MYVIBE: DISCOVERING THE JanSport FREEDOM

I love going on about my business –as one often does in these fashioning streets- and suddenly realise the awesomeness of my surrounding, which will of course propel me to take full advantage of a situation. Stuff a stylopolitan’s dreams are made of.  I had a moment with my JanSport® backpack, just the other day.

These pics below are an upshot of yet another one of my preferred Sunday afternoon drives with an aim to meet whatever links day to dusk so speedily. Cheesy? Methinks not.  If anything, this could very well match some other pretty cool well-run camo stories; coming together to handsomely juxtapose my street style reality. I mean, one can’t help but think about the print’s history, its utilitarian relevance and the rendering feature of a backpack stunning as it is practical.

I could have completely clashed and contrasted this print against any-and-everything to claim a heavily spirited vibe or even muted it down alongside a single tint. Instead, I thought it a good idea to step up to my JanSport® bagpack and coordinate a look that is mono-tonal in intent and not running short of details that articulate the brand’s authentic and Iconic status.

My vibe. Completely.

#WERQ

MY VIBE: OUT WITH BAIT

The spring season hasn’t even done its thing yet and I am already drinking from the fountain of cool-Kid-Juice, being one with these streets –all jolly-jumpy and stuff. Well, I do suppose I have ample reason to be springing off scorched grass (not the cool-kind-juice drinking bit. that is all because I am a liker of things). Anyway, yes, I am completely all about the dancing, the jumping, and the breaking out in song unheard of at the random of occasions because my jean-pant game has just seen an upgrade.  Wrangler’s newest Greensboro release, aptly named Bait Blue has me done in.

The fit  is regular in the rise, with a slightly higher back than the front to offer a comfortable yet modern look and feel. Through the thigh the fit is regular for comfort and a trim look. Key to the Greensboro’s fit is a slight taper from the knee to the bottom hem – giving the impression of a slimmer leg, for a clean, modern, standard fit. Available in 1- 2% stretch denim for comfort and freedom of movement.

I am always championing the renowned brand’s #KnowYourFit campaign and the Greenboro is definitely pioneering a new standard in the jeans department. I am all for the guarantee with a casual quality strategy, so I wore my pair to the park the other day. Seen in these pics, coordinated for a look I hope conveys a fresh-out-of-winter vibe…

VIBE YAKA: SHORT TO THE COAT.

This here is just another one of those posts featuring a rather lengthy sequence of images snapped totally unplanned. #TrueStory, the back-tale is set around a very regular midmorning, on a very regular Tuesday, en-route to source wardrobe for a celebrity client. Now, that bit is not very regular! Let’s just say there was a proper five-minute-thirty-seven-second long and spirited haul between   the styling partner dude (come snappographer) and I, about whether or not it is at all important that I take an entire hour out of my day to try and best capture an outfit that is most certainly not intentionally curated for either side of a camera.

No prize for guessing who “won” that round. Crazy, especially since these here photographs are not even half of what we ended up with.

If I really, truly must get into it; I suppose it is unavoidable that one of my primary themes right now in life, centres on “lines”. Be they visible to a dispassionate eye or able to pique an interest of whatever type stylopolitan, I am with lines.

Still in the business of making it my own, here I dialled up comfort first and never ever flirting with an interest to compromise on the style front. The PUMA XT1s served that aspect extremely well, worn with my other pair of tailored shorts (these I inherited –read snatched- from my young cousin when he was in boarding school, it was his uniform at some point. I threw on a skinny Banana Republic crock belt and my fast-becoming-fave flannel shirt from MRP. I cannot quite decide on which of the pieces here qualifies as the conversation piece for this look, I will however, give major props to one of my proudest and newest go-to item; this navy blue mid-length topcoat from H&M always comes in handy atop almost everything and has fast become my fail proof shield slash barricader to the random cold fronts.

Totally vibe ya ka. Translate: My Vibe.

 

#SPOTTED: FURRY BAG ON A PRETTY GAL.

