Birthday Outfit

People usually have outfits for special occasions, whether it be a simple walk outside, to an event, and even a birthday. This outfit in particular though isn't just for a birthday, but an outfit that I'm thinking about wearing to a birthday. I still have some things to change about it, but this is a prototype so far. My only concern is the dress shirt, which I believe should probably be white instead of a lightened gray. Also with the pants, I do want something seersucker, however It's a bit difficult finding seersucker pants online at the moment. You get the general idea though.

Clockwise From Top-Left: J.Crew Prescott-stripe Shirt, $49.50 at J.Crew (jcrew.com; 91 Fifth Ave., New York, NY, 10003; tel: +1 212 255 4848), Band Of Outsiders Check Cotton Shirting End Tie, $80 at Jake (shopjake.com; 3740 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL, 60613; tel: +1 773 929 JAKE), 7 For All Mankind Seersucker Pants, $132 at Saks Fifth Avenue (saksfifthavenue.com; 611 Fifth Ave., New York, NY, 10022; tel: +1 212 753 4000), Modern Amusement Sunset Blazer, $175 at Revolve Clothing (revolveclothing.com; tel: +1 888 442 5830).

Retro Kicks

High-tops can go great with any outfit, whether it be a suit, which is of course daring and following the possibility of looking stupid, or just regular jeans and a t-shirt. The good thing about High-tops is that they provide resistance to your foot during multi-directional movement and they go great with skinny jeans, which is pretty much my main reason for having such an affinity for them. Here are three high-tops for Spring 2007 from some of my favorite designers and labels such as Ann Demeulemeester, Marc Jacobs and Common Projects.

From the top: Ann Demeulemeester High Cut Sneaker, $750 at Aloha Rag (aloharag.com; 1221 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 115, Honlulu, HI, 96814; tel: +1 808 589 2050); Marc Jacobs Collections School Group High-Top Sneaker, $690 at Marc Jacobs (marcjacobs.com; 163 Mercer St., New York, NY, 10012; tel: +1 212 343 1490); Common Projects High Cut Sneaker, $285 at Aloha Rag (aloharag.com).

Stylish Zip Wallets

Zip wallets are a definite alternative to the plain and predictable bi-folds, tri-folds and card holders that you normally see people whip out when making a purchase. Labels such as Comme des Garçons produce a line of beautiful wallets in miscellaneous colors, textures, and styles. Their zip wallets are a given when wallet shopping with their minimalistic design, ease of use, and vibrant color combinations. Other brands also make their own special versions of the zip wallet such as with Mulberry and Billykirk, which are also favorites of mine.

Available At: Odin (odinnewyork.com; 199 Lafayette St., New York, New York, 10012; tel: +1 212 966 0026), Barneys New York (barneys.com; 660 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10021; tel: +1 212 826 8900), Commonwealth (cmonwealth.com; 727 W. 21st St., Norfolk, VA, 23517; tel: +1 757 622 3372), Aloha Rag (aloharag.com; 1221 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 115, Honlulu, HI, 96814; tel: +1 808 589 2050), Flight 001 (flight001.com; 96 Greenwich Ave., New York, NY, 10011; tel: +1 212 989 0001).

Another beautiful zip wallet favorite from English luxury leather goods house, Mulberry. This stylish black leather zip wallet made of Mulberry's unique vegetable tanned Darwin leather. This pebble grained wallet over time will age beautifully and will always remain a stylish part of your wardrobe. For more information on Mulberry products, visit mulberry.com. $295 at Barneys New York (barneys.com).

Billykirk makes a beautiful handmade leather zip wallet available in three colors, Brown, Black and Red. These hand crafted leather beauties have an aged antique look to them. What I like about the wallet are the shades of colors and the contrast stitching. Its more of a casual wallet for the badass inside all of us.

Available At: Auto (thisisauto.com; 805 Washington St., New York, NY, 10014; tel: +1 212 229 2292), Oak (oaknyc.com; 208 North 8th St., Brooklyn, NY, 11211; tel: +1 718 782 0521), Base (baseworld.com; 939 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, FL, 33139; tel: +1 305 531 6470).

