The Best and Worst Dressed of the NFL Draft 2022

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Best and Worst Dressed of the NFL Draft

It is that time of year where some of the most gifted athletes in the world have their dreams realized as they are selected by NFL teams. Aside from hoisting the Lombardi, one the more iconic photographs of player's career is as they walk across the stage to anti-covid hug Roger Goodell (queue the boos). Throughout the draft process, these young men not only are put through a battery of physical tests but also go through a gauntlet of interviews to determine their character and decision making processes. Today we will analyze one of the last decisions they make, what to wear on draft day. 

A few disclaimers: first and foremost, all of these analyses are solely based on what these future NFL stars decided to wear and should not be taken as a reflection of who they are as a person or as a player. Next, all players shown at home were disqualified as the range from backyard BBQ to Pickett being in a suit made the spectrum too broad to incorporate without throwing off the bell curve. Lastly, there were a few stylish gentlemen that fell out of the first round. For the purpose of this exercise, the first round draftees were ones in consideration. Now without further ado, The best and worst dressed of the NFL Draft:

Best

Kayvon Thibodeaux- Giants- 5th overall- starting the draft as a consensus first overall, Thibodeaux saw his stock slide heading up to draft day. However, his outfit did not disappoint. The ruby gemmed trim was a stunner and one of, if not the most, memorable of the evening. One of a kind and a head turner. The lapel pin might be a little overkill with the trim but all in all solid execution. 9/10

Aidan Hutchinson- Lions- 2nd overall- After being passed on by Jacksonville for the first pick, the man in black took the stage. An ominous presence for tackles and quarterbacks alike, his black-on-black look was timeless and one which he will look back on in 15 years and won't say "what was I thinking?" The jaquard weave adds a beautiful depth to the jacket which is understated but still fashion-forward. The cherry on top? The custom lining with all of his personal journal entries where he prophesied he would be an All-American and a Heisman finalist. Only knock on this outfit is the kicks could have been dressier. 9.5/10

Jermaine Johnson- Jets- 26th overall- Does it go to 11? This jacket is not for the light-hearted. Neon lemon with an upholstery-sized floral print, was the bright spot of the draft. A beaming ray of sunshine walking across to collect his Jets hat, Johnson wore this effortlessly. The decision to have the floral pattern on the lapel instead of a black satin is one to be applauded. The custom lining with all his teams which he has played shows he hasn't forgotten where he came from. The black pants and mandarin collar shirt helped anchor this look so that it looked custom and not costume-y. 9/10

Devin Lloyd- Jaguars- 27th overall- Jermaine Johnson's yellow jacket was a hard act to follow but Devin Lloyd's aubergine suit was a master class on how to wear color without it screaming at you. The dark purple paired perfectly with black shirt and sunglass combo and allowed the chains to shimmer. The only knock is the front crotch on his slacks was way too long. 8.5/10


Worst

Ikem "Ickey" Ekwonu- Panthers- 6th overall- Often lineman who need time to grow into their frames are said to need a little sand in their pants. This is not the case with Ickey, however due to the shortness of his jacket we found "Mr. New Booty". For a big fella, this shorter jacket length made him look rounder, and the white didn't help slim him down (triple breasted suit, was it supposed to button that way?). The nod toward his Nigerian heritage was inspiring but the execution fell flat on its face. Arm flairs? No. 3.5/10

Garrett Wilson- Jets- 10th overall- This white and dove grey two-tone suit gave your humble writer PTSD of Jaylen Waddle's abortion of a suit last year. Is this a Moon Knight reference? Was this a factory mistake on sale? Top this off two lapels pins, moon boots and a flourish of pearls, maybe Wilson is century's ahead of fashion. Most likely not. 3.5/10

Jordan Davis- Eagles- 13th overall- Is that a pageant sash? Oh that is part of the suit. This black suit with cherry red stripe wasn't as loud as some of the other missteps. It just appeared to be made of the leftover tunic from Manos: Hands of Fate. Torgo! 4.5/10

George Karlaftis- Chiefs- 30th overall- On a night where we saw almost every color in the spectrum represented, Karlaftis gave us the biggest dud. Black suit, black argyle tie. Safe. Nothing was particularly wrong with this outfit, but as he walked out stage he buttoned both buttons.  5/10


