Bros and Comb Overs

Baby boy, Cole Mohr is excused from this article

It's very rare and only happens to me every five years or so-and let it be known, the first time this happened, it was five years ago. It's basically when I feel like we, as a society of youths, have reached a peak. And the first time this peak happened, we were six-feet deep in the, "let's go green! Peace n' Love B.S." trend. And the lovely year was 2008. Remember that? Peace signs, everywhere. And half the time, they were associated with some form of recycling. Like, buying a "reusable" bag made out of tarps with little hearts was worthy of our time. *cough* Target *cough*

The root of all evil.

So, when a specific trend profiles males, preferably, bro-males, I have to write about it. Basically, this is the first time since plaid shorts popped into the scene (like, back in 2005,) that a trend has reached the likes of the every day male but most importantly, the worst kind of male. The bro male. The annoying swag bros that act like filming a Vine of themselves spitting out water and driving in a tricked out car with an "Illest" sticker is like, the best thing ever. So, what I'm getting at is, apparently having a comb over is like, all the rage and I blame Ryan Gosling for this. What an asshole. A sweet asshole, because I feel like Ryan Gosling would slap the shit out of you and then apologize and take you out for burgs' n' fries. With his cute lil' comb over.

I guess my anger doesn't really go directly to Ryan Gosling, even though I blame him for the appeal but, I've had the hair cut for the "comb over" for at least five years now. Maybe I'm just being a hipster about it but, YA'LL LATE TO THIS PARTY. LATE. And THIS article, isn't becoming so it needs to go to the back of the line and have a seat because saying that all guys should have this haircut and style, can honestly suck my left one. I'm so done bumping into guys with tank tops, slim fit jeans, Vans, and worst of all, a gel-ed down comb over.

I. REST. MY. CASE.

Images via Instagram and Tumblr. You posted them so I can use them.

HYPE BEASTS

Hype Beast -

1. A Hype Beast is a kid that collect clothing, shoes, and accessories for the sole purpose of impressing others. Although the individual may not have a dime to their name they like to front like they are making far more then everybody else. Equipped with mommies credit card the Hype Beast will try his hardest to make sure he has every pair of Nike’s he saw Jay-Z wearing on 106 & Park. UrbanDictionary.com

 

Though if you're a visual lad like me, here's a beautiful collage highlighting what a hype beast looks like in the flesh:

 

I usually don't really give a fuck about a new trend and/or label that comes around other than an eye roll or two. (I was still in high school when even saying the word Hipster brought on looks of uncertainty) But I was fairly curious when I found out that what my garb has been consisting of, now has a name.

For the past two years, my wardrobe has gone from conservative meets whimsy to conceptual meets 90's sportswear meets Givenchy meets 90's rave and internet culture meets goth and cholo culture. I take pride in what I wear and am one of the few people who knows what I'm wearing; I wont partake in a trend(s) that takes from subcultures unless I know my shit. So when I found out that I have been partaking in some new found trend, I kind of stumbled in a my stride a bit.

According to THIS Bullet article found in their Culture section of their site, a hype beast is basically anyone who looks like A$AP Rocky. I actually admire Rocky for wearing some of the stuff he wears; it's progressive and allows for the general public to open their eyes to new styles and silhouettes. Though, it's when the public goes full retard with what they see, that I have an issue. Partially when there's even a BLOG mocking this trend. Which has me cringing with second hand embarrassment at times.

 

 

There's really no real reason for me type this post up other than me bitching and face-palming myself. Perhaps I just felt like highlighting the fact that I'm no snowflake. Not that I ever did but I do think I'm a badass motherfucker who doesn't need to be part of 'that life' or any life for that matter. I'm a do me so, suck on that.

THE BIG YELLOW JOINT

I rarely venture into the West side of LA. I may live less than ten miles from all of the action the West side has to offer but I just don't like it. It's everything from the ~vibes~ I get from people who all look the same to the fact that anywhere you go, you gotta pay for damn ass parking. And I refuse to pay for parking. Like, I'm the type of person who will park five miles away from my destination just so I don't have to pay for it. Which is pretty much why I got thighs like Beyonce and a waist like Nicki Minaj, HAY~
Anyways, as much as I detest the West side, I ventured to the most overrated place there is to visit, The Grove, to visit a less overrated joint, The Bluth's Frozen Banana Stand. Yup, that's one benefit to living in LA, you know damn well your favorite [enter person, place, or thing here] will more than likely make a pit stop here. So, as a fan of Arrested Development, me, my sister, and our friend Elias got ourselves a frozen bananer.

