The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » vegan shoe http://www.thediscerningbrute.com fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:51:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Spring in your Step, Arn Mercantile, & Illegal American Hero http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/03/04/spring-in-your-step-arn-mercantile-illegal-american-hero/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/03/04/spring-in-your-step-arn-mercantile-illegal-american-hero/#comments Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:22:57 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=6507 Spring in your Step, Arn Mercantile, & Illegal American Hero
• John Fluevog's vegan shoe for spring is awesome! This tan and light-blue plaid oxford is made for rolled up pants, shorts, or anything that will show off your entire foot. $189 at fluevog.com, and it also come in two other colors from previou seasons. The green one is on sale for $129. • Arn [...]]]> Spring in your Step, Arn Mercantile, & Illegal American Hero
CBC (Sky Blue & Beige Plaid) • John Fluevog's vegan shoe for spring is awesome! This tan and light-blue plaid oxford is made for rolled up pants, shorts, or anything that will show off your entire foot. $189 at fluevog.com, and it also come in two other colors from previou seasons. The green one is on sale for $129. CBC (Navy Plaid)CBC (Evergreen Plaid) • Arn Mercantile is a work-wear inspired, classic menswear line using only organic cotton in all their garments. Here are a few selections from the new collection. http://www.arnmercantile.com/picture/sub.jpg?pictureId=7472234http://www.arnmercantile.com/picture/waistcoat%20hopsack%20sand.jpg?pictureId=8561624http://www.arnmercantile.com/picture/sub%20jkt%202p.jpg?pictureId=8561611 • Tim DeChristopher is an American Hero who has broken the law, like other heros before him - and you need to hear his story. Andy Stepanian of Sparrow Media wrote an great article on DeChristopher, and sent out this press release: This parcel was saved by Tim DeChristopher
"I understand that prison is a very horrible place, but I have been scared for my future for a long time and I think the scariest thing that I see is staying on the path that we are on now.  Obedience, to me, is far scarier then going to prison," - DeChristopher told The New York Times
Today I wrote an article for The Huffington Post about Tim DeChristopher and the selfless, creative, non-violent act civil disobedience that could have him spending years in prison.   Please share this article with friends, on twitter, facebook, tumblr, email, etc etc.   Visit http://350.org to learn more about climate change and how to stop it, learn about Tim's actions, what motivated them, and moreover how you can take action to bring us closer to a future with a sustainable and livable climate by visiting http://peacefuluprising.org.]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/03/04/spring-in-your-step-arn-mercantile-illegal-american-hero/feed/ 1 All About the Benjamin, Faux Faux Fur & Edible Furious Vulvas http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/11/04/all-about-the-benjamin-faux-faux-fur-edible-furious-vulvas/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/11/04/all-about-the-benjamin-faux-faux-fur-edible-furious-vulvas/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:31:05 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=2562 All About the Benjamin, Faux Faux Fur & Edible Furious Vulvas
The "Banjamin" from NOVACAS is making us drool. We love the direction in which NOVACAS has been going, first with their sleek Leo boot, and now with this smart cap-toe ankle boot. Keep 'em coming, NOVACAS! Our pal Pierre, from the HSUS recently exposed on the news how real dog fur is being sold as [...]]]> All About the Benjamin, Faux Faux Fur & Edible Furious Vulvas
The "Banjamin" from NOVACAS is making us drool. We love the direction in which NOVACAS has been going, first with their sleek Leo boot, and now with this smart cap-toe ankle boot. Keep 'em coming, NOVACAS! BenjaminNOVACAS Our pal Pierre, from the HSUS recently exposed on the news how real dog fur is being sold as faux. I have little patience as it is for idiots who think fur is fabulous, and this just adds fuel to the fire! Grrrr! FauxOrDog When was the last time you ate a delicious Furious Vulva? Blustocking Bobons by Lagusta's Luscious features these bittersweet chocolate vulva with pink peppercorns and Hawaiian pink sea salt, among other vegan chocolate creations like PB Cups and truffles! Check them out and get your chocolate fix while supporting organic, fair-trade, fresh and local ingredients! Placeholder photo.Photo of peanut butter cups.Box of eight nutty-flavored truffles. ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/11/04/all-about-the-benjamin-faux-faux-fur-edible-furious-vulvas/feed/ 1 Capstone Classic Laceups http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/10/05/capstone-classic-laceups/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/10/05/capstone-classic-laceups/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:03:39 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.com/?p=2309 Capstone Classic Laceups
