Deconstructed Camouflage: LimoLand Edition

By now we could easily call camouflage the print that keeps on giving - it's so generous you guys! And we loove generous.
I don't want to sound like I'm beating a dead horse, but this horse is so not dead - not yet anyway. What's more, the proof is in the sartorial pudding. Over the past couple of seasons we've seen camouflage pop-up everywhere (Dries, Yohji, Comme des Garçons). It's no longer just about making obvious military statements - we're now talking tailored perfection and understated details - hints even. In terms of modern menswear camouflage has become a bona fide trend. A brief glance at style.com will demonstrate a recent history that arguably began at Dries van Noten, and now manifests itself everywhere including the genius (and impeccably curated) accessories, coats and trousers at Valentino. It was a thing, it is a thing and its going to remain, a thing. I mean, I've argued its case on so many occasions perhaps I should re-name this blog Mr Camouflage?

I suppose you either wear camouflage or you don't - kind of like the bow tie thing. Perhaps the focus should be, "are you a camouflage wearer" or rather, "what's the psyche of a camouflage(er)?". It just seems you're either so into it, or so completely and utterly against it. Who knows. But what I do know is this: NYC-based brand LimoLand makes one seriously good shirt. Essentially the deconstructed camo-print screams fun and remains fitted (a very hot commodity indeed). The whole thing is vibrant in an unoffensive way - all while retaining the potential to be completely sophisticated, especially when worn under a blazer or tucked. It also helps that LimoLand has named the print 'Fun Green'.   

Alexander Atkins, wearing a camouflage LimoLand shirt and Gucci sunglasses, photographed by Aleksander Tyszka in San Francisco.

On Haight Street: Camouflage 2.0

I guess the whole let's-walk-around-town-with-a-small-dog thing is a bit passé. But an iguana as a replacement - really?
In short, yes. Really. This is the twenty-first century. No judgement here. I mean one minute you're walking down Haight St. browsing Wasteland (where I scored a vintage Versace blazer, just FYI), the next minute you're practically confronted by a dragon. On the street. On a Saturday. I know it's San Francisco, and everyone is notoriously, ahem, eclectic (to phrase it conservatively) - but this is beyond.

I'm into this 'look' (if we can call it that?), and not just for the whole updated pirate's parrot-on-one-shoulder thing. Or even for my love of exotic skins. No, I love this because it's legitimate camouflage. Living, breathing premium-grade, pure camouflage. Obviously I'm going to be a fan. Besides, the lizard's name was Yoshi - my all-time favorite Nintendo character. Like ever. Phrased simply, it was a fait accompli.

Yoshi the iguana, in a birthday suit like none other, photographed by Alexander Atkins on Haight St. in San Francisco. 

For more snaps, musings and general rarities be sure to check-out @MrEssentialist on Instagram.

        

A Time to Reflect - A Time to Predict

I know, I know - it's definitely spring. But sometimes it's good to take a moment to think about what you just did, right?
You know, reflect on all the choices you made during the those cold and gloomy winter months (the good, the bad, even the ugly). Besides, reflecting helps us think about what we should do next. So let's reflect. 

We obviously enjoyed some serious downtime with beanies, as did the entire sartorial world it seems. It makes sense - they still are the quickest and easiest way to cover-up any hair-issues. I mean I see absolutely no reason why the dominance of the beanie can't continue through summer. Especially when paired with some great tailored short-shorts and a basic tee. We can still be all about the beanie. That being said, hair is for hairspiration. Without it, dear reader, we are lost. So allow your follicles some well-deserved Vitamin D, they will thank you later. Also camouflage was (and actually still is) everywhere. But looking forward (in a crystal-ball kind of way) I'm feeling a new, deconstructed camouflage. Camo hues and tones worn together, but as separates. 'Camouflage 2.0' - or something.

Let's move on.

I'm very much about shorts. And Blazers. So obviously a combination of both is going to be my go-to, especially this summer. The whole thing allows you to be formally casual in an unoffensive way. Essentially your entire shorts-plus-blazer-combo can be formalized with a great pair of slippers, or casualized (?) with some superb Lanvin sneakers. Office-to-out at it's very best! On a separate note I OD'd on graphic tees in 2008 (this song definitely was responsible). So while I 'get' what people are doing, I'm not going to do it. Instead I'm looking to great cuts, panelling and exciting prints. A love affair with Missoni may just be re-awakened, and it has a lot to do with this tee. So the point here basically is that I need to start dressing like Pharrell. 

Alexander Atkins, in a Prada coat & Missoni Beanie, photographed by Sabrina Reddy at Alexander McQueen in NYC.

Pharrell Williams, wearing Bee Line & BBC, at Frieze NYC 2013.

*Click the arrows below to shop the inspiration.

Breezy Living

A recent return to California has meant several things: 1.) better weather, 2.) delicious guacamole, and 3.) chill-dressing.

So your probably thinking - what on earth is chill-dressing? Well, it's not the same as dressing-down or being hyper-casual (which usually involves some type of cashmere sweat-suit) per se. For me it's all about wide-cut slouchy pants and loose-fitted jackets - potentially camouflage, probably boxy. The whole thing should convey a sense of ease, comfort and style.  

Chill-dressing is important, mainly because constricting clothes are the worst. Sure, there's a time and a place to feel sausaged by a suit and tie, or bound-in by skinny jeans. But on the flip-side there's also a time for loose breezy clothes - and that doesn't include linen kaftans or moo-moos (despite what André Leon Talley may say). For some extremely laid-back individuals, chill-time is most of the time. What's more, chillfits (aka chill-outfits) can provide some of the most inspiring street-style ever (think MK looking mildly homeless) and even better urban dictionary entries!. 

A recent pillage of ASOS left me with some great basics and these Vivienne Westwood Man drop-crotch chinos. They are ideal in that they manage to retain a level of tailored structure. Besides that (that being a big deal), they work well with a basic v-neck and a Camille K toggle bracelet - all thrown in for good measure.

*Wearing Vivienne Westwood Man drop-crotch chinos, Civilianaire camouflage jacket, Comme des Garçons Play x Converse shoes, and  Camille K toggle bracelet.