look 26: monday mood.

you know how it goes: the weekend comes to a close, the alarm clock goes off, monday returns to ruin our lives once more. this time around, i threw on a comfy combo of pieces and ventured off to start the day. here's how it all turned out. -j

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wearing: conflict of interest limited edition parody collective tee, asos piped trousers and slogan socks, fila x barneys ny sneakers.

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breaking down the look

as you probably gathered from above, i didn't really put that much thought into this one, but i will say, my favorite part of the look started at the ankles. i got these slogan socks from asos, and they added a fun touch of spunk to things. not that it was necessary though. after all, the COI t-shirt and pants do more than enough on their own. hey, i guess it's okay be a little extra once in a while, right?

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look 25: chevron chaser.

this summer, i've been all about a good statement stripe: horizontal, vertical, (and strongest of all) chevron. i dug this bad boy out of my closet this morning and knew it'd be the perfect ingredient for today's outfit. take a look. -j

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wearing: asos man chevron revere collar shirt, topman sleeveless turtleneck and piped trousers, balenciaga speed trainers, reclaimed vintage cap, movado edge timepiece.

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breaking down the look

by now, you know my golden rule: when you're rocking a strong statement piece, keep the rest of your look simple. in line with that law, i went with an all-black foundation—keeping it sleek and cool with the lightweight turtleneck and cropped trousers—and linked the blue stripe of the pants with the shirt for a little color coordination. from there, my go-to finishing touches (the trainers, cap, and movado timepiece) sealed the deal. easy.

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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.

look 23: playing with the color spectrum.

random fact: i'm usually a matchy-matchy kind of guy (yeah, i know... a lot of people are against that, but whatever). nonetheless, sometimes you just want to mix things up and have fun with your colorways. the other day, i eased up and put together a fresh spin on my usual palette. check it out. -j

wearing: asos man blazer, tank, cap & flight bag, adidas originals joggers, house of hounds backless loafers, regal rose chain necklace.

breaking down the look

so, again, this outfit was all about lightening up a little and just having a good time. i went with a bunch of different soft colors—lilac, cerulean, orange, and even the mint background—that worked together perfectly. the white foundation flowed throughout the look to give some type of order to things, while the navy cap, black bag and shoes (all perfectly spaced out) helped to add a second layer of balance to things.

summer in the city with k-swiss.

summer style can get a little tricky (especially when another new season is just weeks away)... thinking about the weather, the occasion, the mood. are you doing too much? not enough? there's so much that goes into it. lately, my routine has been all about breezy button-downs, bare arms, and sick sneakers—and thankfully, they've made beating the heat so much easier. with that said, i linked up with k-swiss to show you guys how to kick things up a notch, whether you're roaming the city streets or taking in the view on a sweet rooftop. check it out. -j

the streets

wearing: k-swiss gen-k icon knit sneakers, dickies floral print summer shirt, asos man mesh t-shirt and denim with piping detail, reclaimed vintage cap.

as you go through the season, there's a simple combo that's totally on-trend and super easy to rock, no matter your personal swagger: 

start with a fresh summer shirt (also known as cuban collar shirts, revere collar shirts, or, in layman's terms, printed button-downs). go for tropical visuals—think florals, palm trees, seaside iconography, or any funky graphic that fits your vibe. here, i layered mine over a mesh t-shirt, but don't be afraid to wear it by itself with a few buttons undone for maximal heat control.

next, break out a trusty pair of jeans. i've been in love with piped pants lately (referring to the striped details on the side), so this style from asos is a personal fave, but remember that distressed and deconstructed denim is also super relevant right now.

finally, finish up with a breathable shoe that's made for the warm temps. k-swiss's new gen-k icon knits are super comfy, and the asymmetrical design adds hella cool points to your overall ensemble.

the rooftop

wearing: k-swiss gen-k icon sneakers, asos man tank top and printed trousers.

who doesn't love a good rooftop shindig, right? exactly. keep it cool—literally—by rocking a crisp, clean tank. personally, i'm all about solid-colored styles. they give me old school calvin klein vibes; plus, you can switch things up and make the lower half of your look do the talking. which leads me to the showstopper of this 'fit: a bold statement trouser that commands attention and adds a touch of summer fun. here, i called on a couple of tropical critters to help me get the job done. disclaimer: it's really important to keep the rest of the outfit simple when you're playing around with in-your-face prints like this one. one always-right trick for that: bright white sneakers. as you can see from the k-swiss gen-k icons, they're hella fresh without taking the rest of the ensemble too far over the top.

click here to peep more fresh styles from k-swiss.

this post was sponsored, but (as always) all opinions, content and tips are my own. -j

look 22: red hot for #NYFWm.

