I see style as an extension of my inner self. Clothes are A language that speaks volumes . Clothes don't define me but I use them to tell a story about myself. Not a story of happily every after but a story of I deserve to be here .
Lace, Layers and Lapels
This is what I call a Lonnie signature look. Tailored fit, texture and lots of dimension. This look is all about layering. I added a lace t-shirt over a white button down shirt then I layered on my thrifted black blazer. I updated the look by adding denim with a black tuxedo stripe down the side. They say you can judge a man by his shoes so I finished the look off with these clean/simple pointy black leather chelsea boots. I will totally be wearing this outfit again!
The FREAKUM Shirt
The most frustrating thing about mens fashion is that it’s not as fun as woman’s wear. Women’s fashions are available in a wider range of fabrics such as sheer, lace and mesh.
I’ve always wanted to incorporate these types of fabrics to my wardrobe but had never come across anything that interested me. Until I found this shirt on ASOS. It has mesh sleeves and a mesh overlay.
This shirt is so sexy to me and also remains masculine but with a touch of sexy. So it’s like a “freakum” shirt! I think of it as a little black dress but not a dress at all. But it has all the elements that make for a go-to piece for a night out on the town.
The mesh gives it an elevated, sexy evening look. I am here for this shirt. I paired it with a statement necklace, adidas sneakers, black jeans and a black hat.
Transitional Earth Tones
The leaves are changing and the pumpkin flavored everything is being promoted so that means that Fall is on the rise! Fall is my favorite season because you are able to wear layers and experiment with different heavier fabrics.
This look is a nice way to transition from summer to fall. I kept it simple with a green distressed t-shirt, khaki skater jeans, suede loaders, a camel flat brimmed fedora and my favorite vintage copper toned flexible necklaces. You could also add a lightweight bomber to the look for those crisp fall days.
What are for Fall wardrobe favorites?
Casually Dressed Up
In the work that I do as an artist and educator I am not often required to wear a traditional suit and tie especially when I am doing community arts work. I love that I sometimes have the liberty to dress up or down depending on my mood. On this day I was headed to the culminating ceremony for the participants of the Brooklyn Interns for Arts and Culture program at BAM where I serve as the Program Instructor.
I wanted to give of a slightly dressed up vibe that was still edgy and casual yet appropriate for the event which had a business casual dress code. I wore gray skater jeans, a crisp white oxford shirt with black buttons and a button down collar, a gray scoop neck vest and a textured knit black and white striped tie.
My students are in high school so I am always finding ways to keep my style appropriate, relatable but still age appropriate. I stay on the edge of trendy and classic, just like the adidas I wore with this look..
Needless to say I looked good and felt good which was truly important because I said a little speech at the event and my look helped with me to deliver lit to the audience with confidence and style.
How do you dress up your casual pieces?
In Love, Peace and Style,
Lonnie
Floral Prints in Full Bloom
Roses are red, Violets are blue...do you think floral prints are for you
Typically I shy away from bold prints. But to my surprise I have been drawn to the floral print trend recently. Florals have made their way to menswear in a major way. I am seeing floral print suits, casual pieces and even accessories on the runway and in stores. Florals are a fun way to add some softness to your wardrobe.
Still skeptical? I encourage you to try a floral print that works best for your personal style. Below are two looks to give you an idea of how I rock the floral look.
In love, peace and style,
Lonnie
-LOOK ONE -
I paired a floral t-shirt with a bomber jacket, skater jeans and my new favorite pale pink sneakers
Outfit Details: T-Shirt Forever 21 similar here | Jacket Forever 21 similar here | Shoes ALDO | Jeans H&M
"Floral prints can be overwhelming
so I typically choose one floral item per outfit
and then mix in some solids"
- LOOK TWO -
I added some street edge to my floral T by adding a denim vest and distressed jeans
Outfit Details: T-Shirt Forever 21 similar below | Vest Levi's [ thrifted + customized] | Shoes PUMA | Jeans ZARA [thrifted]
- HAND PICKED INSPIRATION -
Looking to add some floral flare to your wardrobe?
Modern Casual Work Attire
It's 2018 and work appropriate style has been upgraded. No longer do you have to sacrifice personal style to look the part at work. I have never been a polo and khakis kind of guy but I am also not a suit and tie everyday kind of guy so since I fall somewhere in the middle, I like to dress up casual work attire with button up shirts and layers. Typically I throw on a sweater or a vest to make for a polished look. Remember that texture is your friend when building looks that have dimension and visual interest. How do you spice up your work week looks?
Until next time.
Love, Peace , and Style,
Lonnie
Old and New and True to You
When I shop for clothes I almost never do so with an outfit in mind. I tend to buy separate pieces that I love and then weave them into my wardrobe. I feel that the most polished looks are those that are a collaboration of new and old pieces that are collected over time and carefully placed together when the time is right.
I don't force looks and I think that is part of the appeal of my style. This look came together minutes before I had to leave the house for a cocktail date with friends. I had these black joggers with zippered detailing on the bottom leg seem for a few months, the marble design black and white knit t-shirt was a new addition that I found on a trip to Houston, Texas. The bomber wax coated bomber jacket with faux leather sleeves is a throw back favorite from at least 3 years ago. Funny story about these Chelsea Boots. I bought them from ASOS 3 years ago at the beginning of the Chelsea boot trend and when I got them I didn't like them. In fact, I had placed them in the trunk of my car with intentions to donate them to Good Will. Then one day i tried them on again in a pinch and I fell in love with them. Now I wear them weekly...lol These boots are so sleek and I love the narrow silhouette. The flat brimmed fedora was a recent find from H&M (don't sleep).
