[last man standing x nike AAE]: a j.xyz editorial.

fyi: this is a sponsored post in partnership with nike.

this year, i made a decision to change how i walk and work in the world. from the way i approach my projects to the thought i put into getting dressed, i want to get back to a phrase that i used to define my life by:

live editorially.

so when i got a first look at the new nike AAE line, the wheels in my head immediately started spinning. one of these days, i plan on creating a capsule collection that perfectly embodies my core style and i found so many parallels with this new assortment. first, the aesthetic is simple and clean, while at the same time feels totally edgy and even futuristic. and the sportiness is very present but expertly balanced with such a level of fashion that makes it something i'm truly excited to add to my wardrobe—i’ve honestly never been more impressed by fashion pieces from a traditionally more sportswear-focused brand partner.

from a creative standpoint, i wanted to lean into that futuristic edge i mentioned before as i worked on this partnership, and it got me thinking of a world far different from the one we’re in today…

something familiar but foreign, a place that felt like home but desolate in nature.

looking at the head-to-toe look, i felt like an explorer, dropped into a new environment—not sure if he’s lost or on the brink of discovery. i instantly knew the perfect location: noho, on the periphery of nyu, a secret little spot that’s been one of my favorite places to shoot for years. from there, i had some fun.

check out more of the shots below…

getting back to the collection, there’s nothing like pieces that offer an elevated sense of fashion with functionality to match. to start, each piece is extremely comfortable, from the fit to the quality of the materials. additionally, i’ve shared before how much i LOVE pockets, and the line offers more than enough storage space, be it through removable back pouches that echo fanny packs or permanent fixtures on the front of the vest.

and finally, my underlayer up top is not only finished with a unique three-finger sleeve, but there’s a break at the wrists to keep you connected to your smartwatch or fitness tracker at all times, and the shorts offer an awesome double layer that minimizes the chill, adds comfort, and looks really nice. without question, a lot of care and attention to detail were put into the design process and it shows.

while the concept and creative were relatively easy to bring to life, it was so exciting getting back to this sort of storytelling. it makes the whole game fun again, a feeling that i felt was absent for a large part of 2019. i’m pumped to start living editorially again, and can’t wait to share more style stories with you guys in the months ahead.

if you love what you’ve seen of the nike AAE line as much as i do, click here to shop these pieces and more. -j

brand spotlight: keeping it cozy/casual/clean with express.

well, it’s official: fall is in full effect, and with it come the inevitable netflix-and-chill weekends at home and endless holiday parties. with that being said, i’ve been making a list of all the seasonal staples that are mandatory for surviving this special time of year, and at the top of my list lies the henley. extremely comfortable and surprisingly versatile, this go-to fall favorite will keep your style on point over the months ahead, and my buds at express and i will show you exactly how to make that happen. check it out. -j

A20B6375-6349-421E-B4FC-3D2C0328CAB7.JPG

cozy. 

whether it’s the cold temperatures or simply because it’s cuffing season, most of us will likely find ourselves stuck inside on the weekends way more than usual. now personally, i see nothing wrong with that, but, if you’re gonna spend your free time indoors, the least you could do is not let your style fall to the wayside. henleys are the ultimate lazy day staple to keep you looking (and feeling) good all day long, whether you rock it with your favorite jeans or a pair of sweats. here, i went for the latter, breaking out this comfy combo from express. *switches phone to dnd*

wearing: express cotton henley sweater and vintage fleece jogger pant, frames from coastal.com.

casual. 

now, i’ll admit that the temperatures dropped fast and furiously here in nyc, but if you’re still enjoying normal fall weather, a flannel-henley pairing is a tried-and-true style flex that’ll always leave you winning. go for an easy pair of jeans or slim-fit trousers—like this pair from express—throw on your favorite pair of sneakers, and hit the streets. oh, and be warned: there’s something about those fresh lumberjack vibes that’ll make you look like the bait, so don’t be scared if you receive a number of flirty advances throughout the day. 😏

wearing: express plaid flannel shirt, cotton henley sweater, and extra slim black cotton dress pants, reebok classic club c 85 sneakers.

clean. 

