Whenever I make a purchase, I think about whether the item is an addition to my wardrobe as a basic (button downs, denim, tees and other layering pieces) or if it’s going to be a specialty piece.
What do I mean by that?
You can buy button down shirts, trousers and denim year round, generally in the same fit, fabric or wash. You can walk into a men’s store at any time and find those pieces. Great, those are your basics in your wardrobe. But each season a brand releases a new jacket or a familiar one but in a different wash or fabric.
Let’s talk jackets. You can never have enough jackets. But seriously.
Wait, what?
Most great outfits have three pieces to them. A top, a bottom and a jacket.
Why buy more jackets or blazers? Do my shirt and pants not do the job?
If you look at a majority of our shoots and daily outfits, you’ll likely find a third piece. And that third piece is typically a jacket. A jacket pulls an outfit together with the top or bottom. It cleans it up and finishes it off. Throw a blazer in the back of your car or carry a cardigan in your bag.

STYLING TIP: Throw this jacket on with a pair of dark wash denim, tailored pair of khakis or do the monochromatic look. My style is generally pretty preppy, but this was too sharp and filed under “specialty” pieces that will instantly pull my look together.
It’s available at:
- Need Supply in “Stone”
- Urban Outfitters in “Stone” and “Charcoal”
- Amazon.com in “Black,” “Stone” and “Charcoal.”
- Dogfunk in “Black,” “Stone” and “Charcoal”
- ….and just Google Shopping search the damn thing, too.

File this one under: a monochromatic look, too.



by Jeffrey
Carlton Mackey - ridic.
thank you.
Austere - I just came across your blog and you guys’ style is very on point! I go to school in St. Louis and it’s so nice to find out that there are actually stylish people in Missouri.
dani - These are awesome tips for guys (and girls) on building outfits & wardrobe! Always love your posts.
<3 The Daily Dani
James - I’m at work.
We are wearing the same shoes.
I may have screamed, because I felt famous.
Is that sad?
Rebekah - Hey guys, I just found your blog, and I love it. One of the only male fashion bloggers I know about, and I think it’s awesome that you’re right down in Chicago, too. I also mentioned you in my post for The Caffeine Coquette today if you want to check it out.
http://thecaffeinecoquette.com/2011/understanding-mens-style/