Holiday Gift Guide: BE what others ARE NOT with Hardihood

What makes a great T-shirt? Wearability. Unique design. Fit. Sometimes when guys buy tees the first thing we look at is the brand. Brands come and go, but quality doesn't. The best t-shirts I find are made of 100% cotton, have a modern fit, and a design that you don't see on every man at the mall or on the street. Hardihood shirts and hoodies fall in that category. With products made in Canada, the brand reflects the "courage to be different". And it shows in the diversity of designs of their tshirts and hoodies.  

One of my favorites from their Fall-Winter collection is the Striking Tee that retails for $80. I refuse to wear t-shirts that have big, obnoxious, overpowering logos in the front. But for some reason, this t-shirt was different. The graffiti like print, the 3 letter breakdown of the name (makes you read), and the strong style statement on the back makes this a unique piece. Plus its made of 100% cotton and has a great feel to the skin.

Another piece you should check out is the Motto Pullover. The best hoodies are the ones that have weight and substance, not just in design but also in the fabric used. This thick cotton-poly blend hoodie has a thermal lined hood which keeps the your head warm during those cold winter days and nights. The gel screen print design on the back of Hardihood's unique slogan also gives this simple hoodie an elegant touch.

Some celebrities spotted wearing Hardihood include Taylor Lautner from Twilight and New Moon fame, DJ Roger Sanchez and Minnesota Twins hitter Justin Morneau.

"I AM WHAT YOU ARE NOT" is a life motto every person should live by. One must strive to be different and globally we have to celebrate those differences. Start by picking up one of these pieces at the following stores listed here.

Holiday Gift Guide: Keep it SIMPLE

The last time I did a review on shoes from Simple, I commented that "it felt like I was walking on air". This holiday they've come out with a new line eco-friendly shoes that doesn't disappoint one's sensitive feet. One of my favorites from that line is the CARwalk, which is made from eco-certified suede. You're probably what that means. To keep it simple, the suede is from an eco-certified tannery (BLC/ISO 14001). A tannery is a place where hide is treated to make it into leather. Aside from the suede, the shoe's flannel lining and shoe laces are made from organic cotton from non-genetically modified seeds and is grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides. 

So what makes this shoe so soft to walk on? The "pedbed" aka the cushiony and supportive padding at the bottom of the shoe, is made of super soft, squishy polyurethane and recycled car tire. The sole is also made of recycled rubber tires offering great grip for those slippery slides in the rain. 

In black and in classic taupe, the skate style casual looks of the CARwalk make it a great addition to any man's shoe collection. Spray it with some eco-friendly all protector water repellent and you're ready to battle the elements of the season.

Price $135. Available where Simple is sold or online  

Holiday Gift Guide: The Gift of Time

There are two things that tell a woman where a man is in his life - the shoes he wears on his feet and the watch on his wrist. You don't have to be wearing a $3,000 dollar watch to impress the ladies, but you need a watch that defines your personal style and exudes confidence. Marc Ecko's The Maestro is one such timepiece. More of a casual sport watch, this dual time zone unit has the weight of a more expensive timekeeper. It features a polished stainless steel case, a piano black top ring, a scratch resistant mineral crystal face and a black polyurethane strap. The watch also has a depth rating of 50 meters (150 feet).

 

I had the opportunity to test this versatile watch over the last few weeks. The piano black top ring makes the watch easy to pair with a suit jacket and dress trousers. The casual elements of this watch like the rubber strap works well with a pair jeans and a t-shirt. My only wish was that  the Maestro had a date function. However, this makes a great present for the guy who's looking for low price-high style watch, who travels quite a bit between two time zones or simply wants to know what time it is in another part of the world. 

Price is  $165. Available where Marc Ecko watches are sold. Visit Marc Ecko online for more information.

Holiday Gift Guide 2009

This is going to be the first Holiday Gift Guide for ISTYLEU and frankly I'm looking forward to it. Every week leading up to Christmas, various products will be featured here to give your woman (or friends and family) ideas of what to give you for Christmas. So make sure to have them visit ISTYLEU regularly. There will be fragrances and there will be gadgets. There will be male style essentials and there will also be accessories. There will also be some fairly high priced items for those that have some extra cash to spare. And as we get close to the big day, there will also be some last minute gift ideas for the shoppers who procrastinate.

