Happy New Year - Thread and Sole

Just wanted to wish you guys a Happy New Year.  I can't wait to see what 2011 will bring.  You can expect great posts and more content!!

Nixon Watches

Nixon is one of those companies that isn’t afraid to stray from what is considered normal.  They use unconventional colors and some of their watches just have shapes on them and no visible numbers. They also make some of the best watches around.  Nixon is what I like to call an  “accessory company,” which means their main focus is on accessories; hat, watches, headphones, bags, etc.  The do also make some clothing but they are mainly known for their accessories.  They are probably best known for their watches and their $1400 Ceramic  Player with a ruby.  I chose three watches that are all different, but also should be essential parts of your wardrobe.

Highball

I love pocket watches!  They are the classiest timepiece in my opinion.  Back in simpler times nothing was cooler than reaching in to your vest pocket and pulling out your pocket watch.  They are so nostalgic and a big hit right now in the fashion world. Nixon has brought that old school feeling with their Highball timepiece. Named for the popular bar glass; the Highball is the perfect blend of old school and new school.  It has the normal flip up cover, but the cover does have window for quick viewing.  The Highball comes with a thicker chain then most standard pocket watches, which translates to durable.  The Highball is not for the faint of heart or those who afraid to be stylish. (pics courtesy of Karmaloop)

Newton

The space age has arrived! This watch was a must have from the moment I laid eyes on it.  I bought it as a congratulations gift from my promotion and because it’s the most amazing watch I have ever seen.  I am constantly getting compliments and questions, every time I wear this watch.  The question I always get is how do you tell time on the watch; it easy the blue circle is the hour and the red circle is the minute hand. You just have to guess the approximate time, I can usually get within 2 minutes of the actual time.  The watch has a comfortable rubber band and looks amazing in the matte black color scheme.  Don’t fear the future, embrace it on your wrist. (pics courtesy of Karmaloop)

The Ceramic Player

This watch is not for the faint of heart. I first heard about the Ceramic Player like it was a legend of a mythical creature. The Ceramic Player is the real deal and it lives up to the hype.  The watch comes in black or white ceramic, but the player also comes in rubber material and retails for $150, while the ceramic version goes for $1400. For the extra $1350 you get an upgrade in quality and a ruby jewel at the six o’clock.  How many other watches come with a ruby; diamonds seem to be standard with high end watches, but a ruby isn’t as pretentious and gaudy as diamonds. I really love the white version, because it’s the original color scheme and the white and red just go great together. Although $1400 is a little out of my price range right now I still think a great watch is a perfect investment.  You can sell it if you get into a tight spot or pass it along to your kids. Basically a watch is a great way to make a quiet statement about yourself, people will notice your taste in nice things and this is the type of watch that doesn’t scream I am filthy rich, so please rob my person.  Sometimes being a player is the right move. (pics courtesy of Karmaloop)

I have said it before, a watch makes a quiet statement.  It is one of the first things people will notice and it’s always visible on a person. You should have a variety of watches for different occasions, just like you have different clothes for different occasions. The watch, like the clothes, should match the type of event you are attending. You wouldn’t want to wear a metal watch playing sports and you wouldn’t wear your cheapest watch to dinner. You should make a statement with your watch, so make the right statement and find the watch that enhances your person. Make the right first impression, because it might be your only chance.

As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole , follow me on twitter @threadandsole and tumblr. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.

Follow Me, Follow Me!

As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole and follow me on twitter @threadandsole. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.

Wednesday Rant–Mister Flashy

I know you all have seen this person, he wears a bracelet, multiple necklaces, watch, sunglasses, rings, earrings and a hat.  This may not sound so bad on paper, but a little bit goes along way.  Some people feel they need to wear a lot of accessories to make themselves look good. I don’t have a problem with wearing any of these accessories, but when you combine them all you end up with clutter.  Many of the people who combine all of these elements aren’t really sure how to properly wear each item individually, so they just use they all at the same time.  The worst part is the accessories are the flashiest, most blinding jewelry money can buy.  I like diamonds, but some of  the watches or necklaces are dripping in them, so much so that you can’t see the metal on the jewelry.  This isn’t the only offender, there’s the too much leather and hemp guy.  He dresses like he just came form mixing a fresh batch of granola, while surfing.  The truth is this guy hasn’t ever been surfing and has probably never heard of granola. The way you spot this guy is to look for the cargo shorts and  ankle bracelet, arm bracelet or arm band and 2 to 3 necklaces.  My personal favorite is the guy who wears the silver or gold Figaro chain that was only popular in the 90’s.  Basically what I want you all to do is take a look in the mirror and see if you are following any of these trends. Let’s take each piece one at a time. 

Necklaces should really never be worn.  If you have to wear a necklace, go with something thin and nothing flashy.  Use accessories as an accent, the necklace shouldn’t the focal point of your outfit. Vintage jewelry is always a great choice and a pendant should fit your personality. Obey makes some really interesting pieces and if you want to go high end David Yurman is a great choice.  Try and avoid diamonds or if you want to wear them use little diamonds and only one or two.

Hats should be simple.  One color and nothing out of the ordinary. Everyone has there favorite team, but you don’t need to wear the authentic sideline hat or a visor.  Visor are not and never will be a fashion piece.  Some great hats are fedoras or porkpie hats, but remember simple colors and please no feathers.  You are not Yankee doodle.

Bracelets aren't’ really my thing anymore but small rope bracelets are really popular now. Cuff bracelets are done, don’t wear them anymore.

