As a change of pace, let’s address the men, and those who love them, and introduce menswear designer by the name of Danilo Herrera. (www.daniloherrera.com)

I am proud to be amongst the first to write about this fabulous collection as Mr. Herrera designs a collection, which I can totally relate to on many levels. This jewel box of a collection is going to become one of the must have brands come Fall 2011. The grouping is decidedly tasteful and skews a bit on the younger side but not that young that man of even 50 or 60 couldn’t wear these with full confidence.

One of the inspirations for Mr. Herrera is his concern for furthering a lost art, which in this case is shirt making within the city limits. It was long ago that the side streets off Broadway in the garment center were dotted with custom shirt makers as well as custom suit makers. For those old enough to remember there was even a chain of stores called The Custom shop whose primary business was making shirts to order and then as time progressed they branched out to ready mades as well as furnishings.

The eponymous collection is of crisp tailored shirts constructed with the finest and softest of imported cottons and ranging from “basics” like a solid shirt to what we might refer to novelty, at lack of better word, which include plaids and plaid trims as well as bi-color creations. If you have never had the pleasure of owning well made, unabashedly luxuriously fabricated and superbly styled shirts, then this will be your chance to start a new habit. You might even give up the tee shirts and relegate it to only weekend wear.

Again, what makes these shirts even more appealing is the fact that not only are they Made in America, but they are Made in New York City and conceived in New York City by a resident of New York City. The uniqueness of these factors gives even greater intrinsic value to what is already a stellar product.

Hopefully, come fall the Danilo Herrera collection will be available at fine stores such as Barneys, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf’s and Saks as well as fine specialty stores dotted all over the trendiest parts of NYC.

P.S. You ladies who adore these shirts can wear them as well, don’t forget to look for me on Facebook as well as at www.examiner.com/

Parlez-vous Plaid?

New York loves plaid

Fuggedahboutit!

Very NYC

In a NY minute!

The dark side

It’s a common misconception that to look like a million bucks you have to spend a million bucks. That, my friends, is far from the truth. During this choppy economic times when we are all strapped for cash anyways, there’s no better time than now to reflect, reduce, and revamp your wardrobe. Being a sharp shopper instead of a design-thirsty shopper, you can not only save some dough but you look better than the guy who’s decked out in everything from Armani to Zegna. Browse these tips before you hit the stores to see how you can look like a designer dude without spending on a designer price tag.

1. Always Choose Quality Over Quantity

It’s better to have one perfect white shirt that fits you perfectly than to have five that are just “eh.” Pay a little more and get something you love–trust me, it will love you back.

2. Examine Details

When purchasing a new item check the seams, buttons, and finish to ensure you are getting bang for your buck. The stitching should be even and no threads should be coming undone. Think, do the buttons look cheap and thin? Plastic is the most common choice when it comes to buttons. Look for ivory or bone when it comes to finding a high-quality piece.

4. It’s ALL About the Fabric

Sometimes designer knock-offs hit the ball out of the park when choosing fabric to replicate the runway pieces. When you pick up a piece try scrunching it in your hand, does it wrinkle easily? Stand back and think if I saw this on someone else would I think TJ Maxx or Nordstroms? Personally, I get a lot more use out of something that’s made from a higher-quality fabric than something that just looks good from afar.

Also, look for little patterns when it comes to purchasing shirts–they go a lot further than a boring solid.

5. A Little Color Goes A Long Way

Any basic solid (black, gray, brown, khaki, pin-stripes, white) paired with any bright color is a hit. It’s just that simple.

6. Everything Lies in the Details

A perfectly chosen outfit can be marred by a crappy pair of shoes or old beat-up hat. Your outfit is only as fabulous as the shabbiest piece you wear.

Also, accessories can make or break you. A wisely chosen scarf, some killer cuff links, a freshly-shined pair of shoes are what takes you to the next level.

Basically, as your Granny probably already told you, it really is all about quality over quantity. When shopping, think in complete outfits and go for pieces that look expensive, not just cost expensive. Take tips from the dudes over at the Fine and Dandy Shop; ” This shop is for that modern man looking for the finishing details to truly be fine and dandy.” After all, it’s the first impression that lasts forever.

Time flies when your having fun and this year was no exception. Despite daily reminders of our failing economy, there was no shortage of brilliant fashion must haves, or fashion mishaps, for that matter. Below is the official Oligoville recap of the Best and Worst Trends 2008 had to offer. So lets get to it!

Who could not feel pretty with girlie details of lace and ruffles? We saw them both on everything from dresses to gloves from spring to fall. This is a trend I foresee going well into next year and for good reason. Its very versatile as it can take a day look effortlessly into evening.

Lace and ruffles also flawlessly softened one of our personal favorite trends of the year, menswear. The combination of frilly and pretty with the more structured pieces made for a nice combination of silhouettes and textures.

When it came to accessories our favorite two had to have been chains and layered bangles. They both added instant glam and in the case of the bangles, they added a punch of color for the more fearless gals out there.

Color and sophistication was also added with our much talked about scarves. A variety of shapes, prints and colors spruced up boring or unadventurous ensembles faster than your can say ITS A WRAP.

As a shoe addict, I have many to call favorites but when it comes down to the shoe I wore the most this summer, it was undoubtedly my beloved gladiator sandals. I love these so much, I plan on wearing them next year as well! This trend doesn’t end with ’08. These puppies were seen in all colors, including metallics, textures and heights. Who can forget the Balenciaga woven knee length sandals that started it all?

What was great about the gladiator sandal is that it paired beautifully with my skinny jeans. I dont think I can ever go back to a boot leg now! Those jeans just hug every curve perfectly and look great with my other favorite shoe that is worth mentioning…the bootie.

