40 Over Fashion is a Bellevue Collection Street Style Winner!!

Hold the phones, everyone.  May I have your attention please.  40 Over Fashion has been awarded a $500 gift card to Banana Republic and a big coffee table book from Vogue!
Seriously?!  How cool is that?!  $500 at Banana Republic?!  That's awesome!

Here's what happened.  I was one of the winners of the Bellevue Collection "Street Style" contest on Instagram.  Essentially, you post photos to Instagram wearing that days outfit, or any other fashion-related image of yourself or your clothing using the hashtag; #BFWstreetstyle, and they choose the winners.  I was lucky enough to be one of the winners!  If you're not following me on Instagram, please feel free, @40overfashion.

I'm blown away and incredibly honored.  Bellevue Collection hosts an amazing Fashion Week each and every year and they're pioneers in retail fashion in the Pacific Northwest.  No other shopping venue in the region has more to offer in terms of retailers, products, selection and overall quality of experience.  If you haven't been to Bellevue Square (Bellevue Collection) in a while, you owe it to yourself to stop by and pick up a few things for your fall/winter wardrobe.

Pocket Squares 101 - Five Simple Rules

Image: blog.stickyj.com

Pocket squares are a small detail that make a big overall difference for not a lot of money.  It's also an easy way to differentiate yourself from the pack and stand out for the right reasons.  If you're wearing a jacket with a breast pocket, you should have a pocket square in it.

Independent Designer Runway Show 2014 - Bellevue Fashion Week

Last night we attended the 3rd annual Independent Designer Runway Show.  It's part of Bellevue Fashion Week and it was our first time attending this particular show.  It's a show where several local designers all compete for a cash prize.  I'm sorry to say, there were no menswear lines, only designs for women.  It was still a fun event. 

Attitude and Style.. At Any Age

Image: Pinterest

Image: Pinterest

Seattle Rocks The Runway 2014 at the Paramount Theater

Last Saturday night was the Seattle Rocks the Runway fashion show at the Paramount Theater.  This was the third year for the show and the first year at the Paramount.  It was a superb event in every way that I saw and experienced.  The Paramount Theater seemed like the perfect venue and I hope it’s there again next year. 

Attitude And Style... At Any Age

Age doesn't matter.  It's not an excuse to give up.  It's an opportunity to play.

guardian.co.uk

Seattle Rocks The Runway

Tomorrow night, September 20th at the Paramount Theater is Seattle Rocks The Runway Fashion Show.   Be on the lookout for my review and pictures from the event.
#SEArunway

What Women Think About Men's Style

Image: Pinterest

Why dress better?  Why give a rat’s ass what people think?  Why give a shit about your appearance? 

Why all the fuss? 

New Charcoal Gray Suit From Suit Supply

If you only have one suit in your wardrobe, make it charcoal gray.  It's the most versatile suit you can own.  It's good for weddings, funerals, evenings out and you can easily wear the jacket and trousers separately. 

Bellevue Fashion Week 2014 - Seattle Men's Fashion Blog

Image from the Bellevue Collection web site

There's a lot of fashion-based events happening between now and the end of the month.  I'm not sure about all of the history with Seattle Fashion Week or Metropolitan Fashion Week or if they were at one point even the same thing, but there's currently no official "Seattle Fashion Week".  However, Bellevue Fashion Week is still going strong and they host terrific events.

Proper Jacket Fit - Seattle Men's Fashion Blog

As a Seattle headshot photographer I see this almost on a daily basis when guys come in for new headshots.  They'll bring in a suit jacket or blazer and it'll be at least two sizes too big.  They have no idea, and that's the thing.  Guys simply don't know how a jacket should fit and they rely on the salesperson who's just trying to sell something.  Keep in mind that 99% of the time, the salesperson will sell you something that's too big because you'll feel comfortable in it.

Understanding Dress Codes - Link

The following link is to Business Insider and an article written by Antonio Centeno from Real Men Real Style.  It helps to unlock the mystery surrounding dress codes and what's appropriate attire for various occasions.

Link ---->  Click here.

:)

New Casual Sport Jacket from H&M

I'm always on the hunt for a good-looking & great-fitting casual kick-around jacket that can transition from work to play.  About two weeks ago we were at the mall and decided on a whim to stop into the H&M store.  I have to admit, I'm not a huge H&M fan.  The garment quality isn't that great, the fabrics look and feel low rent and most of what they have is for a younger demographic.

Dressing Up For Air Travel - Link

Here's a link over to an article on Slate.com about dressing up for travel.  It's a good read with many solid points.  Click here to get to the article.

:)

GQ's Project Upgrade - Three-Peice Suit How-To

GQ does a great job grabbing guys off the street and giving them a style makeover.  Take a look at this amazing transformation.  Let the suit work for you!

Mixing Patterns - How to Wear Pattern Shirts With Pattern Ties

 

Image: looktastic

I'll be honest, mixing patterns used to freak me out.  I still have to be careful, but once you learn this one general rule, you'll be a pattern mixing master and you'll start separating yourself from the pack. 

What is a Driving Moccasin and Why You Need Some

Image: francovannuci

Driving moccasin's (also known as driving mocs) are a current version of the traditional soft-sole moccasin.  They're usually made of soft flexible leather or some sort of soft synthetic leather.  They typically have either large tread pads or small tread dots on the sole extending up the back of the heel similar to a racing driver's shoe.

Suit Supply Seattle Visit - Seattle Mens Fashion Blog

I've been in the market for a new charcoal gray suit for a while now.  I've been thinking about going with another custom suit from Indochino, but I wanted to go check out the offerings from Suit Supply in downtown Seattle.  Suit Supply is a European company that sells great fitting suits at affordable prices.  I've been inside the Seattle store once before, but I didn't have long to stay so I was really looking forward to another visit.

Dress Up Your Jeans - Seattle Mens Fashion Blog

Dark wash jeans are one of the most versatile items of clothing you can own.  They can easily go from ultra casual to dressy with just a few simple changes.  I'm all about being comfortable, and jeans are definitely one of my go-to items when I want to step up from casual.
Here's a few examples of how I dress up a pair of jeans.

Firstly, shoes.  I'll show three different shoe options from casual slip-on to dressy double monk strap.

Style Inspiration - Seattle Mens Fashion Blog

I'm not sure why, but I'm not a huge denim-shirt-guy.  I only own one and I hardly ever wear it.  But after seeing this denim shirt with a great-looking green jacket, I might be a convert.
What do you think? 

Image from Pinterest.