Perfect for private cocktail receptions or corporate events, you have to check out Cafeteria’s PDR for your next swinging party. You know the staff will look hot.

For more information on !iTEM Denim, Vans or their collaboration with Cafeteria, get at me on Twitter @CrystlMeatballs. All photos by Marko Kalfa.

Keep reading to find out what to wear on your next amusement park trip.

ASOS Stars And Stripes Print Scarf $25.86 – This lightweight woven scarf has a vintage feel, especially when tied in your hair.

1. American Flag Tee (Topman $44)

This is a pretty basic staple & perfect for the most casual of affairs.

The Dinner & A Movie Date

This date is a classic one. It seems like going out for dinner and a movie is the type of date that had stood the test of the. If you’re smart you’ll do the movie before the dinner. (So you have at least something to discuss besides awkward small talk.) This is a semi casual date. you want to be relaxed but not too informal. A solid button up shirt and a pair of dark washed jeans create the perfect uniform. Try not to be too flashy and throw on an understated watch. Just because you’re wearing jeans does not mean it’s OK to wear your most raggedy tennis shoes. A pair of  smart and nondescript sneakers will work in lieu.

The Night On The Town Date

The Night On The Town Date is strictly reserved for the guys who are extremely cool and have contacts everywhere. They know where all the hottest restaurants and parties are and they are always invited to them. Everyone knows who you are so you’ll have to look fly when painting the town red with your date. Nothing says smooth like a sweet biker jacket and tee. Ditch the boring jeans and for for an interesting pair of trousers. A sleek pair of sneakers will help you stomp around the city comfortably while looking super cool at the same time. If you are the accessories type of guy then throw in of some statement jewelry like a necklace or bracelet.

Mother Earth has been great to us so the least we can do is show her some appreciation by doing our best to preserve her while we dress for the warm weather.

Since the tee is a staple in every guy’s wardrobe it is best to start there. Many companies are making their shorts eco friendly my incorporating organic cotton. Quiksilver for instance has a great graphic tee made of 100% organic cotton.

Shirts aren’t the only thing made from organic cotton. Another staple is denim so that’s next. Nudie Jeans offers a pair that 13 oz denim from Italy made in 100% organic cotton.

If you’re looking to take a dip and still help the environment we’ve got your back. Patagonia Men’s Minimalist Wavefarer Board Shorts are recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program

While it would be in the environments best favor for you to go barefoot it isn’t very practical. Vans makes a shoe that provides eco-conscious construction components like a waste-free, lightweight outsole, 100% recycled PET plastic bottle canvas uppers and inside lining, water-based inks and glues, and a supportive molded midsole cushioning system.

Mother Nature can be a little harsh with her sun rays but you can block them the right way.  Sunglass Hut boasts it own eco friendly sunglass line. The Revo Eco collection uses alternative material whenever possible & the packaging is always 100& recyclable and printed with vegetable oil based ink.

The last piece to this outfit is the watch. If you love the earth then you’ll love this because it’s materials include black corn and black bamboo.

Rain boots that aren’t rain boots – While wellies can be quite hot in the warmer weather, these shorter versions can do double-duty as April shower rain boots now and cute additions to 90s-inspired dresses later.

Clockwise from top left:

Chinese Laundry Nixon Boot $29.99 – swell.com

Dr. Martens 1460 8 Eye Victorian Flowers Lace-Up Boot $129.99 – infinityshoes.com

Dorothy Perkins Grey Brogue Ankle Boots $33 – dorothyperkins.com

Dressrail Leather Look Zip Front Laced Biker Boots $49 – dressrail.com

Full coverage wedges for socks or bare feet – It might be too chilly for fully exposed feet, but these wedges provide good coverage and look cute with or without socks. Enjoy them now or later with the simple removal of a few threads.

From left:

Michael Antonio Studio Garcelle Wedge $99.99 – heels.com

Giuseppe Zanotti Suede Peep-Toe Platforms $650 – giuseppezanottidesign.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs Oxford Wedges $290 – bloomingdales.com

Topshop SCRIPT Hi Vamp Wedges $140 – us.topshop.com

Sneakers that take you from warm to hot - Minus the damp and treacherous winter, sneakers are great for three out of the four seasons. Enjoy these now with jeans and leggings, wear them later with skirts and shorts.

