Put This On

A web series about dressing like a grownup

Kanye on Creativity

March 3, 2010

Kanye blogged this, my man Colin converted it to non-all-caps:

I’m on the plane listening to the college dropout. It brings back so many memories. When we made it I had all 6 parents, 4 grandparents and my mom and dad. Now I have my dad and my grandfather.

Music is so nostalgic. Every song I listen to brings me back to when I first played them for my mom, when I first played from for Dame, when I first played them Jay, when I first played them for Kweli, when I first played them for my niggas back in Chi, when the album first came out, when I first called Ebro from Hot 97 and begged him to play through the wire, when DJ Pharris blew me up in the Chi.

We used to be the niggas rocking polo shirts, Louie back packs, paper denim jeans, and exclusive Adidas from Sporty LA. We were the underdogs. I never feel like I’m not the underdog. I never felt completely comfortable. I’m tormented by the need to create. With the loss of McQueen I feel like we lost one of those faces of modern creativity’s Mount Rushmore.

There were times that the only thing that kept me on this earth was the need and responsibility to create. Maybe McQueen felt his job was done because his last collection was the greatest of the decade. We are all so hurt. I know we’re selfish because he brought us so much joy and inspiration.

I know how it feels when the night demons come. We can’t let them control our hands and feet. Sometimes when it hurts so bad we have to just lay in the bed. Just lay in bed and don’t move please, I know how it feels. I wish McQueen could have just been still. Don’t let the psychiatrists give you their drugs because it slows down your wings. Society and public opinion can beat the wings off of angels. When god sees they can’t take it anymore he brings them back home.

During this new album process sometimes I turn the music up and drink and cry. When something sounds so amazing and ground breaking I’m reminded of why I live. I drink the pain of now 2 generations and breathe our melodies and messages. The music keeps us alive.

I was blessed with the opportunity to bring my and others dreams to life. It’s like performing magic or something. It’s surreal. We bring the unrealistic to reality. “Go hard, go hard, go hard” echoes in my dreams. When I wake up and brush my teeth and look in the mirror it’s like I see Michael and my mom and Malcolm. Who’s that African in the background mom? Oh he created the original layouts for the pyramids but was written out the history books and his MTV award was given to “aliens”.

There’s no such thing as fact anymore, only opinion. The closest thing we have to fact is “common opinion”. Everything is an opinion. The way you dress is an expression of your opinion. Your religious beliefs are your opinion. The music you turn up loud is your opinion. For most people it’s easier to just agree. For me the hardest thing is to ‘just’ agree and that is what sparks creativity, the feeling that something can be better, the feeling that something’s missing. The feeling that something’s needed.

Posted in Wisdom Kanye West Style Gods Alexander McQueen
March 1, 2010
The Myth: Big Men Can’t Wear Anything I’m tired of getting emails saying, “I appreciate your advice, but I’m bigger, and I can’t wear XXXX…” There’s no doubt that if you’re obese, it can be tough to find good clothes that fit well.  I sympathize with the predicament.  What I don’t like is the defeatism. Look at Jackie Gleason above.  He’s a very big man, and he looks fantastic.  Clothes that fit well flatter all figures, not just those of the skinny. I’m a bit overweight myself, but I find that clothes that fit me make me look skinnier, not heavier.  For most men, slimmer pants will have a flattering effect, not the reverse.  Tailored clothes will make almost any man look better - men’s tailored clothing is essentially the product of 300 years of technology dedicated to making men’s bodies look good. I’m not here to tell you lies: if you’re heavier, you won’t look as good to most.  That’s reality.  I would probably look better if I was 15 pounds lighter, or if my hairline wasn’t receding or my parents could afford orthodontics when I was little or if I was a runner or a swimmer.  That’s all true.  But that’s a reason to dress well, not a reason to throw up your hands.  LET’S DO THIS.

