The Extra 10%

When it comes to providing the extra ten percent, simply being well-dressed isn't good enough. It isn't good enough because the character—flair and personality—is missing. Following the many rules of dress puts many limitations on what one can do. When a person is well-dressed with character, they're adding their own rules to the equation. Take a look at the image above. Andre "3000" Benjamin has put together an unlikely pairing. Wearing braces with polo shirts may be his style quirk. I'm a firm believer in having and overall look that will truly set you apart, not because you "tried" hard to be recognized, but because it's your own personal identity.

"Some days I wake up and I just want to look a little spiffy. It's not about what I think other people will say or how I think I'll be accepted when I walk into a room—it's about what I'm feeling that day." — Andre "3000" Benjamin


Those who dress well and with character appreciate designers like Paul Smith. The man is a genius in the area of color and eccentric items; when it comes to his accessories, they all catch anyone's attention. For example, the striped socks he wears above. It's the small things that provide excitement, like the flash of colorful socks when the trousers rise. I'm sure the man himself designs these items with the dandies of the world in mind.

"What I hope I get from my dad, more than any way to dress, was his character. He was very easy, the sort of man who'd walk into a room of strangers and would, within about three minutes, get everyone laughing. My character, my sense of humor, it's always been a big part of my career, and I got that from him." — Paul Smith

The extra ten percent can be performed by anyone, as long as you remain true to self and don't end up trying too hard. It's just about creating style quirks that become yours, like unbuttoned shirt collars, cuffs, or undone buckles on a pair of loafers. The Atlanta store owner Sid Mashburn, who I get tons of inspiration from, sometimes wears the back end of his tie longer than the front. Effortless ease—a feeling of being perfectly imperfect and undone—is what we should all strive to achieve. With that said, tuck your tie into your trousers, roll your chinos to flash a bit of ankle, and just find out what works for you. Don't just dress well, but dress with character.

Revered

In earlier years, racecar designers wanted to add their own flair to what they'd see on the world's greatest circuits. Only a swift glance is needed to discover the beauty of the 1967 Ferrari 330 P4. Piere Drogo was the designer of this Italian-manufactured creation; the sleek and futuristic design of the Ferrari 330 P4 silently displays his genius. Even today, with only one left somewhere in the world, the car sits looking like something that belongs in many years ahead. Just imagine if you owned one. While you're cruising around, comfortable in its racecar-designed interior, the world would be your race track and every car that dares to rev its engine would be an opportunity to show off what the engine of the Ferrari 330 P4 holds. That's a feeling that easily leaves a man who is passionate about all-things-motor on top of the world.


With a racecar that has such a clean exterior and interior, you have to wonder if it can live up to what it is truly called to do: Win races. With a five-speed manual transmission and Ferrari’s largest rear-engine (Lampredi V12), that answers the question. However, the specifications don't end there. Updated from its earlier model, the P3, the P4 came with Lucas fuel injection and intakes. With a top speed of 210 mph, that only adds to the P4's charm. The kit of the 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 was outstanding, and we have to tip our hats to Mr. Piere Drogo for conjuring up such a fantastic creation that will never be forgotten.

Canadian Invasion: Inventory Magazine

With many years of experience in the area of fashion, the well-connected group of men who created a project formerly known as h(y)r collective is now on the rise to take over print. They have put aside h(y)r collective to bring into existence a bigger and better project: Inventory. With only two issues of the magazine available so far, you can see the time and effort the team of men put into producing something that is well worth purchasing. For those like me who aren't located in the areas that supply this grand magazine, Inventory provides a plethora of articles, interviews, and editorials exclusively for online. That is certainly a different approach, and making sure your readers are taken care of. I truly believe Inventory is on its way to being the best men's magazine on the market. Whether Ryan Willms (editor-in-chief and creative director of the magazine) knows it or not, his vision for Inventory is going to keep the power of menswear print alive, interesting, and well.


Not only does Inventory advertise an abundance of good-looking garments, footwear, and accessories, the magazine's online shop known as the Stockroom is full of gems and exclusive brands that produce quality products. Clothing brands like S.N.S. Herning, Quoddy, and Common Projects are always ready to be purchased. Inventory's Stockroom even sells reading material like Monocle magazine. Maybe there is one, but I don't know of a magazine that provides its advertised items on the online website; this is pure innovation and a way to make it easier on the person who wants to directly purchase the item they may covet. This is just another simple reason why Inventory will take the lead.


What I find charming is how Inventory and I (and probably many other individuals) both share an interest for how garments are made and not just how good they may look. You can see that through the products they look to sell (just view the handsome garments available in the Stockroom). This is what it's all about, and Inventory provides it all. It's going to be very interesting to watch this publication grow and expand. The "Canadian Invasion" will take place right before our eyes.