Watches are the one item I love and wear all the time.  The only watches I don’t like are the super blinged out diamond watches or the regular metal watches. Chronograph watches are always popular and G-shocks are back in style.  I have a huge fan of leather band watches and this is the only leather you should wear on your wrist.

Sunglasses are a must for me, since I have super light colored eyes and I am very sensitive to the sun. Refer to my previous blog for my opinion on great sunglasses.

If you listen to anything in this blog it’s this statement, keep it simple.  Don’t wear everything at once, you can layer just do it tastefully. Stick to these simple guidelines and you won’t have any problem adding accessories to your daily wear.  When you have mastered these elements you can move on to items like cuff links and braces.

WeSC Wallets

I decided last year that I needed to upgrade my wallet collection.  I had a Velcro wallet, I was being nostalgic, and before that I had a series of magic wallets.  I used to only use one wallet for all my monetary needs, but now I have three wallets and I will cover all three; also I will tell you why I picked these three wallets.

WeSC Yngwie - The first wallet I picked up was the WeSC Yngwie Wallet.  It’s a super slim wallet, but it’s more of a card holder.  I wanted something to use when going out to dinner or the bar.  You really only need your id, credit card and some cash.  The wallet has card slots on either side and a slot in the middle for some cash.  The wallet is about the width of 3 credit cards stacked together, which equals a super thin, sleek design.  I wanted this kind of thinness for when I am wearing some slim or skinny jeans.  I always keep my wallet in the front of my pants so I don’t want a giant wallet sticking out of my pants.

WeSC Payton – This is the most standard of the three wallet I purchased. The Peyton is a tri fold with a id window and multiple card slots.  The wallet is made of waxed denim with a white WeSC label on the front. The wallet is a little bulker than I wanted but it’s not the standard, lame, leather wallet and not the way-too-youthful Velcro wallet.  This should be your everyday wallet, the one you are not afraid to pull out in public.  The best part is the Payton cost only $22, which is significantly less than most branded leather wallets.

WeSC Michel – The Michel is the most bizarre men’s wallet I have ever seen. It’s a bi-fold wallet with a zipper opening, it has the look of a planner when you open it up. This wallet is huge, it’s about 3 to 4 inches all around and 1/4 inch thick definitely will not fit in most standard gym pockets. The wallet is amazing, despite it’s size; the color is a port color, which works well with both black and brown.  One side of the wallet can hold up to 4 cards and the other side is a relatively big coin purse.  The dollar section has 2 sections for multiple bills or a slot for receipts. Even though the wallet doesn’t fit, comfortably, in most of my jeans I still find myself carrying this wallet more than the other 3.  Sometime bigger is better.

The wallet is the most important accessory any man can carry.  It keeps all you personal information in one place and the style says a lot about your character.  I went with all three of these wallets for different reasons, but most people only need one.  I would however purchase a black and brown wallet, so you can have a wallet to match what you are wearing that day.  The one thing I will stress is to keep it simple.  I know I say it a lot, but you will impress more people with the simple things you carry.  Keep that in mind as we explore more accessories.

Top 5 Sunglasses Under $200

I decided to switch up the normal top 5 of shoes, tees and denim and focus on some accessories.  Sunglasses are one of my passions.  Nothing can ruin your outfit more, than having a crappy pair of sunglasses on you face.  To make it on the list the sunglasses have to be under $200 and super sexy.

#5 – Spy Optic Haymaker

I chose this as my number 5, because I like this style but I am not convinced of its greatness. The Haymaker is a combination of plastic with wire noise pieces.  It’s got thick sides and a visor like lenses, but it’s not the weird face shield, like some oversized glasses.  The Haymaker is the flashiest pair on the list but not the most expensive.  They retail for around $134 and can be found at most major sunglass retailers.  If you are looking for a little bit of flash, then the Haymaker is your sunglass.

#4 – Ray Ban Aviator

Everyone remembers the Aviators from the movie “Top Gun” and pretty much every movie from the 80’s.  The Aviators have become a classic and have now, in the 21st century, returned to their glory.  They come in multiple styles, colors and sizes. You don’t want to go to big and end up looking like a highway patrolmen; unless that’s your job. I would stick to the small or military inspired cockpit style.  I have seen a lot of people wearing the outdoorsmen style with leather wrapped top bar.  The best thing about the aviators is they come is a ridiculous amount of styles and colors.  The Aviators retail from $99 to $145, depending on the style. Let’s welcome back a classic with open arms.

#3 – Oakley Frogskins

This is the rarest sunglasses on the list.  They literally broke the mold when they made this sunglasses.  This means most of the styles aren’t even sold retail anymore. This means you’re at the mercy of buying them on eBay and this means you need to be on the lookout for fakes.  The Frogskins are the quintessential classic Oakley sunglasses and like most of the popular sunglasses have returned from the depths of sunglasses retirement.  They were Oakley’s answer to the Ray Ban wayfarer, which is arguably the most popular sunglass of the 1980’s. I have the matte black frames and fire iridium lenses. They are amazing in person, no picture can do them justice. They have subtle frames, but they lenses make them pop.  The Frogskins, if you can find them, retail for $110 to $120 depending on the color and lenses.

