Mod Gone Wrong: 2005 Hipster Edition

These days, I see people slap a checkerboard pattern or target on something (anything), put the word ‘Mod’ in front of it, and voila, it is so.

Take THIS for example:

Ditch the fisherman's cap and trade up!

What makes this 'Mod'? Well, the target of course!

Personally, I think it would have been the perfect item for yesterday's hipster looking to fit in at a scooter rally and a Rush concert all in the same day (beard optional, of course).

Or, for those looking to ward off the evil eye of Rockers about, try this handy item:

If you're needing one of these, go crazy.

The target... is there anything it can't make Mod?

Remember When 'Trendy' Was a Bad Thing?

On my way in to work the other day, I saw a young man in oxblood loafers, black/gray horizontally-striped socks, dark, narrow pants with no break, dark gray v-neck sweater, light pink shirt, and an orange/blue patterned bow tie. The guy looked not necessarily mod, but definitely slick.

I don’t know about you, but for me, these last few years have been fantastic for men’s fashion! Thin lapels, narrow pants, thin paisley ties, knit square-bottom ties, narrow pointed shoes, bright colors, loud patterns… Years ago, we would have been laughed at for dressing like this. Now, Joe-Schmoes out there aren’t afraid to dress up in tighter, more colorful clothing. Once upon a time, most men were happy to spend all their days off in sports t-shirts, baggy jeans, and Reebok high-tops, but these days they're out there wearing suits more often, even outside of work. And yeah, I know it’s just the current trend with a limited life-span, but believe it or not, we can all benefit from it. 

No, these suits aren't perfect, but they're a step in the right direction!

We all can't afford bespoke clothing, but maybe a Macy’s weekend sale can fit into the budget. I tell yuh, Ben Sherman, Munsingwear, Hugo Boss, and even Alfani all have some nice shirts and ties out there for the buying. If you have a bit more cash falling outta your pockets, take a look at Ted Baker, Banana Republic, Paul Smith and Thomas Pink… great, great colors there! 

Banana Republic on the Mad Men bandwagon, that's alright by me!

Sixties vintage clothing is getting more difficult to find these days, but walk into a Ross or Nordstrom Rack, and you just may find a nice new Arrow or Ben Sherman button-down. In the market for some nice pocket squares? Pay a visit to your local Loehmann’s… you might be surprised! Heck, just take a look at this:

Stop rubbing your eyes... indeed, it's a NEW sweater!

Even Fred Perry, which I'm not super sold on (but I'll save that for a later post) has this vintage style polo for sale:

Photo from http://www.hisknibs.com/

For me, 'trendy' has always been a bad word, so it makes me feel a little dirty when I see that word in print these days because I know that what it's referring to is something that probably fits my taste.

Let’s face it… we’re living in a post-‘Mad Men’ world, and fellas, we gotta take advantage of these trends while they last. It’s all going to change as soon as AMC or HBO has a new hit period show on their schedule... one set in 1980s Wall Street! 

It's just around the corner and you know it! (Photo from http://www.allposters.com.au/)

Sharp Stylings #1

We can learn so much from yesterday’s fashion icons.  And living in a post-Mad Men world means we can even enjoy aspects of current male fashions! Every Friday, I’d like to start your weekend off right with a little style inspiration from either then or now. (And please, if you have a better name for this section than 'Fashion Friday' (ugh), I'd love to hear it and would be most appreciative!)

Let’s take a look this week at an immaculate pre-‘Tin Soldier’, pre-‘Lazy Sunday’, pre-Humble Pie, pre-Packet of Three Steve Marriott. I’m not down on any of that, mind you, but this right here… hands-down, one of my favorite images from Richard Barnes’s Mods book:

My friends, you've just been served. Cold gaze, relaxed stance, beautiful suit… Even without the tie, Steve’s just raised the bar on lookin’ sharp. Let’s dissect this one real quick:

1. Back-comb hair style – Right there, my favorite ‘Mod’ hair style. Bangs parted down the middle, sides going down to the bottom of the ear, and a back-comb about 3 inches up from the top of his head.  Young guys take note: take advantage of this look while you still have enough hair!

