Vests for men - Why suit up when you can vest up?

Could you give advice on wearing vests for men? Should thin guys wear vests? What type would suit jeans?

-Nicholai

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Dear Nicolai,

Hi there and thanks for your question. I was psyched to find your query in my inbox, I was afraid that my new girlie pink banner might have the potential to scare the dudes away.

I think guys in vests are nifty. In fact, I bought my guy a Rivers Cuomo Weezer like sweater vest this past Christmas. In my opinion, a guy wearing a vest always seems like he's got his fashion act together, carrying off a look that says "Yeah, my arms don't get cold."

When it comes to male vests, there are a few no-nos. Resist anything fur-lined (unless your last name is Zhivago and you live in the Ukraine). You should also avoid pink or polka-dotted vests, and refrain from wearing vests with shorts, particularly sweater vests...unless you're invited to a stuffy country club, you'll look like a putz.

Thin guys can definitely carry off vests and accentuate their thin frames in the process. I usually prefer the unbuttoned casual look, but to each his own. Here are just a few male vest styles you should definitely invest in, depending on the season.

1. Winter - What's black, white and red all over? ...This Zoo York Men's Vest from CCS Skateboards. This vest is so cool, it'll have you counting off the days until it snows. I take that back, guys don't count off the days until they can wear something...that's totally a chick thing. Nevertheless, you'll love wearing this Reversible quilted nylon vest with your favorite tee or button down, and it's on sale for $39.99. All the Skater Boys will want one.

2. Spring - Try on this Ryan Woven Vest from Heritage 1981 for a classic, masculine and trendy look that serves as a great alternative to a blazer during warmer months. It's $19.90, but looks expensive and so seductively suave. Wear it with a long-sleeved button down with the sleeves rolled up. Warning - Wearing it with a plain white tee might welcome comparisons to George Michael.

3. Summer - This Unisex Solid Rib Vest from American Apparel is a slim, form-fitting vest both you and your girlfriend can enjoy wearing all summer long. Available in black, navy, lapis (which is a fancy word for blue) and cranberry, this V-neck button down lightweight vest is a great layering piece that you won't have to put away when the weather chills up. Only $36.

4. Fall - Perfect for Fall and to carry you all through winter is this handsome Wool Crucis Vest from Todd Shelton. It's a little pricier for $169, but adds a richness to any pant and shirt combo that is oh so worth it. To look money, you have to spend money...right?

Hope this helps Nicolai.

xoxo,
sammy

p.s. They all go great with jeans.

Having a fashion dilemma or crisis?

Need to know what top goes with what bottom?

Don't go it alone. Ask Sammy!

Posted by Samara at 09:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Same shirt, different day - Let's Talk Men's Dress Style

HI, Sammy,

Thanks!

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Hi anonymous dude in need of fashion help!

Thanks for writing in, I always get warm tinglies when guys come to me for fashion advice. I used to dole out perceptive style suggestions to all my classmates during recess when I was in kindergarten and while the girls were always receptive to my thoughts on correct barrette placement, my style shake didn't bring all the boys to the yard. They'd get annoyed when I suggested they tuck in their IZod shirts into their mini Levis waistbands and I'd get sand kicked in my face in return.

I've come a long way since then, and those boys are all grown up and getting sand kicked in their faces because they dress like doofuses.

First off nameless dude, as long as you're not wearing a puffy pirate shirt shown above, you've already won half of the shirt battle. I suspect that you're alternating the same shirts week in and week out because those are you favorites. We tend to gravitate towards the things we love in our closets, I'm guilty of it myself. I have two suggestions for you-

1. Buy some new favorite shirts.

2. Revamp the shirts you've got.

Men usually think they have it pretty easy when it comes to getting dressed due to their limited options. Shirt-pants or shirt-shorts...unless you're Scottish, then you have a bunch of tartan kilts thrown into the mix. Sometimes you can revamp the same old shirts you've got hanging in your closet by adding a few key pieces that you never thought of incorporating. Sometimes even a simple pair of bamboo socks can make an entire outfit feel like new.

For work you can get away with wearing the same white or blue dress shirt during the week if you pair it with a classic tie one day and a light blazer another day. Wear that blazer over a polo and you've got a weekend shirt that's good enough to wear to work. Damn I'm good. Light V-neck sweaters like the one above from DKNY Men are another shirt transforming blessing.

