Outfit of the Week: Adventures with White Pants

Pants: Banana Republic, Shirt: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Belt: Ralph Lauren, Glasses: Ray-Ban 

Summer is the best time to break out your white pants. For this look I styled my white chinos with a basic brown loafer, and blue gingham shirt. For the shoes I kept it simple with a dark brown, sheepskin loafer from Johnston & Murphy. This shoe has really worked well for me this summer. I have worn it with a wide variety of outfits from suits, to more casual looks like this one. 

After owning these white pants for around a month now, they have become a style necessity. When I am putting together an outfit I always start with one piece. Lately I've been leaning towards these white chinos from Banana Republic. If you look through my Instagram (@nwilliamsphotos), you will see the pants pop up time after time. They go great with this more casual look, but throw on a blazer and you are ready for a night out on the town, or that big meeting you have at work. 

I paired these pants with a Brooks Brothers Red Fleece shirt. To me, fit is of the utmost importance. I've worn Brooks Brothers Regent fit (slim fit) classic shirts for quite sometime, but find that their Red Fleece collection shirts have a bit more of a tailored feel. They also are not cut as long, so one can in fact wear them untucked. 

To really set this outfit apart I added in a few bracelets to give it a little something extra. The round bead bracelets are from Our Saints, and the quad wrap rope bracelet is from House of Abbydale. By throwing in a few bracelets you can really set yourself apart from the crowd and show even more personal style. 

Quick Style Tip: Don't be afraid of color

So often while shopping, we find ourselves playing it safe and sticking to safe colors. While I recommend building your wardrobe up with more basic and versatile colors first, every once in a while I find it refreshing to throw a pop of color into my wardrobe that I don't quite know what to do with at first. Below the dark teal pants are my example of a more unique color 

Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Shirt: Brooks Brothers, Blazer: Banana Republic, Tie: Jcrew, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Pocket Square: bows-n-ties.com. Glasses: Burberry, Belt: Ralph Lauren 

To be quite honest, I bought these pants about a few months ago and they have really rather puzzled me until this past weekend. When trying to put an outfit together with a more unique color, try throwing in more basic and neutral colors to go with it. The white shirt, and solid navy knit tie go with practically anything. The same goes for the grey textured blazer. These pants could very easily be replaced by navy, or khaki pants, and if you don't own already own both buy those first. 

Pants: Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, Shirt: Brooks Brothers, Blazer: Banana Republic, Tie: Jcrew, Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, Pocket Square: bows-n-ties.com. Glasses: Burberry, Belt: Ralph Lauren 

Bottom Line: Personal style is something that is developed over a period of time. When you have a solid collection of pieces the next step is integrating colors that are more unique. While they are less versatile if paired correctly they can go toward creating a fantastic outfit that is going to really stand out. 

Time on the wrist: SevenFriday P2-1

Photo: Noah Williams Media

SevenFriday is a watch company based out of Zürich. With this company you aren't buying the heritage of the brand, you are buying the modern design aesthetic  ingrained in the brand. 

Photo: Alec Hutchins Photography

With a 47mm face, this is not a watch to be worn subtly. The bold lines incorporated in the design, paired with the intricate details of the face itself are very visually appealing. The watch pairs nicely with a wide variety of  outfits. It can be dressed up as shown above, or paired with a more casual outfit shown below. 

Photo: Noah Williams Media

To touch on the technical details, the P2 boasts a automatic movement with open balance wheel on Miyota 82S7. Upon removal the watch will continue to keep time for several hours after not being worn, so you don't have to worry about constantly resetting it after not wearing it. I found that after wearing the watch for the day, I could take it off before bed, and when I got up it was still keeping time.  As far as wearability goes yes the watch is heavy, but no more than one would expect from a watch with a 47mm face. The square shape of the face, with the rounded off edges give the watch a very streamlined look. The design of the face complements the size, and SevenFriday did a great job using their space wisely. I didn't find that the face was unnecessarily large for the watch.  