ABOUT: Trovata

About Trovata: Founded in 2001 by four friends John Whitledge, Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jeff Halmos and Sam Shipley, Trovata had become what DNR had described as a "hot new label." Whitledge and Halmos whom were childhood friends eventually met their future business mates, Shipley and Lamberto-Egan to create one of the best new emerging fashion labels of 2002. At the time, Trovata was still being run out of Halmos' fathers office in Florida, eventually moving to their new headquarters in Newport Beach, California in January of 2003. During this time, the world would experience Trovata in a more traditional way, on the runway. In 2005, Trovata had become such a success, that they were awarded not only the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award, but also the CFDA’s Swarovski Perry Ellis award for menswear, and the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award, which had endowed them with a grant of $200,000. In Summer of 2006, Lamberto-Egan unfortunately had left the company over creative differences, eventually causing Shipley and Halmos to leave as well during December of 2006. With Trovata no longer being run by the inspiring quartet, it is still being operated presently by Whitledge, who is now Trovata's president and creative director. Whitledge as Trovata's new president has plans to expand Trovata, and has hopes in creating the first Trovata stand alone retail store.

Where To Buy: Trovata (trovata.com; tel: +1 800 671 5011), Barneys New York (barneys.com; 660 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10021; tel: +1 212 826 8900), eLuxury (eluxury.com; tel: +1 877 890 7171), Standard Style (standardstyle.com; tel: +1 888 685 4464), Azalea Online (azaleaonline.com; tel: +1 866 344 7231), BlueBee (bluebee.com; tel: +1 866 258 3233).

ABOUT: Billykirk

About Billykirk: Founded by brothers Kirkland and Christopher Bray, Billykirk has grown to become a valuable and known name in leather making. Having been taught under the guidance of a third generation leather maker in the Artist District of Los Angeles for 3 years, and having their strong affinities for history and antiquities, the two brothers had put their knowledge and skills to the test to create Billykirk. Due to their love for vintage leather crafting, using centuries old machines and tools acquired by their grandfather was childs play. The age old techniques of leather crafting along with hard work and dedication gives each peice produced by the brothers to be of great appreciation and understanding of how leather making was really done.

Where To Buy: Takashimaya (693 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10022; tel. +1 212 350 0111), Oak (oaknyc.com; 208 North 8th St., Brooklyn, NY, 11211; tel: +1 718 782 0521), Aloha Rag (aloharag.com; 1221 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 115, Honlulu, HI, 96814; tel: +1 808 589 2050), Standard Style (standardstyle.com; tel: +1 888 685 4464), Henry & Lulu (henryandlulu.com).

A.P.C. Denim I

I myself am a very avid fan of denim, especially from A.P.C. The slim fits and cuts and beautiful craftsmanship. However I currently only own 2 pairs of jeans from A.P.C. One of which are the "new cure" and tight jeans in navy.

"New Cure Jeans" by A.P.C.: Very tight jeans. Neither low nor high rise. Very narrow leg. Five pockets. Coin pocket. Button fly. The first button is engraved ‘A.P.C. paris près du luxembourg’. 100% cotton. Unwashed denim. $140 at A.P.C. (apc.fr).

"Tight Jeans" by A.P.C.: Cotton twill. 100% cotton. Neither low nor high rise. Very narrow leg. Five pockets. Coin pocket. Button fly. The first button is engraved ‘A.P.C. fleurus près du luxembourg’. $152 at A.P.C. (apc.fr).

Overall, A.P.C. jeans fit wonderfully. Very slim and tight. It has been said by many, including A.P.C. sales people, that one should size down when trying on A.P.C. jeans. At least 1 to 2 sizes below your normal size. Reasons for this is because A.P.C. jeans will stretch out intensively. Normally I wear a size 30 in jeans, and with A.P.C. I go with a 29. I have however tried on a 28 and struggle buttoning the button, but eventually get it. It is very restraining and uncomfortable, but some people will do that however for an optimal fit. On the other hand, there is the option for a belt if you do not enjoy temporary tightness. Expect stretching to occur one month after excessive wear and use.

