Tais Elyse Designer. Stylist. Shopper

In Paris I had the pleasure of being accompanied by Djibi (dee-bee) Diagana (designer) on a shopping trip just outside of Paris. We had a great conversation about the differences between US, Paris and British fashion. Very interesting.

He was saying that in the US you have plenty of creative people and those who love their independent freedom to express what they will. But they don't seem to express it as clothing on their body.  Of course there are those exceptions right?...especially in San Francisco, New York, LA, etc People tend to look for catalogs to guide them what to wear....of course this is a general observation right?

In Paris they love fashion - it tends to follow them and like magic adhere to them right? ...Always wearing the right accessory, the right man bag, the right pair of glasses.....
In general our thought was that Parisians wear what they wear because its a culture (like Americans wear baseball caps). Its romanticized and in every store they go into, fashion runway stuff hits their eyes first - the cheap and the expensive. In certain aspects, they all look the same too.

In London - you have a greater percentage of people really express themselves the way they want - not letting a store or a fashion frenzy dictate. There is a lot more indie views on fashion and more cultures expressing themselves in the way they wear trends.

What do you think? You've been to Europe....what about Italy? or Germany?

I decided to write for this blog partially because I was fascinated by how perspective on men’s fashion can be so small and limited at times. The saying goes that there are no rules when it comes to fashion. But most men (and by “most men” I mean men outside of the fashion industry) are intolerant of many styles or trends, especially anything that could possibly be perceived as extravagant and/or effeminate. Examples?

Jewelry is still a questionable accessory that spawns obsessive “how to wear” tutorials or debates in men’s magazines.  The term murse is still met with derision laced with a bit of anxiety, as if a man in need of a handsome bag for his papers, iPad, or other miscellanies normally jammed into pockets is a preposterous notion. Open toe platform shoes, even from a designer known for “re-inventing the wardrobe for men without scaring them,” have yet to gain traction in men’s fashion. The list could go on and on. And if you listened to such a list, you might also start wondering if American mainstream men’s fashion will ever depart from the dominant, safe utilitarian aesthetic and move towards a more open, experimental state.  

So for my last post on this blog, I wanted to address this issue of the lack of boldness in many men’s wardrobes. It has been a challenge to think of ways to style men that achieved a balance between anomalous and acceptable because many men are hesitant to venture into unfamiliar sartorial territory, whether due to personal tastes or external agents pressuring them to dress a certain way. But if it is the latter that is forcing you to second guess your choice to wear a floral shirt, a necklace, or simply a tie to your lackadaisically-dressed office, then your response should be a flip off. Because even for men, there really are no rules in fashion. Sure, my previous blog posts are riddled with rules on how to wear something:  the sleeves of a short-sleeve shirt should be fitted; or you should be wearing slim fit anything all the time. But I am not saying that you absolutely should not wear baggy clothes. If you are going for the slouchy look, then by all means wear slouchy clothes. Instead of rules, there should be an awareness of what you want your clothes to say about you or at least, what your clothes are saying about you.

Who says you can’t be fashionable while practicing safe bike riding? The days of strapping on a helmet that looks like an extraterrestrial extension of your head are no more! (Or if you don’t bother to wear helmets because of their dork factor, I hope this post will eradicate such a hazardous habit.) There are a panoply of options for helmets with more streamlined silhouettes, unconventional fabrics, or playful patterns. Here are five helmets that will have you riding in style.

Bell “Skyla” Helmet, available at Valencia Cyclery, 1077 Valencia St, San Francisco

Giro “Surface” Helmet in Wine Paisley, available at Valencia Cyclery, 1077 Valencia St

Giro “Surface” Helmet in Leather, available at Valencia Cyclery, 1077 Valencia St

Bern “Watt” Helmets, $60, available in a variety of colors at Freewheel Bike Shop, 914 Valencia St

Nutcase Graphic Helmets, $50, available in a variety of designs at Mission Bicycle, 766 Valencia St

Thanks to the heat waves that smoldered the Bay Area last week, we have started to brainstorm ways to look polished while staying as thinly clad as possible. And when the temperature is climbing into the 80s, nothing can be more daunting than getting into a stiff suit for the office. But this doesn’t mean that you should forego the suit altogether. Although suits are usually prim and proper attire, there are a myriad ways of styling a suit to make it both office-appropriate and weatherproof. Check out these four male style bloggers who are not afraid to break the “rules” when it comes to wearing suits.  