Clockwise from top:

VANS Authentic Lo Pro Zebra Womens Shoes $41.99 – tillys.com

Gucci Studded Leather High-Top Sneakers $840 – net-a-porter.com

Bensimon Tennis Liberty Red Floral Print $43 – shop.moxsie.com

Christian Louboutin Louis Sneakers $835 – barneys.com

Weather: High of 98

Key Artists: Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes, The Kills, Erykah Badu, Scissor Sisters, Lil B, Yelle & The New Pornographers

From the info above one can deduced that that acts that day are super young, hip, and laid back. Most importantly it is going to be hotter than Hades. For Saturday’s look you are going to keep the a young and fresh look all while trying to fight heatstroke. The only way I know how to pull both of these missions off is to go with a modern hippie look.

The signature piece of any hippie is tie-dye. To achieve this look  you can pick up a great cut tank from Urban Outfitters. On bottom you can maintain your cool and sanity by pairing your tie-dye with these Marni tailored shorts. The shorts are simplistic enough to fit into the hippie culture but cut for the modern man.

As far as footwear goes try to avoid sandals at all costs. There are going to be a lot of people stomping around and your feet are bound to be a target. Not to mention that most mens feet are not attractive enough to have people staring at them. This is why you can pick up these Vans. They are super distressed and super comfortable.

When it comes to accessories they can be as tame or as wild as you want them to be. A straw fedora will keep your head away from the harsh rays and give you a more bohemian look. no matter how big of a hippie you are a man should always be wearing a timepiece. Why no go super funky them with this vintage American Apparel one. To top everything off why not just pop on a pair of bright colored wayfarers. they don’t necessarily need to be expensive. You can get a pair for $5 anywhere because they’re bound to get lost or broken in the chaos and true hippies don’t believe in all that consumerism.

Upon my recent return from snowboarding, and at the on-set of spring, I found myself at a loss for an opportunity to hone my boarding craft in the off-season. Unwilling to take an eight-month sabbatical from the sport, I entertained momentary flirtations with a snowboard simulator but wondered about its ability to give me anything more than a mediocre core workout, one easily matched by a simple sit-up regime. I needed to substitute snowboarding with something that required similar movement and a push outside of my comfort zone. I decided to take up skateboarding.

Having no idea about which skateboard would work best for me, I chose a cute looking board by Moxie Girl (not to be confused with Roxy) and used the ballet bar in my dance studio to pull myself along the hardwood floor. To my credit, I was fearless from the start and even attempted several kick flips in the foyer, which I had dutifully studied on You Tube. However, when the board suddenly flew out from under my feet with reckless abandon, I concluded that some lessons might be required.

As it turned out, a friend of mine, born-and-bred California girl, had an in with the local surfer/skater community and a black book of professional skating contacts.  Without long consideration she decided that her good friend, Steve Olson would love to teach me and told me to email him.

Olson interviewed me via telephone before we met, asking me a variety of questions from what type of helmet and padding I had, to how strong my bones were and how flexible I was. Before agreeing, he kept repeating that he “didn’t normally teach” which I thought was strange since I had assumed he must be a professional skateboard instructor. Yet he agreed to meet for a trial lesson.

Professional he was. I was later informed he was a former World Champion. No pressure on me, then.

Upon arrival at my first lesson, Olson took one look at my cute little Moxie board and shook his head as if to imply I had brought shame upon the sport. He spent about ten minutes explaining why this was not a well designed board, though he admitted he could see how the graphic would have appealed to me. He then moved on to my attire. I was reprimanded for wearing Ugg boots and the suggestion that I trade them for my Dior biker boots was equally unwelcome. Apparently, I needed to purchase Vans.

“So have you stood on a skateboard before?” he asked. I truthfully admitted that, other than my few attempts in the dance studio, I found the prospect to be a little scary, but inspired by snowboarding, I was now up for the challenge.

By the end of our trial lesson, I found Olson to be an excellent teacher. He was methodical, patient and very encouraging. He didn’t push me too fast, yet kept me learning at a pace that promised consistent rewards. I was inspired and I think he was as well.  After all, considering the fact that Olson “didn’t usually teach” he seemed to enjoy the opportunity to give constructive criticism and impart year’s worth of wisdom upon an enthusiastic blank canvas.  I promised to be the perfect muse.

Skateboarding, particularly the classic styles that inspire me, is about movement and balance. Being a dancer, I found that I already had some of the principle elements of the sport engrained. Watching skaters like Jay Adams and Stacy Peralta, one can’t help but be seduced by their effortless fluidity.

Becoming proficient at skateboarding takes both passion and commitment. I never knew if I would enjoy the sport, but as it turned out, I felt this drive to be skateboarding every day and missed it when I didn’t get the opportunity to practice.  I don’t know where the passion has come from, but the determination to master the movements that I find so inspiring now feels part of my soul.

