Double Vested

For the last several years the waistcoat has re-emerged as a men's wear staple. Suited corporate types and slim jean wearing hipsters have adopted this fashion item, originally designed for the man who wanted to take his suit jacket off and still look "presentable"

Given the popularity of waistcoats and the new rise in popularity of the double breasted suit I bet you can guess what's coming to a men's store near you...You got it...double breasted waist coats!

Made popular in the 1930's this ultra masculine fashion artifact had all but vanished from the closets of working stiffs like you and me - likely a victim of our recent desire to be as "metro sexual" as humanly possible.

Brands like Rag & Bone (first photo above), Emporio Armani and Band of Outsiders (below) are just a few of the fashion houses who have taken part in bringing the double breasted waistcoat out of abscurity.

This particular type of waist coat, like its single breasted cousin, can be purchased with or without lapels but unlike the single breasted version, most will tell you that a double breasted waist coat should typically be worn with a single breasted jacket (see below)

That said, I don't think I would feel at all bad about being seen in this....I think this "dual" double breasted look is absolutely Outstanding!!

Like most pieces of tailored clothing, recent interpretations have been suited for formal as well as casual wear....and, of course, with popularity comes broader availability. The vest below comes from H&M. I think the photo below is simply a brilliant example of how to execute this look in a more casual way.

Then again, a formal piece almost always looks best when treated with...well...formality. The below is a photo of the type of cool that money can't buy.

I, for one, am glad that 'we men' are taking our masculinity back. There has been way too much role reversal in fashion lately....

...it was starting to give the term "double breasted" a whole new meaning.

Make it an Outstanding Day!

- Kenyatte

Smoking Jacket

There aren't many women who have not heard the name Alexander McQueen. The London born designer who left school to become a Saville Row tailor at age 16 has been the creative genius behind the Alexander McQueen line since its inception over 15 years ago.

It stands to reason that a man with that much talent, who creates women's wear like this...

...would do some amazing things with men's wear.

His Spring/Summer '09 Collection, titled "Love You" is incredibly inventive. "It takes a more assertively masculine vision of the modern male," with jackets that accentuate the shoulders and slim the arms and waist. Perhaps the most inventive piece of the collection, however, was McQueen's take on the tuxedo.

This "smoking" jacket literally has a woven pattern that is intended to look like smoke.

This has easily been the most publicized piece of the collection and as a result I have seen the print show up on just about everything from ties to tees and, more recently, this McQueen collaboration with Puma, who he has been partnered with since 2005.

I recently told someone that I had seen the Spring/Summer '09 collection from McQueen and they said "oh....was it hot?".

....well....where there's smoke....

Make it an Outstanding Day!

- Kenyatte

Where are you Yeezy!

Unless you've lived under the proverbial "rock" for the last several months, the photo below won't be new to you.

The stylized photo above is a shot of the ubiquitous Air Yeezy trainer from Nike. The shoe is a design collaboration between, who else, Kanye West and Nike creative director Mark Smith. Borrowing heavily from the Nike Air Assault...

...and the imfamous "Marty McFly" Hyperdunk...

....the Air Yeezy has been designed to be the hipster shoe for the '80s baby. They retail for $215 but you'll never find them at that price. The limited run and the high demand have driven the price into the stratosphere - $6-800 on Ebay.

That said, it's not the shoe that I find all together interesting but the mass hysteria that this thing has created. Not since the Nike Air Jordan have I seen a particular type of Nike that EVERYONE "has to have".

On Kanye West's blog he even has a section were he encourages his fans to post photos of "Air Yeezy" sitings.

There must be hundreds of photos....here are a few of my favorites.

The guy below looks like a high fashion model. I love how he has kept the bulkiness of the shoe in check by keeping them completely tied and pairing them with slim fit clothing.

I love how this guy didn't try to match at all. His cool is effortless...

The girl in the photo below has a lot of these shoes....cause...um...that's what I'm looking at (aren't you?).

Now...you wanna hear something REALLY crazy?.....

...The women above....this is her boyfriend...

1. No...I am not kidding - I've seen them together.

2. .....I have no idea how it happened. Your guess is as good as mine.

Make it an Outstanding Day!

