I'd Pair that Yellow Paul Smith Suit with...

This GAP t-shirt

Not quite sure why nerd needed to be misspelled though

(Washed cotton t-shirt, $14.99 on sale at gap.com) 

I Wanna Pinch this Paul Smith Look

A sunny yellow two button suit with crease front pants 

And I love how Sir Paul Smith injected his usual mod, 60's tweaks with that lightly peaked lapel. What a sleek look when a bright is fitted with streamlined tailoring.

Dear British Friends, Send Me a Letter!

Cuz these just released royal mail postage stamps commemorating the fashion stars of the British scene, past and present, have got me licked!

(Nerd Alert: I already got the magnet of the McQueen 'Black Raven' dress from The MET's exhibit)

Would you check out the hair on these stamps? And the drama of that Norman Hartnell coat? This ain't no liberty bell, honey! 

Ooh and that Jean Muir number's just a little slice of Gloria Swanson fabulous-ness, eh?

What am I Gonna do With All These Breasts?

The Fall 2012 men's shows heralded a bunch of new directions for us guys these past few weeks, but one that was featured more than a handful of times was an emphasis on double breasted looks

Loose and layered at Raf Simons

Of course references had to be made to the English dandies that nursed this style

                   Burberry Prorsum

                                                                                          Moschino

But there were reinventions specific to 2012 like this single button row at Paul Smith

And clever double breasted inclusions in unexpected places

Like grand desert war influenced capes at Dior

 Drape front double breasted shirting at Dries Van Noten

And Napoleonic but slim cut bike influenced plush velvet vests at Balmain

Double breasted styles are not for everyone. Unless deliberately oversize like the Dior and Raf examples,  Skinny! is the operative word. 

I have a glen plaid double breasted coat I've been wearing for a while that falls beautifully in trend (I love when that happens) although I wonder how many men will cop a feel for double breasted fashions. It's not an easy style to implant without looking like a boob. 

Christmas Night Fever

Paul Smith's holiday window features little dioramas including this boogie Winter Wonderland 

Go Santa, go Santa

On the Cheap: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Enough to Buy Me These

Paul Smith heart cufflinks with spinner. Does he love you not? One way to find out!

(Paul Smith silver plated heart cufflinks with hinged spinner, $52.80 on sale at My Wardrobe, http://www.my-wardrobe.com/paul-smith-accessories/spinning-arrow-heart-cufflinks-910861)

The Best of London Fashion Week

So London Fashion Week closes and editors head to Italy. Let's take a look at my pics of the best from a week of wacky

(Peter Jensen's color blocking)

(Paul Smith's ox blood skirt)

(This yellow blouse from Roksanda Ilincic was the most dramatic but chic)

(You know I had to throw in an Elizabeth Taylor piece. Thanks to Topshop Unique for slapping that B's mug on an over-sized sweatshirt. NEED!)

(Speaking of sweatshirts, this wild print from Mary Katrantzou is also on my Spring 2012 wish list. Imagine with dark denim and white Adidas. My outfit for the first day of Spring)

(Giles Deacon's ice goddess cocktail dress will literally light up the room)

(Danielle Scutt gets how I dress)

(Alistair Carr's first collection for venerated Pringle of Scotland used a lot of great 70's graphic prints. Bring on the "Logan's Run" remake!)

And finally LFW can't be summed up without including some sharp coats from Burberry Prorsum. Who needs a coat in Spring/Summer, I'll never know, but if you're the type chilly in 75 degree heat, might I suggest

See you in Milan!

Last Nite's Party: Design on a Dime

Last nite Housing Works had it's annual Design on a Dime opening celebration, where members could buy tickets to peruse the booths ahead of time. Each room is created by a designer utilizing only what he or she can get donated for the event. Here's a sneak peek before you go this weekend:

(Nickelodeon's room. I want to live here!)

(Andy Cohen's room included lots of cartoonish women)

(Iman's room)

(Paul Smith's room)

Below is the room I volunteered for last nite, Miles Redd's color and pattern explosion

I sold the F out that ish! 

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.

Sign Your Name Across My Heart

The men's Spring 2011 shows were rife with ruffians sporting scrawls across their chests

(Louis Vuitton)

(Paul Smith)

(the upper pec tat and more at Versace)

(more Louis Vuitton)

(Just a peek at Emporio Armani)

(getting it all off his chest at Walter Van Beirendonck)

(and one last Louis Vuitton. Marc must really dig 'em!)