A culturally inspired selection of entertainment choices that have influenced my style this passing month
Words + Graphics ~ By Lyle Eero ~ 30 November 2015
Stylishly prepped and geared up for the holidays (gift shopping done?) or just simply searching for your festive bearings, anxiously awaiting the impending party season (here's some festive style inspiration if you are)?
Whatever the case me be, it's safe to say that November has seemingly come and gone in a blink of an eye.
So as time dictates, here is my monthly issue of cultural style muses.
This month I was cinematically inspired by the 70's style of the French Riviera; paid reference to the power suiting of a certain Mr. Harvey Specter; searched (and found) beyond my shores an affordable luxury accessory retailer; and bring you a highly recommended style pick worth investing in: the camel jacket.
So without further or do, the muses.
Whatever the case me be, it's safe to say that November has seemingly come and gone in a blink of an eye.
So as time dictates, here is my monthly issue of cultural style muses.
This month I was cinematically inspired by the 70's style of the French Riviera; paid reference to the power suiting of a certain Mr. Harvey Specter; searched (and found) beyond my shores an affordable luxury accessory retailer; and bring you a highly recommended style pick worth investing in: the camel jacket.
So without further or do, the muses.
CINEMA
BY THE SEA
STYLE INFLUENCES: : linen trousers, ascots, warm weather scarves and summer suiting
Fancy a highly stylized drama that is set in the sartorially resplendent 1970s French Riviera that features — and is penned and directed by — the most famous and beloved celebrity couple of the modern age (Pitt-Jolie)?
If you answered yes to that long-winded question, then By The Sea may just be for you.
Bearing the couples gilded stamp, their unfettered creative vision, and marking only their second collaborative on-screen appearance together, this dramatically picturesque take on a decaying marriage promised to be — if but nothing else — a lean, visually driven tale reminiscent of the bygone dramatic art house films so commonly found dotting the European cinématic landscape during the 60's and 70's. Which, as consequence would have it, renders it more of an artfully historic homage then an immediately identifiable modern day film.
Critically panned (called a vanity piece by many), and lacking the charismatically magnetic charm that was ever present throughout Mr. & Mrs. Smith — which was excitingly backdropped by their real world courtship — what By The Sea lacks in thick, intriguing plotting and dramatic resonance it makes up for with pure style and seamless grace.
In essence, it is a beautifully shot film that is set in a gorgeous locale that is populated by a sea of stylishly fastidious individuals. Beyond that, the Pitt-Jolie's have fashioned characters who are artistically short-winded with their verbal exchanges, opting instead to being expressively intimate in their physical actions and spoken body language. It's a bold decision which manages to create a (sometimes) eerily silent atmosphere that demands one to read between the simple lines — too actively navigate the plot through its aesthetic offerings.
If you answered yes to that long-winded question, then By The Sea may just be for you.
Bearing the couples gilded stamp, their unfettered creative vision, and marking only their second collaborative on-screen appearance together, this dramatically picturesque take on a decaying marriage promised to be — if but nothing else — a lean, visually driven tale reminiscent of the bygone dramatic art house films so commonly found dotting the European cinématic landscape during the 60's and 70's. Which, as consequence would have it, renders it more of an artfully historic homage then an immediately identifiable modern day film.
Critically panned (called a vanity piece by many), and lacking the charismatically magnetic charm that was ever present throughout Mr. & Mrs. Smith — which was excitingly backdropped by their real world courtship — what By The Sea lacks in thick, intriguing plotting and dramatic resonance it makes up for with pure style and seamless grace.
In essence, it is a beautifully shot film that is set in a gorgeous locale that is populated by a sea of stylishly fastidious individuals. Beyond that, the Pitt-Jolie's have fashioned characters who are artistically short-winded with their verbal exchanges, opting instead to being expressively intimate in their physical actions and spoken body language. It's a bold decision which manages to create a (sometimes) eerily silent atmosphere that demands one to read between the simple lines — too actively navigate the plot through its aesthetic offerings.
It's a definite risk and trade-off that substitutes stuffed dialogue for a fashionably on-point throwback aesthetic, which ultimately results in a film that is visually defined by both its inspirationally stylishly muted European tailoring and refined casual leisurewear.
