Parisian Fashion according to Bill Cunningham

These awesome chicks were photographed by Style Sightings in Paris.
Bill Cunningham talks about aspects of French fashion in his audio slide show this week for the New York Times.
While he spends way too much time on Mickey Mouse. He does express awesome opinions on Headbands and Military Jackets, you might recognize this.
At 53 seconds left there is a funny sweatshirt wore as high fashion. It totally says "Indiana Grandma" sooooo great.

More on Pocket Squares.

As many of you know I love wearing pocket squares. I only wear the puff fold. Lets take a more in-depth look at pocket square options.
I'll explain what I did. I started off with a plain light blue square that kinda matched several of my ties. You want your square to be different than your tie, but not tooooooo different. Then I moved to a red and navy blue polka dotted on one side, plain red on the other. And then I found the mother lode, a multicolored handkerchief from H&M. From here I'm looking to get a summery one that is a serious splash of color. This is the one:

This purple bad boy should be handled with care, and will look freaking sweet with my navy blue and new light grey blazers. Let me warn you, don't jump into the deep end get some safe ones first. Feel comfortable wearing them and then explore other options.
Here are some really classic pocket squares, available at Brooks Brothers.


Here are two more options. For crazier summery ones explore Vineyard Vines.
And my favorite, loyal reader LK, wanted a pocket square to match his tie for my friend Butters' wedding. He didn't have much time to hunt around for a square so he simply went to the fabric store, picked out a color he liked and made his own. It looked really nice and was a DIY masterpiece.

Bunk and McNulty from The Wire

Detectives William “Bunk” Moreland (on the left) and Jimmy McNulty are on detail watching the Greek, a drug trafficker. The Greek emerges from his house:
Bunk – A different look for our boy.
McNulty – Yeah Perry Ellis or some shit
Bunk -- Now, how would a just-rolled-out-of-bed-looking motherfucker like you, know the designer?
McNulty --[pauses] Okay, I'm guessing.
Bunk -- It's a Joseph Abboud. He puts dark buttons instead of brass on his blazers. That's the Abboud signature.
McNulty -- You know what they call a guy who pays that much attention to his clothes, don't you?
Bunk – MMmmmhhhmm, A grown up.

*The Wire is the Greatest Multi Season show ever. Produced by HBO it explores the hardships facing Balmore citizens (Baltimore - for those of you not familar). Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Houndstooth

When I was scouring thriftstores for an awesome light grey blazer. I ran across an unbelievable houndstooth coat, but the sleeve had a hole in it, I was very disappointed. But I remembered a sweet fall 2009 collection from Alexander McQueen
I selected these three looks because of the unusual use of houndstooth. Admittedly I have no idea what is going on with the head wear and the makeup, frankly, frightens me, but overall the looks are out of this world.

Beard of the Week: Lemmy from Motörhead

"We are Motörhead and we play rock and roll"
You wanna talk about a rock pioneer check out Lemmy Kilmister. He is an amazing individual claiming to have bedded more than 1200 chicks and at the age of 63, he is shocked he is still alive. Check out Motörhead rocking "Ace of Spades" during a concert in 2004.

Welcome to Chick's Shoes.

This is what is up - STATEMENT SHOES. Louis Vuitton's Spicy Sandal.
Found these over at Jak and Jil. Check out the rest of them. Here are my two favorites.

Amber Rose photographed by Jak and Jil looking awesome.

These bad boys cost more than $2000, but look real sweet. Therefore I bet that the Spicy Sandal will inspire other designers to release similar more affordable versions.

Sigur Rós La Blogotheque

I've posted several walk around shows from La Blogotheque, here, here, and here. But I really enjoy this one because of the interview with the awesome old couple.

Sigur Ros - Við spilum endalaust - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Speaking of just awesome stuff. I'm sure many of you have seen Planet Earth, the series. This trailer set to Sigur Rós - Hoppípolla just blows me away. The song is performed in Icelandic. Translated the title is "Hopping in Puddles." If you can't get enough of this song, like me, check out the official hilarious music video with old people causing childish mischief.

Planet Earth (BBC) Trailer from Fabiano Scuzziato on Vimeo.
*highlight of the video - shark eating a seal at 3:45
**PLANET EARTH MARATHON ON THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL.