Special Shoutouts

  • Sauce Gardner had a wonderful summery powder blue suit with sauce bottle chain, love it. He would have made the list had he not buttoned both buttons on this jacket. 
  • For the most part, everyone drafted at home was really casual but Kenny Pickett had a sharp bottle green suit which definitely lead the pack
  • Travon Walker's uncle (or we will call him that) had a white urban safari hat that was special
  • Evan Neal's charcoal suit seemed a little safe but the finish on the cloth really made the garment sing. The ROI on this suit is very high showing Leal's pragmatic side. 
  • Although Nakobe Dean fell to the third, his powdered-pink suit was on-point. Still trying to figure out the white holsters, but it worked. 


BALANI Custom ClothiersThe Best and Worst Dressed of the NFL Draft 2022
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BALANI Webinar with Dormeuil Cloth Master, Luke Mayes

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Luke Mayes of Dormeuil sits down with BALANI clothier, David Tinter, to share his 25 years of experience from a family-owned, 5th generation British fabric mill.

Luke Mayes’ incredible journey began in Northampton, England. He moved to New Zealand with his family in the early ’70s where he flew fighter jets for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. After honorably serving his adopted homeland, Luke was personally recruited to serve as a brand ambassador by Ashley Dormeuil, the 5th generation heir to the House of Dormeuil. Luke then moved to the United States where he established himself as the V.P. of North American Dormeuil Operations.

When he’s not traveling the world to share the story of this innovative British mill, Luke lives in New York City and practices karate as a 5th Degree Black Belt.

Learn more about Luke and this world-renowned fabric mill here.

BALANI Custom ClothiersBALANI Webinar with Dormeuil Cloth Master, Luke Mayes
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BALANI Ranked on the 2018 Inc. 5000 List!

When we were first awarded the Inc. 5000 list in 2013, I was pleased to announce our growth to 4 cities. Now, as we close 2018, I am blown away that we have 14 locations around the country and 4 beautiful showrooms. More than anything, I’m extremely proud of the team we’ve built and the clients we’ve been able to serve at a great reach..

Our expansion in 2018 came by building a strong and robust leadership team, further training and empowering our clothiers, and most importantly, our clients spreading the BALANI name and sharing their experiences with The Custom Life.

I am proud to officially announce that we made our mark on the Inc. 5000 list for the very rare 5th year in a row. I would like to thank all of our staff, clients, families, and friends for your unwavering support over the years. Thank you for continuing our legacy, and keep on living #TheCustomLife™.

 

-Sonny Balani CEO, BALANI Custom Clothiers

https://www.inc.com/profile/balani-custom-clothiers

BALANI Custom ClothiersBALANI Ranked on the 2018 Inc. 5000 List!
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Gavin Warren in Balani!

Gavin Warren in Balani

Child actor Gavin Warren in Balani at the First Man movie premiere in Washington, DC.

Gavin Warren was voted the Reader’s Choice Best Dressed of the Week by the Red Carpet Fashion Awards..

Gavin Warren In Balani & Ryan Gosling In Gucci – ‘First Man’ Washington, DC Premiere

Descubra o magnífico mundo dos jogos de azar em nosso melhor cassino online – Nine casino. Junte-se a nós e mergulhe no mundo das máquinas caça-níqueis de qualidade!

BALANI Custom ClothiersGavin Warren in Balani!
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Fabio Vivani’s Truffle Mushroom Risotto for BALANI

Truffle Mushroom Risotto Recipe

There comes a time in every man’s life where it becomes absolutely pivotal for him to cook a mouth-wateringly incredible meal. We’re not talking about just any old recipe; it’s THE recipe. A show stopper to be exact. One that makes a lasting impression, and is coveted deeply in your culinary arsenal.

This is that recipe.

Ingredients:
(SERVES 4-6)

– 2 C. Aborio Rice

– 1 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

– 2 T. Butter (unsalted)

– 2 EA. Spanish White Onion (diced)

– ½ C. Dry White Wine

– 6 C. Vegetable Stock

– 1½  C. Mixed Mushrooms, Roasted (Shitake & Oyster)  **We added baby bella mushrooms to our recipe**

– 1 C. Fava Beans (Cleaned)

– ½ C. Robiola Cheese (Can be substituted for a Mild Brie Cheese)

– 2 T. Truffle Butter

– 1 T. White Truffle Oil

– 2 T. Truffle Pate (Found in specialty stores like Eataly or online at Amazon.com)

– ½ C. Grated Grana Padano

– Salt & Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

STEP 1: In a large sauté pan, melt the butter with the olive oil, once it is melted and hot sauté the onion until translucent.