- Kenyatte

The Commonwealth of Cool

Gentlemen, I must apologize for my brief absence. I took the weekend off to make a trip to Memphis, TN to do some well needed reflection and to visit some friends.

So much to blog about but first I wanted to introduce you to a new brand that I had the pleasure of discovering while doing some research while in Memphis.

Commonwealth Utilities is the brain child of Richard Christensen (right) and Anthony Keegan (left).

It's a fashion match made in heaven - Keegan is a veteran in the fashion world who has worked at Versace, Donna Karen and Armani and Christensen is the head of the ad agency Chandelier Creative (with a diverse client roster that includes Old Navy, Givenchy and Mandarin Oriental)

The result of this connection is a men's line that is sophisticated but with a healthy sense of swagger - floppy velvet bow ties, tailored trench coats and slim cut suiting define the lines aesthetic.

When asked to describe the line the response is just what you'd expect from a clothing designer and an ad guy - "It's like drinking champagne with Oreos"

I LOVE THAT!!!

Make it an Outstanding Day!

- Kenyatte

Recession...?

There's a new T-Shirt that's all the rage in New York City these days. Created by well known New York art director Christopher Lee Sauve these shirts have developed quite the reputation - it's easy to see why...





With good ol' Bernie Madoff in jail for well over 100 years and my 401K looking like it just had liposuction I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel about a T-shirt featuring a trust fund baby who's burning a green back.


On the other hand, you know what they say..."when you die, you can't take it with you". So, YEAH, I say FUCK the RECESSION. After all...the recession fucked Me, so the least I can do is reciprocate.


Make it an Outstanding Day!


- Kenyatte

D.O.A.

Okay...Okay...Enough Already...

I have gotten one to many emails - comments - phone calls etc. about the "Tweed Tunes" application and it seems that folks are split right down the middle.

Some people love it and Some hate it.

The question I had to ask myself was: Is it more important to please the fans of the blog who visit Tweed & Velvet daily - or to try to appease new readers with flashy music player applications?

I think you can guess the answer I came up with.

Don't get me wrong, I fully recognize that music is a large part of what has made this site so unique. That said, I'll take a slightly different approach for the site re-launch next month....

For now...Enjoy reading in silence.

Make it an Outstanding Day!

- Kenyatte

Cubes by Pierre

I got.....A LOT....of flack when I posted my opinion about some of the shoes that Kanye West did for Louis Vuitton. Many Tweed & Velvet readers actually took offense to my thought that $850 for a pair of trainers was simply outrageous - especially considering the particular pair in question was just plain unattractive (my opinion...and I know many folks disagree).

That said, that does not mean that I'm completely against designer sneakers. In fact, there are a few brands that, I think, have taken the lowly trainer and taken it to new heights.


French designer Pierre Hardy is one of those designers. Hardy has taken the athletic shoe and turned it into a blank canvas that he creates works of art on. Take a look at some of the iterations...

It's clear that Pierre Hardy has attempted to turn his interpretation of the trainer into a never ending kaleidoscope of color and texture, but there is no design more eye catching than this one...

With this shoe, the French designer uses the "Perspective Cubes" print to create an oddly interesting shoe design. The atelier describes the motif as "as precious as a Byzantine church in Venice and geometric like the Op Art paintings of Victor Vasarely"....(huh??)

I don't know what the hell he's talking about either but I suggest you look into buying a pair and wear them like this guy...

Dark denim with white Pierre Hardy trainers with yellow trim...Outstanding! I love how the youth of his appearance contrasts with the salt & pepper gray of his hair color. He looks....well....seasoned.

Make it an Outstanding Day!

- Kenyatte

Great Scott!

On December 25th one of the greatest figures in world literary history will be brought to the "Silver Screen"

Sherlock Homes, staring Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role, with non other than Jude Law as his trusty and brilliant sidekick Watson, looks to be every bit as good as it has been built up to be.

Take a look..

(pause "Tweed Tunes" so you can hear the trailer)

It's truly unbelievable...This guy was a drug addict who had been completely written off and then - out of NO WHERE - comes back to make three blockbusters (Iron Man, Tropic Thunder and The Soloist).

