Men's Second Style

After spending several days focused almost exclusively on hairstyles, it’s really nice to get back to clothing items and the fun (because, after all, it is fun) of putting a “look” together.  I know I can always count on Shelly Toonie to provide any number of choices for that “certain something” that any outfit needs come together rather than fall apart.  Shelly’s new “Après” shirt/sweater combos are just what the doctor ordered to help me recover from a slight but noticeable case of Post-Hair Fair Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (PHFCFS).

The mechanics here are straightforward, even basic (which frankly at this point I find comforting)—and anyway, as always it’s execution that makes the real difference.  Each set includes a layered shirt/sweater in coordinating colors.  You can wear the shirt/sweater tucked or untucked, as it’s thoughtfully provided on all clothing layers.  However, you can’t wear the shirt and sweater individually as they’re rendered together on the clothing layers, and not included as separates.  The combo has a neat, well-groomed look when tucked in, but me, I prefer the extravagantly casual loose shirttails on the untucked jacket layer.  The fabric texture and shading work are well executed and handsome.  Take special note of the shading that defines the pecs—it’s clean, strong and masculine, but not overdone.

Sculpted collar and cuffs have become more common almost to the point of being de rigeur, but even a typical feature can still be executed with enough care to impress.  The collar here is simple but properly shaped, with just the right curve to suggest that it’s barely escaping the sweater’s rolled neck.  The sleeve cuffs are not just rolled to the elbow but pushed up the arm, with some soft crumpling along the way.  Of course we’ve all seen this done before, and I suppose there’s only so much variety that can be brought to something like a rolled cuff (which after all has to be recognizable), but none of that makes these any less good-looking.

“Après” comes in eight different colors:  Cork (shown here), Cocoa, Espresso, Hunter, Mirage, Rebel, Storm and Thunder.  L$95 each at Moonshine (Imogen 213, 117, 22).