# 2 – Ray Ban Wayfarer

The Wayfarer didn’t make number one in my book.  The Ray Ban Wayfarer is probably the most popular pair of sunglasses in the world.  Everyone from celebrities to athletes can be seen rocking a pair of wayfarers.  They have been referenced in songs and can be seen in countless movies.  These are the sunglasses you think of when you think of classic Americana.  The Wayfarer comes in to different sizes and a ridiculous amount of colors and styles.  You can have prints to two-tone color options; you could literally match every outfit in your closet with Wayfarers. The Wayfarers start at $83 to $150 depending on rarity and style.  There are two basic styles, the classic wayfarer and the new sleeker wayfarers; the sleeker wayfarer have thinner lenses.  The Wayfarers can also be turned into prescription glasses, which seem to be extremely popular right now. Stick with the classics!!

#1 – Von Zipper Fulton

I love these sunglasses!  I purchased these without seeing them and it turned out to be one of my best purchases to date. You may recognize the Fulton from “Iron Man 2.” Tony Stark is wearing the black/red checker board Fulton when he is sitting on the Randy’s Donut sign. I picked them up in the dark burgundy; I chose this color because it works with any color you wear. The Fulton's looks like a Wayfarer with a more square lenses and a more comfortable earpiece.  The Fulton is a new sunglass with an old school, classic feel and look. They are about the same price as the Wayfarer, but don’t hold the same stigma as the Wayfarer; people associate these glasses with a certain crowd of people.  So if you are ready to move on to the upper class then choose the Fulton.

Each of these sunglasses are glasses you can wear for many years and when you are sick of them; just pop them on eBay for a premium.  These glasses go with most outfits if your looking for a sporty frame with a original feel.  You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on designer sunglasses just because they are a certain brand; they all serve the same purpose. Instead spend a quarter of the price on a pair that really accentuates your features and doesn’t mask them behind big lenses.  Remember heroes come and go, but legends are forever.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Whatever you celebrate have fun today from Thread and Sole.  Remember regular posting starts back on Monday!!!! Happy Holidays from Thread and Sole!!

Taking the week off.

Just wanted to let you all know that I am taking the week off because of the Christmas holiday.  I will return on Monday December 27th with Accessory Week!!  While I am gone you can catch up on the past 76 posts and don't forget I look comments and emails. You can reach me at threadandsole@gmail.com and don't forget to like Thread and Sole on Facebook and follow @threadandsole on Twitter.  Have a safe and Happy Holidays and I will see you after the break.

Joe C.
CEO and President

I need your help!!

It’s been 3 great months and I love writing and reviewing.  What I need from you guys and gals is to spread the word.  Where ever you live tell everyone you know about Thread and Sole.  Tell everyone, shout it from the mountains, blog, tweet, Facebook about the site.

threadandsole.com is up and ready to go.  It takes you right to me!!!

Thanks in advance,

Joe.

It’s Trash Day–Saucony Bullet

It’s trash day, time to take it out. I love classic shoes and I thought it would be hard to find a shoe to trash.  I searched and searched, but as soon as I can across this beauty I knew I had found my bag of garbage. Saucony makes some of the best running shoes and they have some of the nicest classics in the business.  The Bullet is the exception. This shoe looks like a track shoe mated with very uncomfortable bowling shoe.  It looks like Saucony was trying to cash in on the bowling shoe craze, just 4 years after that fad ended. I’m all for low rise shoes but these look like they are trying to hard to be cool.  I was surprised to see these when I was searching for classic Sauconys’ to write about, but I understand why these shoe were made.  They are totally different looking then the Jazz or Shadow, which happen to look great and are much more appealing to collectors.

The Bullet pulls off the look of a bullet very well. It’s slim and straight, but it doesn’t look like it has very much arch support.  This seems to be a reoccurring theme with low rise running shoes. all style no comfort and zero class. Take a look at my post on the Nike Waffle and the Cortez. Those shoes got it right when making a low rise running shoe.  They have comfort  and style; the Cortex looks more like a bullet then these shoes.  The rounded nose and bullet like design. I give Saucony credit for trying something old and trying to capitalize on the classic shoe revival, but no every shoe is supposed to be a classic and just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s awesome.  The Jazz and the Shadow were enough Saucony, you didn’t need to revive every shoe in your category.  I have a better idea take one of you 90’s new style running shoes and start reissuing them.  They at least have style and purpose.  Maybe I am wrong and this shoe looks amazing in person, but the pictures I have found online don’t paint a great picture. As an avid online shopper you need great pictures to sell your shoes.  Not every store carries these and most classics aren’t stocked in mall stores.  Saucony you need to hire a new photography, but something tells me that’s not the problem.  It’s the shoe! Someone help me with this stinky garbage.

As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole and follow me on twitter @threadandsole. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.

Saucony

I believe my first pair of running shoes were Sauconys.  I loved them and wore them all the time. All I remember is the shoes had this awesome grid window on the bottom of the shoe.  The shoes were very comfortable and great for running. The classics are some of the most collected in the sneaker world and these are shoes people still use to run in, even though they are classics.  Saucony actually calls them “Originals” and they have a website dedicated to the originals line, something most other sneaker companies haven’t caught on to yet.

Saucony Jazz - My fiancé wanted to tell everyone that the Saucony Jazz is a very comfortable shoe with sleek lines.  Even though I wouldn’t put it that way, I do agree; the shoe is the the flagship classic shoe for Saucony. This would be a great starter shoe for any sneaker collector or maybe an older dad not looking to settle into “dad shoes.” If your looking for comfort and style, but nothing top crazy.

