The University Diaries

The University happened to me twice in 26 Years. Not that its something worth writing in the record books but it has definitely changed the way i dressed in both stints at the University. The Undergraduate days were more about sagging jeans and weird T shirts ,Over sized shirts to unceremonious hoodies and i have had my share of all this.The second innings at the University for me is all about elegant and sharp clothing and the fact that  being a business student at a prestigious University,just adds that extra flair.I love wearing Jackets and Blazers with or without the Tie to the Business School.I love colors so that they exhibit the fact that i am a student and not an executive in making (may be i am ).

There is something about the Double breasted (DB)Jacket and i love the fact how they can be dressed up or dressed down.Now here, i am wearing a DB Jacket to my class in the University, but trust me i have worn the same Jacket to a formal do as well (off course with much co-ordinated trousers).The trick is to keep your buttons done and you will see a slimmer ,more snugger frame of yourself and plus it also hides your belly due to that non stop beer chugging sessions you have been enjoying lately .

The Mint Trousers is just perfect for adding the hint of color and making you look like a student who mean business in and out of the class as well. Keep it slim ,roll up the cuffs like i did and go sockless with your oxfords or loafers and you might just be the coolest student in the Varsity. 

Do i need to even talk about the virtues of a DB Jacket with a silken Pocket Square? I hope not because you just don't want to be one of the ''Another Drones'' in the Class by not doing the Pocket Square.

The DB is versatile but sometimes you want to do things for that ''Eureka'' moment or if not, something new,something very simple yet very snazzy.I like putting my stamp of individuality to staple pieces in my Wardrobe.One of the example is my Mohair cardigan ,which trust me has gone upon a  t-shirt to a sleeping gown to a Polo and still survives.I took cue from our American cousins at Princeton and Yale who wear a lot of Cardigan to the class with a Tie.This is a runaway classic,something which is simple and everyday style staple.

Watch out for that Tie,which adds some finishing touch to your whole attire ''thingy''.The tie is not ''Take me to the meeting'' stuff but slim and the classic stripped version which will make you look at your best. 

DB Jacket -MR Button
Trousers-MR Button
Cardigan -Zara
Shoes-Zara
Bag-Zara
Shirt-Jack and Jones

The Cardigan is so cool and an all rounder,you can wear it in so many ways.But a Word of Caution: Mix it with colors and wear it with a panache or you may end up looking like a hipster granddad.

This is my take on my University dress code and i do like playing around T shirt on a DB Jacket or a T shirt on the cardigan. You have to try it ,to know how it works on you.

Let me know how you feel about my style and chip in something in the comments below:

And here is the track of the day,pulled out from the old archives.   

Laters.

The City Sweat

I love Sundays,more than Saturdays.Its the day when you try to recover from your heavy Saturdays,its the day when you visit your saloon,its the day when you actually try cooking something novel after going through all those cook books or websites.I prefer Sundays for going out in the city and taking a look around,some shopping and some inspiration

It has started to get a bit chilly and when the winds are being capricious,your best outdoor bet is the Sweat shirt.But wait a minute!! I don't mean the Sweat shirt you have been wearing till now ,or you have been seeing a wide number of gents wearing it . I am not telling you to wear your ''Just do its'' or the ''Impossible is nothing'' Sweats when you go out on a Sunday or any day to the city.I am talking about cool ,comfortable ultra stylish sweat shirts which can be dressed down or dressed up alike.

I like experimenting with my clothes ,and i could have teamed this sweat with a jean or a jogger ,but i preferred them wearing with a Blue chinos and my super fab Oxfords.

Sweat shirts can be really fun ,if you experiment with them more frequently .It keeps you warm enough in the wind ,and can be easily taken off with the surge in the heat.Wear a cotton T shirt beneath and you are ready to Rock and Roll.

Sweat Shirt -Primark

Chinos-MR Button

Shoes-Handmade in India 

I loved this Sweat Shirt for many reasons. This is not very warm but still keeps your sartorial game in place.It has a skull on it giving it that rebellious edge and making it noteworthy,but when you wear it on a chinos and on leather shoes it gets more snazzy . Remember that sweat shirts are not only the Gym staples or hip hop artists best uppers on sagging joggers,but wear it with a twist and you have created your own statement.

The Chameleon Shoes 

Yes they are Chameleon Shoes,yes they change colors as I want them to.No i am not talking about some magic trick here,but a wrong choice of Kiwi polish turned out to be a stroke of serendipity for me. These hand made oxfords are one of the best shoes I could afford and they are worth it. When I got them made some 4 years back,they were these shinning piece of leather in Tan.They had this unusual thing to them which I discovered when I smeared them accidentally with a dark brown kiwi..They looked even better and more of a rugged edge than the boring office oxfords.Since then i have been trying burgundy ,neutral and Browns (not forgetting the original tan) on them and look there they are,still gleaming and still being the same.I think the secret is the naturally made leather and my constant every morning ritual of polishing my shoes.Go ahead try some different polish on your shoe and see what are the results.



