Savvy Advice from Chantal Gordon

When I was interviewed for Riviera Magazine this past June, I had no idea I would find a lasting fashion friend in my interviewer. Recently I met up again with Chantal Gordon, now the San Diego Shopping Editor for NBC's new culture website TheFeast.com, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to get some insight from a fashion alumni.



Suck My Savvy: Since relocating to San Diego from the East Coast, what differences in menswear are most notable to you between the coasts? Is there an overall difference in how men view fashion/style that has to do with something other than the weather?

Chantal: Most notably to me, of course, is the difference in casualness -- the boxy sunglasses, the shorts, the flip-flops in nice restaurants. Between living here and in LA, I've probably seen more men's feet in the past 6 years than I did in all my 20 years living on the East Coast... Which is sort of icky to acknowledge out loud.

That said, surf culture is a totally legit fashion culture of its own. And I very much dig that. SD brands like Nixon, DC Shoes, and Reef all do really exciting, progressive takes on performance wear and athletic wear. It's what the fashion world likes to call "sportif," but in this case, it's not a bandwagon thing -- it's totally legit and authentic. In other words, when you see East Coast designers doing surf-inspired Neoprene pieces -- or Vogue doing a shoot with Rob Machado and Blake Lively in Cardiff -- that really speaks to SD's relevance in the style conversation.

As for influences other than the weather... hmmm. I'd say SD's style is pretty inextricably tied to its climate. But -- there is this lack of pretense that I think stems from the whole cultural rivalry between SD and LA.

Also -- excitingly -- I've been seeing so many stylish guys popping up here lately. (I think they've been reading SuckMySavvy!) At Craft and Commerce, at El Dorado, at gallery and museum events. I think sometimes when a guy is really bringing his A-game and really taking a risk with what he wears, part of it could be a reaction against that "board shorts and flip-flops" stereotype that bedevils SD. To show that we're so much more than that. Which I love.

I think stylish guys get to stand out more in S.D., differentiate themselves. Because in NY, you go to a cool bar, and 90 percent of the men look amazing -- and sort of similar, style-wise. So for guys here, the notion of being "the best dressed man in the room" is totally within reach, and can totally be used to one's advantage.



Suck My Savvy: What items, icons, or concepts do you see being incorporated currently with the Fall/Winter season in menswear? Any specific fits, colors, textures, and looks that you see as guiding this season?

Chantal: Steve McQueen! Yves Saint Laurent the man! I'm all about the turtleneck as seen on Steve McQueen and YSL, and think every guy would do well to go out and get him a properly fitting one.

As for trends - I know it seems like every season editors are touting "military," but this F/W, it's a very specific kind of military look, that of British Special Forces, as seen in forest green knits, heavy-duty boots and Army-Navy jackets.



Suck My Savvy: What do you predict for next F/W season, or preferably what would you like to see menswear headed next F/W?

Chantal: I'm a sucker for the skinny '60s suits that have dominated over the past few years, but I'm predicting -- and sort of hoping, in spite of myself -- that double-breasted '40s suits (with the sharp, almost sinister lapels) will continue to gain more of a mainstream appeal. The only problem is that they can either look fantastic or hideous, and never something in-between. So it's a tricky look to pull off.



Suck My Savvy: In San Diego, our F/W season seems to last only one or two months. What tips/suggestions do you have for keeping cold weather garments incorporated in one's wardrobe all year long? Or rather, what Fall items do you believe are acceptable for wear well into Spring/Summer?

Chantal: Chukka boots like these (link) will last you all year long. Get one pair in neutral, and another in a more adventurous shade (or a sneaker-hybrid version) and you can wear them with your skinny wool pants during winter, and a fresh pair of seersucker shorts come the Fourth of July.





Toro y Moi — "Still Sound" (2010)