 

Saucony Shadow 5000 – I have always wondered where they get the numbers for most shoes.  Is this the 5000th sample and the one they picked, or is it just some random number the designer picked.  I am starting to like the Saucony Shadow more then the Jazz.  The Shadow looks like the updated version of the Jazz.  It has a two tone sole and an updated tread pattern.  I think I found my next classic shoe.

I know I usually do three shoes, but I decided to save the third for my trash column.  Saucony has some great classics, but the list is short on good looking shoes.  The two shoes they have are great looking and aren’t very expensive.  I do appreciate that Saucony has an entire website dedicated to classic shoe.  Most companies have started to release their classics, which is great because now I can get all those shoes I missed or the ones that came before my birth.  One thing we as sneakerheads need to do is demand more classics. How do we do this?  We email, tweet or even write letters, but the best way to do this is buy the classics.  Nothings better than a classic.

As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole and follow me on twitter @threadandsole. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.

Thread and Sole website is up!!!

Thread and Sole is now streamlined for y0ur viewing pleasure.  I can avoid the BlogSpot all together and just type threadandsole.com.  No more logging in or long complicated web addresses.  When you type in those magical words you instantly whisked to the Thread and Sole Blog.  No fuss and no muss.  This is just a steeping stone to a fully functional website with the store being the next step.

I thank you all for joining me on the journey so far and it’s only going to get better from now on.

Thanks for all your support

Joe C.

Wednesday Rant–Dad Shoes

You’ve all seen what I am talking about, those none descript, all white shoes that you see every guy over 40 wearing.  They are brand names, usually Reebok or Asics, but the most boring shoes of that brand.  The shoes have special names but you wouldn’t recognize them even if you were a scholar on that particular brand. They look like a combination of a running shoe and walking shoe, but I wouldn’t do either activity in these shoes.  The guys who wear these “dad shoes” aren’t your normal fashion junkies or even guys who like to shop for clothes.  They will claim the only reason they wear the shoes are because they are so comfortable.  I call bullshit on this thinking. The real reason is most men don’t care enough about how they dress and look.  The biggest excuse is, “’I’m married!’ or ‘who I am I trying to impress?’” How about have some pride and dignity in the way you look.

I am not talking about buying the most expensive shoes in the store or starting a shoe collection, just try something different.  Maybe instead of going with these shoes, maybe go with one of the New Balance Classics (I blogged about) or even the Adidas Superstar.  Those two shoes cost just as much as any of the “dad shoes” I found online. Let’s be honest with ourselves here, these shoes are hideous.  Why would you let anyone you know go out in public with these on?  Even some of the of the most basic shoes can have style and can still be really comfortable. There’s the other excuse of, “those shoes are too young for me’ or ‘I could never pull those off.’”  If you pair them with the right pair of jeans and a simple colored tee, you can’t go wrong.  You don’t have to go out, pick up a neon colored pair of dunks, and some skinny jeans.  You can still dress your age while not dressing above your age.

I think the reason why people buy these shoes and pass them off as ok, is because they are just lazy.  Which is hilarious because most of the “dad shoes” are running shoes, and the guys wearing these shoes look like the last time they ran a mile was high school gym class.  The whole point of this rant is not to make people feel bad about not having the coolest shoes or the most expensive, but to just enlighten those who think they have to settle for mediocre shoes.  Use my blog as a tool to guide yourself into fashion freedom and stop settling. Shop around and step outside your shitty little box.

As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole and follow me on twitter @threadandsole. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.

“Dad Shoes” VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

*Bonus Post* New Balance Ivy League Collection

Right after posting my New Balance piece, I found the brand new collection dropping in 2011.  These shoes are the New Balance H710 and each shoe is inspired by ivy league schools like Dartmouth, Harvard, Yale and many other schools.  The H710 is an outdoor walking shoe and this makes a lot of sense considering that most ivy league schools are located in the Northern part of the U.S.  I love the look of these shoes and the color choices really make a boring shoe look amazing.  The picture really fit the idea behind the shoes, American school; the locker is my favorite of them all. (pictures courtesy of Dunk)

H710 Ivy League Collection VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

New Balance

If you haven’t noticed I love classic running shoes and nothing recalls great memories of my childhood, then classic New Balance running shoes. This shoe personifies the 80’s running craze and upscale New York living.  Along with Asics and Saucony; these are the some of the most comfortable and best shoes for any running event.  The best part, most of the shoes don’t cost more than $70; which means maximum comfort at minimum cost.

This is a low profile running shoes that reminds me of the original Nike Waffle Trainer.  This is a great shoe to wear with denim and it comes in a wide array of colors to go with any your tees. I personally like the yellow and blue colorway, but the green and yellow remind me of my Nike SB Dunk Packers.

New Balance 420 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

This is my least favorite of the three.  It reminds me of the shoes that Bryan wore in the “The Breakfast Club,”  they look too much like my Grandfather’s Velcro shoes.  I do love their classic look and they have got to be super comfortable, but the shoe just has no cool factor.  That’s what we, as sneakerheads, are really looking for in shoes.  Nice try New Balance, but try a little harder next time.

New Balance 556 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I now know where Nike got their inspiration for the MS78.  This is the quintessential New Balance running shoe.  The 420 is the sleek and slim version of this shoe, but this one has the heritage and good looks.  The grey/grey with white laces is a definite classic New Balance colorway. This is the kind of shoe I would buy a bunch of different colorways and I would display them like art.  That may should crazy, but these shoes are just like a beautiful painting to me and it would always be a good conversation starter.  I will have these shoes displayed in the Thread and Sole offices.