Photo: Alec Hutchins Photography 

This is a watch for the person who likes to stand out. The large face, and bold design make the watch standout quite a bit. This is not a subtle watch, and is definitely one the pieces that gets a lot of attention when I wear it. While it isn't quite elegant enough to wear with a tux, as you can see I have paired it quite nicely with a fairly formal look. This watch really is versatile in the outfits you can wear it with. 

The Bottom Line: This really is a great watch. From the design, to the build quality it really has impressed me. That being said, you definaly are paying for the uniqueness of this watch. At $1,250 ($1,350 after tax) it is not a cheap watch. For that price point it is competing with Tag Heur, and vintage Rolex watches. When it comes down to it, if this watch is really for you and fits your personal style you will know it. This watch is very aesthetically bold, and makes a great statement piece. If you are someone who is very fashion forward I say go for it!

Link to watch: http://www.sevenfriday.com/sevenfriday-p2.html

The 3 Outfits You Need To Pack For Your Summer Weekend Getaway

It's Mid-June, the days are long, warm, and full of adventure. You pack your car Friday, and head out with friends for a weekend full of memory making times. Here are the three outfits that you need to pack to make sure you are ready for anything. 

Suit, shirt, and shoes: Jcrew

Look 1: The Suit

You are a classy guy, you like eating at fancy restaurants and want to look the part without seeming to stuffy. For this look we paired a gray Jcrew Ludlow suit, blue suede shoes, and an oxford half-button short sleeved shirt. Normally I prefer long sleeve button-downs but for this look, and the heat relief that the shirt gives, it works. Want to throw in a tie too? Sure, go ahead that will work as shown below. 

Suit, shirt, shoes: Jcrew. Tie: Izod. 

Shoes, Shirt, Swim Trunks: Jcrew 

Look 2: The Causal Swim

Ditch the baggy swim trunks you bought for $5 at Walmart and pick up some from Jcrew that add a little flair to the outfit. Notice Simms is still wearing the henley/button-down hybrid shirt from the last look. This really speaks to the versatility of the shirt. Throw in a pair of striped espadrilles and you are good to hit the pool in style, and stand out. 

Shoes: Jcrew, Shirt/Pants: Ralph Lauren, Bag: Orvis

Look 3: All white

With a bit of color thrown in for good measure this is a look as timeless as Ralph Lauren and Land Rover. It's no secret white is the ideal color for battling Summer heat, and with a fun colored belt, and the ever quintessential brown driving shoe thrown in this look will make you look like you own the place. 

Checkout the gallery below for alternate angles of the outfits. 

How to wear: Dressing up the polo shirt

Shirt: Ralph Lauren, Blazer: J. Lindeberg, Pocket Square: J Crew, Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Watch: Daniel Wellington 

We all own one, it's been the staple of your wardrobe since you can remember. The polo shirt originated in tennis with the sole purpose of replacing the tradition dress shirts that tennis players wore that were far to hot and cumbersome to play in. The polo shirt is something that we have all worn with shorts and sneakers for a long time, but it's potential can go far beyond that. 

Shirt: Ralph Lauren, Blazer: J. Jindeberg, Pocket Square: J Crew, Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Watch: Daniel Wellington , Shoes: Cole Haan, Bracelets: Kjp, Our Saints. 

Living in the southern region of the U.S., during the summer my go-to outfit is shown above. I am all about being well dressed, and put-together but when it's 90 degrees outside and I've got a full day of running around from meetings to shoots a dress shirt simply is not functional. Replacing your dress shirt with a polo shirt is a great way to stay cool, and look good. 

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Shirt: Ralph Lauren, Blazer: J. Jindeberg, Pocket Square: J Crew, Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Watch: Daniel Wellington, Jeans: Vans

This is also a really great look for causal summer weddings, and parties. This outfit works best if the clothing has a very tailored fit, avoid baggy clothing at all costs. When shopping I always try on a size smaller than I think I need to see how the fit is, often times I find it fits better.

