Rebellious Gentleman

The Rebellious Gentleman Recommends: Swims Overshoes

2011-07-28T17:48:00.007+08:00

Rain has been pouring down here in Manila for the past three days. While I wait for the day that I can safely wear my sunglasses, I can't help but feel envious to those of you who have Swims Overshoes. So forget about wearing boots or flip flops and stylishly rock those oxfords in the rain.

The Rebellious Gentleman Recommends: Lonely Nerds in Fedoras

2011-04-30T15:09:00.003+08:00

I just stumbled upon this wonderful blog:
Lonely Nerds in Fedoras
(Pictures of lonely nerds wearing fedoras in an attempt to look classy)

Definitely worth checking out.

Ask the Rebellious Gentleman - Sunglasses

2011-03-30T20:16:00.014+08:00

Q: I mostly like your advice, but dislike sunglasses. Altogether. Whenever I see someone wearing them, I see someone desperately trying to be stylish. Don't you have similar thoughts sometimes?

A: Yes of course I do. But it depends on what kind of sunglasses they are wearing.

See also what I posted earlier:
Wearing sunglasses inside

Spring/Summer Style Upgrade

2011-03-23T22:21:00.022+08:00

For the folks up north, days are becoming warmer and Spring is just around the corner.
Here in the tropics the upcoming April means bracing ourselves for the 35+ degrees Celsius weather as flowers go into full bloom.
So how do we stay stylish under the unbearable heat?
Well, it's about time to have a wardrobe update.

1. Colorize your wardrobe

from http://www.thesartorialist.com/

2. Wear shorts

A lot of men are not into the idea of wearing shorts. Though a flat front cotton shorts that end above the knee can make any wearer look decently cool.

3. Lighter fabrics

This man manage to pull of a suit during a hot summer day because of lighter fabrics. Check out shirts and coats in cotton, linen, seersucker and tropical wool.

from http://putthison.com/

4. Wear Sunglasses

The Classic Rayban Aviators never goes out of style.

5. Solid colored t-shirts
As I posted before stay away from t-shirts with logos and graphic designs (especially skulls and fleur-de-lis). Opt to wear simple solid colored t-shirts.

6. Get a swimsuit that ends almost halfway up your thigh

photo taken from GQ

7. Canvas Sneakers

Not only do they make your feet cool, they also have that laid back and stylish appeal.

8. Replace old underwear

Even I admit wearing underwear with a hole, so chances are you are still wearing your 5 year old underwear.

9. Wear cloth and woven belts

They look great with sneakers during the weekends.

from Banana Republic

10. Go sockless

from http://www.thevjmporium.com/

As they say when you don't wear socks "Good news for your feet, bad news for your shoes."

Hoodie + Shorts: Hot or Cool?

2011-03-17T21:57:00.009+08:00

I often see guys wearing a hoodie with shorts and it makes me want to ask them the question,
"Do you think you're hot or cool?"

photo taken from flickr

What do you think, readers?

Levi's Spring 2011 Double Denim

2011-03-12T16:55:00.008+08:00

Levi's writes, "This season is all about Denim on Denim: on-the-go, ready-for-the-road outfits you can easily pull off even with just a few clothing pieces."

My advice still stands on staying away from double denim unless as I have said before, you are a cowboy going to an 80’s themed costume party or Clint Eastwood.

Denimblog's Raw Denim Guide

2011-03-08T20:34:00.006+08:00

In relation to my last post I recommend Denimblog's Raw Denim Guide. I've seen other raw denim guide on the internet but anuish14's guide is the most "beginner friendly" guide out there.

photo taken from denimblog.com

Check it out on:
http://www.denimblog.com/c/forum/thread/148896/raw-denim-guide-411-start-here

Enjoy getting your own version of high contrast fades!

The Rebellious Gentleman Recommends: Levis 501 Jeans

2011-03-05T23:25:00.012+08:00

The Levis 501 Jeans are no doubt a classic denim. Now a bit slimmer, their quality and fit are way beyond the price paid for them.

You can either go with the Original or Shrink to fit version. Either way, wearing them makes one feel rebellious in some way, from Marlon Brando to Steve McQueen.

I do recommend getting the raw denim version and make your own version of "distressed jeans".

