L.L. Bean Tries Risqué

L.L. Bean, a long established brand of moderation and traditionalism, featured as the staple of preppiness by Lisa Birnbach in her famous "The Official Preppy Handbook", has recently added a couple of pieces that deviate from their standard collections, as part of their L.L. Bean Signature brand. L.L. Bean Signature, much like Rugby and Ralph Lauren, represents an opportunity for them to reinvent themselves. 

I would like to congratulate their brazen move and advise that they continue to encourage such ideas in the future!

The item combination we'll be looking at today is all built on one very (according to L.L.Bean standards) short pair of shorts, a weekender bag, a nice duck motif leather belt and an earthy hand-sewn pair of leather chukka boots to finish it off.

Leather Eastport Handsewn Ranger Moc ($79), Downeaster Sport Canvas Bag ($54), L.L.Bean Corduroy Shorts ($49) paired with a nice Leather Field Duck Belt ($49)

This look is a perfect match for any guy who likes to stick with the good-ole traditional values but also wishes to keep up with the new trends as well. I am really considering purchasing a pair of these shorts for myself, to wear this Summer and Autumn. Remember though, always buy shorts in your size or one size smaller to avoid the common baggy look or having to pull your shorts up every two steps.

Urban Inspiration #1 - Flower Power

I have wanted to start featuring the most interesting looks I see on the many Urban Inspiration sites out there for a while. Here's the first of the many to come.

Courtesy of Lookbook.nu

This look, featured on Lookbook.nu by the amazing Dennis R. from Manila, Philippines, embodies what I consider the spirit of a warm blithe summer. The trichromacy of the light blue Linen Jacket, the navy Cuffed Pinstriped Shorts and his pink Y T-Shirt is perfectly balanced and the fact that the shoes contain splashes of all three colours is the cherry on top of the cake. Even though those amazing Paul Smith. Loafers are out of this world, I like to think I would have the bravado to pull them off.

The only thing I feel neutral about is his bag, even though my jealousy for Dennis owning so many Birkin bags is ineffable. I feel that a bag the colour of his shorts would have complimented the whole look much better, rather than it being matched with the belt.