Look Book: Jeans/Chinos

Today I am going to start a new section of my blog that I have been slowly putting together over the last few weeks, a Look Book. Basically, I will be putting different clothing items together and posting them on here to create looks and outfits that I think are great.

To start off, I want to make a point of saying that one of the main things I look for when initially buying an item is whether the item has the versatility to be worn with a range of other pieces. Versatility is important, as it means you can wear an item you love without the embarrassment of constantly re-wearing the exact same outfit.

Today I am going to choose a single item that I think is an essential piece of every guys outfit rotation because of how well it goes with so many different clothes:

    Dark coloured chinos/jeans.

A pair of dark coloured slim-fit chinos or jeans are an absolute essential of any wardrobe because of the versatility they allow. Dark coloured chinos/jeans allow for a more dressed up look than regular coloured chinos or standard denim jeans, and shades such as black are really easy to match with most other colours.

I always have at least one pair of black jeans in my closet, and recently purchased a pair of dark-dyed slim-fit chinos from men's fashion store Connor. In fact, in preparation for the first edition of my Look Book, I actually planned my shopping selections around this pair of chinos because of how many different outfits can be put together using them as a foundation. I found a whole different variety of clothes that go great with the dark jeans/chinos (unfortunately I could only afford so many) and have collected a few examples here:

Brighter colours, like purple, pink or red, look great when teamed with a pair of black jeans/chinos. The bright colours contrast fantastically with the dark shade of the pants. Personally, for a more dressed up look, I like to make use of contrasting colours in the form of checkered shirts.

To further enhance this look, I like to wear a short, slim fit leather jacket over the top of the checkered shirt or even a simple Chambray shirt (see below). This not only adds another layer to the outfit, it enhances the  contrast of the bright shirt in between the dark leather and jeans.

For a more casual look, black chinos or jeans can be paired with any standard white tee, with a simple printed design. For the more adventurous, choose a tee with a brightly coloured print to contrast with the plain white and black.

Dark jeans/chinos are also extremely versatile because of the wide range of footwear that can be worn with them. If going for a dressed up look, black jeans simply need to be paired with a pair of boots or high tops. For an everyday look, any standard casual shoe can be worn with dark pants and matched to the style of shirt being worn as well. 

Online Shopping Haul

This weekend I really struggled with my impulsive need to throw money at my problems, and the result was a number of new clothes that I absolutely love! I shopped exclusively online at men's fashion stores, YD and Connor, which I have previously reviewed. I rate both of these stores really highly and never fail to come out empty handed when I shop there.

I really tried to focus on finding items that I felt needed to be added to my rotation but I also made a huge effort to purchase items that were on sale in order to protect my bank balance. I was very successful on both counts, the pieces I purchased are all fantastic and a much needed addition to my wardrobe, and every item was on sale, except for one.

    Ludlow shirt.

My personal belief is that every guy should have a couple of button-up checked shirts in there wardrobe- no I am not referring to farmer-plad - like the "Ludlow shirt". This style of shirt looks fantastic for a night out on the town, especially when the colour stands out as much as the purple in the "Ludlow shirt" does.

The "Ludlow shirt" looks fantastic when worn with sleeves rolled up and when teamed up with slim-fit dark coloured jeans or chinos and a pair of black boots or high top shoes. 

I managed to pick up this shirt for $29.99, while it usually retails for $49.99. This was a fantastic price for a such a nice, vibrant, going out shirt!

    Venice Beach Scoop Tee.

The "Venice Beach Scoop Tee" is a pretty standard tee, however, I think it has a simple style that goes well with almost any outfit. It can be worn dark or standard coloured jeans, under a long-sleeved collared shirt or can be paired with shorts for a casual look.

I purchased the "Venice Beach Scoop Tee" for an unbelievable $9.99, a saving of $20 from its standard price of $29.99! I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the price for this shirt and was completely blown away that it was possible to buy such a great piece for so little money!

   Dice Casual Jacket.

The contrasted sleeves on this jacket really drew me in, and once I saw the price there was no way I wasn't going to buy it.

The "Dice Casual Jacket" looks great for casual wear, as it's name suggests. I would pair this item with blue denim jeans and casual shoes.

This item was another fantastic buy- it usually retails for $129.99, however, I bought it for a staggering $49.99!

    Charlie Skinny Chino.

Dark coloured chinos are a must for any wardrobe! This pair is really simple, however, they can be worn in many different outfits.

