Fall Trend: Burnt Orange Dress Shirt October 22nd, 2010 By

Now that the leaves are starting to turn and the weather has cooled off, it’s time to introduce some rich fall colors into your wardrobe.  One of my favorite fall trends is shades of burnt orange.  For men, a burnt orange dress shirt will update a closet full of neutrals.  Whether it’s solid, plaid or striped, burnt orange shirts look great in any style.  True, not everyone looks good in this color, but if you can pull it off now’s the time to wear it!

Burnt Orange Dress Shirt w/ Convertible Cuffs, $19.95

BURNT ORANGE Dress Shirt w/ Convertible Cuffs

Woolrich Men’s Lafley Run Shirt, $25.00

Woolrich Men's Lafley Run Shirt

GUESS Regent Shirt, $54.95

GUESS Regent Shirt

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Wardrobe Staple: Men’s Sweater Vests October 12th, 2010 By

Men’s sweater vests are an important wardrobe staple.  Every man should own a few because they are a great alternative to a suit, and offer a lot of versatility.  They can be worn over a shirt and tie or with a t-shirt and jeans for a more casual look.  With so many styles, colors and fabrics to choose from, men can never have too many sweater vests.

Men’s Claiborne Solid Argyle Vest, $45.00 $24.99 (44% off)

Men's Claiborne Solid Argyle Vest

L.L.Bean Lambswool Sweater Vest Herringbone, $69.50

L.L.Bean Lambswool Sweater Vest Herringbone

IZOD Men’s Argyle Sweater Vest, $29.94

IZOD Men's Argyle Sweater Vest

 

And, for you ladies out there, when you’re finished shopping for these check out the cutest selection of Forever 21 sweaters that’s out right now.

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Men’s Chunky Knit Sweaters August 20th, 2010 By

I’ve been trying to take more of an interest in men’s fashion lately.  While I am no expert, I do have a new favorite look for fall – the men’s chunky knit sweater.  Part cardigan, all comfort — I’d wrap my arms around any of these cozy finds:

Diesel K-Gage Sweater, $240

Diesel K-Gage Sweater

HE by Mango Cable Duffle Cardigan, $144

HE by Mango Cable Duffle Cardigan

D&G Dolce & Gabbana 3-in-1 Sweater Jacket, $1,165

D&G Dolce & Gabbana 3-in-1 Sweater Jacket

Junk De Luxe Sammy Cable Knit Belted Cardigan, $159

Junk De Luxe Cable Knit Long Belted Cardigan

John Varvatos Cable-Knit Toggle Cardigan, $698

John Varvatos Cable-Knit Toggle Cardigan

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Diesel Jackets for Men August 18th, 2010 By

Are you ready for the crisp, autumn weather or are you still enjoying the summer heat?  August is the perfect time for guys to consider updating their outerwear because stores are featuring their fall collections.  My favorite so far are these Diesel jackets because they are structured, lightweight and fitted.

Diesel Jurlo Nylon Moto Jacket, $150 at Nordstrom

Diesel Jurlo Nylon Moto Jacket

Diesel Jidop Gabardine Military Jacket, $230 at Nordstrom

DIESEL Jidop Gabardine Military Jacket

Diesel Wittor Peacoat, $320 at ssense.com

Diesel Wittor Peacoat

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Get This Look: Justin Timberlake March 28th, 2010 By

Justin Timberlake

Does JT ever get it wrong? Well, he definitely got it right as he took a stroll outside of his apartment. This day he managed to look perfectly undone in this monochromatic mix of blacks and greys with blue Gucci sunglasses. If you love Justin’s jacket, you’ll swoon over this grey wool version by Ben Sherman, or this very similar grey pea coat from Urban Outfitters. Pair it with a lightweight Diesel scarf or this slightly heavier cashmere scarf for only $35.00. Top it off with a woven black beanie by Quiksilver

All you need now is Jessica on your arm…

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Get This Look: Chace Crawford is Mad for Plaid March 11th, 2010 By

Chace Crawford/Photo by Bauer Griffin

Spotted. C and P (Chace Crawford and Penn Badgley, that is) brave the wet and chilly weather to film scenes for Gossip Girl. I love how Chace is donning one of spring’s biggest trends for men: plaid. The amazing part is he manages to pull off  this trend-conscious ensemble without looking like he meant to. You can, too. 

