I recently co-mc’d a wonderful event Affairs of the State (www.ypfp.org) with the lovely Pamela Sorensen (Pamela’s Punch) and the experience got me thinking more about “climate driven fashion”.
I have a tremendous disdain for humidity & the thought of being in it invokes feelings of anger & extreme discomfort.
It was tremendously humid that night which contributed to profuse sweating. (I don’t make it a habit to share that w/ others but I need to illustrate my point). There needs to be more emphasis on fashionable pieces that also address climates. For example, I love linen as much as the next person but the last thing I’m wearing is Tommy Bahama. It would automatically age me 25yrs and I’m in no rush to be older. I was asking for trouble by wearing a super 150, light gray wool/cashmere blend suit that night. I have no on else to blame but global warming & myself.
In other words, I should have used wisdom and worn a cotton/twill suit in a dark color. Khaki may not have been appropriate for evening wear. I should have also worn a cotton/linen blend shirt. The blend of cotton should be enough to provide structure to the shirt, and the linen helps with breatheability. Whether or not I should have worn a tie is debatable, but for many of you who know me, I most likely would have worn one.
My trousers would have been flat front w/ a slight tapering to the ankle for a sleeker and more fitted appearance. Thin cotton socks (some athletic socks that wick away moisture would also work). My shoes are just as important as the suit. I nice buck, or loafer would have appropriate in dark color that’s comparable to the suit.
For example, black shoes for black, navy (yes, I said navy), and gray suits. While brown shoes/loafers for gray, khaki & light colored suits. A neatly folded cotton pocket square that is within the same hue or color family of my garments would have completed the look.
For a while, I had lost my focus and this recent experience has rejuvenated my created juices. I’m currently working on a bridge line under a different brand name that addresses our current economic times and the need for quality and attention to detail.
As for “Sweating to the Oldies”, I won’t make that mistake again, We live and we learn. Then again, maybe I’ll just fly north for the summer. I hear Iceland is beautiful in July.
June 30th, 2009
Simplicity is the basic tenet of accurate fashion. Fashion is not difficult to decipher although many believe fashion is as complicated as a Sudoku nightmare. A friend recently asked me a question on formal wear.
“What does Black Tie optional mean?”
If you receive an invitation with “Black tie optional”, you should expect to attend a sophisticated event. Even though “optional” is in the invite, men should wear a tuxedo; however a dark suit is also acceptable. A good tuxedo can be rented from a formal wear store however every man should eventually purchase a custom made tuxedo.
The Tuxedo Construction
1. Jacket
Your jacket can be either single or double breasted. Not too many people can successfully pull off a double breasted jacket. My suggestion is a single breasted, one button and double vent jacket is both classic and debonair.
2. Shirt
Your shirt should be white and not color variations of white (i.e. mother of pearl or dingy). A classic white dress shirt or tuxedo shirt should suffice. I am a fan of French cuffs with great cuff links, as it contributes to the elegant nature of the event.
3. Trousers
Classic tuxedo trousers should fit well in the waist, seat and upper thigh. There should also be a single break at the bottom; however I sometimes wear my trousers without a break. The trousers can either be pleated or flat front depending on your body type and preference.
4. Tie
You should wear a black bow tie with either tuxedo or classic dress shirts. On the hand, you should only wear a long black tie with a classic dress shirt.
5. Shoes & Accessories
Your cuff links should make a subtle statement. In other words you can lose the ostentatious cuff links you bought in a truck stop. Focus on a solid & stylish cuff link that draws good attention to your exposed French cuffs. Purchase nylon black dress socks to wear with your 8-10 holed black lace ups. Be sure to polish them. You don’t necessarily need to rent those shiny patent leather shoes. If you wear them, people will be giving you their keys and asking for more hors d’oeuvres.
A classic black or white neatly folded pocket square should complete your look. Love those handkerchiefs or pocket squares worn by movie stars in the 40s.
This is merely a basic guide to determining what to wear to a black tie optional affair. Life is hard enough; your wardrobe shouldn’t have to be.
Ebong Eka
December 1st, 2007
Music plays a large part in one’s life. It’s the fiber that binds memories, to the rock of reality. Music can motivate, inspire, encourage, discourage, disparage etc. Everything in life has a soundtrack.
What is the song you heard during your first kiss? Your first dance? Your first job? What song reminds you of when you were fired from your first job? The theme song of a vacation… Everytime I hear Will Smith’s “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It”, it takes me back to 1998 and spring break in Panama City Beach. I remember slow dancing to Pearl Jam’s “Black” in high school with my first girlfriend. When I moved from Buffalo, NY to Washington, DC, I wore out the album “Is This It?” by The Strokes.
I can go on all night, but the wonderful thing is most people have similar experiences. Life is like a puzzle with a multitude of pieces, one of which is music. Everything in Life Has a Soundtrack!
What’s yours????
March 6th, 2007
Have any of you heard of Technorati? Technorati is an Internet search engine for searching blogs, competing with Google, Yahoo and IceRocket. As of December 2006, Technorati indexes over 55 million weblogs.
I recently listened to a Podcast from Venture Voice “Entertaining Entrepreneurship” about Technorati’s founder Doug Sifry. A very informative podcast.
This post is PRIMARILY for the Technorati Aunthentication Process. So I have nothing more to add.
Technorati Profile
March 5th, 2007
Do people CARPOOL anymore? I think the answer is an emphatic NO, although many would say YES. Urban sprawl in the DC area has pretty much angered most commuters. The high cost of housing has also exacerbated the urban sprawl and related commuting catastrophe.
