Summer Bags for Men!

Aaahhh yes! The heat of summer is finally here!  School is out, weekends from work are longer and vacations are on the horizon!  Daily pool trips, mid-day lunches with a sexy lover and never ending shopping trips for the perfect pair of shorts, or shoes, or tank, or shirt, or bag… so many things to get!!

Men sometimes forget that we can travel, or do whatever, in style as well as women.  Style is not necessarily about the brand(although we love them) or the price tag(although we sometimes fear them), but about how we travel…or do whatever.

Let’s talk bags… For some reason it seems that in summer men tend to carry more or actually have more to carry than any other season!  In picking out the perfect summer bag, stick to the classics so you can use your bag for other seasons as well making it an essential part of your style being.

Louis Vuitton bags are always a classic choice. No longer only a “purse” for women, the portfolio bag has become more of an everyday use to the modern fashionable man and of course, the classic duffel bag is great for traveling.

Shoulder bags aren’t just for women anymore  This summer, use them for whatever you want – going to work, summer school, lunch, the pool, the beach or the gym…even a picnic basket! They really translate to any kind of outfit you put on and lets face it, they can hold so much more than most bags.

Of course we’re also diehard fans of backpacks and messenger bags.  Some of our favorite backpacks include Patagonia and Prada while our favorite messenger bags are Gucci and the Hermes “Steve” bag.

This summer, let your hands be free to have fun, your pockets not be packed and your style be extra fresh with a bag everyone would want to hold… We all need an attention piece, right?

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury!

 

Out of Our Closet Today 5-21-12: Summer Business

You’re not really one of those types who sits at home but tells everyone else you’re in meetings…just to seem busy! Nope, you’re really not that busy.  You manage your affairs well and your business always banks revenue, so you sleep in late, grab lunch with a friend, maybe a late dinner and a movie.  Naps are always part of your schedule.  You’re not conventionally smart…maybe…you’ve just played your cards well.  Every once in awhile you have to meet up with one of your investors for a “lunch meeting”, which typically consists of 45 minutes talking about their lives, 5 minutes talking about yours and 2 minutes writing the check.  The believe in you…they always have, which is why you never compromise.  In your company there is no such thing as “business casual”, there’s just business as usual.  Why should you dress differently than you ever would normally? Your success has been built on being real and why would you change that now…doing you works!

Out of Our Closet Today: 5-21-12: Summer Business

Shirt: Michael Kors/Nordstrom

Shorts: Hollister Co.

Shoes: Aldo

Watch: Michael Kors/Nordstrom

Bracelets: Niche Boutique

 

Style Tip: Always remember that individual style is exactly that…individual style.  Don’t feel that you have to apologize or compromise.  Some people can spend $10,000 on an outfit while others can spend only $10 on an outfit, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get the same effect.  Essentially, the look above could be bought at any thrift store for approximately $10.  When we first began wearing wingtips, one of us bought a pair online for over $100 while the other bought a pair for 90cents! There really wasn’t much difference in the shoes.  Today, we would much rather always wear $300-$400 shoes…but that doesn’t always fit our budget.  Peter adores thrift store shopping and will never stop…ever in search of the greatest vintage concert tee! Make sure you know what you want your style to say and then breath it from your soul!

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury!

We post our Out of the Closet daily so bookmark us or Subscribe to get our look daily!  Check this category on our site for other Out of Our Closets!

Image: raannt

Out of Our Closet Today 5-18-12: Last Days of School

You try your best to keep your head off of the desk but all your mind can think about is laying out by the pool and catching up on all of the great books you weren’t able to read during the school year…The Hunger GamesFifty Shades of GreyThe Fault in Our Stars. The professor calls your name and you shuffle your papers together and stand up…its the last presentation you have to give this semester…and then it’s pool time!

Out of Our Closet Today 5-18-12: Last Days of School:

Shoes: Robert Wayne

Shirt: Calvin Klein

Pants: Calvin Klein

Sweater: H & M

Bracelet: Velvet Messiah

Rings: Tiffany & Company

 

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury!

 

 

Hermes Travel Birkin vs. Ralph Lauren Cooper Weekender Bag…Wish List War!

Last week, cutting edge fashion stylist AJ Mukamal, past assistant to Kelly Cutrone of People’s Revolution, Tweeted,”@AJMukamal: WANTING this #RalphLauren XXL Cotton/Leather Ricky Weekender http://instagr.am/p/KixIN9m1M2/ with a picture of the gorgeous travel bag! We were right on it, reTweeting the image and commenting “Love it!”. 

