Loving Him Was Red

Shades: Ray Ban | Watch: Adidas | Peacoat: J. Crew | Button Down: J. Crew

 | Belt: Express Men | Jeans: American Eagle | Socks: J. Crew | Loafers: Aldo

Like I said before, you can never go wrong with a pair of bold, colored pants. I incorporated this scarf -- which was hand-knitted by my dear friend's lovely mother -- to supplement my use of red as an accent. I decided to be a little more liberal with my use of color with this look, as I mixed several different neutrals within this single ensemble -- a navy, pin-striped button-down; a black peacoat; tan dress-socks and dark brown loafers. Sometimes too many colors can hinder the cohesion of a look. However, I feel like this final product portrays a look with an well-compiled, business-casual feel. Mixing several neutrals in one look is a trend that I'm definitely going to be periodically rocking in the foreseeable future. Tell me what you think!

And a big thanks to some of my best friends and fellow bloggers, Peyton and Madison Dalton, for taking these pictures and helping me with some blog formatting.
Check out their incredible blog right here: Identical Ideals

Blue skies!
Brett Westmoreland

Camo Christmas

As I've previously stated, thrifting is one of my all-time favorite hobbies. As a Christmas present to myself I thought it would be only necessary to indulge at the local Goodwill. Among many other treasures, I left with a questionably authentic Army camouflage jacket. 

Shades: Ray Ban | Button down: Pacific Sunwear | Watch: Michael Kors | 

Jacket: Goodwill | Jeans: H&M | Shoes: Vans 

Camo triggers a wide range of reactions among both those involved in the fashion industry and your average clothing consumer. However, regardless of dissenting public opinion, both celebrities and I alike enjoying using the pattern as a rugged addition to any casual day to day look. Plus, the pattern is versatile -- ideal for any male or female ensemble. And as a side note, I will add that there is a difference between Army camo and hunting camo. I simply can not bring myself to purchase an article of hunting camo, and so far living in the south has not yet influenced me so do -- not saying that the pattern can't offer some fashionable value as well.

Here are a few celebrities rocking a camouflage jacket out on the town. Tell me how you feel about these looks!

Photo courtesy of Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Blue skies!
Brett Westmoreland

Going Green

Sweatshirt: Cotton On | Watch: Michael Kors | Boots: Aldo | Pants: ASOS | Shades: Ray Ban | Scarf: Aldo

It's always nice to incorporate an accent into a look -- whether that entails a scarf, a necklace or a whimsical cardigan. Adding a bold pant to any outfit is one of my favorite methods of accenting a conservative winter look. And how can you go wrong with green around Christmas time?

Blue skies!
Brett Westmoreland

Confidence Is Key to Self-Expression

Have you ever had one of those days where you wake up with a specific outfit in mind for the day -- an outfit that's been specifically engineered by your mind to serve the purpose of starting your morning off on a positive note? After all, the motto is "look good, feel good," am I right? For some, this outfit involves taking risks -- bending rules -- breaking barriers. From past experiences, I've concluded that there's a direct correlation between the better you feel about your outfit and the more negative comments you receive about it, because, as if on command, you can always count on that one friend who carelessly throws out the comment, "Are you really wearing that shirt with those boots?"
And my reply is always a peeved, "Yes. Yes, I am."

When faced with these situations I remind myself to reflect on the words of Oscar Wilde: "Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn." In my mind, he couldn't be more correct. Fashion is just an extension of one's self-expression. People are beings of emotions, desires, experiences and dreams. We define ourselves (and our emotions, desires, experiences, dreams) through cultural outlets -- food, dance, drawing, and songwriting, to name a few. Many people don't realize that to some fashion is simply an expression of identity.

So this is where the not giving a damn factor comes into play. If you truly use fashion as a method of self-expression, it's important to remain confident in who you are and what message you're conveying to those around you. It's imperative that your fashions serve a purpose. Someone once told me, "You can only break the rules if you know them." You'll undoubtedly fall to all criticism if you don't recognize that you're making a fashion risk while standing assured in the message you're trying to convey. With this in mind, if someone doesn't appreciate how the pattern of your shorts "clashes" with your cardigan, so be it. Everyone has deviating opinions when it comes to artwork. After all, Van Gogh wasn't recognized for his brilliance until many years after his death -- that is if you believe he possessed any brilliance at all.

