Men's Second Style

It’s not easy to keep white shoes clean when you live in post-apocalyptic ruins. Let’s be honest—it’s never easy to keep white shoes clean. Not really. It’s just something that has to be done, if you’re going to wear them. But with a city falling into wreckage around you, it’s an especially daring (and problematic) fashion choice. What with the abandoned cars, broken-up streets, buildings slipping into sinkholes and all. And the dust!—the dust alone is enough to make anyone cry and pull on some grey high-tops. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a while since I had a Guest Style Consultant make an appearance here. Actually, looking back I see that it’s been longer than a while. That’s surely not because I haven’t seen other guys out there doing a great job at putting themselves together. They (you) are certainly out there, and I have extended the occasional invitation here and there. But sometimes, sadly, the answer just isn’t yes. Read the rest of this entry »

Every year, about this time, I find myself on the lookout for an outfit, ensemble, accessory—something—that’s at least vaguely Easter-y in theme or tone. I’m not really sure why. It’s not like I’m looking for Valentine’s Day outfits every time February 14 rolls around. How many times can you dress up like Cupid, anyway? Read the rest of this entry »

Last night he dreamt of summer again.

The rain had been falling, on and off, for weeks, and lately it had threatened to turn into snow. The days were bitter and cold, and the nights were long. But in his mind it was summer, for it was summer he dreamed of. Read the rest of this entry »

No story this time. Don’t worry, we’ll all be fine.

Because sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, and an outfit is just an outfit. Which is not to say that “just” signifies anything diminished or less worthy in any sense, in this or any context. But, just as there’s nothing wrong with a fine cigar being what it is, there’s likewise nothing wrong with an outfit that’s well put together being what it is. Because, after all, a well put-together outfit is already more than the sum of its parts. I find myself exceptionally pleased with how this particular ensemble came together, and I hope you find something worthwhile here, too. Read the rest of this entry »

As a rule, out of professional and general courtesy, I make every effort not to co-opt someone else’s idea for an ensemble, no matter how impressed I am with the accomplishment. However, a while back I was at one of my more favorite dance clubs, and it was a theme night, but a non-specific theme night, if you know what I mean—I think it may actually have been Come As You Are. It definitely wasn’t Sands of the Sahara, Enchantment Under the Sea, or Pocket-Sized And Smokin’ Hot (at least, I don’t think so). Anyway, I noticed a guy there rather boldly attired all in pink, and I thought, “Unexpected, and yet it works.” So of course, as one does, at least as I do, I sent him a complimentary IM and hoped he would volunteer a shop name or even a landmark (otherwise, I would just have to inquire more directly). Turns out he was called Galen Dudek, and he was in fact the designer of his own ensemble, which just goes to remind us once again how very small the Second World can be. Read the rest of this entry »

Not just anyone, and certainly not everyone, can be a dandy. My own image of the contemporary dandy is quite specific: Richard Jeperson, investigator for the Diogenes Club. Perhaps you’ve heard of him? Although little is known of his background, he is perhaps as well known for his flamboyant 1970s dress sense as for his psychic investigative work on behalf of perhaps the most secret branch of Britain’s secret intelligence services. Along with his sidekick and fellow operative Vanessa, he has been responsible on any number of occasions for preserving the safety of Britain, and perhaps the world, in the face of supernatural forces beyond our understanding.

Oh, and also—he’s fictional. But that doesn’t keep him from setting the bar pretty high when it comes to dandy. No indeed, it does not, believe you me. Read the rest of this entry »

You’ve probably heard of organized weekend shopping events like Fifty Linden Fridays and Sixty Linden Weekends. With their (as you can no doubt guess) discounted sale items, designed to get you in the door, they’re great for bargain-hunters of all preferences and persuasions. I’ve been known to take advantage of these myself, but I’m rarely able to share the joy here, at least not while the sale is still on—the weekends are so short, after all. So don’t get used to this, not at all. That said…I guess there’s a first time for everything. This ensemble was put together all in one stop at JohnnyD Posthorn’s Juice (Jet Lag 97, 119, 21). You too can pick up the Hucker Hoodie, ultra-low-cut Dixie Jeans and unisex Tonka Boots for just L$60 each. Choose copy/mod permissions or mod/transfer, if you want to give them as gifts. But don’t wait! The sale ends at midnight SLT tomorrow (as I write this), Sunday, June 19. After that, you’ll be paying full price.

When I visited the Soren Jaakobs mainstore, Vaughan Vendetta, the designer, came by and we got to talking about his Verce suits.

“Sorry about the wacky colors,” he said, “They were popular on the Teen Grid.”

But I had no quarrel with the colours, except perhaps with the obscure naming of them: Siphico for jet black, Charn for a brick red, Locke for a mature brown, Indo for indigo, and then, curiously, Beige. Read the rest of this entry »

You may recall that I’ve previously featured some of Nagaru Kawashimi’s more fanciful designs, which I liked very much indeed. His recent releases are more contemporary in style and approach, but even so I would under no circumstances use the word conventional to describe them. The items themselves—jackets, shirts, jeans—may on the surface sound fairly typical, but take a look and I think you’ll agree that the design and execution are anything but. Read the rest of this entry »