brand spotlight: v-day & chill with express.

in case you haven't noticed yet, love is in the air again. yep, that's right—valentine's day is just around the corner. for those of you who have already gotten your gift shopping out of the way and organized your date night plans, you get a gold star, but what about your look for the big day? due to my [very single] relationship status, i'll be keeping things super chill this year, but i still plan on pulling out a fresh 'fit for whatever i get into. scroll down to peep three cupid-approved v-day outfits i put together with express. -j

from desk to date

if you're heading straight to dinner or the bar from the office, don't fret. you can transition a stuffy corporate look into something a bit more casual with two easy switch-ups. first, ditch the dress shirt and tie for an easygoing hoodie—the express style i'm wearing here is super cozy inside FYI, which is definitely a win after a long day. next, leave the loafers under your desk and throw on some cool kicks to further dress down your suit. and if you feel something's still missing, finish things off with a fisherman's beanie or dad cap for extra off-the-clock vibes.

wearing: express slim burgundy oxford suit and vintage fleece hoodie, nike air max sneakers, and fisherman beanie.

so festive

for some of us, valentine's day is a huge deal—which is totally cool. if you're one of those people looking to show off your v-day spirit, color is key. in my mind, romance and love come in two hues: pink and red. wearing them together can get a bit over the top, so pick one and blend it into an all-white foundation for a clean, statement-making ensemble that will totally hit the mark. here, i went the pink route, rocking a hella comfy hoodie from express with one of my season-favorite puffers, slim-fit jeans and some sneaks. the pop of color does all the hard work in a relatively easy-to-put-together outfit.

wearing: express garment dyed funnel neck hoodie, mennace puffer jacket, sixth june biker jeans, converse chuck taylor hi-top sneakers asos fisherman beanie.

the anti-valentine's day ensemble

not here for the hallmark holiday? not a problem, but that doesn't mean you can't still get up with the boo for a relaxed night in the city (or at the crib). keep things simple, like the evening, with black on black and make sure your pieces are comfy. here, an oversized express sweatshirt + slim-fit cotton pants made for a solid monochrome combo. next, i threw in a zip-neck sweater for a sporty feel and vans to add some extra chill to the equation. problem solved.

wearing: express supersoft vintage fleece crew neck sweatshirt and extra slim black cotton dress pants, diesel deisel dad cap, club room zip-neck sweater, vans authentic sneakers.

head over to the new arrivals section on express.com to peep more of the latest styles coming your way for spring. and if you're still on the hunt for the perfect valentine's day pieces, stop in the store to pick up something super smooth before the big day.

yes, this post is sponsored by express, but as always, all opinions, tips, and photos are my own. -j

brand spotlight: party-ready with express.

between christmas and new year's eve, the last two weeks of the year are all about turning the festive vibes up to the max. and whether you're hitting the club, house-partying it up, or spending quality time with the fam, there's sort of like this unspoken need to look your best for every special moment on your calendar...

now, while that may make you a little nervous, there's no need to be. the key is versatility, and your go-to secret weapon? the slim-fit suit. this easy-to-rock life-saver comes through any time, any place—and with a little creativity, you can deconstruct the 'fit (wearing the pieces as separates vs. together) to give your closet some extra mileage throughout the months ahead. with that said, i teamed up with my buds at express to show you how to make party season style as easy as 1, 2, 3. -j

1. go head-to-toe.

wearing: express slim burgundy oxford suit and merino wool blend thermal mockneck sweater, asos man stacked chelsea boots, and reclaimed vintage cap.

i did an interview last month where the host asked me and another blogger our thoughts on the future of suits, and i got super excited. i mean, i don't wear them every day, but i've never denied the magic that an amazing two-piece can do for any guy that throws one on. and the best part: they often require the least amount of effort. as you can see here, i put my personal spin on the look, ditching the shirt and tie and, instead, rocking this sharp style from express with a mock turtleneck and chelsea boots for a look that checks all boxes: clean by way of the suit, sporty vibes, courtesy of the mockneck and cap, and the perfect touch of fashion-forwardness from the stacked boots.

2. take it from the top.

wearing: express slim burgundy oxford suit jacket and merino wool blend crewneck sweater, weekday leather jeans, asos man stacked chelsea boots, and reclaimed vintage cap.

if you're not feeling a full suit, there's still plenty of value (and style points) in a good blazer. i went for a burgundy double-up here, pairing the suit jacket with a matching crew neck for a little monochrome color play, and swapped out the pants for these leather jeans (perfect for the winter weather). and when you throw on a few statement accessories, the laidback look gets a little bit more elevated—i went with leather chelsea boots and a statement ring belt. relaxed. cool. and most importantly, easy.