 

New Balance 574 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

As much of a fan of Nike that I am; I will always love New Balance shoes and maybe I will even start collecting them when Nike starts to make shoes not up to par; like that day will ever come.  New Balance has some of the best running shoes, but nothing  compares to their classic line.  They are my number 3 shoe company with Nike first and Adidas second;  they might have made a higher position if they hadn’t come out the the NB Zip.  There is nothing that can forgive that monstrosity of a shoe.  The one thing that separates these shoe from most classics, is that you can pick these up a go run a few miles in them, even after all these years.  You get the best of both worlds comfort and cool.

Top 5 Classic Nike Running Shoes

To get on this list the shoe must be made in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s or 90’s.  The classic running shoe is a trendsetter and a shoe that has changed the running game.  They must be a good looking shoe and there will not be any super crazy designs because they don’t help you run faster; it’s like putting a ton of stickers on your import car.

#5  Nike Cortez

This is Nike’s first running shoe designed by Bill Bowerman, the legendary coach from Oregon.  This is a very comfortable shoe and was revolutionary  in 1968, but by todays standard this shoe wouldn’t hold a candle to the air max collection.  The Cortez features a wedge-like sole and an almost rocket like design. I own the nylon version, which are super lightweight, but after you wear them all day your feet can really start to ache.

#4  Nike Air Max 97

The Air Max 97 introduced the world to an almost full 360 degree air cushion.  It’s not my favorite of the Air Max series, but its sleek design and giant air cushion make it revolutionary.  It’s not as bulky as the Air Max 95 and way less hideous then the Air Max 96.  I am not sure what happened from the 95 to the 97, the Air Max 96 is just awful.  The Air Max 97 is not a favorite in the sneakerhead community, but I love the sleek and sporty look; plus it’s a really comfortable shoe.

#3 Nike Waffle Trainer

This is Bowerman’s second creation, he even ruined his wife’s waffle iron making this shoe.  The Waffle Trainer looks very similar to the Cortez but has the distinct waffle pattern that changed running in the 1970’s. This shoe is a little more comfortable then the Cortez and helps cut down on blisters and drag.  I have the Rockwaffle, which is a combination of a running shoe and a rock climbing shoe.  They can be worn all day with little discomfort, but I wouldn’t use them as a daily runner.

#2 Nike Air Max 95

My Second favorite Air Max with front and back air cushions.  The 95 is designed on the bottom like a human spine. The lines on the side are very sleek and have the look of a high end sports car.  They are a bit bulky and higher than most running shoes, but they look damn good with jeans. I still haven’t bought these, but I look forward to purchasing these for my Christmas gift.  The Air Max 95 is one of the most highly collected of the Air Max series.  It seems to be in a dead heat with the Air Max 1.

#1 Nike Air Max 1

This was the first Air Max shoe I added to my collection and it is my favorite shoe in my collection.  It was also the first of the Air Max shoes and the first to have a visible air cushion.  The shoe is amazing, not too tall and not too bulky.  It is the perfect classic running shoe, just a clean, classic shoe that looks good in any color and look great with both shorts and jeans.  I hate to wear shorts, even when it’s super hot outside.  I have the Air Max 1 skull pack in the orange and blue colorway.  I chose this colorway because I am a Florida Gator fan and this shoe has the exact same colors as the Gators, but it isn’t a gator shoe like the Air Tim Tebow.  This is the first shoe you should buy, if you want to start the Air Max collection. It’s only fair since it was the first of the Air Max series.

Running shoes have changed so much in the past 10 years; Nike has added Flywire and a 360 air cushion.  Not every change has been good, example the Nike Shox. Even with all the gadgets and gizmos, nothing beats a classic.  Let’s face it, no one is strapping these shoes on to go pound the pavement; they are putting them on to turn the fashion world on its head.

As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole and follow me on twitter @threadandsole. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.

Some Advice–My Love of Fashion part 1

I wanted to tell a little story about my flip flopping habits. Every year my style and taste seems to change with the seasons.  One day I’m loving a brand and buying only that brand and the next day, I’m on to the next thing.  I almost stopped being a sneakerhead and then I realized the problem, I was compiling bullshit mediocre shoes.  I looked at my collection and I learned that I was just buying any old shoe; there wasn’t any passion or love in my collection.  I purged the unwanted shoes and thinned out the collection, then with the money from the purge  I was able to to buy new and better kicks.  I do this with every level of my outfit.  I always sell my denim online and buy new ones. 

My tee shirt buying process is a little tricky.  I have a set amount of hangers and if I buy too many tees than I have to get rid of some old tees. I never buy more hangers.  It’s a pretty simple process. You should  put a limit or budget on everything you buy.  You don’t have to own everything to have an awesome wardrobe.  Buy the basics.  The basics are items you can’t live without: a basic white tee, a regular pair of blue denim and a nice pair of  brown or black shoes.  Here’s some other things you may need: a quality blazer, a light and heavy coat, a simple pair of khakis and a pullover or cardigan sweater.  Graphic tees are your own personal taste,  I would recommend simple tees with artistic graphics or photographs.  You don’t want to go overboard or have a crazy or loud color.  Try to stick with colors that go with the current season; there are exceptions, but only once in a while. 

I think my biggest problem is finding a denim company I can stick with for a couple of years. My closet is currently dominated by Levi’s, but I do have some other brands, WeSC and Nudie Jeans.  I started my love of denim with Diesel jeans.  The story doesn’t end there, but this post does…..Until the next blog.  Same bat time, same bat channel.