Suit: J. Lindenburg, Shirt: Burberry Brit, Shoes: Cole Haan, Pocket square: thetiebar.com, glasses: Ray-Ban

To step this look a bit more, trying throwing on your favorite slim fitting suit to add a touch of sophistication. The light comfort of the polo gives the suit a dressed down look, while still keeping an air of class. I have really come to love the suit/polo combination because it gives me the ability to wear my suits more often without seeming overdressed. During the Summer this is a look I opt for on a regular basis. 

Suit: J. Lindenburg, Shirt: Burberry Brit, Shoes: Cole Haan, Pocket square: thetiebar.com, glasses: Burberry 

Time on the Wrist: Liv Genesis X1

So after wearing it for a few months, I have come to love the Genesis X1. It's held up very well, and is a watch I wear frequently. The 45mm case was hard to wear at first, but after a few weeks something I got used to. The large, and bold numerals are very easy to read at a glance and really pop when looking at the watch. 

The double injected silicone band wears very nicely on the wrist, and holds the watch securely. I love the yellow accents on the band, they give the watch an un-expected pop of color that breaks up the black band very nicely. The yellow and orange accents that are found through the watch are very ascetically pleasing to look at, and I found myself constantly staring at the watch. 

While some may find the 45mm size a bit on the larger size, Liv really did a good job of maximizing the use of the watch. All the elements of the chronograph are spaced out so that they are easier to read quickly. When engaged, I found the 1/16th second counter to be very useful and accurate. The sound of the pusher has a very firm clicking sound that matches the overall quality of the watch. Overtime I have no doubt that the watch will hold up well. The construction of the watch is very sturdy, and utilitarian. 

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Speaking purely to the design/style of this watch I can say I have received countless complements when wearing it. In addition I have been ask multiple times by friends if they can try it on. It has been a very gratifying experience to be able to introduce people to a new brand, and tell them all about the product. Having a watch that not many have heard of gives it a very exclusive feel. 

Bottom line, for $590 you aren't going to find another watch to match the Genesis X1. Having worn similarly priced sport watches I can tell you the build quality is far superior to their competition. The attention to detail that goes into this watch is breath taking. Liv's goal of building a Swiss-Made chronograph watch for under $600 has been obtained by building this watch. You get more than your money's worth for this timepiece and it is by far one of my favorite watches to wear. Liv also recently came out with an updated version of this watch, with a black leather band, and Rose Gold case which gives the watch an entirely new look. I hope to review the updated version soon. I have listed the link below to checkout this watch! 

Use promo code "nwilliamsphotos" to receive 10% off your purchase! 

Link to this watch: Click HERE

When English Design Meets Swiss Mechanics: Christopher Ward London

We all dream of Rolex's, but in reality most of us cannot afford to drop the $10,000+ for a new Submariner. This was a problem realized by Mike France, Chris Ward, and Peter Ellis. In 2004 they set out to create what we know today as Christopher Ward London, a luxury watch company that puts elegant Swiss-made watches within reach. 

Their design HQ is based out of England, but all of their watches are made in Switzerland. The workshop where their watches are constructed neighbors the workshops of companies such as Rolex, and Omega. So knowing this, you might ask why their watches are not more similarly priced to a Rolex? Well it's really quite simple, they do not advertise by using costly celebrity endorsements, F1 cars, or advertisements placed on premiership soccer jerseys. They eliminated these expensive overhead costs so that they can keep the costs down for you, the consumer. 

Fair margins, and honest pricing are at the heart of this company. They are incredibly transparent about their pricing method. Quoting from their website "it’s a simple philosophy that informs our approach to pricing our Swiss watches. Whatever the cost price of the watch, we multiply this up to 3 times and that is the selling price, including VAT. This gives us just enough to make a fair margin after covering the running costs of the business". 