To get same look as Chace’s plaid shirt, try these two options by Ralph Lauren and Martin Gordon. Next, throw on this amazing look-a-like brown jacket from French Connection. You definitely need a pair of jeans with a dark wash, like this amazingly affordable pair by Levi’s. And you can’t forget those dapper shoes he’s wearing, they totally make the look. With these Allen Edmonds Oxfords, you’ll be the next big thing on the Upper East Side.

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Retail Interview: farfetch.com March 4th, 2010 By

Many of us find our most unique fashion pieces at trendy, hidden boutiques.  Trouble is, when life gets busy, we don’t always have time to trek to these places to score the newest items when they first arrive.  I love the idea of being able to shop for all of my favorite boutique items in one place.  Lucky for me, the people at farfetch.com share a similar vision.

I spoke with Marketing Director Paul Brine to find out what farfetch.com has to offer, as well as some of his personal “must-haves” for this year.  Herewith is what Paul had to say:

Q&A:

beso: Tell us about the farfetch.com philosophy and the idea behind the site.

Paul Brine: In 2001, farfetch.com founder José Neves helped open a boutique in London called b Store.  He found that when entering the world of e-commerce, marketing a smaller store wouldn’t be easy.  José came up with the idea of a site that would pull all the boutiques together, because they all had a different voice.  farfetch.com began with just 20 stores.

b: Luxe, Lab, and Cult are three ways to shop farfetch.  Tell us how you came up with the idea for these categories and what treasures we would find in each.

PB: These [categories] were Jos’s idea.  We had a massive list of over 200 labels, in which some were casual and some avant-garde. We needed a way to separate them.  Luxe is high-end, well known designers.  Lab is up-and-coming and avant-garde designers.  Cult is more casual, like denim and diffusion lines.

b: Are there any plans to expand farfetch.com to include more than U.S. and European boutiques?

PB: Yes, we are working with Brazilian boutiques right now.  We plan to have these out within the next six months.

b: Your site not only carries exclusive designer fashions, but also lifestyle items.  What are some of your favorite pieces?

PB: I like the Snake and Skull Candle by D.L. & Co. because it’s very gothic.  I also like these prints by a company called Jaguar Shoes, which feature various artists’ work.

D.L. & Co. Skull with Snake Candle

b: What are some of your favorite fashion “must-haves” right now?

PB: For women, Pierre Hardy shoes.  They have these silver metallic wedges with lots of straps.  There are also these brass cuffs made by Givenchy.  For men, Henrik Vibskov sweaters, which are colorful and have big faces on them.  I also like the Opening Ceremony Desert boots.

Pierre Hardy Wedge Bootie Sandal

Givenchy Stud and Brass Cuff

Opening Ceremony Brown Leather Boots

b: What hot men’s accessories are key for summer 2010?

PB: Sunglasses.  The Zanzan Zazou sunglasses are very retro and handmade in France, so they are great quality.

b: Who are some of your favorite designers?

PB: For women, it’s Christopher Kane.  For men, I like Martin Margiela and Robert Geller.

b: Name the one item you have acquired from farfetch.com that you cannot live without.

PB: I have a shirt by Blaak Homme.  It’s a navy shirt with white polka dots.

b: Who would be your ideal celebrity spokesperson for farfetch?

PB: It’s hard to pin it on just one.  We would love to have Lara Stone.  She is a Dutch model who has a lot of personality.

b: With over 400 designers on the site, can you tell us some of the most popular lines right now?

PB: Right now the top is Alexander McQueen.  Although he has always been a top designer, with his recent death we have seen an increase.  Opening Ceremony is big, too;  we have a lot of their shoes on the site and they sell very well.  Henrik Vibskov’s whole collection is on the site and has become a real cult label.  All of these items are hard to find.

Alexander McQueen Yellow Heart-Shaped Peep Toes

b: What do you think it is about your site that keeps people coming back for more?

PB: The sheer amount of products found here.  You can get lost in there for hours!  We add new items every day, so you can come back next week and find all new things.  Also, we have many exclusive brands that you just can’t find anywhere else.

b: Lastly, we’d like to know — What’s your beso?  My beso is “be so unique.”

PB: I’d say our beso is “be so individual.”

- Dana for beso

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Denim’s Most Recognizable Backside: True Religion Jeans February 22nd, 2010 By

- from Denim Debutante

You’ve seen them on everyone from celebrities to the girl (or guy!) next door. These babies are carried at virtually every high-end denim boutique (as well as their own stand-alone stores) and all major department stores.

But, what’s so special about True Religion Jeans?

