BESPOKE Picture of the week: suit with red loafers.

We picked up this image via Tumblr and we were blown away by the stylish emsemble of this outfit. With summer upon us in just months, we predict that we should be spotting a lot men pairing blazers with shorts and finishing off the loon with a pair of loafers.This look is perfect for casual friday for the office( that's if you're allowed to wear shorts) or when you plan on going out for drinks with friends. Alternatively if do not own a pair loafers then a pair of Converse All Star (preferably white) will do.

Picture courtesy of Menstylepro

BESPOKE: Look of the week #1

Kaizen Lifestyle Magazine has just added a new feature called "Look of the week". Basically it's what we call a virual styling board where we post different looks every week.

BESPOKE:Varsity Jacket- All time classic making a comeback

The varsity jacket or rather as some of you would prefer the term college jackets is fast making a huge comeback and is fast becoming a one of those essential item to wear this winter season . Whatever you want to call them point is they are back and we vow that they will be here for at least three seasons to come, yes we know spring/summer is approaching but you can even rock these on a cool summer night. We have also seen international stars such as Kanye West, Jay-Z and T.I wearing these jackets and local hip hop stars AKA, Khuli Chana, Proverb and etc. Strangely enough these jacket have been around for many decades but these were made commercially famous by American teen movies such as American Pie and where only worn by the popular ‘’football jock’’ and movies that featured the hip hop culture.


Now what is outstanding about these jackets is their retro classic feel making you feel like a varsity ‘’football jock’’. Over the years sports brands such as Nike, Adidas and etc have come up with their own designs and most recently South African street wear labels such as Headhoncho, Strussbob, Cloudnine and etc have created their hopped onto to create some classics too. The great thing about these is that they’re very versatile whether you choose to wear them with your slim fit jeans and a chunky knit and your military boots (DO NOT TUCK IN THE JEANS PLEASE GENTS) or maybe go for a preppy hip hop look with a pair of straight leg jeans( NOT TOO BAGGY), a check shirt and a pair of timberlands or sneakers then you good to go. Plus with summer fast approaching we would advise you to rock this jacket in a navy and white combination, pair it with a white plain v neck, a pair of slim fitted jeans in indigo and finish off the look with a pair of bright colored boat shoes or just plain white boat shoes.

These come in an array of colors so you are spoiled for choice however our favorite is the burgundy and bubblegum blue Nike jackets with all the cartoons and playful patches.

We also recommend local street wear labels such as:

CLOUD NINE available via www.cloudnine.blogspot.com

RED BAT which is available at SPORTSCENE nationwide

HEADHONCHO available at Shesha store

STRUSSBOB available at DOPE STORE (www.iamdope.blogspot.com)

By Tshepang Sebulela

Edited by Nhlanhla Molepo

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BESPOKE:MILAN FASHION WEEK HIGHLIGHT

Kaizen Lifestyle's fashion editor Tshepang Sebulela gives us some of his highlights from the Milan Fashion week, which took place about a week ago. Here are some of his highlights:

About a week ago Milan was definitely the place to be as the Milan Fashion Week took place with shows like Burberry, YSL and Dsquared. Speaking of the Dsquared, the creators who happen to be twins Dean and Dan Caten showcased their 2012 Spring/Summer collection and left everyone there amazed. Their collection was inspired by a fictional American tourist, arriving in Europe for a summer trip passing by countries like Mykonos, Florence and even London.

The collection had lots of color in bomber jackets, fitted leather biker jackets and logo t shirts which I thought were now out of season. I personally loved the bright neon colored slim fitted pants paired with gladiator sandals, however I am not sure about those tiny swimming trunks though. The collection as a whole is wearable with that funky ski inspired flavor; it also included classic casual items like slim fit blazers, white crisp shirts and skinny ties.

THE DOLCE AND GABBANA SPRING/summer 2012

We also saw the Dolce and Gabbana unleash their Spring/ Summer 2012, to be honest I am in two minds with their latest collection. I don't know if I like or loathe it because like a lot people in the fashion industry I thought the collection is nothing different from what we have seen before.

Slim fit dark suits, skinny ties, and white shirts. This year they loosed up the fit of the shirts and the suit pants were a bit loose fitting too. I tried to be open minded and that's when I started appreciating the clean simple LOOSE lines, they are doing a good job at trying to reintroduce the loose tailoring trend.