As I’m writing this, I am wearing a pair of plum colored tights. My otherwise all black outfit would have been to dull and one always needs a touch of color. Anyone who puts this trend on the worst list just has to be crazy….at least that is what I think right now. This leads me into the worst trends of 2008.

In hindsight a lot of things were NOT a good idea. Like the time I was an accomplice in a night of egging houses while in high school, but that’s a story for another day. Lets fast forward a bit to early 2008 when Art nouveau details seemed pretty, fashion forward and the new IT thing. Wow…what a difference a few months can make!

The Prada shoes shown above pretty much sums it up now. They are pretty ugly, a fashion disaster and made your feet look like they were encased in a contraption of sorts.

Hammer pants anyone? I didnt go for these in the 90′s and I did’nt go for them this go round either. Lets put these to rest people.

Designers went crazy for sculptural and architectural details in both clothing and shoes. In an effort to show something avant guard they ended up with clothing that were down right dangerous. Even surfaces to walk on were essential at all times…no exceptions!

Yves Saint Laurent was responsible for the short lived (thank god!) craze for anything with stars. We saw them as prints, details on shoes and especially in resin jewelry. Forever 21 jumped on that bandwagon in a fashion nano second furthering the proliferation of star spangled ugliness.

I was kinda feeling the goth look this year but quickly realized that ripped jeans and skulls had a place and time in fashion for me. Mid thirties and a job involving cubicles were not it. Besides…… skulls? When will this trend ever die?!?!?! Pun totally intended.

The Australian classic boot company put the ugg in fugly. Dont get me wrong. I’m all for keeping your footsies toasty warm in the dead of winter but when its a 100 degree day in Texas and the rest of your outfit involves minimal coverage, you know your going to regreat that fashion decision at some point.

Last but certainly not least are the 80′s style glasses seen on hipsters everywhere. These dont need an explination. Just look at them and try looking OUT from them.

So there you have it ladies. Our official 2008 trend recap with the best and worst fashion had to offer. Perhaps the lesson learned here is, if it seems a little odd at first, odds are its going to be ALOT odd a few months down. I’m just sayin’.

• British designer Matthew Williamson will be next to design a capsule collection for H&M. Designs are slated to arrive in stores Spring 2009. He will join the ranks of Comme des Garcons, Stella McCartney and Viktor & Rolf. An extensive summer collection will follow within weeks after the spring arrivals, which will contain Williamson’s first venture into menswear.
• ShuAddikt is a new shoe boutique that opened up earlier this year in Dallas but this boutique is reinventing the online shopping arena by offering complimentary personal shoppers. Business professionals, busy mothers and fashionistas alike are taking advantage of ShuAddikt’s elite services. Their free service will undoubtedly make an addict out of me!
  
• DNR RIP, mens fashion trade paper dead at 116, DNR, known as “the bible of the menswear industry” died this week. It is suspected that both a faltering economy and management blunders have led to its demise. This is especially sad because it was actually this publication that launched the Fairchild publishing empire. LAT
• Style icon, Sarah Jessica Parker, is now searching for a home for her clothing line Bitten after parent company Steve and Barry has filed bankruptcy for the second time this year. She stated to NY Magazine “We have to make sure that any partner we enter into an agreement with wants the same thing for the brand as we do, which is to serve the customer first.” NYM
• Skin Deep: Out With Fancy Spas, In With Budget Salons $300 dollar massages seem a little excessive to those who can still afford it. Instead they are trading down for more economic venues as seen in this NY Magazine article.

Photo Courtesy of Matthew Williamson Spring Summer ’09 Collection

Dear Oligo Editor,

From runways to celebrities, I’ve been seeing a lot of chicks dressed up like dudes lately. I’ve tried and tried to wear my man’s clothes, but I end up looking like I’m in drag. How can I pull off the latest menswear trend without looking like I raided my boyfriends closet? Please help!—Lost in a Mans World, San Francisco

Dear Lost in SF,

Let me first pay tribute to the fashion Gods and remind you that man-inspired women’s wear was made famous decades ago by Yves Saint Laurent and the sexy tuxedo. Stop borrowing your beau’s clothes immediately, my confused friend. Baggy (and probably smelly) jeans, dirty flannels, and so-big-that-you-trip shoes are not cute nor are they fashion forward.

The inspiration behind the menswear trend is meant to accentuate femininity and highlight ones curves. When creating your look, steal only one or two pieces from the boys. Wear a man’s vest over your favorite dress or blouse. Try pairing man-inspired shoes with your jeans. Pair some wide-legged pants with a ruffly and ever-so feminine blouse. Wear a man’s blazer with some skinny jeans and heels. Accesorizing this trend is fun with a plethora of choices. Go with girlie by piling on bangles and long necklaces or finish off your look with a stylish fedora.

The beauty of this menswear trend is that it is a classic and timeless style. So your purchases will serve you well for years to come. There is no need to break the bank but a few key pieces from the list below (that you might already have) will help make your woMANly debut:

• Tuxedo trousers
• Well-tailored blazers
• Sharp vests
• Button-down shirts
• High-heeled bootie shoes
• Wide-legged pants
• Lace-up shoes
• Hats: Fedoras, newspaper boy caps
• Masculine dresses (with tuxedo belts or a front-button)
• Manly prints: dark checks, argyle, large stripes
• Menswear fabrics: Houndstooth and tweeds
• Briefcase style bags

Stay Stylish,

Oligo Editor

Got a fashion dilemma?! Email the Oligoville editors for a rapid solution at Claudette@oligoville.com

Photo credits: Elle.com, Mango.com, ThisNext.com, Flickr.