When in doubt, wear gray!  It’s such a cool neutral that goes with everything.  These gray essentials above – button shirt, v-neck tee, sneakers, jeans – are currently on my wish list for a bangin’ casual cool style.  You can find them all here at g star.  Go for a tonal look by incorporating different hues of gray into one outfit.

As temperatures are warming up, chino pants are a great option to denim jeans as they are lighter, cooler and just as versatile.

I prefer the color and the style (no excess bulk or drag) of these two pairs in stone & gray.  They will go with just about everything in your wardrobe such as a check print shirt and oxford shoes.  Take a peak at the rest of the Men’s Ben Sherman tops for easy yet stylish pairing options for these everyday pants.

The Adidas Gazelle is one of the cool “old school ” retro kicks.  You can’t go wrong with just about any color (maybe not pink) with its classic vintage-inspired style.  Classic shoe style always come back at when it comes to Adidas has it on lock when it comes to dropping fresh new kicks with a twist of what your daddy wore back in the day.

My favorite pair has to be this tonal gray sneaker in sleek leather.  These crisp kicks are perfect for warmer seasons in deep blue suede.  Since they are affordable, grab your girl a pair while at it & score some brownie points.  Check out the SALE.

The Sales Guy Will Be Working…

If you walk into a men’s suit store, don’t be overcome by the sales tactics of the guy working there. He has to work like everybody else, so don’t blame the guy, but just remember to go in knowing exactly what it is you want.

More often than not, if you don’t have a clear idea of what you want, you will be upsold and end up coming out with half of the store, most of which you don’t need or want.

The emergence of high street brands has allowed quality suits to be available without going to a high end ‘Savile Row’ tailors. Reputable brands like Ted Baker offer designer suits that are fitted, and their Endurance range combines high performance fabrics with hidden detailing and traditional tailoring.

The Jacket should be tight….

The centre piece of the suit is intrinsic to your look. You don’t need to lift your arms in the air to see if your jacket fits; it should lie very closely to your sides, and go in slightly to the middle.

Arguably, it should be a little restricting if you are looking to get the ultra-tailored look. Remember, you are not going to be doing any heavy lifting in your jacket, therefore if you can fit more than a fist in-between your chest and the suit, it is too big.

Don’t Shirk your Shirt…

Don’t think you have to spend a fortune getting a decent shirt to go with your suit. You can get white shirts relatively cheaply, although it is important that the fit is correct. If the shirt is baggy around the waist when tucked in, go to the tailor and get it altered. You don’t want your shirt ruining your look.

Shirts will not last as long as your suit, so if you find a colour or fit that works very well with your suit, buy a couple to ensure you can keep your look.  This shouldn’t cost much, and when you are spending so much on a suit, the last thing you want is a baggy shirt ruining your style.

Simple Lines, Simple Colours, Simply Style…

Keep it simple, stupid. Although you may be tempted to go all Willy Wonka when you are buying a new suit, but buying something that you will be able to wear at any occasion will make it timeless, allowing you to get years’ worth of wear out of your suit.

Black is often a bit of a no-no unless you are a gangster or attending a wedding. A dark blue or charcoal suit is often the most effective colour as you can use it time and time again for a wedding, christening, you name it, you will be the most stylish there.

I would personally go for a ‘European Cut’, as I find the slim style more stylish and flattering, but the Savile Row cut is also for some people. I would encourage everyone to avoid the American ‘Sack Cut’, the most unflattering suit of them all.

Get the Fit right…

A suit doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive, but bear in mind, the less you pay, the more will have to be changed at the tailor. This is a total requirement to get exactly the right fit and look sharp. Key measurements include:

• Arm length – Short enough to show some sleeve from your shirt.
• Trouser Length – Measure from the bottom of your crotch to just above your shoe. You want to be able to stand without showing your socks.
• Shoulders – Make sure the seam sits right on the edge of your shoulders. Arguably the most important measurement as this is difficult to tailor.

What things do you look for when buying a suit? Let us know in the comments below.

Eyeglasses have become a fashion accessory.  Like everything else glasses have come a long way in both technology and style.  So many of us wear some form of eyewear, and if you are going to wear glasses you might as well look – fresh!  As they say smart-chic is in right now – the look has been sported by numerous celebrities including Justin Tiimberlake, David Beckham and hoopsters such as D. Wade and Kevin Durant and King James.

The great thing is there is no shortage of men’s eyewear available online.  They come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes to suit your style and needs – prescription or not.  Black plastic frames are widely popular for making that cool, geeky statement, and they are quite versatile, although you do have to be somewhat cautious.  Wayfarer and Aviator styles are ideal for retro looks while rimless (or semi-rimless) glasses are great for those that don’t want glasses to stand out as they virtually disappear on your face.  If you are looking for that sleek, smart and sharp image, check out the Porsche Design collection.