No idea who she was. Not sure if I even got to ask for her name and I may or may not have creeped the jeepers out of her a bit when I unceremoniously yanked out my cam and aimed for her, right in the middle of a street, on a rather busy day in Braamfontein. All because I spotted the startling faux fur detail on her leatherette sling bag -Lady lovers her skin game alright. Yep, I went an caught a full set of feelings for the carrier and much like a habitual quintessential blogger bloke, I thought it sensible to share.  You are most welcome. Now for the hunt… do pardon the pun, I simply meant the search for anything remotely close to this piece and of course, just as environmentally safe!

VIBE YA KA: KNOTTING IN THESE STREETS

Today’s vibe throws back to one of my favourite steezes to #WERQ with; knotting a good turban. If I have t my way, I would dedicate an entire season to styling my own day-to-day looks showcasing the versatility of rocking an elaborately placed character scarf on my head. The reality on the other hand, is that it is extremely difficult to get it right with every attempt. I know; we make it look all so easy sometimes and I do believe I am not alone in the certainty that despite spending hour upon hours fixed on tutorials, a controllable knot is often owed to sheer luck.  One very lucky Sunday, I happened to get it right with the first try and was not about to chill on the couch and pop bottles. Oh no child, I took my doek out to the daytime market for brunch, caught up with my family over a liquid lunch and got to see dusk around some friends hurdled for a braai.

Nothing fancy, just fantastically parading knotting it right.

SPOTTED: ONSIE SITUATION DONE RIGHT

#FACT: A one-piece day is a good day per my observation. Be it a delicately detailed and dressier jumpsuit version as worn by Miss Eda Rose or a street style relevant leather dungie as done major justice by the darling Miss Mantsoe Pout, I am always all set to cheer up the wearer of a “onsie”.  And, no, my raison d’être for having picked these images of these charming young ladies is not completely based on their decision to #WERQ the heck out of a black ensemble. Well, not entirely.

Y’all know I am a huge fan of these vibes.

SPOTTED: TREVOR’S PERIPATETIC JUSTICE IN THREADS FORM.

There is just no way to speak about Trevor Stuurman and not marvel at the impressive career this youngin’ seems to have carved for himself. The blogger-come-social-media-darling kid keeps winning industry hearts and it is no secret that I too dare claim to be among the besotted followers of his remarkable missions. For someone who appears to put an equal measure of striking presence behind and afore the scenes; Trevor has finally served to stylopolitans’ forever peeled eyes with a #FashionMonent that will go down in history as a strong verification of his position on fashion’s vacillating table.

The noteworthy fashion moment I speak of had me in an intense state of excitement (no jokes), the minute he shared a pic on Instagram a little over ten days ago. Self-styled to filth (totally a good thing) during the sophomore SA Menswear Week, @Trevor_Struurman gave me a look expressly themed within settled ethereal tones and played with fluidly tailored lines, all whilst nailing a fit sensible for a nomadic spirit. This signifies just where he is in his life/career right now -every bit a jet-setter, informed and of course overflowing with personality.

When we all knew!

Everyone deserves a notable fashion moment and this here was Trevor’s and my-oh-my what a moment it was!!

#WERQ

MY VIBE: RARELY STAYING WITHIN “THE LINES”!

“Clean lines here, uneven lines there and messy lines over there”! Who went and told everyone about the existence of “lines” within the fashion industry? #NoTeaNoShade, all I am saying is; six out of ten times I engage with people about the trials and revels in my line of work (see what I did there!?!), they all quickly claim to categorize a certain look by first identifying these said lines. Don’t get me wrong, the clear altitude of EduFashion is highly appreciated, but I much prefer to form relationships (short lived as some prove to be, as soon as the reality of the industry knocks in) with individuals who are open to seeing style as more of a spirited expression and less of “what it should be”. This comes from a bloke who shops wherever the heck he wants and yes, for-the-love-of-PUMA-Trinomics, I do value the unequivocal importance of trends as a guide to understand why we wear what we wear and for those serving diligently within the fashion industry to connect from a knowledgeable point of view. With the same belief, I campaign for nothing if not the strong advantage of a personal edit when it comes to styling oneself. I say take what you can from what is expertly researched and try by all means to be present in that decision because this way, not only would we be working towards bridging the classist gaps, we would also be likely to avoid wasting valuable time chatting overpoweringly about the “lines” which are really just a mere choice.  Don’t let me go any deeper…