This incredible, new "Leo" boot from Novacas is a landmark in mens' vegan shoes. This is what we've been waiting for! A simple, classic lace up boot that looks great casually half-laced with a pair of fitted jeans, or laced up completely under slacks. Thanks for setting a new standard, Novacas! Thanks to reader, Adnan [...]]]> Capstone Classic Laceups
This incredible, new "Leo" boot from Novacas is a landmark in mens' vegan shoes. This is what we've been waiting for! A simple, classic lace up boot that looks great casually half-laced with a pair of fitted jeans, or laced up completely under slacks. Thanks for setting a new standard, Novacas! Thanks to reader, Adnan for the tip! Available at Moo Shoes for $159 ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/10/05/capstone-classic-laceups/feed/ 3 Good Guys Don't Wear Leather http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/08/25/good-guys-dont-wear-leather/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/08/25/good-guys-dont-wear-leather/#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:45:11 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.com/?p=2050 Good Guys Don't Wear Leather
The French line, April77 collaborated on some vegan cowboy boots with YMC - and these faux-suede and faux-leather-soled bad boys are only for the good guys. The Cowboy Boots are the first in a long line of cruelty-free shoes coming from April77. The designer Brice Partouche, is vegan. More recently from the collection are these [...]]]> Good Guys Don't Wear Leather
april-77-cruelty-free-boots.jpg The French line, April77 collaborated on some vegan cowboy boots with YMC - and these faux-suede and faux-leather-soled bad boys are only for the good guys. The Cowboy Boots are the first in a long line of cruelty-free shoes coming from April77. The designer Brice Partouche, is vegan. More recently from the collection are these awesome Buck Shoes that come in black, tan, and navy. If you are in Paris, you can purchase these shoes at the April77 flagship store. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until the April77 Market is launched (they tell us SOON!) PS - We totally agree! Good guys don't wear leather. Wanna know why? Click here. ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/08/25/good-guys-dont-wear-leather/feed/ 0 Win a pair of NOHARM shoes! http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/03/28/win-a-pair-of-noharm-shoes/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/03/28/win-a-pair-of-noharm-shoes/#comments Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:06:29 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.com/?p=1166 Win a pair of NOHARM shoes!
Are you a size 9? The Discerning Brute has teamed up with NOHARM to give away a pair of snazzy vegan ankle boots in US size 9! You can easily win these handsome leather-free shoes worth $300! Wowee! So, why don't we dig leather here at DB? Find out. CLICK HERE to enter.]]> Win a pair of NOHARM shoes!
Are you a size 9? The Discerning Brute has teamed up with NOHARM to give away a pair of snazzy vegan ankle boots in US size 9! You can easily win these handsome leather-free shoes worth $300! Wowee! So, why don't we dig leather here at DB? Find out. CLICK HERE to enter.]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/03/28/win-a-pair-of-noharm-shoes/feed/ 0 Naked Nudies, SDN Eco-Bandit, Waxed Spring Peacoat & Rachel Comey Spills Out Some Vegan Shoes http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/03/09/naked-nudies-sdn-eco-bandit-waxed-spring-peacoat-rachel-comey-spills-out-some-vegan-shoes/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/03/09/naked-nudies-sdn-eco-bandit-waxed-spring-peacoat-rachel-comey-spills-out-some-vegan-shoes/#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:43:36 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.com/?p=1091 Naked Nudies, SDN Eco-Bandit, Waxed Spring Peacoat & Rachel Comey Spills Out Some Vegan Shoes
There's nothing we like better than slim organic jeans, eco-bandits, waxed-cotton spring peacoats, and vegan, canvas oxfords! Well, maybe total animal liberation. In the meantime, get the organic Nudie 'Long John' at OAK NYC, the Rachel Comey 'Spiller' shoe at Gimme Shoes, the organic SDN collection at sarahdixonsnova.com or if you're in NYC, Treehouse, and [...]]]> Naked Nudies, SDN Eco-Bandit, Waxed Spring Peacoat & Rachel Comey Spills Out Some Vegan Shoes
There's nothing we like better than slim organic jeans, eco-bandits, waxed-cotton spring peacoats, and vegan, canvas oxfords! Well, maybe total animal liberation. In the meantime, get the organic Nudie 'Long John' at OAK NYC, the Rachel Comey 'Spiller' shoe at Gimme Shoes, the organic SDN collection at sarahdixonsnova.com or if you're in NYC, Treehouse, and the Spiewak bad-ass waxed peacoat at Alter. (Thanks to reader, Troy (A Kindness of Ravens) for the shoe tip!)