So now that you have some background on the company, let's talk about the watch. I received the C60 Trident Pro 600. The 600 is in reference to the 600 meter diving capability. In wearing this watch I have really come to love it. I opted for the 38mm version, and love the size and simplicity of the face. The second hand has an incredibly smooth movement to it that I like a lot. It boasts a beautiful ceramic bezel which looks, and feels of the finest quality. I chose the black bezel/white face version because of how easy it is to match with a wardrobe. It was is a very versatile watch that can go with pretty much anything. Whether you are suiting up for work, or headed down to the lake for the weekend this watch will go anywhere. With an automatic movement you never have to worry about changing it's batteries. It comes in a gorgeous leather box, that makes a great place to safely store your watch. 

So what are my final thoughts on this watch? Well, your next best option is a Tag Heuer Aquaracer, which when similarly configured comes out to around $2,800-$3,400. After that you are looking at a Tudor Pelegos which on average will sell for around $4,000. Both of these options only have a 500 meter rating, as opposed to the C60 which is rated for 600 meters. The watch feels rock solid, and is something you can wear everyday without worrying constantly about knocking it about. The clasp feels strong, and secure and has a very firm clicking noise when closing it. Overall it really is a great watch, the materials and movement are a good value. In my personal opinion the watch isn't for me, as I am a big fan of vintage watches and could pick up a Rolex Datejust 1601 for around $2,500-3,000. For me the brand recognition and design heritage is worth the extra money, but make not mistake the C60 is a great watch. 

Checkout this watch, and the wide selection of styles they have on their website here: christoperward.com 

Initial Thoughts: LIV Genesis X1

Liv watches launched as a Kickstarter campaign asking for $30,000, and received just under $200,000 for their product. The founder of the company worked for a small Swiss watch manufacturer for several years and realized that the industry was missing an affordable Swiss watch brand that embodied strength, quality and fashion.  

After getting well aquatinted with the watch I have come to really like it. At 45mm it sits large on the wrist, but the face does not feel unnecessarily large and it is a very comfortable watch to wear on a daily basis. The rubber strap do not feel cheap and flimsy and holds the watch securely on the wrist. The stopwatch function of the watch works incredibly well, and is very smooth. 

This color is in the initial launch collection of the Genesis X1 line. Later this month they will release a rose gold version of the X1, with a black leather strap for a more elegant, and formal look. It can be worn in the morning to the gym, then easily go with you into the office or classroom. 

Overall this is a very solid watch. I will do a more in-depth review in a few weeks when I have had more time with it. 

Check out Liv's website here: livwatches.com

Let's take a run

Through the woods and to the track we go. Did a shoot with my soon to be co-blogger Lauren Hart this weekend. Here are a few of the images we shot, enjoy! 

Who is Paul Hewitt?

Paul Hewitt is a small brand based out of Germany. Their products range from small accessories like bracelets, and pocket squares, to more complex items like watches. The watches they make are beautifully crafted, and have an elegant look. I have been wearing their "Classic line" watch for a little over a month now and have come to love it. In addition to sending me a watch, I also received a tie from them as well. This silk tie has proven a versatile addition to my wardrobe and I receive complements on it every time I wear it. The anchors give it a fun nautical feel, and it would make the perfect item for a gift this Christmas season. The brand has a very preppy, but refined feel to it and I have been happy with their products! 

You can check out these items and more on their website at paul-hewitt.com

The 1 pair of boots you need: Johnston & Murphy McGavock Wingtip Boot

After enjoying them for a month, I've come to the conclusion that the McGavock Wingtip Boot by Johnston & Murphy is the boot every guy needs for his upscale wardrobe. This is by far one of the most versatile boots I have owned. They are a major upgrade from the average chukka, or Clark's Desert Boot. The beautifully detailed wingtip style has a refined look that can be worn with either your slim-fitting dress pants, or with your favorite pair of jeans. I would recommend pairing them with dark indigo slim-fitting jeans. 

