Thursday, July 28, 2011

The Rebellious Gentleman Recommends: Swims Overshoes

Rain has been pouring down here in Manila for the past three days. While I wait for the day that I can safely wear my sunglasses, I can't help but feel envious to those of you who have Swims Overshoes. So forget about wearing boots or flip flops and stylishly rock those oxfords in the rain.




Saturday, April 30, 2011

The Rebellious Gentleman Recommends: Lonely Nerds in Fedoras


I just stumbled upon this wonderful blog:
Lonely Nerds in Fedoras
(Pictures of lonely nerds wearing fedoras in an attempt to look classy)

Definitely worth checking out.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Ask the Rebellious Gentleman - Sunglasses

Q: I mostly like your advice, but dislike sunglasses. Altogether. Whenever I see someone wearing them, I see someone desperately trying to be stylish. Don't you have similar thoughts sometimes?

A: Yes of course I do. But it depends on what kind of sunglasses they are wearing.


See also what I posted earlier:
Wearing sunglasses inside

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Spring/Summer Style Upgrade

For the folks up north, days are becoming warmer and Spring is just around the corner.
Here in the tropics the upcoming April means bracing ourselves for the 35+ degrees Celsius weather as flowers go into full bloom.
So how do we stay stylish under the unbearable heat?
Well, it's about time to have a wardrobe update.

1. Colorize your wardrobe

from http://www.thesartorialist.com/

2. Wear shorts

A lot of men are not into the idea of wearing shorts. Though a flat front cotton shorts that end above the knee can make any wearer look decently cool.


3. Lighter fabrics

This man manage to pull of a suit during a hot summer day because of lighter fabrics. Check out shirts and coats in cotton, linen, seersucker and tropical wool.

from http://putthison.com/

4. Wear Sunglasses


The Classic Rayban Aviators never goes out of style.

5. Solid colored t-shirts
As I posted before stay away from t-shirts with logos and graphic designs (especially skulls and fleur-de-lis). Opt to wear simple solid colored t-shirts.


6. Get a swimsuit that ends almost halfway up your thigh

photo taken from GQ

7. Canvas Sneakers

Not only do they make your feet cool, they also have that laid back and stylish appeal.

8. Replace old underwear

Even I admit wearing underwear with a hole, so chances are you are still wearing your 5 year old underwear.


9. Wear cloth and woven belts

They look great with sneakers during the weekends.


from Banana Republic


10. Go sockless
from http://www.thevjmporium.com/

As they say when you don't wear socks "Good news for your feet, bad news for your shoes."

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Hoodie + Shorts: Hot or Cool?

I often see guys wearing a hoodie with shorts and it makes me want to ask them the question,
"Do you think you're hot or cool?"

photo taken from flickr

What do you think, readers?

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Levi's Spring 2011 Double Denim


Levi's writes, "This season is all about Denim on Denim: on-the-go, ready-for-the-road outfits you can easily pull off even with just a few clothing pieces."

My advice still stands on staying away from double denim unless as I have said before, you are a cowboy going to an 80’s themed costume party or Clint Eastwood.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Denimblog's Raw Denim Guide

In relation to my last post I recommend Denimblog's Raw Denim Guide. I've seen other raw denim guide on the internet but anuish14's guide is the most "beginner friendly" guide out there.


photo taken from denimblog.com

Check it out on:
http://www.denimblog.com/c/forum/thread/148896/raw-denim-guide-411-start-here

Enjoy getting your own version of high contrast fades!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

The Rebellious Gentleman Recommends: Levis 501 Jeans

The Levis 501 Jeans are no doubt a classic denim. Now a bit slimmer, their quality and fit are way beyond the price paid for them.



You can either go with the Original or Shrink to fit version. Either way, wearing them makes one feel rebellious in some way, from Marlon Brando to Steve McQueen.



I do recommend getting the raw denim version and make your own version of "distressed jeans".

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Rebellious Gentleman Recommends: Bicycles

While browsing some of the pictures from The Sartorialist, the ladies in bicycles have truly caught my eye.


from The Sartorialist

It makes me wonder why here in Metro Manila, I rarely see our ladies on them. Well, as if the rising gasoline prices and transportation fares would made them ride such.


bodies brought by healthy bike riding

We can't blame the weather since we're blessed with an eternal summer climate but what's really stopping us from riding bicycles? For me, the reason why I don't ride a bike to work is mainly because of the air pollution. Manila's transportation mainly relies on cars and buses. Air pollution here is constantly on the rise.


of course you can wear a suit

Here is a classic case of a solution to the problem is being hampered by the problem itself. So if I may ask my readers, what's stopping you from riding a bike everyday?