For a casual look, the "Charlie Skinny Chinos" could be worn with a simple tee and casual shoes, or could be paired with a bright checked shirt, buttoned up, with leather boots or high top shoes.

This pair of chinos was the only item I purchased that was not on sale, however, I felt that the standard price of $69.99 was a reasonable price for such an essential and versatile addition to my clothing rotation.

    Annex Knit.

The "Annex Knit" is a great jumper for the colder months, and looks great with just about any outfit. 

I would mostly wear the "Annex Knit" with chinos or denim jeans and casual shoes.

I bought the "Annex Knit" for $29.99, 50% off the standard price of $59.99! I could not believe how cheap I managed to pick up such a nice, warm, winter jacket!

Overall rating: ★★★★

I managed to keep to my original plan of shopping for items on sale as both stores that I shopped with happened to have a lot of great items with discounted prices. In particular, I was very happy with the pricing at Connor, and the fact that I was rewarded with free shipping for spending a lot of money with them!

I was also very happy with the range available at both stores, as I found a lot of versatile pieces that could be worn in several different ways- including items that I was not able to purchase due to my self-enforced budget. This was very important to me as versatility factors into the first post I am writing

for a new section of my blog!

Online Clothing Haul Part 3: YD

My online shopping haul continues today with a review of the items I purchased from men's clothing store, YD. 

YD is one of my absolute favourite stores! Although certainly not the cheapest option out there, YD has a really great range and all of the products are also of top notch quality. YD mostly sells clothes that are appropriate for going out on the town or for formal occasions.

    Ozone Shirt.

I am a big fan of button up collared shirts, and also really love checked print, so the "Ozone Shirt" in red colour really perked my interest. This shirt is most suitable for going out on the town or for dinner at a restaurant, however, I also like to roll up the sleeves to create a more laid back look.

The "Ozone Shirt" usually retails for $89.95, but I managed to pick it up on sale for $49.95! This was an excellent price for an item at YD, especially such a nice, formal shirt.

    Newport Casual Shoes.

The "Newport Casual Shoes" in navy colour are a great pair of shoes that, as the name suggests, can be worn with a casual outfit, but can also work as part of a more dressed up look if paired with the right pieces.

I like to team these shoes up with a "Chambray" style slim fit button up shirt, worn closed, and a pair of trim black jeans, to create a semi-casual, semi-formal outfit that is fit for a variety of different occasions.

These shoes retail at $49.95, which is very cheap for YD's footwear, and definitely reasonable for a pair of shoes that can be reworn with so many different types of outfits.

    Milla Tee.

The "Milla Tee" is quite simple, however, a simple black and white contrasted tee is a really versatile piece that can be worn on it's own or underneath a more colourful collared shirt, worn unbuttoned.

I picked up this tee for $49.99- as I said, YD is definitely not the cheapest store in the world, but the quality of the clothes is assured and this particular tee can be worn as a part of a variety of different outfits.

Overall rating: ★★★★½

YD's website is really nicely set out and easily navigated. In addition, I managed to pick up free shipping for spending over a certain amount of money, which definitely encourages me to shop on there again!

I absolutely loved the range available at YD and would definitely have purchased more items if I had not already spent quite abit of money at previous online stores. YD is quite expensive, however, I managed to find items that were on some great sales, and which I also really needed to add to my outfit rotation. I will probably shop there first next time I go on an online shopping spree!

Online Clothing Haul Part 2: French Connection

Today I'm going to review another online store I recently purchased a few items from, French Connection. French Connection is a store with a really broad, quirky range that caters to both men and women.

     Chambray slim fit shirt.

This item was my favourite find out of all the purchases I've made over my collective online haul. Chambray refers to a fabric that is primarily woven with plain threads (like white) with coloured threads woven over the top. In this particular shirt, the Chambray affect results in a cool, almost-denim look. 

I like to wear the "Chambray slim fit shirt" closed, over the top of a white tee and matched with black skinny leg jeans.

I purchased the "Chambray slim fit shirt" on sale for $74.95, although it usually retails at $99.95.

     Harry Chino Shorts.

Another item I purchased from French Connection was the "Harry Chino Shorts" in washed cranberry colour. These shorts are  casual and comfortable, however, in the washed cranberry colour they are also really stylish, and help to make you stand out!

I bought the "Harry Chino Shorts" for $44.95, while their standard price is usually $59.95. Even on sale, these shorts were still a little bit expensive, although they are certainly well made and of a good quality.

