Men's Fashion Friday: Gingham for Guys

The "checkered" print has been around for decades, but this season, gingham is coming back with more popularity. You might be able to pull out the print from your closet but be sure the style is still in fashion! If not, here are some great finds to tune in on the trend.

Gingham goes less preppy and more rustic with this Pop Icon Gingham button down from Buckle.

Mix in a fresh look and a snazzy pop of color to your work attire with this Geoffrey Beene style. Snatch this up now while it's on sale at Macy's for only $14.99!

What a style statement! Simple and incredibly bold. This Thomas Dean button down speaks style all on its own. The contrasting white on the barrel cuffs add an eye-catching look.

Rock the print in a subtle way with the Converse Jack Purcell kick.

Quick Tip: keep it simple with these sneaks by letting them make their own statement. Less is more.

Resin & Rubber

Watches are becoming the show stopper, especially in retail stores where they seem to be catching everybody's eye! There are lots of hot looks this season: resin and rubber materials, white and clear bands that are versatile with lots of looks or even vibrant statement colors for a screaming pop!

 

Fossil's Stella watch is crystal clear in color and, with a splash of glitz, it's classy and casual. Also available with a fresh color on its face.

 

Ceramic and resin watches are hot hot HOT this season! White is the top 'must-have' color like this DKNY style or you can opt for a more colorful clock like Marc Jacob's two-tone ticker which is available in several contrasting color combo's.

Rubber was never so comfortable and trendy! Watches with rubber bands are popping up everywhere! Sandra Bullock made the look famous in her movie The Blind Side where she wore a white style throughout the entire film. The look is sophisticated and you would never know it was a silicone style unless you touched it!

(left to right: Michele Tahitian Jelly, DKNY Silicone, Tommy Hilfiger)

Go-Go Gingham

If Parisian, Brigitte Bardot, can wear a gingham wedding dress to marry her love, then we can make the translation that this look is flexible and easy to pull off! Gingham is making its "what's old is new again" cycle with a rainbow of versatile looks.

Just because it's in your babies nursery or on your relatives cottage kitchen curtains, doesn't mean you can't fashion a skirt, a dress, shoes or even a swimsuit. Gingham is humble, classic and most of all, it stands on its own for the best in simplicity!  

Go casual with drawstring shorts or a western-style gingham shirt from Gap.

  

Go flirty in gingham with this Betsy Johnson dress where she pairs florals to make the print more playful.

The Anthropologie Checks and Balances blazer is exactly that. A combination of different sized gingham checks are well balanced with this statement piece. Make sure that it's companions are simple: solid bottoms, simple jewelry, sleek flats or stiletto's.

This flowy skirt from TopShop reminds me of throwback summer style at its finest. A solid tee or tank, flats and gilda hoops will add the perfect touch.

Satchels and shoes are a great way to throw in the print for a touch of its style. The Nine West Satchel and the Cynthia Rowley for Roxy wedges should be worn a-la-carte. In this case, less is more so be sure not to overdo the look (it'll make you look...cheap!)

Of course, I couldn't forget swimwear! Especially with a suit this cute! Patty Cakes by Betsy Johnson has adorable keyhole cutouts at the halter neckline which add great detail to this retro beach look!

Men's Fashion Friday :: Banana Republic's "Live in Linen"

Linen is luxurious and light for the warmer months and Banana Republic is stocked up on stylish linen looks! Go cool and casual with chico's and a button down or go laid-back formal with a splash of color and two-button blazers. Mix-and-match your look with a variety of choices from Banana Republic's Live in Linen line.

The Slim Fit Linen button down is a great style that can be dressed up for business or dressed down for  a barbeque.

Get the relaxed look with a linen shirt and a cotton/linen blend pant.

Chino's and blazers call for a great partnership in classy comfort.

Throw in some comfortable color with linen shirts that have a splash of color. The print is woven in which makes the texture of the linen pop with incredible character.  .

tokidoki : Exclusively at Sephora

Simone Legno and his tokidoki brand have broken into the beauty industry! Thanks to the likes of Hard Candy cosmetics, tokidoki has evolved from toys, apparel, accessories and sportswear to the make-up counters. Sephora has picked up the brand with an exclusive launch of tokidoki cosmetics, allowing consumers to take the playful brand in their own hands! 

The collection is full of vibrant, pigment colors and are packaged in whimsical tokidoki containers. You can pick your palette based on your favorite character or purchase your items a-la-carte! Below are some of my top picks from the collection. 

tokidoki's collection of eyeliners are waterproof and come in an array of colors. Equipped in pen form, you can draw a unique design of your own or even use them for body art. (I hesitate on that...but, to each their own!)

Get a sunkissed glow with the bronzer (right) and highlight your look with the luminizer (left).