As such, By The Sea throws all its cards behind the widely held belief that our style and body language often speak much louder of our express intentions then words ever could.
Whether that works for you or not, well I'll let you be the judge.
Intellectual hungers aside, what I can promise you is that you will leave your viewing of By The Sea being at the least stylishly inspired (or disenchanted?) by what transpires in front of you on screen…even if it is currently hovering around freezing temperatures where you reside (we all do vacation right?).
As such, By The Sea throws all its cards behind the widely held belief that our style and body language often speak much louder of our express intentions then words ever could.
Whether that works for you or not, well I'll let you be the judge.
Intellectual hungers aside, what I can promise you is that you will leave your viewing of By The Sea being at the least stylishly inspired (or disenchanted?) by what transpires in front of you on screen…even if it is currently hovering around freezing temperatures where you reside (we all do vacation right?).
IN THEATRES: Today
TV
SUITS
STYLE INFLUENCES: bespoke three-piece power suiting (Tom Ford), refined accessorizing, and luxuriously fabricated casual wears
What do a three-piece suited maestro, a self-made slacker turned Wall-Street lawyer, and a vertically challenged, portly man who understands the importance of sartorial proportion have in common?
They all star as stylishly fastidious characters on the USA networks aesthetically pleasing Suits, a (light) dramatic modern take on dog-eat-dog corporate law politics and bromantic relationship intrigue.
Following the trials and tribulations of one Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a black sheep intellectual with a photographic memory who — as pure happenstance would have it — was conveniently saved from the clutches of the law by (of all things) an impromptu job interview with corporate lawyer turned adoptive big brother and mentor, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht).
Tagging along for the journey is the always entertaining — and sartorially willing and able — Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman), who plays both jilted admirer and arch nemesis to Mr. Specter. Insecure and driven by a relentless aims to please, Louis adds a touch of welcomed comedic relief to the daily adventures of this soap opera like law firm — albeit unwillingly and unbeknownst to himself.
Respectively rounding out the cast at Pearson, Spectre, Litt (name pending) is jack-of-all trades secretary Donna (Sarah Rafferty), up-and-coming paralegal Rachel Zane (Meghan Markle), and no-nonsense founding firm partner Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres).
They all star as stylishly fastidious characters on the USA networks aesthetically pleasing Suits, a (light) dramatic modern take on dog-eat-dog corporate law politics and bromantic relationship intrigue.
Following the trials and tribulations of one Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a black sheep intellectual with a photographic memory who — as pure happenstance would have it — was conveniently saved from the clutches of the law by (of all things) an impromptu job interview with corporate lawyer turned adoptive big brother and mentor, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht).
Tagging along for the journey is the always entertaining — and sartorially willing and able — Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman), who plays both jilted admirer and arch nemesis to Mr. Specter. Insecure and driven by a relentless aims to please, Louis adds a touch of welcomed comedic relief to the daily adventures of this soap opera like law firm — albeit unwillingly and unbeknownst to himself.
Respectively rounding out the cast at Pearson, Spectre, Litt (name pending) is jack-of-all trades secretary Donna (Sarah Rafferty), up-and-coming paralegal Rachel Zane (Meghan Markle), and no-nonsense founding firm partner Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres).
Stylish pedigree aside, what Suits brings to the entertainment table is an endearing take on the work-family dynamic. Not as cold and heartless as they may initially seem, this collective group follows an inclusive family like protocol when it comes to forming not only a united front against external threats but also in regards to handling the stereotypically petulant inner sibling strife and rivalry that plagues every day domestic family life.
Ostensibly fashionable, witty, to-the-point (overtly subtext free), pretty much Game of Thrones in Tom Ford suits (as per GQ), and carried by its main characters irresistibly enviable chemistry — Mike and Harvey trade endless pop culture refences and style quips alike — Suits is a hostile workplace takeover awaiting your visual affirmation.
It is a tailored and power suiting mans inspirational Pinterest board come to life.
Ostensibly fashionable, witty, to-the-point (overtly subtext free), pretty much Game of Thrones in Tom Ford suits (as per GQ), and carried by its main characters irresistibly enviable chemistry — Mike and Harvey trade endless pop culture refences and style quips alike — Suits is a hostile workplace takeover awaiting your visual affirmation.
