The Chicago Chic’s very own menswear and womenswear experts, Jason Pullan and I, Lauren Fern, have joined forces which has brought upon us a collaborative look that is modern with lots of attitude and edge. On this perfect mid-summer day, Jason and I took our looks to a place that was adventurous and classic, and still suited the ever unpredictable Chicago weather. Clothing and apparel is full of variety and has a way of sending a message without even having to open your mouth. When walking into a store you see many looks from structured tailoring, to florals,varying silhouettes, and different textures, it can make it hard to choose which route is the best to go. Just when you may think that the many styles we are faced with today are on different sides of the spectrum, when you mix them together you will find that they share something mutually exclusive! Mixing hard and edgy designs against soft and sophisticated pieces is a creative and easy way to pull together a serious, attention-grabbing outfit!
When layering or using textures, it is best to remain simplistic. In todays look, Jason’s interpretation of edgy called for a sports jacket, a Nehru-style linen button down, dark waxed jeans, and a masculine gladiator sandal. His maroon sports jacket is made of Italian cotton cloth, and is unlined-which keeps things light and breezy for summer temperatures. Beneath his deep colored jacket, he has on a Nehru style shirt, which is reminiscent of traditional Indian menswear. By ditching a collar and tie, he creates a instantly updated look. Jason is all about the strap sandals for menswear this season, because they are stylish and appropriate for warmer climates. His pants are black with a wax coating. Coated denim gives the impression of leather, but still has the comfort and fit of a great pair of jeans. His look is a combination of deep colors, softened by his crisp shirt, and a balance of texture with coated jeans. His sandals serve as a stylish statement that seals the look, it is safe to say that Jason has mastered the edgy and sophisticated balance of menswear!
In fashion, I love the juxtaposition of hard and soft styles. For this look, I took a graphic, modernized tee shirt, a flared, leather mini skirt, and a strappy-sandal with a lucite heel. My tee-shirt is made of a lux combination of mesh and silk, giving it a very relaxed yet sleek feel, with a black leather trim around the neck-line and arms, and a sketched design on the front. I paired this top with a leather mini skirt, which gave the loose fitting top a very sleek accent to work off of, making it a striking combination. To pull the look together, I wore black strappy sandals with a lucite heel. The heels give me an elevation that is a modern twist on the classic sandal. I did not go over board with accessories, besides bold circle sunglasses, leaving my graphic top and leather bottom to do all the talking. When aiming towards a look that is edgy yet chic, remaining subtle is the key!
