I’m the owner of two pairs of Derek Cardigan specs from ClearlyContacts, though I’ve been feeling a bit designer-like of late.  I love cheap glasses (the more pairs, the merrier.. especially on a budget), but sometimes you want a piece that has a little more care taken into their production.

The specs to the right are pretty stellar; my favorite beign the red Pradas for their shape and interior arm design, while the tortoiseshell Ray-ban Wayfarers and Diesels are close seconds and thirds.

If you use promo code “BLUE15” you’ll get 15% off any pair, even designer selections.

FYI: Their promo code “FIRSTPAIRFREECA” won’t work on the designer pairs, but they will work with these Derek Cardigans.

I’m on the search for new frames, and am certain other optically challenged folks will love these Kirk Original Cron specs as much as I do.  These splendid frames come in off white, tortoiseshell, and aubergine, and run for $448 per pair.  It’s worth the investment; these are quality pieces and Jason Kirk is one hell of a character!

It isn’t truly fair to say that a style this traditional, though one cannot overlook the importance of the pea coat in cold weather dressing.  I warrant the pea is the most important outerwear style [concerning fall] in existence; higher than the blazer and especially the leather jacket, which is highly inappropriate when the weather turns.

We’ll begin with my favorite, which happens to be the lowest priced piece piece - Topshop’s black wool pea.  For those looking for a few extra admornments, Topshop’s Ultimate pea is an excellent option, while Scotch and Soda’s and Uniqlo’s styles are similarly designed and priced.

For those enjoying finer constructed things, MICHAEL Michael Kors’ wool and cashmere piece is excellently priced for what you’re getting.  Alternatively, Burberry’s classic, Joseph’s Bronx and Golden Goose’s styles are all beautiful double breasted androgynous styles fit for the discerning dresser.

If you’re looking for one piece to invest in, this isn’t the flashiest choice though will be the longest lasting.  When looking, find the most expensive piece you can afford and [ideally] choose something with less embroidery and flash as to avoid giving your piece a trend expiry.

As I’m in the mood for travel, I’ve been picking through luggage listings aplenty of late.  I’ve come upon the most delightful throwback trend; rolling trunk luggage.  These may look like old steamer trunks, but they’re perfectly new and feature rolling wheels for easy navigation.

Cooperative’s rolling trunk keeps things very affordable; it isn’t a full size case for long hauls, though the price is certainly right. Kitschy travelers will enjoy Cafe Luggage’s Paris, though the real prize piggie is J. Crew’s extra deep Centenary is for the truly elite traveler [also available in black and yellow].

When it comes to mens watches, having a dark piece for FW11 is essential.  Moreover, dark ceramic is just the thing for timepiece trends.  Nixon’s piece is perfect for the minimalistic gentleman, though those looking for function (as well as a lower price point.. funny how that works), should ease their way towards the Armani chronograph.

I’m partial towards the Nixon, though to be fair it’s the minimalistic face juxtaposing with the textured band that draws me in, not that it’s a bit up there on the price point.

Everyone knows [or should know] how I love my Pskaufman boots [I have these glorious wingtips].  Below is a feature on Paul Kaufman, designer of Pskaufman, discussing not only his own range but his ties to hipster favorite NaNa and how that related to Chloë Sevigny’s collection with Opening Ceremony.

Watch, erryone! You’ll love ze shoes.

Leather backpacks aren’t only great for students hauling goods to and from school, but cyclists, transit takers.. pretty much everyone can use one of these babies.

For the strappier set, Olivia Harris by Joy Gryson’s black (which is also 40% off), brown Leaders in Leather and Joe’s Jeans’ Columbus bag (also on sale).  For an inbetweener  look, Alexander Wang’s Marti is available in multiple colors; other than Net-A-Porter’s blue we’ve got chartreuse ($339 on sale), light grey ($595 on sale), white and standard black.

In the world of minimalism, The Madly’s leather backpack is an earthy option, while Marc Jacobs’ Classic Q is a city favorite.  The MJ style is a favorite for it’s chianti red, which is definitely a style standout.

Spiked and studded loafers get me far too excited, so when I saw new designs popping up under designer and high street labels, I caught a bit of a flutter.  These are all black leather pieces, with appropriate detailing – let’s go!