NOTE: I do believe there may be a leather belt-loop-label on the Nudie's. Find out why you won't like leather here.
Spiller sdnbandit]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/03/09/naked-nudies-sdn-eco-bandit-waxed-spring-peacoat-rachel-comey-spills-out-some-vegan-shoes/feed/ 0 SPRING 08 STYLE REPORT: Slim Lounge, Urban Sport & Back to Nature http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/01/30/spring-08-style-report-slim-lounge-urban-sport-back-to-nature/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/01/30/spring-08-style-report-slim-lounge-urban-sport-back-to-nature/#comments Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:28:52 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.wordpress.com/?p=34 SPRING 08 STYLE REPORT: Slim Lounge, Urban Sport & Back to Nature
by DB Style Director, Jodi Taylor DB Special Comment: Jodi Taylor is a fashion designer and stylist living in New York City. She is also my roommate and business partner in our vegan, organic, dinner party catering company "Savory & Seed". Her comprehensive Spring 2008 Men's fashion report serves as evidence of her fashion expertise [...]]]> SPRING 08 STYLE REPORT: Slim Lounge, Urban Sport & Back to Nature
by DB Style Director, Jodi Taylor Jodi Taylor DB Special Comment: Jodi Taylor is a fashion designer and stylist living in New York City. She is also my roommate and business partner in our vegan, organic, dinner party catering company "Savory & Seed". Her comprehensive Spring 2008 Men's fashion report serves as evidence of her fashion expertise and as a tool to inspire fashion decisions based on current trends. * NOTE: Many of the runway images used in this report are for inspirational purposes only, as the designers use leather , fur, and wool products. Springtime is always refreshing. Shedding the heavy winter jacket and lightening up the wardrobe with new spring looks can make you feel like a dapper gent. This spring, my three favorite looks are Slim Lounge, Urban Sport & Back to Nature. All of these themes are easy to incorporate into your current wardrobe. Choose the one that suits you the best so you feel comfortable and confident…you want to own the style not vice versa. Here is how to keep up with the seasons top trends while staying squeaky-green! 1.SLIM LOUNGE Givenchy spring 2008Valentino Spring 08
  • For this style, think 70’s lounge meets gangster with a little rock & roll .
  • Wear a 3-piece suit relaxed, and unbutton the first few buttons of your shirt.
  • Don’t be afraid of the ascot or a slim light cotton scarf. If you need a little help tying your tie or scarf click HERE.
  • Try mixing a subtle print and texture as well as vintage pieces to your collection.
  • Go thrifting and look for pieces to add to your wardrobe like a printed polo or a slim fit button up.
  • If you wear a tie, do it skinny, easy to get vintage.
The 70’s lounge look is a little tricky, don’t overdo it otherwise it will end up looking a little too theatrical.
