The combination of well curated personal accessories can take a tailored look from stiff and corporate to playful and expressive.
The Nigeria native moved from Houston to New York a few years ago to pursue a career in fashion. He is now part of the newly employed staff at Michael Andrews Bespoke – he’s in charge of keeping the place extra dapper, among other things.
“You don’t have to break the rules, but you can certainly bend them, at every opportunity… At some point you get to a place where stripes, checks and polka dots cross paths…and it don’t look so bad.”
And I couldn’t agree more; “Hey – we need to look good while we are tackling the greatest conundrum this side of the galaxy “the psyche of a woman.”
Here, Niyi shows us how to wear a tailored look with a punch of personality.
1. Bold Brim
“I have a lot of hats, but this is probably my favorite one. Wide Brims are quite my fancy compared to the of-the-moment stingy brimmed hats.
I bought this one from the French Market in New Orleans (My wife’s hometown). Now I’m looking for another excuse to head down there to get another.
It’s probably the main reason I get excited when summer rolls around. Not that I like the summer heat (in fact, I hate it); but straw hats have become a part of my style. I wear it with everything”¦ jeans, polos, chinos and all kinds of suits (Wool, Cotton, Linen, Birthday, etc).”
Bonus Tip: Let your accesories do the talking. Niyi’s outfit here is relatively conservative (navy pinstripe suit, pale pink shirt, solid tie)…which leaves the perfect canvas for all those personal touches.
Bonus Tip II: Understanding color is crucial with accesories, especially in the summer. There are certain colors you don’t want in large doses, but look great in small flashes (the bright red of the axe tie bar, the yellow of the square, the orange of the bracelet & watch strap, the green of the cufflinks).
Bonus Tip III: The longer backside of the tie – another quirky touch for a dandy look. Certainly not by accident.
- Frog cufflinks Vintage
- Brown suede tassel loafers by Tom Ford
- Straw hat from the French Market in New Orleans
- Navy pinstripe suit by Costume National
- Pink cotton shit by Brooks Brothers
- Tan linen tie by Ralph Lauren
- Tie clip Vintage (eBay)
- Pocket square Handmade
- Orange watch strap from the Museum of Modern Art
- Orange coral bracelet from Niyi’s traditional wedding
- Brown leather belt by Ralph Lauren
44 Comments Add a comment
FYI, it says he’s wearing a pink cotton shit :)
Love you Blog Bro …
i love it , i love fashion so i look for ways of new styles
that boy niyi still fly.
go coogs lol.
keep pressing meh.
-e.mike.
I love his quote –For the longest time I was a minimalist. Crisp gray suits, black ties and dark oxfords. As you can see, I’m quite over that shit.â€
I am in the minimalist mode myself and I’m finding it quite blah! Time to try something with flair and with the confidence to back it! :D
GG niyi
Thanks for some great inspirational ideas
That’s My Cousin(: i love your style teehee<33
Style is personal and obviously he is doing best of what he is doing, but personally I think it’s too many things going on. Trying a bit too hard though. Just personal opinion
You r going to lose in fantasy…
Absolutely love the silk pocket square on the Ben Sherman suit! It wonderfully contrasts the yellow tie, very nicely executed!
I love all the outfits ,but it concerns me,, that maybe short ,sticky men wouldn’t be able to pull some of the looks off. But I love all of the suits!!!
Quick question for Niyi?
Do you have a blog that I can visit?
I applaud this guys use of bold colour, print and styling. He nails the fit of most of his clothes, but I find that almost each outfit is ruined or lessened by the over-addition of one or two accessories. The anklerchief? Surf Shells on the belt? Pocket square, Lapel Pin AND Tie pin?! Sometimes less is more.
Niyi- I had to re-go over this one, a lot of great details:)
I love the patch pocket on the navy pinstripe blazer, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before!
