Play to Win

Good morning or afternoon readers, today I wanted to feature a look that anyone can wear. Keeping it simple is always a win in my eyes and thats what this outfit is, simple. When the whole jogger style started to catch on I was very hesitant to try them. I loved the look they gave and the versatility you have with them but I honestly wasn’t sure I could pull them off. After a long debate with myself I decided I would purchase my first pair and I have to say I do enjoy them quite a bit. They are comfortable and can be worn with pretty much anything.

The pair in this outfit are from J.Crew that I came across on a 30% off sale and yeah I am a sucker for sales. The elastics at the bottom are more of a sweat pant elastic which is very different from my other pairs. The main reason I purchased this pair was for the material and the color. I have a huge love for this color of green and incorporate in into my wardrobe whenever I get the chance. I was out shopping this day and it was a bit cold out so I wanted to be comfortable, fashionable and warm. I added these slip-on’s from Aldo that are a darker grey with brown leather piping along the shoe upper. Very comfortable shoe for a nice stroll out and about.

This grey sweater is another lucky find. It is from H&M and if I remember correctly I got it on sale for $18. It reads “PLAY TO WIN”  and I had to have it. I am very competitive with everything in my life and I do love to win (really hate to lose) so it only made sense to have this sweater for days like this. The hat is from LRG and is the old style of snap back with the green on the underside of the brim and the plastic size adjusting snaps. I went with a lighter grey for some contrast between the darker sweater and slip-on’s and added some sunglasses from Calvin Klein that are my favorite pair of glasses to wear. What do you think of the outfit? Have you tried joggers before? I like peoples opinions so feel free to discuss.

Around My Way

Have I mentioned I love to be in t-shirts? Well in this case it is a “band merch” shirt from Lupe Fiasco. He definitely is one of my favorite artists for music and a master of his craft. He is very big into fashion and will often hear him make fashion references to GoYard and Junya Wantanabe in his music. One of his singles “Around my way” is a very well written song with a great message and very catchy instrumental sampled from of Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s 1992 release “They Reminisce Over You” both a must listen to. I went to one of his concerts and of course had to buy this shirt for the greater good of adding to closet. The concert was everything I expected it to be and more, from his opening number of video and live performance to the abrupt ending when a Lupe hater decided she wanted to throw a tomato at him while he was performing. He of course stopped the show, asked the people to come down from the upper level so we could continue the show but people really have no respect and neglected his request. He then of course stopped the rest of the show. All in all I was very pleased with the overall show mainly because I am a huge fan and a music nerd anyways back to the outfit ha!  I added the shirt to some army green cargo shorts that I have from G-Star, a fitted hat from LRG and some black classic vans to bring a urban inspired look to life. It is very casual and very comfortable to wear. Besides who does not want to be in a comfortable outfit all day?

Rain season

You never know when you are going to have a little rain in your life so it’s always good to have a coat that you can dress up or dress down. This Express peat coat has done me wonders time and time agin. I have been able to wear it with suits, jeans, joggers and tee’s. It can become so versatile depending on what you want to do.

This time I went with a loose tie, untucked short sleeved button-down shirt and a cuff on the jeans all combined for a great outfit for a great day out in the rain. I’m not sure what it is about the rain that I love so much but it has to do with my grandmother. I remember sitting on the porch with her as a kid smelling and listening to the rain fall. Every time it starts to rain I go outside or open a window. There is just something so nostalgic about it that reminds me of the adolescent innocence we have as kids.

I know it’s super cheesy but those are the things we hold on to and with one of my biggest memories as a kid having to do with rain, a great coat for the rain is very necessary not to mention I feel like I could be James Bond while I wear it.

Is it dressed up or down?

Oh the trusty windbreaker. I purchased this Rouge State maroon windbreaker from Burlington coat factory for $15 a couple of years back. It is great because you really can dress it up quite a bit or use it to tone down a dressed up look.

I added it to these checkered Zara dress pants (people tell me they look like chef pants), Calvin Klein solid black tie and an H&M button up to give this a modern look. Side note I have no idea what I was looking at in this photo and every time I see it I wonder what it was ha!

The black  Casio G-Shock watch with a touch of red gives some great detail to notice and I am a sucker for small details. They can say so much by being the smallest portion of an outfit.

Color me retro

Oh man what can I say about this jacket aside for the obvious! This is one of my favorite jackets I own and it never gets old. I swear it never matches anything that I have but I make it work…… well I think I do anyway. The retro feel that Nike gave this item caught my eye in a way that it was a must have, it’s even reversible.

Funny thing is that I found this jacket one day while at ROSS. I noticed it and for the price I could not pass it up. It is crazy how many gems I find when I am not expecting to or it could be all of my outrageousness for all things geek that pulls me to the items none wants.

Shoe Care

Shoes are a key to any wardrobe and the care for your shoes is just as important as the shoes themselves. Every man will should hit a point in life where he starts investing in his feet and the shoes he wears on them. Good leather dress shoes will cost you a pretty penny even with a good deal but they are built to last so the investment is always worth it. Caring for them properly will make them last longer and keep them visually pleasing. Getting your shoes shined and conditioned with leather preserve is one thing you can start with. There are a few options you can go with like getting them shined by a shoe shiner.

Very easy to find, places like Nordstrom men’s shop normally has a shoe shiner on hand to take care of your babies or you can invest in a shoe cleaning/shining kit. I do both and depending on the day and of course the time I have available will help me decide what option I go with. I prefer to do it myself because there is a sense of ownership and pride behind knowing you did it yourself.

Proper technique can be taught and if you have never done it before you tube can be a great tool to use. I learned from my father when I was very young. I watched him clean his sneakers, shine his dress shoes and even repair them. It was something I took into adulthood and still practice today. Either way you decide to go be sure if you are going to invest in good shoes that you invest the time to keep them in the best shape possible, I promise it is worth it.