As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole and follow me on twitter @threadandsole. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.

*Bonus Post*–The Things I Have Purchased

I figured I would take sometime to tell all my readers about things I have purchased.  These are all items I have featured in my blogs.

Nike Pepper Low Rustic – They fit and look amazing.  I have gotten so many compliments on these shoes. These should be a definite part of your Holiday gift list.  They do however fit true to size, I believe I originally said size up.

WeSC Natan Sweater Navy – I bought this sweater just after Thanksgiving, because it was super hot in Florida. The sweater fits great and it super classy.  It’s thick but not too thick, definitely a cold weather sweater.

Obey Dropout Varsity Jacket – The dropout is the finest letterman jacket I have come across.  The quilted arms and the light fleece shell work well with layers or just by themselves.  Everyone loves this jacket and wants to know where I got the jacket.

Future buys – Obey IPA Shirt, Vans Zapato del Barco – if I can find these

I know it’s not a lot, but hey I am not made of money.  I did these so you can see that I am actually wearing or buying things that I blog about.  I am becoming very selective and only buying things I would want for years to come and not buying on impulse like I have been now to do, in the past.  Plan out you wardrobe, take advise from blogs, magazines and women.  Most women know what looks good together and can help steer you in the right direction.  If any girls read this blog I am hoping to expand the blog network and add a women's clothing blog. I am still trying to lock down a reliable person, whom will have the same standards that I do.  If you guys want to post anything you have purchased, after reading about it here, then email me or post it in the comments section.

As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole and follow me on twitter @threadandsole. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.

It’s Trash Day–Affliction Wrinkle Wash Indo Tee

It’s trash day, time to take it out.  It’s hard for me to trash tee shirts because you can pretty much put anything on a tee and it will look alright.  Once in a while, you come across some trash that defies all reason.  Affliction is just the kind of trash I hate.  The shirts lack creativity; the graphics are all the same and always follow the same pattern on every shirt.  Take this shirt for instance, it looks like a cross between Dog the Bounty Hunter and the Bad Guy from “Temple of Doom.” Affliction claims to be trendsetters, but the wrinkled shirt trend is about 5 years ago and skulls became played out last year. I can’t fault Affliction for sticking with the skull theme and the over masculine shirts, it seems to fit their target demographic.  The only problem is that most of the guys who wear Affliction aren’t the type to be dangerous or ruthless; this is the stigma the shirts display. Just look at most of the graphics: skulls, grim reapers and nothing says crazy guy like rhinestones. I have tried Affliction on and the shirts felt cheap and they fit terrible.  You would think $50 would buy a way nicer tee and one that fits amazing. Most of the guys who wear Affliction are dudes who workout way too much and need huge shirts for their 5 foot wide shoulders.  This shirt looks like a two-year-old got loose in the factory and cut the pattern.  The shirt dips up and down in certain places, and a shirt with open hems never looks good. It just looks like you have been wearing that shirt for far too long. Also, for $50 you would think the print wouldn’t  look ironed on (like I did it with my Canon printer and an iron). I don’t know, maybe add some stitching or just take sometime and do a better job silk screening the graphic.  I compare these to drinking Bud Light and saying it doesn’t get any better; what I mean is there are amazing craft beers, but people still devour Bud Light like it’s gold.  Affliction is to Bud Light, as Creep Street is to Sam Adams.  Is the message this tee is trying to get across, I am a dead Aztec king so I should be feared or I am a testosterone fueled asshole so get out of my way?  Let’s be honest most of the guys who wear this brand are trying to convey that message, but won’t ever admit it. So if you want to channel your inner Aztec king who rips out people’s hearts and drops them into a pit of fire, while arresting “ice heads” with you crazy sons.  Then this is the shirt for you, but if you enjoy Sam Adams and craft tee shirts, than take out the trash with me, because it smells like a rotting corpse.

As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole and follow me on twitter @threadandsole. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.

Naked and Famous Denim

There’s a new kid on the denim block and it’s from Canada.  Naked and Famous is Japanese raw denim and the newest denim juggernaut.  They have the heaviest denim around, 26oz; the jeans can literally stand on their own.  Brandon Svarc, the designer, is turning heads with his silk and cashmere addition to your normal denim fabrics.  You read that right, silk and cashmere in denim. As if these jeans weren’t soft enough, they are adding the two softest fabrics in the world.  Naked and Famous comes in three different fits: your standard slim, skinny and weird guy.  The weird guy fit is the next evolution in denim, slim up top and skinny down below.  It gives you that more slouchy fit, which is great for guys who think skinny jeans won’t fit around their thighs. I don’t think I really need to go over the other two fits.

I chose the Skinny Guy in Cashmere Stretch. It’s dark, elegant and it has 16% cashmere with elastine.  Basically, you have a super soft and very comfortable jean.  Yeah this comfort and softness comes at a price, $260 dollars to be exact. That may seem like a lot, but if you have read my previous rant (Cheap Rant), than you have learned the value of spending money on your denim.

The Skinny Guy VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The slim guy is a lot like the skinny guy just not as emo. Which means the slim runs about an inch bigger in the leg openings and the thighs.  They still have a straight leg and an amazing fit.  I picked The Slim Guy in Elephant Selvedge, a super super dark jean that contrasts great with the light brown leather patch, and when flipped up a really light inside leg.  Unlike the last pair these are half the price at $135, but still a quality denim.  These are 100% cotton. With raw denim the more you wear them the softer and more comfortable they get. If you’re feeling too old for skinnies, than level up to The Slim Guy.

