Menswear Monday - Cashmere and Corduroy

Happy New Year everyone! I thought I'd kick off the year right with the second installment of 'Menswear Monday' featuring the musings and stylings of Peter! I hope you enjoy his post - feel free to comment or email us with any of your (or your man's) menswear questions!

The cardigan - it's always been a favorite in menswear, but one I rarely attempt to pull it off. As Mitch from "A Streetcar Named Desire" said, "...it don't look neat on me. A man with a heavy build has got to be careful of what he puts on so he don't look too clumsy." 

And isn't that the truth. Notwithstanding the accusatory jokes of pulling out Werther's Originals out of your sweater pockets, discussing diabetes testing supplies for Liberty Medical, or a slew of other 'old man' puns, the man cardigan, or "mardigan" can look young and hip for the stockier gentleman if done right. 

Avoiding solid colors, I chose a two-toned cardigan of light brown with a darker brown trim. Knowing the power of a good blazer, I teamed it up with a roomy but slimming cordoroy number that framed the sweater and my entire outfit. 

To avoid the possibility of looking like a solid mass of turd brown, I added a hint of holiday color. The red plaid shirt popped through the creamy browns and accentuated the look nicely. Topped off with a pair of brown cap toe oxfords and a go-to pair of straight fit indigo jeans, and the outfit is complete. 

But, what is winter without the proper head gear? Those cold nights require a bit of cloth on your noggin to make sure you don't catch a bug. The fedora is an accessory that few men dare to wear outside of a costume or ironic setting. When tastefully selected, it can be the difference between a normal outfit and a perfect one. One should venture out of their comfort zone when adding superfluous accessories to your wardrobe - Don't just get a functional hat for those winter nights, get one that makes a statement. 

Jeans: Gap

Cardigan: Old Navy

Shirt: Docker's

Shoes: Bostonian

Socks: Gap

Blazer: Adolfo via Syms

Scarf: Syms

Fedora: Century 21

Lapel pin: Purchased in Greece

Watch (not pictured): Citizen Eco-Drive

Peter, writer and lover of menswear, considers himself a connoisseur of the finer things in life - rich mahogany, leather bound books, selvedge denim, and the holy of holies - the perfect, slim cut suit.

Menswear Monday

Happy Cyber Monday, everyone! Are you filling your digital shopping carts with discounted goodies? I'll be busy scouring the web today for the best deals around, so I thought it'd be the perfect chance to start what I hope will be a regular feature here on Fatale Fashion - Menswear Monday! I'll hand over the reins to Peter, resident menswear expert and boyfriend extraordinaire :)

Few will agree that the multi-pack underwear from the bargain bin at K-Mart is an acceptable (and comfortable) option for the fashionable man. Given the state of most men's underwear drawers these days, your average guy may need a little tuning up in the underwear department - or in the case of the dreaded tightey whitey, a complete and utter make-over.

Christmas is around the corner, and whether your man is a cranky old-fart or a spring chicken on a sexual mission, jac5 probably has something for him: jac5's Loyal line feature the cornerstones of gentlemens' undergarments, minimalistic and unapologetic- the type of stuff he should wear to his interview at the firm. Their Supersmart line is for the man who wants to break free from the cubicle rigidity of life, for those nights when he'll inevitably gets pantsed by his buddies at the bar (can't have him getting laughed at, can you?). For the eccentric and gregarious lover, the Barking Mad line is everything a playboy wants to be. Featuring bold colors and prints, this line is for the man who wants to be noticed when he drops his drawers, or for the woman what wants to notice what he's got under them. 

Peter, writer and lover of menswear, considers himself a connoisseur of the finer things in life - rich mahogany, leather bound books, selvedge denim, and the holy of holies - the perfect, slim cut suit.