This boot has been beautifully crafted of luxurious leather, stitched together with great detail and care. The leather/rubber sole provides the look of a traditional hard-bottom shoe, with the functionality and grip of a rubber-soled boot. Along with the functionality of this hybrid sole comes a significant increase in comfort, compared to a traditional all-leather, hard-bottomed sole. Since receiving the McGavocks, I have worn them day-in and day-out with great ease. I've walked from boardrooms, to downtown coffee shops, to cobblestone streets, without missing a beat.

Johnston & Murphy has a rich heritage in the footwear industry since 1850 and have proven, time and time again, that they make quality products. I have no doubt my McGavock Wingtip Boots will last me for many years to come. 

Interested in this product? Click HERE to view it on Johnston & Murphy's website. 

Tsovet JPT-PW36: Inital thoughts and first look

Tsovet is one of the most interesting watch companies I have worked with. Aesthetically, the brand is both artistic and nature-based. Tsovet is not simply another watch brand attempting to make a quick buck; rather, the brand takes pride in its products. The Tsovet watch I have is the "JPT-PW36." This model has a 36mm face that is practical and functional. Some might compare it to a Timex Weekender, but the Tsovet is categorically different in terms of quality and accuracy. In a few weeks, I will do a more detailed review of this watch. You can check out this model and others on Tsovet's website at www.tsovet.com. For now, enjoy the gallery I have posted below. 

Rolls Royce Raleigh/ Saks Fifth Ave: A Taste of New York

Had the pleasure of attending and shooting the "Taste of New York" event Rolls-Royce Raleigh and Saks Fifth Ave put on last week in the Rolls-Royce Raleigh showroom. Rolls-Royce brought in their Phantom Metropolitan edition for the event. This Phantom is 1 of 20 to be produced. Stretching 22 feet in length, this car will set you back around $625,000. Saks flew in their VP and Director of Menswear, Eric Jennings, who hand-selected all of the pieces for the event. Garments from Ralph Lauren Black Label, Burberry London, Dolce & Gabbana, were among a host of other high-end designers shown at the event. Check out the gallery of images I took below from the event, and if you see anything you like, head over to saksfifthavenue.com were all garments are sold. 

A Strapping Watch: Daniel Wellington the watch for any event.

Your watch. You wear it everywhere. From the boardroom to the mountains, you love your collection of watches. There is a broad range of watches out there, but what if you could have one watch that could transform to go with any outfit? 

Clean and simple, the face of the watch goes with anything.

The design of the watch makes it simple and easy to switch out the straps. You can change the strap in less than one minute with a little big of practice. 

Now, I know what you are thinking "If I buy this watch, I can buy a ton a cheap off-brand straps". Let me stop you there. You can, in fact, do that. I bought a couple of off-brand straps. But when I compared them to the straps DW makes, the other brands products look and feel far inferior. Off-brand straps generally are too narrow in width and make the watch face look oversized. 

This watch, despite the fact it is not waterproof (3ATM), it makes a great everyday companion for your wrist. If you use promo code "noahwilliams" you can receive 15% off your order from Danielwellington.com through the end of November! 

N/W Lifestyle: My favorite place to rest

I will keep my words on this post short and sweet. I love my job, and what I get to do. Running this website, doing photo/video shoots, keeping all social media fronts up to date, running from meeting to meeting, ect. It is all great, but sometimes I just need a break. The creative mind runs on pure creativity, and motivation. If not properly loaded, the strain of everyday tasks can deplete both creativity, and motivation. My favorite place to escape to in North/South Carolina is the Wilmington/Oak Island/North Myrtle area. I took it upon myself to clear my schedule and take off four days to relax and re-energize. Here are the photos I took

Click photo to move though gallery of images.  

Daniel Wellington: The Classiest Watch under $250

Simple, elegant, and affordable? That doesn't happen very often. Daniel Wellington makes one of the classiest watches around. It's design is simple and clean.  The case is a mere 6mm thick, which makes it incredibly comfortable to wear. 

