The Sperry Sock Debate - With or without socks?

When sailor and inventor Paul Sperry created the first non-slip boat shoe in 1935, he inadvertently launched one of the most enduring debates about personal style in the history of fashion: Do you wear boat shoes with or without socks?

Very few style statements evoke such a polarized response.  John Legend, Sperry's Global Brand Ambassador, threw down the style gauntlet recently, stepping out in his cropped trousers and boat shoes asserting his bare ankles.  "It depends on the cut and fit of your pants, and how cool you are," he says of his sockless style.

Retailer J. Crew's men's style team shows Sperry boat shoes worn with their playfully patterned socks, while author of the New York Times bestseller Men and Style, David Coggins, prefers the sockless look.  "We can't have our feet shackled with grotesque tube socks, corseted and constrained," he says. "Go forth with a liberated ankle!" 

For those who want to wear socks with boat shoes, Brian Davis, owner of Wooden Sleepers, a New York based vintage American menswear brand, online store, and showroom sets some guidelines. "First things first - no 'fun socks.' This is not a time for stripes, argyles, or novelties. Grab a crisp pair of white cotton socks and wear with your favorite chino shorts (cut above the knee!) and pair with a worn-in polo, rumpled oxford cloth shirt, or breezy patch madras.  For a cooler day, substitute the shorts with a pair of chinos (not too slim, not too baggy) or a lighter wash denim like a broken in 501, and a vintage military shirt, cotton sweater, or chore coat," he instructs.

Others, like menswear editor and owner of the sock brand Bombas, Randy Goldberg, find a happy compromise in the no-show sock, cut low especially to be worn with boat shoes, without being seen. "Once the no-show sock is inside your Sperrys, it will disappear completely, giving you the advantage of stealth comfort. Sockless looks, sock feels. Best of both worlds," he says.

Elizabeth Drori, Sperry Chief Marketing Officer, strikes a happy medium. "The Sperry Authentic Original boat shoe is a timeless classic. Socks or no socks, with cuffed jeans or a skirt, wear them in a way that expresses your personal style."

Where do you stand? 

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The Princess and The Platypus Foundation Presents The Princess Diana Museum

The largest collection of Princess Diana's personal historical items in the world currently on display, online 24/7. The only Diana online museum that contains over 1,700 carefully curated iconic, personal and historical artifacts spanning Diana's lifetime from early childhood through her tragic death. Displayed in a 3D interactive environment, the artifacts depict her incredible life and reveal her enduring legacy.

Once inside the museum, a real time location map and virtual avatars will guide you through the museum in English or Spanish. An exclusive community chat and video feature will enable visitors to share experiences in real time to create a sense of belonging. In addition, over 40 exclusive interviews with Diana's friends, designers, artists and closest collaborators will give you a unique insight of one of the biggest icons in modern history. We hope this virtual journey will unite people from all around the world and inspire a desire to treat others with kindness and to help others while expecting nothing in return just as Princess Diana once did.

"With the sudden rise of COVID-19 virus forcing us to practice 'social distancing,' we are making access to Princess Diana's Museum completely free for one month. This will not only help take people's minds off of all the bad news out there but it will help them connect with each other since users can interact in the museum environment and give back in Diana's honor", Renae Plant and Livinio Stuyck founders at The Princess & The Platypus Foundation said.

The museum works perfectly with your internet broadband connection, any operating system PC/Mac/iOS/ Android on any popular desktop, laptop or tablet internet browser. Mobile phones are not supported due to the large extent of graphical elements and information rendered.

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How to Feel Your Most Confident Self this Valentine’s Day

Whether you’re going on a blind date or spending time with your spouse, Valentine’s Day can be quite intimidating and daunting. However, radiating confidence is one guaranteed way to impress that special someone. While this task may seem difficult to implement, it can be achieved with just a few tricks. Here are some of our tips on how to feel more confident this Valentine’s Day.