Mira

This is the third time I've posted this awesome chick. Check her out here and here. Turns out her name is Miroslava Duma, she's an editor at Harper's Bazaar Russia. I'd like to annouce to the B&N Nation, that she is my fake girlfriend.  Lets look at this sweet outfit. 

Her attention to detail sets many of her outfits on fire.  

Things that caught my eye: awesome headband, huge lapels, pairing denim and leather, long twisted belt, huge watch and thick bracelet combo, and of course the famous YSL boots. 

Welcome to details - admittedly I know nothing about purses. But I trust my fake girlfriend's decision making ability. 

Lets talk about chairs

I know this is out of the ordinary for my sweet fashion/music blog. But I just got back from the Indianapolis Museum of Art and saw a sweet new exhibit.
Here are the four sweetest chairs I saw today.

Mathias Bengtsson - Slice Chair


Christian Flindt - Rainbow Stackable Chairs


Phillippe Starck - Louis Ghost Chair


Of course the classic... Mies Van der Rohe - Barcelona

This chair is so famous it has its own wikipedia page.

Mateo's Corner: Techno Breakdown.

Guest Blogger Mateo breaks down his love of electronic music:

Before I started caring about music, I hated electronic music. Now I love it. What happened?

Ishkur's Guide to Electronic Music.

Ever wonder what an 808 is? How about a Tech 12?


After playing with some of the most useful flash programming done ever, you may discover that techno was started by young, gay, black kids in Detroit. You'll read about and listen to short, looped samples from hundreds of different genres and subgenres you didn't even know existed.

Truth is, most electronic music that you'll listen to on this site is stuff you won't grow to love, but it will likely make you respect some of the genres and subgenres a little bit more. I heartily suggest grabbing a big drink and just playing with this amazing music site. You're gonna waste time anyway on a Friday after work and before going out. You know it, I know it. Ishkur knows it.

Play with his site and learn stupid, awesome things. It's what the internet's for!
Ishkur's Guide to Electronic Music

Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

If you don't know how awesome Karen O is, chances are you're probably not that awesome.
Yeah Yeah Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahs.
Their newest album It's Blitz is to be released March 31st. But it, of course, has already been leaked. I really like most of the tracks I've heard. Here is the video from the first single, Zero. Enjoy.


For all of those who play RockBand you'll recognize this song, Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaps. You know what I'm talking about.

Here is an interesting interview with Karen O. by The Moment a New York Times Blog.

Adrien Brody in the Darjeeling Limited

*everything in this movie is made by Louis Vuitton. sunglasses, suits, and luggage.*
One of my favorite movies is Wes Anderson's Darjeeling Limited. My favorite character/actor in the movie is Adrien Brody.
This awesome dude gives hope to guys with big noses everywhere. His awesome suit inspired me to go hunting for a light grey blazer and the vintage sunglasses are the perfect finishing touch.


Speaking of amazing finishing touches. Every blazer/suit has buttons on the sleeve. I can't speak for everyone but mine don't actually hold anything in place.
Click to Zoom in on this picture. You can see that his cuff buttons actually serve a function and the bottom one is left undone. While this suit is made by Louis Vuitton and a bit out of my paygrade,it has provided B&N with something different in men's suits and blazers.

Trying a new playlist thing.

Check out these sweet tracks.

SeeqPod - Playable Search

Passion Pit New Single

Passion Pit was supposed to play The Cinemat in Bloomington last night. They canceled. But I feel better today after being able to post their newest single.

*I didn't realize how terrible the sound quality was... I'll be back with one thats better.

Classic Sunglasses for Chicks

These sunglasses are the Ray-Ban Classic Wayfarer. Audrey Hepburn wore them in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Jake and Elwood Blues wore pairs in Blues Brothers. The sunglasses have been revived by introduction of colored frames. Check them out here and here and here.
I'm a huge fan of the black, red, dark tortoise, and white.
This chick looks amazing. Everything about her outfit completely works. And if some sweet classic Black Ray-Ban Wayfarers are good enough for this ensemble at Paris Fashion Week. It is a safe bet that you'll look awesome where ever you decide to rock them.

*click to zoom.
Ooooh man! Found this on Taylor Warren's Blog. She is so great.

