Good ol’ Timex. The famous watches that take a licking and keep on ticking. No longer are big blingy watches the time pieces of choice. Instead the move is toward classic understated wrist watches. The Timex Easy Reader features a retro and simple design. The wrist bands can easily be interchanged for a colourful canvas strap for spring and summer or a leather strap for the colder months. These watches are extremely reliable and for a price tag of $65 CDN they are well within the affordable range.

Freshen up your work look this spring/summer by simply adding some light colours into your shirt and tie rotation. Go for something bright, either solid or with a slight checkered or stripe pattern. I really enjoy this shirt from Brooks Bros. They have recently released a slim fit option which is perfect for the younger business man in that you avoid billowing like a pirate ship sail. If you haven’t had the chance to make your way down to their new Toronto store I’m gunning for it.

Suspenders are back. I know, I know, you haven’t worn a pair since your second grade class picture but I assure you, suspenders are hip again. We’re are not talking about Gordon Gekko sized two inch think multiple striped braces but a nice simple classic pair of thin ones. I suggest the pair of Fred Perry suspenders pictured above (which also come with some neat packaging) or American Apparel’s unisex set.

G-Star Raw has only as of late caught my eye – I had easily stereotyped them as the logo-emblazoned, promotion-oriented label that catered to most and not to me. I’ve since been forgiving of, after encountering some great menswear pieces that could easily mirror the likes of other street-credit worthy brands.

The favourites? Embracing the chambray – denim shirts. Raw denim at that. I’d happily accompany any boy willing to sport this utilitarian oriented take on the jean top from G Star Jeans.

Rugby season might not be on, but this cardigan contests it. Looking like something straight from Ben Sherman, the cardigan has me willingly on board with the boyfriend trend, should it include this black and white bit.

Some fun can be had in this colourful mix. Red and blue checkeredness. The G Star Raw New Rektor Short Sleeved Shirt In Redwood (of course it’s called that) is my final pick of the current goods.

Digging through Mainline’s site I felt like I was channeling into some sort of men’s shopping haven. Check their G-Star offerings alongside every man’s favourite (no seriously, ever guy wears these) – Original Penguin, Fred Perry, and a whole other smattering of goods.

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that tattoo style is probably one of the biggest trends of the last few years and it is continuing to gather steam. It is counter-culture and it is just damn cool. In celebration of tattoo art, skate shoe brand C1RCA has teamed up with tattoo artist Jun Cha for The Black Tear project. Jun Cha has been guided by some of the modern masters within the tattoo industry and has a history of some amazing collaborations. Using the Hatchett shoe silhouette Cha uses a “mother’s profile and a tear drop to symbolize the transition from death and sacrifice to freedom and growth of one’s true roots.”

Either way the shoes are pretty classic and pretty sweet.

Are you tired of the straight leg dark rinse jeans that are currently in your denim rotation? Are you looking to freshen things up a bit? Well one of the denim trends that seems to be returning to life is jeans that come with worked in nicks, tears and paint splatters. Some of you may be fans of the big tears but I myself enjoy something a bit more subtle with nice little details. This is why I dig this pair of jeans from the Evisu Genes 2010 fall/winter collection.

Some of you may be familiar with Evisu but just for the heck of it I will give you a quick synopsis. Evisu was founded in Japan and is one of the first premium denim brands, recognized world-wide. With Evisu jeans you are definitely looking at a quality pair of denim slacks. Their Genes label offers a more contemporary look so if that fits your personal style I definitely recommend taking a look.

> evisu.com for more

Paul Newman originally made the Chambray shirt famous in the film Cool Hand Luke.

Typically if you attempt to emulate Paul Newman’s style you will get by just fine in the sartorial sense however in the case of the Chambray shirt they are now a hot spring/summer trend and are completely back in style. Chambray, for those wanting to know, was first used in Cambrai, France and is a lightweight cotton cloth great for warm sunny days.

I recommend taking a peak at the GAP where you will find a few options for Chambray Shirts. I recommend the item pictured on the model above. It’s fabric, cut and white buttons are what got me. Notice how the model is trying to channel his own internal Paul Newman?

A little more amazing from JWu. Loammi Goetghebeur (Major Paris). Filmed by Justin Wu (www.jwuphoto.com). Stylist: Jennifer Clemson. Hair: Michael Marenco (Toni&Guy). Caesars – Jerk it Out.

If you are in the market for a new pair of classic low tops you should definitely consider a pair of Alpha’s by CIPHER. The 2010 Alphas are both timeless and contemporary in their styling resulting in a line of low-tops not hampered by large logos. Plus at a price of $119 and featuring sleek high-grade, full grain leathers and baby calf suede the Alphas are of great value. Offered in three models my favourite are the full grain Ivory leathers pictured above. Also launched recently by CIPHER are Seditionary, a line of high tops.