The most surprising part about using a Jimi wallet are all the comments people make about it.  Now on my 3rd wallet, and in a bright orange color called Safety, it’s even more pronounced when I pull it out of my pocket. Instead of writing my own biased accolades on the product, I’ll just write […]

I don’t wear shorts out of my own desire to do so.  The shorts I do own are a very small (2) collection of items I was forced into owning by the fairer sex.  This summer though, I’m abandoning my fear of bare legs.  It’s time to get to the store and get some shorts […]

See!  I knew someone was listening…
Dear Monarchs
Through Mr. Smith’s extensive network of web operatives I hear you guys are looking for a couple of Jimi wallets to review. It would be our pleasure to have you review our products. What colors do you fancy and where should we send ‘em.
Thanks for your support of Jimi.
Cheers
Mike
Be […]

If you haven’t heard, pioneering punk venue CBGB in NYC has been sold to John Varvatos, who transformed the space into an uber-swank JV boutique.
Last Thursday, the Manhattan fashion elite descended on the space for its grand opening gala.
Inside; gone were the vomit covered bathroom walls & peeling stickers, replaced with $2,000 jackets $250 tee […]

Patheton Weekly, The Spice of Variety, published this clip in 1930 on fashions in 21st century entitled Eve A.D. 2000.
My favorite quotes:
1:03 - “Ohh swish”
1:33 - “And candies for cuties”

If anyone still hasn’t bought me a birthday present, don’t worry, there is still another day.
Available at common wealth for only $140.

Redken recently sent along a puck of their new “Outplay Texture Putty” for us to review.
They describe it as:
A new wax putty formula that creates a piecey style and chunky, oversized seperation with a matte finish.  Outplay texture putty adds immediate grab and traction, defined texture, and a strong flexible hold.
Using it over the last […]

I’m trying to decide.  
As you can see Spreadshirt is a site that lets you create custom tee-shirts, kind of like Cafe Press, but without all the set up hassles.  I think it could be improved by allowing choice of tee shirt brand (they say American Apparel is an option, but I haven’t seen one tee […]

A couple of years ago, I received a package of birthday goodies from an incredibly thoughtful ex of mine.  Amongst the treasures was a large clutch filled with samples of my favorite cologne.  At the time, I had two regular sized bottles on hand, so the bag ended up forgotten in a drawer. 
During my move, […]

For your viewing pleasure; a behind the scenes look at our first Urban Minx shoot.   Those talented gents over at RJ Dollen prove themselves as adept with video editing as they are with still photography.  Great work guys. 
Urban Monarch readers, enjoy. (Slightly NSFW)
PS: we hope to bring you another edition of Urban Minx early in the new year
Thanks to […]

On the flip side of female footwear I truly detest are the shoes that can light up my whole day.  Or more typically, night.  I’m talking about the kind of shoe that’s completely impractical, possibly hazardous to one’s health, yet positively irresistable to any warm blooded hetero-male in a three block radius. 
That’s right boys, the […]

Congratulations to Alix; in addition to being our first Urban Minx, she was just featured in Maxim.  Huge nod to Cameron Stewart, the uber-talented photog behind both of the shoots, as well.
Continued success to you both, rockstars.  Links:

Alix at Maxim Online
RJ Dollen Imagry

I’m obsessed with furniture and decorating my apartment. When I’m shopping (mostly online), I sometimes have difficulty figuring out whether a bookcase, chair, or window covering would look good with the rest of my things.  I’ve found the solution is simply a matter of requesting a sample.
Almost everyone has a sample.  I’ve collected color and […]

When I think of Abercrombie & Fitch stores, I think of bad pop dance music and shirtless men advertising an eternal summer of beach front houses.  Improv Everywhere agrees with  the latter and decided to play an active role in the shirtless lifestyle.
Agent Nguyen came up with the idea for this mission when he noticed […]

Alright.  You know it’s a slow news day here @ UM when I source an article from..(gulp) “Gossip Girls”. When said article features sexy pictures of UM reader favorite Megan Fox however, well, it could be worse.

Saturday night, as I was waiting for the bus, the strangest thing happened.  A woman walking by with her boyfriend stopped to compliment me on my shoes.  I was wearing a simple pair of black Kenneth Cole’s, not my prized Donald Pliner’s.  It may have been the recent shine that caught her eye, but the […]

We may give hipsters a lot of shit here @ UM, but there are definitely areas where we agree with them.  In some ways, this includes fashion (American Apparel being one example).  If you’re looking for something kitch-tastic that your vespa riding neighbor will likely approve of, you might start your search @ Buffalo Exchange.  […]

Modloft is a line of exquisite home furnishings perfect for infusing almost any space with a decidedly urban vibe.
Describing themselves as “eurostyle furniture with a NY-inspired groove” modloft features chairs, tables, and several platform beds such as the “Ludlow” pictured above.  ($3400).
 

Just in time for fall (probably a month and a half away here in Denver) Thrillist digs up the goods on a hip clothing line from across the pond.

Starting with Bowie- and Elvis-inspired tees, the new collection spans more than 70 unique pants, polos, vests, pea coats, hoodies, belts, shoes, scarves, dressy blazers, intelligence-conveying cardigans…and […]

Good gawd.  Just when I thought I was digging around to find some hilariously horrible pictures of the world’s wackiest couple; POW!  Right in the kisser. 

Damn; I don’t remember Katie Holmes looking this good during Dawson’s Creek, and let’s face it, she was smoking fine then.
Perhaps their forthcoming nude photoshoot won’t burn our eyeballs out […]

 
David Beckham has been something of a sartorial hero for ‘metrosexuals’ and even many ‘traditional’ guys for ages. 
There’s a great article in the Salt Lake Tribune (of all places!) featuring some soundbite worthy comments on his sense of style.  I’ll kick things off with my favorite; a pointed observation on the sad state of most […]