Local governments try to mitigate traffic congestion by iintroducing HOV lanes. The same local governments also make a barage of money from the HOV infraction tickets issued EVERYDAY!
With that being said, the thought of carpooling is somewhat attractive. Mr. Joe Smith, Corporate Suit guy, his wife and their 2.5 kids live in a nice house 10 miles out side the beltway. Mr. Smith, however, works in Downtown DC. Metro Opens Doors, but you’ve already read my previous blog on that subject!
The carpooling advocate would say “So what you’re telling me is that I get to wake up early, wait outside for someone to pick me up, and get to work without having to drive? Where do I sign up?”
What the average person says: “So what you’re telling me is that I get to wake up early, wait outside for someone to pick me up, listen to a radio station that sucks or worse listen to a driver who won’t shut up…just so I can save gas money & parking?”
No thanks, I think I’ll pass.
March 5th, 2007
People that Metro to work are often angry. No one wants to ride the metro everyday. No one wants to be there and why would they? I doubt anyone would bypass an opportunity to drive a car to work. Traffic, gas prices and road rage aside the flexibility and convenience one has with their own car is unparallel. Those who have the pleasure of driving (or being driven) to and from work often take it for granted. If you say no, then you’re lying. I took that privilege for granted until now.
I was recently in a fender bender which amounted to a much needed $2,500 repair of my car. I live in Northern Virginia but work in Bethesda, Maryland which presented me with quite a transportation quandary. Most people have a rental car option along with their automobile insurance….I did not! Bollocks to that! Metro Here I come!!
Taking the Metro to downtown Bethesda has become an extremely arduous process for me. The Metro is an extremely efficient way to get around the city and surrounding suburbs. On the other hand my Friday morning commute to work took almost 1.5 hours. I’m not against taking the Metro, after all it “Opens Doors”.
On the train, I sat next to someone pretending to read a book. The problem is I love to people watch. I’ve taken solace in the fact that I can watch people riding the Metro without feeling like a fool. The expressions on everyone’s face are comical to say the least. Everything from a young Capitol Hill staffer thinking “Does he really like me or am I wasting my time with him?” or a 40 year old well dressed man, reading the Financial Times contemplating his future at a company he hates.
In the middle of people watching, I faintly hear someone a few seats ahead singing out loud and more disturbingly out of tune. Looking up was only the next logical thing to do. Like a car accident on a rain slicked road. I knew better and I knew not to look. I looked.
A poor man’s K-Fed with his eyes closed was singing a horrific American Idol version of “Lean On Me”. After listening to this fool, I needed someone to lean on as well. Well, at least my ears did. White hooded sweat shirt, white Adidas tennis shoes and light colored jeans. At 8:30 in the morning, can you imagine this fool singing “Lean on Me” out of tune? I was beside myself and I instantly donned a face of discontent, misery and displeasure. I then realized that I had become whom I once mocked. I’ve become a member of the masses of malcontented Metro riders. Parsed lips, squinting eyes and a viral scowl. That was me on Friday. The inhumanity of it all. I’d write more about my insane journey to work, but I have to get ready to take the Metro!
Ebong
info@ebongeka.com
ebong.eka@gmail.com
PostScript:
I listen to Cat Steven’s “Tea For The Tillerman”, whilst writing every new blog entry. “Bring Tea for the Tillerman, steak for the sun, wine for the woman that makes the rain come….”
January 21st, 2007
Procrastination is mother of all screw ups. My first and last post was in February of 2006. I decided to get my proverbial act together and follow up a pathetic attempt for a blog. The good news is I’ll be posting new entries to EbongEka.com on a somewhat daily basis.
Back to the point:
Ricky Gervais is a comedic genius and the Co-Creator of The Office in the UK. I may be a tad bias being that I’ve lived in England in the past and I love British comedy. January 9th, 2007 was the official release date for “Extras: The First Season on DVD”. I don’t have HBO so, I, like the rest of the schlepts, had to wait almost 2 yrs for the series to come out on DVD. Season 3 has started in the UK, whilst we’ve barely started Season 2 on HBO and Season 1 is on DVD.
Extras is about a struggling actor, Andy Millman (played by Gervais), who only manages to get extra non-speaking roles. His agent is rubbish and contributes to his fledgling career.
Some examples:
Maggie: “Would you rather have your food too salty or too sweet?”
Andy (Ricky Gervais): “Wouldn’t matter, too much of anything and the food’s rubbish, ain’t it?”
The lines are nothing without the amazingly witty delivery by Gervais.
In another episode:
“You are guaranteed an Oscar if you play a mental” - Kate Winslet, followed by an amazing and unappreciated song by Cat Stevens called “Tea for the Tillerman” to end the show. Unlike American Sit-Coms that feature laugh tracks or live studio audiences, British comedy leave the laughing in the hands of the viewers. You’re not told when to laugh.
What does this all mean? Bottom line, Ricky Gervais is brilliant. More importantly, I’ll be increasing the frequency of my posts. The beautiful Pamela Sorensen & her new blog www.pamelaspunch.com has provided the very much needed inspiration. Hooray for technology, science and all that bollocks.
January 18th, 2007
Podcasts, Pictures, & Tidbits.
It’s Bollocks Really…..
That is the basic point of this site. Long story? Not really. Listen to my podcasts. Subscribe to itunes and receive weekly updates for the podcasts. People who join will receive newsletters from me. Now why do you care? I don’t know. I think i bring humor, joy and jokes. More important, I want visitors to figure out how to enjoy your lives.
The day you realize that you know more than others give you credit for, you’ll realize the amount of power you can yield. That’s the most important thing because you can only enjoy your life once.
Ebong
info@ebongeka.com
February 27th, 2006