DIY for the Everyday Guy: Tools of the Trade

Getting back into the tutorial game, I wanted to bring it back to basics for my readers. Knowing a lot of you have an appreciation for the finer things in life, here's to learning how to maintain said finer things. Welcome to DIY for the Everyday Guy.

We'll keep it simple and in plain English- and start with the tools of the trade: the travel sewing kit. You usually can pick one up with the change in your pockets, or hang on to the one from your next hotel stay.

Available Today: Alex Grant for The Style Cooperative

Pre Orders Now Available: Alex Grant for The Co-Op

We are just a week away from the public release of the nautical inspired neckwear designed by voice behind Alex Grant. Made from locally sourced deadstock textiles, and hand cut and sewn by local artisans in Chicago, this limited release won't last for long. If you missed it before, check out the lookbook.

Contrasting panel fabrics

Stripe side: Cotton blend knit

Available in Navy or Chocolate

White side: 100% silk twill

Hand slip stitched closure

Nickel hardware

Hand cut and sewn in Chicago

$50

To reserve your tie before they become available to the rest of the public, send a note to preorders@thestylecooperative.com indicating how many you'd like and in which color. 

Spring is near; it's time for Prep at its Best.

Social Study: Guys, Girls, and Style

Background: People often ask about my experience as a woman working in and designing menswear. I get a good amount of questions from guys asking my opinion about style, and of course the standard "Um, can you take a look at my shirt? I think I (insert a variety of damaging behavior from daytime fails and nighttime blunders)."

But at the end of the day, I wonder if guys in general  feel open to or are even seeking the opinion or approval from women in their sartorial experience.

Method: In this so very scientific study, I tweeted to the masses (and some more pointed folks* to balance out the group among style guys, married/commited guys, proudly non-commited guys, manly man guys, etc.) asking if women were a major influencer in their style decisions. This is just part of some of what you taught me:

Personal favorite response: "the right girl"

Conclusions: As it turns out, responses were pretty split down the middle. Some guys do it all for the ladies, while others just lean on your own personal style and attention of the female variety is a nice bonus. But a lot of agreement came around the idea of confidence being what women recognize, more so than any article of clothing. So is there some confidence soap you guys are scrubbing up with in the morning?

What do you think? Is it women, guy friends, blogs, or just your taste that influences how you leave the house? 

*People with protected tweets have names withheld to protect the innocent

Sir & Madame Spring Lookbook

Sir & Madame, fellow Chicago lifestyle brand, and awesome team of stylish folks dropped the lookbook today for their Spring '11 collection.

Let's pause momentarily for some of my editorial:

-The riding theme is so inspired, particularly the contrast color riding pants.

-That weekender bag is awesome, I hope you guys don't just look over it where it's featured.

-I'm so glad Chicago has something like this to call its own

-A BOW TIE FROM THE STYLE COOPERATIVE IS STYLED ON A WOMAN, so I'm doing a little happy dance at my desk as I write this

Take a look at the whole book, lust over everything, and click your way over to the Sir & Madame shop. It'll be good for your health and happiness. Trust me, I'm a doctor.

You're Invited: Chicago Holiday Trunk Show

click to enlarge

If you're local to Chicago, you won't want to miss this. And it's just in time for some last minute holiday gifts. Ladies are absolutely welcome too!

I really hope to meet some readers there, so make sure to say hello and let me know you've seen the blog. It'll make my day.

The Fuller Scarf

I don't want to destroy these images with too many words, so:

Slinky soft knitwear. Convertible to a circle scarf with hand stitched buttons closures. Crafted by local artisans in Chicago.  Behold.

Style Q&A: Bespoke

I've been hearing the term "bespoke" tossed around on style blogs and brands lately. At the risk of sounding out of touch, what exactly is "bespoke"?

This is a totally fair question that I think a lot of people secretly wonder and google search.

Once upon a time, people wore clothes that fit.  Some people went to the tailor, got measured, and had all of their clothes made to the measurements of their own bodies because buying off the rack wasn't an option. This is bespoke at its purest: completely custom, perfectly cut, and properly constructed. It was clothing that wasn't created until the request was made (bespoken... get it). In short, it was clothing that was built to last for the individual.

In the past handful of decades, we've seen a lot of trends come and go, and the availability of more disposable clothing options making it expensive and not so necessary to put a lot of thought, time, or consideration into developing a wardrobe, as you can just replace it next season.