Let me know how you liked my post in the comments below.


And here is the track of the day which has changed ,electronic music for ever:




Laters.

Wild Wild ''Vest''

I love experimenting around a single piece of clothing and mixing it with other pieces in my Wardrobe.Its so much fun ,and the end results are always''head turning''.I was thinking whats the new addition in my wardrobe which is so simple ,yet effortlessly modern and classic? And voila its a Waistcoat or Vest (my Sartorially inclined friends will know its called a Vest now).

Vest is your trump card,its your shortest most quickest way to be the style rebel. I will take you through three different looks ,with the same Vest and how you can make it on the style columns or the page 3 circuit.


1) The Office Vest-

I would say loose the Jacket and go for the Vest ,next time you are in the office. Trust me its not sacrilegious  to leave your Suit Jacket and just wear your Vest with a silken Pocket Square. Getting rid of your jacket will give you some extra space and it will elevate your whole outfit because vest is still formal in such occasions ,yet making you a style rebel. Keep it snug and not very tight,as you want to be comfortable in it? Match it with a similar tone of Trousers(SLIM) and aha you are already the A Lister at your Workplace. Roll up your sleeves ,chuck out that Tie and you are ready for that after hour date with your Girl for some daiquiris.Need to say more for this ''must have in your wardrobe '' piece.

Shirt - H&M
Vest - MR Button
Pants - MR Button
Tie- Top man
Shoes- Hand Made In India

2) The Cool Vest-

This Vest is so snug ,its so compatible with anything if done ceremoniously.I love wearing my Vest over the weekends and when i am travelling.I love travelling and there are places were you want to look different without looking like someone from Mars.(well we all men are from Mars).Team your Vest with a T shirt and you are ready to Rock and Roll. Remember you are trying to be relaxed so don't button up all the way till down.I know you have seen the Justin Timberlakes, and the James McAvoys doing  whole of this Vest over T shirt thing but then they are Timberlakes and McAvoys. That doesn't mean you can't try your own gig. Go for it,add some individuality by wearing it on comfort clothing like Shorts, and you are bang in the Zone of celebs who do it often.

T Shirt- Pull & Bear
Vest- MR Button
Shorts- MR Button
Shoes-Zara
Straw Hat- H&M

3) The Bad Ass Vest-

The Same Vest looks so fab on a Jean. Now the choice of the Jean can be yours.Make it on a Clean slim dark jean and you are the new Dapper king in the lounge or wear it like I did on Distressed jean and boot ,and you are the Front man of a Rock band who mean business. The beauty of this Vest is so versatile,it keeps you young at heart and bold on the outside. And i don't have to say more about the Bad ass Jeans again.The basic rule of thumb here is to keep your buttons undone and let the air of cool work around you.

Vest- Mr Button
shirt- Zara
Jeans- Jack and Jones
boots-Asos

Go for it guys and let me know your comments and your views on this Super Stylish Vest.

And the track of the day is :

Laters

Pocket Matters

I believe in the power of  small accessories with mega effects. The Pocket Square or handkerchiefs are the prime example of small things with so much power.I do assume it to be a decorative addition to your power suit which works wonders.These little silken beauties sit comfortably in your breast pocket and peep out with elegance.It depends how you play with these on your Suit or your blazer or for guys thinking out of the sartorial box,on their shirts.The classic white silk,cotton and the linen ones are the staples for that black/grey and the blue suits.What's more edgy is the proliferation of more of those paisley ,gingham or the polka dotted version of the humble kerchiefs in your breast pockets like these beauties below:

Photo from GQ. Com

Pocket squares are the fastest method to tell something about the person and his confidence.That speck of color popping out from the top pocket is nothing but a finishing touch to your whole getup.Its like the cherry on that cake(your suit or blazer) or the fresh strawberries on your favorite cheesecake. I like using my pocket squares as the single most effortless path to get the style quotient in place.Use your creativity and pile them in your top pocket of that Mohair blazer or that weekend tweed jacket and forget about it. Its all about playing the non nonchalance game and it stays between your jacket and your pocket square (with loads of style moments in between).

The trick is simple, the pocket square should complement the shirt or the Tie or the t shirt and not match them.Try different designs until you think you have done the right job and you are ready to walk out of the door.I wear my pocket square with everything which has a breast pocket on it and keep it simple .