     Vintage Union Jack Pocket Tee.

This tee is really casual, however, the  Union Jack pocket is really quirky and cool, which turns this simple shirt into a stylish choice.

This shirt goes great for any casual outing, coupled with a bright coloured pair of shorts and casual shoes.

I picked up this quirky shirt for $37.45, on sale from $49.96, again a little expensive for a single item!

Overall rating: ★★★½

The French Connection website had a simple layout, and was easily navigated. The clothing options were many and varied, and all the items I purchased were of a very high quality.

The only downside was that overall the pricing was pretty steep, even when the items were on sale. However, sometimes you can't help but pay for good quality!

Online Clothing Haul Part 1: Connor

My first fashion reviews are going to revolve around some online purchases I have made recently. I don't pretend to be an expert on fashion, however, I do enjoy to dress up and make an effort to be presented nicely. 

I would like to make a point of mentioning how much I enjoy the online shopping experience. Firstly, when shopping online there often appears to be a wider variety of items to choose from, as some stores simply do not have the physical space to be ranged for every product that the company may actually sell, which obviously doesn't hamper an online store.

Additionally, I found that several of the stores offered special sale prices for shopping online and even offered discounts for becoming a member of their website. Becoming a member also means that you receive regular emails regarding new items, and the weeks sale prices! 

The first store that I made purchases from was Connor, a men's clothing store that I have purchased a few items from before, however, this was the first time I have used the online format. I found the website easily navigated and the prices to be very reasonable, which helped make the experience so enjoyable!

   Hawkson knit.

The first item that really caught my eye was the "Hawkson knit" in charcoal as it looked like a really warm, thick jacket to wear for winter, but also still looked stylish (I often find that winter jackets look dowdy and boring). My favourite feature of this jacket is the cool checkered lining!

I like to wear this item over a simple tee, coupled with denim skinny jeans for a casual look.

I managed to pick up the "Hawkson knit" on sale for just $49.99, but it usually retails for $99.99. I'm really happy with this item, it looks and feels of a really good quality, it fits well and keeps me really warm, making it perfect for the winter months!

   Barnett shoes.

Another item that I immediately loved was the "Barnett shoes". I really liked how these shoes appeared both casual and stylish at the same time, unlike most of the other shoes advertised by Connor which appeared a bit too formal for casual wear. My favourite feature of these shoes is the contrast between the charcoal colour that makes up a bulk of the shoe, and the subtle pink-red trimming around the rim of the sole and the lace holes.

I bought the "Barnett shoes" for $49.99, which I thought was a very reasonable price for such a good quality pair of shoes! 

   Jethro V-Neck Tee.

The last item that I bought from Connor was the "Jethro V-Neck Tee". I was immediately drawn to the bright colours on this shirt, which contrasts really nicely against the black and white throughout the rest of the tee.

This shirt looks great worn by itself, or underneath a bright collared shirt worn open.

I bought the "Jethro V-Neck Tee" for $29.99, however, it was possible to have the price reduced to $25 if 2 or more were purchased. Unfortunately, I did not find Connor's T-shirt lines particularly appealing and so did not make use of this option.

Overall rating: ★★★★½

I really enjoyed my online shopping experience through Connor's website. The website was not difficult to navigate, as all items were logically broken down into menus and sub-menus, which made searching for different types of clothes easy and efficient. In addition, the items I purchased matched their descriptions perfectly and seem to be of a really good quality as well. Most importantly, the items available from Connor were priced very reasonably, and the sales available made for great value. 

The one negative I had during my shopping experience was the lack of variety among Connor's T-shirt line- I found a lot of the tee's to be very plain, with very little variety. This meant I was unable to make use of a special sale price specific to purchasing multiple tees. 

First post!

Hi everyone, welcome to my blog!
I thought I would start off with an introductory post, just to talk a little bit about myself, the things I'm interested in and the sort of stuff I will be posting.

I'm 23 years old and from Melbourne, Australia. I work full time and recently completed a Legal Services course online. I have been in a relationship for 4 years and could not be happier! I have a cat named Kris Jenner, who is more human-like than her namesake.

I'm interested in all things pop culture, and absolutely love the icons of the Golden Age of Hollywood. They will definitely be featured on this blog!

I intend to post reviews on the television series I watch, any movies I see, books I read, new music and men's fashion. My first review will be on the first 2 episodes of the TV series True Blood's seventh season. Keep your eyes open!

Thanks for reading,

Mark ♚♚