*Understanding you can see through her left lens therefore these might be glasses instead of sunglasses. But what of it? This is my blog and i say they apply to this post. yeaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Sweet New Scarf Idea

This whole look is from Louis Vuitton Fall 2009.

I remember looking at this picture thinking that scarf thing looks cool but not really paying too much attention to it. Until I stumbled across The Glamourai. She totally broke it down, and it looks awesome.

Check it out. Button holes or grommets are sewn into the shirt itself and the scarf/fabric is looped through. ooooooooh man. so great!

"FIghting Fire with Firewood"

I like to scroll through the late night talk shows and DVR the last 7 minutes if the musical guest appeals to me.
Got a good one last night.
Bloc Party was on David Letterman. They totally rock.
Dave makes a funny joke about the cover of their most recent album "Intimacy"
Bloc Party - One Month Off.


If you are really into it. Here is the original album version.

One Month Off - Bloc Party

Epaulettes (ˈɛpǝlɛt)

French word meaning little shoulder.
Who wears them best?
My man, President Andrew "American Lion" Jackson. Just finished reading his biography. What a stud.

Lady Gaga. She is currently taking the pop music scene by storm. But has failed to release my favorite song Starstruck, as a single.

Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers. He wore this epauletted jacket in the video for Human. I'm a huge fan of The Killers, but not of this jacket.

I rank the epaulettes as I have posted them. President Jackson earned his, Lady Gaga is kinda exciting but not as cool as Jackson. Flowers' epaulettes are made from bird feathers, come on bro, get in the game.

Nantucket Reds

Some might say that these pants are over done and pretentious. But what of it?

I think they are classic. Go to this website order some flat front ones. Roll up the pants, add boat shoes and a captain's hat. Then you'll be ready for the open waters in the Flying Wasp.
Sweet Groomsmen

This week with Bill Cunningham

Every week Mr. Cunningham releases a 3 minute audio slide show for the New York Times, regarding some aspect of street fashion. This week he explores the legs of chicks during Paris' fashion week. Bill discusses leggings and tights being worn in Paris as opposed to the trousers favored in New York. And then he sprinkles in some old timey knowledge such as "Paris is where fashion starts." and hilariously folksy sayings such as "but when you get to Paris, kid. Theres no way they's going to keep me back on the farm."

Beard of the Week: Kyp Malone of TV on the Radio

Kyp has an awesome beard and is part of TV on the Radio. TVOTR hails from Brooklyn and totally rocks. Here are a few of their music videos.
Wolf Like Me.

Dancing Choose

Province - This video involves a chick getting shot. Honestly I have no idea what is going on.

Kanye West Reads My Blog!

There is no doubt in my mind Kanye and girlfriend Amber Rose read this blog.
yeaaaaaaaaaa Red Wings.

*Kanye and Amber look great all the time. I'm very happy to announce that he cut his hilarious mullet. Everything about her outfit is totally sweet.

In case you were wondering. This is how to make a white t-shirt look awesome.

Guest Blogger: Socks

B&N Nation welcomes new guest blogger, Chad Sexington. Mr. Sexington wears awesome socks. He's here to tell you about them.

One of the most overlooked articles of clothing: the sock. Too often it seems like people don't pay any attention to the fit or the appearance of their socks. These socks, all by V.K. Nagrani, take care of both issues. They're calf-length, stretchy, and pretty tight, which ensures that they resist the annoying, gravity-induced habit of most socks of bunching up around the ankles. And they add a little color to the ankles, where we typically only see shades of white, brown, and black.

Recently Played

These are the last 7 songs played on my iTunes 

ballcaps9
*I'm getting real frustrated with imeem. I'm looking for a new online playlist thing.
Here is a sweet video from Here We Go Magic.

Dsquared2 Fall 2009

Another sweet chick fall line is Dsquared2. Canadian twin brothers Dean and Dan Caten started the high end fashion label Dsquared in 1994.  These dudes have put together real sweet girl-about-town looks.  Evidenced by the Starbucks on the runway. 

I'm a big fan of the oversized scarfs, layering, gloves, belted sweaters/jackets and short/rolled up pants. 

Check out some of my favorites. 

Highlight Video of the Runway Show.