When it comes to the designer vault, we find the second wave of Christian Louboutin’s loafer, the bigger spiked Rolling. While not exactly priced for the average buyer, these are clearly the highest quality, most durable flat of this kind you can find at the moment. Alternatively, Giacomorelli’s style run about half the price, and evokes memories of Louboutin’s original Rollerball.

For the high street, we have Steve Madden’s Melter in black or silver studding, which I can confirm look much better in person than they do in the photograph.  My favorite pair of all due to style and price are Unif’s Hellraiser, available in mens sizing as well.  The Unifs are made from lambskin, and fully beefed with all over spikes for $165 US.. what’s not to love?!

Braces (or as North Americans say, suspenders) are always a hot ticket item for the swaggering gentleman, but more often the style of the original harness is adjusted to fit a more feminine look.  This isn’t meant to say the boys are exempt, but pieces like Scartissue’s braded and bowed braces are definitely something not everyone could pull off.

For more androgynous leather styles, Orciani’s suspenders are a strong look, but can be worn in many ways due to their use of thick and thin leather strips. Dsquared’s calskin pieces are definitely a strong look; these definitely evoke a traditional men’s suspender and would be more difficult (but not impossible) to style with womenswear without looking too masculine (unless that’s what you’re going for).

If you’ve been looking for the new quirky bag, you’ve found it.  These are the Bagigia hot water bottle bags, which come in black, blue and traditional red.  The odd part is that other than warming your back or functioning as a massive flask, I’m not quite sure how one would use one of these fully functional $548 bags.

Any ideas?

When it comes to fall layering, I always run back to a few menswear staples; the large hat, metal necklaces, a good Chelsea boot and a functional (yet snappy) pullover/sweater type.  Replace dainty gloves with something large and aggressive and add a huge leather tote, and fall 2011 is going to be the most exciting yet for style opportunities in everyday life.

We’ll start with my top priority – the Chelsea.  It’s so important to have a sleek, everyday boot that can be worn with nearly everything, and I shudder to think of all the sneakerphiles missing on such dapper footwear.  A proper Chelsea is classicly English, a little dangerous and always rock’n'roll; pick up a pair of Areas from First by Jeffrey Campbell (their mens’ label), or the alternative in a lady size if [like me] you’re loving the look.

If we’re going to prioritize, a good glove and hat are second on my list of must haves.  Step out of the average and grab a hat with a wide brim, like Lanvin’s brushed wool number.  If you have the budget required to acquire the most amazing Ann Demeulemeester buckled long gloves, do so – these pieces are so eccentric, and will last you years.  There is also many ways to wear them; fully extended, scrunched part way or completely folded or rolled.

A good pullover is also handy for changing temperatures; try Topman LTD’s quilted mustard style.  The mustard coloring is perfect for colors of changing landscapes and is easy to blend within other wardrobe pieces, while the suede patch also adds a sense of vintage to a new piece.  Top with a metal heavy Maison Martin Margiela cylinder necklace, and pair with a large, minimalistic leather tote from 3.1 Phillip Lim and you’re ready for fall!

Preview images from Germany’s Bread And Butter show.  We’re seeing loads of floral printed fabrics, some tapstry-like weaving and very modern boots with piping and nautical coloring.  The navy pieces appear more in the vein of a collection of Sperrys in a Band of Outsiders lookbook, though that’s probably what they were going for.

What do you think of these styles? I’m really liking the 8 hole tapestry and 8 hole navy piped boots.

For the discerning gentleman, leather or velvet bow ties are so passé – one must jump ahead to ceramic accessories.

These are ceramic bow ties by Cor Sine Labe Doli; various styles from painted solids to patterns, all made to look as if fabric pieces. Favorite pieces are the Primo Pattern (shown), black Nero Lucido and Grigio Chiaro (shown).

Each piece runs $175, though just think – you never have to tie it!

Tobey Maguire has to be one of the most unsettlingly poor choices in the history of actors in fashion ad campaigns.  Maguire is boring, unattractive, shot horribly and looks brutally awkward as a preppy kid dressed up in his dad’s turtlenecks that he decided to poorly layer.

This is a sadly pitiful interpretation of a failed throwback image style that was better off not created.  Thanks for that, David Sims! (Well we won’t get petty.. he didn’t get a lot to work with)

Men size 9, make your way to ALIFE this Saturday, for a sample sale to cure all your footwear blues.  Remember, it’s cash only!