Mixing old and new takes patience but the wait is worth it when you have collected pieces that compliment each other. Moral of the story is don't wait until you have somewhere to go that requires an outfit because then you are forced to shop for a complete look all at once. Try shopping consistently for stand out pieces and basics that you can mix and match for a style that reflects you as a complete story, not just a page.
In Love, Peace and Style,
Lonnie
Concrete Cowboy
Yes, I am out here in these new york city streets giving cowboy vibes. And no, I am not a cowboy however I have been to Texas twice so doesn't that count for something?
Denim on Denim, a wide brimmed hat and lots of modern country flare helped me to complete this look. As always my process for putting together an outfit is very organic. First I think about what pieces I have and then I mentally start connecting the dots.
Denim is a go-to wardrobe staple and it can be really fun to wear an all denim look. If you are going to attempt an all denim look, be sure not to be "matchy matchy", but instead find denim washes that are effortlessly complimentary.
I added my favorite deep v neck white t-shirt and gold statement necklace that accents the curve of the shirts' neckline perfectly. Who could deny suede and fringe shoes with a sneaker sole? They are a great alternative to a boot but more elevated than a sneaker #solemates.
Ok, I'm going to go listen to Beyonce feat. The Dixie Chicks now #daddylessons #texas lol
In Love, Peace, and style,
Lonnie
Black By Popular Demand
Over the past few years I have accumulated quite the jewelry collection. The majority of my collection consists of necklaces, statement necklaces to be exact.
I began exploring with jewelry because I felt like I had mastered my refined and structured style but I needed some more pizazz. I wanted to wear jewelry that looked like art and sparked the attention of others just as a painting does on the wall of a museum . (Did I just call myself art?)
I found this silver multi-link body chain necklace at a thrift store during a trip to Philadelphia . I was attracted to the necklace due to its dramatic and intricate design. I paired the necklace with a black t-shirt , grey biker jeans , my signature shawl collar tuxedo jacket and I rounded the look out with my adidas all stars to keep it effortless.
The black t-shirt serves as the perfect backdrop so that the details of the necklace could stand out in all its multi-linked glory. The thing I love about statement jewelry is its ability to be the main star of the outfit.
How do you rock your statement jewelry?
In Love, Peace, And Style,
Lonnie
Standing Out In Camouflage
I used to think that making an impact with fashion was all about standing out by wearing unique pieces or vibrant eye catching colors. The thought of a neutral color palette and earth tones seemed a little boring to me back then. But as my style has grown I have come to appreciate a more toned down structured look that is far from boring. I believe in wearing the clothes and not letting the clothes wear me. I got this camouflage vest a few years ago and I was drawn to it because the colors were understated and the pattern added a playful twist to a more formal vest. I paired the vest with a classic spread collar white shirt, khaki chinos and my favorite beige suede tassel loafers. This look made me feel refined and pulled together and even though camouflage is designed to help you blend in to your surroundings, I feel like I stood out just fine.
In Love, Peace, And Style,
Lonnie
Collarless Shirt Vibes
Some of my best looks come together with little thought. I totally put this whole look together one morning while running late for work. Often I am inspired when I add a new piece and this time the new piece was this awesome linen blend striped collarless shirt. It's so great for summer and gives me that polished structured look. I have been looking for a collarless shirt for some time now because the one I bought last summer is nowhere to be found. Ugh I hate it when I lose clothes!
To complete the look I added dark wash solid denim and for a casual street style twist I threw on my Adidas Superstars. I added the hat because I needed a haircut that day lol. But I think it finished the look and gave me an extra element of gentleman swag.
In Love Peace, and Style,
Lonnie
Classic Man Material: Dressed Up Everyday Style
I love formal wear.
There is something about a well dressed man draped in fine suiting such as blazers, proper dress shirts, dress shoes, tuxedo jackets, ties etc. In the words of the classic man himself; when asked "Jidenna why you dress so classic" he replied:
“I don’t want my best dressed days in a casket”
Dressing up elevates how I feel about myself but I don't always want to dress formal from head to toe. I admire those guys who wear a full suit daily but I just can't do it. On the other hand I also cannot dress purely casual on a regular basis. I can't pull off that hobo chic look (trust me I've tried) My signature style involves me looking polished in some way so I stay true to that.
My bop is a little more strong and I walk with a tad more vengeance knowing that I look put together. I used to "dress up" a whole lot more when I lived in the DMV because there was less street style and I worked in more conservative office cultures. In the last few years I've transitioned to a more effortless street chic style with a twist of put together formality, but I still throw in elements of my preppy-ness here and there. I like to mix formal pieces with casual pieces because style reflects personality and mine is refined yet fun classic yet modern.
I began adding in formal wear to the mix when I found a beautiful black wool shaw collar tuxedo jacket (pictured below at a thrift store in Maryland. I loved the structure of it and the clean lines. I always imagined wearing it with jeans and as soon as I put the outfit together it clicked that this could be my new thing.
To achieve this dressed up everyday style I pay a lot of attention to the detail of the formal wear pieces. I choose items that have high visual impact. Typically I balance the look by wearing denim and I typically add a t-shirt and either a boot, dress shoe or sneaker.
I rarely wear a tie with these looks but I do sometimes throw on a lapel pin or broach to take it up a notch.
In Love, Peace, and Style,
Lonnie
Scroll through some of my favorite looks where I embodied this style
