How He Wore It: Cameron Forbes

You've met Cameron Forbes here on the blog before.

He's one of the most intensely talented songwriter/artists I've come to know, and is one of those forces that is quietly but quickly making waves when it comes to his craft.  We made a pact about 5 years ago late night on a Brooklyn-bound F train to chase the dream with full force one day. It's that day every day, and it has been for some time now.

How He Wore It: Zach of ImFlashy (Giveaway!)

Men in suits, on bikes, in the city.   I'm sold.

You may have seen some of his lens and pixel work around the interwebs, covering his interviews with countless rising stars in music and lifestyle brands. But I'd bet you've seen Zach Walker of ImFlashy like this.

#NewThingsThurs Natural on Natural

Every week for... a while we'll be releasing one (or more) new products to the spring and summer mix. 

This week, natural denim, new tie shapes, and why summer makes all things refreshing.

#NewThingsThurs @ The Style Cooperative

Every week for... a while we'll be releasing one (or more) new products to the spring and summer mix. There's a lot of variety and a great amount of detail that went into making a full assortment of ties with beautiful fabrications.

This time around:

-2 toned cotton neck tie
-2.5" at widest point

-100% cotton seersucker in grey in front section

-Washed, natural colored denim on neck and back section

-Horween chromexcel keeper on back

-100% wool interlining

-Made completely of natural fibers and components

-Cut on the bias

-Closed by hand with slip stitching

-Individually crafted in Chicago by local artisans

Available here

Something for the Weekend

I'm a big fan of using accessories and small loveliness to upgrade an outfit.  A crazy little belt or a perfectly sculpted hat can mean the difference between having a plain look from having something stand out in all the right ways.

As the long holiday weekend approaches think casual, fun, and practicality.  Here's one item to add to the closet collection for men and women that will look great while outside on the go.

I'm a total die-hard TOMS Shoes fan, this you may know.  TOMS will help you look good as you do good.  The boat style makes it fantastically appropriate for that barbecue or time at the pier.  This shoe is the cooler version of the boat shoe your dad will probably has, and it's a great way to make a classic feel less... classic.

I hope your weekend is full of sun, but don't let sunglasses be your only option while out and about (but please don't wear together).  These two hats are the beautiful and more refined version of those straw fedoras everyone wears now.  If you're not a hat person, the flat version perches on the top of your head and doesn't frame your face in the same way.  That's code for: Give it another try.

Have a beautiful and safe holiday guys!  More to come in a few days.

Weekend + Swimwear Remix

This was quite a fantastic weekend. I made it back to my parents' house, ate large amounts of food in the name of carbo-loading, ran a road race with friends, and had a late in the season swimwear shopping trip.

In preparing to go on vacation at the end of the week, I wanted to add a piece or 2 to my swimwear repitoire. Now I know this is nowhere near a novel concept, but lately I only add one separate at a time to my collection of bikini separates. In reality, I just have a number of half-bikinis used only to mix and match solids and prints. To an extent, I prefer having mismatched suits to pretend to be like those beach girls that have that whole I-look-incredible-without-even-trying thing going on.

Anyhow, here is what I look for when shopping to maximize mismatch potential in pieces:

Solid colors in basic bikini shapes. Bottom by Target.

Basic textures (no crochet, screen prints, woven-in metallics, or any other foolishness out there). Textures like crochet are meant to be worn with their pair, otherwise it just looks lazy. Loeffler Randall.

Multi-colored prints with a capital MULTI (this is just to pair a wider variety of separates with it). By Jinx!

Limited hardware. When your distressed bronze rings on the bottoms and the wooden beading on the top come together, it can be a bit distracting. It's best to just avoid it all together. By Aguaclara.

Contrasting & complementary colors- don't play it too safe. Marc Jacobs Resort 2010.