I probably don't have to tell you this, but there are tons of brands these days that talk in great detail now about the history and process of their products, discussing handmade goods, and local artisan production that makes you feel like that product was made by a person who you can relate to.

In recent years, a lot of consumers have been interested in the idea of build-your-own or co-creation in product and experience, alike.  Everything from customized chocolate bars to stuffed teddy bears to sneakers- it's all falls under this now more umbrella term for made to order product and service that we now refer to as "bespoke".

I'm a believer in this whole idea of having products made to order. The time and anticipation are worth it when you are able to wear something that is made the way you want it, and by another person's hands. It's kind of magical like that.

New Goods: The Isadore Stole

As seen in the Holiday Lookbook, the Isadore Stole is available today at The Style Cooperative for both men & women. It's a limited run item, just in time for the weather holiday fanciness.

The Style Cooperative - Holiday 2010

The Style Cooperative Holiday Lookbook is here!

This is the biggest and best lookbook we've developed to date at The Co-Op. This is just in time for the holidays, so turn on some festive music and take a look. 

From us, to you. Images after the jump!

Girl Talk: Unmentionables

Ladies, raise your hand if you've ever worn a slip since the 4th grade. Um, really? That few huh. Or what about the more modern and hip word for the same thing... chemise?

I read and talk a lot about well constructed garments, taking care of garments, looking for things to invest in, bla bla bla. The fact of the matter is this: Great clothes that fit well are a thing to treasure. The other fact: if you don't have the proper foundation, it's money wasted.

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The anatomy of a dress:

Fitted dresses are all constructed based on the same basic bodice and skirt form that is later cut for style and then contoured for fit. Way back when, dresses typically didn't come lined like they do today, so wearing a slip was pretty necessary all the time so that the seams weren't against your skin, and also the slinky texture allows the dress to drape on the body instead of cling to curves.

Dresses that typically come lined today are either more formal in nature, are designed to look constructed and have a little weight to it, or need something on the inside to allow the dress to flow in such a way that makes it do that little thing where you want one foot to pop up when you give hugs. I'm not the only one right?

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Why and how to buy a slip:

While it's true that most dresses that need lining come constructed that way already, there are certain garments that will flow and fall in such a beautifully uncalculated way with that little extra something.  For example, when wearing knit dresses (typically anything that has stretch to it like the cotton tshirts are made out of, many spring/summer dresses, and anything loose and slinky). Also, for those somewhat-see-through-but-its-cute-so-you-really-want-to-wear-it-anyways kind of dresses and skirts, they become a real life saver.

If you are looking into buying just one, I would suggest getting a nude or black colored, short slip that is silky and simple. This means none of those bulging bows or awkward drawstrings that completely defeat the purpose. I've done some digging, this this and this could work. For more fitted dresses, this is ideal.

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And it can be cute:

I love it when people style their looks to allow peeks of a vintage slip to show. The delicate lace and silk or satin from past decades has that romantic Parisian girl thing going on, but can also soften a tough city girl look as well. On top of that, modern and beautiful slips are one of those things that just feel ultra feminine and fierce, kind of like wearing red lip stick.

Fading: An Un-Love Story

What to do with faded black clothes? -Alison

Hey Alison, great question. We talk so much about investing in clothing that will last, but talk little about how in fact to make that happen. First I'll answer a few follow up questions, then get to the solutions.

Why do clothes fade?

Dark colored clothing get to that shade from dyes (no surprise there). When washing clothes, if the water is left a different color, it is because of dye being released from the garment itself.  This is how whites get not-so-white, and the reason behind the red sock turning clothes pink phenomenon.

When washing clothes in water with detergent, this will happen over time. Some people turn garments like dark jeans inside out to preserve color. In all actuality, this doesn't preserve the die on the inside, it is only to prevent against the middle spin thing of the washer from causing abrasions... thus wear and fading.  If you have a front load washer, it's less of an issue.

Also, the sun, hair products, and other chemicals can all lead to wear on the dye and how it relates to fiber, just as it can to your hot new hair color.

And what can I do about it?

-Hand wash with soaps made for dark clothes or Woolite. The dark clothes detergents actually have a small amount of dye in them to help restore the color, but this isn't such a great option if you have patterns on the clothes, because it ends up dying all colors, not just the black.

-Wash only with other black clothes. Remember the dye in the water I mentioned earlier? If you're washing all blacks together, this dye leakage that you are soaking in can help lead back to the garments that it leaked from. It's not really a fix, but it may help prolong fading.