alright, the sun has set, you have a holiday party to be at in one hour, and you’ve yet to put together a solid look that’s sure to impress... 😰 don’t fret—this bad boy will come to the rescue once again. dig through your closet for a turtleneck (my recommendation: go for a mockneck). from there, layer up in this order: the sweater (underneath it all), your henley, a badass bomber (on top, obviously). for your bottom half, stick with your go-to pair of trousers and a fresh pair of chelsea boots. voila (feel free to give a toast, since all eyes will be on you anyways).

if these three examples haven’t made you a believer yet, DM me on IG and I can break down any further doubts personally. otherwise, head over to express now to shop all their latest styles. but don’t stop there... the new arrivals section is full of other fall essentials to keep you looking your best throughout the chilly months ahead.

yes, this post is sponsored by express, but as always, all opinions, tips, and imagery are mine. -j

brand spotlight: getting back into fall with express.

for as long as i can remember, fall has always been my favorite time of year. the grey skies, the way the world just seems a bit more relaxed and comfortable, and, of course, the style switch-up. the mock turtleneck will forever be one of my favorite wardrobe staples—it's super versatile, comes in a number of variations, and looks damn good on pretty much everyone. i recently linked up with my buds over at express to put together three easy ways to rock one this season. check it out. -j

the 1-2 win.

i love a piece that makes my life easier—case in point: the mockneck's ability to look awesome under almost any outerwear hanging in your closet. cardigans, denim jackets, trench coats, puffers—trust me, it's like the ultimate cheat code for a style win this season. here, i hit the streets of soho to prove my point with this boss bomber from express. always one to keep things a little casual, i finished the look with my favorite pair of trackpants and my speed trainers for a sporty feel.

wearing: express black shoulder seam bomber jacket and mockneck embroidered lion sweater, forever21 track pants, balenciaga speed trainers.

keep it clean.

there's a lot of power in simplicity. for those days when the chill isn't too overwhelming, i'd recommend keeping things minimal—i.e. leaving the outerwear at home—and letting the sweater do the talking. pairing it with a clean pair of side-stripe trousers is enough to score you some serious style points. and if you're really worried about the temperature, don't sweat: just slip on a long-sleeved tee underneath and get your day underway, whether you're heading to the office (like me, here) or hanging out in the city.

wearing: express mockneck embroidered lion sweater, asos trousers with side stripe, converse chuck taylor hi-top all-stars.

layer player.

fall is all about layering, and the turtleneck is my secret weapon when it comes to turning my seasonal looks up a notch.  like the outerwear trick above, it's really as simple as A-B (no C required): i slipped one of my favorite pieces of knitwear over the sweater for a look that's cozy and, thanks to the zipper on the collar, a little sporty too. the rest of your look can be kept as simple as you like. i went for a subtly stylish pair of slim-fit dress pants from express and dressed things down with these new vans i've been obsessed with lately. this simple concept is perfect for any casual evening plans on your calendar that still require a bit of effort in the wardrobe department.

wearing: express mockneck embroidered lion sweater and extra slim black cotton dress pants, asos striped sweater, vans authentic sneakers.

if you're still working on your fall wardrobe, head over to express.com now and check out the latest drops—especially if you've got a gig in corporate america. trust me, i've been there, so i know how blah the dress code can be, but you can use the tips above, along with some of their other style staples, to add a little bit of cool to your business casual mix this season.

yes, this post was #sponsored by express, but as always, all tips, opinions, and photos are mine.

brand spotlight: h&m studio aw/2017.

in case you weren't one of us who had our calendars marked well in advance, today was the launch of h&m's studio aw/2017 collection. i got a first look at a few of the pieces a couple of weeks back on my buddy @oh_anthonio and instantly became obsessed. fast forward to earlier this month and, to my very sweet surprise, i got the chance to snag a few pieces before the drop (and just in time for #nyfw)!

check out some of the pieces i copped from the collection below, and keep scrolling for my personal picks from the assortment—including that amazing ribbed turtleneck collar, which i bought this afternoon right after it went live. -j

IMG_5903 2.JPG

wearing: h&m studio aw/2017 shawl-collar bomber jacket.

IMG_6342.JPG

wearing: h&m studio aw/2017 ribbed turtleneck sweater.

