2011 Menswear Spring Trends

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You may or may not be aware that men are strutting the runways right now as designers debut 2011 spring collections. So, I've pulled some of my favorite looks so far and have listed my trend predictions. Here we go...

1. White on White - I would say this fresh and clean look works for right now too. It's a nice change from all khaki/all gray/all black.

2. Gingham - This year is all about madras prints and plaids. Next year, preppy, picnic gingham will take over. It looks especially awesome juxtaposed to a leather, bomber jacket.

3. Leather jackets - this is a trend that is going to carry over from the fall. So, if you haven't scored your leather motorcycle jacket yet, you better get on it!

4. Gray blazer - A light shade of gray works for winter and spring. So, a gray blazer is a great investment that will carry you through 2011.

Happy Birthday | Stella & Dot Winner

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It's weird to think that 26 years ago I was just a wee little thing with a giant head of hair and just cared about sleeping and eating. Now I care about God, my marriage, my family, my friends, my PR job, my budding biz, my Wendy-doodle, and still find time to eat and sleep in between. haha!

I feel SO blessed to be alive, breathing, dreaming and living in a country where I'm free to do it all...and guess what, guys? I have paying clients!!! That's is SUCH a HUGE, happy birthday gift. If you told me back in March when I went part-time at my PR job and moved forward with AVE Styles that I would have paying clients as soon as June, I would have stared at you speechless for an hour with nothing but a giant smile on my face. Well, the smile is definitely here, but there isn't any time to stare off into space because I'm busy as a bee. I've never been more thankful to be busy!

Many of you reading this have helped give me this birthday gift over the past several months. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Most of all, thanks be to God for bringing me into this world!

And now onto sharing this awesome bday with a reader......(drum roll)....

MORIAH SUNDE!!! Miss Moriah is going to stand out from all the other Minnesotans with this cute piece. Enjoy it, Moriah. We all expect some pictures!

Menswear Monday: The Summer Uniform, Part 3

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The Slip-Ons Zuriick Ake in plumSince Alex has already ably discussed boat shoes, let’s get your dogs into something a little more casual.  The whole goal of this series is to be 1) comfortable 2) effortless and 3) stylish, pretty much in that order.  These elements should become outfits simply by grabbing a pair of pants, a shirt and shoes, nothing more.

Shoes don’t get any easier than slip-ons.  After all the effort your mom spent on teaching you to tie your shoes, forgo that effort and slide into something with elastic instead of laces.  The color can be basic, like these Vans Classics, or more flashy like the Zuriick Ake.

This is where you get to bring some color and character into the previously monochrome proceedings.  Patterns and stripes are definitely in-bounds.  For some real individualized style, Vans and Converse both offer customizable slip ons, in the aforementioned Classic and timeless Chuck Taylor and Jack Purcell styles, respectively. - Rob Hays