Guy Style

David Armstrong for VMAN

He might be one of Hollywood’s hottest young stars, but don’t think Penn Badgley’s career aspirations end with his role on Gossip Girl. “I’m not just a teen star idol. I’m not just that,” he says in a spread photographed by David Armstrong for Fall 2009 issue of VMan magazine. And while his life right now might be filled with a constant onslaught of flashbulbs and obsessed fans, when it comes to fame, he reveals a down-to-earth attitude. “You barely have to be famous for people to scream when they see you,” he says. “In certain circles we’re treated like royalty. We’re treated like the Kennedys. We’re never going to be able to separate New York City from Gossip Girl and vice versa.” And Penn himself understands the curiosity in his on- and off-screen relationship with Blake Lively. “If you look at the lives we’re leading on the show and the lives we’re leading offscreen, I mean, they’re very similar,” he admits. “But it’s not weird, it doesn’t feel incestuous.” And in that same vein, the actor tries to keep a low profile. “I’ve always tried to distance myself from the character. You don’t want people to think of you as this one guy.” Tell us: What do you think of Penn’s spread for VMan?

David Armstrong for VMAN

Al Bello/Nike

When Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal take the court at the US Open, tennis fans will have more to ooh and ah over than their speedy serves and flawless forehands. The superstar athletes have all teamed up with Nike to create the winning outfits that take their inspiration from New York City itself. Yesterday, Nike along with Roger, Serena and Rafael gave the Big Apple a sneak peek, including a classic red and black look for new dad Federer, meant to highlight his debonaire charm. Rafael Nadal got his desire for something bold and bright with a vibrant yellow and turquoise top inspired by the city’s taxi cabs. Serena Williams also was feeling bold, hence her hot pink scoop neck tank dress. Maria Sharapova wanted to play up her best features on the court — her shoulders. Working with Nike, the tennis pro created two looks, a soft pink racerback dress with electric yellow piping and a navy racerback number with shimmering silver contrast that was inspired by the New York City skyline — and don’t forget about her Tiffany & Co. earrings designed by Frank Gehry. We can’t wait for the Open to begin on August 31. Will you be watching?

CLICK THROUGH TO SEE MARIA SHARAPOVA’S US OPEN LOOKS!

Nike

PA Photos/Landov

Recently it seems that Hollywood’s been abuzz about the smell of their leading men, with Oprah gushing over Jay-Z’s scent and Justin Timberlake singing the praises of Givenchy Play. Count in Usher, who in this month’s issue of InStyle gives readers the low-down on fashion, fatherhood — and fragrance. And while his latest fragrance, VIP, will be hitting shelves soon, his love of cologne is nothing new. “I would go to church with my granddad every Sunday, and he’d put on his Brut [by Faberge],” Usher tells the magazine. “I’d ask him for some, and he’d say, ‘Boy, you don’t want any of this. It’ll put hair on your chest.’” When it came to contemplating what line he’s like to put his name on, he went for staying-power. “I’ve thought about clothing and jewelry lines,” he explains, “but fragrance stays on when everything else comes off.” And while Usher might be known for rocking a wardrobe of elegant tuxedos and suave casual wear — plus a legendary collection of over 10,000 pairs of shoes — he offers up one very unexpected footwear must-have: Birkenstocks. “I got that from the Bay Area. Being a man of style means you’re not tied to one look.” Check out more of Usher’s interview in the 15th Anniversary issue ofInStyle with Jennifer Lopez on the cover, on stands now. Than tell us: What is your favorite scent for men?

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Courtesy of Men’s Health

Eric Bana may travel nude through time in The Time Traveler’s Wife, but the Aussie actor has come to admire tailored clothing and a classic look in his own present-day life. “When someone is a good craftsman, I appreciate it,” he tells Men’s Health for their September cover story. “I guess it comes from appreciating design when it comes to cars.” The actor counts Hollywood favorites like John Varvatos, Calvin Klein, Gucci and Tom Ford as a few of his favorite labels. And though he has an appetite for luxe labels when it comes to red carpet wear, Bana claims he really is just a jeans and T-shirt type of guy. “I’m usually grossly underdressed,” he tells the magazine. “I think everyone in my local cafe would literally stop talking if I walked in wearing a suit. They’d laugh at me.” But he still is a careful shopper. “When I look at an item on the rack, there needs to be one distinguishing feature that makes it pop. I look for a detail that I know I’ll appreciate 5 years from now, not just at that moment.” And something he has come to count on? “I love a slim-fitting suit — Tom Ford is a favorite.” Now that’s what we call style. Read more of the Men’s Health interview with Eric Bana, where the hunky actor dishes on his love for cars, old friends and his life outside of Hollywood at menshealth.com.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ERIC BANA’S MEN’S HEALTH COVER!
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Kevin Mazur/WireImage

The guys gave the ladies a run for their money last night on the red carpet of the Teen Choice Awards, but we noticed a certain spiffy trend emerging — vests! Both Chace Crawford and Taylor Lautner turned up in sharply tailored vests, but wore them quite differently. Crawford, PEOPLE’s Hottest Bachelor, left his John Varvatos Star USA topper unbuttoned and casual, while Lautner showed off his now famously-fit physique in a buttoned-up Spurr waistcoat. We think they both look like sharply-dressed men, but we want to know which look you prefer! Tell us: Who wears his vest better? Chace Crawford or Taylor Lautner? Vote in our poll below.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE STYLISH STARS AT THE TEEN CHOICE AWARDS!

Splash News Online

To all the girls who wept after Chace Crawford sheared off his signature bangs recently, he has a reassuring message. “It wasn’t intentional!” says the Gossip Girl actor, who is back to his feathered-over-forehead bangs that female fans know and love. “I was over in London and someone cut it too short and I had to go to an event and I threw it back and it turned out to be some big deal.” When he reported back at work for the new season of Gossip Girl two weeks ago, the actor, 24, “showed up on set the first day and said, ‘Listen…can we do my hair this way for the first episode? Because it’s a little short…’ . And it kinda stuck. It was good to switch things up, though.” While taking a break from shooting today, Crawford helped to launch Wii Sports Resort’s new interactive video game by Nintendo in Times Square, joking to PEOPLE that “I was sweating, I’m gonna be sore tomorrow, but I won the speed slice!” Maybe he’s still sore from his recent move out of his shared apartment with costar Ed Westwick and into his own place in Manhattan. “I needed my own space and it’s a little bit secluded and I like that…I have my own privacy. I’ve been walking around a bit. I found a nice Chipotle in the neighborhood and that’s all I need. I need my Chipotle and my little coffee maker and I’m good.” Also a recent change is the addition of a new love interest for his alter-ego Nate Archibald, played by Joanna Garcia. “Do we kiss? That’s about all (we do)!,” he laughs. “She’s lovely, so it’s really difficult….” We can’t wait to see it, no matter what do Chace is sporting! –Natasha Stoynoff

Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP

His wife, Michelle Obama, might be one of the nation’s premier fashion icons, but when it comes to style, “I’m a little frumpy,” President Barack Obama admitted on this morning’s Today show. After a series of questions related to serious issues of state policy, host Meredith Vieira closed her interview with the President with a light-hearted question about the baggy jeans he wore to throw out the first pitch at the All-Star game last week, dubbed by some as “dad jeans” and “nerd jeans.” Asked if he wanted to defend his look, President Obama declined, explaining, “Up until a few years ago I only had four suits. Michelle used to tease me because they’d get really shiny. I hate to shop, and those jeans are comfortable. And for those of you who want your president to look great in his tight jeans, I’m sorry, I’m not the guy,” he laughs. Click to see the full interview.