men’s sneakers: CONVERSE MISSONI MEN’S CT SNEAKERS, $200.00, available at Aloha Rag.

Summer may be hot and sticky, but it doesn’t mean that guys have to don flip flops and raggedy shorts everywhere they go.  Check out our tips for styling Men’s summer fashion that easy and timeless.

For men’s shorts, try to stay above the knee and shop for a tailored fit. Cuffed shorts look fresh and fashionable.  This is a fun way to wear a color you usually wouldn’t wear in a pant, like this washed-out red, to make your outfit look crisp and cool.

Polo Ralph Lauren Cut Off Chinos Short

Polo shirts are the usual go-to for short-sleeve tops for men, but we also love a simple men’s v-neck tee.  The material is much thinner than a polo and the low-cut front will be cooler than having a collar around your neck. 

Lacoste Men’s V-Neck T-Shirt

Men’s NSF Clothing Times V-Neck Tee

For shoes, we love the classic boat shoe.  There is nothing better than a man who takes the preppy boat shoe and puts his own stylish twist on them.  We like the salt wash on these Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Halyard boat shoes–they look nonchalant and worn in!

Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Halyard Boat Shoes

And of course, to protect your eyes, you must invest in a good pair of shades. The Ray-Ban Wayfarer style will always be a classic.  Looking for something fresh and new?  Try a round pair like these round Persol sunglasses in tortoise or in classic black.

Persol Folding Sunglasses in Black

Sperry Top-Sider has been the leading brand of high-performance footwear since 1935.  The casual, nautical-inspired collection is more popular than ever because of its style, durability and comfort.  For us, they’re the perfect men’s weekend shoe, whether you are on the dock, running errands, or relaxing at home.

Sperry Top-Sider Men’s A/O Salt Wash Penny Loafer, $70.00 at Endless.com

Sperry Top-Sider Mako 2-Eye Canoe Moc, $79.95 $75.95 (5% off) at Zappos.com

Sperry Top-Sider Authentic Original Boat Shoe, $69.95 at Nordstrom

Sperry Top-Sider Gold Cup Billfish Loafers, $180.00 at Planetshoes.com

Sperry Top-Sider Charter 2 Eye, $89.95 at Shoebuy.com

Most men I know need a new pair of sneakers at least once a year.  Kick it old school with Converse retro 70s sneakers like the ones shown here.  The adidas Superstar 2 sneakeris a casual oxford with leather upper and shock-absorbing EVA midsole.  It also looks really cool.  Corduroy is a sweet book about a sweet little teddy bear.  These Vans corduroy sneakers are just plain sweet.  And if you think life’s a beach, spend every day like you’re walking near water with these beachin’ slip-on shoes from Tommy Bahama. Rain or shine, on land or sea, you’ll be cool.

Converse Shoes Star Player EV Ox 111320 – Charcoal/Egret

Shoebuy.com

$54.95

adidas Men’s Superstar 2 Sneaker – White

ShoeMall.com

$64.95

Vans ‘Authentic’ Corduroy Sneaker (Men)

Nordstrom

$46.95

Tommy Bahama Palm Springs Lace-Up Men’s Shoes

Zappos.com

$73.50

Since 1901, Chippewa has been creating footwear based on quality craftsmanship.  Chippewa uses only the best materials and construction techniques and the most innovative technology.  The Chippewa GQ Boot features full-grain leather with a distressed finish, contrast stitching detail, metal eyelets and lace-up closure with American flag embellishment.  beso has a huge selection of Chippewa boots to choose from!

Chippewa 6 GQ Boot, $143.00

Chippewa 8″ Logger Waterproof Boot, $184.00

Chippewa 8 Nubuck Waterproof Insulated Boots, $212.00 $50.00 (76% off)

Men have great options when it comes to shoes that transition from work to weekend.  One of the fall trends in men’s footwear is the chukka boot.  Chukka boots are ankle-length boots with two or three pairs of eyelets for lacing.  It combines understated style and comfort.  The body of the shoe wraps just below the ankle to provide the solid support of a high top and the freedom of a slip-on.  Some boots also include an extra padded collar and durable double stitch construction.  Chukka boots are usually made of calfskin or suede, however, some designers have a more exotic version using materials such as crocodile.

John Varvatos Filmore Chukka Lace-up Boots, $369

Frye Hudson Chukka Lace-up Casual Shoe, $168

Polo Ralph Lauren Lander Chukka, $59.00

Vane by Sebago Penny Keeper Chukka Boot, $150

FRYE Men’s Alex Chukka Boot, $157.95

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.

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

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

Prana Sanderson StripeD Shirt

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

Diesel Jeans

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

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

Dr. Martens

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

Tom Ford Aviators

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.

 

It seems that ever since J.Crew featured them in their Fall ’09 catalog, Red Wing boots seem to be popping up everywhere.  Most recently, they appeared in the November 2009 issue of GQ’s Wear It Now column.

GQ acknowledges that Red Wing is “enjoying a long-overdue revival,” and that “no other label has done more to make work boots cool again.”  We couldn’t agree more.

The Red Wing Classic Work Boot

J.Crew’s collection of Red Wings even includes an exclusive for a “carefully distressed” Red Wing boot (the same one featured in GQ). For about a hundred bucks more, you can have a unique pair “individually hand-burnished so they arrive gently worn in and distressed, as if you’d had them for years.”

J.Crew Distressed Red Wing Boot

When stores as disparate as Sears and Orvis are carrying the same brand of shoes as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, you know the label has reached some sort of cross-over that could have only originated from the street or urban fashion scene.

We like them with  dark rinse jeans, preferably classic Levi’s 501s.