Their kabuki brush is dipped in a kiss of light purple :: uber tokidoki style!

You can't have an entire collection without lipstain! With a soft-tip applicator, this subtle stain goes on like a marker, has a mango flavor and hydrates while it makes you look mango-ficent!

Shop the entire collection at Sephora 

Men's Fashion Friday : The Working Guy Gadget's

A lot of men travel on business these days and along the way, most have discovered that the little things help a lot! Here are some fun gadgets I have come across that might come in handy and are worth packing in your carry-on. 

If you can't find a gym while traveling on business and you don't want to run outside because it's raining and your iPod will get wet, then invest in the Sony W Series Walkman MP3 Player for a modest $59.95!  Upload your own tunes in this one-piece, quick-charging, wireless and waterproof walkman. 

Look complicated? Well, it's here to help!  The Titan Collar Stays by Exuvius features a Flathead screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, bottle opener, and thread cutter that you can conveniently keep in your collar for any quick fix. 

If you're a frequent traveler and spend your work weeks in hotel rooms, then I am sure over time you have heard that the dirtiest item in a room is not the bed, but rather, the remote! Clean World has solved the problem with the Clean Remote. Popping up in hotels everywhere is this universal remote that has been clinically tested to resist 99% of germs. So, make a special request at the front desk or take one on the road with you! 

Nothing is worse than dropping your phone in water while traveling. It might not happen often, but when it does, it's almost devastating. Dry-All has designed an emergency kit especially for wet cell phones!  Just three easy steps: unzip, toss in your phone and zip back up. Then, let Dry-All's secret blue and white drying beads work their magic for 48 hours. Once the beads have turned tan, their work is complete and your phone should be nearly new! 

Leather Weather?

The first thing most of us pack away with our winter wardrobe is our leather pieces. So what are we supposed to make of A-List celebs wearing leather skirts and dresses on the red carpet in...May? Or the stores that are still restocking their shelves with leather pieces even though the temps are climbing? 

Translation...it's still leather weather!  Of course, the heavy coats can stay packed up, but mix in a light leather look with vests, leather shoes, skirts and lightweight leather dresses. 

Pair this crinkled faux leather vest with a tank, boyfriend shorts and flats for a cool leather look. 

This leather platform sandal by L.A.M.B. screams spring & summer trends! Shoe trend recap: it's nude, studded and cuffed! The style makes the leather look incredibly light. 

This leather mini from Urban Outfitters is paired with a cowel neck, sleeveless top : perfect for a springy leather look!

Casual & Cozy

You don't have to sacrifice style for comfort when lounging around the house or running a quick round of errands. Trade in your sweats for looks that are cozy, trendy and just as comfortable! 

Update your tousled look by tossing in your hoodie for a drapey cardigan like the Erin Brinie style above. Layer this with a tank, a pair of foldover pants and some flats for a day of casually chic shopping!

Foldover linen loungepants are a great alternative to sweats if your looking for comfort. This pair from Forever 21 is only $22.80.

Your college tee's are a thing of the past. Update your look with styles like the Graham & Spencer tee above. The look is simple and comfy but the slub fabric, dolma sleeves, front pocket and flowy drape make it more of a statement. 

If you want a lounge look that is a little dressier, throw on a tank dress. You can wear it alone or pair it with leggings (or this seasons, 'jeggings')! 

ModCloth : Vintage Done Right

ModCloth was started in 2002 by 17-year-old high school sweethearts who shared a passion for retro, vintage clothing. The couples business started in a closet and as it began to steadily grow, their vision went virtual with the launch of ModCloth.com.  In just the last two years alone, the site has accumulated over ten million views by women around the world! The owners define it as a place where you can find a "one of a kind or indie design." 

Vintage pieces are featured daily so be sure to check in regularly as items are limited and sell fast. You never know, you may find those banana peel heels from the 1980's or that 1960's long coat with oversized buttons and modified bow-tie neckline you've only seen in a Hollywood flashbacks.

Original vintage styles share a platform with vintage-inspired pieces from indie designers leaving you with an array of heritage looks in modern day fashion. Some of the brands are more recognizable such as Splendid, BB Dakota and Betsy Johnson while other names are like a surprise you'll want to instantly unwrap! You can put an entire look together by shopping apparel, shoes and accessories.

You can even throw some retro into your home with ModCloth's decor shop. Accessorize your kitchen, office, bathroom and bedrooms with unique pieces from their throwback selections to create an eclectic statement with mod podge pieces. 

Another perk: the site is interactive!  As a consumer, you can  "Be the Buyer" and flip through a selection of designs you think should be created just for the site. Everyday presents a new shopping experience and every page you flip through contains more and more delicious looks! So, if you're into vintage, one-of-a-kind style, ModCloth.com is exactly what you're looking for!