As for the "New Cure Jeans" from A.P.C., all raw denim should be treated equally. Stay away from any sort of wetness or light surfaces to prevent the indigo from bleeding and fading. Excessive wear and use is best for optimal break-ins. A.P.C. has several denim recipes for treating your unwashed denim such as their "sea water recipe." This process requires you to let your jeans get dirty for as long as possible, go swimming in the ocean wearing your jeans, rubbing your jeans with dry sand several times, and rinsing your jeans in fresh water (not salt water). After doing that, let your jeans dry in the sun. There are many creative ways of washing your jeans for that perfect fade, or look. Some may manually sand blast their jeans, some may rub their unwashed denim against a rock to give an abrasive look. It all depends on the person. You can find several methods on the A.P.C. website or the superfuture, superdenim sub-forum.

Billykirk Belts

There are two belts that I really want from Billykirk. The good thing about Billykirk is that you know that you are going to get quality leather goods out of them. Refer to my post on Billykirk for more information regarding the leather maker duo. Here are some pictures of the two belts.

Billykirk Slim Stud Belt: 100% leather, metal/ black Billykirk known for his attention to detail in his work and leather presents the thin belt with random studs for a punch. Belt width: 0.75 in. Made in USA. $159 at aloharag.com.

Billykirk Crack Primo Belt: 100% leather, metal/metallic silver Billykirk known for his attention to detail in his work and leather presents the uniquely designed belt which mixed the eyelets and belt hole. Crack leather treatment. Belt width: 1.25 in. Made in USA. $149 at aloharag.com.

The above silver one is very stylish, but unlike the black one, it does not run slim. This can definitely be paired up with silver sneakers. One pair of silver sneakers that come to mind are the Bottega Veneta Arena shoes. $490 at Bottega Veneta (bottegaveneta.com).

The black studded Billykirk belt has a very vintage or antiqued look to it. It very much reminds me of something that you'd see come out of Barking Irons (barkingirons.com). It can definitely go with anything because black is just a very universal color. Definitely something that I would see wearable in an all John Varvatos (johnvarvatos.com) outfit as well. Can perhaps get paired with combat boots or any sort of black antiqued boot. Perhaps either of these boots:

From the top: Levi's Premium Men's Stan ankle boot, $57.99 at Shoe Mall (shoemall.com); John Varvatos Military Flight Boot, $498 at Bergdorf Goodman (bergdorfgoodman.com); Officine Creative Lace Up Low Boots, €335 at Luisa Via Roma (luisaviaroma.com).

ABOUT: A.P.C.

About A.P.C.: A.P.C. (Atelier de Production et de Création) is a French clothier based in Paris founded by Jean Touitou in 1987. A.P.C. in itself is a minimalist label introducing slim cuts and fitted clothing. Their aim at a minimal perspective became apparent at a point where no visible branding is seen on its products. This being said, for one to know whether or not a person is wearing A.P.C., would be for that person to actually know of A.P.C. and to have seen their products. Jean Touitou's vision for the company in a way was rebellious. Mass marketing was no option for the small Parisian label until the later years when Touitou had sold his line into popular fashion retailers and department stores such as Barneys New York. Popular for their denim, A.P.C. has become a big name in the denim movement. Amongst denim greats, A.P.C. stands as a fair priced and high quality name. A.P.C. had become known for its simplistic designs which were created based on quality and construction over appearance. That of course had created an impact, especially with Dior Homme chief designer Hedi Slimane who's denim line for Dior Homme was inspired by A.P.C.

Where To Buy: A.P.C. (apc.fr; 131 Mercer Street, New York, NY, 10012; tel: +1 212 966 9685), Barneys New York (barneys.com; 660 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10021; tel: +1 212 826 8900), Azalea Online (azaleaonline.com; tel: +1 866 344 7231), Camouflage (141 Eighth Ave., New York, NY, 10011; tel: +1 212 741 5173).

Mode: Shopping Blog

There are hundreds upon hundreds of blogs. A blog is created every second. Here is another. This is my personal fashion blog. Everything that I personally come across, I will speak about. I go indepth and I hope that whomever decides to begin reading my posts, enjoys and appreciate my words of hopeful wisdom. Lets begin.