Men's Style: { Just Chill }

Well hello!

Le weekend is here and I have a little post for the men this time! Here are some pics of my boyfriend's easy-breezy outfit. Very casual but I thought he looked really good in it - very carefree with a touch of I-don't-give-a-crap attitude :)

Malith is wearing a black t-shirt under a grey hoodie with his winter coat thrown on top. He paired this with dark blue jeans and navy man moccasins.

Outfit:

T-shirt - from Sri Lanka

Hoodie - Macy's

Jacket - Tommy Hilfiger

Jeans - Arizona

Moccasins - Urban Outfitters

That is all. Go back to whatever you were doing before this post interrupted you ;)


Moonbeams and Chocolate brownies,
And also xoxoxoxox
Chrissy

Men's Style: { Very Plaid To Meet You }

Hello boys!

Here's a more relevant (read: not about women's style) post for you. It's been a while I know, but you have not been forgotten. After a lot of convincing, my roommate and friend, Aadhil Niyas, finally gave in and let me snap some pics of his outfit! 

Here, Aadhil is wearing a plaid shirt, black jeans and flip flops - great when you want to go casual but still look put-together without sacrificing comfort.

What I like about this plaid shirt is how it is the best of both worlds with it's classic navy/red/white combo and modern details. Plaid is always in and this season it has made a major scene.

   Notice the Chinese collar on 

this shirt, along with the slit pocket detailing. I love clothes with interesting details and this is great example of classic with a twist. See boys, you do have options :)

Aadhil enjoying the last of warm Midwest evenings

Hopefully, this inspires you to take a teeny step out of your comfort zone and experiment with subtle details for a strong impact!

Cheers,

Chrissy

Men's Style Inspiration

I don't often post on subjects relevant to men, but I thought I would post some style inspiration and include the male species in our "Silk and Spice" convos. God knows, some of you could really use it, while others get nods of approval every time they step out of the house. Now don't go saying "Silk and Spice" is decidedly feminine - men wear silk boxers and dab on some Old Spice, right? If you don't then this is a sure sign you must start! Anyway, here's some man-spiration:

All photos courtesy of Lookbook.nu

 Make an effort to look put-together. Don't just throw on any old thing over your closest pair of jeans. Wear a nice sweater. Add some classy shoes. Wear a watch and make sure your belt matches with your shoes. Try a little - it will pay off.

 Don't underestimate the power of a simple vest. Wear over a crisp shirt with jeans. Throw on a scarf for a little European touch.

 Get a leather jacket. ASAP. Then wear it. Always (almost).

 Boys can wear boots too. You just have to know how. And accessorize - put a beanie to good use and throw on a scarf for some instant polish.

Sports jackets are big this season and quickly gives you that casual-cool vibe. Also note, crossbody bags are not only for women, men can carry it off just as well. (Above and below)

 

 Don't always wear the same boring sneakers. There are so many options to choose from - boat shoes, brogues, chelsea boots, ankle boots and on and on. Experiment and see what you like. A good pair of shoes can add interest to a simple white shirt/khaki pants combo. Nice sunnies help too :)  

I think men need to wear more cardigans. A toggle cardigan like this one is very in-season. Click here for more info on Fall/Winter '11 trends for men: F/W 2011

 Geek chic - definitely not a no-no!

Have fun dressing up boys!

xo,

Chrissy

Get The Look: Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl

Hello Boys (and girls who are reading this because, duh, it's Chuck Bass)!

If you're like the average guy, chances are you've had one of two reactions to these two words: Gossip Girl. One - OMG will my girlfriend/sister/mother stop watching that show already, it's poisoning their minds!!! And two - as if all those hot girls and their clothes aren't torture enough (thanks to said women in your life lusting after their looks/style and you, well, just lusting), even the boys on the show are good looking, which is another problem entirely.

But let's face it, a certain name keeps popping up and while Chuck Bass, bad boy extraordinaire maybe the biggest d-bag you ever saw, he is also your secret man crush. There is his macho confidence in the way he says, "I'm Chuck Bass", his swagger and undeniable good looks and well, to put it simply, you would be better off borrowing some tips from this mother chucker. Here's how:

Chuck's style is all about traditional preppy clothes mixed with a bit of a modern edge. He accessorizes well and is always put together. Always remember, fit is everything but fitted doesn't mean too tight - especially in the shoulder and waist regions. Here are some key elements of the Upper East Side mogul's style:

Suit Up

A suit is a sure way to pull out all the stops and no one knows this better than Bass Jr. Just wearing a suit is not enough, you have to feel confident and truly believe you're on top of the world. Also, step out of the box and try suits in different colors - like a rich cream or beige suit. A monochromatic grey suit is very in for Fall/Winter 2011.

Vest-ed Interest

Guys, I won't hold it against you if you copied emulated this style down to every last detail. The off-white shirt with the contrasting buttons, the well-fitting black jeans, the dark brown leather belt and that wonderful vest. Yes, please do include the deep side-parted hair too, if you can pull it off. I wish more boys would dress like this.

Bow Ties for Black Ties

Chuck knows how to work a bow tie like it's nobody's business. Take a cue from him and next time you get in a suit, try it. Also, opt for some color, like this perfect shade of pink. Seriously. You will thank me. And Chuck.

Scarves

The Upper East Side's resident bad boy knows how to wrap the girls around his little finger. He also knows how to wrap a good scarf. He almost always has a variation of the patchwork scarf he's seen in above. Rugby stripes and argyle are commonly seen on sweaters but this is Chuck Bass - he also likes them on his scarves. Something to try boys, just don't match the sweater and scarf together. 

Coordinated Separates

If you look closely, you'll see how the lines in his tie are a perfect match with his khaki pants without going overboard. A striped button-down oxford shirt and vibrant blue sneakers complete the look.

