My man's Top 5 for Valentines
StelloStyle Peeps! Valentine’s day is around the corner, and for me that means a double holiday of Riane’s B-day and V-day falling on 2/14… I always get asked, “So do you combine the two or do you have to do separate events?” If you know Riane, you know the answer to that. If you don’t, there is no such thing as a combined holiday, especially when you are dealing with her birthday. So for the last 17 years of my life I’ve planned two separate occasions on the same week to celebrate the Holiday of love and the Holiday of my love. Riane feels love when you give her gifts, so she often shows love the same way, which mean’s I’ve always received some pretty cool stuff over the years even though the big V-day falls on her day.
This year, Riane asked me to share with you guys my top 5 “wish list”. Realize this though, I’m not always the guy that will easily relate to your man when it comes to gifts. I'm typically one trying to push the envelope, especially when it comes to fashion. I love shoes, tattoos, and cool containers for your booze. (I also like rhymes when I write things.) I am willing to wear some things that other guys don’t, won't and can’t figure out why I am… My answer is, “because I have a professional dress me.” So at some point you may think, "Case you are crazy." You would not be the first to make that claim. I'm good with that. But I'm also good with putting some ideas on the table for you to check out. So here you go...
#5 - A New Bag
I have a small collection of bags and am always looking for a new one. I’m currently searching for a camera bag to carry all my gear. But today I’m sharing with you one of my favorite bags. Riane got me this Hershal travel/duffel bag a couple of years ago and I carry it every time we travel. If you’ve missed the last year of instagram, duffle bags are huge for guys right now, but you don’t have to drop $2k on a Louis to accomplish the task of the bag. The Hersh gets it done for less than $100. If your man travels consistently for work or just with you and the fam, this is a great way to upgrade his travel style with a new duffle.
#4 - The Record Player
We have one of these already, so it’s not really on my “list” but I thought I’d add it because if we didn’t have one it would be. We use our record player all the time. We are in a time when vintage is more than cool and that old school sound of the record static almost penetrates the bones if you are following me here. Yes, I throw on my beats daily while working, at the gym, and anytime we travel. But my favorite tunes are when we are together as a family in our living room playing games, cooking dinner, or just spending some good weekend time with the record player turning some CCR…
#3 - Hoodies or Tee’s with tails
I love hoodies. I wear them all the time. I layer my tops anytime it’s cooler than 80, because I get cold and because it’s cool. Hoodies and tee’s with tails are a great way to layer. The tee shirts with tails are extremely trendy right now inside street fashion and the fitness community (fashion fitness community - not the cross fit guys. They don’t wear shirts…ever.) The long tee, layered with a hoodie is a great look right now, especially when it’s paired with some joggers or casual skinny or slim jeans and some killer kicks. I personally don’t like heavy layers or thick hoodies, so everything I’ve linked is a thinner hoodie that can go over a longer tee, under a button up, a jacket or all three if it's that cold.
#2 - Joggers
Joggers to drop kids off at school, joggers to the gym, heck joggers to church. (Seriously, did it last week.) I’ve got a few pairs now and with the Athleisure movement guys can mix it up with a full on “gym attire” or you can dress it up a little more for a night out. Guys are rocking camo joggers with a v-neck, sport coat and a hat. It's in, embrace it! Your norm athletic brands are carrying some good stuff ie. Nike and Adidas and I’ve linked a couple of those, but I personally take a different route with my joggers. I leave my kicks to Adidas, Nike and Converse but my joggers I like to go with some of the smaller up and coming guys. I’m wearing some right now from Aesthetic Revolution - We are not affiliated with these guys at all, but their stuff is top quality. I’ve got a couple of joggers, a hoodie and will be ordering more because their stuff is so good. Almost everything we link in our blogs we get a commission off sales, but not these. We have always been committed to sharing with you guys what we think is the very best. I personally think these guys are doing it best right now when it comes to joggers. I think ASRV's are made better, they fit better, and they look better. They are based out of Seattle, are order online only, fairly quick in shipping, and have been readily responsive when I’ve needed something. (I’m returning a Parka I got from them that was too small and I’ve had no trouble with that process even though they are out of state and don’t list a phone number for customer service.) Again, I've given you some quick links on the other brands which are great, but I've also given you the website for ASRV. These guys also have longer tee's with tails, but they are going to be a little more $$ than what I linked above.
#1 - Adidas nmd’s
Probably one of the hottest shoes out right now. Adidas has come out of nowhere it seems and made some signifiant gains in competing with Nike for that #1 sales spot when it comes to athletic shoes. Much of that is driven by their Ultra Boost and NMD line. Here’s the thing, when Adidas releases or “drops” a version they sell out fairly quick and are very difficult to find within about 30 days or less of being released. Good news is they are always getting ready to roll out the next pair. I just purchased the NMD-RX1 last month for Xmas and they are by far my favorite pair of kicks I’ve ever owned. Super comfy, great for my casual looks, great lifting shoe and someone typically asks me about them. If your guy's kicks are old, tired and stinky, grab him a pair of these. I’m also linking Jason Mark’s shoe cleaning kit because if you are going to wear sick kicks, you need to be able to clean them too. We have 2 kids and they make a point to step all over my new shoes when I get them - I think just to remind me that they are really in control and I’m just pretending like I’ve got some type of notable authority with them. For whatever reason they've chosen my shoes to exert their independence. Jason Marks is my answer to keep my kicks looking new.
- You will have to go thru the Adidas banner link and then type in NMD in the search. The pics below are links to Nord, but are no longer in stock there - they are in stock with Adidas. (their linking system works different)
Bonus Flask and Bracelets -
These are just cool. They make me think of snow boarding and grabbing a relaxing shot of whiskey after a long day on the slopes…and since I didn't go this year, I’d at least like to pretend I did. And, and!... you can put your initial on it. - Beaded bracelets are in right now for guys. If your man hesitates at the idea, let him know the key to pulling this off is confidence. And if that doesn't work, tell him the Vikings wore them. But seriously, beads are a hot men's trend right now. I'm currently wearing one from Elizabeth Irvine's line - it's $75, which is a mid to high range price for these, but if they break we can ship them back for free repairs and they are phenom with customer service! Riane has carried their jewelry for years now and they've always done a great job. I linked a cheaper opt as well as one in-between and another that's a little bit more. You can look through at the other colors as well (but I would encourage you to stay with black, grey or white)... just know a $15 beaded bracelet won't last as long - which is fine, I've had plenty - but I've been super pleased with this one from E.Irvine.
Hope you all have an amazing Valentines day this year!
case