Brandon early in the morning...Mass Ave., Cambridge

Laura in a vintage dress...Charles Street, Boston

The case of the white sneaker part 2

I met up with a friend one day. He wore light blue jeans with a black silk button down shirt adorned with faint horizontal white stripes. His feet were encased in white sneakers. Ok, you’re thinking, so what? Well, these sneakers weren’t Stan Smiths, or Chuck Taylors. They were, if you can imagine, a marriage between Sketchers and hiking boots…but in white.

As he walked towards me, I winced visibly. In my head thought, Oh lordie, what a mess. I only realized I had spoken out loud when I saw the hurt look on his face. Oy!

I started feeling guilty for being a thoughtless friend and proceeded to placate him by explaining why white sneakers are so tricky (or grandpa jeans for that matter, but that’s another post). We know that Marc Jacobs loves his Stan Smiths, but how does the average guy wear them? Here’s the Tini take: Unless you’re at the gym or playing a sport, leave the athletic shoe at home or you risk looking like a well adjusted middle-aged suburban mom/dad. Unfortunately, athletic shoes tend to look sloppy when they are worn out of context. But alas, I couldn’t convince said friend to donate or ditch the monstrosity.

I was at Tyson’s Corner shopping Center in Virginia when I saw John (below). This is closer to how you should wear the white sneaker. Though I like John’s look, I knew that I needed guidance from someone who is steeped in men’s style.

For some edumacation, I turned to Andres Izquieta, the Co-CEO and Creative Director of Five Four. Andres says, “I love white sneakers, they go with everything, but I NEVER wear athletic shoes (i.e. Nike, Reebok, Asics, Adidas) casually. This will give your outfit more of an athletic shoe look and you will end up looking like a total slob. I prefer to wear athletic shoes from the non-athletic shoe brands, because they always provide fashion along with the comfort an athletic shoe.”

Back to John’s look, Andres offers this advice: “I think this guy is better off going with a bigger and wider shoe, like the Takeo Kikuchi shoes. [John] is a bigger guy and is wearing a relaxed leg jean, he needs a shoe that is wide that matches his pant in size so that the aesthetic is consistent. Again, I don’t like the simple white sneaker with pant look, I prefer to go with a bit more fashionable shoe.”

In case you’re wondering which white sneakers to wear, I’ve listed Andres’ picks below. Most people I know are spending less, so I’m not suggesting you drop any Benjamins. I do however, suggest that you familiarize yourself with the market. It might be a good idea to visit the sites such as Men Style to get ideas on how to wear chucks. I should mention that Five Four’s Spring ‘08 and Fall ’07 lines are a great place to start for a quick lesson. Also, check out this NYTimes article for background and ideas.

Converse/Chuck Taylor come in various fabric and color combos. Think, all white, white with black subtle color detail, white with navy and red subtle detail etcetera, etcetera. These will run between $25-$50.

Dior Homme are Andres’ favorite and tend to provide fashion with the “white sneaker” look. These will run from $500…you could always keep your eye out for them on Bluefly.com

Tretorn are super comfortable, casual, easy to wear, yet fashionable. Andres always wear the shorts/woven/cardigan look, especially in the late spring and summer. He usually wears such an ensemble with Tretorn canvas white shoes (very basic in styling). The light canvas shoe can be worn with a light cardigan. The construction of Tretorns are such that you can wear them without socks. Tretorn also makes trainers for women. These start at $55.

TST shoes are designed by the former sneaker designer of Helmut Lang and Ludwig Reiter. Their line is always cool and fashionable. Andres’ favorite pair of white sneakers were from them. He unfortunately wore them out. Sadly, they are no longer in circulation (both on TST’s part and on Andres’).

Common Projects’ sneakers are similar to Dior Homme but simpler in design. Here’s Andres’ take, “I think the top brand to watch is Common Projects, they have a great assortment of white and gray sneakers, that compliment any man’s wardrobe. The best thing about them, is that you can either dress them up or down, which is very very key to any guy.” These will run $300 and up.

Hi-top white sneakers –notables include, Air Force 1, Takeo Kikuchi shoes, Raf Simons, Lanvin, Dior Homme Hi-tops, YSL, etc…there’s a lot of these out on the market, priced from $80
to 800…it’s a matter of your taste and budget.

Ok, you may be wondering how to keep those darn white trainers clean. Check out the 2007 David Colman article in the NYTimes about the subject. Now that you have the basics, go forth and be stylish.

Pictures of the sneakers (except for the AF1 and Stan Smiths) are courtesy of Andres

Deirdre on Washington Street, Boston

WWMOW

I had to purchase a suit for a series of very serious meeting where there'll be a lot of politico present. As I walked into a boutique, I thought: what would michelle obama wear? Thus the WWMOW. Have to say, the thought alone helped tremendously in choosing a classic, feminine, yet chic suit.

Ludovica...Harvard Square, Cambridge

Men at work: Accordian player...Boston Common

Men in uniform: Billy for T-Mobile...Berkeley Street

Billy in his T-Mobile fuschia work shirt.

Men at work: Gaston for Avanti Salon...Newbury Street

The case of the white sneaker, part 1: John at Tyson's Corner Center, Virginia

Morgan in Central Square, Cambridge

French invasion...Newbury Street, Boston

I'm not into the brand flashing, but this young man had magnetic charm. He has such a great face. My camera went haywire on me on this day. I'm sad to say this is the only good shot of him that I got.

All dotted up...Kiesha on Newbury, Boston

A great dress from Filene's Basement.

Michael in Georgetown, Washington, DC

Porkpies and fedoras

Porkpie hat doesn’t just refer to the Charles Mingus song. It’s an actual hat that is similar to a fedora but is not a fedora. Some friends set me straight on my post on fedoras (below).

