Fashion tips and tricks gleaned from Out's Neil Patrick Harris cover shoot

Inspired by Out's new September issue featuring man's man Neil Patrick Harris on the cover, we thought we'd take the opportunity to give you a few quick tips for brilliantly butching up your closet.

All photos by Nino Muñoz

Not everyone looks as comfortable and sexy as Steve McQueen in a pair of leather pants, but somehow Neil Patrick Harris does just fine. The key is that they need to have that weathered and worn look, which gives the impression that they’ve actually ever seen the back of a motorcycle. These brown and dusty A|X Armani Exchange riding pants do just the trick.

Although American classics never really go completely out of style, the jean jacket does seem to have its high and low points. This dark-rinse jacket by Diesel appears classic but its detailing -- like seams and pocket placement -- are entirely new and fresh.

Nothing finishes off a basic white T-shirt and jeans outfit better than a little attitude, a great walk, and a fantastic pair of John Varvatos brown leather zip-up boots.

Finally, don’t be afraid to do denim on denim –- just don’t overdo it by getting all matchy-matchy. A little variation in rinse and color or an entirely contrasted combination can break up the look just enough.

To see the full Neil Patrick Harris cover shoot, head over to Out.com or hit up your favorite local bookstore.

-- BRENT COOVER

Karl Lagerfeld Designs Dubai; A New Posterboy for Armani Already?; Gossip Girl Gossip: Ed Westwick To Design His Own Line?; Leo DiCaprio Tells Time for Charity; The Linda Farrow and Yohji Yamamoto Collaboration

Photo: Getty Images

Karl Lagerfeld is designing a few limited edition homes for Isla Moda, a fashion inspired (and seemingly fashion only) community under construction in Dubai.    [The Cut]

It seems like the Armani underwear ads with Mr. Becks have just reached their boiling point, but the label has already announced their new model for the Fall 08 ads.  His name is Takeshi Kaneshiro, and he is oh so delicious--and also the first Asian model for a major Armani ad campaign.  Hooray for diversity! [Fashionista]

Yes, everyone--another celebrity fashion line.  This time from Gossip Girl cast member Ed Westwick, who plays conniving and annoyingly over-the-top Chuck.  He says he wants to add his "two cents" to the label he wore for his Vanity Fair shoot, which would imply either Thom Browne or Jack Spade.  While we are more intrigued (and way excited) about the rumors that he and Chace Crawford (Nate) are real life lovers, we still have much higher hopes for his collaboration than Perez Hilton for Hot Topic.  Bleh. [Fashionista] 

Leonardo DiCaprio is working with his favorite watch designer, Jaeger-LeCoultre, to design time pieces for the Time to Care program, as well as develop a couple more to benefit the Leonardo DiCaprio Fund at the California Community Foundation. The timepieces will debut in fall 2008, and all proceeds from the sales will directly benefit the cause.  I'm moved by his initiative, but being that they retail for $300,000-400,000, I'm not feeling so charitable. [Fashion Week Daily]

Known and respected since the 70s, Linda Farrow sunglasses are known for a dark intense aesthetic that continues to peak the interest of the industry and consumers.  Now, the label is set to collaborate with Yohji Yomamoto in a pairing that is as exciting as it is ambiguous. [Refinery 29]

-- SETH PLATTNER

Spring Menswear from Paris!; Milan Spring Trend Roundup; More Beckham for Armani Underwear--And How he Feels About His Package;

Photo: Getty Images

Spring fashion continues with new collections from some of our favorite designers in Paris (Louis! Dries! Dior!).  And--good news--man purses are showing up in the City of Light, too! [The Cut] and [Men. Style.com]

And, here's a nice tidy round-up of the trends from Milan because we were too busy celebrating gay pride with tens of thousands of our closest friends to write one of our own. [Refinery 29]

Two more images from David Beckham's Armani underwear campaign have been released, much to our excitement.  He's just so so yummy. [Towleroad]

The poster boy also wrote a nice little blog about his bulge.  We've noticeable already done so...[David Beckham Blog]

--SETH PLATTNER

Return of Joseph Abboud; Jay McCarroll Still Not Rich; A/X Skivvies; Phillip Lim for Coach; Prada Gives Up Americas Cup

Photo: Getty Images

Joseph Abboud to return to menswear in Fall 2008 with a line called Jaz—not to be confused with the birth control pill, Yaz, of course. [DNR]

Despite his fame, Project Runway's first winner, Jay McCarroll is homeless and couch surfing. [NY Mag]

Armani Exchange to show its skivvies. A/X will debut a new underwear line this fall. [DNR]

Phillip Lim in early talks to possibly design a line of trenchcoats for Coach [WWD]

Prada follows Louis Vuitton and bows out of the Americas Cup yacht race. [Fashion Week Daily]