-Dry clean. There's no water or color leakage here. So if your garments can be dry cleaned and they are worth preserving, this may be the route. You can also spot clean as necessary. Some people only dry clean their denim, particularly denim of the selvage variety. But that's another topic for another day.

-Dye the clothes to intensify the color. You can pick up a box of RIT dye from your local craft, fabric, or art store for a couple dollars and follow the directions to dye the entire garment in hopes of restoring the color. This method works best on natural fibers (cotton, wool, etc.), but can be used on synthetic fibers as well. But the same rule of thumb with dye applies: don't use it on patterned fabrics because it will change all colors, not just the blacks.

A Transitional Time

Hey dudes. Things are really picking up here over at The Co-Op. We're updating all things digital for your lovely consumption and building some beautiful new goods. Just can't wait to share! 

This is the first photo set we've done since I did you-know-what, so I hope you all likey.

The look I've got going on today is actually one that I styled for my evening at the opening show for Chicago's Fashion Focus (sans 14" bow attached to my head).  The look was pretty popular, and landed me as the feature image in Ebony Magazine's Style section and pictured on NBC Chicago. Whoa boy!

I'm wearing my current absolute favorite piece from The Co-Op. It's a winterized Wyly top in white jacquard.  The material is ultra heavy and gives structure to an otherwise flowing top.

And the texture is out of control amazing. Not just because I picked it out either... it really is fantastically soft and roomie.

Oh, and of course there's the back buttons.  This time around, it's paired with gold dome buttons.  Luxe, yes? And somehow perfect to dress up with a suiting skirt, or down with a pair of boyfriend jeans and booties.

And the line it creates with the body with a fitted bottom... it really has me hooked as my fall/winter go-to.

For Fall, Bow Ties

Rugby

 You may know this by now, but I'm kind of a cross dresser.  I mean not a serious one, but I definitely love and will fully embrace the androgonous look for fall. I'm thinking Annie Hall meets The Great Gatsby meets the Ivy League.  Oh yea.

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What makes me particularly happy is that mens accessories are being styled these days on women.  Think brands like The Brooklyn Circus that are menswear labels styling women in their clothes. Love. It.

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The way I'll be keeping it boyish but refined is with bowties throughout the fall.  You may just see some special little additions to The Co-Op as well.

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So what's your favorite gender bending style statement?

Last day for Lloyd Dress Sale

Tonight at 12am (eastern) is your last chance to order the Lloyd Dress at half off for Look of the Week! You'll be hard pressed to find this look at the same price again, so if you haven't ordered yet- you know what to do this evening.

It's that time of the year...

I don't know too much about football, but I do know how to support my team (can I get a Go Blue?)! In anticipation and celebration for the first game of the season this weekend, this version of the Lloyd Dress is The Style Cooperative's Look of the Week, meaning it's half price for one week only (through Wednesday of next week).

This is one of those versatile pieces that can take you from Saturday shopping straight to tailgate in style. The stretch gives you a little wiggle room, and the fabric makes it feel a little refined.  

Meet Adlin, a big supporter of The Co-Op and member of the Freelance Brigade.  She's making a special trip back to University of Michigan to cheer her team on in classic Co-Op style with the Lloyd Dress in canary and stripes.  If you happen to run into her at the game, tell her you recognize her from the blog, and she'll give you a discount code good for anything by The Style Cooperative.

Clothes and sports? Now that's multitasking.

Country Lifestyling

I'm all about city life.  The lights, the noise, the people; for better or worse, I'm a city girl.  But I'll let you in on a little secret: I'm a closeted small town girl who has learned to keep up with city life.

I'm talking about living next to farms and eating the vegetables we grow kind of lifestyle.  Yep, we do that.

It's the kind of place where I wear cutoff shorts and walk around barefoot so I can feel the grass against my feet.  There's nothing quite like it.

City life gives me the outlet and the opportunity to do great things, country life gives me the energy to power it all. This dual life taught me to mix things up a little, and let the chaos work itself out. 

And I carry that idea into wardrobe- a little country with cutoff shorts (courtesy of my dad, but I don't think he knows that... so don't tell him I cut up his old jeans) and hand beaded jewelry, and little city sleek in Richard's Cropped shirt from The Co-Op and silver bangles.

I like to think that while I'm hopping around between city and country life lately, I'm getting the best of both worlds.