How Important is Your Partner's Style?

"First of all, he has great style"

-Jennifer Aniston on Justin Theroux, InStyle March 2012

Hmm, this got me wondering: in the grand hunt for "the one" where does their sense of style rank in importance? Obviously finding someone initially attractive (including their dress) is how we choose a mate, but is having style similarity important in maintaining a partner? Could a Marni kinda gal be in a relationship with a "this is my going out shirt" kinda guy?



Personally, Mr Taurus has a great sense of style that is innate and attuned not to trends but in a way of making clothes that others would quickly overlook into more than discarded rags. He's got style that oozes through  and I am drawn to his loose, sexy mix of worn t-shirts, paint splattered jeans, military school boy jackets, Russian hats and beaded Native American headbands

(Cutie)

So, believe it or not, seems like little miss unlucky in love Aniston has caught on to something here: maybe having a respect for your partner's creativity and their ability to make clothes look stylish and sexy is key to never losing the lust for your love. 

InStyle Stinks

For this post's sake we're gonna ignore the mixture of strange angle, splotchy makeup and Photoshopped waist that makes up the Eva Longoria July 2011 InStyle cover and take a look inside

Or rather, a smell. Yes, the one magazine not needing a gimmick to sell right now, is throwing us a gimmick: scratch n' sniff

With five spots inside the issue smelling of Summer scents popcorn, watermelon, grass, suntan lotion and iced coffee (How did Summer signifier and easy to duplicate lemonade not make the cut?) InStyle will be filling the doctor's offices and laundromats up with even more heavily perfumed pages

(Thank goodness inappropriate for the beach turtleneck sweater didn't make the scent list)

Funny thing is this gimmick is actually kinda smart. InStyle is generating feel good, Summery media buzz (this would not work in the capital F Fashion months of Fall) and creating an interactive magazine experience for its readers. And God knows scratch n' sniff has been a cheap and effective marketing tool for everyone from your childhood dentist to John Waters. Nice move, Time Inc.

While You Were Out...

Enjoying the preview Spring weather, Mr. Porter, the men's version of Net-A-Porter quietly opened for business to its "Founding Members" today

The store doesn't go "live" to the general public until Tuesday. I just took a stroll and the sneak peek is full of goodies

I fell in love with this Viktor and Rolf sweater when I saw it on the Spring 2011 Menswear runway

(Viktor and Rolf cotton crew neck sweater, $365 at Mr. Porter, http://www.mrporter.com/product/300665)

A tiny galaxy of stars covers this Paul Smith wonder

(Paul Smith cotton star print shirt, $320 at Mr. Porter, http://www.mrporter.com/product/300247)

Lanvin's got my number with a silk carnation boutonnière pin. Need!

(Lanvin silk flower buttonhole pin, $155 at Mr. Porter, http://www.mrporter.com/product/300383)

But what I love about Mr. Porter more than anything is all the editorial. It's overflowing with facts, tidbits and take away

Style guides including tips for a man's wardrobe and everyday dressing and timeless style icons like Marcello Mastroianni, Mick Jagger, Steve McQueen, Cristobal Balenciaga amongst others

(Marcello Mastroianni)

(Mick Jagger rockin' a very Mackie look)

(Cristobal Balenciaga)

Plus Esquire in its swinging 60's heyday like tips for being a Modern Man

There's even a whole style dictionary

(I didn't know this type of shoe is called a "Monk Strap")

And a pretty smart Q+A style advice from an assortment of fashionable fellas like Jefferson Hack, Pharrell, T Magazine Fashion Director, Bruce Pask, InStyle Editor, Ariel Foxman, etc.

With many more designers "coming soon" including Junya Watanabe, Band of Outsiders and Raf Simons, the future looks very bright indeed for Mr. Porter. I'm glad I could be here for the founding.