Sleeve less Jacket- Fab India

Kurta Shirt -Fab India 

Black Skinny Trousers- Zara

Pocket Square- Zara

Shoes -Luise Philippe

In New Delhi

Blazer- H&M

Pocket Square- Tie Rack,London

In Budapest

Everyone wants a different edge to their ensemble and trust me guys ,there is nothing like a pocket square to set you apart.You may buy a £300 suit but the trick done by a £15 pocket square is sublime.Try going for the more maverick ''i know what i am doing '' attitude by wearing it on the blazers with a T shirt or the roll neck sweaters when the breeze starts to get chilly.Don't think twice when clubbing your silken handkerchief (yes silk is not only for ladies anymore) with that Weekend Jacket on a neat blue jean or the slim Chinos and you may risk the fire department to get their vans out,wherever you go.

The simple rule of thumb: Pop it in your pocket,take a look and go out to get noticed.For the starters here is a video about how to fold the pocket square from  Fashionbeans.com:

Hope you liked reading my post and if you want to chat about style and everything around it then write in the comments.

 And here is the song of the Day for you all:

Later

Press the Red Button

Its undoubtedly will be my boldest blog considering all the ''hullabaloo'' red pants have created in Britain.The state of affairs are so serious that there are agencies taking public poll about their opinion of men in red pants.No one has to be a Sherlock Holmes to guess the results are not in the favor of ''hipsters''  and ''Poshos'' (the names for guys in red pants).Only 12% percent of the participating people thought that wearing red pants is cool.Then there is this ''notoriously'' famous blog ,Look at my fucking red trousers which has pictures of British men in red pants and is popular with people who definitely don't belong to the league of gentleman who believe Red is hot.

Well ,i am certainly not getting into solving this problem about people and their ''Penchant'' for Red trousers but i am in love with this color. We are not talking to go with crimson red or blood red or else you risk being featured in our beloved blog mentioned a few lines above. We are talking rust or milder hues of red to be the red of the season.All of the high street fashion brands are doing it and our American cousins are sporting this color with great Chutzpah. They believe that there is a world of pants beyond blues,blacks and grays.

Shirt :Zara

Cardigan:Zara

Pants:H&M

In Budapest

Red trousers are there in skinny,slim ,cargo pants version and trust me ,its the hottest thing to go on your legs this spring. A man in red is a bold statement ,its like Robert De Niro to everyone ''Are you talking to me'' ?I like Red trousers ,just for the simple reason that it instantly adds a flair to the dull mornings or evenings.It sets you up on a pedestal where everything else seems to look smaller.Guys red is the thing to go this spring/summer and wear it with confidence and a swag , rest will follow suit. Do it right by keeping everything else muted down as you don't want to look like a confused lad who was excited to wear a red trouser. Wear these reds with a simple slim cut shirt or a T shirt and please don't forget to roll that chinos for a laid back look.Club it with a grey or black Cardigan or Sports Jacket and you have nominated yourself for the best dressed award wherever you go.

T Shirt: Grand and Hills
Cardigan:Zara
Shoe:Zara
Trousers: United colors of Benetton
In Prague

I consider myself to be in a precarious situation after propagating the red trousers this summer ,when Britain is so gung ho about this color,but hey Red is cool and you have to carry as if nothing ordinary .After all you did brave it out to go in Red,din't you ?Remember the trick, keep it chill with less colors and mix it with cool accessories to get the attention some place else and you will be the talk of the town, for being bold and adventurous.

Later  

T Shirt -Jack and Jones

Bomber Jacket- Alcott

Trousers: United colors of Benetton

Bag:Zara

In Birmingham,UK

T Shirt: Zara

Trousers: Topman

In Krakow

The Leather Woes

The one piece of clothing jostling to be on top of my ''Wardrobe essentials'' is the all time classic leather jacket.A massive number of men think of The Clash or The Sex Pistols  when they see someone in a leather Jacket .Hold on ,take a breather because a leather jacket is one of the most versatile piece of clothing for men ,has always been one. If you don't want to categorize yourself as a heavily tattooed ,beer chugging ,foul mouthed Punk ,you need to dress up that Leather Jacket. 


Modern day Leather jackets are streamlined and fit you like a suit jacket and trust me it should fit like its your power suit. Wear it with a Slim Fuss free T shirt and you are ready to rock the downtown scene. Rule of thumb here is to go slim. You cant afford to ruin your £1000 worth a Jacket with some baggy pants. Wear it on a dark slim jeans or chinos and you have your own Ryan Gosling Moment like this below:

Take Cues from the Timberlakes and Goslings of the world when in doubt.These boys do the leather job to the T.