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Ask the Rebellious Gentleman - Wedding

Q: Could you write some tips for wedding? I'm getting married on May and I need some dressing tips! I'm male, btw :P
-PekkaK

A: First and foremost, congrats on getting married. While most rebellious gentlemen prefer to be single their entire lives, being married and keeping a single life still tops it. Well joking aside and moving on, I would like to stress that you are not going to a prom. So don't color coordinate your tuxedo or suit with your bride to be. Doing so will likely increase the chances of her filing a divorce.

Avoid!

Without going a bit further on the subject, what kind of wedding are you planning? Where are you getting married? Church? Beach? Backyard? What is the dress code?
For a casual wedding, you can never go wrong with a classic and well fitted charcoal suit. Stick with one color silver and black ties.


from Indochino

If it's a black tie occasion, go with a simple classic tuxedo with a bit of modern touch. A black single breasted jacket paired with a turn-down collar shirt and a vest or a cummerbund to cover your waist. A bow tie is a must so learn how to tie it if you don't know how.


photo from Melody Farrin Photography

As always, fit is important so no loose or tight fit.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Ask the Rebellious Gentleman - Business Conference Outfit

Q: Ok, this is really good info, though not applicable to me. So if I may, I'm going to a business conference in a couple of months, my first time to such an event. I don't really want to wear a suit, but I still want to look presentable, what would you recommend? Thanks.
- Motivationalized

A: In this day and age of businesses going casual, suits are becoming appropriate only to a few business industries like finance. Wearing a business suit is still your best bet especially since this is your first time.
But if you are among the rebellious guys who avoid suits in any way, you can get away with wearing a simple dark denim jeans (no faded jeans) with a dark blazer and shirt. Complete the outfit with a black belt and black round toe oxford shoes.


photo from GQ's Project Upgrade

Friday, February 25, 2011

Ask the Rebellious Gentleman - Suit for a Tall and Fat Poor Guy

A question was brought up from the comments of my previous entry.

Q: Which black suit will you recommend for a tall and fat poor guy?
- lifehax

A: Ever since I became interested in style and fashion, I always heard an ongoing debate between people saying "baggy and loose fit" and people saying "tight fit" for guys who are fat and tall. I on the other hand is always on the middle on this one. Your best bet to look slimmer is to wear clothes that just hugs your body - A good fit as I use to say.
Fit is everything in clothes so make sure you got that right. It's the basis of all good style. If you've got "fit" right in your suit, you are already halfway there.
So have your suit tailored.

A basic guideline of how a suit should fit
from Askmen's The Style Bible

Moving on, did I already say that you should avoid wearing double breasted suits? If not, please avoid it.
Also, never ever get suit pants with pleats.
Wear a belt. I recommend a slim classic belt with a width of one to one and a half inches.
Lastly, keep it simple. Get a solid colored suit. Don't wear a skinny tie.

Regarding the poor part, I have to say I am sorry since I cannot help you out much here. Let's face it, suits costs a lot of money. I myself only own one. Probably because I don't really need it. I don't wear suits every day and I only reserve it for special occasions. With that I have a question for you, are you wearing this suit for your job interview? your daily job? or only for sweet weddings and inevitable funerals? If you want something that can be worn in almost any occasion you can never go wrong in getting a Classic Charcoal Gray Two button suit. Getting that suit color alone will probably save you from getting another suit.

I hope I got everything down. If you have more questions feel free to ask again.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Classic Charcoal Gray Suit

I'm never a fan of black suits. But it seems that every suit wearing businessman here seems to be wearing them. My advice: stay away.





I know most of people here in Manila can't afford to get other suits so they get the most versatile. Add the fact that it is the safest color to wear but with our 24+ degree Celsius temperature why bother?


Instead of black I suggest the Charcoal Gray Suit.



With Manila temperature not getting any cooler this time of the year, get the cotton version. A great choice from youngsters getting their first suit and job to a respectable middle aged manager going to an orchestra concert after office hours.



Like black, it goes well with other shirt colors.

Lighter versions of the Gray Suit are excellent for attending morning weddings here. But personally, I'd rather wear a Barong during such occasions.



Always get two button suits

Friday, February 18, 2011

The Four in Hand Tie Knot

I've recently went to Makati Business District. For those not familiar with Makati, Philippines, Makati Business District is the heart of the economic and financial trade not only in Metro Manila but in the entire Philippines itself.

As I walk along the clean and nicely paved sidewalks, I took some time looking at the facade of our hardworking white collar employees. What got my attention aside from the usual ill-fitting baggy shirts were the way they tie their ties.

I recommend staying away from the windsors and half-windsors as only a few could pull them off. In this time of slim lapels and non-spread collars, the Four in Hand Knot is the only knot you need to know.



Also, don't forget the dimple.



Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Rebellious Gentleman Reborn

Well it's more than a year since. But all that time didn't dull my fashion and style knowledge.

This past year, I get out more and look for more fashion inspirations. Not on the web but on the streets particularly here in Manila where the eternal heat, humidity and rain makes every fashionista cringe.






So stay tuned as I continue giving more style tips!