A little brand background from the True Religion site:

True Religion Becky Bootcut Stretch in Dark Windfall

True Religion "Becky" Bootcut Stretch in Dark Windfall

Jeffrey Lubell founded True Religion in 2002 with the intention of redefining premium denim. His vision was to make quality, American-made, authentic, timeless, great fitting, 1970′s inspired jeans wear, with a trendsetting appeal for today’s consumer.

Today, True Religion Brand Jeans is known not only for its denim, but also for its knit and woven sportswear, such as t-shirts, western shirts, sweatshirts and sweatpants that all have that vintage feel.

True Religion’s commitment to perfect fit, timeless style and that hippie bohemian chic flair have solidified True Religion’s brand position as a leader in premium denim and casual sportswear globally.

In the years since their inception, True Religion has exploded into a denim powerhouse and is, with the possible exception of 7 For All Mankind (which we’ll talk more about in the future!), the more recognizable and most counterfeited jeans. When purchasing a pair, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

1. If you’re unsure that they’re authentic, WALK AWAY. While you won’t see any counterfeit True Religions here on beso.com, there is no guarantee that the ones you see for $50 on eBay are real.

2. Buying from someone you trust is very important, but even then, I recommend reading the tags and brushing up on the markers to look for (Authentic Forum is a great place to check this out, as well as this guide on eBay).

3. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts.

4. Read reviews and ask questions. There are people like me who live and breathe denim, and we’re more than willing to help you find the perfect pair!

There are definitely some great deals to be found for True Religion jeans right here on beso.com. The pair I recommend the most? The True Religion Multi Stud “Bobby” Flare in Promiseland Wash… and they’re 30% off!

Happy Shopping!

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Designer Profile: Calypso & Vineyard Vines February 20th, 2010 By

Calypso Mabli Dress

Calypso Mabli Dress

Calypso St. Barth was founded in 1992 as a small boutique store, featuring resort wear from some of the most exotic locations across the world. Over the past 16 years, the company has grown from a small collection of high-end shops into an international luxury lifestyle brand. But one thing has remained the same over the years and throughout the changes: Calypso embodies the feel of warm beach breezes, spring rains and hot summer nights somewhere beautiful.

I’ve been a fan of Calypso clothing for several years now. I remember walking past their storefront in Sunset Plaza, and no matter what the weather or the time of day, one look at their window displays, and I felt like I was on the beach in Fiji or Bali or Bora Bora. Few designers are

Calypso Nuna Shirt

Calypso Nuna Shirt

able to embody the feeling of spring and summer so wholly, but Calypso St. Barth does the job and then some.

As you prepare to defrost from winter and celebrate spring, can you think of a better way to get into a warm-weather state of mind than with these beautiful caftans and tunics and dresses?

Even better, many of Calypso’s prettiest pieces are currently on sale on

Calypso Senona Dress

Calypso Senona Dress

beso – just in time to awaken those bright green daffodils in your defrosting spring heart!

Vineyard Vines is equally breezy and beachy, but a bit more laid back. Started in 1998, The Vineyard Vines frame of mind is a little bit preppy with a dash of Nantucket and a dollop of its home base of Martha’s Vineyard mixed in.

Vineyard Vines Sailboat Tie

Vineyard Vines Sailboat Tie

With sporty collections of ties, cummerbund sets, boxers, college pride wear, mens’ and ladies’ clothes and accessories,Vineyard Vines has your beach lifestyle needs completely covered (even when you are barely covered and ready to swim!), so that everyday will feel like a day on Martha’s Vineyard.

Whether you prefer the elegance of Calypso or the beach/collegiate/golf lifestyle philosophy

Vineyard Vines Jupiter Dress

Vineyard Vines Jupiter Dress

of Vineyard Vines, here at beso, we’ve got everything you need for spring and summer – and those golden, sunny days are right around the corner, no matter what that groundhog says!

Heat things up right now on beso!

Vineyard Vines Patchwork Madras Cargo Shorts

Vineyard Vines Patchwork Madras Cargo Shorts

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Get This Look: Heeeeere’s Johnny! January 26th, 2010 By

Johnny Depp-initely Do!

I thought I’d mix things up a little and do a Get This Look segment on a boy. Specifically a boy named Johnny Depp. Because I love him and we’re going to run away together any day now and he’s “gonna take the squeak out my door” and I really can’t wait.

In the meantime, fellas, note the love that all the girls around you feel for this smokin’ piece of delicious manly-man-ness and maybe bite his style a little. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up taking the squeak outta some doors, yourself…

Let’s start with his shirt. Right now there are two very similar styles – both on sale – on beso:

Striped Shirt by Toscano

Striped Shirt by Toscano

Prana Sanderson Stripe Shirt

Prana Sanderson StripeD Shirt

Add any ol’ black or gray suit vest and a pair of dark-wash jeans, like these:

Get Diesel, Live Better!

