How to be a fashionable farmboy

Out's September fashion story "The Migrants," shot by Walter Chin, features some of fall's hottest runway looks and was shot on location at an upstate New York farm. We asked Out's editorial and fashion assistant, Brent Coover, to instruct us on the fine art of adding a few key pieces to your wardrobe -- without looking like a country bumpkin.

All Photos by Walter Chin

Dolce & Gabbana's equestrian inspired runway show featured tailored pants and luxe riding boots paired with chunky scarves and sweaters. The result encompasses masculine ease but isn't sloppy. Grab those loose knit pieces that look handmade, but not homely.

The problem with shearling is that it is so sexy. Who doesn't fantasize about a lumberjack or a farmhand? But on common boys or city folk, it can easily seem silly and like you're trying too hard. This Marc Jacobs jacket (above left) with shearling collar and lining, however, has a modern and fresh cut and color.

Playing with proportions is definitely something to take note of, though it may not be for everyone. Alexander McQueen's shawl collar cardigan (above right) is a prime example -- it would look great with suiting pieces or just a great pair of worn-in jeans.

Let's be honest, no one actually looks this good chopping up trees. Then again, no one wears head-to-toe Gucci while gathering firewood. But look at that beautiful leather jacket with fur collar! Definitely a must-have item.

Plaid, whether tartan or bold, woven cotton or knit wool, is a necessary purchase if you don't already own. It was around last year and by the looks of this Yohji Yamamoto jacket (above left), it really isn't going anywhere.

An entire pony hair trench, like this Burberry (above right), is a tough one albeit beautiful. It's a nice variation from the usual textures. Try a pony hair belt or pony loafers.

The great thing about these brown D&G leather cargo pants is that they have that worn-in look and yet the cut is entirely new. Check out the elastic finish at the hem. We've been seeing this on all kinds of trousers, including knit pants in cashmere, wool, and cotton, which was an overwhelming trend.

The lesson to be learned from this Calvin Klein look: feel free to mix textures, fabrics, and colors, especially when dressing in less than common materials like suede.

To see more from the shoot and other fall fashion, head over to Out.com.

-- BRENT COOVER

The NY Post's primer for fall fashion magazine madness

Photo: Getty Images

Sadly, the end of summer always means saying goodbye to carefree days of beaching, bbq-ing, and spotting bare chested men jogging around the city (at least if you live in New York City). But, thankfully, it also heralds the arrival of the annual cavalcade of two-inch thick fall fashion magazines. Though we wish we had the time to sprawl out on our chaise lounge with a highball full of lemonade and thumb through each and every issue that made eyes at us from the newsstand racks, there simply isn't enough time.

Luckily, the New York Post's Maureen Callahan has whipped up an easy-to-use guide to the hits, misses, and must-sees from six of the top most anticipated fall issues including Vogue, Elle, W, and Harper's Bazaar. Using a scale from one to four lips, Callahan gives a CliffsNotes blow-by-blow of what you can't miss -- Vogue's interview with Alexander McQueen (above with Janet Jackson) "with five pages of looks from his new collection inspired by the super-knotty 16th century elm tree on his property and Elle's fashionable threesome featuring Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale from the High School Musical series -- and what you should skip -- Callahan says "the styling and photos in [InStyle's] features, including the Uma Thurman story, are a bore" and she isn't "a fan of the lingering Olsen-twin bag-lady eclecticism" found in this issue of Elle.

Does Callahan get everything right? Of course not -- she finds the stunning W shoot with former Out cover girl Tilda Swinton "arty" and "weird." We disagree! But for those of us with not nearly enough time on our hands to make it through the combined 3,420 pages awaiting us if we were to buy all six issues, her handy two-page primer delivers a surefire head start to cure the end of the summer blues with a little -- or a lot of -- fall fashion.

-- NOAH MICHELSON

No Love For Posh's Men's Denim Line; Marc Jacobs--Denied!; Hedi Slimane The Muse; Showing Some Ankle the Right Way; Alexander McQueen Online

Photo: Getty Images

Despite the continued success of Rock n' Republic denim, it turns out retailers aren't quite as excited about Victoria Beckham's men's line from her other denim collection, dVb.  Retailers are unwilling to stock the baggier, more casual denim because of poor sales and her shoddy promotions.  Put her husband in those jeans with an oiled body and no shirt--we'll pick up a few pairs then. [This Is London]

Marc Jacobs rolled into the 303 Gallery in Chelsea apparently looking "scruffy and homeless," according to the employee who asked him to leave when he didn't recognize him.  Though Jacobs left without any hoopla, the poor low-level staffer was fired on the spot when the owner found out. [NYP]

While Hedi Slimane has always been a muse of sorts for us, he is now the inspiration behind the debut issue of Vogue Homme in Japan.  However, it doesn't stop there.  Not only is the 20-page spread being modeled after his own skinny boyish type model, but he is also photographing the whole thing for the magazine. Does this man ever stop? (We hope not.) [WWD]

So we all know that cropped pants are raging this summer; and that means you have to show off your ankles sans socks (you aren't Michael Jackson, after all).  Word to the wise: don't go sockless. Slippery, sweaty leather is just as gross as the smell that will come from it. [NYT]

Alexander McQueen launches his online store today.  You're only a click away from fur hats, ponchos and, at least, a good pair of boots. For $50 extra, Manhattanites can get their clothes same day if ordered before noon. [WWD]