To start off, you’re going to want to dress to impress. Studies have shown that clothing can actually influence your mindset. Going above and beyond to dress up this year will not only impress your date, but it will also help you feel more confident. If you haven’t gone shopping for a new suit in a while, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity. Check out this selection of suits to help you get started. With that being said, you’ll also want to spruce up your grooming. A clean-shave will be sure to help you feel put together and ready to go. In order to do so, experiment with top of the line razors that will get you the smooth and sharp shave you need for your date.

Next, you’ll want to plan out your date night. Going into the date with a plan will not only help you to feel more prepared, but it will also boost your self-confidence. Knowing you have a killer night planned will shift the focus from trying to figure out where to go and what to do to simply focusing on your partner. If you’ve been with your partner for a few years, try taking them somewhere new and exciting! Going outside your comfort zone and trying something new will be sure to give them an exciting night. In contrast, for a first date or a blind date, dinner and a movie can be a great start to your potential relationship. Here are some tips to help you get started if you’re unsure where to begin!

Last (but definitely not least), you’ll need to remember to have a positive mindset. It can be easy to doubt yourself, especially when going on a date with someone new. But having a hopeful outlook for the date and focusing on the positive will give you a confident attitude that will be sure to impress your partner. Thinking positively has also been proven to lower levels of stress and improve your overall physical wellbeing. Focusing on the good in a situation, surrounding yourself with people who make you happy, and utilizing positive affirmations are just some of the ways to turn a negative mindset into a positive one. Not sure where to start? Take a look at this article for more tips to help you stay positive.

Confidence is more than just a smile and a firm handshake; it’s a state of mind. Showing your date you’re confident and comfortable in your own skin will allow them to feel more comfortable and confident on the date as well. Overall, it’s important to keep the focus on your date and give them a night they’ll never forget.

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The 90s Urban Chick Gets A Revamp

During the 90s, slowly but surely women’s fashion became dominated by denim. Jeans were already killing off the flared trousers of 80s. But it was going further than that by jackets that were made completely of denim, and even backpacks made from this material also. Nowadays we don’t bat an eyelid when we see someone wearing any one of those kind of clothes but we don’t realize why we should be paying attention. As much as other styles like streetwear and modern urban was to claim the top spot of the go-to fashion for women in major cities, it's actually the humble 90s background that claims true victory. Denim Wear became immensely popular for going to the beach. Sand and sea salt didn’t get stick in your jean, denim shorts and jacket, unlike clothes made from wool and cotton. It was noticed from this that denim was durable, even when wet and being hit by the elements. Hence why now, we have seen a revamp of the urban chick, mainly because of the contrasts the 90s fashion offered.

Confident in simplicity

Remember when urban fashion was obsessed with denim clothing that was artificially ripped and torn? The look of jeans having been through a blender was all the rage in the early 2000s. Especially for people that wanted a rebel look, this kind of clothing was attractive. And where better to go against the grain than in a city setting where so many people follow fashion trends? The need to be different was palpable by the urban chick style. Young women that were into hip-hop and rock n’ roll wanted to be separated from the pop culture of the day. However, this fashion style has gotten to a point where there is one dominant approach. No longer being excessively ripped, jeans with tears or rather holes at the knees are simple yet confident. Lighter denim is the choice here, and jeans that are either stretchy or straight cut are the most popular choices. Boot cut and tapered are also great choices but the retro look boot cut styles offer is perhaps the best option if you’re not sure.

A hint of attitude

In large cities, it's not uncommon to find all manner of people walking around and making up the fabric of the urban environment. There are people that don’t care about fashion, those that do, those that wear floral dresses, leather jackets, knitted jumpers, and a whole raft of other items during the same season. It's almost as if any kind of fashion is hip and ‘in’ at any time of the year. Mixing this kind of attitude of anything goes, you can wear round glasses from Eyebasic. The EyeBuyDirect review showcases why thin frames don’t have to be dainty and how metal is always going to be able to mold into any outfit. And perhaps that’s one of the more remarkable things about the modern urban fashion. Sunglasses aren’t as cool as actual glasses, as function is set above form for a change. This philosophy was always respected by the style, since practical wear and tear was needed for clothes worn in the bustling cities. However frames that are slim, lightweight, and always blend into the outfit without stealing the spotlight are exactly the kind of items that last the longest.

