DubiousTrend: 80s-Inspired Clothing

Over the past few months, I have seen an emergence of younger people, who were once filed under the ‘hipster’ sub-genre, stepping into the Charleston fashion ring, so to speak. Everything from ultra-skinny jeans to vintage shirts, ties and sweaters have been popping up virtually everywhere recently.

One good thing about this overflow in quasi-emo attire is the gaining popularity of the Technicolor-like designs and Roy Lichtenstein-inspired prints found on t-shirts, jeans, jackets, shoes and almost anything else a budding design collective could possibly get their hands on. All of which harkens back to the young, fly and flash days of the inner-city 1980s, a time where people acquired a classic and timeless sense of street style.

Every one from mainstay, Coogi, to the ultra-trendy, skater clothing line, Billionaire Boys Club, has been getting in on the action as of late. I wonder what this means for the future of Charleston’s ever-so-traditional fashion sense?

-BJW

DubiousOnTheWeb: HCS Swimsuits

I have again written for my surrogate blog, Holy City Style. I see it as two birds with one stone, you know?

Get to it!

DubiousPraise: It's a Celebration, Bitches!

Just wanted to take this time to update you all on a few things:

1. As you can see, I have finally gotten caught up with a few things here and there on the blog, so 'Huzzah!' for me.
2. I wanted to congratulate Caroline and Holy City Style for all of their recent success. Hopefully, they'll send some of that good karma my way...
3. Speaking of success, I have surpassed the 1000-page-view mark so I would like to thank everyone who has been keeping up with my blog (including myself), and hope that you will stay tuned as long as your patience will allow.

Thank you!

- BJW

New Music Review: Gnarls Barkley - "Going On"

I know, I know. This track has been out since the release of Barkley’s sophomore album, ‘The Odd Couple’, I get it; but take a bite out of this scenario: Imagine putting out your first LP as a collaborative effort, receiving rave review after rave review, winning enough awards to fill a bomb shelter, and then getting so much hype about your next record…Only to come back with a dud of an album?

That is the dilemma that Gnarls Barkley faces with ‘Couple’.

Not only does the flagship single, “Run”, fall very short of the curve, but the other eleven or so tracks serve as a sort of fodder for the duo’s half-assed attempt at one-upping ‘St. Elsewhere’. There is light at the end of the tunnel, though. Their second single, “Going On” has all the makings of an amazing, pseudo-conscious masterpiece—with an out-of-this-world music video, might I add—without running the risk of being overplayed like its “Crazy” cousin. This track shows no signs of falling on deaf ears.

Directed by Wendy Morgan and filmed in Jamaica with the Edna Manley dancers and Dynamite Empress.

The Essentials: The College Years

As I round out my final semesters, I find myself becoming more and more nostalgic of days gone by. I guess that is the main feeling that prompted me to do this edition of ‘The Essentials.’

Superbad, $12.99, amazon.com

By far one of the most accurate high-school sagas of my generation. Not only does Michael Cera and Jonah Hill make you question what your true status was during those turbulent days, they are also successful in bringing audiences to their knees with a crude vocabulary that rivals Colin Farrell. Just like high school, indeed.

Hot Pockets, $3, hotpockets.com

One of the most versatile, portable and absolutely delicious snacks of all time, the Hot Pocket has replaced Ramen Noodles as the resident relief of those mid-day, late-night and everything-in-between hunger pangs that only seem to occur in college. I remember many a day when ‘Cheddar and Chicken with Broccoli’ got me through many a hungry night.

NOW: That’s What I Call Music! Vol. 22, $13.99, amazon.com

I searched through all 28 volumes of this infamous series and finally found the one that summed up the greatest, most unpredictable, nastiest, totally awesome time during college: Freshman year. With everything from ‘Miss New Booty’ by Bubba Sparxxx (guys: ladies played this song while getting dressed to go out) to Sean Paul’s ‘Temperature’ (guys: ladies would dance with you to this song whether drunk or sober), this practically pin-pointed the true pinnacle of the 'college experience'.

Apple 60GB iPod, $299.99, apple.com

The version right before the sixth generation and then the newer, ‘Touch’ model, the iPod Classic was perfect for parties, social isolation and status seeking. Considering the fact that we did not know anyone, let alone ourselves, who owned a ‘kagillion’ albums that the iPod was able to store, we still flocked to Best Buys’ around the world to get our hands on one. God bless excess.

The Great Gatsby, $11, amazon.com

I just keep this book around as a constant reminder that sometimes: College isn’t really that much different from high school…

- BJW

DubiousRant: Running Behind...On Life...

Apologies go out to everyone who has been keeping up with my blog as of late. 

I have been swamped with tons of outside forces who would stop at nothing to make sure I accomplish as little as humanly possible.

Whew!...I feel better already.

Coming Soon:

• The Manual: Swimwear - There are a lot of poor choices being made across this gerat nation of ours when it comes to guys and swim suits. I make sure you don't make that same mistake with my top picks for summer swim apparel.
• The Essentials - I have been dreadfully behind with this week's 'Essentials'  but they should be up before the end of the weekend. Hopefully...
• Poll - I can't, for the life of me, figure out a good question for this week's poll. I've scanned the vast expansions of the Internets and can't seem to find anything worthwhile. Suggestions? Anyone?

As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, do not hesitate to get in touch with me at: bri4579@gmail.com

Take Care, Live Well,

- BJW

DubiousTrend: Wearing White

In all my days (7,845 of them, to be exact) would I ever think that wearing white would ever come into style around these parts, but more and more I've started to see men donning everything from all-white Pumas and white gold jewelry to the ever-complex pair of white jeans. Amazing! White is a very crisp and versatile color to use during the hot summer months and with a little practice (and some help from yours truly), you, too, can bask in the glory that comes from pulling off wearing white:

- Accessories:

When pairing white accessories with your clothes, always make sure you don't over do it. There is no reason why you should have a white watch with a white shirt, shoes and jeans because in the end, you look more like the milkman than a fashionable human being. This watch from Nixon is a prefect compliment to any wardrobe as is this leather belt from J. Lindeberg.

- Shoes:

White shoes or loafers work well with a standard pair of original blue jeans, to say the least. But again, if you don't want to run the risk of looking like a sailor, do not try to go overboard by piecing too many white elements together. Try either a pair of Roma sneakers, courtesy of Puma or these slick driving loafers from Geox.

- Jeans:

White jeans are very hard to pull off simply because most people associate white pants or slacks with either the neighborhood ice cream man or your elementary school's janitor. Whit that said, go understated with a pair of black Converse shoes or even black boots (if you're feeling adventurous). This pair, seen above, are from the good folks at Levi Strauss.

- Shirts/Outerwear:

White polos are a must during the unforgiving, summer months mainly because they do not retain heat nearly as much a shirt of a darker hue. I really have this affinity towards white blazers, more importantly, dinner jackets. There's almost a certain James Bond-esque feel to them. That's why I recommend this blazer from Armani Exchange and polo from Penguin.

-BJW