-- SETH PLATTNER

Paris Fashion Week Roundup; New Trend from Paris: Man Leggings!; Designer Deejays; Kanye's Mystery Man? And a Shoe Line?!; Brooks and Brown Together Forever

Photo: Getty Images

The men's shows in Paris ended yesterday and we're still in a fashion flurry.  Word on the rue is that Galliano's show was not to be missed...for whatever reason. [The Cut]

Photographer Nick Night got out his address book to hit up some of his fabulous designer friends for their "talents" in the deejay booth.  He'll feature some big names (Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Naomi Campbell among others) to spin live on his website, Showstudio.com, starting July 9th.  The thought of Naomi Campbell with an EP in her hand is a scary thought.  Heads could literally roll. [WWD]

Prada had skirts for men last Spring; this season we've already seen man clutches and man wedges; and now, the latest feminine trend to show in Europe? Man leggings.  And I always thought menswear set the trends for womenswear.  Lindsey Lohan must be so excited. [The Cut]

Kanye West was seen around Paris with a mystery fashion friend in tow.  Who could he be?  A female presence has been noticeably absent in Kanye's life, and if the boy finally did finally pick up the bat for the other team, let's hope it's not this guy. [The Cut]

Speaking of Mr. West, he's now reportedly working on his own shoe line with Louis Vuitton, which will be followed by a womenswear line this fall.  Kanye, baby, we're all waiting for you outside that big fashion closet you so resiliently reside in. [Fashionista]

Thom Browne and Brooks Brothers have extended their deal to keep Mr. Browne on as a guest designer until at least 2011 for the Brooks Brothers Black Fleece collection.  He's also expected to reveal plans for a freestanding Black Fleece store in NYC's Greenwich Village.  Wall Streeters now have three more years to look a little bit cooler. [DNR]

More Miley Cyrus (because you love it); SJP Doing McQueen?; The Met's Costume Institue benefit; Ben Pamies (yum)

Photo: Getty Images

Still haven't heard enough about Miley Cyrus' scandalous (read: fabulous) Vanity Fair cover?  Neither have we, because now the upper echelon of the magazine world are weighing in.  Everyone from ELLE's Roberta Myers to GQ's Jim Nelson to former editor of VF Tina Brown (!) are giving their two cents. [The Cut]

The Sex and the City movie hits theaters in a mere 25 days, so why did SJP spend all day Saturday with Alexander McQueen for a fitting?  Is she prepping for her big premiere?  Or maybe she's being outfitted for tonight's Met gala?  In any case, we're dying to see her in one of his Victorian goth creations that came down the runway in February.  [Fashionista]

Speaking of tonight's Costume Institute Ball at NYC's Metropoliltan Museum of Art, our favorite designers are dragging along their favorite celebrity muses to tonight's event, each one dressed to the nines like the label whoring mannequins that we've come to expect.  Among others, Chanel will have Kate Bosworth, Thandie Newton and Audrey Tautou in tow, and Peter Som is attending with Maggie Gyllenhaal. We, on the other hand, will have Ben and Jerry. [WWD]

Let's be honest, male models are the real driving force of the fashion world.  Ben Pamies is leading the way... [Queerty]

Pete Wentz Does Nordstrom; McQueen to Show in NYC; Project Runway Update; Shopping Habits of Straight Men

Photo: Getty Images

Fall Out Boy frontman (and Popnography's  favorite boy in eyeliner) Pete Wentz will debut an exclusive collection of jeans, t-shirts, hoodies for Nordstrom. While the clothes will be available in the young women's section of the store, he hopes that some boys will pick them up too. Clearly, he's angling for the tween homo market. It kind of fits in with his whole "I'm kinda sorta but not really bisexual because its kinda punk rock" reputation. I hope black eyeliner is the free gift with purchase! [WWD]

Alexander McQueen will stage a mini fashion show of his Fall/Winter 2008 collection in NYC next week. [FWD] That is, if the burst pipes in his showroom didn't destroy everything he planned to show. [Fashionista]

If you haven't had your fill of Project Runway gossip, here's quite a bit more: Tim Gunn called Christian Siriano the Marc Jacobs of his generation. Sometimes Stylelist contributor and our BFF Malan Breton said being a reality TV star doesn't help his game but instead makes it more difficult to get a date or a piece of ass. Rami Kashou wants to sell out and design for Donna Karan or Oscar de le Renta and doesn't pay attention to Christian's success. [The Cut]

Are straight men intersted in fashion again or are they finally listening to their girlfriends and wives who whine "Why don't you dress a little more like my gay BFF?" [Times UK]

The Fall Crave: Alexander McQueen for Samsonite Black Label

All Photos: Courtesy of Flight 001

Here's an all-too-familiar scenario: You're waiting at the airport baggage claim and 300 nearly-identical black bags slide onto the conveyor belt. Undoubtedly, someone grabs the wrong bag and trots to their destination to find a bag full of panties and lingerie when they were expecting Gucci loafers and A.P.C. jeans.

Enter visionary designer Alexander McQueen. His spooky-yet-striking designs for Samsonite's Black Label resulted in a chic, ultralight, ABS plastic-and-leather, trolley bag that is shaped like a human torso—replete with a ribcage and backbone. The tow-bar retracts into the case to become a backbone—literally. Imagine Samsonite with a dash of Frankenstein or Dracula and a pinch of camp.

The 22" tall, six pound, carry-on includes a luggage tag, a TSA-approved combination lock, three zebra-print bags for shoes and laundry—and a matching cover that allows the wheels to spin during those last-minute dashes through the airport to catch your flight.

More photos after the jump!