Right now, I can tell you that there will be a new fragrance that I think every guy should have this season. There will also be a pair of kicks that's made from recycled materials. And lots more. So subscribe to the RSS feed, follow me on Twitter @istyleu, and spread the word to your friends and families. You do want to get a present you like, right?

Day 5 - GotStyle Menswear honors Canadiana

As a menswear style blogger, I've been waiting for GotStyle's show since I registered for LG Fashion Week a month ago. Canada, in general, is not known for menswear. So its good to see a show who's goal it is to expose the great designers in this category. Melissa Austria, owner of GotStyle menswear store on King Street West in Toronto gathered the best of the best in menswear Friday night. Grouped in four Canadian seasons (all showing Spring-Summer collections), the show featured pieces from Christopher Bates, Costa Pavlou, Bustle, Skmpeez, Red Canoe, Juelz Rok, Gregory Allen, Juzd, 1921 jeans, 18 waits, Maison St. Pierre, Kwasi, Lipson, Trepaul and Empire Clothing. Outside of the generic models, the show was infused by local male celebrities like Nico Archambault from So You Think You Can Dance, Michael Landsberg from Off the Record, David Clemmer and Bruce Turner from Style by Jury and Ben Mulroney, host of E-Talk and Canadian Idol.

I spoke to Melissa during my visit to their store a few days prior to the show. She gave me a personal tour after the interview and we discussed the growth of menswear in Canada. "Canadian menswear is growing. The problem is that they're known more outside of Canada than it is here." said Austria. "I did this show primarily because I made it my mission to promote the great menswear design talent we have. And as a store we carry all of these emerging brands and we're proud of that.", she added.

Out of all the labels on the runway, one that really stood out for me was Red Canoe. A label born in Northern Ontario, the line takes its inspiration from the Canadian outdoors and the people who live and enjoy them; fishermen, aviators, hunters, and tourists. Its that adventurous spirit that lives in the defined outdoor clothing that easily been worn in cottage country and the city. Patched sweaters, polos and full size leather back packs are things to definitely look forward to from this label. Also, the use of logos from vintage Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) insignia and Cesna plane, was unique and well placed across the tees and jackets. Can't wait till they open their store in Whistler, BC in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Nico Archambault from So You Think You Can Dance busts a move on the runway

Christopher Bates and Costa Pavlou (below) and their SS 2010 pieces (above)

Red Canoe and Founder Dax Wilkinson

Ben Mulroney check his pulse on the runway

Queen of Kings Gotstyle Menswear Owner Melissa Austria escorted by Nico Archambault from So You Think You Can Dance, Michael Landsberg from Off the Record

All Photos by Paul Flynn

I asked Melissa what she would advice the male readers of ISTYLEU. And she mentioned the following 3 points which I think all of you should take to heart.

1) Its all about the FIT. Wearing pants, shirts, jackets, sweaters a size bigger looks tacky. Look clean and sophisticated at all times.

2) Have a perfectly tailored black suit. It will never go out of style.

3) Invest in more than one coat. Coats make a great add on to a suit or a casual ensemble. Trench, Car and Overcoats are just some of your options.

Day 4 at LG Fashion Week: Dominated by Evan Biddell and RUDSAK

We are nearing the end of fashion week and the shows still keep getting better. I was really looking forward to the last two shows of the evening and I wasn't disappointed when the time came.

Evan Biddell, another graduate of the hit show Project Runway Canada, not only showed a great collection but more importantly delivered a great production. Starting off with an animation clip, almost very superhero like, it made wonder if the theme for the collection was that of superheroes. Well, there were some elements that were of the "leap tall buildings" kind. From billowy dresses, capes, hoods, and jumpsuits, Evan has once again outdone himself. There were also steel-like one piece swimsuits that look slick and powerful. Staying true to his design aesthetic of urban elegance with a hint of fantasy and futurism, each piece kept the audience in awe. And he even did a bit of menswear too with the matching jumpsuits. I asked Evan "what's with the jump shorts?" And he coyly answered "The women have been doing it for a long time. Why can't men." Good answer, Evan.