The color palette for this look should be subdued. Chose smooth and charismatic colors that will go from day to night; charcoals and shades of gray, navy, black and khaki. Add a little warmth to your ensemble with a muted lavender or teal. Stay subtle in color and pattern, but combine it with a two-tone suit or a printed shirt under a plain vest or blazer to make a statement. Classic black & white also works for this look and is a simple solution that’s always in. Etro Sping 2008 key items for this look:
  • crisp button up with a more pronounced collar
  • fitted slacks & blazer that give you a slim silhouette
  • white jeans
  • printed polo shirts
  • loafers
  • tapered white pants
How to get it: The jacket and vest - I love this Dogtooth shawl collar waistcoat and skinny blazer, both 100% cotton at Topman. WaistcoatSkinny Blazer If you can’t find your 70’s style button up shirt vintage try this organic us made button down collar shirt at Boll Organic. I also recommend Ted Baker and Paul Smith for the best fit and hottest look.. don’t freak out - they're worth the price! The printed polo – For the cool pastel print polo to wear with your black skinny jeans and plimsoles, get the placement print polo shirt at asos.com Printed Polo Must have the Hot skinny jeans - Acne makes a great beige pair available at www.barneys.com Or for more texture I like these white painted jeans from topman.com Acne Jeanspainted jeans For the shoes I recommend these Brown faux wingtips or loafers by NOHARM, sharp! Buys these babies on Togged. NOHARM wingtips If you need a bag, like I do, complete the look with this faux-leather “Dirty Harry” briefcase by Matt & Nat. Dirty Harry 2. URBAN SPORT Admen spring 2008 Ferragamo Spring is for Sport and getting in shape, so lets prep it up with comfy style and small pops of color. Think street sport meets country club. Achieve this look with casual knits paired with technical fabric pieces and carefully selected accessories. This easy to wear style is inspired by tennis, soccer and is a fusion of tough meets refined.
  • layers and neutral base colors are key for this look
  • tees and polos with trim, cropped, cotton trousers
  • track jackets over washed button ups with scarves & gloves
  • don’t forget a little aristocratic embellishment like a coat of arms patch or pin but do it vintage and apply it yourself for the best results!
This look definitely requires the right attitude, so wear the mood along with the look.
The colors for this look are the basic neutrals: black, gray, khaki and white used in combination with small pops of color that make the look, like deep red, blue, and yellow. Essential items for this look:
  • wind breaker
  • crop pants
  • track jackets
  • no sox or ankle sox
  • tennis shoes, shorts
  • fun accessories like the fingerless gloves
  • sheer textural summer scarf
How to get it: I suggest you put this look together with these must-have items. The Polo – Get this handsome fair trade, organic cotton slim fit “Jaguar Polo” at Adili. Fair Trade Polo The Wind Breaker - “Rasta Rain Coat” from the eco-friendly skaters at ipath. Wind Breaker The track jacket – This 100% organic cotton loomstate track jacket is great, get it at the greenloop. I also suggest the Hemp track Jacket available at ipath. LoomstateHemp Track Jacket The Pants and Shorts – Wear the tapered cotton trousers with a crisp or messy cuff. The cotton, 'Pringle of Scotland' pants are at Saks. The crop pant is more affordable at Topman. Get great navy seersucker shorts or if you would rather gray cut off sweat- shorts both cotton and both available at RPM Clothing. (Remember, cutoff sweats are cheap and easy to make yourself!) Pringle of Scotland Cropped Trousers SeersuckerCutoff Shorts The tee – Choose from Edun's wide selection of organic tees, I like the "Cameo" & "twisted tree" avaliable from Edun. Tree TeeEdun Tee - Cameo The Scarf – I love this white checker, light weight cotton “Wem” scarf at equip, or just get it from the street vendors on St Marks place if you're in New York. Wem Scarf The shoes – We saw chrome lace-ups on the runway for spring from Gucci.
Gucci Chrome
You can work this look with the vegan slim shoe like the lace up canvas “plimsole” in silver or white from Asos. Silver PlimsolesWhite Plimsole Boat Shoe - On the Gucchi Spring '08 runway, we also saw these sporty, nautical themed shoes: Gucci BoatGo for the original (and vegan) classics at Sperry Top-Sider. Also available in white & khaki.  *READER JASON informs us these have leather laces!! Yuck! steer clear. Sperry The Gloves – Yellow cotton fingerless gloves can complete the look, get them at topman. Yellow Fingerless The Bag – this vegan white tote is where it’s at for sporty style “Dunlap Retro Bag” available at topman, or this PVC-free, vegan Parapete canvas and gun-metal chrome tote at Amazon. PVC Retro Bag Parapete Tote 3.BACK TO NATURE Helmut Lang Spring 2008 Varvatos Take winter into spring with this seemingly effortless look…being green has never been so trendy. This season the raw, organic, recycled look is in with an influence of military styling.
