PSA

Bragging --> Bijou Living got a wicked review on Dana Landon's It's My Darlin - Seattle Street Style.

Go and dig around on It's My Darlin and get inspired. I love Seattle particularly Capitol Hill. There is some serious fashion inspiration there. Dana has an eye for what Seattle truly is - and no it's not all grunge.

Get your butt to the Pacific Northwest will ya!

Oh, and if you hung out with us on Facebook you'd already know this - yet another reason to get on board. www.facebook.com/bijouliving

Paint It Black

I wanna see it painted black, painted black
Black as night, black as coal

...but I don't think I'd get my damage deposit back.

Best Summer Suits for Men

Don't use the heat as an excuse to look like a schlump
remember the words of Hardy Amies,
'Never wear shorts except at water's edge.'

There are many options available for summer business formal wear that won't leave you looking like Mr. Roarke—although he did look wonderfully marvellous, didn't he?

Color:

• A monochromatic look not only makes you look slimmer visually it makes you cooler mentally.
• Don't think you can pull off a solid white or cream-colored suit without feeling like Colonel Sanders? Try light gray—everyone looks good in gray.
• Feel like you're on safari in a tan suit? Stick with black in a light weight fabric.
• Seersucker, too, Barber Shop Quartet? Try a Pin Stripe, Herringbone, Houndstooth or Prince of Wales Check.

Tie:

• For a change, try a light color tie on a light color shirt.
• If you can go without a tie in the summer, keep your shirt collar in your jacket. A spread collar is very 70s and not in a good way.

Shoes:

• Loafers are shown all over for S/S 2010. For a refresher, check my post on loafers.
• Suede and buck are the perfect alternative between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Keep those handmade Italian leather sandals in your bag for the ride home, not the office.

Suitable Summer Suit Fabrics:

Poplin - a sturdy fabric that was originally made from silk, poplin can know be found in cotton, wool, silk, or rayon. Burberry uses a lot of poplin (think of the feel of their trench coat).

Linen - stay away from low grade low ounce linen. You'll look like you slept in your suit by the time you get out of your car. 11-13 ounce linen will drape better and not be as wrinkly.

Wool crepe - a crepe under 11 ounces is pretty much approachable nine months of the year. Every time I see my seamstress she says to me, in her heavy Eastern European accent, 'Listen to me, get 99% wool, 1% lycra. I do this for 40 years I know what I'm talking about.' The word lycra, like the word spandex, creeps me out but I better listen to her or else.

Seersucker - Personally, I'm not a fan of the seersucker suit as it reminds me of a candy striper uniform. A seersucker sport coat paired with some high grade linen trousers or seersucker trousers paired with a linen shirt sits a little better with me.

Try a tone-on-tone shirt and tie for a change. 

Casual day? Leave the tie at home.

Don't think you can pull off a solid white or cream suit? Try gray - everyone looks good in gray. Of course, you'll have your shirt buttoned up during working hours.

Don't fear patterns. Glen Check/Prince of Wales Check is a great print for summer.

Vintage Lanvin

Jeanne Lanvin
1933

The Curse of Casual Friday

This is the post where your jaw drops and you call me 'old fashioned'.

I don't like casual days. I find them unprofessional. However, I'm also the one that doesn't like bare legs in the workplace.

At my first middle management job I came face to face with the curse of casual day. I was able to avoid the first few by playing dumb but my charade wouldn't last for long - my team was on to me. So, being the 'approachable' boss, I gave in. What was the problem? Well, you see, I have two wardrobes - my corporate costume and my real wardrobe. Let's just say the real wardrobe consists of lots of vintage and lots of black.

Ever have an unexpected emergency meeting pop up on casual day? Sure, I was wearing black denim, a silk t-shirt and a black blazer but I felt like a tool sitting down with the big wigs in their suits. Lesson learned.

Casual day attire for men in my books:
no tie

For women:
---


* Mr. Louisiana photo a fabulous gift from Could it be Madness-this?

6 Mens Boots

Wings and Horns (by Dayton)

Fiorentini + Baker

Frye

John Varvatos

Frye

Fiorentini + Baker

and his own boots are Kodiak

I had a brief two hour rendezvous this weekend and I'm not about wasting time. Many who know me are smirking as they read this - I know how to shop - I'm out as fast as I'm in. Needless to say, he and I got down to business lickity split. Shopping is too often a big waste of time unless you know exactly what you're looking for and where to find it. We went straight to Gravity Pope on 4th - which has the top selection of cool men's and women's boots in Vancouver - as well as the coolest women's clothes (along with Misch). Their one downfall - they run out of sizes quickly. Make a friend there.

You ask, 'Stacy, with such a big selection why did he only try these brands?' Because they were right in front of me when we walked in and he liked them (and I didn't want to get busted taking pictures in the shop). I could've spent our whole two hours there but after all it was a rendezvous and I did want some 'quality time'. I also recommend you try the NDC, MOMA, trippen, cydwoq, Adams and Gravity Pope, their in house label. The winner? John Varvatos side zip boot.

Dancing at the Cafe - Bande à Part aka Band of Outsiders

How to Tie a Scarf

wrap long end around twice and on the second wrap push the end through the top knot and pull down - like you're knotting a tie.
Voila - a knot that slides. For an ascot type look pull the knot tight and tuck it in.
via Esquire 1969.

Quote of the Week - Christian Dior

Simplicity, good taste and grooming are the three fundamentals of good dressing and these do not cost money. Christian Dior