The blue shirt has, of course, an association with the term “blue collar”, dating back to the 19th century as a descriptor of the working class. Naturally, at the other end of the spectrum, “white collar” workers wouldn’t be caught dead in a blue shirt (probably not a stretch), terrified of being mistaken as a laborer.

Although white collar shirts still maintain a certain level of respectability and class, the blue shirt today is amazingly versatile and can be worn to adorn some of the most sophisticated looks. Thankfully, even though the term “blue collar” is still used, most people can wear a blue shirt without the same classist connotations.

Why, then, do not more men wear them? Aren’t we bored of always wearing white shirts? If you’re an adult male, chances are high that you have a white dress shirt.

Earth to You: the blue shirt is just as versatile (if not more so) than the white shirt, giving a subtle and masculine hint of color to your outfit. Here are some examples of blue shirts I designed (click on any shirt to see more) with suggested looks:

The Spring Blue Shirt:
Pair your blue shirt with khakis, dark wash jeans, or khaki shorts. Roll up your sleeves and leave your top two buttons undone. Feel free to either tuck the shirt in with a belt or leave it untucked.

The Executive Blue Shirt:
Perfectly paired with a black or gray flannel suit, I really encourage more guys to do this. It’s a great way to spice up your typical dark suit and white shirt combo while still maintaining a high level of professionalism and style. Made out of blue herringbone fabric, this shirt offers a unique texture.

By the way, you could easily substitute the “Spring blue shirt” in this snazzier ensemble. Ah, the versatility of the blue shirt. And finally what we’ve all been waiting for…

The Hot Date Blue Shirt:
Pair this with a chocolate corduroy blazer (or another blazer with a medium tone), dark wash blue jeans, and brown loafers. Tuck your blue shirt into your jeans for this look, and leave the top two buttons of the shirt (and all the blazer buttons) undone. 

I designed this shirt with a slim fit, fashionable wide spread collar, and some stylish contrast fabric that will attract the eye underneath your clothes…not bad, eh?

I hope this inspires you to start reinterpreting this underutilized basic. Got to, gents.

So let’s face it: who even considers wearing French cuffs? Aren’t those for fancy weddings and crap? Wait, what even is a French cuff? In case you are wondering, here’s what a French cuff looks like:

For most of us the only time we ever saw French cuffs growing up was while shopping for a tux for, let’s say, a winter formal (we all remember how fun those were). French cuffs quickly became synonymous with the feeling we had in a formal shirt: constricted, tight, and limited.

What you may or may not realize now is that French cuffs actually give you more freedom than barrel cuffs, not less. How, you ask?

1. French cuffs are roomier. While barrel cuffs fit closely to your wrist, French cuffs are free and never pinch.
2. French cuffs are more versatile. You can accessorize your French cuffs with knots or cufflinks instead of always being stuck with the same old button.
3. French cuffs are the epitome of class. Sure, you can wear them out to a less formal occasion and look fly. Go nuts. However, if you ever feel that your shirt isn’t formal enough, a French cuff shirt will always do the trick. French cuffs are the most sophisticated cuffs around, so they are great to have on hand when you need to look formal fast.

Whether they are hanging in your closet or in the back of your mind, take those French cuffs out (or design a French cuff shirt yourself) and show them off more frequently. Not only is it stylish to wear them in the US, but French cuff shirts are a quotidian style in other parts of the world. For example, in the UK, French cuffs are called Double cuffs because they are such a familiar, everyday style.

Or, if you need a more domestic example, take it from Joe Biden. Just look at how excited he is about them…

Courtesy of dreamdogsart.typepad.com

Ah, at last. A liberating cuff. In the words of a brave Scottish warrior, “FREEEEDOM!”

1. Tailored, Modernized Punk

As a mixture of punk rock and modern ingenuity, modernized punk looks reign supreme this year. Appropriately, a handful of British designers reflected this genre with artistic flare and fine tailoring all around.

My Advice: Rock out. Don’t be afraid to whip out that old graphic tee or sport a more alternative look.

2. Classic Apparel

In rough times it’s exciting to see that designers still celebrate the luxury and sophistication of classic apparel. Simultaneously looking back to our classic heritage and progressing forward with newer, technologically enhanced features, classic apparel is in.

My Advice: Invest in looking your best. Even if it’s one versatile garment like a gray blazer (which is great for many outfits) or dress shirt, invest in something classic and dress it up and down at will.

3. The Plaid Shirt

As if you hadn’t seen enough of it, we just can’t stop being mad about plaid. Seen in many neutral, autumnal tones in the shows the plaid shirt trend is here to stay.

