I Got the Blues

Hey folks – summer is cresting and it will be fall in no time. But you can look forward to a summer trend review post later this month recapping several of our favorite looks from surfers, as well as a fall shopping list post to help you determine what you need to achieve the spirit of this fall. We aren’t into copycatting the runway, instead we invite you to invoke the sensibility of a season…poetic huh?

Until then, enjoy a cool post on a really easy trend to incorporate in any season: The Blue Work Shirt. Bon Appetit!

This gyal really knows how to work proportions, textures and tones. A slightly oversized, slightly denim-looking work shirt can appear sloppy, especially when dressed down with jeans. But here, it’s tucked into low-rise, slim fitting, well-kept jean shorts whose cuffed leg echoes the cuffed sleeve above. It looks deliberate. Not to mention the shirt is nicely pressed (wrinkles can be unforgiving on work shirts) and the sleeves are folded NOT rolled up. A metal belt nicely ties together the fuller top with the slim-cut bottom. She looks neat yet casual, opting for an oversized yet structured handbag with some hardware. This is an easy day look that only requires a little attention to details. And to make it pop for evening, one could switch out the larger black purse for a more colorful clutch, some bling and heels.

Another example of the design being in the details, this guy has matched his rolled-sleeve work shirt to rolled bottoms (this time they are slim-fitting khakis). Be sure to use bootcut, skinny, tapered or slim pants when trying this look, otherwise you will get wide, bulky cuffs that swing when you walk haha!

The high pants show off a great pair of neutral boat shoes…and some sexy ankles! And his skinny plaid necktie (channeling the late 50s/early 1960s) puts a polished retro spin on the whole look. But what we adore is the knapsack peeking out from behind. We love the leather or army-style backpack for fall, it says “Back-to-School season, grown and sexy style”. Check out some options below:

(Left) Forever 21 men’s Rugged Canvas Back Pack – $25.90

(Center) Corpse Clothing Angels & Airwaves Backpack – $70

(Right) Fossil Kenya Back Pack in Cognac – $178

iPod Selection of the Day: Train Drummers

These two gentlemen play the drums on the train. They are fantastic musicians and incredibly inspiring, encouraging surfers to smile and enjoy their music. They have an underlining message of spreading an extra bit of positivity and encouragement to their fellow young black men. So today, we’re bobbing our heads to their beats and soaking up their positive energy!

Cool Ass Shit

Yes this is a bike covered with crochet…can something be covered with crochet or would it be ‘crocheted’? But check it, even the kickstand is covered. Doesn’t look rideable, so perhaps it’s a public art piece. You can find it usually locked up along Essex street right outside of the Delancey stop on the F, in case you want to try taking it for a spin!

Money Cant Buy You Class – The Men’s Post

Gotta love the self-aggrandizing nature of Bravo’s Real Housewives. “Money Cant Buy You Class”, recorded by the howling NYCeee housewife Countess whatever, burned up the charts…well sort of. And the newest housewives of DC we’re sure will be no different…we predict “Diary of a White House Party Crasher” to be a number one bestseller.

But the title of the song, however absurd the actual lyrics are, provides a good lead-in for this post. There are some classy folks surfin the F this summer and it isnt how much money they spent on their looks that matters, its the way in which they pulled them off. We will split this post into two parts, guys and gals – we know you’re giddy with excitement but dont piss your pants just yet.

Here’s to the prophetic words of the Countess and the Dashing Dudes of the F.

What do all of these classy guys have in common? A stand-out piece that is complimented by the overall look. While these pics were taken in late spring/early summer, the principles apply in any season. Neutrals (navy, gray, beige, brown) are a great base for highlighting the star of an outfit – a seasonal hat, white bright kicks, or a butter leather attache in the looks above. And it is no coincidence that these gentlemen are each rockin’ blazers – they never go out of style, only the shapes change (over-sized shoulders, double breasted, 3/4 sleeve, slim cut). And as the limits of fashion androgyny are pushed by everyday men,we will continue to see gendered outerwear worn in unique ways on the opposite sex (boyfriend jeans were not the beginning and certainly wont be the end).