The Slim Guy VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The only person left at the party is The Weird Guy, and he also happens to be the new guy.  This new slouch look might just be the every day guy’s answer to a straight leg jean. I chose the weirdest of The Weird Guy looks, the Frankenstein.  It looks like a hybrid of dress pants and denim, just like Frankenstein.  I know I trashed a pair of slouch jeans before (Trashed), but those were hideous jeans and these are amazing.  These are the type of jeans guys who work out their legs a lot should be wearing; it gives them the room and the style.  It’s a fact guys, girls like jeans that are fitted and show off your assets. 

The Weird Guy VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Naked and Famous is the new brand that I want in my closet.  They keep their selection simple, 3 fits, and even the colors are raw and dark; the only way jeans should be colored.  I haven’t seen them in person, but they will be the next pair of denim I purchase.  Hopefully sometime soon, Naked and Famous will come out with The Straight Guy fit… I mean it only seems logical.

As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole and follow me on twitter @threadandsole. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.

Wednesday Rant–Faked Fashion

It's Wednesday, time for a rant. If you haven’t run across this problem yet, you eventually will be the victim of purchasing fake goods. Here’s the normal scenario, you find the pair of jeans you’ve been searching forever for, you rip open the package and find out that you have been duped. Some people aren’t  involved enough to notice they have purchased a fake, and walk around in jeans or tees that are counterfeit, without even knowing.  Faked merchandise has been plaguing eBay and other auction style sites for many years now and it’s only getting worse.  I have been the victim of buying fakes twice now. That’s right I didn’t learn my lesson the first time. The first time I went to purchase a pair of Diesel Jeans on eBay I didn’t know what I was looking for and saw a really cheap pair of jeans.  I was really hurt; all I wanted was a great pair of jeans and I got a pile of crap.  I decided that I never wanted to buy a pair of fake jeans again and started to do research.  I Googled “fake denim” and a bunch of sites can up with tutorials and pictures on how to spot fakes, mainly what to look for and what questions to ask.  One of the best sites I found was Honest Forum, now a part of Denim Blog.  Honest Forum is a great tool to use, you can post eBay addresses and/or pictures of denim and the community can tell you if they are fake or good to go.  One good aspect is that there are lots of different people who can spot fakes of most kinds of designer denim.  The main communities are Diesel, True Religion, Seven and dry denim.  This is a great site to use if you are planning on bidding on a questionable item.  This is a community, so prepare to be judged on everything you say or buy. 
The other way to spot fakes is to buy an actual pair of the jeans and to look for the hidden details.  This is a costly option and you’re not always guaranteed to be able to locate the secrets.  The fact that people actively make fakes is a horrible shame, and even worse some people will buy these fakes because they are super cheap. The worst part is the people sometimes know they are buying a fake item, but don’t care because they got the item so cheap.  The people that knowingly buy fake items are people who want to wear designer apparel but don’t have the money to buy retail, so when they see an item is super cheap they don’t hesitate. It’s a status issue around the world. My one rule of buying online is simple, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is fake.  If someone is selling a pair of Diesel Jeans for under $50 dollars then it’s probably super fake and you should stay away.  Sometimes people get lucky and find a hidden gem, but these times are few and far between.  Bottom line, use the internet resources and you should be able to to easily find a good deal on eBay or other auction sites.  We need to stop buying these fakes and start reporting sellers, this is the only way to truly stop those people who think they can get away with selling us crap and passing it off as gold.  Don’t get burned like me.
As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole and follow me on twitter @threadandsole. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.

Creep Street

I just recently discovered Creep Street Clothing and I have got to say it was love at first sight.  I was looking for a new brand for my boy Aaron (Aaron's blog) and I came across this news and inventive brand.  Let’s be honest most brands have run out of ideas and are just putting out anything as long as their brand name is plastered all over the shirt.  Creep Street has put the art back into tee shirt making.  This is really prevalent when you go to their website, Creep Street, you have got to click on the intro; it’s a great video with 8-bit Nintendo themes telling the two creators origin stories. The website itself is very well made, but still seems new and it’s missing something. I picked 3 shirts from the web store, Chopping Mall.

I saw the first tee and had to post it here.  The Hamburglar is a popular McDonalds hamburger bandit and this tee is a play on that icon.  The rad burglar, who looks like a dishelved rat on this shirt.  I used to love McDonalds as a kid and would always beg for a happy meal and then I grew up and discovered how horrible McD’s is for you. I still love the characters from McDonalds and I am glad when I find a cool tee with these characters.

The store isn’t too large, but all the content is great so they don’t need a ton of tees. Who doesn’t love Disney and their iconic character Mickey?  I prefer my Mickey to be a hatchet carrying, psychopath fresh from killing another one of his characters.  Mickey seems to have the eyes of Jack Skellington  and a weird crooked smile.  How can you not love this tee shirt?  I can’t wait to order this and wear it the next time I am at Universal Studios.

I knew I wanted to review the first two tee shirts, but I just couldn’t decide between all the other shirts.  Then I saw this beauty and I was instantly teleported back to my childhood.  Who doesn’t remember the legendary “Contra” code for infinite live?  I had an Atari system, but my Nintendo system was my first real introduction into hardcore gaming.  I played countless hours of every game and I did beat the original “Legend of Zelda.” This shirt is styled like a 2K by Gingham tee and it’s simple, but has a message that has shaped many of our childhoods.

