Grow A Pair | A few of my favorite couples

Some things in life are better in two’s! Shoes, socks, pants and even eye wear.. they all come in doubles and they are all on trend for fall! Here’s a few of our favorites!

SHOES

Yea, I know… You thought I was going to share some crazy army boots as per my usual favorites.. but I’m in a summer mood.. I just can’t let go! Vintage | Artisan has given us a damn good pair of 100% authentic woven leather shoes. I remember having a pair similar as a child that I was sad to outgrow but I haven’t seen a pair since then. Then I spotted these bad boys and I couldn’t take my eyes off! Cut just right so I can roll up my favorite pair of jeans and give my ankles some breathing room, and you’ll want to show them off! This sexy company boasts of the 3.5 hours it takes the maker to hand weave each pair.  They come in 5 great colors and offer a few other cool products as well! At $165 a pair, it’ll set your shoe budget on fire, but its handwoven leather.. what do you expect? I love you A Huarache, get on my feet!

SOCKS | the can’t see ’em kind |

When it comes to a pair of socks.. I hate them. No one would describe me as a sartorial suit guy. I’m a Floridian at heart.. The world is lucky I wear shoes at all! A pair of socks strangling my legs leaves me angry and sad. But a pair of no shows is basically part of the inner fiber that makes me who I am! I’ve been wearing them for years, before they were cool, and when everyone thought I was stealing my grandma’s socks! TAFT has created a line  of no show’s like no other! They’re comfy, stylish and simple! No, I don’t like to see the socks, I love shoes.. just pay attention to them.. but when the shoe comes off these socks will make you wanna dance around like Tom Cruise (underwear and all)! They come in great colors and patterns and promise not to slip off the heel, which in the no show world is incredibly important! The feeling of a sock balled up under your foot, inside your shoe during a meeting, well it’s bad. The Hampton Pack is my favorite.. I guess I’m just an east coast kind of guy! Take a look and pick up a pair! Or don’t, just don’t let me catch you in a pair of shoes and a naked foot.. gross!

PANTS

I’m not ashamed and I don’t care what you think! I can appreciate a sexy pair of fancy jeans, have I told you of my Imogen + Willie obsession? But it’s a fact, Levi’s 511’s have always been and will always be my favorite pair of denim. It’s just something about them. They fit so great, I feel good in them, and that’s all that really matters folks’! Also, I don’t fall into a black hole of depression if I get them dirty! They’re Levi’s, I can afford a replacement pair! That’s all I have to say about my 511’s. I hope you can understand my loyalty! Get a pair.. they sell them most places.

MORE PANTS | because why the hell not? |

“Loogha” clothing brings me lot’s of Instagram style envy. From pants to tee’s and even some great patterned blazers, this company is one to watch! Though I can’t quite figure them out, they have no official website and thus no online store, it appears all communication and sales are being made through Instagram. I’m hoping it’s all legit because the over 24,000 followers are LOVING the various clothing items they are putting out. If so, you’ll see them on the runway soon! I’d like to pay special attention to Loogha’s insanely cool pants. Exciting fabric choices and unique details coupled with stellar tailoring, we all need a pair! (As mentioned above) my favorite fit is slim, low and just above the ankle. It appears Loogha and I have a lot in common! At just $79 a pair I’m gonna need an online store soon as to make my purchase(s)! Check them out on Instagram and see for yourself! And as for you Loogha, if you see this.. keep me updated, I’m a big fan!

EYES

 Yes eyes! I thought I’d keep it simple and cost effective when it came to this accessory. Yes I’m mostly a RayBan groupie, but every now and then I like to switch it up, and you just can’t always afford to do that with RayBan! That’s where Knockaround comes in! I’m sure you’ve all at least heard of them, or maybe your’e a devout Knockaround lover.. either way this company perfectly understands it’s target and exactly what we like. Cool eyewear and accessories at a great price. I mean really where else can you find a pair of polarized sun glasses for 19 bux? YOU CAN’T. A look around the shop and you’ll find tons donning the perfectly tailored Knockaround logo that is totally worthy of it’s cult following. Bags, belts, whatever you want, it’s all cool, it’s all cheap! You can even become a campus rep and spread the love all around. Look around yourself, you won’t be dissapointed!

As for couples I’m sure I’ve left many out. For instance underwear.. that’s a pair, but I’d say that’s better left to GQ & Esquire. They love telling us all what kind, what color, and all about what they’re doing for our love life. I’ll stay out of all that.

Just grow a pair. 

Good Jeans

When life gives you lemons, WEAR JEANS! I think the case is true for everyone, when I’m feeling down, or can’t find the right thing to wear.. I ALWAYS turn to my favorite pair of jeans. Though this concept is nothing new. Jeans have been a trendy staple since the beginning. Initially, jeans were simply sturdy trousers worn by workers, especially in the factories during World War II. During this period, men’s jeans had the zipper down the front, whereas women’s jeans had the zipper down the right side. By the 1960s, both men’s and women’s jeans had the zipper down the front. Historic photographs indicate that in the decades before they became a staple of fashion, jeans generally fit quite loosely, much like a pair of bib overalls without the bib. Indeed, until 1960, Levi Strauss denominated its flagship product “waist overalls” rather than “jeans”. After James Dean popularized them in the movie Rebel Without a Cause, wearing jeans by teenagers and youth or young adults became a symbol of youth rebellion during the 1950s. Because of this, they were sometimes banned in theaters, restaurants and schools. Nowadays, however, jeans are the poster child for style in many ways. Go dark and you can wear them virtually anywhere, go light on your relaxed play day, tan for work, or even colored for a sexy edge. My personal favorite are still Levi’s, though I would like to have mine tailored perfectly as to not have a dreaded case of sag ass, my Levi’s never let me down. I go 511 Skinny every time. However you wear your jeans, you will not be alone, history has repeated itself for years. The denim decade won’t be ending any time soon!

Imogene + Willie: American traditions

When we think of fashion evolving, history is rarely repeated. Style, and a passion for perfectly tailored jeans fuel this unique American dream. Imogene + Willie , in Nashville, TN have taken casual Friday and turned it on its head. No longer are jeans to be treated as second-rate fashion, but as a highly sought after fit and the perfect wash. After months of following them on twitter & Facebook, I decided to further explore this truly incredible brand. Just click around on the website and you’ll be taken through history to a time bubble located in the heart of Nashville. It’s so impressive to see a company that can see the emotional connection between history, fashion, and blue jeans. I can’t quite put into words what Imogene + Willie have done, but you can see for yourself, they won’t be going anywhere, anytime soon. I am so excited to visit the shop very soon, and find my first pair of tailor-made jeans.

Imogene + Willie Story from Ian Leach on Vimeo.