But the fact that the blazers are Navy just does it for us. It’s a neutral that takes a bit of risk to wear (you wont be able to use navy the same way you use black), but when done correctly it brings a polish and controlled flare that other colors just cant offer. It looks best in concert with other neutrals (beige, brown and gray ala look # 3) and can punch up black skinnies in a cinch (look #2). If you are wearing something patterned with even the faintest blue tone (ala the hat trim in look #1), the navy will pick it up well. And for a little DIY action, try switching out boring flat buttons for brass ones. A navy blazer (for a guy or a girl) will serve you well in any season, from wool in the winter to linen in the summer.

Check out this youngster who plays classical piano in the Herald Square subway station. He looks like a transplant from the 1930s Atlantic City boardwalk! Kid is dapper down to his toes, so you sloppy dudes out there have no excuse.

iPod Selection of the Day: “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson

Four-eyed girls stand up! There’s power in our frames, yo!

Stand and Deliver

So, it’s virtual day two of this thing and we’re still kickin’. We’ve even gotten a few comments…thanks MOM! We know it’s been about 2 weeks since our first post (and you’ve been holding your breath a really long time in protest of our absence) but we decided to take a trip to South East Asia. Don’t you want us to expand our horizons? We’ll take that as a resounding YES! So today’s post (and probably a few hereafter) will integrate the learnings and experiences of our travels, all from our perspective as a train-rider of course.

We’ve got lots to discuss so let’s get on it with it.

The Long Walk Home

This is Ron. We met him on the train to the airport. He was drafted to serve in Vietnam. He didn’t go, but his buddies did. They all died and since 1972, Ron has lived his life barefoot in commemoration of their legacies. Ron eventually realized that Veterans who did return home were struggling with the re-entry process after serving their country, oftentimes in treacherous combat zones. His journey and mission grew to address a need he saw, stemming from his personal experiences. Ron is a cool-ass dude making a difference. He told us, when we asked about his uh…not wearing shoes bit, that a few years ago he would’ve punched us in the face or told us to fuck off for asking. We’re glad this was not a few years ago (he doesn’t want it with us anyway – we know Karate). And we’re glad we got to chat with him (instead of being afraid of his shoe-less-ness). To help support his cause, click on the link above for his site or just click HERE cuz we know our readers are lazy as hell and don’t want to scroll up.

How to Wear it Right

So check it – these two fellas decided to rock similar-looking jackets today and it helps us  illustrate the ways in which one can assert a personal style. The uber-stylish dude on the left paired his cropped suede fur collar parka with: a modern twist on the harem pant complete with side zippers, black suede loafers, Ralph Lauren Polo-esque socks (for a pop of color) and a blue pattern collared shirt buttoned up to the top. And his leather backpack had the perfect amount of wear and tear to look aged but not abused. With unique shapes and pops of color, a dark color palette can be transformed into something all your own. Or you can rock it like homeboy on the right–with jeans and sneakers. It’s your call but you know what I would do

WTF Moment: Give us a great caption for this WTF Moment and we’ll post it…you’ll be famous! We promise

*Yep those are monks…

Next Stop: Here’s what we’re working on in the near future. Feel free to giggle uncontrollably.

We’ve always been fascinated by street performers. When we were little, we would pitch a fit anytime we saw some jerkoff laughing at someone just trying to hustle and share their talent. Imagine a 10 year old mean-muggin a grown ass man, it was vicious. Fast forward a few years and here we are trying to promote folks who’ve got talent to share and a story to tell. This gentleman serenaded us to Happy Birthday because he said we were American 🙂

Stay Tuned for More

iPod Selection for this AM: Nothing, we had to hum to ourselves because our blasted iPod decided to give us the blank stare today. Here’s hoping tomorrow it decides to act right.