Pick out the style that enhances your features.  When ordering online, there are easy tools and articles to help you with your purchasing decision.  Another easy way is to get measurements from the pair that you already own and compare those specs online.

Those of us who saw the Grammy awards past Sunday night undoubtedly caught wind of the dapper minimalism dominating celebrity style right now.  Everyone from Jay-Z and Tyrese Gibson to the guys from Fun, was decked out in their city-bests: tailored jackets, narrow lapels, mute-colored skinny ties, and pocket squares.  The lesson we learned is that, right now, stars are keeping accessories to a minimum, often opting only for the one indispensable menswear accessory – a nice wristwatch.

For the rest of us, copping the look of the clothes is easy enough, but what about adding a cool timepiece that fits the trend while still getting noticed?  Here’s a quick look at three wristwatches that work well in sharp, modern, stylistically simple ensembles, at prices that will work for any budget!

Stuhrling Original Belmont

The Stuhrling Original Belmont nails down the minimalist look with a healthy dose of urban smarts.  Add points for the crocodile strap, black dial, and white numbers.  There’s something really metropolitan about this watch’s dressy vibe with clean, slightly-elongated numerals.  You’ll be hard pressed to find a sub-$100 watch from a more respected watchmaker that has as much timely sophistication as the Belmont.

Fossil Swiss Made Automatic Tan

Fossil has entered the Swiss watch marketplace with a series of striking watches under $1000 each.  All four of the timepieces in the maker’s current lineup are great, but the tan model (which might as well be called light brown) stands out for its blend of modern minimalism and throwback style.  The dial of the Fossil Swiss Made Automatic Tan has cool hands and numbers at 12 and 6, contrasted against a black dial.  The watch gets extra points for nicely putting black and brown together.

Seiko Automatic Spring Dive

The Seiko Spring Dive is another watch with a croc strap, and this one has a definite air of originality.  The black and silver design of the Spring Dive adds a modern spin to the traditional dive watch format – with welcome effect.  The old rules say that we should not wear our divers with our suits, but that’s a rule that is regularly broken, and this Seiko is an ideal watch to bend the rules with.  Seiko is known for making solid timepieces, and at $2800, you get what you pay for with the Spring Dive – quality.

red carpet photos via Just Jared

With Valentine’s Day in just a few days, you may be still searching for the perfect way to say “I love you” to that special gal in your life.  Flowers, candy and nice bottles of wine are all well and good, but if you’re looking for something extra special – whether it’s for Valentine’s Day or any other occasion – look no further than rings!

Although you may immediately think of precious metals when it comes to jewelry – such as silver, gold and platinum – you should know that there are also a wide range of contemporary materials that are quite common in modern jewelry.  Metals such as tungsten carbide, titanium and stainless steel are durable, come in a variety of colors and designs, and are also surprisingly affordable.

The selection of styles in women’s and men’s rings is truly remarkable.  Before you set about finding that amazing ring for your guy or gal, be sure you know the right ring size and have a good idea of what style he or she would most enjoy.  Although there is a seemingly endless variety from which to choose, four types of rings really stand out as romantic favorites.

• Promise rings: Long considered to be a precursor to an engagement ring, a promise ring symbolizes just that – a promise of love made between a man and a woman (or man).  Women’s promise rings often incorporate a small diamond or cubic zirconia (CZ) and a heart or a knot-shaped design.  Once thought to be primarily a gift that a man gave to a woman, men’s promise rings are becoming more and more popular each year.  Consider, for example, a two-toned silver and gold tone titanium men’s ring accented with a single CZ.

• Celtic rings: You don’t have to have Celtic ancestry to enjoy wearing jewelry inspired by Celtic designs.  One of the most popular is the Celtic knot.  This ancient motif, which consists of a series of interchangeable knots with no beginning and no end, has become one of the most universally understood symbols of everlasting, undying love and devotion.  This, of course, makes a Celtic ring an ideal way to say “I love you” to your special guy or gal.  One fine example is a Celtic knot design in a sterling silver woman’s band.

• Claddagh rings: Traditionally given as a symbol of love, loyalty and friendship, Claddagh rings were named after the tiny Irish fishing village in which they were first created in the 17th century.  This beautiful design, consisting of two hands holding a heart, has been a favorite way to say “I love you” for centuries.  A strikingly handsome version of Claddagh men’s rings is one in which the Claddagh symbol is made of bronze and set into an antiqued silver finish.

• Matching rings: Another wonderful way to say “I love you” is with a set of matching his and her rings.  Although more traditionally thought of as something that a bride and groom would purchase for each other, it’s also completely appropriate to buy matching rings for each other that are promise rings, engagement rings or simply a special way to symbolize your affection for one another.

On Valentine’s Day or any other time you want to say “I love you,” women’s and men’s rings are the ideal way to show your affection for that special someone in your life. Whether you choose a promise ring to indicate your commitment, a Celtic ring to symbolize the unending nature of your relationship, a Claddagh ring to show your loyalty and love, or matching rings to demonstrate to the people around you that you are undoubtedly a couple, rings could be the perfect way to say “I love you.”

