Steal the Style: Mission: Impossible - Fallout

So, I forgot to post for nearly two full months, and am not gonna let that happen again! I am so sorry for the lack of consistent content, and promise to get at least one post out a week. (If I don't, you can actually throw a sandwich at me).

Let's begin!:

Ethan Hunt-

Tom Cruise. You may love him, you may hate him. I like him as an actor, but am on the fence about a few things he's done off the screen. However, in his two latest outings from the Mission: Impossible outings, he is not only amazing, but so is his sense of style. In Fallout, he sticks to the best kind of basics. A white, point collar, barrel cuff dress shirt, and a single-breasted, two button slim black suit. for the past two movies, Ethan has really been putting his best foot forward style-wise (except for the tux-necktie bit in Rogue Nation). Maybe we might get a Kingsman style double breasted number this go around?

Benjamin "Benji" Dunn-

Ahh, Benji. Welcome back, dude. This is one of the many reasons I love you so much. Not only are you easily the funniest character in these movies, you're probably the best dressed. Simon Pegg, you genius. Keep being you. To get an outfit similar to this, go in for a pale green glen plaid suit, a really pale green gingham shirt, a dark green button-front cardigan, amd a red and pale yellow bow tie, with a yellow and white polka-dotted pocket square.

August Walker-

Henry Cavill, the owner of the Stash' of Steel. My favorite of the new characters added in Fallout. Henry, you beautiful CIA agent. Keep wearing balmacaan coats and shooting your cuffs like there's no tomorrow. Keep being a badass, you magnificent man. For this look, start with a light brown pair of chinos (I recommend some from Charles Tyrwhitt), a light brown blazer of a light shade, a sky blue dress shirt, and the most dramatically flowing dark brown balmacaan coat you've ever seen. Now, go punch somebody in the face in a really nice bathroom, and you'll look just like him!

Over about the last month, Henry's outfit has become one I wear a lot.

Both of these outfits are perfect for everyday wear! I draw inspiration from both of them on a pretty regular basis, but I couldn't help but notice one detail: Tom's really well-disguised Asics. it took me nearly a full minute to see them, and he gets bonus points for that.

Have fun looking like a spy!

With stylish regards,

Zac Oxford-Dasilva

Prom: How to do it right! Part: The First!

(Sorry for the lack of posts! I had spring break recently and came down with bronchitis. I'll now be resuming my normal posting schedule)

Let's face the facts here: Prom is quickly approaching, and to most people, that's probably going to be a cause for at least a little bit of anxiety. I'm here to make that process less stressful!

Prom Don'ts:

Yes, Jason Sudeikis is beautiful. No, Jordans with a tux is not.

I am totally for self expression in fashion in (nearly) all scenarios, but this is one time where having the proper footwear makes or breaks your outfit. Within the categories of dress shoes, I'd recommend evening slippers, derbies, closed-lace oxfords, and occasionally chelsea boots. I wear cap toe derbies for formal events. Great tux, though!

To clear up a mistake made by lots of companies, this is not a tuxedo (at least not a traditional one).

If you are going for the classic tuxedo look, what you see above is not what you want to go for. 90% of the time at Prom/Homecoming, this is what's being worn, due to the fact that most accessible brick-and-mortar shops and online rental services offer this package. You do not have to spend an exorbitant amount of money to get the desired classic style. In fact, most of the time, you can find this look for half the price of what your rental cost is.

Fun fact!: I sometimes pull my own fashion pet peeves.

Don't do this! First, my shirt has barrel cuffs, and a standard front with pocket. Don't wear that for prom, pretty please. Next, my bow tie is tied to loosely, and won't stay snug to my collar, which is an issue. Finally, don't wear a business suit if you want the tux look!

Prom Grey Areas:

Matching accessories and outfit colors at prom is a mixed bucket of worms for me. I personally wouldn't do it (unless I was asked to), because I think it would take away my date's and my ability to express ourselves through our clothing choices. I think the couple above has done an absolutely wonderful job and have done really well staying true to the traditions of formalwear while updating it with the times. Hats off to you two wonderful humans!

If those shoes were cap-toe closed-lace oxfords, I'd be rocking this to Infinity War!

Some people think anything other than black or midnight blue with black tie dress is a faux pas. I 100% disagree, but I'm leaving it in the grey area section because it is controversial. I believe that self-expression is one of the most important things about style, but I also believe that with different dress codes, there are some rules and limits that need to be adhered to.

"We haven't met yet. I'm a bow tie" "I don't care"

First of all: Chadwick Boseman is the GOAT. I love this guy.

Onto the grey area part of this: some people don't think metallic bits belong on formalwear or in fashion in general. Again, I disagree! If the King of Wakanda can do it, you can do it. Wakanda Forever! (Please sponsor me, Marvel)

Thanks for reading!

With stylish regards,

Zac Oxford-Dasilva

Pet Peeves Part 1 (and a brief apology)

First things first: I totally swamped myself with schoolwork, but I swam out of that swamp, toweled myself off, got a piping hot cup of tea, and am proudly back to our regularly scheduled blogging. (two posts a week from here out, one on Sunday, one on Wednesday)

Now for the good stuff!:

We all have pet peeves (some way more than others), and in many different areas of life. Most of mine fall within the beautiful realm that is fashion. Be it buttoning the bottom button, Air Monarchs, or the worst dress shirt you've ever seen, it's probably going to end up on this list. Enjoy!

Buttoning both buttons on a two button suit!

"Do you expect me to talk, Goldfinger?" "No, Mr. Bond; I expect you to unbutton your lower button"

James Bond is a man who has his personal style down pat, just not in this photo. Buttoning both buttons is the easiest way to make it look like you have no idea in the world of how to wear a suit (unless there are gale force winds outside, then it's fine). DON'T EVER DO IT.

Sneakers that are lacking in the style department.

Yes, I get that Captain America wore these in The Winter Soldier. Does that mean you should too? No!

Nine times out of ten, the garish, generally unattractive running shoes you see everyone's parents wearing cost more than their stylish, equally comfortable and functional counterparts. I am guilty of owning the shoes shown in the picture (I swear I only wear them when I'm working out in my house), but in terms of fashion crimes, this is only about midrange.

Badly fitted suits.

*ahem* Needs a tailor *ahem* or a better stylist *ahem*

C'mon dude, you're making me cry. It's not hard to find a better fitting pair of pants or jacket, I swear it takes like an extra 5 minutes, tops. I used to have this problem, until I got a little bit more patient and knew what to look for. Moral of the story: Hire me for style consultations so I can buy more clothes, pretty please.

Ill-fitting clothes in general.

Fun Fact!: I was bald from November to late January! (that's why my hair is so short)

I'm gonna be straight up with you in this one: I do not look good in this picture. Not only is my follicular situation quite the ordeal, but my jacket and shirt don't fit anything like they're supposed to. My shirt was two sizes too big in sleeve and neck size, and my jacket and pants were too long. Lesson learned: Don't go bald and make bad fashion decisions. Do one or the other.

Thanks for reading!

With stylish regards,

Zac Oxford-Dasilva