STEP 2: Add the Aborio Rice and toast it, stirring constantly for 2 min.

STEP 3: Add the white wine and cook until the wine is completely evaporated.

STEP 4: Add Fava Beans & Mushrooms, cooking till well incorporated about 1 min.

STEP 5: Add 2 C. of the vegetable stock & cook stirring constantly until the stock is evaporated.

STEP 6: Add more stock  ½  C. at a time letting it get absorbed before adding the next one. Continue this process until the rice is tender but still has a little bit of a bite to it about 18-20 min. Stir, stir, stir!

STEP 7: To finish the risotto add the Robiola and Grana Padano, cooking the cheeses into the risotto to make it nice & creamy.

STEP 8: Add the truffle ingredients, butter, oil, & pate. Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Serve on plates garnished with micro greens and enjoy!

Elizabeth FasulaFabio Vivani’s Truffle Mushroom Risotto for BALANI
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5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Summer Style

1.) Get Sporty
A summer sport coat is the fun cousin to the navy blazer. It gets all the attention and everyone wants to hang out with it. This particular sport coat has a big, bold pattern and lots of color. It’s not meant to blend in – it’s guaranteed to stand out.

Plaids, checks, and bold windowpanes are the perfect pattern for a summer sport coat. It commands a presence whether it’s worn with a pair of cotton trousers or dark denim jeans.

2.) Ditch your Dad’s Tie

Let’s face it, we all have ties in our closet that are old, tired, and need to be tossed. If it’s wider than 3-1/2 inches, has a bizarre 90’s pattern, and looks like it was a hand-me down, it’s time to get rid of it.

Updating your tie collection is the easiest way to modernize your wardrobe. Start by purchasing ties that are between 2-1/2 inches (narrow) to 3 inches (new standard) wide, have modern designs, and compliment your shirt and suit collection. This step will singlehandedly elevate your summer wardrobe game.

3.) Explore shirt colors

Summer fashion is inspired and drawn from the colors we’re surrounded by each day. So don’t be afraid to get out of the shallow end and dive headfirst into the deep end of the color spectrum.

For those who have spent years tiptoeing away from color, incorporating cool pastel tones in a micro stripe or check pattern is a great place to start. Cool pastels are extremely subtle and have bluish/grey undertones making it easier for men to experiment with. Most micro patterns have a white base and accent color in the pattern. Lilac, blush pink, violet, almond, and aquamarine are great options.

For those who freely embrace color, now’s the time to go bold! Try mixing in a brighter color palette such as, coral, tangerine, scarlet, turquoise and yellow.

4.) Accessorize above the waist

After reading step 2, we all know that a fantastic tie is a great addition to any wardrobe. Normally, I would never condone breaking up a suit and tie love affair; however, sometimes a little variety is necessary and quite frankly, a lot less boring.

Contrary to what you might think, men have considerable options when it comes to accessories Tornado Cash. Spice up your relationship with your suit by adding a lapel pin, cufflinks, tie bar, or pocket square.

For those who are new to accessorizing, stick to 2 accessories at a time. If you prefer a conservative look, opt for a white cotton pocket square and silver tie bar. For those who want a modern look, add a patterned pocket square and colorful lapel pin.

5.) Lighten Up Your Loafers

Incorporating new colors to your wardrobe is not just reserved for clothing. The concept applies to accessories and shoes as well. With that said, it’s time to branch out from your standard black and dark brown lace ups and add some lightly colored loafers to the mix.

Some of the most dynamic and fashionable colors for loafers are the lighter and brighter shades of the classics. Instead of a dark brown, go for a tan, chestnut, camel, or burgundy loafer. They will help bring out the warmer tones in any navy suit or blazer.

For those who aren’t afraid to branch out, try a bright blue or light grey suede loafer. Different textures will give your outfit visual interest and depth.

Elizabeth Fasula5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Summer Style
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