations in product design are keys to staying ahead of the competition.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned later this week for a ride along through the Alps!

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style

Photography by Rob McIver Photo.

In partnership with BMW. The opinions expressed herein are mine alone and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of BMW.

The post The Leading Edge: Mark Farner of Radical Sports first appeared on the men's style blog He Spoke Style - Men's Style, Fashion, Grooming, Tips and Advice