It is a tailored and power suiting mans inspirational Pinterest board come to life.
WATCH/STREAM TODAY: The USA network (returns January 27) / Netflix (first 4 1/2 seasons)
MUSIC
ADELE ~ 25
STYLE INFLUENCES: she need not provide any to deserve this feature…although I may have reflected upon the stylish misdeeds of my past
I like most everyone else — from the ages of 10 to 90 — am not immune to the empathetic emotional charms and beautifully hair-raising vocals of one Adele Laurie Blue Adkins.
Now 27 years old and evidently inspired by more then simple heartbreak, her new record (25) is undoubtably a modern musical masterpiece, one in which sees her delivering not only the expected deeply reflective heart breakers but also some pop-pier then usual accentuated tracks that are near equal in quality to her usual fare.
Critically lauded (rightfully so), 25 is an otherwise unprecedented follow up that has somehow managed to exceed (3+ million in first week sales; smashing record books to pieces along the way) the scale of her previous work — the worldly reknowned and beloved 21 -- not only in sales but also in quality finished content (production, lyricism, delivery).
With that said, and in hopes of not sounding too presumptuous, I do believe that it may be safe to assume that 25 will go down as one of the greatest and highest selling albums of all time (even in spite of the consistently dropping sales figures plaguing the modern music industry).
Now, I would like to state that I did indeed have other — less polarizing and generally unknown — selections on deck in which sparked my stylish creativity more then Adele ever could, but it would have been a crime against humanity to not award her out-of-this-world talents with this most humble of features — as my music selection of the month.
A pure, heartfelt injection of emotional genius, plain and simple! All we can all do is stand in awe of her amazing talents.
Kudos to you Adele.
Now the countdown begins for what may be another 5 year wait (but don't worry, these songs may still be on heavy rotation on popular radio come then...she is that popular after all).
Now 27 years old and evidently inspired by more then simple heartbreak, her new record (25) is undoubtably a modern musical masterpiece, one in which sees her delivering not only the expected deeply reflective heart breakers but also some pop-pier then usual accentuated tracks that are near equal in quality to her usual fare.
Critically lauded (rightfully so), 25 is an otherwise unprecedented follow up that has somehow managed to exceed (3+ million in first week sales; smashing record books to pieces along the way) the scale of her previous work — the worldly reknowned and beloved 21 -- not only in sales but also in quality finished content (production, lyricism, delivery).
With that said, and in hopes of not sounding too presumptuous, I do believe that it may be safe to assume that 25 will go down as one of the greatest and highest selling albums of all time (even in spite of the consistently dropping sales figures plaguing the modern music industry).
Now, I would like to state that I did indeed have other — less polarizing and generally unknown — selections on deck in which sparked my stylish creativity more then Adele ever could, but it would have been a crime against humanity to not award her out-of-this-world talents with this most humble of features — as my music selection of the month.
A pure, heartfelt injection of emotional genius, plain and simple! All we can all do is stand in awe of her amazing talents.
Kudos to you Adele.
Now the countdown begins for what may be another 5 year wait (but don't worry, these songs may still be on heavy rotation on popular radio come then...she is that popular after all).
Standout Tracks: Water Under The Bridge, Million Years Ago, River Lea, Hello
Sounds Like: Adele (and I wouldn't have it any other way)
Purchase on iTunes today
Sounds Like: Adele (and I wouldn't have it any other way)
Purchase on iTunes today
LIFESTYLE + E-RETAILER
ROBINSON & DAPPER
STYLE INFLUENCE: Affordable luxury heritage accessorizing for the aspiring modern gent
Robinson & Dapper are classy modern purveyors of luxurious hand-made heritage accessories, from supple lambswool scarves to pure 100% wool bow-ties and pocket squares sourced from the Scottish Highlands.
Founded by British expats, this Amsterdam-based brand provides the precise elegant finishing touches that every gentleman needs in his life.
Subscribing to the age old maxim of "you get what you pay for", Robinson & Dapper's products are a step above your casual fast-fashion fare — and are respectively priced as such. Mind you, their accessories offer true luxury not often found at this price vantage, which means you will be investing in finely crafted haberdashery which will stylish pay back dividends in spades for decades.