The texture used on this collection is what stood out for me more than anything; the texture was inspired by the nets of Sicilian fishermen, showing lots of square weaves layered or just bare. They also used conservative colors and stayed away from our summer colors.

By Tshepang Sebulela

BESPOKE:THE NEW EVENING GLAM GENTS LOOK

When you get an invite for an evening formal affair what is the first thing that comes to mind? A black or charcoal suit right? Well let us break the rules a little bit.

Forget the suit and reach for a leather jacket as the key item.

Here are a few rules:

1.Jacket
Make sure the jacket is plain clean black or brown NO compromises here the jacket must be snuggle your body, fitted and must reach the waistline.

2.Shirt
Get a fitted shirt in white.

3.Pants
Then go for flat fronted pants in black or a pair of khaki chinos or even dark grey pants. Whatever pants you choose make sure they are narrow leg and reach your ankle.

4.Shoes
Let us discuss shoes because these can disable the whole look, now to be safe wear dark socks and patent leather lace ups. If you are the brave and bold enough, then go sockless and go for suede slip on's in a camel, brown or black or get the brightest color you can find. Loafers and moccassins can also do wonders for your outfit. Stores such as Fabiani and Woolworths have plenty of style and colours(Check out our previous post on loafers for a proper breakdown)

5.Accesorize(bow tie, belts, watches, scarves n etc )
You can add a bow tie in a funky tone that will compliment the whole look. Ensure that the accesories coordinate with the shoes or be safe and go for a leather or silk skinny tie. The choice is yours if you want to wear a belt or not I say leave the belt at home. Because it's winter, u can more flair to your look with a scarf paired up with leather gloves.

These are just guidelines have fun and make the look yours you can substitute the white shirt for a denim shirt. Just make sure you get the basics right and the colors coordinate.

By Tshepang "Dolcedon" Sebulela
Facebook: Tshepang Calvin Sebulela
Twitter: dolcedon

BESPOKE: Zara-man-may-2011-lookbook1

One of our favourite lookbooks has to be the Zara Men Lookbook.

Zara has been releasing monthly lookbooks for every season and style.

These lookbooks represent what Zara is doing every month and by far this is definitely a great lookbook.

BESPOKE:KAIZEN LOVES LOAFERS/SLIP ONS

Slip ons or commonly known as loafers in the American culture are typically low designed shoes with no laces which has a moccasin construction.

This classic design dates back in the 1930s in Norway. These shoes have gained popularity over the years and can be worn with almost everything from a slim fit suit to jeans, chinos and even shorts. You can go for the classic leather in brown or black, or be brave and go for the suede in the fruitiest color and team this up with a similar suede belt.

We know its winter but who cares, yes you will get cold feet (literally) but we are sure you have gone through worse just to look stylish.

Check out our favourite pairs above.

Kaizen Bespoke:The International Winter FASHION Trends: leSTYLE!

The ladies winter style we classify it as the leSTYLE!



Maxi lengths, floral fetish, oversized and laidback, 70’s kick flare, fur trims, lace up boots, African prints, rocker’ chick jackets all this and more on the winter menu.
The looks are playful, nostalgic, free spirited with almost a hippie like edge to them. It’s about personality, layering, eccentricity a twist to winter fashion as we’ve known. Take note and have fun with it!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Full length dresses and skirts_(www.lefashion.com)

Oversized tops give for a cool laidback look_ (http://www.inthefashionloop.com/)

Kick flare man pants_ (Carolina Herera)

Hats, hats, hats_ need I say more!

Bobby socks!

Knee length boots and coats

By: Nonhlanhla Mahoto

Kaizen Bespoke:THE TRIED AND TESTED 10 COMMANDMENTS OF STYLE

1. THOU SHALL NOT WEAR ANYTHING OFF THE BOOT: if it does not have the authentic certificate then it is not original no matter how beautiful it looks. If u can’t afford the real deal rather support local designers who are also as good as international.


2. THOU SHALL NOT BE SEEN IN RUNNING SNEAKERS: you are not an athlete right? Keep those fancy running shoes at the gym or when your are participating in the marathon.

3. THOU SHALL NEVER EVER WEAR SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT: they are called sunglasses for a reason.

4. REMEMBER TO MOISTEN THY LIPS: it is always advisable to carry your OWN lip stuff; we know it sounds unimportant but ladies like a man who looks after himself and get turned off by chapped dry lips.

