The iPad has skyrocketed onto the technology scene. With nearly half a million sold, the iPad is clearly paving a promising road for itself, especially because of all the new applications you can download.  Unfortunately you can’t put it in the indiTailored custom dress shirt pocket but hey, that’s what the iPhone is for.

One thing for sure is that Apple is changing the face of technology and fashion through iPad apps. For example, Gilt Groupe released an app for the iPad where users can compete for sales on the site with the advantage of less page views, making it faster to swoop in on deals than on a computer. Another great feature of the Gilt App is that users can pinch and magnify specific details of the clothes, something the iPhone and website don’t do nearly as well. Gilt thinks the level of detail available to the iPad user will decrease the return rate and enhance the overall shopping experience.

Well, as sick as this app is, can this really be true? Can the iPad really promise a faster, visually stunning, digital (as in with your digits) shopping experience? Or is the iPad a “big iPhone” like many have said?

And the ultimate question: should indiTailored make an app for the iPad? Would you use it? Vote below and leave your comments below:

courtesy of Aquascutum

Club collars were first popular in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, which means they’re definitely do for (another) comeback. Club collars have round edges and are pretty hard to find nowadays. Thanks to shows like Mad Men, retro fashion trends like club collars have been reemerging.

And why are we fans of club collars, you ask? One word: versatility.

Club collars look good with a skinny tie or sans tie. When worn without the tie they remind me of someone straight out of a Charles Dickens novel (in the best way, of course). Club collars are also particularly sharp when worn with a bow tie.  In addition, club collars can even be pinned or unpinned with a collar clip, which of course is different from the tie clip (thank you Mad Men for also bringing tie clips back). The collar clip, most popular in the 1950s and 1960s, goes underneath the tie and pins the ends of the collar together, lifting the knot in a most elegant way.

Do you think indiTailored should carry club collars? Do you even like club collars? Vote in the poll below:

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.