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The tweed blazer is a timeless look.  Albert Einstein wore one.  If it’s good enough for him, it’s certainly good enough for me!  This one by TopMan is in a very easy-to-wear light tan.  The same rules that you’d follow for buying a suit also apply for the blazer.  Namely, it should fit snug but not so tight that you can’t fit your hand between the buttoned front and your chest.  Also, the sleeves should end with just enough room for about 1 to 2 cm of shirt cuff to show. One thing I especially like about the tweed blazer is that it’s easy to dress down by ditching the tie and substituting jeans for pants.  As for the pocket square…   it can stay.  🙂

I’ve always had a thing for street art.  There is a certain rawness and sincerity to it.  From the Berlin wall to the various murals found across LA, there are stories, feelings, emotions forever immortalized in paint on concrete. I found this one randomly off Melrose Boulevard.

With shiny leather jackets a dime a dozen these days, suede offers a nice alternative.  The leather moto jacket can be a bit loud and aggressive.  In contrast, it’s suede cousin is more subdued and understated.  I actually prefer the feel of suede to leather.  It is lighter, softer, and generally more comfortable.

In the city of Los Angeles, casual attire reigns supreme.  There are few occasions where a pair of nice fitting jeans and a clean button up shirt would be viewed as too casual.  I’m not sure why this is the case to be honest.  Perhaps the creative types in Hollywood are welcoming of an equally creative wardrobe.  Or maybe it’s the perpetually warm weather and beach culture which do not lend themselves to the stuffy three-piece suits you might find on Wallstreet.  In any event, LA is a place where one can really let loose with a more laid-back look.

After saying all of that, what could I possibly be doing hanging out at Griffith Observatory in a formal one-button suit?  Despite being a California native and living in this area my whole life, I still take pride in a nice fitting suit for those rare occasions where a more formal look is needed (i.e. job interviews or the annual work Holiday Party).

When a more formal silhouette is called for, I reach for something a little more Avant-garde…   a little more California.  I find the one-button suit fits the bill very nicely.  While not the best choice for a job interview, the one button silhouette is the perfect look for dinner parties, school reunions, or any event where a more formal look is needed while still maintaining a fun atmosphere.

Also, keep in mind that even with a two button suit, you will be arrested by the fashion police if you ever dare to actually fasten the bottom button.  Therefore, I like to spare myself the redundancy and just go for a one-button style.