falls arrival

u ready for fall? nothing like fall in nyc, and i'll be running around uptown in these come september



i kno you seen 'em


but they're so FRESH they bear repetitive views!

couldnt find any other images from what was up on their site, but these sperry boots by band of outsiders are so funk fresh i wanted to make sure we had a pic of 'em on the blog for inspiration and idea

perfect boot to take you from spring to fall

how would you rock these?






cost & quality

a few excerpts from an article i felt hit on some solid points regarding what we spend for our gear . . . and i must admit it is very hard to really put this into practice - i've been trying to do it myself for a minute

It’s better to have one good pair of shoes than a half dozen cheap ones, because the cheap ones look cheap even when they’re new, but the new ones look good even when they’re old. Quality by definition is the best you can get for your money. If you buy a pair of shoes for $500 and they last you 10 years, that’s $50 per year. If you buy a pair for $100 and they last you six months, which was the more expensive? I think the Old Money WASP guys were just cheap, so they always bought the best.

IS: Sure: Yankee frugality.

BB: Yes, that’s what I think it’s about. And the best always is the cheapest, if you have the money to buy it in the first place. The way we do it today is ask how much it costs. Nobody asks how much it costs over its lifetime — it’s just the initial price. And if you only look at the initial price, you’re going to get screwed every time.

if you can live by this standard chances are you will build a solid, timeless wardrobe
we still here

your boy a.m. sunshine here . . . been in the trenches and putting my work in and doing research on some good blogs for sales and sartorial wisdom

have two GREAT sites that bear regular visits:

thechoosybeggar.com

this site pretty much gives you all the sample sales for menswear in nyc - but for those not in the nyc area many of the sales can also be taken advantage of online - make sure you hit this site

mensflair.com

pretty much an online menswear mag wtih regular articles with sartorial advice, wisdom, reviews and such

I actually just read a great article on their with suggestions on how to dress without seeming or feeling 'pretentious'

I dont think most of us brothas have a problem in that department as we live by the whole peacock swagger style and have always dressed for maximum effect when we step up in the spot - but the article was good nonetheless so check it out, and then read your boys comments on the article, mine are first

check it out:

http://www.mensflair.com/style-advice/are-you-pretentious-take-the-test.php#comment-72278

More flava from the "collective perspective"























From top to bottom:
sneakers buy supra,
shoes by Sergio Rossi & L.A.M.B.,
photos from Mobolaji Dawodu

Throwback super couple

Comedic genius Richard Pryor, and the beautiful blaxploitation film star Pam Grier were a hot item in the mid-70's.

roc This-with-That

This


That




If I had to choose only one label to wear for the rest of my life, it would probably be Ralph Lauren's Purple Label. This sweater will set you back $1500. . . I know that sounds sic, but yo, she's gorgeous. Set it off with these shoes from Clae, and that's what we call "dope boy fresh".

tretorn





































































currently at bloomingdales @ 59th & lexington

The Skateboard Gentleman

Pharrel is fast proving that his sense of style reaches well beyond the realm of skateboard culture.




Sam Javanrouh: TRANSPORTATION


Sam Javanrouh has a blog entitled "Daily Dose of Imagery" visually documenting the city of Toronto. Check him out at wvs.topleftpixel.com.

Shaolin Flavor

Ye Shumeng, a Chinese born graphic designer, has produced a book of photographs of Chinese people wearing the old Chinese brand 'Warrior' sneakers.


Old Chinese sneaker brands have been getting a lot of attention these days. Not long ago, the old chinese brand Feiyue (Flying Foward) was one of the cheapest brands of sneakers in China, selling for 25 to 35 yuan.In 2006 a French company bought the label and began selling them in London and Paris for 40 to 50 Euro.

