SPLURGE - Balmain Shearling Jacket - $4,787

Balmain or four months rent in one of the most expensive cities in the world? For some, this is a tricky question. As scary as that might sound to some of you, take a closer look and try to understand why those with deep pockets and the weak conscious necessary to spend upwards of $3,000 on a coat, choose Balmain. Making shearling for men look rugged and masculine is no small fete, but Christopher Decarnin pulls it off in a functional coat the is dripping in sexiness. (Sell an organ and...) Splurge.

Wrap Up - Spring 2011 Menswear Presentations

That concludes my coverage of the spring 2011 European menswear collections. While I'm sure there will be more news to come on the season with the conclusion of the trade shows and the presentations in New York, this officially raps up the shows until September.

Overall, I think this season was extremely creative and produced some beautifully designed pieces that I will be sure to investigate next year. Hopefully the buyers will nip some of these awful trends in the bud by passing them over when it comes time to place their orders (male corsets, fanny packs, and biker shorts just to name a few), though I definitely wouldn't mind seeing an influx of double-breasted blazers and bomber jackets (two big trends for spring), in addition to a very carefully edited group of sandals, in stores come 2011.

I would like to thank GQ and WWD for all of the visuals and, again, Tommy Ton for the amazing detail shots. I always love looking at the collections and for an inexperienced fashion blogger like myself, the the assistance of these fashion powerhouses is essential. I hope you all enjoyed looking at my selections and reviews as much as I enjoyed putting it all together. Regular posting will continue, and expect more runway coverage come fall. Thanks!



P.S.
Just thought I would give you a closer look at that kick-ass Balmain leather jacket I was raving about earlier, courtesy of Tommy Ton:

Balmain - Spring 2011 - Review

Christophe Decarnin has been riding the Balmain hype wave of his own making for a couple of seasons now it seems, which is probably why something like a pair of ripped jeans from the storied French house can retail for in the thousands of dollars. Viewing this collection of seemingly basic garments, you would wonder how anyone would sleep at night spending $400 on a T-shirt or $4000 on pea-coat, but all you would have to do is go to your nearest luxury department store to discover why the wealthy choose Balmain for their street clothes: it's fucking cool.

This collection definitely has a punk edge: studded belts, hooded vests, combat boots, skinny jeans, tanks, and above all, lots of black. A pair of cargo shorts looks a little too American Eagle for my taste, but that is quite normal for a Balmain men's collection. Mr. Decarnin mixes luxury dresswear in the form of rumpled blazers and button up shirts with seemingly basic sportswear. If I had to invest in one piece, though, it would be the leather jacket. With just enough bells and whistles to make it a stand out, and enough quality and thoughtful design to make it functional and fashionable, this piece truly kicks ass and takes names.

I would compare the Balmain men's clothing to that of Diesel; edgy, urban street-wear with a twist, produced in luxury fabrics and sold at crazy prices. But hey, if you have the money, for most people, the label on the inside makes it worth the tag on the outside, especially when the label says "Balmain."

TO SPLURGE OR TO SAVE - Finding the Perfect Pair of Sunglasses

You may notice that even though this is a "to splurge or to save" post I haven't really included any saves. This is primarily because there is no need to post the saves. Anyone can go down to Canal Street/ their local gift shop and buy a pair of cheap knock-offs, and that is definitely a valid choice in the face of sunglasses that cost well over $500 in department stores and online, but when investing (and its definitely an investment at these prices) in a pair of sunglasses, you need to do your research.

For example, it is said that people with round faces look better in squarer frames, whereas people with squarer faces look better in rounder frames. Experiment with different models and brands; while most brands make a wayfarer or an aviator, they're all different. Make sure to feel the weight of the sunglasses as many have heavy frames that can begin to way on you after a couple hours of wear. Also access the durability of the frames: will they be good for sports and activities? Can they survive a fall on the ground? Will the loose their shape over time?

When spending into the hundreds of dollars on anything I feel questions need to be asked about the product. On that note, enjoy the sunglass "porn" I have posted below.


KBL Eyewear Sunglasses ($135)

Balmain Sunglasses ($622.40)


Ray Ban Sunglasses ($182)



Oliver Peoples Sunglasses ($360)


Super Sunglasses


Oliver Peoples Sunglasses ($390)

**** fun fact: most of these sunglasses probably cost less than $10 to make