I am still not over plaids and checks; and I don't seem to be alone. Designers have been putting out such pieces seasons after seasons. There is an intrinsic warmth to such patterns and a cool nonchalence that I just can't get enough of. 

This lightweight check piece will add an instant dash of contrast to an everyday outfit. The black and white checks coupled with the greenish-blue contrast stitch lends a strong statement that looks great against a solid colored tee. For a playful look, pair this with a crisp white shirt and sharp shoes.

Get this Paul Smith Contrast Stitch Scarf for US$80 at Barneys. 

In fact, the addition of the silk fabric elevates this to another level and can be used as a formal jacket. The silk gives all the luxury, dressed-up effect that you would need to give off the impression of a black-tie look. 

The silk contrast extends from the lapels to the arms to the chest - giving you a visual experience that captivates and draws you in. I would wear this with everything - from tees to shirts to denim. Something as striking as this deserves nothing but your undivided attention. 

Get this Gareth Pugh Two-Tone Sport Jacket for US$2215 at Barneys. 

Blackheads, post-inflammatory pigmentation (caused by past zits) and enlarged pores are the bane of my skin's existence. I exfoliate and mask regularly but sometimes, I need some instant gratification when it comes to reducing the look of my pores. 

I bought this the other week and I have been enjoying using this. Firstly, I love the sensation of warmth that this mask generates in contact with water. It's soothing for one and perfect for cold winter days. I use this in-between days of my usual clay mask and exfoliation. I like how easy this is to use - you simply apply this to clean, damp skin and massage it over your face like you would a cleanser. Simple.

So there is no sitting down for 20 minutes waiting for it to dry or sink in. And my skin is so much cleaner and smoother after each use. My pores look smaller and more refined too which makes this great before a night out on the town when you are running late and don't have time for your usual mask. Instant gratification. 

Get this Clinique Pore Minimizer Refining Mask 100ml/3.4oz for US$35 at Strawberrynet.com.

I love skulls and I really dig what Alexander McQueen has done with this iconic symbol of evil. I believe it's all contextual - it's evil in a horror movie, it's cool on a tee on the back of a hipster, it means business on a biker's leather jacket and it's kick ass when it's on your wrist. 

This skull bracelet looks nothing like the self-made one that cannibal-tribe priests wear in movies and that is a great thing. The sleek polish of the individual skulls on this bracelet courtesy of the enamel coated brass gives off a feel of edginess that is constrained and yet to-the-point. 

The skulls are small enough to not be in your face but big enough to not go unnoticed. A winning combination. I am not much of a jewelry person but this I would wear to death. Pun intended. 

Get this Alexander McQueen Skulls Bracelet for US$645 at Barneys. 

I remember (unfortunately!) the 90s when I thought I was so so cool with my baggy jeans. They were beyond baggy - I had a 24" waist and I wore 32" jeans. I literally looked like the road-sweeping machines; the ones with the big brushes that sweep leaves off the sidewalks, because my jeans were literally sweeping the floors. So I had to cuff them up and the bigger the cuff, the cooler I thought I looked. 

I was so wrong - my family tried many times to tell me so but when you're 13, it all falls on deaf ears.So the question is back - to cuff or not to cuff? Details explored the right ways to cuff your denim and the ways that should be avoided. 

Personally, I do cuff my jeans but only a sliver (like Zac Efron pictured above) - it provides contrast and shows off my footwear; perfect if I am wearing boots, high-tops or chukkas. Subtlety is key and less is always more in this case. One good thing about growing older is learning from past mistakes especially sartorial ones.

View the whole article here. 

I am a sucker for details - espeically details that are unexpected. The kind that elevates a piece of clothing to a whole other level of desirability. Details that not only feel and look modern and current but are also timeless. Which explains why I am so enamored with this jacket.

The dark charcoal shade is so versetile and sleek; making this perfect for dressing a look up. The single breasted style gives an updated feel that will be appreciated everywhere. But the most striking thing about this piece is its ribbon-trimmed cuffs. 

The grosgrain ribbon trim gives this a subtle luxourious look that I just can't get enough of. It is so quiet and unassuming but it packs a sartorial punch once noticed. Something that you need to get used to since this piece will last you years and years to come.

Get this Lanvin Single-Breasted Tape Cuff Wool Jacket for US$2349.63 at Browns.

Kris Van Assche had big shoes to fill when he first joined Dior Homme. I adored the work Hedi Slimane did for Dior Homme and I wondered about Kris' ability to bridge the void left after the departure of Hedi but Kris Van Assche has gone from strength to strength season after season. I do find myself lusting after a few key pieces every season. 

He shared with Details his 10 rules of style and some of them hit close to home. Here are some highlights:

"I don't really think I know a man who wouldn't look good in black. Black is always good. It's the basic." Black is my default choice. It hides stains, slims the silhouette, goes with everything - I could go on and on. 

"My grandmother told me there are two ways of living: You can either survive or you can really make a life. There is eating and there is dining. She would always give that extra little effort, and I still believe that is important--to make things more beautiful makes all the difference." Someone important once told me to grab life by the balls and to focus on things that are in my control. It is one adage that will stick with me for the rest of my life. 

Read the whole 10 rules of style here.