Cindy White writes about men’s wedding rings and other men’s rings for JustMensRings.com.

Tell your girl what you really want on Valentine’s Day… well, I’m talking about outside of your bed that is.  Here are some cool grabs to take care of your grooming to wardrobe needs.  You can simply get these items online yourself or hint at your lady to pamper you on your birthday and so on.  Tell her what you want, it makes her job much easier… trust me.  Here are our picks for Valentine’s Day gifts for men.

Shirts | Boots | Duffle | Candle | Scrub & UV Guard | Clip-On Lens | Watch | Bladeless Fan

Your girl wants a margarita but you want a cold beer, then how about having the best of both worlds by whipping up a beerita – beer and margarita unite!  I like the fizz from beer that infuses with a citrusy margarita.  It’s a strong yet tasty, drink without packing too many calories.  Here you go fellas.

Beerita
2 Bottles (24 oz) of chilled Corona light beer (Corona is off the chain with limes!)
1 Cup (8 oz to 12 oz) of Tequila (Sauza Hornitos as such)
1 Can (12oz) of frozen limeade
2 Tbsp kosher salt
1 Lime cut into 6 slices (optional)
Serves 6 (more like 4)

Set aside 1 tbsp of limeade concentrate on a flat dish.  Place salt on another plate.  In a pitcher, combine the remaining limeade and tequila.  Stir until thoroughly mixed.  Slowly pour in the two beers.  Rim glasses with reserved limeade and salt (this step is a must… just kidding).  Tap each glass to remove loose salt.  Pour the drink mixture into prepared glasses.  Add a splash of lime juice from a lime wedge (optional).  Find a comfy chair.  Sit back and enjoy your beeritas.  Serve with salty nuts or your favorite snack.  If you don’t want the hassle of making it yourself, just pick up a Bud Light Lime-A-Rita pack which is super convenient in 8 oz cans.  Cheers!

Live Long: Do Not Drink And Drive!

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Sponsored Video for the Beefeater 24 Global Bartender Competition.
 

Deciding which men’s dress shirts fit your body and your personality is personal—literally. Finding the best dress shirt style requires looking past the small, medium or large size of the overall package and focusing on the individual components.  Here are some great tips on how to find the right one for you.

Collars

Consider the collar. The collar sets the tone of the garment; flattering the facial shape and influencing the level of formality. The type of collar also mandates which tie knots are appropriate. Collar styles are generally determined by the distance between the short sides of the points. Most men look professional with a standard point; however, round faces are flattered by longer points whereas men with narrower features prefer shorter point versions.

Contrast Collar

A strong confident person may prefer to wear a contrast collar, made with a different color fabric from the shirt, with matching French cuffs peaking from the jacket sleeve. White contrast is the most popular choice for business professionals. Large tie knots work best with spread collars—which have a wider spread between the points. Many experts suggest the cutaway spread collar is the most formal collar style for dress shirts.

Fitted Dress Shirts

The collar sets the tone for men’s dress shirts, but choosing the best fit has everything to do with how men look and feel. A dress shirt should closely fit your body type. Wearing a dress shirt that has too much extra fabric around the middle section or that fits too tightly across the chest is uncomfortable and looks sloppy when you remove your jacket.

Athletic Fit Dress Shirts

The athletic fit dress shirt is cut wider through the shoulders and is slightly tapered through the body of the garment to accommodate a larger chest while eliminating extra fabric around a slim waist line. Some styles have more room in the upper arms and larger cuffs to fit muscular bodies.

Tailored Dress Shirts

Men’s dress shirts with a tailored fit provide a cut that is contoured closer to the body. The tailored fit is suited to men that prefer a shirt without extra room in the chest and midsection. This style allows ease of movement without being loose or billowy.

Slim Fit Dress Shirts

Slender men find that the slim fit style works better for them than a regular-cut dress shirt. While the collar, cuff and sleeve length are the same as a regular fit garment, the chest is cut four to five inches narrower and tapers to a narrower waist.

Whether a dress shirt has a button-down collar, a straight collar, French cuffs or barrel cuffs, the details like top-stitching and edge-stitching are subtle elements that accentuate the image you want to project. Choosing a fit and style that is comfortable and compliments your personality is certain to please any audience.

Jay-Z (Hov) out & about with wifey Beyonce last month in the eye-catching Nike Zoom KD V (DMV) in Maryland bright crimson/white wolf gray.  Jigga kept the rest of look neutral including the camo pants.  This limited release is popular but you can find them here.  Don’t be scirred (scared, come’on people) to go bright with your kicks fellas  as the man that has it all shows you here.  Personally, I would no doubt go cop these sneaks.

Photos via JustJared, NikeBlog

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