The popularity of skateboarding is as big as soccer or baseball in terms of participation. There are thousands of people around the world who skateboard for a living in one way or another and there are more skateboard websites and magazines than ever before.

Sadly, when it comes to skater girl fashion, the current marketplace leaves a lot to be desired.
There are extremely few females who look beautiful, elegant and stylish while on their board. I can find only one example, possibly the most stylish female in the world, Chloë Sevigny. Let’s be fair, Chloë looks beyond cool no matter what she wears.

Now, a month into my training, I’m spending more time working on my core muscles to ease the strain on my lower legs. So far, I’ve had no bad falls, which I credit partly to my cautious nature and mostly to Olson, who is always on standby in case I start to wobble.

I’m interested to see how the skateboarding will have helped my snowboarding skills. If nothing else, my confidence and fearlessness is steadily increasing.

Since I live in California, come summer time, I’m sure that I will be embarking on the inevitable surf lessons and who knows, by the end of the year I could be the new face of Roxy. (Not to be confused with Moxie).

by: Kirsten Lea

1. Spying on your man in church. You never know when pulling a Carrie Bradshaw and spying on your own Mister Big is going to take you into God’s house. Make sure you’re prepared with wrist gloves and a Sunday hat that will knock his mother off her pew. For a colorful, sophisticated look, try Linea Large Brim Spikey Feather Hat, Nordstrom ‘Drama’ Wide Brim Straw Hat and Kaliko Bright Pink Straw Bow Hat.

2. Cruising on a doomed ship. Vacationers on the Titanic didn’t know about their impending fate, so they were all riding the fabulous high horse. But you don’t need to choose a sinking ship to look as remarkable as they because these fine boating hats will do just fine. For a more traditional look, try the Linea Stripe Bow Tilted Hat or John Lewis Women Stripe Floppy Hat with Bow. If you want a modern take for your summer boating adventures, Vans I’m on a Boat Straw Boater and Eugenia Kim Honey Striped Toyo Sun Hat are great options.

3. Shopping. A lady would never have entered Tiffany & Co. without a hat in Audrey Hepburn’s day – how slovenly! Channel your inner socialite while perusing the Goodwill by covering that risque head of yours. Either the Louis Vuitton Mink Bell-Hat, Vintage 1960 Black & White Sparkle Bow Cloche Hat or Brenda Lynn Audrey Hat will do.

4. At the doctor’s office. If anyone knows how to seduce, it’s Sophia Loren, especially when she is after a man playing hard to get. You too can feel sexy and chic getting your yearly check-up by channeling her look ala The Millionairess. These will all look fabulous with your corset: MARKET Red Floppy Hat, Brenda Lynn Milan Boater Hat, French Connection Spice Blush Floppy Hat and Nordstrom Floppy Ribbon Sun Hat.

5. Boozing. Hats, headbands, it’s all the same in casinos and speakeasies. Breaking boundaries with nonpareil style, flappers knew how to look fantastic while drinking the Devil’s elixir. Though not quite hats, these hairpieces will get you the look and the swagger. Try Colette Malouf Mesh Puff Flower Crocodile Clip, Zara 1920s Style Headband, Dorothy Perkins Brown Feather With Bead Centre Stretch Headband or Mother Plucker Red and Purple Side Feather Headband and get your drank on.

6. Mourning the loss of ruined winter shoes. It happens to us every year in the land of snow, sleet and freezing rain. We sacrifice a pair of shoes to keep our feet dry and warm. Although tragic, you can mourn your favorite defunct footwear in style by channeling superstar mob wives like Carmela Soprano, Sandra Corleone and Rosalie Aprile. Black and dramatic is the way to go with styles like these: Misaharada Valeska Hat, Comme des Garçons Bow Detail Hat and Lanvin Swarovski Crystal Pin-Embellished Straw Hat.

7. Frolicking and/or walking on water. Wouldn’t we all love to live in Mary Poppins’ wonderful world of animated fantasy? The answer is obviously yes. And although this may not be possible in a city as grimy as New York, you can still frolic about, wherever you are, in a bonnet of fantastic allure. Kokin White Rose Feathered Silk Hat, Bonnets 1870′S Bandeau Hat and Vintage Vine and Big Blossom Straw Hat will have you flying high like the whimsical Poppins herself.