Best Execution ever on this blog!
http://owenjohn.tumblr.com/
Please do a post for clothing for athletic/muscular guys. (Non suiting) Sure skinny guys look good in suits, that is their best option for looking good – covering up their frame. But if you have the muscles and body frame, you don’t want to hide it under a long sleeve dress shirt and jacket. Mix it up a bit, and give me some ideas other than an Ed Hardy T and True Religion Jeans…….
if you even have to think about telling dan not to mention ed hardy and true religion than you’re obviously on the wrong blog….just sayin…and anyone can look good in a suit i.e. http://www.skydemeanor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/59044330-04fd-8842-4ba1-eeaad774bb0c-FB_OffTheCourt_LeBronJames.jpg
I actually love Ed Hardy/Guess/Buffalo and True Religion (these are very masculine and aggressive brands – that show off a good body), Dan should do a post on club wear/style…… not always the usual skinny artist type guy in a suit….
check out this past post, it might be just what you’re looking for:
http://www.thestyleblogger.com/504/knowing-your-size-featuring-marwan-helal/
Hey Niyi,
I’m proud of you and you make me proud to say I come from the same place as you. That said, your eccentricity is surprisingly interesting. I’m more the conservative dresser but this makes me wanna tear the roof down! Especially the ensemble with the yellow tie. Great job mehn, u be correct naija man….
NICE SHOOT!
who is this fly guy?
Wow! Niyi has a seriously talented eye. Thank you for sharing so many different looks. His unique accessorizing is inspiring!
awesome post! i love townsend’s photography! I would like to see more of it!
This is well off the beaten path but i like it! lots of color.
Dan, how have you escaped any coverage in your hometown (and province)? I couldn’t believe that the Windsor Star covered Cardigan Kid and not the strides you’ve taken…doesn’t make any sense.
This is too fly. I don’t think I’m brave enough to pull this off on my own.
doh. style is outrageous. i am dumbfounded
Swag!!!
Great post! Incidentally, what is Niyi’s height/jacket size/waist/inseam? His lankiness adds an elegance all its own.
Every look on this page WORKS!!!!!!!!
Swag wow. all swagged out
In a word bredrin: disgusting. I’m still in awe of how u can flip my whole world upside down, again. This is one of the best posts and hands down best guest post hi-ther-to. Niyi, u stay gully; Dan, you did it to them again!!!
May I also say Niyi does an exceptionally good job of rocking a contrast collar shirt which I was on the fence about. Not necessarily because Dan, you voted against them way back here: http://mensstyleblog.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-10-19T21%3A22%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=10
but because, you’re right, if not done tastefully it looks passe. And to reiterate what u illustrate here daily: any guy can wear practically anything and still stay dough-boy fresh.
This brother has bucket upon bucket loads of style. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such nuanced eccentricity in one person. I am highly inspired.
Niyi’s the man! Great stuff!
Love the yellow tie with the white dots… I am going to look for one for myself. Although I would wear it with a blue blazer and khaki pants or something like that… dunno yet LOL.
all of these looks are incredible, this man’s style is beyond smoove. Great post
Hanif Castle of ACL
Even though I don’t agree with some of the looks, I do love the boldness – this guy is awesome. I’m definitely now in the market for a bright yellow and madras tie. I also love the lapel brooches, too!
For the love of God, y’all need to stay away from the cargo pants, though. It really doesn’t work.
Personally not a great fan of any of the looks, just because i’m told that leaving the skinny part of a tie longer is ‘cool’ or that wearing a tie the wrong way around is ‘attention to detail’ etc i’m not buying it, if someone turned up to work like that people would call it ridiculous and the cargo pants are awful!
On the other hand no disrespect to this guy, if we all had the same taste in fashion, it would incredibly boring, just that i think he goes to far on a few of these looks.
The tailoring is spot on imo and the idea of using scrap fabric as a pocket square is a good tip!
Oh my word. Do you have a brother?
That orange knit tie is superb!!!
Didn’t GQ say no to ankle bandanas?
but on him, it looks pretty cool. I don’t know why but it just says I’m cool and you can go to hell.
wish i had thatmuch swag
That scarf belt look hurts my brain it’s so good!
Holy $#!* that Ben Sherman suit with yellow tie is a wrap!
LOVED every look-except the cargo pants. I’m still not hoppin on that shit.