WHEN: Saturday, June 19 from 10 Am- 5PM
WHERE: Alife head office; 411 West Cordova [Googlemap]

If you’re looking for new summer kicks to brighten (or darken, whichever you prefer) your summer days, have I got the sale for you.  These Y-3 sneakers are for men, but if you can translate the sizes to your lady size, these are perfectly andro.  Studs, metallic leather – what else could you want for casual summer kicks?!

Find them at Privé right now.  Need an invite?

The leather bracelet isn’t exactly the oldest trick in the book but, styled properly, can create a great accent to finish off a look. I’ve been wearing the Tateossian Scoubidou leather bracelet for quite a while now. I’ve always loved the accompaniment of silver with wound leather and the hideaway clasp is a great bonus. The fact that small leather pieces like these are so much more affordable than preciously metals makes many leather bracelets easily within your price range.

Leather bracelets tend to come in 4 basic styles: the thin single, the thin double, the wrap, and thick. David Yurman’s Ojime Collection offers some amazing thin single band pieces; mostly with intricate clasp and great, simple ornamentation. The tiger’s eye bead really juxtaposes well against the band and clasp. If you prefer to double up, Tateossian’s Silver Pivot Button bracelet might be right up your alley, in either traditional black or eye-catching red leather. One of the definitive aspects of Tateossian bracelets is their interesting clasp and catch designs, like this unique button design.

The wrap has been a staple leather band piece for many ruggedly styled mean for a few years now. One great take on this popular design is Seven London’s Wrap-Around Black Horn bangle; combining a horn clasp with sterling silver ring accents, over their patented woven Italian leather. The length of the wrap also allows for a lot of room for sizing; something that can be a bit of a problem with other styles, as they traditionally are only produced in a single size. If you’re going for thickness, the Uranium Auburn is an affordable wrist companion, in a thick woven style, as opposed to many of the tube-roll styles around lately.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed perusing through what menswear has to offer the Summer of Goth, and what a pleasant surprise all of the pieces below have been!

If you’re going to be doing goth menswear during summertime, it’s a bit of a challenge to do dark during all that light – go for leather accessories, versus heavier bits like jackets and such.  Freedom from Doubt’s leather bowtie is an ideal formal accent, while fingerless gloves from Odyn Vovk are excellent for midsummer evening frolicks (when hands won’t get too sweaty).  Accent with easy gunmetal toned Cheap Monday Zamir bracelets and balance with an exquisite ring like Marco Baroni’s.

As for the rest of the look, a simple printed button up as Comme des Garçons’ floral and skull shirt and layer with Lanvin’s double breasted coat when evenings come or days turn colder than we’d want them to be.  Finish off with some brilliantly detailed Pskaufman 0008 boots, and you’re set whether you’re wearing shorts, trousers or something in between.

It’s always a great day when you find an affordable handful of necklaces [etc] to add to an arsenal.  I’m horrible with jewelry; I break it, it breaks on me, and I never really replace anything.  Thus, I’ve got about 3 pieces (if I’m lucky) that I end up rotating because they’re the only ones that still have a working clasp or a ring hasn’t been busted, so needless to say I was thrilled for a number of reasons when Uranium reached out to me.

Not only do I have a few kick ass, awesomely wearable pieces, but they’re actually rad – and affordable.  I can solidly recommend both pieces I chose; the Church ($40) and Parallèle ($58) necklaces.  These choices weren’t surpriing, considering my affinity for religious themed paraphanalia and wee things to hide other wee things in.

These two pieces are acutally from the men’s Hayden collection; I encourage you to visit the Uranium site and thumb through their vast collection of mens and womens pieces.

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I got a welcome jolt back to the land of intense accessories today, thanks to True-Lies – a French label that creates jewelry featuring real human teeth.  They’re sterilized and varnished, and adhered to a handful of very creative designs, my favorites being the Dreamcatcher Deluxe necklace, Bite Me Deluxe harness, triple Over Bite ring and the Unique Design necklace.

These are guaranteed to be traffic stopping adornments, and as unique as the teeth they feature.  I’m gunning for a piece, myself.. would you bare someone else’s teeth?