Evan Biddell and his models
All photos by StudioLit

Following Evan Biddell was Evik Asatoorian and his label Rudsak. Rudsak is known for its simplicity, elegance and clean yet distinct lines. And this season, those characteristics were quite obvious. Think your most classic pieces like the trench coat and the belted dress for the women, and the safari coat and the bahama short, add some lamb skin leather, and a dash of chilli red or mushroom colored dye, and you've got a preview to Evik's Spring 2010 line.

The theme revolved around jetsetting in the 60s where a couple would ride into the sunset on a private jet and in some cases maybe a vintage motorcycle. The collection had a bit of both settings. The women wore belted dresses combined with leather coats and bomber jackets. My favorite piece was this chili pepper belted leather dress. Staying on the chili pepper color block, I personally love the red shorts and pants the male models wore. Combined with beige or mushroom colored jackets, it made me want to go on a luxury vacation.

I spoke with Evan after the show what his advice is for people who are scared to wear colored leather pieces, be it a jacket or a pant. He said "We've come a long way with leather and the quality of the material. Having a colored leather jacket is a must in the Spring. There is no in-between seasons in Canada or when wearing a leather piece. For both men and women, having the right fit is also very important. Its time that individuals seize the day, be more courageous, more daring, more personal with fashion. The pieces this season accomplish that."

All photos by Angela Y. Martin, AYM Photography

Day 3 at LG Fashion Week: High Style, Not so much High Price

Its the third day of fashion week and everyone is looking forward to the evening shows. Attitude by Sears, Joe Fresh and Pink Tartan were all showing. And for lovers of great style, these three brands have a lot to offer. Attitude by Sears is a brand the major retailer bought from the now defunct Eaton's. According to Cynthia Florek, Trend Manager "With Attitude, Sears now has the opportunity to take on a new market, a new customer." The brand was launched last Fall and now carries a full line of pieces from head to toe.

Photography by Kimberly-Lynn

As the Attitude customer is describe by Florek as one who's "on trend. not trendy", the runway showed a lot of pieces that the modern woman can add to their wardrobe. The blends of neo-nautical themes, black and white color blocking, and occasional pops of coral presented a very well balanced collection for Attitude.

Photography by Kimberly-Lynn

I asked Cynthia what her key pieces for the season were and she said:

• The Peg Pant
• The Dress (Soft) Short
• The Boyfriend Blazer
• The Jumpsuit
• The Oversized Tee

Photography by Kimberly-Lynn

As a woman of great style, I needed to ask for some fashion advice. Kept short and sweet, Cynthia's response "Mix it up". And with that I'm sure women all over will be mixing up their wardrobe with pieces from Attitude this Spring.

Following Attitude was Pink Tartan led by Kimberly Newport Mimran, the other half of Canada's fashion couple (the other being Joe Mimran, aka JOE Fresh). This season the line was dominated by 80's themes -- bold shoulders, glitzy sequin vest, and cropped jackets. But its not just like any rehashed garments or styles. Pink Tartan has infused it with enough luxury and glam that will make women want to go get it ASAP.

Photography by Angela Y. Martin
http://www.fashionmagazine.com

Some strong pieces from the collection - the mini dress - the trench coat - the sequin dress - the "nautical" wrap dress

The third night of fashion week was capped with JOE Fresh, the high style - low price clothing label started by Joseph Mimran. Known as the JOE behind this value priced label, he has managed to make great style affordable to everyone. It was interesting to see how certain pieces from his wife's label Pink Tartan made it over to his collection except that his was priced for much less. On the men's side, true to his own personal style statement, Joe stuck with slim cut trousers, fitted cardigans and blazers.

I spoke with Joe prior to the show to get a better understanding of the brand. "JOE Fresh is about new product, fresh price. That's what I want people to remember." mentioned Joe. As most people know him more for his success with the Club Monaco label, I asked what lesson he took from that chapter in his life and has applied it to Joe Fresh. And he said "Never settle for anything less than the best".

And the best pieces I thought from this season's showing are:

• For the women, its the use of the light, airy and yellow fabrics in the pleated skirts, oversized shirt dresses, and the shirt/jacket combinations
• For the guys, yellow nylon jackets, sand colored slim chinos, and the contrast vee sweaters.

Photos by Angela Y. Martin, AYM Photography