LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS: The Dress Code

There’s nothing more exciting than a defiant Fashionisto. These bad boys of fashion will have your heads spinning with their risk-taking ensembles and cool demeanor. Less than obedient to the fashion “rule book,” they will use the pages to wipe the scuffs off their wing-tipped oxfords when they’re done. Fashion police? Oh please!

This Fashionisto’s supposed crime: wearing a hoodie under a blazer. Hailed as one of the “Sins of Style,” the hoodie-blazer combo has long been scrutinized by fashion critics everywhere. But this Fashionisto brilliantly finds a way to make the look work. He does this by turning this concept completely on its head.

First, instead of wearing a regular hooded sweatshirt, he opted for a zip front hoodie instead, which he wore unzipped. This allowed him to layer with a white V-neck shirt underneath.

The Fashionisto also opted for a blazer made out of sweatshirt material, which allows for comfort while still maintaining the structure and style of a conventional blazer. Also, by doing this, he lessened the extent of the business versus casual dichotomy can be overwhelmingly obvious in the hoodie-blazer combo.

As for the bottom, This Fashionisto wore a pair of fitted, dark-washed denim jeans. Following the trend among other Fashionistos this fall, he cuffed his jeans at the ankle to reveal playful socks. What’s more, while he could easily have gone for a more casual look by wearing a backpack and canvas sneakers, he added surprising twist to the look by wearing a pair of camel wing-tipped oxfords and a versatile maroon tote from Jack Wills. Finally, he accessorized with a multitude of jelly bracelets and rings and a leather wrap Fossil watch, and finished off with a a paisley-print handkerchief to add the “business” in business-casual.
What a smooth criminal!

Hint: When attempting the hoodie-blazer combo, it is important to recognize that there are certain rules that apply. A hoodie-blazer combo, in which one or both of the pieces are oversized, adds unwanted bulkiness. Instead, try a slimming fit for the blazer and hoodie. Neat and fitting bottoms are also a must; in other words, unless you are purposefully trying to achieve the unruly look, this is not the best outfit for your ripped, acid washed denim.

For the hoodie-blazer combo done right, pair a V-neck shirt with a solid zip-front hoodie and layer with a blazer. (American Apparel has a great collection of solid hoodies!) Remember to cuff the sleeves of your hoodie so that they do not show underneath those of the blazer. Pair this with fitting jeans and wing-tipped oxfords and a leather satchel bag, and voìla!

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LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS: Business Casual

Many times at University we are put in a situation, such as job interview or first date, where we need to look smart with out trying to hard. The easiest way I find for a male to do this in his wardrobe is to just add a perfectly ironed dress shirt to his outfit. Voila!

This fashionisto is dressed to impress with his top half all business and his bottom half casual cool ready for the summer sun. Using subtle colours such as beige and white he automatically draw attention to his shirt, making the colour brighter and the pattern more noticeable. First glance all you see is his smart dress shirt however he tones down the high-class demeanor with a pair of trendy Chuck Taylors and summer shorts.

It’s always nice to see well-dressed men around campus even if you cannot be bothered with your appearance on the way to class. This is a perfect solution. You not only look good but also don’t appear as if you are trying to hard. There are many brands coming out with awesome dress shirts in summer colours such as New Zealand brands Federation and Huffer. This fashionistos look also incorporates a subtle pattern, which brings depth and interest to the outfit. My advice is to stock your wardrobe full of well tailored and interesting shirts as it is the small things like a perfectly ironed shirt that can make all the difference.

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LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS: Business Casual

It was really exciting to find a Fashionisto so business casual on a Friday morning in Madison…especially amongst all the sweatpants and scrubs I usually see (and regrettably, wear) on Friday mornings.

There is nothing I don’t absolutely love about this Fashionisto’s outfit, the half zip, the tailored coat, and most importantly, the black boots. Half-zip sweaters are one of my favorite pieces for men. The look is fresh and classic all at once. This particular sweater has some seriously fabulous details including the oversized zipper and the black trim surrounding the zipper. The neutral gray color is also a great option as it can be worn with so many things and looks a bit more formal than a color would.

I constantly talk about how much I love layers and this holds true for today’s Fashionisto. I completely appreciate any male willing to layer for the sake of fashion as he did. The casual vibe of the sports coat makes the look more business casual and laid back. The color of the sports coat is perfect for fall and very fitting for the Thanksgiving holiday!

The jeans today’s Fashionisto sported are a different look that I normally see, and that’s why I appreciated them. The faded jean is something I haven’t seen in years and it was fun to revisit it! However the fit of the jean is what I love the most. The pant is fitted and yet roomy in all the right places, making them perfect for this tailored look.

And finally, my absolute favorite part of the outfit…the boots. I am a huge sucker for boots on men, and they totally brought the entire look together. I like that these boots are simple, black leather, making them less obvious. I also appreciate the round toe on the boot, again making them just a part of the outfit as opposed to drawing all the attention to the boot.

Hint: If you like the sport coat with jeans look, try a black sport coat with dark jeans, it will look equally as business casual but will give off a more edgy vibe!

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LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS: Business Casual

Since I was young I’ve always loved getting dressed up. Whether it’s heels or a silk dress, getting fancy just makes me feel confident. When I feel dressed up nothing matches more with my outfit than a well-dressed date. I have always been a fan of a Fashionisto who know how to make casual clothes more dressy and classic. A thin tie, nice pair of dark jeans, fitted blazer or a good pair of shoes can make an outfit stand out any hour of the day.

The Fashionisto above caught my eye with his edgy, yet business-casual attire. The light wash denim (which are super aged and worn) tied with a checkered shirt, fitted blazer, and long tie make the perfect outfit for class and a night on the town. It always impresses girls to see a male student who gets dressed up for class; keep that in mind, boys! This Fashionisto’s style looks effortless and yet so suave.

To pull together an outfit like this I’d grab a pair of Levi's jeans such as these, which are the perfect wash and match with everything. Tie these dark jeans with this Vince shirt and a thin tie (like this) and you’re set for a day packed with classes and then a night out on the town! So boys, do us all a favor and get dressed up in some business casual trends!