This season's must have accessory...

Last Shot of the Summer

I took this picture a few months ago and realized it was the last warm weather shot I got. I was in Milan for fashion week and saw this young man from the balcony across the strada.  

The New Bohemian...

  

Photographers Meet On The Street

Somewhere my image has been posted on a Venetian monster's fashion blog.

Strike a Pose... NYC

But does the carpet match the drapes?

Springtime Layers

Spring and autumn have always been my favorite times of year. Summer and winter are seasons of sartorial necessity, either bundling up beyond recognition or stripping away layers to keep cool under the hot sun. The in between months, though, offer us a chance to really dress up. Take this gentleman's bright red head sweater and matching mittens under  his striped sweater. It provides a great contrast and is totally weather appropriate.  

That Stride... Central Park, NYC

Perfect Pea Coat, NYC

Well. Played.

Oh So Boho... Corsica

Too Much or Just Right?

When I first saw him sitting down to lunch in a Corsican café, I thought that the look was a bit much. It seems he had allowed his nose to be eaten off and had also undid his collar and loosened his tie. Overtop of all this, his tongue was hanging out. It seemed that any one of those details may have been arresting by themselves, but put together, they were simply too much. 

However, as I sat and drank my Campari, the look seemed to grow on me. I suppose that when it's all so casual it seems more cohesive. Just the gnawed off nose alone probably would have seemed like an affectation. What do you think?

Those Brows... Corsica

Old Friends, Barcelona

On the Street... That C.H.U.D.

From the Archives... Cookie.

I was searching through the archives and found a picture of Senator Arlen Spector & Cookie Monster from Cookie's time in congress in the early 80s. This is a great example of style versus fashion. Where Arlen has chosen a suit with broad lapels and a busy tie, Cookie looks as dashing as ever in his shaggy blue fur. We needn't look as far back as the Kennedy administration for sartorial splendor in Washington when Nebraska senator Cookie Monster was cutting a fine figure as recently as 1984.

Collar Controversy!

So a few of you have commented on a photo I posted last week. Apparently you thought that this zombie's collar sticking out of his jacket looked forced. I understand where you're coming from on this, but affectations of any kind usually fail or succeed based on the confidence with which they're carried off. In this young man's case I think he pulled it off superbly. Perhaps it's different when you're right there, but there was nothing fussy about the blood and brain matter or the collar sticking out. It came off as very natural and he wore it well.

So Rugged... Bigfoot in The Catskills.

I was hiking in The Catskills and ran into Bigfoot on his new motorcycle. He was talking about how he usually shaves his fur down with sharp rocks this time of year, but he's letting it go long while the weather holds. I know just what he's talking about. I've been holding off on putting away my medium weight knits until the very last minute. Cold weather just seems to lend itself to dressing up.  

Style v. Utility?

I think that many people look at style as incompatible with everyday life. Admittedly there are people who make a hobby of dressing up, but then you look at people like Arthur the Chupacabra, and it's easy to see that simply considering your look in a way that allows you to put your best foot forward can lend elegance to anyone's day. Arthur, for example, always looks for dark and durable fabrics when having his hoods and cloaks tailored. The deep blues and grays contrast against the moon-like glow of his eyes, while the fabric helps to protect his skin from rain water pouring off the edge of the bridge. I think we can all learn something from Arthur.

Under the Streets, NYC... Evan!

I ran into Evan today beneath Manhattan and he's getting ready for spring. His color pallet is perfect for this time of year with the dark tans of his hat and morning coat against the pastel of his ascot and the crisp white collar of his shirt. And speaking of his ascot, I love what he's doing wearing it like a tie and then tucking it under a vest. This is one of those things I would never think to do, but Evan pulls it off brilliantly. 

Cold Night in Milan... Krampus!

I was shooting last month in Milan when I ran into Krampus at a street fair. I got a picture of his Ann Demeulmeester loin cloth. I'll see if I can find it and post it for you guys. 

On the Street... Simple Elegance, NYC

When your kind travels in packs, it can be hard to stand out. But some, like Aaron, use the blood and brain matter to contrast the clean lines of a torn gray suit. Notice how his tie and lapel are skinny, but not too skinny. 

On the street... Godzilla, NYC

I ran into Godzilla the other day outside my favorite churro shop and noted the carefree way in which he was not layering this spring. Well played Godzilla. 

Those Bolts, NYC

Perfect Length Cape, NYC

This is a perfect example of how a Dracula should wear his cape. These days so many Draculas are wearing their capes "shrunken" a la Thom Browne, but not everyone can pull this look off. Leave it to Frankestein, I say. This gentleman knows that a cape should hit mid-calf and spread out behind you as it catches the wind when giving chase. Well done, sir.