 

I have yet to try on any of Creep Street tees, but I will be ordering some soon.  I will try to work in an update and let you all know how they fit and feel. Karmaloop has a great selection of Creep Street; actually it’s better the Creep street website. I would buy Creep Street if you are tried of all shit that is sold in all the mall stores these days.  If  you want a tee shirt company with a horror movie feel then Creep Street is ready to cut your insides open and hang you by your entrails.

As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole and follow me on twitter @threadandsole. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.

Top 5–Most Overrated Denim Brands

I will probably get a lot a grief for writing this, but it’s something that has been bothering me for long time. I have been a member of multiple denim forums, not to be named, and some of the people tend to be super pretentious and very judgment.  I don’t think everyone in forums is bad and most of the people can be super helpful.  To make the list the  jeans have too cost way too much and all fit terrible. Well, on with the countdown.

#5 – Lucky Brand Jeans

I know Lucky has a hardcore following, but I have meet a lot of the hardcore fans and they are just not on my fashion level. The jeans are comfortable but they just don’t fit right and are not worth what they cost.

#4 – 7  for all Mankind

Seven jeans have a huge following and as much as I wanted to like these jeans I just couldn’t get into their fit and style.  I think the the A – pocket is the most ridiculous back pocket design.

#3 – Abercrombie & Fitch

I don’t hate everything Abercrombie, just their jeans.  Back in the boot cut days I thought Abercrombie was the best thing going and maybe that was because I worked at the store. The jeans are super low rise and the boot cut is super baggy and they make people with butts, look like they have no butt; if you don’t have a butt just forget about these jeans.

#2 – True Religion Brand Jeans

As much as I love True Religion, I also hate most of their looks.  The worst are the Super T’s and Big T’s, they have super big stitching  and it doesn’t always match the denim color.  The worst was when they started adding murals on their back pockets and some pairs had a ridiculous amount to holes and patched holes. Some pairs are way over priced; I don’t mind dropping money if they are worth it, but $300 for ugly ill fitting jeans in not right.

#1 – BKE Jeans

This is the only brand that I truly hate all of their jeans.  First off the jeans are super uncomfortable, even the loose fit jeans.  They cost about $70-$80, but they feel super cheap; I am talking about the quality and fit.  For a company that has the largest variety of fits, the jeans sure don’t fit well.  The slim are too baggy, the relaxed is too loose and the the boot cut is like a flare jean.  The back pockets are atrocious; to much going on and no clear signature pattern.  The pockets are all different and are made of crazy patterns; it’s just way too busy.  Most people like these jeans because they are talked into liking these jeans and are made to believe they are the greatest, the power of suggestion.

 

I don’t really hate all of these jeans, except BKE, I just think people give them way too much credit and they tend to cost way more than they are worth. Just because a pair of jeans cost around $100 doesn't mean it’s worth a shit.  If company are going to charge that much, at least the jeans could feel and have the quality of that price.  They best way to avoid getting a crappy pair is to research and try on different pairs. Now you know, any knowing is half the battle!! G.I. Joe.

What to Wear–My Engagement Photos

Today my Fiancé and I took our engagement photos.  I decided to post my outfits here because I think it’s a great look for any special occasions.  We decided to each wear a Christmas color, I wore green and she wore red.  We won’t have the pictures for a few weeks, so stay tuned to the Thread and I will happily post them with permission of course.  I’ll start with the top down. Some of the apparel have been posted before, so you can see what I have recently purchased.

Top: WeSC Miles Flannel – Green

This flannel fits so much better than the flannels released last year. Last year, the flannels were boxy and ran pretty short.  It’s a double green plaid pattern, and the arms aren’t as tight as the regular plaid WeSC shirts.  I would recommend sizing up because the arms can fit a little slim, especially if you have been hitting the gym.

Denim: Levi’s 591 Greased Indigo

                 

If you haven’t tried on this series of Levi’s skinnies, then you should run to your nearest high end Levi’s retailer and do so.  The fit is the 591 low rise skinny.  They are pretty low rise and also very skinny, almost the same fit as a 510.  The jeans are pretty good amount of stretch which really helps with the super tight fit.  The greased indigo is a super dark fit with a brown, almost dirt like finish on the thighs.  The back pockets have zippers across the top, but unlike other zipper pocket they don’t effect the use of the pocket.  There is also leather accents on the belt loops and the top of the back pockets. I chose to do a small roll at the bottom because the inside has great color contrast.  You should size down one with these particular jeans.

Shoes: Nike Pepper Low – Rustic

Pepper – I posted a link to the old blog.  I did get these shoes for my birthday and they are more amazing in person.  The fit is great compared to some shoes in this same category. They worked really well with the jeans, because the shoe color is almost the same as the clay or dirt stains on the jeans.

I wore two outfits for different photos.  The second outfit was the same except for the top.  I chose to go with a herringbone grey blazer and a light green Hurley Norman Pocket Tee underneath. I wasn’t sure how it would look together, but it turned out really well.  Either outfit would work well in a dressy setting.  The herringbone blazer is definitely very popular right now and I recommend you buy a jacket or blazer for special occasions.

As always email me at threadandsole@gmail.com, like my Facebook page Thread and Sole and follow me on twitter @threadandsole. Comments are welcome on the blog and make sure you follow to get updates on posts. If you want to donate any amount is gladly accepted and remember if you are shopping at Karmaloop.com, use “jcam1981” and receive 20% off.