3. bottoms up.

wearing: express v-neck cricket sweater, merino wool blend thermal mockneck sweater and slim burgundy oxford suit pants, balenciaga speed trainers, reclaimed vintage cap.

for more casual occasions where a suit may be overdoing it, you can still add some class to your look with a stylish pair of suit trousers. i matched this slim fit pair with a comfy sweater combo for an outfit that's totally appropriate for the time of year. and, always one to venture into sporty territory, i added some street elements here with the sneakers and zip-up sweater, but you can make it a bit dressier by opting for a subtly printed button-down and brogues instead.

if you're still planning out your party season ensembles, be sure to hit the new arrivals section over on express.com to peep the latest suits and style staples to turn up in this month.

yes, this post is sponsored by express, but as always, all opinions, tips, and photos are my own. -j

#myluckyholiday: festive and fresh with lucky brand.

without a doubt, the holidays are my favorite time of year. the memories come rushing back, and with them, the urge to create brand new moments with the people that really matter. this year, i won't be going home, but that doesn't mean the festive season won't be amazing as always. i teamed up with my friends at lucky brand to give you guys an inside look at a few of the things that make these weeks so special to me—check it out. -j

wearing: lucky brand fifth avenue car coat, full zip mock-neck sweater, saturday stretch workwear shirt, 121 slim jeans, and hodge boots.

do you hear what i hear?

in my family, the holidays begin as soon as the clock strikes midnight after thanksgiving. my sister and i immediately begin blasting christmas music, my mother starts thinking about trees and pulling out the festive decor, and my dad just sits back and enjoys it all. for me, specifically, it's not official until I play vanessa williams's star bright christmas album—it's been my absolute favorite since i was a boy and it's always the first record i look for year after year.

wearing: lucky brand leather moto jacket.

sharing christmas.

this past year, i've really made it a point to stay connected to my family and friends as much as i can—whether that requires a plane ticket, a subway ride, or extra-long phone calls night after night. the holidays always meant so much to me back in the day—not because of the gifts or music or great food, but rather the people around me. with that said, i'm always eager to bring those old feelings back to life in whatever new ways i can and create even more special memories to hold onto with the folks who matter most. i'll be in the big city this time around, but my closest friends are here to share the good times with (and thankfully, they're pretty awesome company).

these are a few of my favorite things.

when it comes to winter dressing, there a certain go-to's that you can't deny: a strong puffer coat, a dashing shearling, and a sweet pair of boots, of course. but i think my favorite piece of all would be the henley sweater. it's such a cozy and stylish staple for this time of year, and the fact that you can dress it up or dress down as you please makes it all the better.

rockin' around the tv screen.

fun fact: my best friend and i are total nostalgia freaks, and we've never really gotten over our obsession with '90s nickelodeon. every year, we hop on the phone (if we're not in the same city) and binge-watch all of the holiday episodes of our favorite cartoons—doug, rugrats, hey arnold, you name it—and work on our new year's resolutions together (we usually have a list of like 10 things each). it's my favorite holiday tradition, and it just feels so amazing to wind down the year and look toward the new one ahead with my closet friend of over 20 years. plus, after making my first vision board last year (yeah, some people say it's cheesy, but mine is lit af), i'm so pumped for us to start getting set for 2018. 

...and a happy new year.

speaking of the new year, i really want to get to know myself better. yeah, that sounds strange, but sometimes i look around at my amazing friends and think about their passions and journeys and i'm like, "wow, what do you care about like that? what do you fight for or light up over?" being so caught up in the day-to-day rush of work and social media and this and that all the time, i don't always take the opportunity to actively meditate over those topics and i really want to focus on jovel and his dreams and desires in a more intimate way moving forward.

wearing: lucky brand lakewood denim sherpa jacket, ls double knit henley, 121 heritage slim jeans, give me freedom hat, and hodge boots.

follow @luckybrand on instagram to catch more from my festive little story, and, sincerely from the bottom of their hearts and mine, happy holidays! 

brand spotlight: office party steez with coastal. 👓

if you're not feeling holly and jolly af just yet, you'd better get with the program. december's here and the holiday parties are about to start rolling in fast and furious motion. and in case you've been freaking out about what to wear to your office function, don't fret. i've teamed up with my friends at coastal to help you get your looks together—no matter how professional your work environment may be—and give you a look at their latest eyewear range, the main + central tortoiseshell collection. check it out. -j

office vibe: hella corporate

if you work in a hardcore corporate environment—you know, no music playing, minimal chit-chat, dress codes that involve suits, ties, and briefcases—then a suit just might be a safe bet, but that doesn't mean your look has to be boring. switch up the usual routine with a festive sweater in place of your button-down, or follow my lead and layer up with a mock turtleneck and a quilted vest. and after the drinks have been flowing and your boss has hit the dance floor, you can drop the blazer for an equally fresh ensemble.

wearing: main + central frames courtesy of coastal, asos man suit and loafers, timberland vest, vintage turtleneck.

spec style hack: where you're lightening up the mood by changing your shirt game, a cool pair of frames helps you maintain some of those dapper feels. and on the other hand, if a festive sweater or even the layering tip above is a no-go, you can still add some personality to things with frames that pack a little flair—case in point: this sick tortoiseshell colorway.

