An Evening With Wesley

A few weeks ago my friend Wes and I were talking about the things we most enjoy. His being his photography and mine being fashion. By some universe altering turn of fate (beer) we decide to make a night of combing our interests and do a shoot. Here is the finished product.
To see more of Wesley's work visit his Facebook page.

Treating Both Leathers

As men we have an insatiable need to do things ourselves. I am no different. These days it goes much further than just power tools and stringing the Christmas lights though. Men are forming more and more of a sense of fashion everyday and the "Do It Yourself" mentality come right along with it. In honor of our instincts, I have two videos that show fantastic ways to treat your shoes and your face. Enjoy.

TC Street Style: John

Good Look #8

Professor Ben Fletcher and Professor Karen Pine

A Shining Example

This is one of those photos that can say a lot without saying anything at all.
All it shows is a person shining their shoes, but what it shows if you look closer is an attention to ones self, an eye for detail and a respect for ones belongings. At least that is what I see.
Shining your shoes can be almost relaxing. Simply thinking about your shoes for a good ten minutes and nothing else and then the feeling when you put those perfectly shined shoes on for the first time after. You feel very confident, like all eyes are one you. It can be a great thing when you're in a funk. I always try to dress my best when I'm feeling my worst. That way if you look good chances are you'll end up feeling good as well.

Essentials of a Man

It's photo's like this that I love coming across as I scroll through feeds and Tumblr pages.

These are essential:

• A perfect pair of casual dress pants.
Preferably a color that goes with all looks.

• A worn in beige cardigan.
If you're fortunate enough to have a well dressed grandfather at your disposal, go through his closet on your next visit. Chances are he has a few from his younger years that he would be happy to share.

• A pack of fresh white tees.
You can never have enough.
Try a few brands to figure out which you like most/what fits your body type the best.

• A pair of versatile white trainers.
Don't worry about getting them a little scuffed up, they can be cleaned up nicely with a wet rag. Plus a little dirt adds character at can give you the perfect amount of ruggedness.

• Throw your favorite pair of sunglasses on and you're out the door.

Sometimes it's just that easy.
Style doesn't always have to be carefully thought out. It can be as easy as popping the shawl on the cardigan that give you that extra edge.

Oh, the simplicity!

This is look is so simple yet impressive. It's a throw together look out of the suit category of ASOS.
Plainly put together to show what it would look like on a person.
A clean look with a twist. Everything is a little shorter, a little more fitted and that's what's great about it. It's a perfect suit for a night on the town that can have things added to it to fit your exact style like a pocket square or a different colored pair of shoes.
Every man should have a classic black suit in his closet, but for the suit enthusiasts like myself it is always nice to have more than one option.
This can easily be that option.

-Spencer

Traverse City Street Style: Peter

It was a half finished night of being slightly intoxicated on the town yesterday by the time I ran into my friend Peter sitting outside of one of many cafés situated around the city. We greet each other in the usual way of a big ass bear hug and start talking about how we have been. I complement him on his look for the evening and decide to snap a few shots. Earlier that day I stumbled across a clothing company named Field Scout and was very inspired by it. As soon as I saw Peter I noticed his look for the evening was reminiscent of what I had seen earlier on Field Scout. A lived in look. An urban man about town style that to some has been lost to the times of brightly colored t shirts with gold lettering that utter some Twitter hash tag or catchy LMFAO lyric, athletic shorts and a snap back.
Keeping true to the age of the greaser that doesn't require bright colors and trend clothing, Peter knows the tricks.

44.7631° N, 85.6206° W

Fall/Winter Preview

I'm all about details, so this just makes me very happy.

Slim fit corduroy pants, no break, with a cuff. Great!

Neutral color palate houndstooth overcoat. Double great!

Pulled together at the bottom with brown suede chukkas.

A perfect fall to winter transition look. We're not there just yet, but start taking notes.

Trainer + Suit

So lately I've been talking a lot about dressing suits down.

I'm going to continue this because I feel as though there is a lot to be said about making a suit your own with aspects from the casual side of your closet.

If t shirts, no pleats, no ties, or jersey fabric blazers aren't enough, why not wear a sneaker with your suit.

What I'm not talking about is that all white sneaker that your mom wears during the graveyard shift at the hospital. White is cool, but you don't need corrective or butt firming sneaks when you're trying to look sharp.

What I am talking about is a fresh black sneaker (or at least dark), preferably low top, maybe with a contrasted white or other colored sole. Classic New Balance trainers are making a comeback as well. This will add a bout of leisure to a suit that is going to be worn more as a hobby than a job. Finding a classic trainer for cheap isn't an issue either. If you're on a budget you can find them for under $30 on sites like ASOS or ZARA.

All this is at your transgression of course. If you want to throw some Air Yeezys on, then by all means. He did it. But he's Kanye West. I'm sorry, but you are not.

Bottom line philosophy is: If you are aware of your style and how you want to look then you don't have to put much effort in to look good. Thus your outfit looks effortless.

Don't EVER apply advice like this to how you dress yourself.

It's wrong. Who says you can't wear brown shoes with a black suit?

If done correctly it can look fantastic. What you see above is not style advice. 

If you allow yourself to use these "tips", then it will not be style. I will be conformity. 

Dress boldly, and above all, dress how you feel comfortable.