Just because there’s torrential rain falling from the heavens doesn’t mean it’s not summer.  Check the humidity that just won’t give up.  There’s no way you can wear a trench and if you try a rain slicker you’ll be spending a good ten minutes peeling that thing from your skin once you get inside.  And let’s not forget about the foolishness of wearing rain boots.  So here’s a handy little guide on beating the heat (and humidity) while also staying reasonably dry.

As much of a pain in the ass as it is to carry an umbrella around, it’s totally necessary.  You can find a huge variety of cheapies around the city.  Go to Chinatown, Muji, Macy’s, Barneys, or Brooks Brothers, all with umbrellas ranging from $3 to $50.  By using an umbrella, you don’t have to drop a huge amount of coin on a windbreaker which–let’s face it–probably isn’t waterproof anyways.  And what rain does make it through?  It’ll feel damn good.For your top, wear a thin cotton button down.  A t-shirt is liable to get wet and stick to your body and when it dries, it’ll be wrinkled and unsightly.  Furthermore, t-shirts are extremely constricting in this weather.  You’re basically asking to get hot and sweaty (and not in the good, Al Green way).  You can leave the top few buttons undone and allow the shirt to breathe around you.  If a good breeze hits, it might even inflate the shirt and you’ll feel like you’re parachuting/Puff Daddy in that one Ma$e video.  That’s always a plus…if you’re particularly immature like I am.

Concerning your bottom?  Don’t wear pants, guys.  Most young men likely to frequent Fashion Indie probably also wear slim or skinny pants.  Your legs are the most likely part of you that will get wet.  If they do and you’re wearing pants, you’ll be extremely uncomfortable and it will take forever to dry.  If you’re wearing loose pants, you will still be extremely uncomfortable and probably look half-retarded.  Think about it–you’ll have your pants plastered to your shins while the rest droops off to the back.  Not a good look.

Go with a pair of shorts–preferably of a solid, darker color.  We don’t want the rain to soak through and show your privates off now, do we?

Now for the most daunting task of summer rainwear: the shoes.  You can always go the flip-flop route, but if you’re in a walking city, you might find it ‘icky’ or ‘eww-ie’ to leave your feet so exposed to the inevitable puddles you’ll have to traipse through.  If you can’t buck up, go for shoes that will dry fast, you won’t mind tossing, and that don’t look like you’re wearing them for those exact reasons.

Try going with plimsolls or the always reliable Vans and Chucks.  Or get your old-school Bruce Lee on with a pair of espadrilles which are being pushed hard this summer.  The shoes that make the most sense to wear, however, are some genuine boat shoes.  Seeing as they’re made to be worn on a boat, they should serve you well in rainy weather.

Finally, carry a tote.  A backpack’s going to extend too far out from the umbrella and get soaked, a messenger bag is just going to make things hotter.  A tote, however, stays close to your side, is of a quick-drying material, allows for a variety of patterns and styles for cheap and, most importantly, can hold a surprising amount of goods.

So there you have it.  How to stay cool in the summer without burning a hole in  your wallet, the rainy day edition.  A roundup of one suggested outfit culled from this article’s linked pieces below.

1. Navy and White Totes umbrella from Macy’s, $25

2. J. Crew Secret Wash lightweight point-collar poplin shirt, $59.50

3. Topman blue smart shorts, $50

4. United Bamboo Skull Tote, $50

5. Cole Haan Air Yacht Club boat shoes, $56.64

TITLE LOVE: McArthur Joseph

LINK LOVE: HighSnobiety

On March 16, 1966, at 704 E. Broadway, in Anaheim, California, Paul Van Doren and three partners opened up their first store. The Van Doren Rubber Company was unique in that it manufactured shoes and sold them directly to the public. On that first morning, 12 customers purchased Vans deck shoes, which are now known as Authentic. The shoes which were made that day were ready for pick-up in the afternoon.

Paul Van Doren was born and raised in Boston and started working for a shoe company in the city. Paul worked his way up the ranks and became the Executive Vice President of Randy’s, a Boston based shoe manufacturer. Randy’s was well known at the time and made canvas shoes for Bob Cousy, the flashy Boston Celtics legend who was later voted one of the top 50 NBA players of all time.

Paul was soon sent out to the California factory that was loosing a million dollars a month. Paul Van Doren, his brother Jim Van Doren and long time friend Gordon Lee were given the task of straightening out the factory, and after 8 months they turned the west coast factory around and it was doing better than the one back in Boston. Paul soon realized that he could be doing this work for himself, it was time to venture off and start his own company.

