The Maroon Man: Faded and Sueded

It was my pleasure this week to photograph Fordham’s local Robert Patterson look-alike, Evan Chambers.  Contrary to this vampire comparison, Evan sports an ideal look for the coming months--one tailored to both windy and sunny weather. His outfit features an orange Ralph Lauren vest over matching flannel.

Flannels are a great closet staple for anyone. They’re generally pretty warm and can be worn as either a shirt or an overshirt. Flannels supply a messy, unkempt look perfect for mornings where you just don’t have the time to plan anything out. Comfort clothing is essential, and looking fashionable doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.

I’ve actually been contemplating purchasing a vest like Evan's for a long time. Depending on the season, they can be worn under a jacket or as a jacket as Evan wears his.  Clothing brands like Uniqlo, Patagonia, and The North Face have popularized wind-resistant, light-weight jackets made of the same type of material as this one. It’s cozy, multi-purpose and flattering--what’s not to like?

Faded Jeans are a favorite style of mine as well. Fade patterns make your legs appear thinner and can create a lengthened look. Faded Jeans are a nice medium between light wash and dark wash jeans; you simply don’t have to choose between the two!

Evan also rocks a pair of suede oxfords. Suede can be difficult to wear, or what I mean to say is difficult to wear more than a few times. Being less durable than standard leather, it is easily prone to water damage and general wear. But if you’re somebody who’s careful with your footwear, (and if you are, I applaud you) suede shoes like these are a very sleek and comfortable alternative to most other materials.  Lastly, Evan tops off his ensemble with a polished metal watch. Though I will almost always instinctively reach for the home button on my iPhone rather than look at a watch to tell what time it is, watches are timeless accessory that have a historical undertone of sophistication.

Colin Croughan is currently a sophomore at Fordham University and is a Communications and Media Studies major. After first modeling in the club’s annual show last year, Colin has become inspired to combine his interests in fashion and journalism. Colin hopes to pursue a career in the men’s’ fashion world and has come to love Fordham’s urban environment and close proximity to the city. Though Colin is excited to exhibit many Rose Hill fashion trends, he is particularly interested in sharing trends in men’s fashion that are low-effort, stylish, affordable.

The Maroon Man: Layers of Class

A friend and fellow student of mine, Martini Tangco, has refined his urban look ever since he has taken up residence off-campus and gotten a job at Urban Outfitters. His look is very versatile, and it is not only perfect for a day in the city, but also for a presentation at school. As my time at Fordham continues, I find myself being drawn toward NYC more and more. With all the academic and social opportunities the city has to offer, it is key to know how to dress up an outfit and layer up for various occasions.    

My favorite part of this ensemble is the blazer. A blazer with jeans is a very popular and comfortable look. An understated blazer like Martini's can really convey a sophisticated appearance without looking too overdressed. Shoes are also a major factor for a successful outfit. Like many of my friends, I am starting to develop an insatiable shoe fetish that will never be satiated. Therefore, I couldn’t help but envy Martini’s pair of Original Penguin leather dress shoes, which accented the blazer quite nicely. It’s essential to have a comfortable pair of leather shoes that are perfect for venturing into the city. Leather has an ideal texture for city excursions due to its durability and versatility. In my personal experience, traveling through New York can get messy, so it is a huge stress-reliever to have clothing that can handle surprise rainstorms, pigeons, and spilt coffee!

Under his blazer, Martini sports a horizontal striped shirt from American Apparel over a button down from Club Monaco.  The tri-chromatic red, white, and blue color scheme really pops as the centerpiece of the outfit while Martini’s jeans are a more understated tone of blue. If you’ve read previous Maroon Man articles, you may have noticed the field watch trend make another appearance in this outfit. Notice how he accessorizes with a brown leather field watch and a simple, yet masculine red bead bracelet. Martini successfully orchestrates a comfortable city-appropriate outfit for professional and social occasions on or off campus.

Colin Croughan is currently a sophomore at Fordham University and is a Communications and Media Studies major. After first modeling in the club’s annual show last year, Colin has become inspired to combine his interests in fashion and journalism. Colin hopes to pursue a career in the men’s’ fashion world and has come to love Fordham’s urban environment and close proximity to the city. Though Colin is excited to exhibit many Rose Hill fashion trends, he is particularly interested in sharing trends in men’s fashion that are low-effort, stylish, affordable.

The Maroon Man: A League of His Own

If there is one thing that Fordham student Terry Brown knows, it's about how to incorporate swag. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Terry has been showing off his West Coast style in the Bronx for quite a while. You might have spotted him around campus, dodging the paparazzi in a flat brim hat with some shades on! All jokes aside, Terry is a very accomplished student designer and entrepreneur with his own brand "League Me."

This winter has been more chilly than snowy, meaning wind-resistant clothing is essential. Terry keeps warm by keeping it simple, rocking a League Me Varsity Windbreaker. Hold on, I know what you're thinking-- How can get I swag-tastic clothes like Terry? Well, I have at least one solution. Though many student's refrain from the chaotic consumer environment up on Fordham Road, it has been my guilty pleasure for the past two years. It’s a great place to shop for specific looks rather than name-brands, and is an affordable solution to trekking down to NYC. In fact, some of my favorite wardrobe pieces have come from Fine Men’s Wear, Conway and other storefronts up Fordham Road. Having one or two items from Fordham Road is a fun way of adding an urban edge to an outfit.

Insulated and wind resistant jackets are a must to survive the winter for guys who don't like to layer up or throw on a scarf. Under the jacket, he has on an original League Me Fitted Tee and tan Levi's Matchstick jeans. Nude tones and slim fit clothes like these are a big trend. An outfit doesn't have to be complicated to be successful. His look is fitted and simple, with a few small accessories that pop. Terry plays up his gray tee with a low-hanging gold chain, drawing more length-wise attention and accentuating his height.