Diesel Jeans

Live better in Levi's 501s, too...

Live better in Levi's 501s

AND ACCESSORIZE:

This belt from Men’s Warehouse should suit perfectly:

Hand-Stained Black Casual Belt

Add a great watch and a cool brown leather cuff:

Fossil Watch

These cuffs are handmade, from Etsy.com:

Etsy Leather Cuff

Etsy Leather Cuff

Etsy Leather Cuff

Etsy Leather Cuff

Toss on a pair of simple black shoes, like this pair from Doc Marten:

Doc Martens are classic cool

Dr. Martens

And finally, finish the look with a pair of cool, blue aviator sunglasses like these:

Tom Ford, $360

Tom Ford Aviators

Oliver Peoples, $325

Oliver Peoples Aviators

Army Universe Style Aviators

There you have it, boys! I’m not guaranteeing that you’ll start stealing enough hearts to make yourself a Public Enemy or some kind of Pirate. Or that you’ll even lead more ladies to Find Neverland.  But you’ll sure look cool, and that will certainly Be Good.

 

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beso Deals: Up to 80% Off Nordstrom | Anthropologie | Bluefly | Forever 21 | Target | Zappos January 15th, 2010 By

Nordstrom DealsDid you know you can shop by stores and your favorite brands in our sale department?  If not, I’m here to tell you it is my absolute favorite feature on the beso site.  I love name brands, and I like to shop at the top department stores, but I surely do not pay full price for items I know will eventually go on sale.  This feature allows me to combine all of my shopping vices into one!  Below is just a small sampling of deals from top retailers from both brick and mortar shops and the ones you only find online.  Start here to enjoy the hunt!

Nordstrom:
Shop Women | Shop Men | Shop Home

Bluefly:Anthropologie Deals
Shop Women | Shop Men

Anthropologie:
Shop Women | Shop Home

Forever 21:
Shop Women | Shop Men

Target:
Shop  Women | Shop Men | Shop Home

Zappos:
Shop Women | Shop Men | Shop Home


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Men’s Jeans for Day and Night January 12th, 2010 By

Denim is a basic building block of modern fashion, especially for men. Yet, all men’s jeans are not created equal – there are different jeans for different times of the day. When you’re spending over $100 at Nordstrom on some fancy designer denim, you may not want to go rolling down a hill at the park with your kid in them. By the same token, you may not want to take your honey to that new hot spot on the east side of town in your Gap standard fit jeans, even though they’re perfect for bumming around, and at $25, you can’t lose.

So we thought we’d take a look at some casual jeans for day, and higher end designer denim for when the sun goes down:

DAY:

Relaxed faded jean

Banana Republic has some fantastic styles of men’s jeans, for a rather affordable price. They generally don’t feature a lot of bells and whistles, and my one complaint is the high variability in the softness of the denim, but they look good while you’re hitting up the grocery store, or even at dress down day at the office. For taller men out there, I’m partial to the Banana Republic relaxed faded black jean, selling for $79.

Other nice buys are the Old Navy vintage distressed jeans for $39, the Ralph Lauren skinny jean ($59),or if you look good with a hammer in your hand, you may want to try the Eddie Bauer Carpenter Pants. At less than $30, it won’t be a crime if you splatter it with paint while redoing the wall colors in the rec room.

Night:

You put down the paint brush, and you’re ready to hit the town. As charming and comfortable as Gap and Old Navy are, you know it’s not going to cut it when you’re taking little Susie out to the Olive Gardenfor some alfredo. Time to dig a little deeper into the closet, and pull out:

True Religion Ricky Leather If you’re into something with a bit of flair (not the “Office Space” variety) , True  Religion has a dramatic jean, called the Ricky True Religion jean. It has a low- rise fit with the True Religion tell-tale back pocket styling. It retails for $262,  but I’ve seen it as low as $150, if you can find it in stock.

Diesel Zatiny jeans

Diesel has a number of great models on the market, but I’m partial to the Diesel Zatiny, which comes across as stylish without being overbearing. While they usually retail for $200, right now you can find them 30% off at beso.

A couple of other great choices to hit the town in: the Lucky Lancaster jean, which is one of their higher end styles, or if you’ve got a bit more of the hipster vibe to you, check out the Rock & Republic Damien jean, a skinny jean running for about $200.

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