- I know you be lovin' my 80's dad mall goth lewk I got goin' on. Also, don't judge on my hairy dooble chin action going on; for unseen circumstances, I can't shave until tomorrow :(

Yes, I can see you're oozing with jealousy but it was actually one of the funnest things I've gotten to do in quite a while and not to mention, it was a perfect way to start the Summer. *insert smiley face hurr*

- Not to mention, I also got the biggest naner of the bunch. TALK ABOUT MCNASTY, MUCH

FASHION 130

Did I mention that I am a fashion design major? Yeah, I don't think I have. Well this past semester, I took it upon myself to take a Senior class that would allow me to make a collection consisting of three to six looks. After weeks and weeks of churning out samples, I chose to make a collection that was inspired by sportswear and conceptual fashion. In the end, I practically pooped out a collection that took all of that and laced it under one ridiculous title:

The entire collection consisted of four looks that tapped into sportswear and a slight Tumblr aesthetic. Now unlike a fellow classmate of mine, I didn't actually name collection after a ridiculous trend spawned off of Tumblr. Yeah, it gave me a case of the giggs when I read that. But whatevs, to each their own, I suppose. Anyways, I'm actually quite proud of my work and hope to do more stuff like it in the future. It's also like a public display of what my wardrobe has been like for the past few months just showcased for the public to see.

Taking orders! Half joking but seriously, I'm taking orders.

R.I.P.

They say that every seven years, you become a new person. That within those seven years, your entire body rids of your old self via new skin cells, blood cells, hair particles, nails, etc. to the point where nothing on you is of the old you. It's quite morbid yet beautiful when you give it thought. Though I don't need to know that to understand that I'm no longer the frustrated fourteen year old I once was.
Turning twenty-one has really been quite subtly pleasant. While most people fret about turning another year older, or not even feeling anything at all, I almost always usually do. And as if by an obvious miracle, it's made me nostalgic.
I've come to realize that I have reached the end of my Ghost World era. That place in life that nearly everyone goes through after high school. That place in your life where you start to build the foundation for the person you want to become. It's been quite the journey but I am glad that I went through it, though unique in it's own right. It's a pleasant feeling when you don't think about the person you where in high school or better yet, when you don't even mention high school at all. It just makes you realize that you're growing up and that the bus you hopped on, the one with no destination ahead of it, the one that allows you to get off of whenever you'd like, just doesn't seem so scary anymore.

Summer 2k13.New Age
.Baby blue.Pink.Off-White
.Hazy feelings of wanting to stay but willing to move on
.Hot Summer nights
.The desert
.Rap culture of the mid to late nineties

 

All images via Tumblr

PLAYED CHIFFONZY

If there is ever an amazing form of satisfaction, it's when someone gives you a gift that showcases that they actually pay attention to your likes and dislikes. Especially when that said gift finally fills in a void of desire you've been feeling since 2010. Now that said gift takes form in the American Apparel Plaid Chiffon over-sized button down. You have no idea how long I've wanted it. I think ever since I saw ChicMuse rocking it in a photograph of her eating pizza (btw that photo seems to have disappeared off the face of the internet), my lust for it has grown. Though to finally have attained it, is an amazing feeling. Especially when it's your boo who gave it to you. Now that's just a bonus.
It's just satisfying when someone finally (other than my sister) actually gets me something that I like and doesn't bust out, "I didn't know what to get you" or my personal eye-rolling favorite, "you're just so hard to shop for!" In all honestly, I'm an insanely easy person to shop for and not to mention, I'm also one to return the favor, always, in one way or another.
It's small gestures like that, that make me feel happy and loved. Not that I need gifts to feel loved but when your own family doesn't get you anything for XXX-mas because "you're so hard to shop for," you'd be over the moon, too.
-Karl

- Decided to wear it as soon as I recieved it due to it being super hot and I was on my way to Las Vegas

- Me and my boo lookin' real cute. ha

xXxPUNX4LYFExXx

The new exhibition at the Met, PUNK: Chaos to Couture, seemed to have brought out the best and worst in celebrities. I really don't care much for celebrity culture, growing up in LA just makes one immune to that shit. But having had to deal with punks and greasers all of my life, I can't help but gawk at what was worn and said last night. Now I'm not one for blasting out assumptions but, come on, do you honestly think Kim Kardashian listens to punk? No, right? I don't know, it sounds really passé and middle school of me to judge people based on their "punk merit." Though, come on, don't lie. You know you still secretly judge people while waiting in line at the grocery store. For example, imagine bimbo-Ali walks in with her bleach blonde hair and obvs brand new Misfits tank. You secretly roll your eyes and assume she doesn't even know Horror Business word-for-word. Yeah, we've all done it and you honestly can't really blame anyone for it considering we all lived and went through 2004 with every girl on the block rocking a Ramones tee. Remember that shit? Yeah, it was horrible.
 
This is obviously not from 2004 but it just goes to highlight that this fad just wont quit. Nice look, Fergie. Ha.
Well, I'm clearly just rambling on here but if there's one thing that came out of last night, it was the amazingly real yet horrible quotes that came out of celebrities' mouths when asked questions relating to punk culture. Though their garb was just the cherry to the shit sundae because it sure as hell had me gagging. But don't think I'm picking sides here, punks generally seem to annoy the hell out of me as well. Trust, being in a car full of closed minded non-conformist-conformists for a few hours will have you crawling out of car, begging for some Britney Spears tunes.

