Dapper Style Guide: Bougie Nantucket Anniversary

Gents, you may already have heard that we're having a big ol' 1st Anniversary Party for Dean Street Society on Saturday, September 8th in my home sweet Brooklyn. You're invited. RSVP here!

And here's your style guide for picnic attire. Break down the outfits below for ideas of items in your closet that would look appropriately fashion forward put together, or are brazenly bold & haven't gotten enough wear. Go big & go bold, or go home dear sirs!

Can't wait to meet & celebrate with you in person. Come alone. Bring a whole crew of friends. It'll be a gorgeous fall day in Brooklyn with awesome people, celebrating what's possible if you put your mind to it & your dreams into action. Jump on the invite to get the details as they come!

P.S. Plan to have a gal on your arm that day? Her style guide is over on Bow Ties & Bettys ...

Mens colored pants. You've got this.

Here's how fashion sometimes works: The industry comes up with something cool for women {cardigans, skinny jeans} & once we Betty embrace it as awesome, they decide to make it for you Dappers too. Colored pants are the most recent example & while they intimidate a lot of my guy clients, here's some visual proof that you really can pull them off.

Option #1 is to pair them with rugged, chunky things to keep it masculine {heavy boots, knit caps, thick layers}:

Option #2 is to tone it down by wearing just a really simple shirt {no ties, bow ties, very pared down}:

Option #3 is to embrace it & go fully preppy {patterned button down, polo shirt, cardigan, bow tie, blazer, pocket square, sailing belt}:

This last option isn't "advanced" as in hard to pull off, but it's fashion foward, which might not be you. If you're a bit weary to try colored pants, start with #1 & #2 to ease into it in a more fail-safe manner. Or refer to this post on color & pattern in shirts to embrace #3.

{Photos via Urbano Outfitters, PreppyGirlyGirl, Preppy World, Unabashedly Prep, Prepaganda, Tetino Tete}

Capital Style: How a men's wardrobe edit + shopping worked for one DC dad

Meet Ryan, a DC dapper who balances suits for his gig as a government & galas event planner, with Converse for his gig as dad to 5-year-old Logan.

While Ryan's the kind of guy who's always well dressed, he charged me with the task of finding holes in his wardrobe & giving him new ideas to get out of ruts. For work attire we noted which colors were absent, which ties weren't getting worn & then went shopping to fill the holes or purchase pieces get him more mileage out of what he already owns. Post-shopping we took some pics on his iPhone of four new shirts with 12 generally unworn ties so he'd have easy early mornings inspiration.

I also made an inspiration board to make sure we were on the same page & leave him with visual reminders for when he goes shopping on his own. You can see more pics & check out Ryan's winter wardrobe list on my Pinterest.

If you need some help spruncing up or streamlining your closet, gents, you know where to find me.

Mens boat shoes. You're welcome.

You've already heard me proclaim the power of a brown lace-up oxford. It's the #1 shoe for any guy to have because it works at the office or with jeans.

Once you've checked that box, the #2 shoe you need is one that makes you look cool on weekends & my answer is the boat shoe.

Brown or navy are the safest bet. For your second pair add in a color or two-tone.

They work with jeans {cuff them} or shorts, so aside from snowy winter, they're wearble most of the year. Plus {why you should be thanking me} they're incredibly comfortable so you can go without socks, or you can pair them with fun patterned socks to keep you warm & make you look more stylish. These are the shoes you want to pack for your nect vacation. 

P.S. Sperry's are my personal favorite & totally affordable {I get my girl versions at DSW}.

{Photos via The Sartorialist, Carolina Prep, Otis & Frank, Thomas Fleming}

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Branding: Authentic photographs from online dating to work websites

They say a picture's worth a thousand words? SO true when it comes to your online dating profile. You could compose the most fascinating, witty profile ... but have a fuzzy, far away photo ... & few girls are gonna risk their evening to grab a drink with you. You gents always talk about how visual you are, but ya'll discount how visual women are too! {Have you guys really not heard us talk about George Clooney or Ryan Gosling??} Girls know whether it's the twinkle in your smile, your neatly trimmed beared, or your broad shoulders that make them eye flirt with you across a subway car. And they're looking for those same things in an online photo.

It can be as simple as you in a plain white tee & you just being you.

And it's not just online dating profiles. If you're an entrepreneur or freelancer, these photos on your website are what make people feel connected to you & trust you enough to work with you. Or does your corporate office have a website? Whether you're a real estate agent or a lawyer, if people are visiting your company's website, a simple quality photo of you can seal the deal & help a visitor remember your company for future reference.

Don't have those kind of photos on your Facebook profile? No worries. Schedule a coffee + camera date. You & I can change that in about 30 minutes. I bet you have an adorable girl or a new client writing you back right around the corner.