It's official - Robert Downey Jr. has made the biggest comeback since Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers (cause let's be honest...you didn't think LA would ever win it again after Shaq left...).

What the hell is "Watson's" full name anyway??

Make it an Outstanding Day!

- Kenyatte

Retail Therapy

Gentlemen - There are some great men's sales happening at the Gilt Group this week. I think I'm going to start giving you guys the updates on Monday so you can plan your weekly Internet shopping trips.

Click the links below to get more information on the sales. If you're not already a member click here to sign up.

Psycho Bunny

Monday, July 20th

British sportswear brand best known for it's "crazy bunny" logo. These guys make great ties and scarfs.

Ted Baker

Tuesday July 21st

This quirky and dapper UK label is one of my favorites. The Gilt sale will feature tailored items and watches.

Helmut Lang

Wednesday, July 22nd

A master of minimalism, this brand is a go to for the avant garde

Ralph Lauren

Thursday, July 23rd

This Gilt sales will feature Ralph Lauren Black Label....nuff said.

Benjamin Bixby

Friday, July 24th

Old school tailoring and vintage Americana define this collection designed by Andre 3K, of Outcast fame.

If you didn't already know, I'm a huge fan of this site and the sales detailed above is an indication of the increase in the depth of what they offer for men.

The sales start at 12:00 noon everyday. I usually show up at 11:59....finger on the trigger.

Happy hunting!

Make it an Outstanding Day!

- Kenyatte

Get yourself an Ally...and a Pony

Note: hit the pause button on Tweed Tunes for this post

I've been hearing about this new bank called Ally so I did some digging and found some great stuff. Check if out...

Ally is a newly formed on line bank built on the foundation of GMAC Financial Services. The bank boasts no monthly fees, no minimum deposits and no minimum balances with rates that are highly competitive.


Now, I know what you're thinking...."what idiot would open an on-line bank in the midst of a global financial crisis". Well, you're right, it is a daunting task indeed and the only way to do it is to convince people that this bank will do things a little "differently".

Different indeed.....and freakin HILARIOUS...









The Mission of Ally bank is pretty simple...

We’re a bank that values integrity as much as deposits... (see the complete mission statement here)

...but the commercials are just plain brilliant..."you didn't say you could have a real one"..."well you didn't ask".....priceless!

Make it an Outstanding Day!

- Kenyatte

Southern Charm

Every time I go home to Charlotte NC I make an effort to drop by the Billy Reid boutique in South Park mall.

The Billy Reid shop is the home of the men's and women's collection of the same name, designed by William Reid - a Louisiana born designer who cut his teeth at Saks 5th Avenue and Reebok before starting his own collection in 2004.

The beautiful thing about Reid's collections is the brilliant clarity present in his design point of view. This guy is from the south....period. He designs his collections out of his flagship store and studio in Florence, Alabama and the sensibility is that of a Southern gentlemen.

Artisan factories in Europe and the US produce clothing that is reflective of the designer and his heritage. The complete men's collection includes everything from hand made tailored clothing and silk screen tees to khakis and cashmere sweaters that feel better than anything you've ever worn and will never fall out of fashion.

The patch pocket seersucker jackets, the pocket squares made from vintage table clothes and the hand made cognac colored wingtips would be beautiful against any canvas but walk into any Billy Reid boutique and you'll instantly be transported to a time and place that makes the clothing seem even more outstanding.

The atmosphere is unapologetic Southern - the antebellum shop is decorated with antique furniture and oil paintings with a fireplace in the corner and a stags head on the wall (surrounded by dinner plates of course...). The salespeople will smile, ask your name and then offer you a beer, bourbon or a glass of sweet tea before escorting you to cast iron racks where ceder hangers hold some of the most beautiful clothing you will ever see.

The last time I was in the Charlotte store I was greeted by a beautiful young women who, when I jokingly asked "are you trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me?" when she offered me a beer, said "maybe a little bit but mostly it's because I want you to take your time and feel at home".

It's true, in the South we like to 'take our sweet time' but I like to think it's because we Southerners realize that you never really want good things to end. Check out Billy Reid...and take your time...it's a good thing

Make it an Outstanding Day!

- Kenyatte