Stylish Reading Is Fundamental Too!
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Welcome To MSP Style Reads!
No! I will not be reading to you in a children’s sit-around fashion, however; I will be breaking down my monthly style reads to help you navigate the cumbersome world of style periodicals. From the best books to the most obscure magazines, I’ll do my earnest job of giving you some insight on books that will not only improve your style, but, will give you improve your outlook & knowledge on the world’s cultures.
GQ Style (“New” Quarterly Magazine)
GQ Style isn’t a new concept for the GQ Magazine brand, however; it has a new editor-in-chief in Will Welch and a new quarterly roll out schedule. In the past, GQ Style was a bi-annual edition that was seemingly a compilation of the best of style for the Spring/Summer & Fall/Winter seasons with a few long form interest pieces.
That being said, the former iteration of GQ Style was really doing just fine, however; with The Debut Issue, GQ Style has taken a more personal approach to style with respect to its global reach. Encompassing special interest pieces, industry profiles, design & of course all the men’s style advice & grail pieces that you can wish for, GQ Style might have some lasting power. This is the first time reading a GQ branded product that felt like an international magazine that wasn’t too heady. Impressive!
Favorite Feature:
Marley Ever Lasting. I never knew the truth depth of Bob Marley family and how much of an impact they’ve had on music & culture worldwide.
Fuck Ivy by Mark McNairy
Designer Mark McNairy — better know as McNasty to the initiated #MENSWEAR crowd, is something of a menswear unicorn. His approach to men’s style & design has its roots in traditional American style with English tailoring, but, there’s a sense of whimsy (he’d skewer me for saying “whimsy”) & straight up arrogance that’s disarming and oddly inviting.
His book F*ck Ivy should serve as a manifesto to the wayward souls that haven’t grasped any concept of their own style and are looking for a proper sartorial frame-work. The major take away from this book — stop being so prissy about menswear! Clothes are meant to be worn and beaten up, fashion is a fleeting concept and have some balls. It sounds brash, but, there’s something to be said about a book that is blunt about the state of menswear that actually wants to help.
Favorite Feature:
The life advice pieces. For example — Always Carry Your Own Pen. I do, so should you.
Monocle April 2016
Monocle is the best magazine around that takes an anthropological approach to presenting fashion, style, architecture & design, culture & politics from around the world. What does that mean for you? Your worldly knowledge will increase ten-fold.
The April 2016 issue opens with a in-depth report on the state of the economy of Afghanistan with Nato controlling the airfields for military training, while the Afghan government is in the midst of seeking foreign investment. With the current influx of Afghan students seeking jobs post college and with Nato pouring millions of dollar into the infrastructure — things appear to be looking up for the impoverished nation.
Shifting to style features, there are two inserts in this issue that will serve as the perfect guides to upping your wrist game and how to literally through beautiful city of Milan (with a special running guide with Nike x Monocle). In the Timekeeping & Penmanship insert, we learn the art of watch-making from brands like Hublot to Harper & Brooks — with a global introduction to stores that are supreme destination for the watch lover and novices alike.
Also, the lost art of writing is brought to the forefront with the presentation of some dope pens (step your penmanship game wayyyyyyy up).
Favorite Feature:
Anything with a focus on architecture. As you read through Monocle and stumble upon an architecture and design feature, you’re instantly transferred to that city and learn so much about how the structures influence the people and vice versa.
Word Of Advice:
Outside of an outstanding magazine, Monocle’s Youtube channel will inspire you to see the world or at least want to learn more about it’s people.
