Goodwill Fashion Expert—Bjorn Nasett

Here in the Midwest, it’s been on the mild side as far as winter temperatures go. But, as we all know that can change into blizzard conditions quickly! You know what else can change your winter look quickly? A great hat! When I’m attending Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC for the fall and winter collections, the focus is not always on accessories, but there were a few instances in certain shows that definitely illustrated just how much a hat can give an ensemble a little more personality - and even drama! This year there was everything from knit caps, to furry nods toward the North Pole. I thought it would be fun to look at a few of the hat tricks that designers used to complement the fashions that paraded down the runways this week. Let’s take a peek shall we?

That old black magic has me in its spell, that old black magic that you weave so well,”… and so the famous song goes. There is simply nothing as chic as black when it comes to fashion so, of course, the lyrics get it exactly right. I know there are those that say “I can’t wear black,” and though it’s somewhat of a cliché, I understand where they’re coming from. Not every single person in the world looks good in head-to-toe black, however, when the right thing comes along, this no-color neutral can be the epitome of classy-and-cool style. Let’s take a look at some of the runway looks I saw at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week that really took the monochromatic dark side to new levels of high fashion.  There are elements in each of the following looks that can be translated to everyday wear for ALL of us …  

When the leaves start to fall it’s time to review what we have in our closets for the autumn and winter seasons to come. Yes, that means you too, men! As a guy who works in the fashion business I have a pretty good eye for what works for the average man, as well as what he might actually wear. Of course, I dress up a little more frequently than most guys do because of my job but, at the end of the day, every male needs to be in the loop about fashion and style for fall. I’m going to dispense some tips about the looks that are easy to emulate - and those that can be achieved by any man, boy, guy or dude who wants to put a little style spin on his everyday wardrobe this fall and winter.

Once again its that time of year. Time to put away the lightweight cotton dresses, tank tops, shorts and other pieces in our wardrobe that won’t help ward off the chill of fall. Or is it? With a few simple tricks, and the right layering pieces, those fashion favorites of the summer season can make the transition to take you into the brisk days of fall. 

As a guy who covers fashion and style, I must admit that when the weather gets humid, muggy and unbearable during these “dog days of summer,” I’m more than a little bit jealous of women. Why? Because women have the option of slipping on a dress and running out the door. Depending on the dress, they’re ready to go anywhere and do anything. That’s why having a good selection of dress styles should be a priority for any gal!

There’s one thing for certain in the world of fashion and that is its ability to change with the times, as well as the tastes of the people who wear it. Whenever I’m asked, "What’s in style?" I most often answer with, “Whatever looks best on you!” I realize people want me to tell them what’s trending, but in reality we should all wear what’s best for our lifestyle and body type. That being said, the age old question of skirt length is open to discussion, primarily because it’s gone up and down like a flagpole over the last 100 years or so. This reflects changes in society as well as the whims of fashion design. So, let’s take a look at the greatest hits of "the skirt" shall we?

I’m sure there’s lots of us that on any given day don’t give much thought to the mechanics involved in the world around us. By this I mean the way things work - how they’re made, built or fabricated. We take for granted that the tall building where our dentist’s office is made to bear the weight of all the floors, or perhaps our favorite pair of sneakers and the way they cradle our feet perfectly. Someone indeed designs everything that we see, touch, or purchase. From architects to aviation engineers, these people have a single-minded passion, to make things better, stronger, and in some cases, more beautiful than they were before. In recent years, I have attended numerous retrospectives of fashion designers, wherein we the public are allowed into their process to help us understand just why their ideas were the cream of the crop. Famous names like Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Alexander McQueen have been celebrated for their contributions to fashion and the influence it still holds for us on what we choose to wear. Learning about fashion design and in particular the people behind the designs is a great way to increase your knowledge of style and put it to work in your own life. Recently, I went to New York City to view the Charles James: Beyond Fashion exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Who was Charles James? Why are his designs held up as pieces of art? Those were the questions I asked myself as I entered the museum on 5th Avenue at 84th street on a gorgeous sunny afternoon a few weeks ago.

Whenever I’m out and about walking around the city in the summer, I’m inspired by all I see around me. From seeing something like this colorful mural painted on the side of a building, to the constant parade of unique summer attire, there is always a lot to take in.  Do you people watch too? I’m fascinated by what people choose to wear to illustrate their personality and fashion point of view. Street style has become a popular subject ever since the internet allowed fashionable folks to herald their clothing choices to the world via their websites, blogs, and other sources.  While I’m in New York for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, I always pay particular attention to the folks lining up out on the street, or in the tents to see the fashion shows.  In many cases, the outfits worn by those attending are a lot more interesting than those being shown on the runway! I assembled a few shots of a diverse group of individuals who really think outside the box when it comes to personal style. The key to doing any outfit is not being afraid to forge your own style and then OWN it! Now I’m not here to say we should copy these outfits at all, but each of these folks has some great ideas for pulling it all together and isn’t that what fashion is about?

When I was very little, I got my first pair of prescription eyeglasses. They were bifocals and unfortunately looked a lot like my grandfather’s glasses. From that moment on, I thought I would never be as cool as the people I saw who were able to wear great sunglasses. Movie stars, it seemed, wore them all the time to protect their precious peepers from UV rays as well as the prying eyes of the public. They lent an air of mystery and excitement to the people who wore them, but that was something I would never know…