Fabric of a Man

CHANGELING: Upon first meeting style blogger Elizha Colquitt it’s hard to believe the cheery-eyed Tennessee native was once a street thug—a gang member in fact—throughout a portion of his surly youth. Back then trouble was always a glance away. But times change. People change. Boys evolve into men. During our recent photo shoot in Philly’s historic Elfreths Alley, the 30 year old admittedly says he’s matured quite a bit since his southern bred childhood. “We’re all going to die one day,” he says. “Why live in a box while we’re here? There’s no reason for me to live for other people.” Somewhere along the road of life his perspectives changed. He stopped investing energy into what others thought of him. “There was a time when I worried if other people’s perceptions of what I wore was ‘soft,’” he says. “But I never thought what I wore was soft. My style is more ‘in your face’ now. (Today) I like eclectic pieces. I’ll wear anything.” Featured Look: Slim-fit Upcycled Prospective Flow Denim courtesy of @armourphiladelphia Sneak peek images and interview courtesy of @fabricofaman Get to know Elizha and our other intriguing new Armour affiliates this month as we launch our new Spring into Summer menswear capsule. Stay tuned! #menswear #spring #summer #swag #maturity #retro #style #bloggerlife #philly #thecreativeshots #aboutmen #fabrications #armourphiladelphia #newness #tennessee #pennsylvania #urbanphotography #streetlife #flashbackfriday (at Elfreth’s Alley) https://www.instagram.com/p/COkZXyJLZ-4/?igshid=1palqfpomo7ts

CADRE: Never underestimate your circle of friends. As men its not only healthy for us to be transparent with who we are but also be able to identify and cultivate a healthy, support system throughout our lives. Think of it as a sobering soundboard if you like. So peep the folks who rock with you. Who offers you their unwavering support when the shit hits the fan? Think about it. Who is REALLY there for you..? Take note. They are the ones who are golden. Treasure them. Respect them. Hold them close because if and when the world turns cold, they are the same ones you can always turn to for guidance, immeasurable warmth, friendship and best of all—real love. #friends #friendship #men #cultivatewhatmatters #support #encouragement #circle #lovewins #lifenotes #blogger #bloggerlifestyle #progress #healing #souls #eachother #eachoneteachone #aboutmen #fabrications #bountiful #life Props to @realblackpower for inspiring this post.🙏🏾 https://www.instagram.com/p/CLPeZRWLonv/?igshid=4uut56n31ecx

ENABLER: What did you learn about yourself this year? Undoubtedly 2020 has revealed a few ugly truths to all of us. The most memorable one? Man is flawed. He’s as much scared of his present as he is scarred from his past. Fortunately he’s... evolving. Adapting. He’s not just outraged and remorseful. He’s rugged. Resourceful. Resilient. More importantly, he’s not alone in his struggles nor in his self-made turmoils. His destiny awaits. We’re so grateful for supportive friends like one of our favorite new ones, actor @marcasart who, by his silent example, reminds us that through acts of kindness and sincerity and patience, we can heal old wounds. Perhaps then we could all get through this thing called LIFE without having to rip someone a new one just to maintain democracy or keep the fading idea of equity alive. #everyseason #another #reason #friendship #brotherhood #smiles #laughter #together #united #standtall #democracy #wethepeople #america #reflections #random #musings #stylish #men #fashionstyle #actorslife #emotes #generalhospital #aboutmen #bloggersofinstagram #bloggerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/CI6eX__LKB5/?igshid=4rtdzp6umdtg

Hope is freedom from the agony of despair. And after a yearlong battle with an invisible marauder that’s damn near crippled all our lives, there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. A vaccine has emerged. But make no mistake. We are still IN the tunnel. Together. #vaccine #relief #help #hope #timeinabottle #yearlong #random #deepthoughts #lifestyle #bloggerstyle #savvy #menswear #sojourn #denim #casual #style #menswear #brotherhood #mybrotherskeeper #sundayvibes Props to our brother @ken__possible who makes a celebratory libation and denim moment look like classic Happiness 101. ✊🏾 For more casual style ideas check out @armour_philadelphia https://www.instagram.com/p/CIvoO2ZMBI6/?igshid=col5xxkcacnf

PRESERVATION: It’s no secret. The world we once knew is long gone. The social bliss we knew before was drizzled in our own ignorance. We know better now. And when you know better you do better. The fact is we’re still in the grip of this horrid COVID-19 pandemic and our survival during the days ahead depends on our collective safety compliance. It’s simple common sense rules: Avoid large crowds. Wash your hands. Practice social distancing in public spaces. And wear a face covering in all spaces that are not your home. The world is not your alone. Be smart. Stay safe.😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷Check out our beautiful handmade reusable cloth face masks @armour_philadelphia More colors arriving soon. #protection #survivor #safetyfirst #masklife😷 #summeressentials #fabrications #masks #coronachronicles #barriers #aboutmen #coverup #styleblogger #preservation (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCa-b22JVoi/?igshid=1q3q39o1dqwbs

BOUNDARIES: In our “new normal” the only barriers we promote are the ones that keep us safe. Healthy. Alive. #masklife To grab this super comfy, limited edition reusable cloth face mask, click the link in our bio. Props to @armour_philadelphia for another stylish addition to our summer attire. 👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾 #philly #newness #masks #armourphiladelphia #newitem #accessories #menswear #flygear #bloggers #style #stylejunkies #inthesestreets #newnormal (at South Philadelphia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CB0TlQnJ_Lr/?igshid=1ld69xdlljupq