2. Thin, high-cut lapel – Very well-cut lapel with the roll almost an inch above the top button. Even when that top button is unbuttoned, the lapel still lays so that the jacket looks closed to the top. Sweet!

3. Ring – You don’t need to be Hal Jordan to rock the ring. (Hmm… this might be a dated reference by the end of the summer movie season.) 

4. Narrow, chisel-toe shoes – Pants are cut a little high with no break. For us short people, gives the illusion that we’re taller than we are, but I don’t really recommend you try this at home unless you’re well under 5’8”. Personally, I think Steve just knew his shoes couldn’t be blocked by any trouser fabric. Can you blame him? Look at the stitching around the laces and the toe on those things!

That’s it for this week. Keep stylin’ in the free world!

Apology to Paul Weller Fans

When I was a little wee kid, I used to love the different ways that the Roadrunner would outsmart Wile E. Coyote and his Acme Corporation contraptions. Then, one day, I saw a photo that really disturbed me… an image that couldn’t possibly exist:





Anyone else remember the poster of this image, popular in the '70s?


Well, apparently, this is how my wife felt about the Modfather image I posted last night, an image that couldn't possibly exist... but did.

So, to make it up to her and cleanse her eyes of that visual, I offer this:

Now that's a stylin' shot. Irene, am I forgiven?

Mod Gone Wrong: Jersey Shore Edition

Photo via Magnificent Bastard

Yeah, I know he's the untouchable 'Modfather' and all, but really? REALLY?

Looks like we have a situation here...

Get it? Get it? Okay, come on, who can come up with an awesome caption for this one?

Old Mods Don't Die. They Just Blog Away...

"Wow, you're still into that?"

I used to get this question more often when I was younger, ironically enough. Now that I’m slowly approaching my 40s, people don’t concern themselves as much with my potential arrested development. Maybe I’ve finally passed the statute of limitations on ‘growing up.’

Or maybe, I just learned how to dress my age. Let’s face it, I’d look a little silly walking to work in a parka covered in buttons, Jam stage shoes, a suit 3 sizes too tight, and GRAYING HAIR. 


I’ll leave this look to the young kids on their way to buying their first Who record!

Now just because I say I’ve learned to ‘dress my age’ (and, yeah, you may still disagree with me on that), that doesn’t mean I’ve given in to the whole business-casual khaki set. Dressing your age should never mean just giving up and going stone cold casual. Remember, you’re never too old to make an attempt at looking slick, and for me it doesn’t get any slicker than the Mod look. Oh yes, I’m still obsessed with it and probably more so now than I’ve ever been. Which leads me to the next question I’ve heard:

“Geez, man, why are you so into this?”

I always thought this was an odd one. I mean does the guy taking time off work to catch a baseball game get asked why he’s “so into this”? Does a woman dreamily following the tales of sparkly, teenage vampires get asked why she’s “so into this”?

I’m into this Mod thing in the same way you’re probably into your cars, your romantic vampire books, your cute animal photography, your scrapbooking, your weekend ‘bro-ing out’ sessions, your gardening, or your favorite baseball team. I love it! And it seems that the older I’m getting, the MORE I’m digging it.

And as my dig of the Mod thing grows, so does my desire to see it done up well. There’s more to this thing than the stale stereotypes we’re all used to. It’s the stereotypical Mod look most of us got into when first starting out, probably because we didn’t know any better. But as we’ve aged, hopefully we’ve learned more, leading to a more refined look. 

Photo via The Grumpy Owl

 
And that’s my goal with this blog: pointing out the best the Mod look has to offer, pointing out Mod gone wrong, and pointing out my own experiences (including my mistakes) over the years. Agree with me, disagree with me, correct me if I’m wrong, maybe learn something if you’re newly into this, or just make fun of me if you’d like. But hopefully, you’ll come back for more! 
 
And remember, this isn’t just for people into the Mod thing alone… it’s for anyone interested in great style in general!

Photo courtesy of Irene Ordaz

P.S. Yes, I’m old. But not too old to care.