IMG_6391.JPG

wearing: h&m studio aw/2017 'mountain noir' sweater.

the pieces you need to cop, like right now

hmprod-5.jpeg
hmprod-6.jpeg
hmprod.jpeg
hmprod-2.jpeg
hmprod-3.jpeg
hmprod-4.jpeg

look 24: the beau next door.

hey guys. it's been a minute, i know. but FYI: i spent the past few weeks working on stuff for liberty fairs, and finally covering the three-day event in vegas (more to come from that soon). now that things have slowed down, let's get back to our regularly scheduled programming. i pulled out a new statement-maker this morning and i've been waiting all day to finally share it with you guys. check it out. -j

wearing: BEAU by sky vargas homme vest en blanc, pacsun piped joggers, creative recreation napoli trainers.

breaking down the look

to put it simply: i'm really in love with this shirt (and no, this isn't a sponsored post). it's really along the lines of something i think i'd make if i were a designer. the mix of sportiness and fashion-forward feels makes it a true showstopper in my book. i kept things pretty simple by pairing it with some comfy (and cool) joggers, and let the color palette do a bit of the work. [red, black, and white] has been one of my favorite combos lately, and i think they worked together perfectly for this laidback look.

if you like what you see as much as i do, click here to check out more colorways and styles from BEAU by sky vargas.

ASOS insider picks: june. 👍

ASOS insider picks: may. 👍

as i start thinking about my #summer17 style, my head's currently filled with visions of breezy button-downs, dope match sets, retro tops, and some sweet suits. 😍 with that said, these bad boys are some of favorite pieces on ASOS right now—add them to your cart ASAP. -j

follow my ASOS Insider account on Instagram for more stylish picks to shop 👉 @asos_jovel

asos insider picks: april. 👍

alright, people, it's time to start spring shopping and, personally, i'm super excited. here are a few of my favorite pieces from asos to help you get started. -j

image1xxl (71).jpg
image1xxl (70).jpg
image1xxl (69).jpg

Illusive London Overhead Jacket In Pink, $ 91.00

follow my ASOS Insider account on Instagram for more stylish picks to shop 👉 @asos_jovel

image1xxl (68).jpg
image1xxl (67).jpg
image1xxl (66).jpg

Liquor & Poker Cut and Sew Denim Jacket, $68.00

season staples: spring style hacks à la timberland.

out of nowhere, mother nature finally flipped that glorious switch and released the sunshine. now that the temperatures are feeling right, it's time to start making space in your closet for some season-appropriate style staples. below, you can find four of my favorite transitional style hacks, brought to life by timberland, to get your spring wardrobe on 100.

IMG_4662.JPG

the white sneaker

IMG_4658.JPG

bright whites always come in handy when you're trying to give your daytime looks an extra cool point or two, and the newport hikers come in a canvas fabric that feel totally right for the season—not to mention, make me want to get outdoors asap.

IMG_4660.JPG

the backpack

IMG_06A6C7FFAAEE-1.jpeg

maybe I caught a little cabin fever, but now that hibernation season is finally over, i have no plans to stay at home in the months ahead. a tough (but cool) bag makes it easy to hang onto everything i need on-the-go without having to head back to the crib to grab this or that. the ipswich river backpack does the trick perfectly.

IMG_9406.JPG

eco-alert: timberland teamed up with thread™ for the ipswich river pack & newport hiker boots above—using fabric made with 50% recycled PET (layman's terms: plastic bottles) collected from the streets of haiti—making them not only sweet additions to your wardrobe, but a conscious cop, too. 👍

a strong pop of color

IMG_4657.JPG

I'm not sure when it happened, but somewhere in the past few months, I fell in love with the color red. it makes such a bold statement, and this skye peak insulated vest makes it really easy to seed the punchy hue into my looks with just a few simple layering moves. no matter your personal preference—yellow, purple, pink, whatever—don't be afraid to give all your favorite shades a go this season.

IMG_4656.JPG

double denim

IMG_4661.JPG

for whatever reason, i was sort off of denim the past two seasons (at least, the blue kind), but I've come across some really sweet styles these past few weeks, and they have me so excited to break out a clean canadian tuxedo. matching washes can be a little tough, so don't feel the need to. here, I paired timberland's mumford river slim fit denim shirt with one of my favorite pairs of jeans from ASOS and tempered down the look with a few tan complements.

