"They must be on Coke!"

This was a bonafide WTF moment. Allow me to set the scene. Sunday afternoon, about 30 degrees, sun blazing. I'm chilling in the shade. The venue is a small local Bratislavan cafe serving the best in Slovak cuisine and ice cold pints of beer at €1.50. Perfect. I'm in heaven. Then I spot three chicks in afro wigs. I think "What the F@*k?". As I said, it was about 30 degrees, why would you do that to yourself. I dismiss thinking it must be a Hen-do (You know, pre-wedding blow-out for the bride-to-be and her female entourage). I turn for a sip of the chilled brew that Mr. Waiter has just delivered, then I take a second look. "WHAT THE F*@K!!". These girls are wearing Coca-Cola branded tracksuit tops with graphic references to football (World Cup 2010) and are handing out mini cans of chilled Coke to the perspiring towns people. OK, smart and rather strategically placed distribution, but what's with the friggin' afro-wigs?! Is there some local cultural reference being made here or am I right to be shocked by what I assume is a bad taste, inappropriate choice in cultural reference to South Africa and the aesthetic make up of a portion of it's people? Really? At this day in age?! Anyone have a direct line to Coke? Might have to blow the whistle on this sh*t.

Brighton Boys

"Look! up there! It's Ty Page". No it isn't. You're just saying that to distract me from my focus on documenting yet another fine example of the Twinning thing that you seem to be executing oh so well. For me it is your dual endorsement of the slimline 70s skateboard that takes your particular take on Twinning to the next level. Two trends in one... BLAM BLAM. Twinning and Ty Page. Look out for these in 2009.

Twin Set

Two prime first hand yet polar opposite examples of the Twinning code of attire. One clearly mutually appreciated. The other case seems to stem from a dictatorial background. Firstly, why do dads do that? Or are mothers to blame? This is just wrong and ridiculously effortsome. I mean, where oh where do they sell the same garments in everysize from toddler to extra sizeable male? I have yet to encounter such a store. Besides, it's cute for about a nano-second, then you're left with this feeling, like, "poor bastard. How long will that carry-on?".

The second example is likely to become increasingly present on streets around the globe as we see teens giving in to the fact that it is ever so hard to distinguish oneself and actually, realising that, looking identical is a much more impactful feat worthy of a double-take count many times greater than that of any BAPE all-over print hoodie. Rather than risk the embarrassment of turning up to group night out where two of your buds happen to have gotten the same American Apparel hoodie for xmas and appear to be wearing it with pride, why not go the whole hog and orchestrate the impact. I like that "Orchestrate the impact". Anyway, there you have it; Twinning.

Mind your T's & P's

The right man for the job. Nuff said.

"To the batmobile. Let's go!"

How to look scary in broad daylight; get yourself some body armour. Although designed for the motor biker, this sh#t puts you on a par with Batman, bringing a superhero aesthetic to any mortal human silhouette.

Miss Match

A simple lesson in the subtle art of 'same-same but different'

"What BY-ATCH?!"

What a little styler. Fresh to def. Kitted out proper for his Sunday afternoon date.
Sneaker tongues out - CHECK. Thumb in belt pose - CHECK. Backpack with nothing in - CHECK.

Yo Shorty!

Did somebody say board shorts? I thought so. The term 'RAD' sprang to mind when I copped a peek of this dude. Knitted jumper and coordinated board shorts, now that's a look.

Stunners'N'Stripes

Portable Venetian blinds! Who would have thought. Reminds me of a joke;
Q.How do you make a Venetian blind?
A.Poke him in the eye.

Hey little Carnival lady

Speaks for it's self really. This little lady was propping up the railings at this years Notting Hill Carnival. Just one of many shots that represent the true identity of what carnival is to the youth... flossing time! The modern day equivalent to the 'sunday best' comes out of the wardrobe, as all the hyper yoots strive for attention.

Ski-Daddle

Yeah, winter's around the corner and if you were smart like this old chap then you'd be hotstepping your way back to the late 80's for one of these slalom slick classic jackets. I had one, in pink I'll have you know. Pink with electric blue to be exact. But, one day I got shat on by a bird. It left such a putrid berry laced turd stain on my lapel that it basically rendered my ski-daddle unwearable. Sad but true. A ten year old with a turd stain just can't cut it in an inner city state school. Hmmm... takes me back.

"...how one should dress!" is what he said

Michael Siegal, Judge. Photographed March 2007. Nuff said really.

But for those who like a little more to chew on...