“Punk for me is not probably the mohawk, typical punk that you’d sort of envision. A little bit more like ‘romantic punk'" -Kim Kardashian
Um, is that like, a reference to "pastel grunge" or...?

  
 “Tonight for The Met I am channeling the O.G. queen of PUNK, JOAN of ARC!” — Katy Perry
Clearly didn't think her outfit's concept out properly.
 

 “I dig Green Day and Avril Lavigne” – Hailee Steinfeld
I'll let her slide considering she was probably sheltered as a youngin'.
 

“I went to the [Vans] Warped Tour a lot” – Darren Criss
TAKE A SEAT. ALL THE WAY IN THE BACK. RUDE.
He just gets no picture.

So, I'll end this one with Miley Cyrus because her look, surprisingly, was my favorite of the night. Haha


-Karl
Quotes via Faster Louder
Images via Google

SELENA ETC. NEEDS A COMEBACK

As a dude of Mehican decent, I obviously know who Selena is. I mean, she's practically in my blood stream, considering all the times my chola neighbors, relatives, and sister played her records. It's pretty crazy and weirdly enough, I still haven't gotten tired of her music. (I have a short attention span for music these days) Anyways, the other day, while stuck in traffic, I remembered, Selena had a clothing line. It was a thought I had to dig into which resulted in finding some pretty amazing photogrpahs from 1996: the epitomy of the nineties.
Upon finding these photographs and gawking at the mere presence of them, I realized, these clothes would totally sell today. With everyone on this nineties high I figured, there has to be a market for them. I considered this since Opening Ceremony did that re-edition collab with DKNY and these garments totally give off the same ninties vibes that the others gave off. Even that one flower dress was giving off the same vibes~ as that shirt-dress Ageyness Deyn produced with her collab with Dr. Martens. It all ties in together, man. Though I really do love those reversible denim overalls. Like, damn. Selena was one progressive woman!
A part of me really misses Selena and I think if some company *cough* Opening Ceremony *cough* considered doing a re-edition collab, it would just be the best. Especially at a time when everyone is on this nostalgic high for the nineties.
-Karlito

You can view more images here.

 

DEE-KAY-EHN-WHY

DKNY is one of those iconic brands we all grew up with and even when you had no idea what the DK meant, you knew NY was no short for NYC. Much like Tommy Hilfiger, the nineties just wouldn't be the same without DKNY. So, with this whole revival of the nineties, it's pretty bitchin' of Opening Ceremony to do a re-edition collaboration with DKNY by remaking a few pieces from certain collections from the early nineties.
Though simple in nature, the entire collection is fairly bold but pretty cool. I find it to be pretty rad that in many ways, it's helping fuel this whole trend on clothing with huge logos on them from old companies.
*cough* Boy London *cough*
So, here's a few pieces that I would simple spill over and pass out if I owned them.

Though the pieces are clearly priced on the, I'm-a-broke-fashion-student side, I opted for the side I love and that was hunt me down some classic DKNY via that lovely place we call eBay. I found a cute little backpack, that actually serves the purpose of me needing a cute little backpack for the sake of adventures n' shit. So, I ultimately caved in and purchased it. I now have something to hold all of my goodies while I'm out being a hoodrat. Cute, no?

-Karl

2.2013.INSTAGRAM

One day, I'll post some super sized HD images of my ~lewks~ but for now, just accept the janky ones I take with my iPhone. Anywho, lately I've just been really amplified with my garb. Like, I really take pride now. I plan my outfits the night before and wake up all refreshed knowing I have my outfit for the day. I blame the fact that it's, technically,  my "senior year" at school and the classes I'm taking are more self reliant. So it's just me waltzing in looking fly as fuck with my black tool box ready to werk~. Now onto the lewks*~
-Karl

1.

My boo's studded denim vest over my leather jacket-Margiela with H&M confetti T-shirt-Black booty shorts-Leggings-Patent pleather bewts

2.

Leather jacket-Black baseball hat-Black crochet black pullover worn backwards-Margiela with H&M exposed Frecnh seams pants-Patent pleather bewts

Xander Zhou FW1314

I think I have found my absolute favorite collection for the season. Ugh, it's beyond everything I adore: interesting clothing that's conceptual while remaining true to typical menswear shapes but moving forward. I loved it all.
I loved the tailoring found here and the jackets made me squeal like a five year old at Disneyland! The inner fur lining exposed is so perfect and it makes everything I own appear so basic. Ha. I even enjoyed the longer pieces which is something I'm noticing more from menswear designers. It balanced the entire collection well and the colors chosen for each piece was smart and clean. Though the pieces with wording tied it all nicely, like a cherry on a sundae. Now get on my body.
-Karl

Images via Style.com