Which brings me full-circle to my staunch belief that accessories can — and should — be approached with the mindset of lasting investment — not as mere seasonal throwaways nor items to be simply replaced on a whim. For you see, the calculated curation of a heirloom type collection of quality ties, pocket squares, and scarves is something every gent should strongly consider.
Robinson & Dapper can help set you upon the proper path to fulfilling that admirable goal.
Shop the store today!
(and see the styled products here)
Founded by British expats, this Amsterdam-based brand provides the precise elegant finishing touches that every gentleman needs in his life.
Subscribing to the age old maxim of "you get what you pay for", Robinson & Dapper's products are a step above your casual fast-fashion fare — and are respectively priced as such. Mind you, their accessories offer true luxury not often found at this price vantage, which means you will be investing in finely crafted haberdashery which will stylish pay back dividends in spades for decades.
Which brings me full-circle to my staunch belief that accessories can — and should — be approached with the mindset of lasting investment — not as mere seasonal throwaways nor items to be simply replaced on a whim. For you see, the calculated curation of a heirloom type collection of quality ties, pocket squares, and scarves is something every gent should strongly consider.
Robinson & Dapper can help set you upon the proper path to fulfilling that admirable goal.
Shop the store today!
(and see the styled products here)
STYLE
THE CAMEL JACKET
Camel is without a doubt one of the most refined, sophisticated, and stunning colours available to the modern man, a true statement hue fully deserving of a place within every modern gentleman's wardrobe.
Backed by a versatile utilitarianism that sees it being fully complimentary to every type of skin tone, it is a much lauded, time-tested colour that you should highly consider investing in.
Timeless classicism aside, which would have it eternally linked to decorative formal wear and overcoats, camel has contemporarily managed to buck that restrictive categorization on route to becoming a truly transitive colour outside of its vaunted stomping grounds: the quintessential A/W overcoat (have you invested in one yet?).
Want to go beyond said usual suspects?
Well, I'd strongly advise considering lush turtlenecks, a (fashionable) suede bomber, or even, if you plan to adopt the colour across your entire look, a two-piece wool suit. There is but one caveat to bear in mind though, and that would be that camel works best when styled above the waist (unless we are discussing desert boots).
Nevertheless, you can never go wrong by opting for an essential camel overcoat above all else — it's the perfect investment piece, one that will to introduce you to the colour and kick off what may become an enduring (colour) love affair.
Point being, camel deserves a spot in your wardrobe, being nearly unparalleled in its versatile and practical sartorial nature.
And that is why it is my style pick of the month. It's an investment piece that you will be able to rely upon until your passing days on this wonderful planet.
Backed by a versatile utilitarianism that sees it being fully complimentary to every type of skin tone, it is a much lauded, time-tested colour that you should highly consider investing in.
Timeless classicism aside, which would have it eternally linked to decorative formal wear and overcoats, camel has contemporarily managed to buck that restrictive categorization on route to becoming a truly transitive colour outside of its vaunted stomping grounds: the quintessential A/W overcoat (have you invested in one yet?).
Want to go beyond said usual suspects?
Well, I'd strongly advise considering lush turtlenecks, a (fashionable) suede bomber, or even, if you plan to adopt the colour across your entire look, a two-piece wool suit. There is but one caveat to bear in mind though, and that would be that camel works best when styled above the waist (unless we are discussing desert boots).
Nevertheless, you can never go wrong by opting for an essential camel overcoat above all else — it's the perfect investment piece, one that will to introduce you to the colour and kick off what may become an enduring (colour) love affair.
Point being, camel deserves a spot in your wardrobe, being nearly unparalleled in its versatile and practical sartorial nature.
And that is why it is my style pick of the month. It's an investment piece that you will be able to rely upon until your passing days on this wonderful planet.
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR STYLE THIS MONTH?
What culturally influenced your wardrobe choices and daily style this month? What tv series or movies do you consistently return to for inspiration? And, do you own a camel jacket of any sorts?
Please feel free to share your opinions below!
PREVIOUS CULTURE STYLE PICKS:
What culturally influenced your wardrobe choices and daily style this month? What tv series or movies do you consistently return to for inspiration? And, do you own a camel jacket of any sorts?
Please feel free to share your opinions below!
PREVIOUS CULTURE STYLE PICKS:
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