For those of you who weren’t the wiser, here’s a little background on the porkpie hat:

A felt hat dating from the mid 19^th century, a pork pie hat or porkpie is similar to a fedora, but with a flattened top. The crown is short, and has a characteristic indent all the way around, rather than the pinch crown characteristic of fedoras. Unlike the fedora, the brim on the porkpie is smaller and worn flipped up. Porkpies are sometimes associated with jazz culture, musicians, artists and fashion forward men in the 40s and 50s. Porkpies became more mainstream in the 60s Rude Boy movement in Britain. Silent film movie star Buster Keaton, Dean Martin, Fred Astaire wore them. The porkpie regained popularity in the 90s with the release of Johnny Depp’s Benny and Joon.

Source: Hats in the Belfry

Dad’s Hats

Irene on Church Street, Cambridge

A family affair....Mr. Anthony and Michael in Georgetown, Washington, DC

A nod to Dogtown...James on JFK St., Cambridge

Liz in white...Tremont Street

I took this one a while ago. Liz was just coming back from her pedicure. The sandals are kitsch, but add fun factor to her outfit.

I’m drawn to this outfit because it’s a blank canvas. It’s great in its simplicity but because the colors are neutral; you can go anywhere from here. You can funk it up with shoes, accessories, jewelry, etcetera, etcetera.

Ladies, if you do this look, be careful of the cut and length of the skirt. A pleated skirt might make your hips look wider than the Sargasso sea. If it's too long, you'll look like you just got out of the convent. The original What Not to Wear gurus, Trinny and Susannah, offer great guidance to help you understand what works on your body type.

Gentlemen, you should also check out Trinny and Susannah's rules. You may learn a thing or two on: how to trick the eye to appear taller; how to make that short neck look longer and how to clothe your flat/rotund posterior.

James on M Street...Washington, DC

While the weather had everyone on M Street withering like forgotten flowers, James appeared fresh and unruffled by the heat.

Keeping cool on a hot day....Washington, DC

It reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in DC on the day I took this picture yet this young woman looks cool and effortless. Notice the sleeves of her dress. They are corded.

Both in DC, and here in Beantown, I’ve been seeing some foolishness out there during the heat wave. Time to lay down the law…Tini’s Law.

Tini Law #3658
In summer, especially during a heat wave. Leave the boots (cowboy boots, Uggs, etcetera), the leggings, the trousers (jeans included) at home. Wear clothes made of breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen, and seersucker.

Tini Law #3659
In summer, especially during a heat wave, opt for sandals, but please do yourself a favor, either give yourself a pedicure or pay for one (men and women included). If your toes are looking ragged and crusty, they shouldn’t be displayed in public.

Shop to save

It finally feels like summer, and though my posts should focus on fun summer ensembles rather than trench coats, I want to remind you it's time to shop for winter. Yes, yes, who wants to think about winter when it's so hot. Here's the thing, I'm on a budget that forces me to be increasingly creative in repurposing the pieces that I currently own. When I have to do major wardrobe updates, I buy off season (think summer clothes in the fall; winter clothes in late spring/summer). Now, is the perfect time to shop for long underwear, coats, cashmere and other winter trappings.

Pure tomfoolery you say, well, I got my LLBean coat for 40 greenbacks and my DKNY tweed coat for 120. If that doesn't impress you, think 40% off Ferragamo boots, or think affordable Bally shoes. Come winter, you won't be wearing the latest "it" item, but by now I hope you've realized that style transcends fads.

Just a little sumthin sumthin to ponder.

More trenches....Viktor & Rolf, Paris 2006

Source: Style.com

Trenches....Viktor & Rolf, Paris 2006

This is one of my favorite collections from 2006 from Viktor & Rolf. It is utterly feminine with a dash of naughtiness. As you may have guessed by now, I do so appreciate a good trench.

Source: Style.com

Men at Banq....Washington Street, Boston

Liking the piping.

Banq just opened in the old Penny Savings Bank on Washington Street. The South End has long been one of my favorite corners of Boston. The Yuppification is on the upsurge, but in return, we have Flour, Brix, Formaggio’s and Aunt Sadie’s. There are restaurants galore for the gourmand (including my all time favorite, Hamersley’s Bistro which is now open for brunch. Can we say mango mimosas!). The drinks at Banq are Cambridge priced and thus light on the alcohol. Designed by Office dA (they’re responsible for the design of Mantra and the Upper Crust), walking inside Banq evokes the feeling of strolling through a 3D topographic map.

Dominique in Seersucker....Dunster Street, Cambridge

Fab in color....Boylston Street

Fabiola is a designer and artist.

Karin in white...Exeter Street, Boston

Michelle...still in Vancouver on Water Street

Michelle owns One of a Few (355 Water Street | p. 604. 605. 0685), a clothing boutique on Water Street in Gastown. I scored a necklace there. Look below for examples of whimsical necklaces that Michelle offers.

The fedora comeback...again?!...Vancouver, B.C.

I have many more pictures as back-up, but fedoras were everywhere in Vancouver and in Seattle. The young, the old, females and males sported them. Can't say I'll be buying me one, but it does add a bit of panache to an outfit.

Au revoir à Monsieur Saint Laurent

All you have to say is YSL and people know who you're talking about. M. Saint Laurent died of brain cancer on Sunday, June 1. Here's a slideshow of his work from Women's Wear Daily. The Economist writes some of the most touching obits out there. I'll post a link if they cover YSL's obituary in next week's paper. In the meantime, here's the obit by the NY Times.

Morgan on Granville...Vancouver, B.C.

Megan on E. Cordova...Vancouver, B.C.