Today, @SergeDeBlock responded to us by Tweeting, “@SergeDeBlock:@mrpemo @AJMukamal Better choice is the Hermes Travel Birkin. More stylish! THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED. http://pic.twitter.com/pcDl47Ex

Which made us wonder…if we could only have one…which would we choose! Serge was right…Definitely the Birkin! Although, the Ralph Lauren Cooper Weekender retails at Ralph Lauren for $3995 while the Hermes Birkin retails on Ebay for $24,995! But while we’re dreaming, who cares…let’s just throw them both on our wish list!

Which would you pick???? The Hermes Travel Birkin above or the Ralph Lauren Cooper Weekender below? Let us know what you think in the comments!

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury!

Thanks to Andrew Mukamal(@AJMukamal) and Serge De Block(@SergeDeBlock)

 

 

Las Vegas Review

Last year, we got married in Las Vegas on August 25th.  This year, Peter turns the big 40 and has chosen to celebrate his birthday in The Sin City!  We thought it would be interesting to visit some of the places we’ve never been as well as some of our favorite places and give a real Las Vegas Review! Have you ever wondered what is the coolest bathroom in Vegas? Or What long-standing show is a complete waste of time and money? What gay bars or strip clubs are worth your time and which ones will take your money and run.  What are the 5 best stores and the best hotel gift shop.  From hotels and clubs to restaurants and pools…we’ll be giving you our take on the best of Vegas.

If you have any suggestions or would like us to review any specific Vegas location, either comment below or email us at info@raannt.com.

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury.

 

Image Source: Raannt

Out of Our Closet Today 5-10-12: Laid Back Cool Style

 

So you didn’t get that job…who cares.  You’ll find something else to do this summer.  But for now, all you can seem to do is lay around in bed watching old episodes of Revenge and Glee on television, praying for some job to fall into your lap.  Your best friend calls and asks you to go shopping and out to dinner with her.  You casually throw together some stuff laying around your floor(your favorite cut off shorts and your roommates tank; she won’t care) and toss on a hat because your hair looks ridiculous.  Who cares.  It’s not like you’re going to run into anyone you have to impress…until dinner turns into drinks which turns into you flirting with a manager of this new, artsy bar which just opened.  He grabs your hat and twirls it around on his finger…You leave with his number…and the job as the new bartender. Being yourself pays off, doesn’t it?!

Out of Our Closet Today 5-10-12: Laid Back Cool Style

Shorts: Your favorite pair of old Levis beyond repair…cut off to fit perfectly.

Cheaper Alternative: What’s cheaper than your own closet?

Tank: $62 Dimepiece Clothing Tank…Femme Symbol/Moxsie.com

Cheaper Alternative: $20-32 Tanks/Urban Outfitters

Sweater/Hoodie: $72 Allsaints/Allsaints

Cheaper Alternative: $24.95 H&M Hooded Sweatshirt Jacket/H&M

Shoes: $57 Superdry Riva Boat Shoes/Bank Fashion

Cheaper Althernative: We think this is a pretty good buy.  Cheaper? Flip Flops.

Hat: $9.95Wide Variety of Hats/H&M

Cheaper Alternative: Cheaper than $9.95?

Bracelets: $325 M. Cohen Black Deer Skin Leather Wrap Bracelet/Endless

Cheaper Alternative: We just bought some bracelets like this at Niche Boutique in Indianapolis. $25 or at Urban Outfitters for $12.

 

Style Tips: Dig deep into your closet and bring out those things you haven’t worn in awhile.  Don’t be afraid to cross genders.  Clothes are clothes and we’re the ones who dictate how we feel in them.  Know a good buy and know when you’re getting screwed.  Unless you have money to throw around, getting $300 bracelets when you can buy similar ones for $20 is not a good buy.  But, like us, have certain favorites that you will spend money.  In our house, shoes, watches, tee shirts and jewelry are rampant.  We don’t know when to say no! Style is about having fun and creating what makes you feel your best!

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury!