you know the deal: fashion week requires some statement-making looks; and for this round, i had a lot of fun putting together—and, of course, wearing—my outfits for the four-day event, but i think this one wound up being my favorite. check it out.

wearing: asos man mesh t-shirt, marc jacobs shorts, balenciaga speed trainers, herschel supply fanny pack, nous deux cap.

breaking down the look

when you go for a strong monochromatic moment, there's really not much else that needs to be done. if you opt for all-black, -white or -neutrals, complete head-to-toe is cool, but with bolder hues (like red), i prefer to stick with a top and bottom and ground the rest of the look with a separate color, like i did here with my cap, shoes, and fanny. together, they make a seriously hot combo. 🔥

#NYFWm spotlight: you as ss18.

new york fashion week: mens just wrapped up here in the city, and the ss18 collections are looking pretty good. bold colors, statement sleeves, and (even more) athleisure all made the list of what's trending for next year, but my favorite style moment would have to be the retro vibes that were seeded into the shows—and the street style outside—throughout the event: revere collar shirts, far-out '50s floral prints, throwback sports influences, elevated wide-leg trousers, all of it.

with that said, my favorite show of the week would have to be you as ss18. the collection fused those throwback feels with a western tinge and major bling for an assortment of pieces that i can't wait to see on the streets of NYC. check it out. -j

look 21: suited for summer with bar iii.

i've really been into suits these past few months. solids, prints, patterns... they're all really amazing tools to have in your style arsenal. naturally, i wear mine in super casual ways, but they still make super strong statements. case in point: this look that i put together from bar iii. i linked up with them over the past three months to show how to give your summer style a dapper touch, and i'd have to say that this outfit is my favorite from the campaign. check it out.

wearing: suit & hoodie from bar iii, balenciaga speed trainers, reclaimed vintage cap, regal rose chain necklace.

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breaking down the look

a little sporty, a little dapper, mad chill. i love the balance in this look. the suit's hella clean and pretty lightweight—which is very important for the summertime temps—while the hoodie adds a relaxed feel that makes it a fresh casual friday ensemble. this time around, i added a bit more street to the mix with the sneakers and cap to give it the perfect level of cool. 👌

elements of ss17.

the first day of summer... it's easily one of the best dates on the calendar and also serves as the perfect chance for me to finally drop a special project i've been working on over the past four months. keep scrolling for more.

[a preview of what's inside]

if you've followed along with my work since my [tnn] days, you probably remember my elements of spring/summer and fall/winter trend reports. if you didn't, long story short: they're visual guides to the biggest and coolest trends hitting the streets season to season. fast forward to my J.XYZ days, i wasn't sure if it was something i'd carry over to this new site, but thanks to a little inspiration from my interns, we put our heads together and started brainstorming. from that point, i got busy conceptualizing, styling, and shooting six special fashion stories that allowed me to flex my creative muscles and stay busy in the best ways.

this guide is a passion project that's about style, art, and imagination. i hope it'll not only get you pumped for some of the key style statements that are relevant this season, but also encourage you to do your own thing and [create]. why? just because you can. enjoy. -j

not seeing something? give it a sec—there's a lot of good stuff to load. 😉

ASOS insider picks: june. 👍

look 20: treat yourself.

so... i officially believe in love at first sight. i believe because i've experienced it, but maybe not the way you think: it's with a pair sneakers.  if you know me well, then you know i don't wear a ton of obnoxiously expensive stuff—i'm into looks way more than labels—but every now and then, i treat myself to a little gift. meet balenciaga's speed trainers.

wearing: balenciaga speed trainers, stefan grant t-shirt, 3.1 phillip lim belted shorts, reclaimed vintage baseball cap, frames by ray-ban.

breaking down the look

the good thing about a statement shoe is that the rest of your look can be super easy; and given the fact that these bad boys are pretty much perfection in sneaker form, all the work was basically done for me. i chose to keep things all-black here, but remembered the summer heat waiting for me. the answer: shorts + a comfortable tee (this style from stefan grant is probably the most amazing t-shirt i've ever slipped on. ever.). from there, i just threw on a few cool accessories—the cap and sunglasses—and hit the street. light work. -j

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

look 19: hardware hero.

sometimes the little details really make a big statement. i copped a few new pieces from maniere de voir and asos, and they're decked out with some sweet hardware embellishments: you know, zippers, chains, rings, all the silver works. they really took this laidback look to the next level. check it out. -j

wearing: maniere de voir suede biker jacket with chain detail, distressed zipper jeans, t-shirt & cap, asos man ring belt & creepers.

breaking down the look

for this one, i actually used the hardware details as an extension of the color palette: brown and black + silver. between the jacket, pants and belt, they really stand out among the neutral foundations of the look and pop. ✨

like the look? get it here.

look 18: coney island king.

