Style Profile: Mod Revival

Those of you who don't know what a Mod is, you deserve a stiff smack to whatever is the most pain-sensing portion of your body. In my opinion, no other 20th century subculture has contributed more to lasting, classic style than the Mods, not to mention the contributions they made in terms of art and music. For men, "Mod style" generally consists of classic styles that are hyped up in the hipness department...classic suits, but cut tight with very slim shirts, pegged trousers and all-over touches of flash, as evidenced here:




Vintage (label removed) gray double-breasted Italian-cut blazer (slim line, non-vented back) ($7, Goodwill)
Merona slim-fit dress shirt ($20, Target, http://www.target.com/)
Social Collision Indie Fit black jeans ($30, Hot Topic, http://www.hottopic.com/)
Dr Martens cherry red 14-hole classic boots ($150, http://www.drmartens.com/)
US Army Class A uniform tie ($10, AAFES, http://www.ebay.com/)

this is also a good example of how to take one expensive item (the Doc Martens) and use it to take a budget outfit to the next level. The yellow sole stitching on Dr. Marten's boots is a well-known trademark among fashion afficionados, and can lend an air of credibility to your look. People who are on the fence as to whether they like your style might be drawn at the last minute to your shoes, and then cite their common love for the timeless style of cherry DM's, and that little detail will be the difference it takes to make your outfit a hit in just about any company.

Another detail to notice is the fit. I wear my jeans and blazer slim-fit, but not skin tight. Wear your shirt or jacket too tight, and the buttons will start to tug, the fabric will stretch, and you will actually look about ten to twenty pounds heavier. Another important point is the length of the jeans: they end EXACTLY at the natural ankle. A popular style these days is to wear skinny jeans that are a bit too big and bunch at the ankle. With this look, that's a big no-no, since it breaks up the natural line a slim-cut blazer gives you.