Dissertation: In Defense of GQ

-My frustration came to a head last month. A realization that had been slowly building in the back of my mind, a betrayal by a good friend, had finally become clear to me: Most of the content in the April issue of Gentleman’s Quarterly did not interest me. 
-I’ve read nearly every GQ since I became a subscriber in 2002. When I first left for college in 2006 I threw out four years worth of magazines. Every issue since then, save for a few that have been inexplicably misplaced, now sit organized neatly on a shelf in the last place that I’ll reside as a college student. Keeping all these issues doesn’t make me any cooler than any other dedicated or casual reader, but the ever-growing stacks serve as a great resource to me when I need them. I recently purchased a khaki-colored chino sport coat, and I was having trouble figuring out what to wear beneath it. I grabbed a couple spring issues from the past few years off the shelf and casually perused, looking for anything that might help me craft some sensible looks around my new jacket. Flipping through the pages from years past was strangely nostalgic. It’s odd how I could clearly remember individual pages, stories and editorials. I found what I was looking for, a couple ideas of how to wear a khaki sport coat, but I also found myself remembering why I loved the magazine. When I started reading GQ there were no blogs, no online magazines or style forums. As a young man trying to set myself apart from my peers through my style, GQ offered guidance and helped to keep me from pushing my stylistic expression a little too far. I tried to figure out what was different now. Why can’t I get into the issue? What's missing?
-Nothing is missing, except my younger self and the lack of pretentiousness with which I used to approach the publication. The pages still contain the same helpful advice and smartly styled editorials they are known for. It’s me that is different. Flipping through the April issue’s guidelines for budget conscious shopping, tailoring and eBay finagling I found myself, like I’m sure many of you did, more informed on matters of style and shopping than the intended GQ audience. I’m not suggesting that the editors and writers of GQ do not possess more knowledge and insight than myself, I am confidently certain that they do, it’s that they craft content for an audience that wants to know, not one that knows.

-So why should we continue to support GQ even if we know how to measure for a custom shirt, match patterned shirts and ties without looking like we got dressed in the dark, or how to roll our chinos to show just enough ankle peeking out of our ocean-soaked Top-Siders? Because the magazine isn’t for us anymore; it’s for the guy who might not spend hours reading blogs and forums researching which pair of raw denim is best for his build. Obviously, I love the style blogosphere. I love the proliferation of unique points of view the Internet offers. But I’m a GQ subscriber, and I’ll probably be one for life. Not only because the magazine initially fueled my desire to pursue a career in journalism, and not because I’ve been to a print-shop and smelled the oddly agreeable aroma of ink as it lathers huge sheets of uncut paper. But because it’s an important publication, plain and simple, and just because I feel like I could give much of the same advice as the magazine, doesn’t mean the kid ransacking the thrift shop for vintage ties won’t find the same guidance and inspiration in GQ that I once did.  

more

Peer Review: New GQ

-A lot of people are bitching about this month's GQ cover (Rob Pattinson,) but I really don't get why everyone is pissed. Because he's a teen idol? How different is Pattinson from a young Brad Pitt, or any other young actor? He looks good in a suit, which should be the only requirement for being a GQ cover-man.

-The rest of this month's issue had some really solid content (which is why it pisses me off that people are dismissing the whole mag just because of the cover.) I really enjoyed the solid list of 20 graphic novels to check out after Watchmen, after reading Maus I've been interested in exploring more modern graphic novels. There was also a feature on Washington native Anna Faris, a Class Act favorite. 

more

Dress Code: The Big Kid Backpack

-Last week I heard about this JanSport Heritage Collection of backpacks, then Selectism gave us the first detailed look at one of the bags (the 767 Burhorn, above, which can be worn on the back as shown, or as a messenger shoulder bag.) In recent years I've seen a couple of articles in GQ and Details about how an adult can rock a backpack and not look like an adolescent, and as our primary audience is one that is on the verge of leaving academic life for professional life, I think it's something everyone over the age of 18 needs to think about. I try to use my unnecessarily large Dakine as infrequently as possible, but like it because it is waterproof (a must up here) and it carries my skateboard.
-For about a year I've been looking for a more conservative backpack. I like the simplicity, variety of colors and price ($42) of the American Apparel canvas schoolbag (below, left) but worry that it will fall apart like most AA gear. I like the idea of seemingly boring and ubiquitous (in middle-school, at least) pack makers like JanSport and Eastpak, which teamed with Raf Simons for multiple collections (below, right,) doing high-end lines. Simplicity of design and color seems to be an agreeable common theme in many designer backpacks of late. But I've also got to think about safely carrying my computer and camera when I need to. It's a struggle. Just some thoughts.
more

PowerPoint: Back to Class

-This guy is probably the second illest sartorialist I've seen on campus (the first being myself, of course.)

-These are the kinds of looks I hoped to capture when we first started the blog, unfortunately, they are seldom seen. More pics coming soon though, as long as the weather remains clear. Click to enlarge. more

Dress Code: A Common Goal

-I mentioned that we'd like to stray from streetwear/sneaker coverage a bit, and the announcement of the Common Projects Fall/Winter collection is a good opportunity to talk about something I've had in mind for awhile.
-I've known for a couple years now that it's about time I purchased a pair of adult shoes (i.e. expensive, sans a logo.) And I've been debating about what kind/how much to spend. I first heard about common projects a few years ago in GQ. Common Projects is a brand I could justify spending the money on (they average around $300) rather than opting for some Gucci of LV loafers. They produce both understated sneakers and a variety of other, more formal styles, and every pair is marked with a serial number denoting it's very limited production. The design team really understands the young male's battle of navigating youth and maturity via aesthetics. More photos and comments after the jump.


-Desert boots were everywhere this year but I like the take of doing them in a waxed black as opposed to the usual khaki.




-I want these (above)

-These are some Kurt Caywood boots.

-I gots deez photos from h(y)r collective
more