Summer inspiration

The first things I'll do next summer is to look for a straw hat and new sandals — strappy ones or with Y-straps.




Hmmm. How indeed to make a tank work. Still about the hat?




This is an interesting version of the bolo (necklace-like piece). The most stylish thing about this picture? Hair, on his head and as stubble.




And before I forget: next summer I have to get serious about wearing shorts! Surprisingly the length of the shorts here prevent the look from appearing all beach-y. I'd choose different footwear though.


Images from Stockholm Streetstyle and Vanessa Jackman

Vanessa Jackman's street portraits

Stumbling on street style blogs is always refreshing. It's like opening a new book and flipping through the first few pages — you discover a new world with new characters, and places and events seen through a different point of view.

You even discover delightful metallic insects.

What is amazing about Vanessa Jackman's street style blog is that she has an eye quite distinct from her colleagues. Even as she gets the light, mood, and angles right one gets a clear sense that she is attracted by different things.

Comparing pictures of the same person taken by other street style bloggers, her camera captures a little more warmth. Her images are a bit more personal, nearer to the people than those taken by industry stalwarts.

Her shots are less about making the perfect images than capturing the little imperceptible quirks that make her subjects more human.

More than documenting style to provide inspiration for individuals and for editors, Vanessa Jackman creates portraits.

This is her strength as a photographer and as a street style blogger.

She also has very candid commentary about her subjects, blogging, and life in general.

Here she seems experimenting with her style, still unsure how she wants to interpret what she sees.

Though this is a menswear blog, androgyny plays an important part in male imagery. This shot is a good example.

Now these last three pictures are completely gratuitious. These adorable toddlers appear just because.

Color lessons from Vanessa Jackman

This is Duncan Campbell, editor of Acne Paper. Plenty of little things to note from his outfit that make it casually stylish, but what gets to me the most is the black piping of his jacket, which subtly pulls everything together. The reason why his ensemble is low-key is because the colors — navy, teal, and purple — are closely related, are all bound by blue.

Of course, his gold wristwatch and signet ring become the icing.



Besides the obvious fact that Joe Jackson's outfit is built around the color of his eyes, it is the buttoned collar of his polo shirt that introduces subtlety.



This club collar, on the other hand, is barely there, and may have otherwise have been a Mandarin collar. But Vanessa is right: the highlight of this picture is his hair. None better to go with his schoolboy's attire, and which, not coincidentally, is a color complement of blue.



You could probably notice these Pippi Longstocking socks coming to you from the next block, but what fascinates me more are the shape of his shoes ad his two-tone shirt.



The collar and the patent-toe Lanvin sneakers are the perfect muted partners.



Though on an actor as seriously-looking as Joe Jackson, I would have wished brown leather shoes. Doubling the white cancels the charming effect of his polo shirt.



You may think that there is nothing subtle about Carlos Rivera's "costume", but he has been quite successful in taming his pink floral shirt with his matching jacket and spectacles. Not to mention with the violet, black, and blue pattern of his pocket square.

Effortless street (or photographic editing)

Johannes, a fashion student, wears a white shirt from Benetton, vintage shorts, and a bag from Fred Perry

Vanessa Jackman reveals in the comments page that under his shorts, Johannes is also wearing high-waisted silver leggings from American Apparel.



Rasmus is wearing a shirt, socks, shorts, and a belt: all from Ralph Lauren; and shoes from Paul Smith

Take a look at the full shot from the same link and you will see what his shoes and socks look like.



Simon is wearing chinos from Weekday, a shirt from Day, a bracelet from H&M, and shoes from Converse

The proportions are perfect, especially with his leather portfolio, but what you don't know is that he also sports a big tattoo under his immaculate shirt. Click on the link to see for yourself.

Can a man wear this?

Can a man wear this?


Arnhild is from Norway. She wears an Urban Outfitter playsuit and Beyond Retro sunglasses in this photo by Vanessa Jackman



Or even this?


This photo of Julie appears in Citizen Couture



Apparently, the species has tried. But won't a fabric belt help him finish the trick?


Kenneth is from Gothenburg. He is wearing a vintage trench coat, a Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair t-shirt, and Yves Saint Laurent shoes in this photo from Stil in Berlin