Istanbul: Next Stop after Beijing?

While browsing the interwebs, I happened upon Istanbul Street Style and Moda Turkiye, two websites focused the street scene in the second city of seven hills, capital of the Byzantines and the Ottomans. Suddenly, I am fired with a strong desire to see the place. Or I should say, to see it as a youngish man. I was there several times as a boy and the trips stand out mainly for the fake rolexes purchased there.

These websites make the city seem funky, unfettered, creative, and relaxed. The style and vibe of the people reminds me of Berlin. In recent years, I have visited Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Tehran, which were all dull and depressing compared to Istanbul. This is hardly surprising, given that their three countries are about to play leading roles in Armageddon, but I’m still surprised at just how Westernized and vibrant Istanbul seems compared to Beirut. Half of it is in Europe. Anyway, I must learn more.

My reaction to these websites is some proof that there is a business opportunity in linking street fashion websites to tourism.

What Stylish Beijing Man Wants for Valentine’s Day

Still no Valentine’s Day gift for that special guy? We have two great ideas, both of which can be purchased at Senli and Frye.

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Dowdy fourhundred leather bags are what every stylish white collar fellow requires. They are durable, made of the best calf leather, and stylish in a very understated way. Check their site for more information. At present, Senli and Frye is the exclusive distributor for this Swedish line here in China.

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This one is by far the most deviant and naughty of the Hickey Style ties now available at Senli and Frye. Straight from Soho and woven of silk or wool in the United States or Italy, this is the freshest tie line I have seen for a while. These are in the slim style we all love now. I guarantee that you will not find these anywhere else in Beijing.

Please go to Senli and Frye for more information or email nels@stylites.net.

Which Cities are Most Interested in Beijing Street Style?

Stylites attempts to profile the most distinctive and/or stylish pedestrians on the streets of Beijing. Google Analytics (it’s such a blast) shows which cities are most interested in this subject. The largest source of hits is Beijing. Next is Shanghai and not too far behind is New York. After that, there is a big gap before Singapore and San Francisco, which are about equal.

1. Beijing

2. Shanghai

3. New York

4. Singapore

5. San Francisco

Just behind are Hong Kong, Chicago, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, London, Hangzhou, and Sydney. Despite great interest from New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, no other US cities produce serious traffic. After China and the United States, the country sending the most viewers is the United Kingdom.

Nice Puffy Coat

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Several of my posts and articles rail against the shapeless puffy coats that too many women resort to during Beijing’s winters, which are really neither cold nor long these years. Though they may not provide as much warmth, my preference is always for wool coats. This is not to say that a puffy coat cannot look good, as this young lady proves.

Creative Proportions Flock Together

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This Danish pair initially may not look similar either physically or in terms of style. Still, they both seem interested in less conventional takes on proportions and the high-contrast but neutral color plate that seems generally favored by Scandinavians. One thing for certain is that smokers flock together, for better and worse.

Men’s Style Column Moves to China International Business

Trouser Press, my men’s style column that appeared for nearly two years in The Beijinger (formerly known as That’s BJ), has migrated to China International Business (CIB). The column, now a centerpiece of the “executive living” section of CIB, will focus on the style needs of businessmen who work and live in China. My column for the January issue covers color matching in formal ensembles. The February column tells which ties it behooves every businessman to have in his collection.

Also in the February issue is my overview of the tie industry in Shengzhou, Zhejiang, which I visited last month. Though few Westerners have heard of it, Shengzhou produces well over 200 million ties annually, at least three-quarters of the global total. Most of these are for export. My mission was to find a factory that could produce limited runs of ties for sale at Senli and Frye, here in Beijing.

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These workers are at Babei, the largest tie producer in Shengzhou and probably the world. Working conditions seemed pretty good in all of the factories I visited. Later this month, I will post the article with additional analysis and pictures.

CIB is available in Beijing at Chaterhouse Booktraders at the Place, the Bookworm and Cuckoo Bookshop in the China World Trade Center and in Shanghai at Chaterhouse Booktraders in Super Brand Mall, Shanghai Centre, and Shanghai Times Square.

Black, Navy, and Brown

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You may not believe it after seeing this chic fellow, but various schools of thought assert that no two of these colors work together. This fellow is looking quite good with all three. Some believe black trousers cannot be worn with brown shoes and others say black can never be combined with navy except for navy trousers with black shoes. The contrast between these neutral colors is seen as too minimal. This finance student, back in Beijing from attending university in Australia, makes it work very well though. Perhaps those rules only apply to more formal attire. The navy trench coat is real Burberry and the suede monkstraps are apparently made in Italy. Most of his items are purchased abroad, where the price of quality is lower.

Intern Uniform

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People everywhere tend to dress in ways similar to their peers. In downtown Chicago, suburban soccer moms having a night out all wear high-waist baggy jeans and manly black leather jackets. Williamsburg hipsters
all wear tight but low-riding jeans and Converses (their counterparts in Beijing wear that too). In first-tier cities, white collar girls all have brand name handbags and an air of sophistication. Chengdu girls on internships
in Beijing go for colorful puffer vests, blues and greens, and plastic bows. All the bright colors and they still look quite harmonious.

The New Layering: Coat on Coat

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Beijing’s bone freezing temperatures convince many residents to invest in unsightly puffer coats and other unattractive but warm options. Many conclude that a wool coat does not warm enough, partially because most men do not wear heavy suits or blazers under their overcoats. But this Shanghaier poses a new question: Why not just put one stylish coat on top of another one? Cardigan over sweater, blazer over hoody, tee-shirt over sweater – these choices that might have once been considered overly casual have all been done stylishly. Now is the time for some coat on coat action.