The Rebellious Gentleman Recommends: Bicycles

2011-03-02T15:31:00.014+08:00

While browsing some of the pictures from The Sartorialist, the ladies in bicycles have truly caught my eye.

from The Sartorialist

It makes me wonder why here in Metro Manila, I rarely see our ladies on them. Well, as if the rising gasoline prices and transportation fares would made them ride such.

bodies brought by healthy bike riding

We can't blame the weather since we're blessed with an eternal summer climate but what's really stopping us from riding bicycles? For me, the reason why I don't ride a bike to work is mainly because of the air pollution. Manila's transportation mainly relies on cars and buses. Air pollution here is constantly on the rise.

of course you can wear a suit

Here is a classic case of a solution to the problem is being hampered by the problem itself. So if I may ask my readers, what's stopping you from riding a bike everyday?

Ask the Rebellious Gentleman - Wedding

2011-03-01T13:21:00.010+08:00

Q: Could you write some tips for wedding? I'm getting married on May and I need some dressing tips! I'm male, btw :P
-PekkaK

A: First and foremost, congrats on getting married. While most rebellious gentlemen prefer to be single their entire lives, being married and keeping a single life still tops it. Well joking aside and moving on, I would like to stress that you are not going to a prom. So don't color coordinate your tuxedo or suit with your bride to be. Doing so will likely increase the chances of her filing a divorce.

Avoid!

Without going a bit further on the subject, what kind of wedding are you planning? Where are you getting married? Church? Beach? Backyard? What is the dress code?
For a casual wedding, you can never go wrong with a classic and well fitted charcoal suit. Stick with one color silver and black ties.

from Indochino

If it's a black tie occasion, go with a simple classic tuxedo with a bit of modern touch. A black single breasted jacket paired with a turn-down collar shirt and a vest or a cummerbund to cover your waist. A bow tie is a must so learn how to tie it if you don't know how.

photo from Melody Farrin Photography

As always, fit is important so no loose or tight fit.

Ask the Rebellious Gentleman - Business Conference Outfit

2011-02-28T13:07:00.010+08:00

Q: Ok, this is really good info, though not applicable to me. So if I may, I'm going to a business conference in a couple of months, my first time to such an event. I don't really want to wear a suit, but I still want to look presentable, what would you recommend? Thanks.

- Motivationalized

A: In this day and age of businesses going casual, suits are becoming appropriate only to a few business industries like finance. Wearing a business suit is still your best bet especially since this is your first time.
But if you are among the rebellious guys who avoid suits in any way, you can get away with wearing a simple dark denim jeans (no faded jeans) with a dark blazer and shirt. Complete the outfit with a black belt and black round toe oxford shoes.

photo from GQ's Project Upgrade

Ask the Rebellious Gentleman - Suit for a Tall and Fat Poor Guy

2011-02-25T20:32:00.011+08:00

A question was brought up from the comments of my previous entry.

Q: Which black suit will you recommend for a tall and fat poor guy?
- lifehax

A: Ever since I became interested in style and fashion, I always heard an ongoing debate between people saying "baggy and loose fit" and people saying "tight fit" for guys who are fat and tall. I on the other hand is always on the middle on this one. Your best bet to look slimmer is to wear clothes that just hugs your body - A good fit as I use to say.
Fit is everything in clothes so make sure you got that right. It's the basis of all good style. If you've got "fit" right in your suit, you are already halfway there.
So have your suit tailored.

A basic guideline of how a suit should fit
from Askmen's The Style Bible

Moving on, did I already say that you should avoid wearing double breasted suits? If not, please avoid it.
Also, never ever get suit pants with pleats.
Wear a belt. I recommend a slim classic belt with a width of one to one and a half inches.
Lastly, keep it simple. Get a solid colored suit. Don't wear a skinny tie.

Regarding the poor part, I have to say I am sorry since I cannot help you out much here. Let's face it, suits costs a lot of money. I myself only own one. Probably because I don't really need it. I don't wear suits every day and I only reserve it for special occasions. With that I have a question for you, are you wearing this suit for your job interview? your daily job? or only for sweet weddings and inevitable funerals? If you want something that can be worn in almost any occasion you can never go wrong in getting a Classic Charcoal Gray Two button suit. Getting that suit color alone will probably save you from getting another suit.

I hope I got everything down. If you have more questions feel free to ask again.

The Classic Charcoal Gray Suit

2011-02-22T22:04:00.019+08:00

I'm never a fan of black suits. But it seems that every suit wearing businessman here seems to be wearing them. My advice: stay away.

I know most of people here in Manila can't afford to get other suits so they get the most versatile. Add the fact that it is the safest color to wear but with our 24+ degree Celsius temperature why bother?

Instead of black I suggest the Charcoal Gray Suit.

With Manila temperature not getting any cooler this time of the year, get the cotton version. A great choice from youngsters getting their first suit and job to a respectable middle aged manager going to an orchestra concert after office hours.

Like black, it goes well with other shirt colors.

