Thursday, September 30, 2010

STREETS: Kyle Samperton is DC's Only Authentic Original


Apologies for the hiatus. After a super fun blitz across the pond, BDC is back.

I'm not great at the street style thing, as these photos clearly demonstrate, but I met Kyle Samperton - DC photographer and style god - at a party thrown by Washingtonian Magazine last night at the Phillips Collection. I couldn't resist.

Kyle was the only fella who really stood out. And, as you can see, he absolutely killed it in a 19th century Salvation Army top-coat, Navajo jewelry, and his dad's tie. Kyle was kind enough to give me the full skinny on everything, but that's all I remember. (Apologies if I made any mistakes, Kyle.)

Monday, September 20, 2010

ART: Marie Lorenz "Inaccessible New York"


Marie Lorenz's Op-Art piece from this weekend's New York Times, Inaccessible New York, perfectly describes what I love most about New York City.

Somehow, on a little tiny strip of land crammed with millions, you still end up feeling like a part of it is there just for you.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

HIT: Michael Williams and Mister Mort Covering NYFW for Gilt MANual


Michael Williams of ACL and Mordechai Rubinstein, aka Mister Mort, shot NY's fashion week for the new men's style blog by Gilt, Gilt MANual.

Do yourself a favor and check out both slideshows. Each is like a crib-sheet for picking up your game.

Mister Mort's show.

Michael Williams's show
.

Both Williams and Rubinstein understand that when it comes to (capital-S) Style, "God is in the details." Few of the guys they shot are wearing anything terribly unique, and yet every one stands out by adding a small - I don't know - touch? Or something.

The best part? There's something democratic about the "touches" these guys caught. I mean, it doesn't cost a dime to leave a button undone or roll your trousers, but doing so in the right way can add millions to your look. I know I didn't say that well, but you'll see what I mean.

My favorite is Michael Williams's shot of Cory Ohlendorf of Valet, above.

Friday, September 17, 2010

MISS: The GQ Eye for Posting Timo Weiland's "The Watch"


This video was posted on The GQ Eye, which is typically a fantastic place to go for men's lifestyle buzz. Huge, huge, huge, miss on this one guys. You're better than that.

Dear GQ,

I often wonder why so many men have an aversion to your magazine along with anything having to do with fashion. This stupid video is why. Did you not learn anything from Zoolander?

When you post something like this, you alienate any and all the "undecideds" who might consider following your blog, subscribing to your magazine, or actually admitting that they care about their appearance.

This video is dumb. Worse than that, it's profoundly boring. Boring people, boring clothes, boring effects, boring music. I can only hope it made it to the web because some editor owed Timo a favor. Or got laid.

Please get your shit together.

Love,

BDC

p.s. The magical guy who makes the girl go all spinny looks constipated. Cheese bender?

HIT: J.Crew Factory Online


Outlet shopping sucks. Sure, you might find the occasional deal. But more often than not, you waste the day hunting through stacks of leftover sizes and weird styles. It all feels too much like work.

But now J.Crew is putting their outlet online at the J.Crew Clothing Factory. The shop features a solid stock and decent discounts. Best of all, you don't have to drive anywhere and finding your size is just a click away.

Beware - the shop is only open on weekends, from 12am Friday to midnight Sunday, and supplies are limited. So, if you find something you like, don't sit on it for too long.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

HIT: Tsovet SVT-FW44


Styled after a WWI infantryman's field watch, the Tsovet SVT-FW44 is one of the finest and nicest-looking watches you'll find for under $1000. (And it's well under $1000 - try $350.00 retail, direct from Tsovet.)

While it doesn't have an automatic movement, its sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, super beefy 44mm case, brushed steel finish, and cowboy-leather band render it an elegant, affordable alternative, reminiscent of the Fortis Flieger Chronograph I featured several posts back.

They come in a few different colors, but this is my favorite. If you're interested, act fast. Today is the first day I've seen them back in stock in several months.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

INTEL: What About a Bow Tie?


J.Crew's Keats-Stripe Bow Tie

Even though we eventually stop buying new school clothes, the idea of renewing our look every fall survives well into adulthood. When you're out looking for new gear over the next few weeks, you'll surely notice that bow ties are now widely available. Yes, they're tempting. But consider the following before you pull the trigger.

