TOP 5...

TOP 5: Stylish Men You Would LOVE To Dress (or undress)

Two identical twin brothers stand next to each other.    Both have fabulous jobs, mega-watt smiles, and whatever other qualities you desire in a man. One twin looks like he just stepped off the latest James Bond movie set.  The other twin has a hole in the bottom of his filthy shirt, hasn't shaved in weeks, and is rocking a mean fanny pack. So who gets the girl? The answer to that question prompted the following TOP 5...

#5. KID CUDI: Knows How to Make it!

Kid Cudi emerged as a Taste Maker on the hip-hop scene after Mr. West discovered his mixtape in 2008.  After great success with his music career, Cudi jumped at the chance to expand his repertoire by taking on a supporting role in the acclaimed HBO show "How to make it in America".  
 As is true with a lot of artists, his personal style resonates in his music.  He cleverly mixes rock guitar and socially conscious rap lyrics to establish his sound as completely unique.  With great ease, he pairs a vintage tee with flashy gold chains, and is some how still able to pull off rolled up straight leg jeans and strategically colored socks.    Side Note:  From the moment I first heard he theme song for "How to make it in America", it has been playing on a repeat in my head.  Give it a listen: 

#4. DAVID DUCHOVNY : The Cum Come Back Kid!

Just as we were about to label David Duchovny's career as an official X-File, this come-back-kid came out swinging with the hit Showtime show Califonication.  If you haven't seen the program I'm sure you've met the protagonist, Hank Moody.  Hank Moody is every bad boyfriend that ever broke your heart.  Every guy that couldn't commit.  Every man that you could tie up, but couldn't tie down!  He's the knot in your back that hurts like hell, and yet you still feel the need to rub it!  He's a sexual deviant with a broken moral compass, that constantly leads him in the wrong direction, despite of his best efforts. Perhaps this is the role Duchovney was born to play.  After his real life sex-capades (sexual escapades) sparked media controversy in 2008, Duchovney checked himself into rehab for sexual addiction.  Now you can go ahead and call me damaged, but doesn't that make this bad boy just that much more deliciously derailed?  
As for his style, Duchovny sums it up with this simple statement: "My hairstylist can make a lot of shit happen!" 
 YES SHE CAN DAVID, YES SHE CAN!

#3. Kanye West : Stroke his big Ego!

"It's too big, it's too wide, It's too strong, it won't fit,"- his ego that is.  An "ego" so big in fact, it's been known to paralyze women it comes in contact with, just ask Taylor Swift!  But all ego's aside West knows a thing or two about fashion.  From collaborations with Louis Vuitton, to his recent internship at Fendi, West has positioned himself as a true Taste Maker: 

"As a taste maker I find the best in everything"- West

#2. John Hamm : AKA Donald Draper

John Hamm was a relative unknown until the "Mad Men" mania swept the nation.  Since then Hamm has been seen featured on every "Best Dressed" list imaginable and sizzled on the covers of countless magazines.  On TV he plays a hard edged buisness man, with a passion for hard liquor and inappropriate sexual encounters (SOUL MATES!)  And in real life he is just as dramatic as he is dapper.  At some point in your life one of your friends had a hot dad, John Hamm is THAT hot dad!  (You know you had one)

Lets just say this: If I walked into an interview, and that man in the picture above was sitting on the other side of the desk, I would have to politely excuse myself so I could wipe the drool from my mouth, the sweat from my forehead , and the.....well you get the picture.  

#1. Jay-Z :  He's Got 99 Problems But Style Ain't One!

How does one begin to put into words the way this man has shaped the world of fashion and music.  One could begin by crediting him for bringing hip-hop style into mainstream acceptance, or developing a clothing line that is worth a reported $204 million dollars.  The fact that a kid from one of the roughest neighborhoods in North America could metaphorically hold the hip-hop marketplace at gunpoint, is an accomplishment worthy of #1 in my books.  And as Jay says "2nd is the 1st loser".  

(I'm about to get real personal here so hold on....)   

I was introduced to hip hop at a time when I thought the only music worth listening to was made before 1970.  I was a hippie to the fullest extreme.  A bongo-playin', patchouli-wearin', folk-music-lovin' HIPPIE!  And I defined myself by this image.  Jay-Z was the first hip-hop artist that made me appreciate the beauty and poetry of "rap" music.  He made me appreciate the message of the music, and in that, allowed me to open my mind even further than experimental psychedelics ever could.  I felt, and still feel, empowered by his music.  It truly made me hold my head up high and have assurance in myself, in what I was doing, and what I stood for.  Growing up in a white, middle class neighborhood I was not exposed to this culture in my earlier years, but am so grateful that someone was able to open the door for me to experience this.  So how has influenced my personal style? Jay-Z has personally gifted me with the most priceless accessory I will ever own: Confidence!

Honorable Mentions