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Ask an Expert: Men's Fashion Forward Thinking For The Season In San Francisco

Jeans at Self Edge, San Francisco (credit: Laurie Jo Miller Farr)

Self Edge is about the quality and timelessness of a mid-20th century era sourced from Japanese brands. Identified and imported for the first time a decade ago, labels such as Dry Bones, Sugar Cane, Iron Heart, The Flat Head, The Strike Gold and Real Japan Blue are now known to connoisseurs.

Self Edge, San Francisco

Commenting on the men's "vintage, casual and very American" look that Kiya Babzani curates for Self Edge stores since starting up in San Francisco a decade ago, he notes that brands produce what Self Edge orders for its four locations; there's no stock product. Since everything is cut and made to order, Self Edge doesn't follow trends -- it sets trends.

Kiya Babzani, Self Edge

Kiya Babzani
Self Edge
714 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 558-0658
www.selfedge.com

Esquire Magazine is among the many voices in men's fashion forums who consider Self Edge on Valencia Street as the leading selvedge denim retailer and Kiya Babzani as the international denim expert. Since the store's 2006 opening, the mission in The Mission has been to deliver a "Japanese re-interpretation of Americana," including the story behind the making of each garment, care advice and a repair workshop. An on-topic fashion conversation with Babzani is an education in itself as he picks these as the leading 2015 spring trends for men.

Linen Patterned Shirts

The first trend Babzani mentioned are 60s-inspired linen patterned shirts, "summery, with a looser, boxy fit." Calling it a vacation vibe that's neither bowling shirt nor Hawaiian shirt, Babzani pointed to label Star of Hollywood for some good examples showing the look, short sleeves with a Johnny collar worn open. Patterns such as Caribbean vibes, vintage seahorses, invisible piano hands, night bats, bongos of death, shrunken head, venom and instruments of brass aren't like anything we've seen before.

Printed Polo Shirts

Look twice, since polo shirts don't normally go beyond solid or striped, plus ubiquitous logo. This spring sees 100 percent cotton piqué polo shirts that are slim fitting in the body and arms with geometric patterns inspired by Googie aesthetics, as first coined in 1952 by an 1952 urbanist observer. A '50s original brand, Star of Hollywood is now re-created in Japan by Toyo Enterprises, known for Sugar Cane & Co., producing reproductions of their favorite pieces. Look for trademark motifs: diamond patterns and tarantulas, "not on the same shirt," per Self Edge.

Plenty of Jewelry

"Rings are huge," says Babzani, a keen observer of the jewelry for men trend he's flagged for 2015. They're not necessarily worn on the ring finger, either. Making a personalized statement includes "everything that's something to add, mostly vintage-looking," he suggests, saying that bracelets are definitely included among the multitude of options which also puts key rings and chains in focus. Expect sterling, brass, leather, turquoise and a combination of these materials.

Statement Socks

Jeans rolled up equals a space for socks to show. Babzani says designers such as Tokyo-based CHUP are doing "amazing different patterns," claiming that territory to show colorful Nordic and ethnic designs inspired by tribal motifs and symbols sourced from all over the world. At CHUPS, the hand-linked toes and high quality weave production using vintage knitting machines means that output is limited to only a few pairs per day. Low sneakers will show off more sock fun, but on the feet, Babzani says "the hi-top sneaker trend is here to stay."

Complete the Look

Low sneakers from brands like Converse will show off more sock fun, but on the feet, Babzani says "the hi-top sneaker trend is here to stay." Curious about what else is not going to disappear any time soon in men's appearance and grooming, we asked about 2015 and beyond. According to Babzani, beards that go beyond designer stubble are staying put.

Laurie Jo Miller Farr loves walkable cities. A tourism industry professional and transplanted New Yorker by way of half-a-lifetime in London, she's writing about the best of the bay and beyond for Yahoo, USA Today, eHow, and on Examiner.com.


 

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