The biggest asset to this watch is how versatile it is. Daniel Wellington, as well as other designers, make bands that go great with this watch. The canvas bands shown below are make by Brooks Brothers. Daniel Wellington is sending me a few other bands they make that are similar to these. I will be doing a compare/contrast post when I receive them. 

This watch comes beautifully packaged, in a leather wrapped case, that screams luxury watch. There is no hint of the $195-229 price tag.

This watch is a great deal for the price tag and, for the month of October, you can use promo code "noahwilliams" to get 15% off your order on Danielwellington.com! 

Smith + Johnson Wedding

Had the joy, and privilege this past weekend of getting to film Courtney Smith and Robert Johnson's wedding this past weekend in Winston-Salem. It is one of the last weddings I will be filming this year. I will write a follow up post with a link to the video once it is completed in a few weeks. For now enjoy these few shots I took. 

Click Image to move through gallery-

N/W Style: The four casual shoes every guy needs for Summer/Early Fall

Most guys like me get an overload of ads telling us what we need to step up our summer wardrobe. As much as I love shoes, at the end of the day, I don't want to have to deal with 50 pairs of shoes. This is my list of basic shoes every guy can use for the warmer months of the year, all for under $120. 

1. The Loafer: Johnston & Murphy

This is the most flexible shoe in the list. This shoe can be worn out to dinner with a crisp, button-down and blazer, or you can throw them on as you're headed out to grab coffee with shorts and a polo. I bought a pair of Johnston & Murphy loafers at the beginning of summer and have not regretted it once. Not only are they refined and stylish but, unlike most loafers, they are incredibly comfortable and can be worn daily. 

The best part about this shoe? It's currently on sale. Click HERE to check it out 

2. The Sneaker/Skate shoe

This is in my opinion one of the most iconic shoes. The Vans Era 59 is no newcomer to a guy's wardrobe. This classic shoe needs little explanation of why you need it. Wear it with whatever you want. A suit? Sure, go for it. This shoe can go literally anywhere black tie isn't required. From the beach to the city, this shoe will get you wherever life leads you, with or without socks. 

3. The "Running shoe" that you will never run in. 

If you plan on running, this probably is not the shoe for you. But if you want to fool your friends into thinking you are athletic, and need an excuse to wear comfortable shoes while you hangout, this is the shoe for you. It's light, breathable, and goes great with your "day off" outfit. While it lacks much stability control for those of us with high arches, it's going to be the closest thing to walking barefoot that you can get away with in public. 

4. The Boatshoe: Sperrys that are approved for people outside of Middle School to wear. 

So we all had those Sperrys back in middle school, that at the time were cool...now, not so much. If you've graduated middle school it's time to graduate to a boat shoe that is a little more relevant to your age. This is the boat shoe all grown up, we have stepped up to a thinner sole and thinner laces. This shoe will get you from the dock to the wharf-side lunch place while looking good.   

My visit to the Rolls-Royce showroom in Raleigh.

Had a great time last weekend getting to meet several of the representatives for the Rolls-Royce Raleigh dealership. After talking cars and sipping coffee at a local coffee shop in downtown Raleigh we drove out to the showroom. I was given the opportunity to shoot several photos of the cars they had in. I look forward to possibilities that lay in the future.   

-Click to move through images in gallery

Stay comfortable, and look good

In my line of work I go from the office, to coffee shops, to meetings with clients, to shoots all in one day. It's always a problem trying to figure out in the morning if I want to dress comfortably, or look sharp. That's where LuluLemon comes in. The post practice polo is made out of 100% polyester, and is one of the most comfortable shirts I've worn. The ABC pant at first glance looks like the average chino pant, but flexes and breaths like a running pant. The pants feature a special pocket for your iPhone. I paired this out fit with a pair of classic vans, but you can easily thrown in a pair of Nike Roshe runs.

-Link to shirt

-Link to pants

-Link to shoes

Click image to move through image gallery.