A Hint of Spring

So it’s not really spring yet, but the sunny weather and warmer afternoon temps are really teasing us for what’s to come. We decided to take advantage of this fact over the weekend and went to the park over by Anthony’s mom’s house. And like any normal guys would do, we put on our Jordans and caught a pickup game of basketball.

**crickets**

Okay fine! We were actually the weirdos in the spring outfits taking pictures in front of the racquet ball wall. That is, until some guy actually wanted to play and we had to stop. Can you believe him?? What? It made a great background…

Anyway, we really like this look because it’s so simple. But rather than wearing some plain ass v-neck and jeans, we had fun with the color. When you don’t need to layer much because it’s warm out, you can still create an interesting look by playing with colors and accessories. Sometimes it’s all you need to stand apart from the rest of the crowd.

T-shirt - J.Crew

Sweater - Uniqlo

Jeans - Topman

Shoes - Hawkings McGill (sounds fancier and more expensive than saying Urban Outfitters)

Belt - Urban Outfitters. It’s actually a women’s belt, but for the record it was found in the Men’s sale section last summer.

Bracelets - Bead bracelet by Scott Osterbind, Braided leather bracelet by Tevin Vincent

Location - Sayreville, NJ

A Hint of Spring - Preview

Dustony Does Downtown, Natch!

After we interviewed Marinell, she posted some pics of us on her Jersey City street style blog. Click thru to see =)

Blogger Interview: Marinell Montales

This past weekend we had the pleasure of meeting fellow JC’er and blogger, Marinell who runs Jersey City’s first street style blog, Downtown, Natch!

Marinell, who moved to moved to Jersey City 8 years ago, freelances in graphic design and social media. On the weekends, she also works at the Warehouse Cafe, in Jersey City’s Powerhouse Arts District, which is where we met and got to talking. And natch, by the end of our conversation, the cameras came out for some fun photos #bloggerlife.

So how did the idea for Downtown, Natch! come about? Marinell explains that she originally started a blog with a friend but with their differing schedules and a new job, the blog became hard to update.  After investing in a camera and the desire to continue blogging, she decided to start a new project on her own - a street style blog to put Jersey City style on the map.

For people looking to get snapped on the streets of downtown JC, here’s what captures Marinell’s eye. She’s not necessarily into shooting trends, but looks for uniqueness and creativity. Something with character, but most of all an outfit that conveys a sense of pride in one’s appearance.

I like well put-together looks… When people take time into presenting themselves and it looks thought-out.

Marinell also admits that she’s no fashion expert when it comes to designers and industry terms but her background in graphic design gives her a keen eye for aesthetics. She’s more interested in the “how you wear it” than the “what you wear” aspect of personal style.

When taking photos, I decided against asking what brands or labels people are wearing… It’s really about the overall look and feel of an outfit. It can be high end designer or thrift…but it has to have style.

She prefers to let the outfit speak for itself. It’s this style of blogging that makes Downtown, Natch! relatable and appeal to the average fashion conscious person.

When it comes to Marinell’s own sense of style, she has a harder time putting it into exact words. It’s a good thing then that her outfit spoke for itself. A casual green parka, bright blue v-neck, and an easy pair of black jeans - relaxed, but still stylish and put together.  But like the people she chooses to photograph, Marinell adds her own “something extra” to the look with bold accessories. In this case, a few statement bracelets and necklaces, including a necklace from one of Jersey City’s own designers - Swallow and the Swift.

So what’s next for Downtown, Natch? More photos and a new season for fashion.

I’m looking forward to spring and warmer weather. I want to be able to go outside of the usual Grove Street area and find more people to photograph. Especially more girls. It’s been hard to get women to stop and pose for a photo during the cold winter. Hopefully the spring weather will change that.”

Marinell’s hopeful that the the blog will continue to gain more attention in the coming months and even has plans to really mobilize the fashion community in Jersey City with talks of fashion showcases and maybe even some press events in the future.

As we continued to chat with Marinell about style, Jersey City, and her blog, it should come as no surprise that we couldn’t end our time together without asking Marinell one last question - something about #menswear. Specifically, what does Marinell look for in a well-dressed man?

I love layering. The mix of textures and patterns… even just a sweater over a button down… It has a confident look to it. Like you know how to dress and you put thought into it…

Couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Check out Marinell’s blog, Downtown, Natch! here.

Anonymous asked: Anthony if I may ask... Wth is in your hair?! I cannot seem to find the right product and it seems we have similar style hair.

It’s hair gel…usually.

I mean…. Redken Maneuver Wax, Kiehl’s Silk Serum, and a rotation of different L’Oreal products that my sister so generously gives me and Dustin for free =)

Anonymous asked: How many followers do you have?

Don’t you know that asking a blogger how many followers they have is like asking a woman her age!

hmmph! Anyway, the answer to that question will always be - not as many as we deserve. (We deserve at least like, a million right?)

- Anthony & Dustin

Anonymous asked: where is a nice place to get some button down shirts, other than urban outfitters?

The sale rack at any store…or the internet.

Just kidding. Not everything on sale is good. But for a versatile all around shirt at an affordable price try J.Crew. They usually have tons of sales too so you can get great discounts.

- Anthony & Dustin

Bold Prints, Part 2

(For when our leopard/cheetah-whatever-print shirt is at the dry cleaners)

Maybe it has to do with the safari trip on the Real Housewives of Atlanta that we’ve been watching a lot of lately/religiously, but we decided to put together a fun church party outfit for the weekend.  Snake-skin print dress shirt? We think Sir Elton John would approve.

Blazer - H&M because you know we fancy

Shirt - Andrew Charles (who? yeah..that’s what we said. It’s from Macy’s and was on sale for $17 around Christmas time)

Pants - Levi’s

Socks - Uniqlo

Shoes - Aldo (from like 3 years ago #fortherecord)

More photos from this look here.

Bold Prints, Part 2 - Preview

The tumblr gods have answered our prayers. Thank you #menswear Tumblratti!

The Puffer Vest

All this nice weather the past week has been such a tease for spring. Warmish and sunny but still not warm enough to lose the extra layers..so we settled for losing the sleeves. The vest has been with Dustin for some time and it just goes to show that if you buy good pieces for your wardrobe you can wear them year after year.

Took these photos at Anthony’s mom’s house who we visited over the weekend.

“Why is Dustin playing in the weeds?”

“It’s for our bloggggg, Mommmm...” - Anthony

She may not understand why we take these photos but she definitely knows what we like to eat. Baked ziti and some Philippine cuisine. Mmmhmm gurllll.

Vest - Eddie Bauer

Cardigan - Daffy’s

Shirt - Penguin

Jeans - Levi’s

Boots - Timberland

Location - “The Weeds,” Sayreville, NJ

Spycam! So dapper, isn’t he? ♥

urbanooutfitters:

Casual Holiday - More photos from this look

No new post today, but we feel like this outfit never really got it’s “moment.” So here’s an oldie but goodie for you tumblr peeps.

The Gentleman Collar - Outtakes (damn slouchy ass sock on the left messin up the look)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

- Anthony & Dustin