For Fashion mavericks who know how to carry it off,take your favorite leather Jacket to the office. I know for most of men ,that will seem to be an unmatched combination but guys there is nothing like walking around the office in a leather Jacket when you boss is stifling in his suit.The word is ''Bomber Jackets'' in soft leather which are cut slim and are magically light.Wear it on a sleek shirt with small collars and club it with a Slim tie.Tie pin is optional but if i would have been you,i would have clipped it between the second and the third button on the shirt.This look is very glam without exclaiming you to be  ''The Rocker dude'' of the office.

I have done the ''leather jacket in the office''  way too many time and its so cool that you can play it around with ''work'' trousers and with ''play'' trousers alike.The key is how stylishly innovative you can get with your leather jacket.Wear it with a leather pants and risk being taken to be someone from Sons of Anarchy or club it with a Jean and loafers and get the VIP section in the bar. Remember to take good care of the jacket and it will stay with you with each passing seasons. 

Leather Jacket : Massimo Italia 

Tie:Aldo Accessories

Shoes: Louis Philippe 

ShoePorn

There are 1,542,346 followers of the Hash tag #ShoePorn on ''everyone is using it '' Instagram. I can put my position as somewhere between those numbers as the follower of the first part of this Hash tag.Well,we are not discussing this hash tag but about Shoes and then some ''Shoe''. I love my shoes and certainly know a coterie of people who treat their shoe as their babies.

I know the elation of finding one of those shoes you always wanted to buy ,but could not find them or could not just buy it.The Bass weejuns ,yes the ever golden Bass weejuns are an all time classics. Its one of those shoes you can do zillion things and it can make you look like a millionaire given you ace it up. These are lovely like a 40 something lady who still looks at her sexiest best ,but you  thing its vintage. I picked mine the other day and  ask me how lovely they are. You have to make sure that you wear it with something Slim and keep it for times like heading out for drinks with buddies , or going for a date with your ''Hers''.Wear it on a rolled up Jean and you have just served up your style Quotient . Slip into them with linen shorts and a Shirt and you are ready to roll the heads any where you want.

The trick with these shoes is that there is no trick at all.Fuss free these impeccable piece of leather they are ,and you should wear it the way they are supposed to be: Sock less. Be daring ,wear it sock less as you don't want to bring the attention to any thing else but these ''Lovelies'' in your feet. Go on make them your Summer picks and you can Thank me later.

By the way i did hash tag it #ShoePorn on Instagram and other places else.

Later.

Bass Weezuns from Debanhams,UK

Suck it and See

Before you point that finger at me for that ''title'' let me make it loud and clear that i am talking about the denim shirt.I mean guys you have to try the super versatile denim shirt. Ohhh wow , its wonderful how these lovely blue numbers (happens to be men's favorite color)  can do to your style statement.I remember once travelling with a less-adventurous pal who mentioned wearing a denim shirt can make you look like a cowboy. Naah  you got to be kidding me.!!

The new denim shirt is everywhere doing equally good beneath a tweed Jacket or a Jumper.Ace it up with a slim black tie over rolled up chinos and Voila ,you are ready for that ''not so formal'' Dinner.Snug it beneath a light cotton Jacket and you are ready to order some cocktails at the Summer bbq's. I mean there are umpteen ways you can rock a denim shirt and you don't have to think about Western classics.

My personal favorite is the denim over the denims.Yes i love it,yes i did it and even when my last name is not Eastwood!!!! I think its the most manly,high testosterone thing and more than that it needs some real gusto to carry it off without ending up looking like a Texan factory worker.My Bet : the shirt should not be exactly like the same wash or color to the jean,  but a slight variation and you are ready to do wonders for you. A denim shirt with some snazzy design when worn on a colored jean always does the trick for me.

And i will put that again -'Suck it and see'' and don't forget that swagger and be audacious when you are in all denims, rest will be taken care of on its own. 

i do it Denim!!

Blue Denim Shirt : Levis 

Mint chinos and Blazer : Zara

Blue Denim Shirt : Levis 

Mint chinos and Blazer : Zara

Denim Shirt : Zara

Skinny Jeans: Gap Original 

These Bracelets

One piece of accessory which has seen more footage than trouble in middle East is the now ubiquitous wrist bands or bracelets.I am not even sure whats the right word for these leathery, beaded piece of wrist accessories.They have taken every fashionsta by a rage and have made a partner with a watch on a man's wrist.Trust me ,everyone from Newyork to Tokyo and beyond are sporting this and at all places be it the bathroom (adventures souls) or the boardroom (extreme adventurous souls).My question is will they be a passing fad or are they here too stay? i don't know the answer but i have anyways bought like 15 of them for my 
humble wrists....