For The Guys: New Cole Haan Styles

Guys, check out Cole Haan's new spectator wingtip, saddle laceup and handmade Italian loafer lines.  With many different style and color options, your custom pair is just a click away.  Most are available with concealed NikeAir technology, so they're comfortable too! Loving the vintage-inspired direction this season.  Priced around $200, these are so easy to wear with your favorite pair of denim, chinos, seersucker or even shorts in certain cases. 

 Explore more by clicking HERE

 

Event: Three Blind Vines

Friday, February 25th.  Friends, pull out your calendars and mark that date because you now have plans! On this night, Franklin’s finest will attend the annual wine tasting event Three Blind Vines. This party for a purpose gives wine lovers the opportunity to taste different brands of Sauvignon Blanc and Malbec while benefiting a great cause, the revitalization of the Franklin Theatre. 

A 1920s speakeasy theme sets the stage for a glamorous evening.  Although this attire is not required, it is recommended and I strongly encourage it.  

I’ll be there to judge Best Dressed Man and Best Dressed Woman. Compliments of my friends at Creed, the Best Dressed Man will go home with a bottle of the internationally revered Green Irish Tweed cologne. My favorite jewelry designer, Christine Wallace, has created a custom pair of art deco earrings with elements from that romantic era for the Best Dressed Woman. 

Friday, February 25, 2011  |  6p – 9p  |  Jamison Hall in The Factory  |  Franklin

$25 per person, $30 at the door + 3 bottles of wine per team 

 1 Sauvignon Blanc, 1 Malbec and 1 repeat of either
Teams consist of 1-3 people

Click HERE for tickets 

Click HERE for more information 

Unsure of what to wear? I’ve collected some speakeasy style reference images to spark some ideas. Pull inspiration from these below, make it your own and have fun with it!  

 

Additional Information

Admission includes entertainment, food from your favorite local restaurants and chefs, and the wine of course. 

Back by popular demand, the silent auction is sure to afford many opportunities to bid on desirable items throughout the evening.  

The fabulous Mandy Johnson will be at the event, capturing images of all the night's best moments and styles.   

In addition to competing for the best style, you also compete as a team against others for the best wine.  The teams that bring the most favored wine of the evening (determined by vote) go home with all unopened bottles. So bring your favorite wine and pull out the pearls, feathers, vests, suspenders, hats, etc and step back in time for a truly special event.

 

Street Style: Christine Wallace Vintage Jewelry

As promised, I am happy to share with you the first piece of custom man jewelry by the amazing Christine Wallace.  Handcrafted from antique elements, this is a very special addition to my personal collection.  She used bird and hand charms, a little sparkle, various chains and a tassel to complement the already fabulous antique lion crest which serves as the anchor for this piece. 

It's amazing how adding just one unique item such as this to an outfit can completely transform the look from average to exceptional.  If you look back in fashion, I feel that it's more common to see brooches and the use of classically beautiful gentlemanly accessories.  My sartorial challenge to you, my forward-thinking reader, is to take pride in exploring ways to spice up a normal look by adding something unique to you, bringing back an old-world feel in a modern and memorable way. 

A very special thanks to Brett Warren for the photographs in this feature.  His talents as a photographer can easily be recognized with a look through his work, a beautiful collection from both his New York days and recent shoots in the Nashville area.  I'm amazed by his innate recognition of and ability to capture not only an image but a memory.  

To learn about Brett and view more, visit: 

flickr.com/photos/brettastic
 

Be sure to check out more of Christine's work and current items for purchase through any of the following avenues:

Website: christinewallacevintagejewelry.com
Etsy Store: etsy.com/shop/ChristineWallace
Blog: christinewallacevintagejewelry.blogspot.com

For The Guys: Fun Finds

Stylish items for guys.  Harder to come by than those for the ladies, but they're out there!  Whether it be a piece for the interior, wardrobe or maybe an item for work or play... with just a bit more effort into the search you really can find cool things.  Below are some of my favorite dude items I've found recently. 

Sport Shower Curtain

Vintage-style varsity accoutrements embellish this fun, distinctive shower curtain in a soft, unbleached poly cotton/canvas.  Water and mold-resistant.  Great for the sophisticated gentleman, unique graphic art buff or vintage sports lover.

Available at www.izolashower.com

Helpful hint... Izola is having a sale on some products at OneKingsLane until 12/6 at 11am.  Click here to visit: www.onekingslane.com

Slim University Coat

This popular JCrew coat recently got a more modern fit, updating its fit to be a slimmer, longer look.  With a great ultrasoft wool exterior and quilt lining, this can be found at www.jcrew.com

Leather Clairevivier iPad Case

Made of 100% naturally dyed italian leather, this iPad case will snuggly and stylishly protect your iPad from the elements and the dangers of light travel.

Grab yours at www.theory.com 

Delusion Hurricane Knitted Sweater

Draped layered neck with a textured finish and relaxed fit, this sweater offers a unique silhouette that almost has the appearance of a scarf.  Such a great edgy, modern menswear piece. 

Find online at www.asos.com

The Best Undershirt In The World

2(x)ist has a line of products made with soy fibers.  This material is extremely breathable and is softer than cashmere.  I can't begin to tell you how awesome these are.  It comes in grey or black, but sadly not yet offered in white.  

More info at www.2xist.com

For The Guys: Fall Fashion

For great casual Fall looks, guys have tons of options. I prefer finding unique pieces that your fellow Nashvillian may not put the energy into sourcing. Try for example this knit long sleeve with uncommon neckline from All Saints, the black skinny jean with subtle pocket detail from Bess (tucked or rolled) with a calf boot and this awesome Marc Jacobs watch with raised rubber numbering.

For The Guys: Perfect Grey Suede Footwear

In my search for the perfect grey suede boot, I've come to realize this is the perfect Fall/Winter footwear option for guys. Grey looks great with both brown and black, so they're extremely versatile and near impossible to wear inappropriately. Also, you can dress them up or down very easily. My top three favorites at the moment are pictured below. The top pair is Kenneth Cole, the middle John Varvatos and the last by Shoe The Bear. Any of these would be great, effortless and refined additions to a guy's wardrobe. Which do you like best?