Vintage Calvin Klein

1989

Vintage Calvin Klein

supermodel

Just Because You Wear a Tie - From the Archives

Originally published June 6th 2010


images 1 & 2 Dolce and Gabbana @ style.com - note the length of the tie and fit of the shirt, including the sleeve length
image 3 - the loosened tie makes him look drunk but at least his shirt fits him.

doesn't mean you look 'professional'. You can actually come across looking sloppier than you would without one. If you're going to make the effort to look 'professional' by throwing on a tie please take the time to make sure the whole package comes across as 'professional' - meaning that your clothes fit you.

1. get a shirt that fits - which means one you didn't buy at Joe's Tent and Awning or Costco.
2. go for a collar that flatters your bone structure (see my post on collar styles).
3. your tie looks best if it touches just the top of the waist on your trousers (see photo).
4. thoughts on undershirts under white shirts (see photo)? They creep me out but that's just me.
5. pant hems are more important than you think (see my post on hems).

Guys Color Trends - Spring Summer 2013

Pantone calls them Monaco Blue, Vibrant Orange and Sunflower

all images ©style.com

The Jacket Trend for Men - 2013

Diesel Black Gold, Balmain, Iceberg, J. Lindberg, Miharayasuhiro, Neil Barrett, Robert Geller

all images © style.com

The motorcycle jacket. Now go buy one at a thrift shop for $25.

Want more jacket inspiration? Visit my trends in leather jackets post here.

10 Boots for Men - Fall Winter 2012

Church's

etsy

Dr. Martens

etsy

Fiorentini and Baker

moma

etsy

paul smith

etsy

etsy

ps I've updated my men's favourites on etsy

An Inspired Knock Off

Perry Ellis 1985

My orange high school locker was my inspiration board. It was 1985, and the orange background only enhanced the already kaleidoscopic menagerie of 80s fashion, Calvin Klein underwear ads and my bobbed hair crush, Marcus Abel. 

Fast forward twenty years to a Black Crowes after-party, and I'm debating the difference between knocking off and inspiration with one of the designers whose sexy ass black and white ads I'd always had hanging in my locker (no, not Calvin Klein).

Three months earlier, the designer's assistant purchased my entire collection of vintage leather jackets at the Manhattan Vintage Clothing show. I wouldn't have known otherwise, but being a nosy Canadian, I asked her if she would wear all those jackets. She replied that they weren't for her but for Designer X, who'd be knocking them off. Trust me, I know what you're thinking.

I do not regularly attend parties to accuse designers of knocking off vintage clothing. 

But here we go.

As a result of early 90s industrial dance sessions at Luv Affair (now a Shoppers Drug Mart), I have a terrible case of tinnitus. Therefore, when the designer introduced himself at the noisy party, I thought he said he worked for Designer X. But alas, he was, in fact, Designer X. 

Here I thought I was having a pleasant conversation with one of Designer X's assistants about the New York vintage show and how designers knock off vintage clothing. After all, he asked, "Where do I know you from? You look familiar." Seeing as I had a terrible time with face recognition, I thought I'd met him in New York at the show and was just going to ride that train.

I didn't know I was talking with the real Designer X until a groupie approached him. 

Damnit.

To backtrack on my words and apologize for accusing/debating with him would've been super uncomfortable. The conversation had already evolved past that. He didn't seem to care anyway and had enough integrity to admit he buys vintage clothing to get 'inspiration'. Needless to say, I continued chatting along my merry way, pretending I knew who he was from the start of our conversation. Of course I couldn't hear what either of us was saying because my focus was on how friggin' embarrassed I was.

In 1985, I won the Langley School District fashion design competition. 

I don't remember how I actually got into the competition. I remember being instructed to design something for Home Economics Sewing class, and my creation - a skirt - won. The venue, Langley Senior Secondary. The designers had to walk the internationally famous and notoriously challenging catwalk in their creation. I remember doing that. I also remember not paying attention when the winners were announced and having someone come and find me to let me know I was being summoned. 

I won a Mary Kay makeover!

Last night, I pulled out the January 1985 edition of Vogue, looking for some blog inspiration. The first page I opened slapped me with a fistful of memories. It was a Perry Ellis ad - an ad containing the winning skirt. I took the ad to a local sewing shop, searched out a pattern for a similar skirt and altered it a bit.

I didn't knock it off, I was inspired by it.

The striped skirt and winning ensemble. Note the nautical theme topped off by the hat.

PS Kids - if you're going to dance beside the speakers, take this old hipster's advice and be the geek who wears earplugs. Your parents were somewhat right, you will go deaf, but first you will be plagued by a torturing, constant ringing in your ears - even when you have earplugs in.

It is Official - I am Stuck in 1987

I was thumbing through my old mags and have come to the conclusion that I am stuck in 1987. 


 I want to wear this this weekend.


Pilgrim shoes!


Glitter star tights. Where were these when I was actually hanging out with rock stars.


Grunge before the word was even invented.


Well, this outfit means I'm that weirdo at the gym that wears the old work out gear.


Dear Hipster Girls, these are not attractive. Never were, never will be. Stop wearing them.


I had this Calvin Klein set. I wish they still made it. Demi cups rock.


Estelle - my first and only super model girl crush.


I usually wear this to work.


Note - women have hair on their arms.

Chill.

images Vogue September, 1987

From the Archives - The Striped Shirt

Originally published February 24, 2010

Coco Chanel - Audrey Hepburn

Bridgette Bardot - Marilyn Monroe

Kurt Cobain - James Dean

Elvis - Tyrone Power

a vintage Russian navy uniform - The Cure

Duran Duran

Stuff We Did Not Leave Behind

Come One Come All Vintage Yard Sale

via my Flickr page

The yard sale tables have turned!

1306 Bidwell Street (Vancouver's West End)

This Sunday - May 27 2012

10-4

Dolce & Gabbana, you're invited too.

This one is for you - Dolce and Gabbana

If you're a frequent visitor to the Bijou Living FB page (that I've been locked out of since 2020) then you'll know the little commentary we have going on about Dolce & Gabbana (and Chloe) hanging out on my blog. 

I couldn't help but think of our Italian friends, and perhaps their next collection, when I watched Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi in The Black Cat (1934) the other night.


images are screen shots © Universal Pictures