A Gentleman's Guide

FEBRUARY | 2020

FEBRUARY | 2020 | STYLE

BET ON BLACK

The fashion industry, along with the rest of the world, has had a long standing love of black. While society as a whole doesn’t always do the best job at showing their appreciation for all things black, the fashion industry has never shied away from betting on black. There is an undeniable power that comes with wearing black. Its signature darkness is rife with potency, its as adaptable as it is versatile, and is the epitome of chic sophistication. As we launch our third annual All Black issue, we wanted to spend a little time giving you a few of our suggestions on what to wear in fashion’s favorite shade. 

H&M’S NYLON BLEND BOMBER JACKET

We don’t care how warm Antarctica is may be, we’re still in the middle of winter. Winter may feel different depending on where you’re reading this from, but it almost always requires an additional layer or two. 

Bomber jackets are some of the most timeless pieces of outerwear known to style, and while they come in dozens upon dozens of styles, what makes them consistent is that they’re always fashionable. Bombers exist at the intersection of fashion and functionality which is why we’re spending a little time with H&M’s Nylon Blend Bomber Jacket

This nylon blended beauty is woven with a nylon blend (in case you couldn’t tell from its name) and has a ribbed stand-up collar that’ll come in handy when the winter winds gives you a reason to protect your neck! Its features include a front zipper, chest pocket with a zipper, and side-seam pockets as well. Its inner pocket can be snap fastened, and as simple as the cuff hem and ribbing may be, they go a long way aesthetically speaking. Your best bet is probably going to be an online order, and as always, pay close attention to the sizing. This bomber retails for $34.99 (USD), and while despite us featuring the black version...because, d’uh, “All Black”, you can easily find it in dark khaki green, white, and light brown as well!

However, we don’t just want you to buy the bomber, we want you to look good in it as well. Remember the importance of matching your outfit with whatever style and color you choose. However, this won’t be too difficult if you bet on black. You can pair it with seasonable appropriate sweater, jeans or chinos, and a pair of sneakers to give that ‘too cool for school’ look as well. A smarter look calls for a classically styled collared shirt.

 ASOS’ PUFFER GILET IN BLACK

Gilets have fashionably transformed themselves from pieces of performance wear to winter wear staples. Spring hasn’t sprung yet, but winter is definitely on the wane! A good gilet will keep you fashionably warm and is engineered to regulate your body temperature in the face of trans seasonal weather. The piece has evolved over the past decade, and what was once seen as an oversized puffer vest has scaled itself down to achieve a functionable fashionable fit. Bulk was so 2009!

Spend a little time with the gilet’s final evolutionary form as sold by our friends at ASOS! ASOS has established itself as a long time fave of Reignbeaux Lux as a result of its dedication to style and affordability. Their Puffer Gilet in Black is no exception as it's sleek, stylish, and comes with a ton of simple, yet effective, features. Don’t let the smooth taste of this piece’s basic design fool you, because its padded lining provides its wearer with plenty of warmth. The funnel neck performs as an extension of the piece as a whole, and it’s pockets are as functional as expected. This gilet fits true to size, and retails for about $34.00 (USD). 

Gilet vests can be worn with suits when properly tailored, and is sure to give your audience a smart-casual look. It doesn’t have to be super trim, but you wanna make sure you keep the fabric as matte as possible, so keep that in mind when you’re making your selection. The gilet does well when paired with plaid and checkered shirts- and you can throw a neutral toned tie in as well. Another consideration is to wear your gilet over a shirt, cardigan by following the simple rules of keeping your bottom layers neutral and then placing the gilet over the top for extra insulation. As always, you don’t have to take our word as law, and we encourage you to play around with different looks until you find something that suits your style!

BOOHOO’S BIG AND TALL BASIC OVER THE HEAD FLEECE HOODIE

Hoodies are the ultimate comfort food of fashion. No, you don’t eat them, but chances are if you’ve ever eaten anything in them that you were comfortable! The interesting thing about the hoodie is that its one of the comeback kids of fashion. Gone are the days where hoodies were something we wore to support our favorite school or time, as they’ve shown that they can be used for more than a logo. Boohoos Big And Tall Basic Over The Head Fleece Hoodie is the perfect example of this with its directional designs and talk-about textures. This new spin on a classic comfort is made of a cotton-poly blend, and boasts a form flattering slim fit as well. This hoodie proves why hoodies exist as one of every man’s failsafe fashion faves, and your fave is available right now at Boohoo.com. 

The growth of the hoodie can be found in its versatility. They can be worn as part of a layered look when paired with whatever coat or jacket you desire, can be used as a piece athleisure, and can be tailored to meet our specific style needs as well. There are, of course, some rules to consider when it comes to the hoodie. The most important of these rules is to not to give new life to an old piece. We can apply this to dating as well, but for now we’ll stick to the fashion! 

A hoodie in 2020 is not the same as a hoodie from 2010, as the trends in fits have certainly changed over the past decade. You’ll want to stick to cotton as well, because they are going to give you some longevity. Pull up designs are give a more put together effect, but you can play around with some zip up styles as you seek to season your style to taste...just be careful. And lastly, leave the logo alone. We don’t always have to be a walking billboard, and the absence of a logo will give your audience more time to focus on the look and not the brand. 

Black is always going to be your best bet when it comes to style. One of the few things we have in common with the fashion elite is that we not only recognize the symbolism that exists in black, but the undeniable role it plays in style as a whole. Black is timeless, elegant, and doesn’t require much thought. Not only does it go with just about anything, but its slimming as well! Black is the alpha and omega when it comes to colors in fashion, and there’s no way in hell that we can ever lose when we bet on black!

Jeremy Carter