My Advice: Hop on this trend if you like, but don’t get ripped off. There are great plaid looks out there but many are poorly made and/or not worth the investment. Pay attention to the quality of the fabric and don’t confuse overpriced flannel with plaid.

4. Luxurious Outerwear

From fur-lined coats to high-quality ski jackets (see previous article for more), distinctive outerwear dominated the runway. Designers made unique, heavy, and expensive pieces, many with military accents from WWI.

My Advice: I might skip out on the fur, but if you need a new coat make sure it reflects your style. If you’re more neutral, choose a gray, black, or camel coat. More eccentric, a brighter color like the red Duckie Brown jacket above would be more suitable for you. Point being: outerwear is not just for staying warm this season.

5. Murses(Man Purses)

That’s right, gents. She’s not the only one with a purse. For travel, the gym, or wherever you need to tote your stuff, it’s even more in style than last season.

My Advice: Don’t worry, you don’t have to throw it over your shoulder if you don’t want to. Grip yours firmly like these models for less strain than a shoulder bag and discover the beauty of having all the room of a larger tote.

(Images courtesy of GQ.com and WWD.com)

The beginning of the year marks a pinnacle moment in menswear: Men’s Fashion Weeks. Milan debuted, followed by Paris, and now New York fashion week has just begun.

Hundreds of designers and models, thousands of attendees and millions of dollars constitute each of these extravagant spectacles of immaculately made oeuvres of struttable art.

So, what fraction can we take away from such a complex occasion as fashion week?

I-n-s-p-i-r-a-t-i-o-n.

Now you may not now how to react to a piece like this other than “Here kitty, kitty…”

(Courtesy of WWD.com)

BUT, you can interpret what pieces like this mean. This outfit, for example, is a nice mélange of feminine and masculine (at least from an American perspective), exudes wealth, fits in with the animal-inspired theme of this particular collection, and of course keeps you warm.

Now that I’ve cleared that up, let’s move on to some things I found interesting and relevant to you.

Fashion Meltdown

In the Dolce & Gabbana Collection shown in Milan, the designers weren’t afraid to be humorous and display stark contrasts, catching the attention of the audience and emphasizing the elegance of their apparel:

(Courtesy of WWD.com)

(Courtesy of WWD.com)

(Courtesy of WWD.com)

This sort of reminded me of James Bond after parachuting down to an arctic destination, only to ultimately emerge in style. Ahh, the evolution of menswear.

And that begs the question of what Dolce & Gabbana attempts to communicate here: Perhaps that the future of men’s fashion holds a more sophisticated, fashion-forward man? Better, more successful times ahead for all of us?

Perhaps. Or maybe D&G is trying to show that however awkward, sometimes fashion must compromise with practicality, and we can playfully mix and match elegance with, well, ski onesies.

Moschino,Very

(Courtesy of WWD.com)

(Courtesy of WWD.com)

In its Ready To Wear line, Moschino articulates a time of war and refined practicality while maintaining impeccable style. While showing off impeccably tailored menswear pieces, these models wear camouflage gear, comfortable rolled-up jeans, and a windbreaker. It also demonstrates that an active man can, in fact, be a well-groomed and dressed one too.

So mix and match (within reason, now), because business casual, refined casual, casual chic, it’s all the rage. Active men can be fashionable, and businessmen can be casual.  And guess what: it’s fashion-forward and practical. The 2010 man understands how to make good style choices, yet remains true to his lifestyle.

So I cheated.

But only a little bit…

In efforts to get some of our indiDenim customers to design custom shirts as a Valentine’s Day gift for their special somebody’s, I told them about this great discount first. Ok, sue me.

So in case you haven’t heard, until February 14th indiTailored is giving you 10% off of all of our custom shirts. In fact, I’ve even included some style advice right here (which can also be found in our design vault) for great evening looks with your Valentine that I designed. Take a look:

                                               
              Let’s Hear It For the Boy 

Here’s a great casual yet trendy look. Made from one of our finest Italian cottons, this shirt will give you subtle style.
                                                                                                         
   
              Oh My Man I Love Him So

If you’re going out for a romantic dinner out, this shirt is for you. With a white executive collar that compliments the colored vertical stripes that elongate your body, you’ll appear distinguished, slim, and stylish.
                                                       
   
                      My Lovely Valentine 

And if you’re more eccentric (or want to be), I would recommend this lavender color. There’s nothing more fashion-forward and masculine than rocking a color like lavender, and with the matching contrast collar and cuffs you’ll definitely get noticed.

So try out one of the shirts I designed or design your own. Either way, you get 10% off by using this code at checkout: indiLove.

Yes, the name is corny. But if I’m afforded one corny moment a year, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time. Keep that in mind for the special day, eh?

Enjoy the savings!