For weekend wear, pair short sleeved button down shirts with a cool soft tee layered underneath like these sweet choices from Lucky Jeans or organic men's tees from 3Clothing. The shirts will look different and feel different while doubling and tripling your options.

As for choice 1, check out sales sections online at spots like Banana Republic for dress shirts and Old Navy for casual wear. Try to buy styles in a new color palette to add some variety. You're bound to find some new favorites to mix and match at marked down prices so you won't lose your shirt in the process.

Good luck nameless dude! I'd love to hear an update and if you have any fashionally challenged buddies, send 'em on over to me.

xoxo,

sammy

Having a fashion dilemma or crisis?

Need to know what top goes with what bottom?

Don't go it alone. Ask Sammy!

Posted by Samara at 08:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What is up with Joaquin Phoenix?

Dear Sammy,

Betsy

Dear Betsy,

I too have been baffled ever since Joaquin's freaky David Letterman appearance where I questioned if it was all just a brilliant and elaborate publicity stunt or if Joaquin is seriously Walking the Line of mental insanity.

I really hope it's just a phase. I have loved Joaquin ever since his name was Leaf and he snuck into camp with Leah Thompson and the older kids in Space Camp. My devotion only intensified when he was nominated for an Academy Award for his insane (in a good way) portrayal of the legendary Johnny Cash. Since then, the 34-year-old actor has announced that he's giving up acting, pursuing a career in the music industry as a hip-hop artist and has apparently made a vow to end his commitment to personal hygiene.

Just to clarify Betsy, NO - this is not a fashion trend your dude should follow...unless he is in a ZZ Top cover band.

I'm guessing his ex Liv Tyler isn't crying over the one that got away.

Having a fashion dilemma or crisis?

Need to know what top goes with what bottom?

Don't go it alone. Ask Sammy!

Posted by Samara at 09:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Newborn baby boy clothes for all the baby boys in da crib

I want to congratulate my dear friend Pam who I've blogged about on earlier occassions, remember Pam's a Pepper?

Pam just had her second baby boy earlier this week and man, is he a handsome little feller. My other girlfriend from the Big Apple just had a bouncing baby boy as well, so I'm on a search to outfit these boys with apparel and accessories they'll be proud to represent the MIA and the NYC with while cruising around town in their pimped out baby buggies.

I've recently become obsessed with Psycho Baby. No, Psycho Baby isn't an up and coming metal rock band, it's a rocking hipster clothing shop dedicated to making all of the baby boys, girls and tykes of the world look rock star fabulous with old school concert tees and onesies featuring the Rolling Stones, the Ramones, Run-DMC, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley, AC/DC, the Beatles and even more rocking blasts from the past. Here are a few favorite items for the two new men in my life.

1. If your husband, boyfriend or Baby Daddy has a good sense of humor, they'll get a kick out of this I Look Like the Milkman Infant Sack. Sleep sacks = comfortable babies, so sack it to your 0 to 3 month newborn for $28.

2. Let's face it...that new bundle of joy makes a big bundle of poop. Gift your little pooping machine with a Sir Poops A Lot scull cap, so all the gangstas in the hood know who the real Master P is.

3. This Mute Button Pacifier is only $7, but it magically stops your little rock star from crying. That's almost as cool as the That's Easy button from Staples.

4. We've covered the head, the bod and the mouth, now onto those sweet and tiny footsies. These Me In Mind Skull Canvas Slip On Kicks are so hip, all the teenagers in the neighborhood will ask your baby where he got them.

Try not to spit up on your new duds just yet boys, that isn't very rock star.

Posted by Samara at 08:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Bad Pick up lines vs. Stylin' Pick up lines

In an effort to help all of my stylish male readers pick up fashionable babes in the upcoming year, I've decided to compile a list of the worst pick up lines of 2008. Read them, remember them, refrain from using them.

The Worst Pick up Lines of 2008

1. "Hi, you'll do."

10. "I'm Batman."
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And the Most Stylin' Pick Up Line that'll work every time...

1. Hi, I work for {insert upscale fashion label here}, I get free samples.