In addition to the wind chill, this winter has also been very bright, leaving most of us walking around campus squinting, tearing and frost-bitten. Terry battles the elements with a pair of sleek, black RayBan's. A nice pair of solid color sunglasses is an easy way for guys to add a simple accessory, regardless of the season. Terry also sports a pair of red, low-top Vans. Recent shoe trends have reflected a retro 90's influence, and vans have an iconic and laid-back look. Askmen.com reviews that vans, "...are identifiable without being completely overdone on the streets...With most styles under $50". They are exactly what college men want out of the fashion world- affordability, versatility, and comfort.

Overall, Terry's look demonstrates an easy way to look sharp in this brisk weather. For those who need some new winter threads, try taking a walk up Fordham Road so you can turn your swag on while you turn the heat on this season.

Colin Croughan is currently a sophomore at Fordham University and a Communications and Media Studies major. After first modeling in the club’s annual show last year, Colin has become inspired to combine his interests in fashion and journalism. Colin hopes to pursue a career in the men’s’ fashion world and has come to love Fordham’s urban environment and close proximity to the city. Though Colin is excited to exhibit many Rose Hill fashion trends, he is particularly interested in sharing trends in men’s fashion that are low-effort, stylish and affordable. Check out some of his posts at fordhamffp.blogspot.com.

The Maroon Man: Time Is Of The Essence

Growing up in a generation reared with the convenience of having all life's necessities compacted within a single handheld device, the usage and functionality of wristwatch may come off as superfluous to many college students. For many years the awful trend of bulky, toy-like sport-watches has dominated the mainstream youth-fashion with time pieces that came in every candy-color of the rainbow. With the rise (or rather, rebirth) of heritage fashion, the menswear scene has (thankfully) chosen a new time-piece to be the iconic style of the trend— the Field Watch. 

During World War I, the field watch was born from soldiers needing to make access to their time-piece (at the time were all pocket-watches) more convenient. The idea of a man strapping one's pocket watch to the wrist was born—genius. Today many fashion houses use these same vintage style watches as a template for their own reproduction designs. Don't get me wrong, these aren't your grandfather's wrist watches— although many menswear enthusiasts would surely applaud the authenticity of owning/fashioning a functional vintage time-piece. The new generation of vintage styled Field Watches are usually built with the modern touches of water resistant mechanics, scratch-proof glasses, and watch-straps almost any color/pattern that a quirky prep could come up with. Yes, that means that with the many field-watch producers out there today, there are just as many producers of field-watch-straps who can provide you with your guilty desire to fashion the bright colors of your former-favorite Casio G-shock collaboration watch (sorry, this watch doesn't come in BAPE camo, nor does it growl when the backlight is on—well, at least not YET). 

A new Field Watch could cost an eager fashionable consumer anywhere between $25 (Timex) to $99 (L.L.Bean) to $395 (GANT by Michael Bastian, among many other menswear designers that have chosen to produce their own field watches). The beauty of these watches is that no matter the price of the watch, the aesthetic of a rugged military field watch can still be preserved. But of course, the savvy-eBay-enthusiast will surely still be able to snag a steal online-auctioning on a vintage or new time-piece.

Personally, nothing irks me more than to see a beautiful watch go to waste for the preference of one's iPhone standby screen. So most importantly, if you're going to wear a watch– use it! 

Lance Dornagon is currently a Junior at Fordham University, studying Finance (major) and Business Law (minor) while being a workaholic retail associate. When he's not hitting the books or on the sales floor, Lance enjoys dancing, blogging, and sleeping (barely). Born and reared in Queens, NYC, Lance is excited to write for Fordham's Fashion for Philanthropy Blog and share his experiences in the Menswear Fashion Industry.

The Maroon Man: Looking Cool, Keeping Warm

Walking along the paths of Fordham, one sees students scrambling to class, professors holding conversations, black squirrels, and many different styles. Walking along the Freeman side of Eddies I spotted a young man with killer style. He is this week’s Maroon Man. 

Nicos, from San Francisco, California, nailed a preppy and laid back look with a soft blue button down, stone khakis, and the symbol of all things prep, Sperry’s. Socks with Sperry’s, to many, are a cardinal sin no matter the time of year. So as we quickly approach the bitter cold of a New York winter how can we keep this laid back look for the changing season? It’s simple. Layer.

Layering is the key to keeping symbols of summer fashionable even in the colder months. This can be achieved with sweaters, coats, and cords, which can simply be added to the look and are appropriate for winter. For Nicos, there is no need to change out of this great button down. Just roll down the sleeves and throw a cashmere or wool V-neck sweater. If it’s really cold, a shawl collar cardigan could also work. Polo Ralph Lauren has some great options. A cardigan would work best only because it doesn’t entirely cover the shirt, but either are a great option when it comes to bundling up.

To transition this look into the much colder months, try swapping khakis for a pair of cords. Since khakis are made of cotton, they are very light and airy. They’re perfect for summer, but not too practical for winter. Corduroys are made for cold weather because the thicker stitching lets less air in, so you stay toasty and warm. Try looking for a fun color other than brown or gray to spice up your look. These Henna cords by Rockin’ Sartorial are a great option.

With these tips, Nicos can stay comfortable when November rolls around. He can still sport  his key summer pieces and not lose the essence of this stylish look.

Joe Coscia is a sophomore at Fordham College Rose Hill studying Communications and minoring in Business Administration.  He is originally from Pennsylvania and is thrilled for his second year with Fashion For Philanthropy.  He also can't wait to help Fordham's guys stay stylish with budget friendly finds and splurges.  Dress Well, Live Smart Fordham!