Lighter versions of the Gray Suit are excellent for attending morning weddings here. But personally, I'd rather wear a Barong during such occasions.

Always get two button suits

The Four in Hand Tie Knot

2011-02-18T21:26:00.014+08:00

I've recently went to Makati Business District. For those not familiar with Makati, Philippines, Makati Business District is the heart of the economic and financial trade not only in Metro Manila but in the entire Philippines itself.

As I walk along the clean and nicely paved sidewalks, I took some time looking at the facade of our hardworking white collar employees. What got my attention aside from the usual ill-fitting baggy shirts were the way they tie their ties.

I recommend staying away from the windsors and half-windsors as only a few could pull them off. In this time of slim lapels and non-spread collars, the Four in Hand Knot is the only knot you need to know.

Also, don't forget the dimple.

Rebellious Gentleman Reborn

2011-02-15T22:48:00.000+08:00

Well it's more than a year since. But all that time didn't dull my fashion and style knowledge.

This past year, I get out more and look for more fashion inspirations. Not on the web but on the streets particularly here in Manila where the eternal heat, humidity and rain makes every fashionista cringe.

So stay tuned as I continue giving more style tips!

How to pull off Vests guide

2009-11-25T14:17:00.000+08:00

TRG would have to be honest here; he personally hasn’t worn a vest and still prefers to call them waistcoats. But he knows how to wear it if he decided to pick one up in the future.

1. As part of a suit

• The three piece suit

2. With a long sleeve shirt

• You can throw away the suit jacket but keep the tie on. A good substitute if you feel warm with a coat.

• If you are going for the casual look you can lose the tie. This goes best with casual shoes and jeans. Lapels add a bit of formality on the usual waistcoat.

• Make sure it fits snugly, no loose waistcoats

3. With a t-shirt
This look is not for everyone but some guys do pull it off. Some basic pointers:
• A bit harder to pull off so no graphic tees
• Wear it unbuttoned
• Keep it simple

Example:
Right on

Doing it wrong:

TRG endorses Bluetooth Douchebag

2009-11-14T17:46:00.000+08:00

Tired of seeing conio guys wearing Bluetooth headsets outside their home and cars? The Rebellious Gentleman supports http://bluetoothdouchebag.com/

Double Denim

2009-11-06T19:50:00.000+08:00

I recently recommended a denim jacket here and some might wonder why. Well denim jackets are indeed classic jackets and as long as you keep it nicely fitted, dark, and simple, it will last for years. Rebellious, in an understated way.

Just don’t wear jeans with it. Even if your jeans are black or dark blue without any distress and wash. The only exceptions are cowboys and people going to an 80’s themed costume party.

Affliction Clothing

2009-11-04T14:52:00.001+08:00

Question: What does TRG think of Affliction T-shirts?

Answer: The same with Ed Hardy t-shirts.
Affliction t-shirts are becoming the latest disease affecting every street, club and bar in Metro Manila. For the rebellious gentlemen: Avoid them at all costs.

Upturned collars

2009-10-26T14:38:00.001+08:00

Everyone knows that the popped collar look is officially dead, not to mention it isn’t even cool to begin with, but there are still douchebags who think they can pull it off. Trust me, this is never rebellious in any way and only brings you in the level of total conioness.

Fall/Holiday 2009 Jacket Buying Guide

2009-10-15T22:01:00.000+08:00

As the holidays start approaching so is the lower temperatures. TRG recommends adding a bit of in your outfit rebelliousness and by putting on a well fitted jacket.

1. Invest more money for your outerwear. It will save you extra money in the future if you pay for quality. Check for good craftsmanship in the buttons and zippers. Also be sure to inspect the lining and the stitching.

2. The outerwear is the first thing that people see. Make sure it fits you well. Have it tailored if needed. Avoid wearing baggy or tightly fitted jackets. To avoid buying a tight jacket it is best to try them on with the clothing that you intend to wear underneath it.

3. This season’s jacket trend is all about utility jackets or military style jackets. I say go for it. However, stick to simple styles and as I said above, be cautious regarding the fit. Most of these jackets are usually a bit bigger.

4. If you are looking to spend less, it is better if you shop for a jacket around February/March when most stores are clearing away their Fall/Winter collection. If you get a classic jacket, chances are that you will still be able to wear it for years to come.

A classic undistressed denim jacket

5. Wool, leather and denim jackets are warmer than cotton and linen jackets. For the cooler days, grays, browns, chocolate, blacks, and tans are more appropriate. White and other light colors are perfect for layering during Spring and Pre-Summer weather.