 

Out of Our Closet Today 5-9-12: Sexy Lunch Date

It’s 11:30 am and your phone is ringing, waking you from sleep.  You pick up the phone while stretching and begin smiling…it’s him! After answering the call, you hear him asking you to a spontaneous lunch date…at 12! 30 minutes…not much time to look sexy enough to make this lunch date last all the way into dinner.  You walk into your closet and begin grabbing stuff here and there…

Out of Our Closet Today 5-9-12: Sexy Lunch Date

Shorts:$65 J.Crew Stanton Slim Fit Cotton Short

Cheaper Alternative: $25 Old Navy Belted Plain Front Twill Shorts

Shirt: $235 Paul Smith London Grey Gingham Button Down Shirt/Liberty London

Cheaper Alternative: $64.50 J.Crew Secret Wash Shirt in Faded Gingham

Shoes: $290 BARKER Johnny Oxford Shoe/Harrods

Cheaper Alternative: $69.95 Giorgio Brutini Medallion Cap Toe Oxford/DSW

Bracelets: $930 Astley Clarke Juliette Pearl Bracelet/Astley Clarke

$68 Roarke Extender Pomp Bracelet/Charm and Chain

$9.97 Cara Accessories Leather and Metal Stud Bracelet/Nordstrom

Cheaper Alternative: Von Maur, American Eagle or any local or vintage jewelry store.  As men, we typically look for bracelets in women’s stores and usually find unique stuff!

Sunglasses: $200 Ray-Ban Folding Wayfarer Sunglasses/Ray-Ban

Cheaper Alternative: $5 Any gas station.

 

Style Tips: $70 shorts and $200 shirts can become expensive.  Utilize consignment shops or develop a keen eye as a clearance shopper, realizing that in one month, what is actually $200 will probably be reduced by half.  Most of us don’t have millions of dollars sitting in the bank…but that doesn’t mean we can’t look that way.  Spend money on items that can go the distance or will be able to transfer to many different looks.  A good pair of Oxfords for less than $80 is probably well worth the money, especially since they look better with age anyway.  A brand new pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers can run as low as $100 or $125, but will last forever and are timeless. Make sure you’re buying staple items that become the foundation for your closet and then spend the rest on items which will help you develop your own individual style!

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury!

Check out all of our other looks in our Out of Our Closet section!

 

J’Adore Dior…Secret Garden…Versailles/Long Version New Ad

OMG! Have you seen the new advertisement/movie from Dior? Secret Garden…Versailles! Their commercials/films are always amazing but they have truly outdone themselves this time.  Uploaded on YouTube yesterday, the film, directed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin stars models Daria Strokus, Melissa Stasiuk and Xiao Wen Ju and is gaining viral momentum!  Entirely shot in La Galeries Des Glaces – Château de Versailles…the film is epic in beauty, glamour and luxury, dripping in a glaze of mystery and sexiness…Ahhh….J’adore Dior!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6hKNZ4wX0o

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury!

Cole Mohr…THE Role Model

What is it with this kid with the April, May, June tattoo???  We are obsessed with model Cole Mohr…and not just because he is insanely good looking! We’re not sure if its his boyish charm or his constant edginess which seems to be the portrayal of some Larry Clark film character.  He is dark and brooding one moment and intoxicatingly handsome and classic the next.  We’ve watched him for awhile and were intrigued when we saw him on an episode of Kell on Earth because he seemed much more down to Earth and friendly than we would have imagined, making us adore him even more! Nonetheless, this kid is here to stay…probably even long enough for us to see him make it to July, August…and even the September Issue!

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury!

 

Image Source:

Out of Our Closet Today 5-4-12 – Juvenile Peace

When picking out what we’re going to wear for the day…comfort usually rules.  Our closet is so eclectic that we like to pull opposites together, which indicates our inner personality dictating our individual style.  Alex definitely puts more thought in his outfits, but is always true to himself, whether what he is wearing is trendy or not.  Neither one of us is ruled by magazine articles or runway shows, although we’re obsessed with both, but we find our style happiness more in what makes us feel attractive.

Since we’re constantly asked what we’re wearing or where we shop, we thought it would be fun to begin highlighting one of our outfits daily.  You will probably find that Alex tends to lean more towards colored pants and tighter, button down colored shirts and wingtips, while Peter sways toward the vintage, with 70’s Western shirts and old concert tees.  We both have a love for accessories; jewelry and watches, shoes and underwear…and luckily, we share all of it!

Out of Our Closet Today 5-4-12:

Black Sport Coat: H & M

Black Graphic Tee: We made these at a local t-shirt shop for awareness of disaster in Japan

True Religion Jeans: Saks Fifth Avenue

PEACE Bracelet(also comes in LOVE) Gift shop at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas

Cartier Santos Galbee Men’s Watch: Cartier

Black Converse Low-Top Slides(We’re addicted and have them in several colors): Converse or Nordstrom

 

Be Yourself.  Be Fearless.  Be Your Own Unexpected Luxury!