Prince of Prints

Change it up with prints. A plaid shirt, or pants. An argyle sweater. A paisley tie. All these are pieces that add a little to your wardrobe and make an ordinary day a little different. The pouffy hair might also be worth trying.

Color Your World

Just because you have a Y chromosome does not mean the only colors you'll ever wear are black, blue, white and the occasional brown or grey. Take your look up a notch with some color. The ladies will love you for it and you will realize that hey, you do look good. The key is to know which colors look good on you. If you're afraid to commit to color, take it slow. No need to buy a pink blazer, try wearing a purple shirt instead or an orange sweater with a white shirt underneath and khaki pants. 

A Coat of Class

Wanna look classy in a hurry? Wear a great, tailored coat. Check out chuck's peacoat - just  throw it on under some jeans and a shirt and voila! Instantly pulled together. Eric's trenchcoat is another great purchase you might wanna make real soon - a classic timeless piece like this should be in every man's closet, especially this fall. Click here: http://silk-n-spice.blogspot.com/2011/09/boyz-to-men.html

Fancy Footwork

Brown leather shoes, preferably Italian, if you can afford it, but there are tons of similar shoes at different price points so you should have no problems finding the perfect pair. Boat shoes, wingtip oxfords and brogues are also Chuck Bass friendly.  While the right sneakers complete an outfit - mixing it up is definitely refreshing. 

Here are some very "Chuck" moments:

Easily one of my favorite Chuck Bass moments

Oh, Chuck!

Aww! Another of my favorite Chuck moments

Pretty much

Dare to put a little more effort into your style and appearance!

xoxo,

Chrissy

(Images via google images and weheartit.com)

Men's Style: Fall/Winter 2011

Hello fashion savvy friends of the male species!

From caveman, to Romeo to fully-fledged metrosexual, men have really evolved in the fashion and style department. Bravo! Here's what's hot for Fall - and by that I mean, what I like :) Pick your favorites boys, or step out of your comfort zone and try something new - the women in your life (mothers, girlfriends, sisters, friends) will definitely appreciate it. 

1. Casual underneath, Classy on Top

Jeans and a Tshirt have always looked good on men. The classic combo of course is a collarless, crewneck paired with jeans and this is still on trend for Fall/Winter 2011. As always, however, there is a twist. Wear that crewneck with skinny or straight-legged jeans with a better fit and throw a blazer on top and add white or navy canvas shoes. Perfect for the bar and the girls will swoon - see, you don't have to try too hard.

2. The Trench Coat

It's getting chilly but it's still warm enough to wear a light trench. I will always love a guy who can wear a trench coat - it's screams classy and instantly adds a touch of mystery. That's a guy I want to get to know a little bit better, and a lot of girls agree with me. Be careful not to wear one that's too fitting - especially at the waist. Keep it manly and it will be a huge success! This guys gets it right:

3. Camel Coat
The camel coat was big last year and it's still here to stay. Just look how David Beckham rocks it:

On a side note, check out Becks' hair/beard. Perfect. His beard is just the right touch of rugged instead of looking like he doesn't shave regularly.

4. Shades of Pink
I think real men can wear pink AND look good in it. There's a shade out there for every man and that's awesome because shades of pink are in for F/W 2011. I've noticed that the lighter, rustier shades look better than bright, hot pink, but whatever floats your boat, dude. Wear a pink polo with jeans and white sneakers. Or when going a little dressy, opt for a light pink shirt with grey jeans instead of pairing it with boring blue all the time.

5. Turtlenecks

For some reason, turtlenecks on guys, when worn right, oozes fashion sense and class. And it keeps you warm. Both bulky and thin turtlenecks are making a big comeback this season so try em both or pick your favorite. Keep it modern with dark colors and throw a tailored jacket on top for that extra polish. A popular way to wear them is with a suit - replace the shirt and tie with a turtleneck. Or if you want to go really casual, a bulky turtleneck with a beanie looks really good - especially in grey.

6. Forest Green

I love this color. I'm excited to see this trend on men because I think it can look very sexy on a man who wears it right with a hint of a rugged beard/hair combo. Wear it as a scarf, a shirt, or a turtleneck and pair it with brown and khaki tones, black and grey. If you can pull it off, camel and forest green can look very good together.

7. A splash of color

We're seeing a lot of color with men's fashion this season. Enjoy it and make it work for you. You don't have to look like your day job is a clown at the circus. Try using a pop of color on a neutral canvas to really stand out and let the girls take notice of you! Another great way to incorporate color is in your choice of ties, scarves and definitely try out a sweater in a bright hue like electric blue.

8. Grey Scale

Head to toe grey is big this season but make sure it's the right shade of grey for your skin tone because otherwise you end up looking washed out. For extra edge, combine two trends together and pair a grey suit with a turtleneck in the same color.

9. Lace-up Boots

This is a great look, especially worn over skinny/straight legged jeans. Pair with a chunky sweater and a beanie and you're good to go.

10. Plaid

Plaid is a common fall/winter staple and it looks polished and preppy. Don't overdo the look - it's not like you own a castle in the English countryside. But don a plaid coat and keep the rest of your outfit simple? Now that's a winning combination! Also, plaid shirts are still in which means you can still wear it to the party you're heading out to tonight. Ah Becks, he always gets it right:

Other F/W 2011 trends:

• Military coats
• 70's style sweaters
• Printed sweaters
• Toggle jackets
• Vests
• Velvet - tricky to pull off, but kudos to you if you can work it!

Don't be afraid to give in to your fashionable side, boys. Contrary to what some people may think, a man who can dress well is definitely a winner and yes, the ladies will take note and move you up on the 10-point scale! 

Let me know what you think, and feel free to leave me questions/comments!

Have a good weekend!

(All images via google images)