IMG_4659.JPG

hit timberland.com to cop more of their new-season staples, and check back here for more transitional style tips to get you through the weeks ahead.

fyi: this post is #sponsored by timberland, but as always, all thoughts, tips, and content are my own. -j

ASOS insider picks: march. 👍

the first day of spring is almost here, which means you need to start thinking about that upcoming wardrobe flip. now, don't get crazy... it's still cold AF outside, but these sweet pieces will help you get your new-season style transition off to a fresh start. -j

ASOS insider picks: february. 👍

look 8: kicking it with k-swiss.

these past few weeks, i've found myself incorporating way more dapper elements into my looks than usual: suits, blazers, vests, all that good stuff. i guess i was in an a little bit of a joggers-and-sneakers phase for a second, but the variety's coming back and i'm excited; especially since the ss17 season is almost here (not to mention, nyfwm is right around the corner!). below, i kept it business casual at work with a sporty suited number, featuring some fresh kicks from k-swiss. - j

wearing: asos man suit jacket, wood wood aa pixel logo tee, adidas originals joggers, k-swiss classic '66 p sneakers.

brand spotlight

so, for this look, i adopted my usual approach to suiting, dressing things down with a tee (or turtleneck) and throwing on a clean pair of kicks for an easy athleisure win. i love this style from k-swiss—the all-white colorway makes it work effortlessly with so many different outfits, plus they add some serious throwback cool points.

ASOS insider picks: january. 👍

happy 2017, people! it goes without saying that a new year calls for new threads, so i thought i'd give you guys a little helping getting things off to a stylish start. you know the routine: scroll down to check out my favorite picks from ASOS for the month of january. -j

follow my ASOS Insider account on Instagram for more stylish picks to shop 👉 @asos_jovel

ASOS insider picks: december. 👍

december's here, which means we're all likely dropping a ton of dolla dolla bills on presents for others (and a few for ourselves, haha). if you're doing any of that spending on asos.com, here are six of the picks you should add to your cart asap. -j

look 5: layered up with uniqlo heattech.

fact: surviving the fall + winter weather requires a strong layer game.

this season, i've been investing in a ton of different layer options, from long-sleeve and crewneck tees to solid turtlenecks and hoodies—all of which i can seamlessly slip under or over the other items in my closet to add some extra warmth to my daily style equations. included in that assortment are a few pieces from #uniqloheattech collection, and so far, they've been coming through like magic.

wearing: uniqlo heattech ultra warm long-sleeve t-shirt and ultra warm tights; h&m longline bomber jacket, alexander wang x h&m neoprene biker jacket, asos man utility vest, ripped denim, and baseball cap, nikelab x riccardo tisci free train force flyknits.

brand spotlight

my favorite thing about the heattech collection is how comfortable the pieces feel on your skin. considering their functionality—keeping you #warmtothecore—it's pretty incredible how light they are. also, the fabric's a smooth cotton weave (not waffle knit), which gives it the casual appearance of a regular tee and allows it to blend into different looks much easier. another important point is that the material on the tights doesn't tug my leg hair like some other brands that i have—two points for uniqlo. shop the full #uniqlolifewear collection here and start stocking up... winter is coming.

fyi: yes, this is a #sponsored post, but (of course), all opinions, photos, and tips are my own. -j

ASOS insider picks: november. 👍

òl new york fw16: the underdog collection.

i love when i see other young creatives making moves around the city. my buddy allen (@hey_al) just dropped the fw16 collection for his label, òl new york, earlier this afternoon. titled the underdog collection, the line offers a dope range of fall statement pieces—from doberman-emblazoned souvenir jackets to comfy shearling basics and outerwear.

my favorite part of the collection has to be the all-around color palette. i've been obsessed with dusty pinks & muted earth tones lately, and this offering gives all of that in some pretty sweet combinations. check out my favorite shots from the lookbook, as well as my top 3 picks from the line, below. -j

My picks: òL New York FW16 — The Underdog Collection

ASOS insider picks: october. 👍

A few weeks ago, one of my Instagram buddies commented on how I always snag the best stuff from ASOS, so now that I'm an Insider, I thought it'd be helpful if I gave you guys a heads up on some of the best finds to shop on the site for the weeks ahead. I'll do this on a monthly basis, but be sure to browse around for yourself too—the options are on 100.

It's finally starting to feel like fall here in the States, which means if you haven't started flipping your wardrobe, you're way behind. From autumn colors to comfy layers, these new drops will help get your new-season looks started off right.

ASOS Knitted Hoodie in Teddy Yarn, $57.00

ASOS Checked Bomber With Fleece Collar In Red, $105.00