The famous bomber

You could say that certain celebrities have made the bomber jacket remain the popular choice of the urban fashion admirer. However, wouldn’t be doing justice to the designers that have constantly revamped the style to make sure that the bomber remains the top choice for jackets among younger women. Bomber jacket fashion was dominated by men, again in the 90s especially, as well as the early 2000s. However, they have been designed to compliment the body of a woman who is in shape. The stretchy elastic waist, flexible wrist and elbow material is directly destined to be worn tightly. The bomber is becoming slimmer also, and finally there is a vibrant color palette to choose from, as maroon and military green are becoming the fading choices. It's not uncommon to see urban women wearing this kind of style, in the new streetwear fashion. It's amazing how the bomber hasn’t been replaced by another jacket altogether, but it's understandable as it's practical and has been made more feminine over the years.

The urban chick has gone through a slow transformation. Since the 90s and 2000s there have been many changes but now, the style is supremely confident and knows what works, and what doesn’t. Practical and having stood the test of time, if the urban style speaks to you, rest assured that you have every right to be confident in the revamped designs.

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Queer Eye’s Tan France Shares Must Have Fashion App & Cash Giveaway On Instagram

“You know, from watching Queer Eye, that an organized, well curated wardrobe makes getting dressed so much easier” – Tan France

Queer Eye’s very own Fashion Expert Tan France recently teamed up with fashion app Mode-Relier to introduce the newest must have styling tool. By allowing users to organize their closet, put together looks and share outfits, Mode-Relier is an innovative essential for the fashionista looking to save time and money.

So whether users are looking for a way to organize their closet, sort through their favorite accessories or style looks before shopping, Mode-Relier’s user-friendly interface hopes to inspire users of all ages to discover the secrets to looking stylish every day.

Tan is also doing a Cash Giveaway on Instagram. Contestants will have a chance to win up to $1000. #FrenchTuckMeTanFrance

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Can You Be Fashionable Without Breaking The Bank?

If you are looking to try and be as fashionable as possible, then you might automatically assume that that means you have to spend all of your money in the process. However, it is likely that this is not actually going to be the case. The truth is that if you know what you are doing, you can generally get to be fashionable and look your best without actually overspending, and in most cases anyone on a normal, regular salary can do this too. It's all about knowing what you are doing, taking a few honest steps towards being thrifty, and making a few sacrifices. In this article, we are going to discuss just a few of the clever things you can do to make this so. Let’s take a look now at how you might be able to appear fashionable without breaking the bank.

Knowing How To Shop Around

Clearly, one of the most important parts of this is always going to be that you know where to actually look in order to try and find the cheapest items as easily as possible. In some cases, this will be as simple as looking at sites like Expensive Cheapest to see if you can glean some information that way. However, more often than not it will come from trial and error, and that means actually spending time going out and trying to find places which sell clothes cheaper than other places for the same kind of quality. This can often mean going further afield than you would usually go, but it is ultimately worth it if it means that you can get hold of the clothes you wear for a much cheaper price.

Being Clever With Your Wardrobe

Generally, being fashionable has less to do with always having the best new clothes, and a lot more to do with knowing what to do with the clothes you have. If you can manage to find some interesting and unique things to do with your clothes you currently have in your wardrobe, by pairing them in in original ways for instance, then you will hardly need to spend any money at all. As you can imagine, this is easily one of the most important skills to have here, so it is worth thinking about if you are trying to be more fashionable for less money. By changing how you wear what you wear, you can easily make a huge difference to your look without having to worry at all.

Accessorizing

Finally, we come on to a favorite topic for anyone interested in fashion even in the slightest: accessorize. By using any accessories you might have, you can be sure to double and triple the use that you are getting out of your wardrobe, and that in turn means that you save money, so this is actually really worth considering if you are not already. Learn to accessorize, and you might find that you are able to be much more fashionable without spending an extra penny.

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