The photo was taken inside Holborn London Undergroound Station. I've never seen such traditional 'old school' style in the flesh. I've recently seen Monty Pythons 'The meaning of life'.... you know the sketch featuring a sailing building of British Traditionalist banking types on their way to invade the new school yankee bank types?? pretty funny but I thought it must have been over exaggerated, but then there he was, my guy, still conforming to the dresscode nearly 30 years on from the movie being made. We engaged a short and concise conversation regarding my interest in his attire, he expressed his distaste for modern day style and satorial tendencies, then we parted company on a rather surreal note, only to meet again at the top of the escalator where the chap this time approached me, explaining that he thought it only right that I know what he did... he then proceeded to enlighten me to the fact that he is, guess what??.... a judge.

Quick Drop: Bus Bwoy Slaughtered My Daughter

"Numba one in 'a da 'Bus Bwoy' Chart"
High Tops 'N' Skinnys. I love the way this harks back to 80's Metal bands. I got a feeling in my spleen that retro Bruce Dickinson et al will be responsible for a whole lot more influencing of style in the months to come. Watch 'dis!

Boy Wonder

In some weird and slightly concerning way, this rather spiffing looker reminds me of the one and only Robin, of 'Boy Wonder' fame. With the similar effect of a lesser agressive lash of limb at lightning speed, he sent a bitchslap-like 'Ker-POW!' to my eyes. At first sight I submitted to a double take, checking my visual clarity, with a rub and a scratch I ditched the sandyman residues from the night before, ensuring they not impair my judgement. Proceeding with the approach I found a curiously lit patch. A corner of the museum in which the encounter occured. Then, as if possessed, the waif like super geek let rip with a barrage of poses - WHAP! SMAAASH! BOOM! KLAAK! Yeah, I snapped. I snapped HARD. Snipe! snipe! snipe! snipe! Yeah, I jolly well gave as good as I got, and, to you, this is what you get! BLAM!

Bureau De Change

Ahhh, don't you just love it?! That's the great thing about travelling overseas when the UK Pound Sterling is so strong, you get so much more for your moolah. Here's a tasty "2 for the price of 1" SniperFeast in surburban Paris. Bargain, wouldn't you say? And, funnily enough, it would seem to coincide with the fact that many are talking 'extremes' at the moment. Nobody is interested in 'middle of the road'. 'Average' is such a dirty word, and 'regular' frowned upon as being equally vulgar in the context of garment fit and sizing. Let's face facts, if it ain't super skinny, they ain't interested.... unless of course you are talking 'baggy' on an MC Hammer "U can't touch this" level of baggy, in which case, errr Yeah! Bring it on!
How much further away from the testicular constriction of Russel Brand's 'Lady' denims could you possibly get? The guy on the left disguises the fact his jeans keep dropping to his knees by wearing the biggest singular piece of garment cotton known to man, in the form of a pink t-shirt/tent. Oh, and check out that balancing baseball cap angle. Pythagoras would be proud!

STYLESNIPER NEWSFLASH: March

"People, people, please, gather round. Do open your ears, and absorb in these sounds..."

There won't be many of these, but I thought a little 'newsflash' type mention would be appropriate right now, as there have been, and will continue to be, some developments and subtle changes within stylesniper over the next month or two. Keep an eye on the changing face of the crosshair ( + ), better quality photos also coming soon ("I got some money, I'm gonna spend it!") plus stylesniper guesting elsewhere - SOON! All this plus a trip to Tokyo on the horizon suggests that the next couple of months could be very interesting indeedy. Gnarly.

Mentholyptus Puffa Jacket

Back with a BOOM! It's been a little over 'a little while' but here's a little something to nibble on.
Contrasting proportions: SWEET. Electric Blue: SWEET. Vivienne Westwood Kicks: NUTRASWEET. This jacket reminds me of a particular taunt that I suffered at school. My Granny lovingly took me out shopping one year to buy a jacket for my birthday (or was it Christmas, I don't quite recall). so, on the budget of an old age pensioner we headed to Mr Byrite, the only store that would cater for our level of affordability at that time. Being 12 years old and having already adopted an eye for 'a look' I was keen to get in on the Puffa Jacket movement that semed to be emerging among the older kids at school. Long story short, I ended up with a 'flat' not so puffy PUFFA jacket of the 'non branded' variety. The type which, so unfortunately, resembled the one worn by the asian proprietor of the grotty little pennysweet shop outside school. His was blatantly a freebie from his suppliers which made things worse. His bore the trademarked logo of Halls, the manufacturer of mentholyptus throat sweets. Mine did not. Yet, it was instantly tagged 'The Mentholyptus Puffa'. Thanks guys. Never forget you.