Wearing sunglasses inside

2009-10-12T23:25:00.000+08:00

We all know that it will probably be a time before we can wear our sunglasses outside the streets of Manila, due to the recent typhoon activities, but that doesn’t mean you can wear them inside.

Remove your sunglasses before you step inside unless you want to be treated as blind (in which case you shouldn't be able to read this) or a conio who always thinks he looks cool and important.

GQ and Details’ down vest with a suit

2009-10-10T22:55:00.002+08:00

We all thought we saw the end of the “down vest with a suit” look from last year’s GQ Rules (How to Become a Well Dressed Rebel in 30 days) together with it’s annoying intro music, but recently, Details magazine put it again on the #1 list of the 10 Ways to Modernize Your Wardrobe.

In addition, Details included a horrible tonal blazer, shirt and tie combination.

Rebellious Gentleman's Ten Basic Fashion Rules

2009-10-10T22:09:00.000+08:00

1. Everything should fit

This might be the most important thing in this list and cannot be stressed highly enough. Everything you should buy or even consider in buying must first fit you properly. It is more probable that what you are wearing now is about a size too large. This is understandable before when we were kids, since our parents usually buy us clothes two sizes bigger than our size so that we may not easily outgrow them. If you will believe that you will not gain a considerable amount of weight anytime soon, it is best to buy clothes that fit you well.

I am not endorsing that we should all wear skinny jeans. You should only wear skinny jeans if you are indeed skinny. Your clothes should only be hugging your body. The goal here is and not tight.

Bad fit vs. Good fit

2. Your shoes and belt should match

Most of you probably know this but it is still worth noting. Never wear your black belt with your brown shoes and vice versa. Also, avoid wearing your dress belts with your sneakers and tennis shoes and your casual belts with your dress shoes.

3. The color of the pants and socks should match

Though there are exceptions to this rule, the most basic thing about this rule is that you shouldn’t wear white socks especially when wearing black or charcoal gray dress pants.

4. Dress for the occasion

A simple rule that is often misinterpreted. I will just point out the essentials of this rule. Esquire’s Law in casual style indicated that the 50’s and 60’s were the high periods of casual fashion. With today’s current trend of “casual or dress-down Friday”, people are now throwing away their suits and wearing the t-shirt and jeans in the work setting. If you are a mechanic, plumber or have a dirty job, then your job requires you to wear jeans. If not, stick to your usual business outfit or go a step further and make your Friday's Fashionable.

5. Do not wear company t-shirts

If you are getting a good amount of money for wearing them then it is totally fine if not, then consider donating them to the nearest homeless shelter. You should do the same with shirts with sports logos and t-shirts with stupid and ironic messages.

Your t-shirt is not a billboard

6. Stick to classics, Less is More

The general rule is that you should wear striking pieces minimally. The rest of the pieces of clothing you are wearing should only be supporting the striking piece. It shouldn’t grab or battle for the attention of your most striking showpiece. For instance, a detailed leather jacket works best with plain dark jeans and a simple white shirt.

Too much showpiece and his total outfit clearly lacks coordination

7. Undershirts

You can ignore this rule and don’t wear undershirts but if you sweat a lot and want your shirts to last longer then you should wear an undershirt. Crew neck undershirts are still the safest choice to wear, though V-neck undershirts are much applicable if you decide to not wear a tie. If you decide to wear a sheer dress shirt (or see through shirts), don’t wear an undershirt unless you want it showing underneath your shirt.

8. Your shoes can ruin your entire outfit

The Ladies do notice our shoes. Don’t wear crocs. Flip flops can only be worn if you intend to go to the beach. Stop wearing tennis and basketball shoes when you go to the mall, park or at any casual event. Classic sneakers like Converse’s Jack Purcells, Adidas’s Stan Smiths and Sambas are a good start.

For dress leather shoes, look for the traditional round toe as compared to the modern square toe. Lace ups and monk straps look more formal than penny loafers. Never doubt the presence of a newly polished dress shoe.

9. Wearing designer labels

Being fashionable isn’t about wearing the current trend from the hottest designer. Don’t buy clothes just because of its brand name. Not all designer labels produce better merchandise from the average priced retailers. Always check for fit, quality, detail and price before buying. It is always a good idea to buy different items from different labels. Stylish gentlemen usually go to clothing stores but rarely buy. They are known to wait for discounts, sales and even shopping at thrift stores. Fashion can be cheap.

10. Stop being a fashion victim. Wear what you like and what looks good on you

We are all for personal style and sometimes it is a good start to copy someone else style. However, like training wheels we should remove them once we already know hot to balance. Don’t become the bro who wears what your friends wear. Have your own personal style and experiment.

Do not become a part of a scene, be the scene