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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.