Diary No. 2- GQ and a Signet

Dear Reader,

I have been asked multiple times what got me into men's fashion and lifestyle to begin with. The answer is summarized above: GQ and a Signet. Namely a David Yurman signet ring from the Petrvs collection, which has remained a classic of the house down to this very day. You see as a fifteen year old boy, going to a predominantly preppy Mexican high school in South Texas which was obsessed with the trends of 2008, I believed that the epitome of fashion at that point was Abercrombie and Fitch. This was before their huge need to rebrand, but during this time looking like a billboard for Abercrombie and wearing their leather jewelry with a brass moose on it was considered "fashionable" (even if it turned your neck green). I was more than happy to spend my meager allowance on these pieces, much to my parents chagrin who both loved classic and dressy styles (needless to say they were right). However to a 15 year old that had been bullied much of his school life for looking like what many classified as a "nerd", all I wanted to do was fit in and this was the way to do it.

March 2008 issue of GQ featuring Eric Bana

Until the fateful day when the above issue of GQ caught my attention at the magazine section (I don't know if this even exists anymore) at Wal Mart. I immediately asked my father if we could add it into the already full cart of groceries to which he simply nodded and quipped," hopefully it teaches you how to dress." He created a monster. I flipped through the pages showing all the beautiful and well crafted advertisements from many iconic brands. A crisp and clean futuristic ad from Prada, a scandalous and questionable image from Dolce and Gabbana, a classy couple strutting down the side walk in a Salvatore Ferragamo spread, and then I saw an image that seared into my mind. So simple and yet it was the most impactful.

I was smitten, David Yurman, I had never heard about it and yet I needed the beautiful horse signet ring (for the record horses are my favorite animals), that graced the two pages in front of me. The rings looked like they were falling from the sky and just effortlessly falling down hopefully onto my finger. I rushed to tell my parents that for graduation I did not want the school ring, but the David Yurman Petrvs Horse Signet Ring (I would learn the name of the collection much later in life). My father chuckled and said he would not get me a graduation ring just to end up wearing it working at McDonalds (sarcastic much). So we struck a deal, if I hit a major milestone in my life that was more than my responsibility (my parents believed going to school was something I had to do so why reward me) they would get me the ring. Sometime later they kept their promise and I have been sporting the silver version of this ring for the past 8 years of my life, making it one of the most prized possessions. It is not the material aspect that makes it valuable to me, but the meaning behind it, the work, and the promises fulfilled. Of course it was this specific ring that started my love for fashion.

Signet and a Man

Now why are signet rings such an iconic staple to a gentleman's wardrobe? It is simple, as my previous post highlighted, it was a way in which men would identify themselves in the past (their status, family, role, signature, etc.) and it is not much different today. It is a way in which we leave a mark, we identify who we are to those around us, and we just look like a "boss". While we can dwell here and make this post into a novel, discussing how signet rings came to be, why not instead analyze what options of signets we have available to us and how we can us them to clearly represent who we are.

Clean and Sleek, can dress up a simple T-Shirt and Jeans, or seamlessly matches the tuxedo you are planning on wearing to your cousin's wedding (whom you don't like and are planning to upstage). David Yurman Streamline Signet starting at $525 USD.

A pinky ring moment, to drive home the point on your first date that you will pay for her, I mean you are wearing a pinky ring so that is a given. David Yurman Petrvs Horse Pinky Ring priced at $3,150. (more wallet friendly options of this ring are available).

You just graduated College with a Bachelor's in Archeology. David Yurman starting at $1,050 USD.

"I do not need directions, I can get there on my own!" David Yurman starting at $8,800 USD.

Bougie Rocker. David Yurman starting at $650 USD.

"Lets go out around Monaco." David Yurman starting at $1,250 USD.

What Signet are you?

When it is all said and done there is no doubt a signet ring adds to your identity, so saying a gentleman's wardrobe needs a signet ring is an understatement. Whether it is from David Yurman, Mejuri, Miansai, or even a vintage and historic piece from an estate sale, a signet ring is the way in which you tell people without speaking that you have a story and they must hear it.

Yours Truly,

S.E Vega

P.S. If you are by the Westchester NY area, swing by the Westchester Mall and visit Sarah at David Yurman, this lovely lady will help you tell your story.