5. KNOW WHERE THY TAILOR LIVES: buy a correct size take it to the tailor to finish off the suit. The sleeves, the buttons, the pants need to be shortened etc, your suit has to be slim fitting.

6. NOW YOUR SOCKS CAN BE BRIGHER THAN YOU PANTS: despite what you have heard before regarding your socks and pants being the same color, you are allowed to go pink, red, and yellow with a black or even a navy blue suit. Just make sure the socks compliment the tie or shirt.

7. ALWAYS SMELL GOOD: we are not saying go buy a designer fragrance, if you can afford tom ford go for it. Have a trusted smell that will never disappoint.

8. REMEMBER TO CLIP THY TOE NAILS: if you got nasty toes stay away from open sandals and always clip you toe nails.

9. STAY AWAY FROM FEMININE HAIRDOS:, cornrows, plaits, and those dreaded pony tails? NOT COOL.

10. KEEP THY BREATH FRESH: buy breath mints, a breath spray, brush your teeth three times a day whatever you do never let you breath smell bad.






by: Tshepang

Kaizen Bespoke:3 ESSENTIALS THIS AUTUMN.

3 ESSENTIALS THIS AUTUMN.

Autumn is here and it is still warm outside so do not take out your coats and chunky knits yet rather shop around for these 3 must have items. These items are real classics and we assure you that you will still be wearing them for seasons to come.

1. DENIM SHIRT-this item has been around for ages and this season it Is making a major come back, make sure it is fitted, fold the sleeves and tuck it in. Get these in any shade either in indigo or washed faded blue.


2. KHAKI CHINOS-Our grandfathers wore these in shorts and since then these have been all time favorites’. Make sure they are tapered, slim fitted and please do not drop them low make sure they sit right at the waist unless you going for a hip hop look.


3.LOAFERS/BOAT SHOES- we absolutely love these get them in either brown, navy or black or be brave and get them in your bright candy shades like royal blue, bright green, purple or even yellow. These will look great if you roll up your chinos and show a bit of skin

 *add in a quality wallet to complete the look*


























by Tshepang

Kaizen Bespoke: HOW TO TAILOR A SUIT

HOW TO TAILOR A SUIT

Every man needs at least one classic perfect fitting suit, preferably in navy blue or black, a suit that will fit into any occasion. The problem with most men is that when they think suit they think high end designer boutiques and end up with an ill fitting expensive suit which is pointless and a waste of money. So if you do not want to look like popeye and spinach from zone 14 at the SAFTA award 2011 try these simple steps:

1. FIND A REPUTABLE TAILOR. A lot of department stores or men’s boutiques have in house tailors and you usually won’t pay extra charge if the tailor is in house.

2. CHOOSE YOUR FABRIC. This can be a bit tricky, but it really is not that difficult. The fabric of your suit makes all the difference, choose between cashmere, wool, cotton or blends try to stay away from linen here you are looking for a suit you will wear for seasons to come. Remember fabrics are graded from low 80s to higher 180s (quality of the fabric) anything above 110 is very good quality and durable meaning a higher price.

3. GET THE RIGHT FIT. This is the most important stage and your tailor must have taken all the required measurements to make sure your suit fits like a glove. Your tailor might be experienced but I advice you communicate and ask questions. Remember the sleeves should at least show 3 inches of your shirt, the shoulders should snuggle you and the pants should never ever reach the heel of your shoes.

4. DETERMINE THE SIZE. Do you do 2 or 3 button? Double breast or single breast, a modern or traditional peak? This one depends on the current fashion trend, but if you are the conservative type stick to a navy blue single breast with 3 buttons. Read fashion magazines to find out which styles are in season if you are the fashion conscious type. Remember if it’s a 3 button you only do 2 buttons and if it’s a 2 button you do 1 got it?

5. PERSONALIZE IT. This is the fun stage whatever you do don’t get too excited or you will mess up craftsmanship. Here you choose the type of buttons, the lining, pockets and stitching and the minor details to make it yours alone depending on the current local and international trends.

6. FINAL FITING. This stage is critical as it will determine if your tailor is a keeper or not. Check all angles and remember to ask questions if you are not too sure about certain n things, you are footing the bill after all right? Wear shoes when trying the suit on to make sure the length is perfect and enjoy.



 

 

 

 

 

 
by Tshepang