INSPIRED BuY...trade show trends

last week i attended two menswear trade shows, project and appointment, to discover new brands and to keep an eye out for arising trends.  at these shows, I had the pleasure of meeting both lyndon from herschel supply co, who informed me that bloomingdales will soon carry their backpacks & emil from my favorite tie maker, the hill-side, who let me know that they're planning to open a hickorees store in BK in the very near future! yay!

here are some big trends in menswear that are happening right now and will continue through spring 2012:

colored nylon outerwear  (especially blue and red)
pull-over hooded outerwear
varsity jackets
backpacks
colored denim (especially blue, red, and white)

1. colored nylon - creep by hiroshi awai  2. pull-over - feltraiger  3. varsity - brooklyn circus

4. backpack - hasso  5. backpack - hershel supply co  6. backpack - fjallraven

7. colored denim - american apparel  8. white denim - gap  9. colored denim - american apparel

also, a few trends to note in terms of silhouette: 

jackets and blazers that hit at the waist (short 3-button blazers)

ankle length pants

INSPIRED BuY...summer weddings

this weekend i was in carlisle, pennsylvania, to celebrate the marriage of my friends, Sarah and Kevin.  The bride looked absolutely stunning and the party was fantastic.  The events this weekend inspired me to write this post about ties - my favorite accessory for men - because weddings are the perfect occasion for a playful/novelty tie.  

i'm really into ties in washed or faded colors, in stripes or solid chambray.  traditional preppy patterns like seersucker stripes, polka dots and gingham checks look fresh in skinny silhouettes and unexpected fabrics.  i also really like unique novelty ties in classic colors (you need to be careful not to go too crazy with novelty ties).  a few years ago skulls were really trendy, and i think the guns, fishbones and the alice in wonderland "drink me" bottle are fun updates to that trend.

check out some of my favorites below:

1. the hill-side  2. original penguin  3. jcrew  4. the hill-side  5. the hill-side

6. tommy hilfiger 7. projector (etsy) 8. artfully disheveled

if you need help choosing a tie to wear to your next event, feel free to shoot me an email at meg@myINSPIREDBuY.com

INSPIRED BUY...my dad

i wouldn't call my dad the most fashionable guy (his closet resembles doug funny's: a collection of green polo shirts and khaki pants) but he is pretty darn cool.  his brain is filled with tons of random information, he cruises around in a 1975 MGB that he restored on his own, he's a music aficionado, and he'll drive me home from wherever i am, at any time of night (or early morning), no questions asked.

so i thought i'd say thanks for everything he's taught me/done for me by dedicating this post to him (mom, your post is coming soon)!

i put together a collection of tomboy style below.  this is a look i'd rock when traveling out of town for the weekend.

1. tom's classic 101

2. madewell artisan tee

3. wesc oboe headphones

4. keil james patrick croffix sailing belt

5. wgaca vintage boyfriend jeans

6. the hill-side bandana

7. quality mending co. duffel

8. steve madden sallutte shoes

INSPIRED BuY...fresh & fancy farms

exciting news!  fresh & fancy farms opens this weekend! 

i'm thrilled to have the opportunity to help my dear friend, meg low, prepare for the launch.  we'll be painting, creating and brainstorming (while drinking lots of coffee & listening to cheery tunes through these fresh speakers) for the next two days.

some things i packed/wish i packed for my long weekend at the farm:

1. hemp rucksack - infusion

2. wayfarers - rayban

3. suspender chinos - levi's

4. polaroid camera - the impossible project

5. hat - gap (last year)

6. rain boots - hunter

7. apron - pier 1

8. handkerchief - the hill-side (via hickorees)

stay fresh, stay fancy

oh, and if you want to make your mom smile this mother's day, pick up some flowers from fresh & fancy farms and make her these scrumptious waffles!

(also see farmer girl post)