vintage men

i know, most of you will be blasting me for how little coverage i am giving when it comes to vintage styles for men. well, don't blame me. i wish that i was a trendsetter back then too but in the past, men's fashion was a tad bland hence the less attention given.

One Direction goes vintage?

however, once you understand that fashion is a never-ending cycle that always takes on a modern-day twist, the possibilities for style become endless. vintage clothing has always been a popular phenomenon, but knowing where to find it, how to wear it and which era is 'in' is the ultimate challenge.

from the '50s to the '80s (and soon the '90s), everything from saddle shoes and spandex to big collars and big hair eventually sees a reemergence on the fashion scene. every era has a comeback, as today's designers simply update the styles from other time periods. so basically, it's the concepts from different decades that return, rather than the actual article of clothing. 

here are some items that one can include in their closet to achieve that retro-look!

1) dirty denim 

Denim by Diesel

otherwise known as 'washed-out' or 'distressed', this denim is treated to give jeans and jean jackets a second-hand look.

2) button-down shirts 

Charlie Sheen

popular vintage-looking collared shirts include 'utility' shirts; a button-down with a small chest pocket on one side and a patch or insignia that reads 'joe's gas station', for instance. you can also find shirts, in either brown, blue or green, with some stripes on the shirt, usually in another shade of the shirt's base color. another popular vintage detail is a shirt collar made from a different fabric, usually a knit.

3) converse and nike

the '80s have returned in full force, especially in the world of sports apparel. you can find old-school white nikes with the original nike 'swoosh' in most sporting goods stores. even '80-style converse all-stars (low or high-top) have made a huge comeback.

4) sunglasses

oversized shades are super popular for men and they're reminiscent of the good old '60s and '70s. even '80s-style aviators are flying high on the fashion scale.

fash'on... BAM!

the world turned dark

i think back to the days before i started driving, one of the must-haves used to be a pair of shades... i remember that at one point in time, i used to have a pair of shades (affordable yet fanciful) in every bag that i carried so that i don't leave home without my shades... then i stopped when i started driving because i always preferred to drive with my glasses on... i still keep a pair of shades handy though for the days that i need a quick fashion pick-me-up or on days when i feel the puffy eyes... these are my 'driving sunglasses'...

it's a pair of oakleys... classic design... nothing too colourful or hard to match. even against a backdrop of colour (in this case, the foreground) this was a gift from my godma and we both decided on this design cos it was a pair of shades for all occasions...

talking about occasions, the only shades that i wear on a weekly basis are my paddling oakleys during dragonboat training, just to protect the eyes from the sun and the water... it's definitely become a need more than a fashion statement.

that said, whether need or otherwise, do invest in a pair of shades... there are just days that you want to protect your eyes from the sun's glare. other days, you may want to put them on while on the bus or train and sleep... i always think that a pair of shades on a sleeping commuter enhances the look...

of course, for those who are lazy (like i am, most times)... you can opt for a pair of glasses with transition lenses... the only grouse i have is that i don't know when my lenses are dark and when people can see my eyes... 

my glasses with transition lenses. frames from Emporio Armani