office vibe: somewhere in the middle

my last company was the perfect mix of really professional and really cool, so i'm happy for all of you who currently fall into this category. you probably get the chance to flex your style muscles throughout the week, so your office party's definitely a good time to have fun with things. i say you meet in the middle: a short-sleeved zip-neck sweater adds sweet sporty vibes to your 'fit, while a crisp pair of slim-fit trousers shows you still mean business, even during a turn-up.

wearing: main + central frames courtesy of coastal, river island man zip turtleneck, maniere de voir trousers, reebok club c's.

spec style hack: while the sweater and sneakers keep things sleek and sporty, the frames help balance out the smarter elements of the look that the trousers bring to the picture. and the added bonus comes from the fact that, while they do help you maintain a bit of that professional feel, glasses with this updated vintage feel look so fresh, too. no cool points lost, only gained.

office vibe: hella cool

now, for all the folks that fall in the world of start-ups, advertising, music, fashion, creative whatevers, artsy everything, [fill in your blank here], you can really let your style shine. i'm sure most of you guys know that i'm always one to keep things on the sportier side, so for this look, i kept it super chill and added my festive touch through easy seasonal stripes (vs. the more expected color palettes or classic holiday prints).

wearing: main + central frames courtesy of coastal, asos man sweater and chelsea boots, forever 21 men track pants, reclaimed vintage baseball cap.

spec style hack: a sweater + sweats = super simple. maybe a bit too simple for an office party, right? well, i think my glasses add a little extra something up top that helps round out the entire look and ensure that there's something going on from head-to-toe without taking this laidback outfit over the top.

as you may have seen from my 'gram, i actually do wear glasses from coastal.com, so yeah, this is a partnered post, but the love is too real. you can browse all of their styles (including my favorites, the joseph marc gold procedure-50's) right here. and if you find a pair you like, their face shape guide and myfit tool will help you make sure that they're just right for you. and if that's not enough, now through the end of december, buy one pair of frames and you can a second for free—just use code jovel (some exclusions apply).

if you have any questions about my experience with coastal, wearing glasses, or even holiday looks in general, feel free to DM me on IG (@jovelroystan). 🤙

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

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).

wearing: express black shoulder seam bomber jacket , cotton henley sweater, and extra slim black cotton dress pants, asos man chelsea boots.

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

three ways to wear pastels this easter (and beyond).

spring's in full effect, and with easter just a few days away, I thought a little pastel 101 was in order. these three quick and easy outfits will help you break out your favorite shades all season long. -j

look 1. think pink.

you don't have to go overboard to ride the pastel wave. for my first look, i kept it simple with a subtly stylish pair of salmon pink slim-fit chinos from asos. it's just one piece, but it does the trick, right?

wearing: asos man leather jacket, turtleneck and chinos, k. swiss court classico.

look 2. cream dream.

for the guys who aren't big on pastels, keep in mind that cream is a serious contender in this little color game of ours. and more importantly, it's super easy to blend into your wardrobe. here, i doubled up with a lightweight sweater and bomber combo. the light-washed denim (which, FYI, also counts as a pastel—baby blue) complements the lighter tones above and makes for a nice spring 'fit.

wearing: forever 21 bomber jacket, maniere de voir ribbed sweater, cayler & sons distressed denim, k. swiss court classico.

look 3. lilac lad.

this one's for the guys who like to get a little bold in the style department. a solid pastel suit is a pretty fool-proof way to break out a big splash of color without going overboard. i kept things casual and street-ready by throwing on this lilac number with a comfortable tee and sneakers.

wearing: asos man super skinny suit, zara long-sleeved tee, k. swiss court classico.

look 7: a little NYE shine. ✨

so... we made it (almost). it's december 31st and 2016 has finally come to its end. it goes without saying that every new year's eve requires a statement-making ensemble to welcome the exciting months ahead, and this time around, i felt like adding a little shine to things. check it out. -j

[watch this super quick video for a few last-minute new year's eve outfit ideas]

wearing: asos super skinny blazer In silver velvet and longline metallic silver t-shirt, reclaimed vintage pinstripe skinny trousers, house of hounds leather jodhpur boots.

breaking down the look

in my opinion, new year's eve style is all about the glitz and the glam—without taking it too far, of course. i doubled up on metallics by layering this silver tee with a matching velvet blazer. it's definitely an eye-catcher, but i think the darker tone and texture of the jacket lighten up the impact of the shirt to make it a cool fashion statement. i've also been obsessed with pinstripes lately, so these trousers were perfect and they slipped over the boots just right.

have a happy (and stylish) new year. 🎉

3 looks to get you through NYE weekend (in less than a minute).

need a little last-minute style inspiration for the holiday weekend ahead? i've been there. check out this super quick video (it's less than a minute) for three dope new year's eve looks to try right now. if you have any questions about products or styling tips, just dm me on instagram. -j