Usher in Neil Barrett Fall 2010

Simply put: Usher is the man. In the gravy train that seems to drop on us a new singer/rapper every other day, Usher has what many don’t: longevity. The same can also be said of his style. While his counterparts wore diamond grills and logo everything, Usher tapped an inner elegance thanks to Giorgio Armani. These days, he’s expanded his sartorial pursuits–and I like the results. At the Grammy Awards this past weekend, the always dapper entertainer wore a stunning Neil Barrett black blazer with dual leather collar that had me doing a double take–largely because it had just been shown during Milan Fashion Week two weeks prior on Jan. 17! Usher undoubtedly wore the runway sample, but if you’ve got the body…why not? When he performed on stage, he removed the jacket to reveal another Barrett piece: a waistcoast with leather inserts. Gents, take a note from Usher: it’s all about fit, fit, fit. Barrett designs for a swimmer’s body (think lean) and his precise cut is incredibly sharp and sleek–he’s the closest men’s designer to Savile Row in my opinion. While Usher is certainly at the top of the game, he shares his perch with the likes of John Legend and Jay-Z–two other heavyweights who have perfected the art of balancing street cred and high style with panache and, most importantly, dignity. Because at the end of the day, would Cary Grant have worn a pimp cup?