My first exposure to men’s fashion lies in the confines of my father’s closet. Over winter break, I finally worked up the courage to ask for one of his flight jackets from his time in the Navy years ago. Authentic patches and typical wear and tear characterize the jacket he handed over to me—one that I gleefully partner with athletic crop tops, joggers and snakeskin sneakers. What can I say? The military trend is alive and well, which I can vouch for as I type these words wearing a vintage Army jacket that I purchased on a recent thrifting trip in Texas.
In a sea of flannels, gingham button-downs and Emory University-affiliated garments, it’s a rare occasion to run into a guy on this campus who willingly sports military garb for the sake of a fashion statement. Sometimes we get a glimpse of the business school boys in a mad dash to impress future employers as they sport full suits and gel galore to class, but that’s the extent of their sartorial risks. Fortunately, there are a couple of souls who go above and beyond on the daily to show us that men’s fashion has not evaded our tiny, Atlantan campus.
This Fashionisto balances the athleisure trend with his personal style staple as he partners this OBEY tank top with his signature beanie. By tucking the tank top into his shorts, this gives his outfit a more uniform appearance as it mimics a utilitarian jumper. The addition of the white Nike sneakers adds a nice touch—one that I want to stress. At this point in the semester, we have acclimated ourselves to the hustle and bustle that goes hand-in-hand with submitting thesis proposals, cramming for midterms and sending in résumés for summer internships. Chunky sneakers are the ideal shoe for any student on the go, in particular the Nike sneakers that this Fashionisto wears. A pair like this evokes imagery of Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly in Back to the Future Part II.
Chunky sneakers are perfect because Fashionistas and Fashionistos alike can invest in a pair or two. Just because they are a surviving trend, however, don’t let them fool you into thinking that they are just a means to jump on the bandwagon. So many outfit possibilities exist when you place a good pair of sneakers on the table. For example, you can sport a bulky blazer, LBD and black sneakers on those days you want to appear professional yet feel comfortable. Cheers to that.
What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “Dress for each and every day—be weird and bold and stand out if you must. But be true to who you are and how you feel. Also wear beanies in warm weather because why not?”