this sunday, i got my first taste of #summer17—and it was sweet. not only, was the weather just right in NYC, but i headed out to coney island to scout out some locations for a project, and the time by the beach gave me the perfect preview of the season ahead. thankfully, i brought my camera with me. check it out. -j

wearing: stussy falcon print shirt, asos man tank, dr. denim otis cropped straight fit jeans, vans black ball sf sneakers, reclaimed vintage cap, ray-ban frames.

breaking down the look

i have a few key looks in mind for the ss17 season, the first of which you'll find throughout this post. easy, breezy button-downs, a clean tank and the right pair of denim make an easy style combo that'll get you through the hottest of days looking hella fresh. i prefer to keep mine either barely-buttoned (translation: a three-button max, starting from the bottom, of course) or all the way open to increase the cool factor (no pun intended, although it works).

the print on this shirt from stussy had me all caught up as soon as i laid my eyes on it, and it really does all the work. i just had to worry about seeding in the right pieces around it, and that was no difficult task: light-washed jeans, a sick pair of frames, one of my favorite caps, and a white-on-white combo from the ankles down. 

look 17: the makings of a statement piece.

you know that feeling when you find a new statement piece and can't help but get butterflies? like, when you slip on an item for the first time and just want time to slow down so you can enjoy it a little longer? yeah, that. that's kind of what i felt when i threw on this new tee from asos man. i think it's so simple, but so perfect–exactly what a go-to garment should be. take a look. -j

wearing: asos man velour chevron tee, topman tapered jeans, forever xxi biker jacket, puma basket tech sneakers.

breaking down the look

reasons this tee is amazing: 1) the chevron striping, 2) the collar piping, 3) the comfy velour texture, 4) that strong color. there you go, four solid reasons why this bad boy will definitely be one of my SS17 statement-makers. for this look, i styled the tee with a matching burgundy biker jacket and kept the overall palette on the dark side with a pair of faded black denim.

[red carpet blitz]: the met gala 2017.

another year, another may, another first monday. last night was the 2017 met gala, and once again, the red carpet saw the best, the worst, and the most surprising looks hollywood and the fashion industry could muster up. it was tough—like always—but i think i've narrowed down my list of favorites...

if you followed me on [the no names] back in the day, you know that I always draft my picks into one exceptionally stylish team. this year, and for the first time ever, my QB is a guy—three of them actually. migos came through with my favorite look(s) of the night: totally dapper, but swagged out to the max. honestly, i'm making plans to cop about twelve chains, 8 rings, and some boss old school frames this weekend. and catching the role of team captain, we have future, who wore a custom H&M pussybow top and suit combo. the result: flawless red carpet style. looking at the ladies, i'd have to say my favorite was liu wen. her skirt gave serious throwbacks to justin and britney at the vmas, but updated for an elegant night out (obviously). check out the rest of my roster below. -j

[2017 team roster]
top: cara delevingne, migos, zendaya, lily aldridge, karlie kloss, solange.
center: liu wen, future.
bottom: ruth negga, rita ora, gigi hadid, zoe kravitz, sean combs, cassie ventura.

look 16: the sunshine palette.

color has always been a big thing for me, especially when it comes to putting a look together. hues that don't flow or balance each other out make me uncomfortable (which is why you'll rarely ever see me wearing random, wacky combos). now, don't get me wrong, i'm a fan of skillful color-blocking; and if you're one of those people who hates anything "matchy-matchy," no problem. but as for me and my wardrobe, i need a certain level of coordination. case in point: this spring-ready 'fit i threw on this morning.

wearing: asos man zip-neck tee with retro paneling, river island cropped trousers, vans authentic dx sneakers in tan.

breaking down the look

this one all started with the shirt, which gives the look a small, but solid pop of yellow—muted just like I like it, and still perfect for the sunshine. from there, i pulled out a couple of easy neutrals that complemented the top half, but didn't compete. and thankfully, i found the perfect spot at the last minute to shoot it. the end result: a color palette that i could definitely get used to this season.

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

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Illusive London Overhead Jacket In Pink, $ 91.00

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

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Liquor & Poker Cut and Sew Denim Jacket, $68.00

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 15: mother nature's gotcha gotcha.

so, after about a week of amazing weather, mother nature went and threw a cold curve ball our way. while i'm sure it's only temporary at this point, i'm not mad about the chance to break back out this boss coat from maniere de voir.

wearing: maniere de voir fur-lined coat in black, side seam lace-up t-shirt, destroyed jeans and chelsea boots.

breaking down the look

now that my brain has shifted into spring mode, it's kind of hard to go back to throwing on heavy layers, so i kept it light underneath and let my outerwear do the trick. this coat's super warm, but not too heavy on the body, which makes it perfect for the chillier half of the season-to-season transition. from a style perspective, i kept it all-black (with a pop of color on top), which is always a sure win. -j