Men’s Fashion

Levi’s celebrates 140 years of the 501 jean at Macy’s Union Square

 in Bay Area Fashion / Events / Local Designers / Men's Fashion  tagged denim / historical fashion / levis / macys / san francisco designers / summer 2013 by

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Levi’s held their 140th anniversary celebration at Macy’s Union Square in San Francisco on May 20, 2013 at 6pm. This exciting event attracted a large crowd filled with Levi’s fans, shoppers, bloggers, media and tourists. There was a live presentation with priceless artifacts from Levi’s museum. The oldest pair of jeans in Levi’s archives, which are pictured in the sixth photo from the top as well as on the right of the above photo, are circa 1879. The pair on the left in the above photo, were found in the Calico Mines and are dated from the 1890’s.

Levi’s Historian Lynn Downey took guests through the Levi Strauss story with amazing pieces of history including the changing use of the rivet over time. In addition to several historical pairs of 501 jeans, Lynn Downey shared marketing material which included a Jefferson Airplane radio commercial. The commercial was a song titled “White Jeans” and sounded quite similar to their smash hit “White Rabbit.” How fitting to have a San Francisco band singing for a San Francisco company! Love that!

Levi’s is taking their iconic 501 jeans into new territory this year as they are planning to roll out a new twill version of the popular pant style. Can’t wait!

Here’s to 140 more years of the fabulous 501 jean!

To learn more about Levi’s and the iconic 501 jean, born in San Francisco during the Gold Rush, please visit Levis.com.

To see a video with historical shots of 501 jeans, please click here.

Photos: Cathy/Bay Area Fashionista 2013©

Trends from the fall/winter 2013/2014 men’s fashion week runways

 in Men's Fashion / Trends  tagged fall 2013 / men / runway trends / winter 2014 by

Milan and Paris held their fall/winter 2013/2014 men’s fashion weeks last week and gave fashionable men everywhere new trends to covet for the upcoming cool weather season. There were sporty looks, tailored ensembles and cozy fabrics. There were also two distinct color palettes which men will need to watch for next fall.

Designers created collections for men in either dark, dismal colors or bright, festive hues. There were fall 2013 collections which offered deep, dark shades of black, charcoal, burgundy, navy, mustard and green as well as vibrant collections that featured cobalt blue, bright red and yellow.

Overall, men have a lot to look forward to in the fall/winter 2013/2014 season. Here are a few highlights of the fabulous trends men will love from the Milan Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week runways:

1)      Blue: The ultimate fall color for men. This hue looks good with almost any skin tone and is easy to integrate into one’s wardrobe. Blue has also been a popular color with designers the past few seasons so men will find they can shop their closets for this color and integrate it into their new fall 2013 wardrobe.

2)      Black: Fall is back in black. Men will find all black looks as well as black paired with bright color or deep, dark colors.

3)      Animal prints: Why should women have all the fun? Men will be spotted in shoes, jackets, sunglasses; and carrying handbags with leopard, cheetah, zebra and more. Meow!

4)      Sporty: It’s hip to be fit, so the sporty look is hot for fall. Look for stripes and sport fabrics which will look gym ready but are really work ready, dinner ready and cocktail ready.

5)      Handbags: Stop stuffing your pockets and losing your sunglasses. Get a handbag already! Handbags for men are popular and the perfect way to keep track of all your stuff. Look for sporty satchels, totes and briefs.

6)      Tailored suits: So here in Silicon Valley we love our California Casual office style; but for fall 2013, get ready to look like you are going to work! Suits are back in a big way and comfortable suits are hot for fall. Look for suiting that flatters, fits and feels good. Also look for single breasted or one button blazers with slim lapels.

7)      Slim puffy jackets: Who said puffy jackets had to make you look like a snowman? Designers created slim fitting, puffer jackets for fall which will keep you cozy and not add weight. Fabulous!

8)      Asymmetrical lines: Asymmetrical lines are no longer just for the girls! Jackets and coats are being shown with diagonal zippers and asymmetrical hems. It’s time for men to get funky. Also, men will find out what women have known for years; asymmetrical lines are slimming. Love that!

9)      Tie dress shoes: Dress shoes with laces are hot for fall. This isn’t to say slip-ons are over, just that tied shoes are fresh and on trend for the fall season.

10)   Color blocking: The trend that refuses to die. Color blocking is hot for fall and works well with the sporty trend. Hopefully you already have this in your closet, if not, then add one color blocked sweater to your wardrobe. Do not over buy this trend, it has been around for too long.

11)   Cozy fabrics: Fall is all about comfort and warmth. Designers are showing soft, slim knits and wools for fall. Look for cozy fabrics which are not too thick. Sweaters are a hot item for fall for men and can easily be worn to work, out to dinner or on the weekends. Stay warm my friends!

OK, so we could not stick to only ten trends and gave you eleven. More information is better than not enough! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 

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Wilkes Bashford Palo Alto celebrates their Grand Re-Opening

 in Bay Area Fashion / Events / Men's Fashion / Shopping  tagged holidays 2012 / runway / wilkes bashford / winter 2013 by

Wilkes Bashford is a name which draws ooohs and aaahs from Fashionistas around the Bay Area. Known for carrying the most beautiful designs from Italy’s top designers, Wilkes Bashford has been a San Francisco Bay Area icon since 1966.

This is the store our parents shopped at when we were growing up and as children; we would see all the beautiful clothing they brought home after a shopping trip to the city. Now, in 2012, the iconic shop is celebrating a make-over with newly, redesigned stores in both San Francisco and Palo Alto.

The Palo Alto location, which is near Neiman Marcus at the Stanford Shopping Center, is a cozy shop with both men’s and women’s attire. Shoppers can expect to find fabulous designs from designers such as Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Kiton, Valentino, Chloe, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin and more.

The amazing mix of apparel, shoes, handbags, fine designer jewelry, fragrances and accessories is any fashion-savvy shoppers dream. The new, open floor plan in Palo Alto lets you, as a shopper, see the entire layout and easily find the department you wish to shop in right away. Love that!

In order to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of the Palo Alto location, Wilkes Bashford threw a fabulous cocktail party complete with runway show, DJ and live acrobats. The runway show featured fall and resort clothing from Italy’s top designers which drew ooohs and aaahs from the fashionable crowd. 

Below you will find photos from the Grand Re-Opening event in Palo Alto which took place on Friday, November 16th from 7pm to 9:30pm. The event was amazing, and of course the merchandise in-store is even more amazing! To learn more about Wilkes Bashford, and to see a list of fabulous in-store events, please visit WilkesBashford.com.