JANUARY | 2020 | STYLE
ACCENTUATED STYLE
The new year is here which means it's the perfect time for us to consider stepping up our style. Part of stepping up our style game includes accessorizing, a concept that has far too long been reserved for women. However, we’re here to tell you that we can accessorize just as much as any woman without sacrificing our manhood. A little accessory can go a long way when it comes to improving our style. A few well placed and well planned pieces tells whatever crowd we’re in front of that we put actual effort into our looks. The best part about accessorizing is that it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It can, but it doesn’t have to. All that any of this takes is a little consideration, comfort, and an understanding that accessories are but supplemental pieces to our sense of style. And since 2020 is a year destined to be filled with perfect vision, we’re going to spend a little time focusing our first style section of the decade on the importance of punctuating your style through the art of accessorizing! Get it? Vision? Focusing? 2020? No? Okay, well let’s just move on...
There are at least three essential things every Beaux must have in his wardrobe, a watch, a wallet, and classic cut of denim. Some would suggest at least five more things, and we can’t say that they’d be wrong, but we’re here to focus on the absolute basics. Watches are a function style statement because who doesn’t need to know the time? Many of us have come to depend on our phones as timepieces, but phones don’t really say much about our individual sense of style. Google and Apple have developed their respective digital wallets, but there’s never going to be anything like the feeling of a real life, real leather wallet. Many of us have heard women talk about the importance of owning at least one LBD, and that’s cool for them. Hell, it may be cool for some of us too, but for now we’re going to focus on the traditionally male version of the LBD, which is the perfect pair of denim.
WATCH THE THRONE
Smartphones are a pretty good indicator of one’s social status. The assumption is that those of us who are able jump from phone to phone have without missing a beat are doing better than those of us who are still rocking that iPhone 6. Access to technology can be a pretty good way to determine one’s wealth, but what if we told you that something as simple as a watch could throw the nose of most money hounds off? A well placed wrist watch will almost always make us appear to be more put together than we might actually be, demonstrate an air of intelligence, and hell, it’ll symbolize that fact that you’re an actual adult.
That last part might not be the best selling point, because being an adult is a trap, however the people behind our first style suggestion of the decade are here to ensure that we’re able to keep up with every passing moment we spend in this trap of adulting with class. Spend a little time Banneker Inc, a watch and clock company that’s been ticking since 2003. The company bears the name of Benjamin Banneker, an African American astronomer, inventor, mathematician, and farmer, and their watches are specifically designed to inspire pride and to provoke conversation. A look at one of our favorite pieces from them will give you some insight on why these timepieces serve as great conversation starters! Banneker offers a classic collection of styles, but our personal favorite is The Baller. This watch is the epitome of style and class, and if you hurry you can catch it while it's still on sale! The Baller is an original Banneker design and was actually one of the first designs the company produced. The irony of this is that you can use something from Banneker’s past to propel your style into the future...and we promise that’ll be the last time pun we’ll use!
This watch was built with style and sustainability in mind, as its natural carbonized bamboo real wood face ensures that it won’t clock out (we are such liars) after a bit of light water contact, and the bamboo finish means that The Baller can be beautifully matched with just about any outfit. The Baller can be dressed up or down to taste and each wood finish is one of a kind. The Baller is battery powered, has a genuine leather strap, and comes with a water resistant case. Step up your wrist game by purchasing this piece in black, brown, green, gold, and burgundy!
Normal retail for this piece of work is $290.00 (USD), however they’ve got a bit of a sale going on now. If you hurry you can catch it for a smooth $175.00 (USD). An additional perk is that shipping takes about one business day, comes with a two year warranty on the movement, and is equipped with a thirty day satisfaction guaranteed money back refund. And if that’s not enough, you can buy The Baller on a budget with Banneker’s installment plan. The arrow of time is moving forward, and following that arrow can be done in style with Banneker!
CLEVER LEATHER
The digital age has not only changed what we put in our wallets but the style of the wallet as well. Gone are the days of stuffing as much as possible into our wallets, as the only thing technology hasn’t found a solution for is that condom we were all told to carry, regardless of whether or not we had any intentions of using it. Our wallets not only hold our identities but display them as well, so shopping for the perfect one is a pretty big deal. The best way to broker these big deals is look for something that is as fashionable as it is functional, can comfortably house our essentials, is constructed with quality materials, and matches our personal senses of style. Finding the perfect fit can be challenging to say the least, but not as impossible as some would think.
Consider spending a little time with one of our favorite wallets from Vaultskin. This London based company has worked hard to ensure that their reach extends beyond the pond, and maintains a reputation born from expertise and innovation. Vaultskin is concerned with more than simply making a product that looks good, as they place a tremendous amount of consideration to the functionality as well.
Our Vaultskin pick is their Manhattan Card Wallet. We’re gonna go ahead and mention the $39.99(USD) price tag here, because you won’t believe all the tech they’ve managed to pack into such a small package. Technology isn’t something many of us would consider when buying a wallet, but according to Vaultskin, it should be. The Manhattan Card Wallet comes equipped with more than a few slots and has built in RFID-blocking technology that prevents scanning devices from reading our credit card information. The wallet is constructed from top grain Italian leather, is ultra slim (because pocket bulges are so 2019), can hold up to nine cards, and was specifically designed with the US Dollar in mind. Its billfold closure, stylish durability, affordability, and fashionable functionality make it the perfect choice for any Beaux interested in making a statement.
A DENIM ADDENDUM
We’ve had more than our fair share of conversations about the awesomeness of denim. It’s iconic, is always en vogue, is durable, and can be dressed up as much as it can be dressed down. A good pair of denim will age with grace, stand the test of time, and can be matched and paired with damn near anything! Like, what’s not to love about denim?!? All the cool kids are wearing it, which means that you’re wearing it too!
However many reasons there are to love a good pair of denim jeans, there are at least three reasons why finding that perfect pair can be a challenge. Many of us are understandably lost when it comes to finding a pair that actually fit, and this is only compounded when we consider the serious lack of suitable styles. And if that’s not enough, many of us aren’t giving enough consideration to the weight, wash, or details of the our denim before we purchase. But these are pretty quick fixes.
Jeans normally come in slim, relaxed, skinny, regular, or loose. The decision is ultimately up to you, but we’ strongly suggest not going with anything too loose. Other than that we encourage you play with these limited syles until you find one that matches the direction you’re taking your style in. The rise of the jeans is an equally important consideration, and our best bet is to always go with what looks and feels best to us. The most important factor in finding a good pair of jeans is to consider the weight and wash of the denim. The weight of the denim determines its drape and flexibility so we’ve gotta find a balance. Lighter denim might drape well and provide an adequate amount of flexibility, but it might not be as durable as a heavier denim with less flexibility. Balance, Beaux. Balance. While wash is something to consider, our selections should be based on our own personal senses of style.
