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.

Essentials: The Basics of Style

Sometimes it's good to take a moment and reflect on the details - our everyday items that we just can't live without.

I mean there are staples, and then there are staples (I'm referencing the latter). It's like when you leave your house without your keys or iPhone - you'll feel weird, potentially naked (not to mention all those missed selfie taking opportunities). Needless to say I used to think 'essentials' equated to many things. 'I totally need that aubergine pom-pom beanie, right?' One lost suitcase and much distress later taught me otherwise (and for that arduous lesson I'm grateful KLM - really). 

I suppose the point is there are three important things to do right. Wear great shades, always curate your wrist with something beautiful and wear sick kicks (for many the last is the most important). Sure, the three are completely interchangeable in that one day you'll want to wear a Rolex, and the next a Cartier Love Bracelet. And that's OK (it's actually really OK), however not the point. What I'm getting at is that every outfit has the potential to look polished (read put-together) when this 'trinity' is observed. 

And because I know you, dear reader, you might ask, 'perhaps there are rules and exceptions?'. Well, yes. Namely, piling on wrist 'gear' is never OK past the age of twenty-one whereas wearing apple-shaped red 'joke' shades are actually quite charming. Think of it as English grammar. There are rules and exceptions that you'll either get - just because - or you won't. And on that note, Happy Friday!

Alexander Atkins, wearing a Dolce & Gabbana bracelet, a Dries Van Noten sweatshirt, classic Ray-Ban Wayfarers and Prada shoes, photographed by Aleksander Tyszka in San Francisco.

*Click the arrows above to browse and shop 'the trinity'.

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.

Leathery Love: Alexander Wang

I'd say leather pants have come a long way since Ross wore a pair on an episode of Friends. That is to say, I hope so.
Over the past few seasons we have seen a progressive rise in leather trouser-power. There was Acne, Bottega Venetta, Hermès (swoon), and of course Versace (didn't Donatella basically invent them?). But in terms of RLM (Real Life Menswear), the leather trouser thing is akin to seeing a wild Javan Rhino - essentially it's rare.

Unlike most people I know, I continue to credit Kanye West with a few great things: 1. writing The College Dropout - easily one of the best hip hop albums ever; 2. forcing Kim Kardashian to refrain from wearing bandage dresses; and 3. wearing leather pants day-in day-out for almost a year. I don't know if Kanye perpetuated the trend per se, but I will say his continued efforts in the leather-pants-department demonstrates their wearability to real men - so that's something.

Bearing all of the above in mind, a shopping excursion late last year had me trying on my very first pair of leather pants by Alexander Wang. Although originally intended for women, the fit was perfect (something I never argue with) - the feeling was mutual. To break-it down, the black stretch jersey provides comfort while the soft panels of lambs leather give fantastic structure. So maybe I should be grateful to the pioneering efforts of Ross Geller after all. Not for getting it right or wrong, but for planting the leather-pants seed in my sartorial sub-conscience. 

Alexander Atkins, wearing Alexander Wang leather pants and a Dries van Noten sweater, photographed by Sabrina Reddy in New York City.




*Wearing T by Alexander Wang leather pants, Dries van Noten sweatshirt and cashmere beanie by Rick Owens.