The company was formed with Paul and Serge owning 40% each and Jim and Gordon owning 10% each. It took a year to set up the factory at 704 East Broadway in Anaheim. It was built from scratch using old machinery the bought from all over the USA. It took a lot of machinery and was a lot harder to do then, compared was with todays modern processes. Since 1900 there had only been 3 companies that had manufactured vulcanized footwear in the US, Randy’s, Keds and Converse.

And now there was Vans…

The company continued to grow into the 1970s. During this period they also produced wool lined canvas and rubber mukluks under contract to the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force. Skateboarders who liked Vans rugged make-up and sticky sole were seen sporting Vans all over Southern California in the early 1970s. In 1975, the Vans #95, known today as the Era was designed by Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta. With a padded collar and different color combinations the Era became the shoe of choice for a generation of skateboarders. In 1979, Vans introduced the #44 shoe, and with the help of skateboarders and BMX riders the Vans Slip-On became all the rage in Southern California. By the end of the 1970s, Vans had 70 stores in California and sold through dealers both nationally and internationally.

After three years, Vans had paid back all creditors and emerged from bankruptcy. In 1988 Vans original owners sold out to an investment banking firm. The company has been sold several times since; most recently for $396 million in 2004 to Greensboro, N.C.-based VF Corp. Steve Van Doren, the son of co-founder Paul Van Doren, is still with the company, as is his sister Cheryl and his daughter Kristy. Vans began manufacturing footwear overseas in 1994, allowing for development of new shoe styles.

And on a closing note, the term “Off The Wall” was created from skateboarding legend John Cardiel.

LINK LOVE:HISTORY LESSON: Off The Wall

Loving these childlike Vans. The colors are so fresh, makes me want to give a white pair to my niece with a box of crayons and let her young mind run free…LINK LOVE: Highsnobiety

Offspring (the store not the band), and Vans are launching an exclusive toy collection to be given away with an Vans purchase at an Offspring store, in honor of the “off the wall” pack.  The toys are in original 1970s colors, and should be very popular among the Warped Tour crowd. I think they’re pretty sweet, but I am a fan of the whole Munny revolution.

Linkage: Hypebeast

Photos via Bbycks Blog and LIGHTS Blog

Have you been to Warped yet? I missed it in NY and NJ, and actually haven’t been in a couple years.

While a good majority of New York males have a decent sense of style, their shoe choices tend to revolve around dilapidated Converse, Nikes, Toms or Vans. But should I ever come across a guy rocking out the classically inspired, Southern California based Esquivel Shoes, I may very well kiss the ground he walks on. Made entirely by hand from the finest materials, veteran cobbler George Esquivel has dressed Grammy nominees to members of royal families with his stunning array of men’s dress shoes. Ranging from simple, classic oxfords to distressed lace-up boots, Esquivel has a shoe for every type of man whether he be sophisticated or flashy. So tell me, is there a Mrs. Esquivel, and if so, does she craft women’s shoes? I’ll cross my fingers! 

GALLERY: DESIGNER TO KNOW: Esquivel Shoes

Check out Esquivel Shoes here! 

Vans adds a fresh new look to their fall lineup, quilted slip ons in bright colors. I love these.

Via Hypebeast

These are hideous Vans by psychedelic artist Rick Griffin. Is that a bat eyeball on top of an angel heart that is being attacked by an alien? Someone please explain this to me.

SOURCE: High Snobiety

Not very PETA friendly, but still amazing!

SOURCE: gnarlitude

I’m pretty picky when it comes to shoes, but Surface to Air’s fall 2009 footwear collection is an instant success in my eyes. To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of wedge heels, but thanks to Surface to Air’s buckled wedge open and laced booties, I have a newfound optimism for the shoe. The open wedges have a slight gladiator vibe but are more of a shoe than they are a sandal. I can picture both of these wedge heels worn with either tights and a skirt or straight-leg pants. In addition to the wedge heels, the Don Giovanni-esque black and red boots are amazing. Their slight heel and combination suede, leather exterior make them a perfect addition to a simple, solid black outfit. On a worse note, the men’s ombre sneakers I can live without. Thanks, but I’d rather see my boys spray-paint a pair of Vans and save $200.

Surface to Air’s fall shoes are slated to hit stores come August. In the meantime, shop Surface to Air here! 

Thanks Pipeline!

Marisa Miller has just released images of her collaboration with Vans to release her own sneaker. If you ask me this was a bit of a mistake. Marisa is a Vicoria’s Secret model why did she chose Vans? She couldn’t do a high heel or something? This is pretty cheesy to me, and on top of that the sneaker is ugly. I’m willing to bet now no one ever even sees her wearing this shoes.