Andre 3000 as "Benjamin Bixby"

Mr. 3000's new label can be found at Barney's New York, and includes tweed plus fours and club sweaters with leather elbow patches. The collection was inspired by Ivy League athletics of the 1930s. I'm a fan of classic American clothing, so I'm curious to see more of what the line has to offer, but I seriously doubt you'll catch me rocking a pair of plus fours (which are the short pants in case you didn't know).
vinyl storage options for the crate digging junkie

for all my cats out there that make beats and spend hours in some dungeon looking for gems . . . hook your home collection up w/some of these very fly choices



link studios





ikea



container store








the galvanized cubes are stackable - thas a crazy clean look!

Archives: Jet Magazine October 14, 1954


Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn and Lester Young

Women's shoe series 2.5

Sexy peep toe-pumps by L.A.M.B.

prized possesion



from the still unreleased follow up solo effort by q tip













a local college radio station was throwing out some of their vinyl collection, i dont think they realized what a rare gem this was - but im certainly glad they didnt!

MILES DAVIS: The Movie

Oscar-nominated actor Don Cheadle ("Hotel Rwanda") plans to direct and star in "Miles Davis," a biopic of the legendary jazz innovator.

"I'm playing now, yeah," said Cheadle. "I've been touring so much and traveling so much, I haven't been able to jump back into the lessons so much but I play every day."He won't have to be perfect for the film. It's just an acting exercise really. "It's a work in progress, I'll tell you that much. It doesn't sound good to me but I'm not going to play in the movie. I just have to play so I'm comfortable with it. We have all of Miles' archival music. I'd never try to play it personally."


BLACK GOLD

The coffee industry is worth over $80 billion, making coffee the most valuable trading commodity in the world after oil.


the legendary tod clifton



" . . . moving with an easy Negro stride out of the shadow into the light"

ally, rival, and opposite self of our unnamed protagonist, as well as my favorite character in the book - Tod Clifton seems to represent the anger and passion - and the internal polarity we currently face as young black men on the urban landscape


if you haven't had a chance to read the classic 'invisible man' by ralph ellison be sure to put it on your reading list!


Nerd Fresh

Get your nerd on, with this hook-up from NSF clothing, a label from out of Los Angeles. Add these snake print wingtips by Vans, and a slim fit pair of jeans, and your well on your way to being Mister Cool.



No. 1 Savile Row, Gieves & Hawkes



If you desire to don a fine, tailor made garment from these guys, you better make sure your passport is up to date, and your money correct.

Only a handful of men's tailors, can boast a prestigious Savile Row address, on London's world renown strip, and Mecca of mens tailored clothing. Gieves & Hawkes address is No. 1 Savile Row, which probably speaks volumes as to the notability of their craftsmanship, not to mention being in the business for two centuries.

The Can Am Spyder

I WANT ONE!

I WANT ONE!

I WANT ONE!

. . . did I forget to mention, I WANT ONE?

HOT OF THE PRESS:



A.M. Sunshine presents new flava from our favorite white boys: ALIFE



New York Times: Art Show Examines Gentrification in Harlem


Dionis Ortiz’s “Self Portrait” is part of a new art exhibition called "Evolution: The Changing Faces of Harlem" at Columbia University.Gentrification has been a very hot topic in Harlem, one of Manhattan largest neighborhoods, in recent years. To read the article in the Times, click on the link above. To see more of Dionis's work visit his website dionisortiz.com. (Photo by Orit Darwish/Columbia University)

Below other work by Ortiz (from top to bottom Biz Markie, & Angela Davis)




SOUL SISTAH: Erykah Badu


Ms. Badu is definitely one of the most creative female artist of this generation. Artistic compromise is not a option- at any price. And while her unpredictable musical direction keeps the masses guessing, and sometimes even puzzled, her unwavering loyalty to honest self expression, has won the hearts and minds of a very loyal following.

Exotic pets

Sorry Vick, but pit bulls are played. Nigerians have taken their pet game to a new level of gangster. Meet Mainasara the hyena. Hyaenas have one of the strongest set of jaws on the planet. (Photos taken by Pieter Hugo in Nigeria.)