It is known that I am not much of a gym or sporty person (yet) –one: my hand to eye coordination does not function beyond seeing SALE sign and exercising plastic rights. Two: I have only ever seen the inside of a gymnasium less than ten times in all of my life because even with an instructor I cannot for-the-love-of-me quite gather interest in learning how to pilot some machinery. Still, this does not mean I will be missing out on the linkage between fierce fashion and sports allied elements. With this look, I aimed for just that and much like everything in my life, I did it my way. Studs, CHECK. Sleeveless waterfall knit, CHECK. A layered selection of necklaces, CHECK and from the waist down, you might as well call me “Mr Sports Luxe” with a high-end shopper in tow.

#WERQ

IT’S STYLIN’ SERGEANT MJ TO YOU!

Something pretty awesome has been happening for the past three months or so and has me feeling like I work as a special agent tasked with activities of a very high regard. I do not know if you have gathered that a great deal of my recent Instagram posts have been carrying the #MRPMyStyle hashtag. Well, yours truly has been picked by the phenomz team representing the retailer to join a network of creatively integrated informers for a bit. I truly wish I could share with y’all the bits and bops, but that might totally jilt the bigger picture of it all… wait for it. Instead, I am open to share these pics of one look which in my very humble opinion, I do feel totally represent a part of my utilitarian standpoint as a I engage some of this winter’s motifs. An all black uniform is most stylopolitans’ fall-safe direction but as my “religion” dictates; one must always really, truly work towards and updated course. Call for texture, an oddish fit and of course plenty of humour. I CAN ONLY EVER TRY!

@MR_MahlatseJames

COSY UP AND WIN YOUR PAIR OF @BEDROOMATHLETICS

 I am a pretty reasonable human, I think.  Yet, a minuscule part of me has always wanted to reiterate a well known fantasy of a working fashion person who appears to miraculously have it all figured out; a desirable social agenda balanced with the actual demands of a rather irresolute industry, a wardrobe unparalleled, along with an offhand skill to manage one’s so called some sort of a financial plan.  Aaah, things of an open headspace plus a six-season-long late 90’s TV series plus one too many pointlessly undersized cocktails of a rosy tint! It is not a particularly unreachable vision, if anything; my closest realisation to this vision right now is under the guise of a startlingly treasured #WinterBeStyled campaign. I shall dare not get too deep into comparison vibes here nor share any bottom line for this one-man-led operation. I will however, let you in, on a little fact that it involves stylin’ even in the most private of spaces and times. And @bedroomathletics is taking very good care of me on the cosy front. You could totally be sharing these #Feelz before winter wraps.

For someone, who gets to spend a bit of time in a week, cocooned in at home and doing some ground work, I still always insist on intersecting comfort with some level of a stylin’ effort -especially on days where I lock myself indoors and compel creation.  Most recently, together with a co-styling-pilot, we worked crazy hours at home putting things together and by the time the sun came up, we were still in our sleepwear. Making things happen. Naturally (as one does in such a case in point), gushing went on a little lengthier than it usually does. At first, I thought it was all for thoughtfully layering plaid patterns, then I quickly snapped out of it and right into co-gushing about my newest booties. My newest sleek looking McQueen slippers in a snug Sherpa fleece from Bedroom Athletics, because from here onwards, winters “indoors” will be nothing short of a delight.

This definitely called for an impromptu photoshoot in the courtyard!

Rad news:  you too can get to own @bedroomathletics slippers and have your winter spent warm and cosy and stylishly. It’s all very easy really; you will need to head on to www.bedroomathletics.co.za , sign up for the newsletter, browse through the wide collection and pick a pair you simply have to have. Right after that, we will need you to hit the facebook streetz over HERE, ht them with a LIKE and tell us about your faves with the hashtag #MJANDSTUFFxBEDROOMATHLETICSGIVEAWAY between today and next Tuesday 02/06/2015. The winner will be notified soonest.

Goodluck and #WERQ