1. Wear Denim in your Suit

Although prepsters are not usually known for being rebels, the blog, Unabashedly Prep, features a bevy of men who dare to wear the often mismatched blazer + jeans combination. As Vanity Fair writer David Foxley shows us by styling slim denim with the jacket from his cotton gabardine suit, this outfit can still make you look like you are ready to get down to serious business.

Styling Tips: The key to pulling off this look is to find a perfectly-fitted pair of jeans and blazer. You can mix and match separates in different colors, as long as they are neutral colors (black, navy, gray, or white blazers with dark denim, khakis, or wool trousers). If you really want to “fake” a suit, your best bet is to pair a navy blazer with dark denim. For more details, see this previous post.

2. Shortchange your suit, but not your style

Wearing shorts with your suit jacket is a bit of controversial suggestion, given that a certain gentleman has decried the notion of wearing shorts (besides on the tennis court and at the beach) at all. But Travis Gumbs and Joshua Kissi of Street Etiquette prove that you shouldn’t follow rules (especially stodgy ones) all the time. They style fitted shorts with equally fitted blazers, pocket squares, and leather dress shoes, making their shorts completely appropriate for the office, the city, and wherever else you hang.   

Styling Tips: Do we even need to repeat that you should strive for a trim silhouette when wearing a suit? Wear tailored shorts with tailored blazers. And forget wearing socks - shorts look better with ankles in commando.    

3. Forget the Suit, But not the Tie

The boys of The MidWeStyle work formal elements such as suspenders and ties into their casual outfits so effortlessly that you barely register the oddity of wearing them without a suit. In the picture above, Jeff and his friend Oliver layer cardigans, down sweaters, and utility jackets over their ties, but the visible five inches (or so) of their ties show some thought to their dress.

Styling Tips: For a casual yet polished look, take measures to prevent your tie from flopping around. In the summer, tuck your tie underneath a vest or a thin cardigan. If you prefer your tie to be more conspicuous, secure it with a tie clip.  

4. Kick it up a Notch

Some readers might have been confused when Dan Trepanier of The Style Blogger dubbed the suit and sneaker as the “ultimate go-anywhere outfit.” But after seeing his interpretations of the unlikely combination, we are confused as to why men don’t sport this look more often.

Styling Tips: You don’t want your sneakers to clash with your suit nor draw unwanted attention, so go for sneakers in a simple design and slim silhouette. You can’t go wrong with a low-top sneaker in leather, canvas, or suede. The Style Blogger chose Nikes, Vans, and Chucks, but Adidas and Superaga would work as well. And though the suit and sneakers can be an outfit appropriate for many occasions, don’t make like Russell Simmons and throw on your kicks for a glamorous soiree or a boardroom meeting. Exercise your judgment and always, always, always dress for the occasion.      

Under the idea of TRYING something new, here are some events going on around the bay area you may let go under the radar. Some fashion, some art, some music, some food...or ALL of the above!

TRY NEW FOOD: Forage SF is not only in San Francisco but in the east bay as well! Imagine an underground NIGHTTIME farmers market and foodie haven. Great for a date too:).
http://foragesf.com/

TRY TO DONATE CLOTHES: Not in your typical way though - Sfsmiles is all about distributing for good. It can be clothes, art supplies or bikes. Run by an amazing fellow Chad Christensen, sfsmiles prides itself on supporting charities. If your office has extra staples, guess who you should call?http://sfsmiles.org/

TRY TO DRAW: Now is the time to learn - there is a wonderful class by Larraine Seiden, who is one of seven instructors worldwide certified by author Betty Edwards and Master Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (DRSB). Anyone can do it. Just TRY:). Its local too, Fort Mason in the city.www.drawingbrain.com

TRY MEETING NEW PEOPLE: CouchSurfing is a worldwide network for making connections between travelers and the local communities they visit. It doesnt have to be when you are traveling in some distant land. Why not meet new people right here where you live? You can meet the most friendly, diverse people for a cafe, a tour of a city you want to explore more, bowling, a  quarky movie or whatever youd like. 
http://www.couchsurfing.org/http://www.couchsurfing.org/