How He Wore It: Vince

A few weeks ago, I made a quick but mighty trip to NY to get in a bit of work and play. While there, I spent a lot of time hanging in the East Village, and convinced a friend and supporter of The Co-Op to hang out in the sticky city heat (in a suit, on his day off) to shoot a spread.

Meet Vince. He's a Bronx native, and one of those New Yorkers that knows everything about the city, and feels a certain way when the word Westchester gets brought up in casual conversation.

#typical

We started snapping shots as he explained to me that the crazy silver rooftops are some weird Bloomberg initiative. The idea: silver doesn't absorb heat into the buildings like the black tar found on most roofs, thus keeping the buildings cooler.

Ok, sure.

From the new fall product lineup, he picked out the Dobby Corduroy tie in Olive ($50). With a well cut navy suit and chestnut colored brogues, it's got character, but conservative enough for his finance gig.

This is the part when we learn how one dance move translates to any Sean Paul song.

Oh, wave hi to Jess!

You can pick up an Olive Dobby tie on the site, and also now (woohoo!) at skate and lifestyle shop Seams in Long Beach, CA.

Introducing: Digital Camo

True story: We've never had so many people asking about a product before even posting about it like we have with this whole Digital Camo situation. Ever.

It's finally here.

Today, we're introducing the Digital Camo to The Co-Op's autumn mix, with a bit of design and creative know how from our buds over at DNSTY. 

The finer details:

Cotton/Canvas midweight blend,

2.5" at widest

 Horween leather keeper on back

 Sourced and produced in Chicago

$50

The finer print: It's a limited run that hit the DNSTY site yesterday, starts to ship on Monday 10/24 in the order we receive requests. Snap Back Bow Ties ($45), and pocket squares ($20) available beginning that day as well.

Some Texture for the changing Seasons

The seasons are actually changing, sweaters are out, layering technique is being seasonally perfected. Yeah, we know about that.

One of the greatest parts about seasonal layering is being able to mix in texture and bursts of interest. Like a little corduroy next to your denim, or some wool on your chambray oxford. We know, you get it.

Click through to take a look at our first batch of seasonal offerings.

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?

For Fall, Pt. 1: Women

New York Fashion Week is in full force, and while we're looking at Spring looks by all the designers, the reality of it all is that we are still thoroughly in summer weather in many parts of the country, and need to focus on the cooling temperatures for our more immediate purposes.  

So let's talk fall in a very need-to-know way. No fluff, just pretty pictures.

TopShop

Maxi lengths

Forever 21

Menswear accessories

J. Crew

Texture on texture

TopShop

Capes

Opening Ceremony

Cold weather cropped tops

Spring's Fall Picks

This past weekend, I took a 1-day staycation and went to the beach.  This gave me the time to finally catch up on some reading, sanity, and also some Autumn/Winter 2100 fashion looks.  Does anybody else see the irony of me at the beach pining over cold weather wear? 

Anyhow, here's what I drooled over for one reason or another.

All images via style.com

Built by Wendy: Gloved Love

Happy Monday! As you read this, I am probably in route back to Chicago from a great weekend spent in Michigan. All of the fall colors were incredible and there were many roadside pumpkin patches and farmer stands. Harvest is in full throttle!

Montgomery Ward Catalog - 1943

Recently I've been enamoured with the idea of incorporating gloves with everyday outfits like in the old days. There is something so feminine and classy about it, so it makes me want to dress up a little more in order to don a pair.

The Fall 09 Built by Wendy lookbook is full of fun pieces that give the gloved lady look a cool update. [Slightly unrelated side note: Also loving the collection's tights under cropped pants and the socks that go above the knee!]

Style Works: DIY Fall Scarf Alternative

Not too long ago, I talked about cowl neck scarves and collars that I'm excited to wear for fall. As promised, here is an incredibly simple tutorial on how to make your own in 20 minutes or less! It's a great look that will work well for both ladies and can be a great fall accessories for the guys also.

1. Lay out fabric on a flat surface and unfold it (60" inch fabric will work best). Use a scarf you already own that is pretty wide for sizing purposes and cut fabric along the edge of your guide scarf. The end dimensions should be around 60" x 30"

2. Fold freshly cut fabric in half hot dog style (vs. hamburger, obviously) and stitch a seam along raw edge, creating a long, thin tube. Keep the ends open.

3. Fold the tube shape in half-- hamburger style this time. If you want to get a bit fancy with it, twist the tube once before moving on to step 4. Image 3 is what that should look like.

4. Join ends of the long tube together, folding under the raw edges to create a more finished look. Stitch along the adjoined edges, creating a large circle.

And there you have it! A simple project that you can dress up or down for the months to come. Maybe my next version will be made with lined cashmere. Or some punchy prints in silk! Looks like I've found my new fall obsession...

Falling in Love With Fall

Some eye candy by Luca Patrone because I'm loving fall right now! It reminds me of layers, soft light, and earth tones that aren't synonymous with neutral. Wind blowing, cozy sweaters, spicy scent; it's that time of year.

Things That Fall Gracefully

The warm weather and sandals are making way for the grey skies and biting wind in Chicago soon. I'll say it quietly so not to offend to many, but I can't wait. Riding boots, apply orchards, baking with cinnamon, and scarves. It all reminds me of fall is all about.





This year, instead of traditional scarves, I plan on wearing mostly cowled scarves and knitted collars to get me through the colder months. Here are some that have caught my eye:

1. Timo 2. Necklush 3. ShopBop 4. Sanchia Playfair 5. & 6. Yokoo 7. Missoni

Soon to come: a tutorial on how you can fashion your own cowl scarf to make it perfectly your own. Stay tuned!