  • Be slightly disheveled, push up your sleeves don’t iron the shirt; relax because it just adds character.
  • Go for oversize jackets, linen pants & raw denim.
  • Feel complete in soft jersey henleys & the broken in button up.
  • Accessorize with wooden prayer beads, ethnic scarves with coins and other worldly charms that you find along the way.
The color palette for this style is elegant, yet rugged - let the palette and textures of your wardrobe reflect the variegations and subtleties in nature and the city. Neutral & weathered gray, pale green & khaki work well and let you be a part of the city and nature at the same time. The must have items are:
  • the worn in blazer or coat
  • the perfect long sleeve henley
  • the linen cargo pant
  • the ethnic scarf
  • prayer beads
  • a cool, conscious attitude
How to get the look: Synchronize the style with the following items; The Jacket – This piece will transition from winter to spring perfectly – “Warsaw” trench in olive, 100% cotton, or go for a lighter jacket like the Nice collective “Event Jacket” both available @ frankeys.com Warsaw TrenchEvent Jacket The organic tee – hooded, washed & ready to go, get this shark gray cotton hoodie by NSF at Barneys. organic hooded tee The Linen Pant - give your legs some omega 3's with this organic cotton/linen(AKA flax) pant from Edun. The “shillingford” military pants available at Saks: Organic Linen (flax) pant. Organic Jeans – These Nudie, dry-aged organic jeans are a hit, get em at Tobi. Nudie Organic The Scarf – deep red check, light weight cotton summer scarf at topman, or if you live in New York, just get it from the street vendors on St Mark's Place for cheap. Mini check The Beads – Support Tibetan artisans while relaxing and chanting your mantra of choice with this Dark bodhi Seed Mala necklaces at dharmashop. Beads The Bag – Feed Hungry children around the world with this cool “feed” tote that matches your style at amazon.com. Feed ChidrenFeed Chidren]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/01/30/spring-08-style-report-slim-lounge-urban-sport-back-to-nature/feed/ 4 The Semiotics of OSPOP http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/01/24/the-semiotics-of-ospop/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/01/24/the-semiotics-of-ospop/#comments Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:09:24 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/the-semiotics-of-ospop/ The Semiotics of OSPOP
One Small Point of Pride. As a counterpoint to Veblen's 'Theory of the Leisure Class' in which fashion functions to allow the wealthy to stand out as icons of leisure due to their mobility-limiting and extravagant attire - which both prevent them from doing manual labor and require the help of servants to both put [...]]]> The Semiotics of OSPOP
ospop logo
One Small Point of Pride.
As a counterpoint to Veblen's 'Theory of the Leisure Class' in which fashion functions to allow the wealthy to stand out as icons of leisure due to their mobility-limiting and extravagant attire - which both prevent them from doing manual labor and require the help of servants to both put on the garb and maintain the garments integrity, OSPOP's iconography invokes working-class pride. It also directly helps the shoemakers of Wen County. In 2007, OSPOP created an education fund in Wen County - a rural wheat harvesting and coal mining community in the Henan Province of central China also known for producing rubber-soled canvas trainers for over 50 years. The fund was established to provide those qualified high-school seniors who cannot afford to attend university studies with financial assistance. pinewheat greenpine2 The shoemakers of Wen County joined forces with the creators of OSPOP, who traveled to Wen County's Tienlang (Skywolf) Shoes Factory. Together, they improved the design and comfortability of the shoes, and made them available to the global market. Now you can own a pair of these vegan, socially responsible sneaks. Purchasing info at OSPOP.com worker shoes
DB's Etiquette Recommendation: Just because it was made in China does not mean it's a sweatshop. By taking responsibility for our purchases (in knowing who, what, where, how and why products are made) we can put our money to good use - and get a nice functional product out of it. We have the internet - so do your homework before you buy something - and take full responsibility for what you put your money into when you do.
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