WHEN YOU LIVE in a neighborhood like Logan Square, supporting local businesses can be a damn cool experience. I love strolling up and down the square with no particular destination in mind. Just me and the thousands of creative possibilities each storefront offers. While there are a lot of keepers, one of the coolest stores in my neighborhood is MEYVN.
MEYVN is a boutique menswear shop that curates the type of fresh and progressive looks that push forward our sense of what's possible with personal style. It's also a gathering place for all sorts of Chicago creatives.
So I was really excited when Noah and his crew asked me to shoot a couple of fresh fall looks that had just come into the store. I went in a few days ahead of time to give some input on the styling of the looks which really meant that I got to play dress-up for a couple of hours with some really nice clothes.
On shoot day, we hopped across the street and turned another Logan Square gem, Uncharted Books, into our set. I'm really pleased with how it all turned out. But of course the hero is the look. So let's talk a bit about it.
THE PIECE that will have everyone talking is the Teheren Leather Jacket from A Kind of Guise. Shearling-collared jackets are all the rage this season, but this is probably the nicest one I've ever seen (or tried on!). The suede has the most incredible texture and grain, and the burnt-orange tone makes me feel like fall is wrapping me up in its arms and promising never to let me go. Eat your heart out, Taylor Swift.
Did I mention that it's cut from yak fabric and lambskin fur? Freakin' yaks. That means this thing can stand up to the most brutal weather. Styled with a deep-navy turtleneck to balance the pop of the jacket's color and texture and a pair of stunning Kaschgai Wool Trousers (also from A Kind of Guise), this combination will keep you feeling as warm as it keeps you looking cool.
So the next time you find yourself in Logan Square, make sure to support local and stop by MEYVN. The space is as cool as the clothing, and Noah and his crew will keep you looking fresh with some of the most unique and high-quality garments you'll find anywhere.
One last thing: if you're like me and have a limited (read: broke-ass, PBR-only) budget, try to save-up for your favorite piece out of the bunch (or bribe your favorite aunt or put it on your holiday gift list...whatever works for you), and then head over to H&M or UNIQLO to fill in the rest of the look with similar-styled pieces. The quality might not be in the same ballpark or runway, but the ensemble will still look fab, and your favorite garment will stand the test of time.