Posts with tag austin

To be a truly stylish person, you need to live in a stylish place. You could opt for something obvious -- like New York, L.A. or Chicago. Those are all great cities, full of fashionable people as far as eye can see.

But if you're looking for something a little more under the radar (or just can't afford rent in the aforementioned locations), you might want to consider a mid-sized city. However, beware. Some mid-sized cities -- while full of wonderful people -- are not fashionable in any way. Take Cleveland, for instance. I grew up there. It's a great place. They have a great basketball team. The people dress like they're trapped in a never-ending 1994.

Fortunately, MSN City Guides has compiled a list of the Top 5 Cities for Young Singles. These are the places with the best nightlife, best cost of living, and largest percent of the workforce in the "Creative Class" (designers, writers, artists, etc).

Austin, TX (where I live), made the list, along with Washington DC, Denver, CO, Raleigh, NC and Lexington, KY.

Check out the list for photos, descriptions, and criteria on how they decided which cities made the cut. Then pick your favorite, and move accordingly.

As this was taken at a house party, it's probably not surprisingly that -- unlike most of the "street fashion" photos I post here -- I know the subject. In fact, this is a friend who always looks fantastic, so it's amazing she hasn't been featured already.

Maybe it's because I was waiting for a look -- like this -- that's especially awesome. It's already hot in Austin -- as in, 85 degrees and muggy hot -- and thus, officially Springtime. So a lightweight, pink and blue dress feels more or less perfect. And, while white shoes with a white tie around the waist, coupled with a pink headband to match the pink in the dress, could feel too coordinated, because the look is so upbeat, it just adds to the fun.

In a grunge-inspired season that's bound to be filled with it's fair share of black and gray, a little color -- done right -- is the perfect way to stand out.

Excellent.

Ok, I'm just about through the last of the shots I took during SXSW. I bumped into these guys at a party and couldn't help but take their photo. I know they're goofing around, but somehow they've managed to look both stylish in the midst of being hysterical.

Note the grey on black look on the dude on the right. Especially for those of you interested in the "new rocker" (or "rocker chic" or whatever) look that's returned with a vengence, this is worth paying attention to, as well as the pseudo-fro. This is the second time I've seen some hipster kid running around with his curly hair done up. That, combined with those fantastic, fake, but oddly fashionable moustaches makes me think that maybe it's all about the 70s for men's hair?

On the left: the jeans are a little baggy for my taste, but I laugh out loud every time I check out the feigned "model" expression he pulled for the photo.

Like a lot of the looks I'm attracted to, these three manage to look trendy and contemporary without screaming "I'm more fashionable than you!" On the left, check out the well-cut jacket and shoes dressed-down by the torn jeans and hoody. In the center, a step more refined -- more proof that you'll be able to look good in black and white always and forever. The woman on the right has the coolest jacket I've seen this Spring -- is that plaid awesome or what?

As a side note: these three were possibly the nicest people I've photographed to date. And you know what? Nice better look better -- in whatever they're wearing.

Let's be honest: I wasn't expecting to take any fashion photos at the Zilker Kite Festival -- an event where Austinites come out and fly kites with their kids. It's fun, but is by no means the trendy epicenter of the universe.

That being said, as a father, I have a soft spot for fashionable families, so couldn't help but snap this trio. I love mom's dress -- nicely layered, and very fun for Spring. In fact, she does a great job overall -- pulling off the black and white look without coming on too strong. Dad's jacket is fantastic, and I love the throw-back mop haircut. Plus, being a photographer is so hip these days that a camera hanging around your neck is practically an accessory.

To top it all off -- check out the black stocking cap on baby, that matches the stroller, the dog, and mom's shirt. Awesome!

I met this guy on Austin's First Thursdays -- a monthly event in the city's trendy SoCo shopping district, where everyone shows up to see and be seen.

This is cowboy chic done just right. Boots are J-cut to give them a more fashionable, vintage feel, the jacket fits just right, and the hat takes it from well-dressed to notable. In everyday men's fashion you're always walking a fine line -- trying to look current while still looking masculine. This is a perfect example of how to do that well.

I'd be interested to hear how you think this look would be received elsewhere. I've noticed country-influenced looks cropping up just about everywhere -- especially amongst the young, male, hipster set -- but in Texas, where we have actual cowboys, I think we're particularly lenient on a look that, in other parts of the country, might be too Western.

What do you think?

Sure, in the photo, what makes the look pop out is the cool light jacket over top the darker layers, and those superbly worn-in checkered shoes. But in real life (and what I didn't quite capture with my puny little flash), is that this dude has the most enormous fro you've seen since 1979. Awesome.

When I stopped him, this guy was only in jeans, and a black t-shirt -- it was his hat that caught my attention. But before I could take his picture, he stopped me, asked to run back inside the coffee shop, and re-emerged in the awesome cardigan and daring neckware you see above. Two simple changes took a look that was straightforward cool, and made it completely kick ass.

This guy's look is your standard hipster fare, but there are two points that are worth noting. One, the hair. Men's hair has to go somewhere now that we've had it all messy and down in our faces for the last couple years. I've seen some guys growing it longer (ala mullet), but I definitely prefer this nod to the faux-hawk instead. Two, those pants! The comeback of black jeans is no surprise, but these are so skinny it's unbelievable. Watch out for more men squeezing into ultra-slim-fit jeans in the months to come.

At first this seems very straightforward -- sweatshirt, shorts, and sandals -- but this outfit is made in the details. Check out the extra ruffle at the shoulders, and the tight fit around the waist and cuffs. That, combined with the dash of blue shirt peeking out, creates a succinct, layered look that says "smart and trendy" without going full-blown hipster. Awesome.

It's nice when you find a hipster look that isn't so over the top that you feel like you're watching him go out of style in real time. For the dudes, there's a few things to notice here. Check out the hat for starters -- I'm normally not a big fan of hats in men, but I've seen this look with increasing frequency lately, and I think it works.

Also, the jacket -- this can be tricky. Most leather jackets make the wearer look like he's trying way too hard, but the unique color, vintage look and slim fit of this one make it look cool without being too imposing.

Lastly, the western shirt. I know, I took this in Austin, where cowboy chic is a cultural mainstay, but I have a feeling you'll notice a country influence on scenesters and fashionistas wherever you find them.

As a side note, this guy is in a very good band.

Just about everything these guys are wearing is essential for those of you who'd like a hipster-filled wardrobe. Horizontal-striped, fitted sweater, white converse, tight jeans, long hair (totally coming back with the return of grunge) -- even that mustache-heavy, but otherwise light sprinkling of facial hair is all the rage. These guys are on it.

I bumped into this guy's band on Saturday night. He does the new rocker look just right -- dark colors, messy hair, but a much cleaner look than the last time grunge was popular. Check out the shine on those kick ass black boots, and notice the fitted, brown leather jacket. Both are surprisingly sophisticated, and the latter is understated so as not to scream "hey, look, I'm cool in my bad ass jacket." Because that would be lame. As a side note, his band, The Fiction, is awesome.