Great Voice + Great Style

loving Jon McLaughlin.

Loving the Liquor

I love J.Crew's first dedicated men's shop, known as the Liquor Store. I've written about it other times before (just search "J. Crew Liquor Store" in the search bar on this blog, and you'll find the entries there). And right now, I'm loving their Belstaff Brad jacket. It's US$ 1495,00 and item no. 27834.

J. Crew and Belfstaff describe it like this:The epitome of rugged, authentic cool, Belstaff has been making exceptionally designed outerwear since 1924, earning a cult following among everyone from film stars to road warriors. Designed in collaboration with bona fide biking buff (and actor) Brad Pitt, this old-school motorcycle jacket is crafted from the finest Italian leather, which is meticulously washed, oiled and waxed, making it highly water resistant (so you can ride out storms in style). The highly durable, lightweight leather is ideal for spring and has that handsome, uniquely distressed finish associated with years of loyal wear (it will only improve with age). Quite simply, a collector's item, par excellence. Gentlemen: Start your engines. (This jacket is intended to fit snugly to provide protection and ease of movement while on a motorcycle. We recommend ordering one size larger than your usual size.) Standing collar with buckle closure. Two-way zip front with button storm closure. Double rear waist cinch. Flap pocket.

And I must agree. It's the perfect mix of classic and cool with modern and masculine with a dash of daring and a splash of style. Worn with your favourite white v-neck tshirt and jeans, over a button down shirt and casual , or over tailored light gray pants with a slim fitting dress shirt, this jacket takes you, not only from zero to ninety in the blink of an eye, but also to the next style stratosphere.

no reason to flop

I've always enjoyed reading other people's opinions on fashion, style, and trends. From being that weird kid in middle school who actually cared about fashion and read style magazines like GQ and Details, learning more about the history and tradition of fashion has been important to me.

It seems like the general consensus regarding "flipflops" or thong-style sandals is that they don't belong in fashion. And I must admit, I totally disagree. As long as your feet aren't disgusting (no festering, no fungus, no claw like toenails, no crazy callused skin, no weird bumps and bruises), I'm all for letting your feet free. Maybe it's because I live in a warm climate. Or maybe because I spent a good majority of my childhood outside, on pool deck, or on a beach.

I don't wear flipflops all the time. There are certain places you shouldn't ever wear flipflops. But there are exceptions to every rule. I'd say "don't wear flipflops to a job interview" - but if you're interviewing at a surf shop, a bar at the beach, a carwash, or for a lifeguard position, flipflops might be acceptable. Or I'd say don't wear flipflops on a date, but if you're going to be on a yacht, visiting a spa, or traveling on a plane, the sandals might be better suggestion than going closed-toe.

I love wearing flipflops. I think it goes with my personality a bit. A little understated (shocking, I know), definitely comfortable, flexible, and unconventionally simplistic. In college, I wore bright green Diesel flipflops with a navy suit when I graduated from a 2 year leadership program. And, while I was young and naive and didn't really think about what the university administration would think of my footwear choice, I got more compliments from the powers that be saying they were really impressed and humoured that I'd be so bold - that the flipflops made a positive statement about me.

So, keeping that experience in mind, when I graduated college 2 years later, I wore flipflops again. And even when I delivered the eulogy at my Mother's funeral a few years after that, I wore a fabulous Italian cotton khaki suit, with (albeit more fashion forward than your typical run-of-the-mill flipflops) brown leather John Varvatos thong-style sandals. And if I'm just being honest - when the time comes for me to walk down the aisle and marry my future bride, I wouldn't be surprised if I do so in flipflops.

And while I'm out here on a limb, I'm going to tell you about one of my favourite flipflops of all - from a store I'm not such a fan of: Abercrombie & Fitch.

I love their leather flipflops. They're surprisingly rugged, durable, amazingly comfortable, are perfectly broken in, and are made of great materials. Not like I don't already have several flipflops already, but I'll probably be adding a few of these to the rotation.

So the next time you're going out in warm weather and want to let your toes breathe a bit, don't flip flop on your decision - pick the sandals.