MATURITY: The thing I hate the most about getting older is loosing all the colorfully charismatic elders in my life. Sure, I know it’s all so inevitable, but still, I miss their wisdom and their old world charm. There’s something really cool and savvy about a mature man who can sit and listen to the gripes and groans of today and recall with such clarity the lifelessons he learned through time. The value of a dollar when he was a kid. The meaning of love, compassion and forgiveness. The pride of being self-made. His parallels and parables are priceless. Perhaps now is as good a time as any to just sit and listen and learn from each other. #foodforthought #ramblings #fabrications #fabrication #fixation #flaunt #genre #oldschool #flavor #menswear #mensblogger #stylists #fashionguru #thecatinthehat #maturity #sonsandfathers #daddyshome #listenup #leasonslearned #grandparealness Props to @ericlafforgue for inspiring this post with her nostalgic imagery. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBS1ES5p1bx/?igshid=2gcepsr2uw9i

PAUSE:#blackouttuesday #blacklivesmatter #justiceforgeorgefloyd #justiceforahmaud #justiceforbreonnataylor #justice #theshowmustbepaused (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA71LsaJ2Pj/?igshid=g5wf25nvld4i

SOLIDARITY: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” —James Baldwin #inspiration #aboutmen #unity #unification #pride #soulbrother #migente #baldwin #jimmy #muse #allthingswritten #wordsmith #author #activist #visionary #outspoken #iconic #fightthepower #protest #standup #riseup #repost ⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ And much love to @blackart365 for continually inspiring us with such powerfully poignant and provocative pieces of artistic brilliance. Props! https://www.instagram.com/p/CAgUq3uJN0w/?igshid=7oydivzv4vw5

LIVING: How do we live our “best life” when basic survival in “the new normal” has seemingly overshadowed our short-term aspirations? Answer: We cope. We plan. We strategize. We persevere. We live. 🔥🔥🔥🔥Sidebar—loving the beautiful threads that are @orangecultureng #inspired #rich #culture #survive #thrive #live #quest #stomptheyard #fit #men #swag #style #captured #menswear #love #stylistic #fabrications #dope #repost #genre #ambience #environment #mood #elevation https://www.instagram.com/p/CAawa1uJylg/?igshid=a9fuwesy7ix

Don’t let circumstance dictate your reality. Remember, without even trying, you are the narrator of your life. The voice of your own tomorrow. So...be fearless. Fred Hampton “The Chairman” by @artbywak #blackpanther #revolution #losangeles #harlem #narrator #mainframe #beardgame #freedomfighters #beardculture #aboutmen #inequity https://www.instagram.com/p/B7XDeTepl9X/?igshid=6zz0hmtxbl54

SOMBER: Not sure when it happens but somewhere between the cradle and the grave we forget how to laugh. We forget how to enjoy the simple things in life. How to enjoy the feeling of freedom and the comfort of home. The love of our family and the compassion of our friends. The way our hearts melt over babies and furry puppies and warm sunsets and fresh cut grass. We loose contact with the innocence of our youth. Then, shit happens. Life kicks us square in the balls. Bills are due. Mistakes are made. Lessons ignored. Folks change. We become jaded. Hardened. Sullen. Even worse—maudlin. If we could just remember how to reconnect with the pure joy we felt as lil’ carefree boys, running about with our friends. Playing. Laughing. Loving. Living in the light. *******************We dedicate our first post of 2020 to our friend @earth2arthur He was homie. Our other brother. Our favorite running partner. The little boy all grown up who somewhere, somehow forgot how to laugh. R.I.P. bro.🖤🤍💔 #anguish #tragic #broken #lost #coping #clinging #challenges #lifehurts #planofaction #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mybrotherskeeper #wetwoareone #despair #hope #tomorrow #rebuilding #faith #trust #compassion #healing #thejourney #life #musings #fabrications #aboutmen #compassion #checkin #listening #holdon #itgetsbetter (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/B677F4fpHy3/?igshid=1m78paev0l84g

Photo: Courtesy of Emil Brice.

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INVALUABLE: We pray for the life of a troubled soul who recently lost his way in this world. And as his life hangs in the balance we can’t help but ask ourselves, “Why?” Good, bad or indifferent we are all on a journey, each one uniquely defined by our personal circumstances and peppered by the unforgettable colorful characters we encounter along the way. To anyone reading this post we say, be brave. Don’t be afraid to love. Be fearless in your journey. Believe in yourself and know that your life matters no matter what the world may say to the contrary. And although it may sound cliché, it really does get better. Props to @rickdusi Thank you for continuing to inspire and brighten our lives with your brilliant menswear collection and eye-catching designs. #fabrications #menswear #repost #rickdusi #style #globalreference #dopethreads #faith #lostsouls #troubledyouth #brokenspirit #healing #crisis #balance #spiritworld #life #worthy #selflove #selfcare #soyoung https://www.instagram.com/p/B5ysSlNJhH0/?igshid=xvj5hjsfjkrk

QUEST: Seems like we’re always searching for something in this life. Approval. Love. Answers. Friendship. Power. Respect. A place to belong. Peace. Hope. A second chance. A new wardrobe. A new car. A new home. A good bargain. A better life. The perfect body. Laughter. Kindness. Freedom. Safety. Financial stability. Comfort. Stimulation. Gratification. Emancipation. Satisfaction. And the list goes on... Perhaps the real question is when do we ever realize that we already possess what we need to be content? #deepthoughts #aboutmen #contentment #satisfaction #searchfortomorrow #searching #visionquest #insideout #random #momentsofbliss #aboutlastnight #men #mainthang #mybrotherskeeper #joyfulnoise #happiness #thefinest #richlydeserved #style #stylishmen #fashions https://www.instagram.com/p/B2T_bBSBlz9/?igshid=1ibg0kwnoisj2