The Myth: Big Men Can’t Wear Anything

I’m tired of getting emails saying, “I appreciate your advice, but I’m bigger, and I can’t wear XXXX…”

There’s no doubt that if you’re obese, it can be tough to find good clothes that fit well.  I sympathize with the predicament.  What I don’t like is the defeatism.

Look at Jackie Gleason above.  He’s a very big man, and he looks fantastic.  Clothes that fit well flatter all figures, not just those of the skinny.

I’m a bit overweight myself, but I find that clothes that fit me make me look skinnier, not heavier.  For most men, slimmer pants will have a flattering effect, not the reverse.  Tailored clothes will make almost any man look better - men’s tailored clothing is essentially the product of 300 years of technology dedicated to making men’s bodies look good.

I’m not here to tell you lies: if you’re heavier, you won’t look as good to most.  That’s reality.  I would probably look better if I was 15 pounds lighter, or if my hairline wasn’t receding or my parents could afford orthodontics when I was little or if I was a runner or a swimmer.  That’s all true.  But that’s a reason to dress well, not a reason to throw up your hands.  LET’S DO THIS.

Posted in Big and Tall Jackie Gleason Style Gods
February 19, 2010
Does Glenn O'Brien ever *not* look spectacular?
Posted in Style Gods
January 12, 2010
Things are already warming up here in Los Angeles - I’ve had to move from wool to cotton flannel up top.  Too-hot-for-sleeves weather is just around the corner.  For me, that’s white tee weather.  It was the same, as you can see, for Steve McQueen.  I used to buy my white tees at Costco - the Kirkland brand are durable and cheap.  They’re also a bit heavy for summer in LA and a bit square for my body shape, so I switched to Alternative Apparel.  More expensive, but soft as a baby’s rear, and with a great cut.  Maybe we’ll do a group buy in the early spring. Check out some more white tee inspiration at Sartorially Inclined.

Things are already warming up here in Los Angeles - I’ve had to move from wool to cotton flannel up top.  Too-hot-for-sleeves weather is just around the corner.  For me, that’s white tee weather.  It was the same, as you can see, for Steve McQueen.  I used to buy my white tees at Costco - the Kirkland brand are durable and cheap.  They’re also a bit heavy for summer in LA and a bit square for my body shape, so I switched to Alternative Apparel.  More expensive, but soft as a baby’s rear, and with a great cut.  Maybe we’ll do a group buy in the early spring.

Check out some more white tee inspiration at Sartorially Inclined.

Posted in T-Shirts Shirts Spring Summer Alternative Apparel Kirkland Signature Steve McQueen Style Gods
December 1, 2009
Style Gods John F. Kennedy: greatest practitioner of Rich Kid Style of all time? I SAY YES.

Style Gods

John F. Kennedy: greatest practitioner of Rich Kid Style of all time?

I SAY YES.

Posted in Style Gods Rich Kids John F. Kennedy Boats
November 20, 2009
Style Gods A cream linen suit from the estate of the Duke of Windsor.  Not much of a king, but a great, great dresser.  Clothing from his estate goes on auction December 8th at Kerry Taylor Auctions in London. via A Suitable Wardrobe

Style Gods

A cream linen suit from the estate of the Duke of Windsor.  Not much of a king, but a great, great dresser.  Clothing from his estate goes on auction December 8th at Kerry Taylor Auctions in London.

via A Suitable Wardrobe

Posted in Style Gods Linen Suits
October 26, 2009
Style Gods The Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. Brown rose from field hand in Minneola, Texas to Speaker of the California Assembly and Mayor of San Francisco.  Is there any other American politician who’s ever looked this good? Emphasize the fit. You can have the best looking clothing in the world but if they do not fit you it’s a waste of money. Willie breaks it down.

Style Gods

The Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr.

Brown rose from field hand in Minneola, Texas to Speaker of the California Assembly and Mayor of San Francisco.  Is there any other American politician who’s ever looked this good?

Emphasize the fit. You can have the best looking clothing in the world but if they do not fit you it’s a waste of money.

Willie breaks it down.

Posted in Style Gods Willie Brown San Francisco