Fashion Five: Anthony Bourdain, American Ivy, and why Tokyo is so fashionable
Every Sunday, I’ll share five ideas and content usually focused on fashion and menswear.
One of my style goals this Fall was experimenting with Black Ivy style: think 60s jazz musician core.
While I love dressing in this style, I find that it doesn’t suit my lifestyle. For example, one staple in Ivy style is ties. I work from home. I’d look ridiculous on Zoom meetings if I was wearing a tie with my bed visible in the background. Outside of work, many of my social circles tend to dress more casually, and wearing a tie makes me feel out of place. While I love how ties give color and pattern to a fit, they’re also a pain in the ass to tie in the morning and wearing them feels constricting around the neck. And ties are just one example. While I also enjoy wearing blazers and button-down shirts, two more staples of Ivy style, they feel too formal for most occasions.
Building a wardrobe is a long-term project, often taking five to seven years. Over the past 1.5 years, I've learned so much about my personal style. You might have an idea of what you like, but it’s only through experimentation that you discover what truly works. While I still love Black Ivy Style, certain aspects don’t suit me—and that’s what makes the journey so rewarding. The pieces and styles that withstand the initial excitement are ultimately the pieces that will stay in my wardrobe for years.
If there’s one takeaway here, it’s to keep experimenting with your style. If you’re not failing, you’re not learning.
Now, let’s dive into this week’s Fashion Five :)
Blog I’m Enjoying
Anthony Bourdain, Unexpected Style Icon.
Back when I was in elementary school, the Discovery Channel would air Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations on Saturday evening at 9pm. I’d look forward to exploring a new culture through their food with Bourdain. While Bourdain was known as a chef, writer, and TV host, he’s got a great sense of personal style.
Podcast series I’m listening to
American Ivy by Articles of Interest.
Anyone who’s been following my blog knows about my recent obsession with Ivy style. Articles of Interest dedicated an entire season to American Ivy with a seven-part series. They cover the full history of this style from its origins at Ivy league Colleges to the Civil Rights movement, to the Japanese take on Ivy style, Amekaji. For anyone looking for a Fashion podcast to add to their rotation, I can’t recommend Articles of Interest enough.
Fragrance I’m trying out
Aesop Fragrance Anthology Volume I.
I live near an Aesop and I always see Daniel Simmons wearing Aesop fragrances in his Get Ready With Me videos. They recently released a sampler set and it’s been fun trying out the different scents.
Tweet thread I’m reading
Why is Tokyo so fashionable? by dieworkwear.
Much of my style inspiration comes from the streets of Tokyo. I had a friend ask me why the Japanese are so stylish, and I gave the lazy answer of culture and appreciation for craft. Derek Guy goes deeper here, and talks about their media landscape, walkable neighborhoods, and following the rules as a few reasons why the Japanese capital is so fashionable.
Quote I’m revisiting
My roommate shared a story from his fraternity days when he was at a general body meeting where they were nominating superlatives including best dressed. The first and most enthusiastic nomination that had the audience in an uproar was for this jacked jeans white t-shirt guy. One of his fashion mf friends was like, “WAT he just wears jeans white t-shirts!” It reminded me of the above quote from designer Rick Owens.
Fit of the Week: Amekaji Style
This fit from Shuhei Nishiguchi, the creative director at BEAMS, caught my eye on my Explore page on Instagram.
This style is called Amekaji which translates to American Casual. Amekaji is the Japanese interpretation of American classic style. Everything Shuhei is wearing is vintage Americana: 90s Cowboy boots, 50s US Army Chinos, 50s Levi’s denim jacket, and 90s Polo Ralph Lauren Jacket.
Shuhei’s using one of my favorite styling techniques especially as we transition into the colder months: layering a jacket on a jacket. He’s wearing a denim jacket, unbuttoned, to expose the base layer. Then he’s wearing a thicker Rag Jacket on top of the denim coat to add more visual interest. Fall weather tends to oscillate between chilly mornings/evenings and mild afternoons, layering jackets allows you to shed layers without sacrificing style.
The star of the show is the Ralph Lauren Rag Jacket. It has a beautiful, native pattern with a color palette perfect for Fall. I’d recommend having one statement piece in an outfit. This is what catches someone’s attention and elevates the fit to another level.
That’s all for this week!
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Have a wonderful Sunday!
See you again next week,
<3 James