I’m late! Technically, this still counts as Friday. I got roped into styling the next shoot at Buck Mason today, and it got me thinking about some of the books I was recommended when I started. So let’s start there.
Damn Good Advice (for People with Talent!)
George Lois was quite literally the original Don Draper and then some. Actually, he’s a big sweetheart from the way he portrays himself in the book; he was just a guy who knew what he liked and went with what he knew. More often than not, that seems to have worked in his favor. At least, the successes were big because the risks he took were big; although they didn’t feel that big to him at the time, they just felt right. Wit is basically equal parts intelligence and humor, and Lois dispenses both in this book with a listed ideology that, for me, really drew on my weakest point, which is, embarrassingly, character or grit. I may seem to have it, but honestly, I fold at the first sign of dissent. One of Lois’ tenants is about fiercely defending a bold idea and how that led to his success time and time again. I think most of us are too in our heads most of the time and probably could do with just believing in ourselves a bit more. Easier said than done, but at least you can own a book to remind yourself about it.
Fauré Le Page Daily Battle 41 Tote Bag
A luxury handbag with a more digestible price tag. My old pals Jian and Jeremy were talking about these bags in the latest Blamo! Extra podcast, and I think there’s something awfully gaudy about these bags in the way horse-bit loafers are gaudy on most people. But pair horse-bit loafers or a well-worn designer bag with an old tee, vintage chore coat, and some beat-up denim or work pants, and baby, you got a stew goin’.
Horatio Packable Nylon Shopper
Don’t have the scratch for luxury but want the same vibe? Horatio’s packable nylon shopper tote has a luxe print with a more palatable $22 price tag. Balancing high/low in a single object is tough to pull off, but I feel like this would go equally great with the aforementioned outfit.
Red Rabbit Red and Turquoise Bead Necklace
Mike from RR is a madman churning out a bunch of really cool silver and turquoise jewelry out of Lockhart, TX. I’m dabbling with the idea of adding some color to my jewelry, and a classic red-with-white-heart bead is exactly the sort of thing that would go great with vintage or a simple jeans and tee uniform. His also comes with an optional silver clasp for any pendants you wanna add on. I think it would look great with one of his silver feathers or a single stone.
KIMO NO T × FULLCOUNT 2107K Type 1 Denim Kimono Jacket
The denimheads are sleeping on this one! Obviously, this is outlandish, but the fashion troll within me wants to give it a shot so badly just to be contrarian. The kimono sleeves would likely be problematic in a lot of situations, but I admire that Fullcount is at least trying to put a little more of its own fingerprint on vintage reproductions instead of the same old thing everyone else is doing.