Here are some examples of rule-breaking outfits that are more or less susceptible to criticism.

This here is Dianna rocking an outfit perfect for a typical Floridian winter day. Some see the combination of dark denim jeans with a light denim button-up as a fashion "no-no." However, Dianna only breaks the rules because she knows them. And may I add that she breaks them effectively.

This was an outfit that I wore a few weeks ago. I can't tell you how many people asked me why I wore a black scarf and boots with a brown leather jacket -- actually I can: three. But the truth is, black and brown can go together if my heart so desires. I'm not sure if anyone appreciated my outfit, but I did, and that's what really matters, right?

At the end of the day this concept applies to businessmen, fashionistas, and politicians alike: If you don't whole-heartedly believe in the ideas you're pitching, no one is going to buy it. Express yourself. Break the rules. Accept criticism. Break more rules. Remain confident in who you are, what you want to say, and don't give a damn.

Blue skies,
Brett Westmoreland

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One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Wardrobe

Everyone is aware that college is expensive. Everyone is aware that trees are still -- for some unexplained reason -- unable to produce money. But not everyone is aware of how to cope with or overcome these two truths. College students and politicians alike have not yet mastered the concept of maximizing one's income by reducing unnecessary spending. But all resentment toward the US political agenda aside, I offer one budget-friendly remedy to this inevitable collegiate dilemma -- thrifting.

Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte tastes twice as
 delicious in my three dollar, leather-accented, 
acid-washed jean jacket.

Young adults in general simply strive to look good. Many students view their time in college as offering much potential for opportunity. You never know if your future husband awaits you at the bus stop -- if the woman with whom you're making small talk in the grocery store could be your next manager. The bottom line is looking presentable and expressive is constantly imperative for college students.
But how can one achieve the status of perpetually fashionable while still maintaining a college budget?

This is where the thrift stores come into play. All you have to do is go online and search for thrift stores in your area. Google and Yelp offer an awesome feature that allows you to access reviews that others have written about the store that you are searching. While searching for thrift stores in my area I came across a store named Outreach Thrift. Reviews of this store consisted of posts like these:

"As good as it gets for thrift stores. Inexpensive, clean." -Shelley M. Gainesville, FL

My good friend, Dianna Ta, rocks the
jean shorts that she cut herself from a
pair of thrifted blue jeans. 

"Wow this place is awesome, it is always clean the people are nice and you can always get a good deal!" -Isaac V. Orlando, FL

After seeing these reviews, I knew I had to see what this store had to offer. Since my initial visit to Outreach Thrift I've converted to a firm believer in the age-old expression, "Once you go thrifty, you never go back." (Okay, I made up the phrase, but it was just so applicable.) With my newest economical breakthrough, I have learned that I can live day to day with a unique wardrobe while still being able to afford three meals a day -- maybe even four. 

The catch to thrift stores, however, is that they are only as good as their contributors. Their purposes are not to keep up to date with the latest trends and fashions. There are no color-blocking mannequins rocking a high-low skirt and combat boots -- but that does not mean that you can't use what you find to create a trendy outfit or even add a little vintage twist on your everyday apparel. 

Some days you may go thrifting and find absolutely nothing that catches your eye as remotely acceptable to wear out in public; on the other hand, some days you may leave with two trash bags full of new (well, slightly used) clothing. Persistence and patience are key; however, in the long run you benefit both economically and fashionably. After all, nothing is more rewarding than being asked, "I love your jacket. Where did you get it?" and being able to answer, "Thrift store! Two bucks!" 

Pondering life by Lake Alice, wearing my newest thrift:
a lumberjack inspired flannel button-up.

You'd be amazed with the deals you find. High-fashion jackets and pea-coats sell for at least 50 dollars at leading retailers, such as H&M and XXI Forever. Similar styles sell at local thrift stores anywhere from three to twelve dollars. Forget "extreme couponing." Thrift stores offer deals of lifetime without requiring you to cut out of a newspaper for hours on end. Take that, TLC.

I highly recommend visiting at least one of your local thrift stores; you never know what lies there for your discovery. And whether you're a college student on a budget or just trying to live out the broken philosophies of politicians across America, thrifting can definitely benefit you economically -- and even fashionably. But always remember: Once you go thrifty, you never go back.

Blue skies,
Brett Westmoreland

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