Spring Break
Essential American designers and what to do with them
Issue date: 3/13/08
When I first arrived in this strange land of America, I noticed something interesting. The style of clothing was remarkably different from what I was used to back in Toronto. The tight-fitting, edgy looks were no longer present; instead, there was casual, relaxed clothing and those eternal khakis.
This was a whole new perspective for me, and it caught my eye and busied my mind for a while. The look was so simple and cool - It was 100 percent American.
So I decided to do some research and acquaint myself with the American way of fashion. I present you with a small list of contemporary stateside designers and their qualities.
Tim Hamilton
Born and raised in Iowa, Tim Hamilton has gained decent attention since launching his eponymous menswear line in 2006.
His clothing boasts a variety that has something for any taste. I personally enjoy his knack for experimentation, something you don't see very often.
His spring line carried a beautiful selection of double-breasted coats as well as slim-fitting cardigans, both essential items in the upcoming season. Hamilton projects an interesting "nerd-chic" image, in one example pairing a grey golf shirt with matching leggings (yes, you read that correctly) underneath a black cardigan and topped with a white bow tie.
His lineup represents something you'd find at a liberal-arts college in the '80s, yet at other moments Hamilton injects something that makes the look so modern, such as a red leather jacket or grey trench coat. Hamilton takes you for a ride through the ages and brings you back to reality with simple pieces that are easy to wear and thought-provoking at the same time. Hamilton's rise has been gradual, but this designer will soon earn his wings and fly to the top.
Michael Bastian
When I first saw men wearing khaki pants with a navy blazer on campus, the combination was absolutely foreign to me (we go for black on black in Canada). As time went on, the khakis and navy duo attracted me and I began to familiarize myself with the concept of American sportswear. The idea is simple: make clothing casual and graceful.
This was a whole new perspective for me, and it caught my eye and busied my mind for a while. The look was so simple and cool - It was 100 percent American.
So I decided to do some research and acquaint myself with the American way of fashion. I present you with a small list of contemporary stateside designers and their qualities.
Tim Hamilton
Born and raised in Iowa, Tim Hamilton has gained decent attention since launching his eponymous menswear line in 2006.
His clothing boasts a variety that has something for any taste. I personally enjoy his knack for experimentation, something you don't see very often.
His spring line carried a beautiful selection of double-breasted coats as well as slim-fitting cardigans, both essential items in the upcoming season. Hamilton projects an interesting "nerd-chic" image, in one example pairing a grey golf shirt with matching leggings (yes, you read that correctly) underneath a black cardigan and topped with a white bow tie.
His lineup represents something you'd find at a liberal-arts college in the '80s, yet at other moments Hamilton injects something that makes the look so modern, such as a red leather jacket or grey trench coat. Hamilton takes you for a ride through the ages and brings you back to reality with simple pieces that are easy to wear and thought-provoking at the same time. Hamilton's rise has been gradual, but this designer will soon earn his wings and fly to the top.
Michael Bastian
When I first saw men wearing khaki pants with a navy blazer on campus, the combination was absolutely foreign to me (we go for black on black in Canada). As time went on, the khakis and navy duo attracted me and I began to familiarize myself with the concept of American sportswear. The idea is simple: make clothing casual and graceful.
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