Saturdays Surf, NYC is a brand that I enjoy browsing quite a bit. They focus on surfing + life in NYC, and what results is a wonderful offering of thoughtful, well-made basics. The S/S 2012 lookbook showcases how casual weekend dressing can be so effortless and very well done. Using pieces that should be familiar to most guys (sweats, chino shorts, etc), even if you don’t own these specific items, the looks are easy enough to replicate.  The Jailbreak Board Shorts (pictured left, link) comes in a variety of colors; personally, I would have preferred the gray or the navy version, but the black/white combo provides an eye-catching statement. The Bowery Crewneck Sweatshirt (pictured right, link) is a nice shade of maroon – I’m always an advocate for jewel tones – and brightens the entire ensemble; a small but key detail. Important to note that the success of these looks lie in the fit. Although these might be sweats and such, these are not baggy sweats or saggy chinos. No, the proper fit translates to sharp and put together looks, even on the weekends.

via saturdays surf nyc

I’d like to think of myself as being the type of man who would ride public transportation on my way to and from work, coffee in hand (do they allow drinks on the train?), enjoying the daily edition of the WSJ. Of course the traditional fold & tuck away newsprint have been largely replaced by the ever so convenient iPad and other iProducts, but there is hope that I would be a traditionalist in this sense. The Newspaper Bag collabo between Monocle + Delavux would be a beautiful addition to that morning commute. I love the woven leather material used all over the bag (Toile de Cuir) – gives it that nice vintage appeal. Not cheap at $2800, but definitely fabulous.

via definitive touch

This post is inspired by a great guy who wore a pair of square-toed dress shoes to dinner with me last week. Now I understand  that many guys own one – or several –  pairs and would argue that they look damn fine in them, but when I see dressy square-toe shoes like these, I usually look the other way. Of the top 3 things that I abhor in a man’s ensemble, the aforementioned shoes make it to the #1 spot. My preference is for derbys, oxfords, and cap toes. Their sleeker, slimmer styling enhances a man’s silhouette rather than distract from it. I love a smart, modern round toe!

Mr. Porter currently carries nice options for those who want something a bit more extraordinary but still work appropriate. Difficult to see the details in the photo, but the Miller Patent Toe Cap Shoes by Mr. Hare (left, link) are perhaps my favorite dress shoes of all time. Handmade in Italy, these black oxfords feature a patent leather toe cap along with raised panels on the heels and sides. The Tasseled Leather Derbys from Gucci (right, link) are fantastic as well. The tasseled laces add the right touch of flair to the otherwise minimalist shoe, giving them maximum sophistication without compromising on the fun. Both pairs are conservative enough for a work environment, but also hip enough if you want to wear them with jeans or a night out. Square-toes on the other hand, are not appropriate for any occasion.

I love my Chuck Taylor Slims to death, but I might need to trade them in for a pair these pronto. Available right now from Kith NYC, the iconic Chucks have been given an upgrade with premium calf skin leather. It also features contrasting off-white leather foxing and a matching toecap. White on white on white. This is a pair of shoes that you will want to keep as white as that bright smile of yours. I absolutely love the tan leather branding patch detail to complete the look, and in some ways, this is what actually make the shoes for me. Craving them to complete my summer nautical look already!

via freshness mag

I love the sleek and sophisticated look of this cardigan from Outlier. The color (mid-gray is pictured above) is a great neutral and easily wearable as a sports jacket (vs. your traditional knit cardigan). Made from double-faced, Superfine 18.8 micro merino wool (read: super duper soft and comfy), merino naturally regulates body temperature by wicking the moisture from skin and staying warm when wet. It’s also odor resistant – simply magical! Looks great and performs in all temperatures, this is a solid piece to own.

via freshness mag

I found this store through my daily instagram browses, and I was immediately obsessed. Not only do they offer fantastic reconstructed pieces and original artwork, the store is also based in Ann Arbor, Michigan – a place that will forever and always hold a special place in my heart. I’m featuring the reconstructed button-downs (pictured above), which is very now in men’s fashion and sold at a very wallet-friendly price. A t-shirt version is also available, but the store offers so much more – original t-shirts designs, accessories, and a sweatshirt that I’m wondering how I can get my hands on (here). Avtomobile, I love you!

via avtomobile

ASOS is one of my favorite places to shop. The site is full of goodies – and their no minimum, 2-way free shipping policy is so sweet (and dangerous on the wallet). I took a quick browse through their latest arrivals and immediately spotted some must-haves. Everyone is playing with pocket details it seems. The Pocket T-shirt by Reclaimed Vintage (top left) is trendy without feeling forced – the Aztec print on the pocket is a winner for me. The People’s Market Slim Chinos (top right) has a nice slim fit silhouette and is available in my new favorite menswear color – purple/plum. Fitting right into my obsession with bracelets, the ASOS Brass Skull and Leather Bracelet (bottom left) is a total steal at less than $15 for the entire pack! Last but not least, I think the Oxford Short Sleeve Shirt by The Quiet Life (bottom right) will be a good and easy alternative to the popular chambray shirts that I love.

From top left, the items can be found here, here, here, and here.

via asos

Most days, I want to be the preppy dude with a generous dose of style. Today, I want to be a BAPE man. In the past, I didn’t find this brand to be great fit for my personal style, but the editorial of BAPE’s Spring/Summer 2012 looks by SENSE had me doing double takes left and right (and it’s not just because I thought the model was Ryan Gosling for a second). There’s a certain maturity to this collection that I find appealing, and the styling in every frame of the shoot is amazing. Almost too cool to be true!

via hypebeast

I’ll be posting up some selected highlights from the latest men’s arrivals at ASOS soon, but before that, how about a small purchase for your lady friend? I absolutely love these “suit-shaped” rings! I wish they included the diamond as well, but perhaps it’s intentionally left out because most ladies would prefer a different kind of diamond? In any case, this set of 3 rings will be a fashionable way to accessorize her latest looks (and they definitely look more expensive than the $26.86 price tag).

via asos

Red must be on my mind because of the 4 items I favorited from Oki-Ni’s latest arrivals, 3 of them happen to contain red or a hint of red. I love the square-fronted collar detail on the Marc Jacobs T (top left). The red/white stripes are a nice alternative to my usual navy/white striped favorites. The Uniform Wares 200 Series watch (top right) is everything I want a watch to be – it even has a discrete date display! The Hybrid Rec Sneakers by Common Projects (bottom left) is a mash up of the Derby shoe with a sneaker sole – casual luxury goes a long way. And finally, given my current obsession with cool stacked bracelets, the M. Cohen 4 Wrap Sterling Silver Waxed Cord (bottom right) is a perfect addition to my decorated wrist.

From top left, these items can be found here, here, here, and here.