Fashion is like English - replete with ambiguity, splendid when gotten right, and certain people just have a way with it. If you already rock a bow tie with confidence, you could probably give a damn what I think - I heartily salute you.

But if you're on the fence, and most men are, remember that bow ties are a stunt accessory. They scream, "Look at me!" Glenn O'Brien calls them the conservative equivalent of a nose-ring. Sophisticated style should be understated.

Plus, if you're a girthy bloke, a bow tie is definitely going to work against you. Neck ties have this wonderful slimming ability - think vertical stripes - but a bow tie is going to sort of accentuate your ab. Think hefty bag.

Of course, the bow tie does have its place - I greatly prefer one with a tux. Otherwise, I say leave them be. At least until you can grow some grey in that 'stache. After all, one of the beauties of old age is that it gets much harder to look like doucher.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

WORDS: Drink What You Know


When you think about it, rules for drinking are not so different from rules for writing. Many of these are so familiar they’ve become truisms: Write what you know. Write every day. Never use a strange, fancy word when a simple one will do. Always finish the day’s writing when you could still do more. With a little adaptation these rules apply just as well for drinking. Drink what you know, drink regularly rather than in binges, avoid needlessly exotic booze, and leave the table while you can still stand.
--Geoff Nicholson

I finally started watching Mad Men. I definitely dig the pretty clothes and all that, but I'm more impressed by how much those guys drink at work.

The brilliant little excerpt above is from a piece that ran in The New York Times earlier this summer. It is an absolute must read.

Find it here.

SOUNDS: Write About Love, Part 2


Download Belle & Sebastian's new track in exchange for your email address.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

SOUNDS: Belle & Sebastian Write About Love


The new Belle & Sebastian album, Belle & Sebastian Write About Love is due October 12th. Hooray for that. In this half-hour video, see them perform two new songs.

(Sorry the video looks weird. Working on it.)

INTEL: Gilded Again


The New York Times's style guy Bill Cunningham has done a few pieces this summer about Jazz Age inspired parties throughout the city, the latest of which he shot last weekend at Governer's Island.

The parties look super fun and stylish, but Cunningham implies that this could be the seed of a new trend. I think they're more a reaction than anything else. Grandpa's stuff is everywhere these days, isn't it? Pop into an Urban Outfitters, Top Man, J.Crew, H&M, or Gap, and it's wingtip brogues, trilbys, tweed, and bowties. We're all loving it, and a few are taking it to the extreme in a celebration of our more stylish former selves. Pretty cool.

See Cunningham's video, here.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

HIT: J.Crew Men's Shops

J.Crew Upper East Side Mens Shop from Michael Williams on Vimeo.


I'm constantly trying to convince my nay-saying pals that J.Crew has changed. Yesterday, Michael Williams of A Continuous Lean posted this beautifully shot video of the new Men's Shop at 79th and Madison that bolsters my argument, I think.

Right now, the Men's Shops only exist in New York, but they're indicative of J.Crew's renewed commitment to sharp, mature, sophisticated menswear.

MISS: Man Make-Up


The New York Times reported yesterday that the men's cosmetic market is "bullish."

Men are not using cosmetics to add color to their lips, cheeks or eye-lids, but rather to cover up blemishes and other imperfections, according to the story.

NO. No, no, no, no, no.

Sure, we all need a little moisturizer and if you like a fancy type designed specifically for men, knock yourself out.

But men don't wear make-up. Period. When you look like crap, just wear it. You think Newman wore make-up? Or McQueen? C'mon ladies. Get it together.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

INTEL: Steven Alan and Dockers Team Up


I have this love/hate relationship with khakis - love the idea of them, pretty much hate wearing them. Why? Because while they have all this potential as an alternative to jeans during the summer, they always have a billowy, sloppy fit.

So, I was thrilled today when The New York Times announced that Steven Alan and Dockers are getting together to offer a new line of khakis for Barney's due out this October. They'll be available in three fits, and, yes, they'll be expensive - $128 according to the article. But as the Times points out, Alan has this knack for nailing the perfect balance between "fitted-ness" and "slouchy-ness." Here's hoping he delivers.