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Fashion Week Paris

2014-02-08T09:48:00.003-08:00

Paris fashion week kicks off with menswear (via AFP)

After London and Milan, men's fashion hits Parisian runways Wednesday, with some 50 shows planned as more and more European and Asian houses battle to get a slot amid rising interest in this section of the market. Kickstarting Paris fashion week before…

Men's Accessories

2013-12-31T12:05:00.000-08:00

It may not seem as if there are a lot of mens fashion accessories out there, but in fact men make use of more accessories than they realize. An accessory is an item or piece of clothing that you don't need to wear, but it does accent your look and can even serve a purpose. So fashion accessories are even quite useful to a person in the course of day to day activities. There are all sorts of items that really are mens fashion accessories.

Watches

The wrist watch is not as common as it once was, but for a short period of time every man had a wrist watch and every man's watch had a thick gold band or a leather one. The mens watch is still popular today and it comes in many forms to further prove its popularity and convenience.

Perhaps some of the most attractive mens wrist watches of today are platinum or stainless steel. The industrial look is in with guys. This even applies to some other forms of jewelry that men typically wear.

Jewelry

A man does wear jewelry and jewelry can be common mens fashion accessories. You'll see plenty of dudes wearing necklaces, rings and earrings. Though these high fashion items are often a little bit heavier and more bulky than similar womens jewelry items.

As mentioned above, platinum and stainless steel are popular metals for men these days. You'll also see white gold, silver and even wood used in some mens jewelry. Simple chains are still the best choice for mens necklaces. Earrings and rings can and are usually outrageous in design or simple and bold. There's plenty of room in mens fashion for silly or unique statements.

Ties

The mens tie is probably the iconic mens fashion accessory. Its purpose has been lost to history, but the tie appears to have evolved from the tradition simple neck scarf. Now the tie is a fashion accessory must for dressy occasions and comes in all colors, patterns and sizes.

You'll want to pick out at least three ties for yourself. One is plain dark blue or black for serious occasions, one in a color that suits you or that you like for parties, and one is just plain silly for that drunken Christmas party every year. If you have trouble picking out the tie that suits you, try going for a color that matches your eyes, so you'll always be matched when wearing it.

Sunglasses

Another of the more commonly used mens fashion accessories are sunglasses. There's a pair of glasses out there for every man. They come in so many different shades, shapes and styles these days it can be hard to choose though.

Typically men wear larger frames than women because it appears more masculine. This doesn't mean a guy has to wear gigantic aviators. Pick the frame that best suits your image or the image you want to project about yourself. Plastic frames are more eye-catching so you'll draw more attention. Metal frames are more refined and understated, they also appear to be a higher quality. Plastic frames also look more casual, unless you are going for the Men in Black look with solid black lenses.

There are always more mens fashion accessories to learn about, but these are the basic four. A man with a good watch, ring, tie and sunglasses is well placed in the world.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anton_Kal

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2013-12-14T10:30:00.003-08:00

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Choosing Men's Suits for the Holidays

2013-12-10T18:05:00.000-08:00

The holiday season usually ranges from the end of November all the way to the beginning of January, and it features tons of events, parties and other functions where you're expected to dress a certain way. Women can mostly get away with wearing whatever they want and dressing their outfit up or down with accessories, but what is expected of men? We've done the hard work of figuring out what to wear for you with our guidelines to choosing mens suits for the holidays. Formal Holiday Parties

For most holiday parties, whether casual or formal, men are expected to at least wear a sports coat and slacks, although the tie is optional. For a casual party you could ditch the jacket and wear a nice sweater over a collared shirt. If the holiday party is at a more up-scale location, or if the invitation specifically dictates that the dress code is "formal" or "festive" (and no one will be wearing tuxedos), try a velvet jacket with gray slacks, or a dark gray or dark blue suit with a tonal tie. For a bit of holiday cheer, throw in a holiday-themed tie or socks.

Office Holiday Parties

The thing to always remember about office parties is to stay tasteful. If you're celebrating in the office, whether during the workday or directly after business hours, you probably won't be expected to get dressed up, but you should put some extra thought into what you wear to work that day. You never know which of the higher-ups will be attending the party, so you want to be confident about your outfit. If your office is business casual on most days, the day of the party should be your day to dress more on the side of "business" and less on the side of "casual." The trick is to look polished (i.e. no wrinkles in your clothes, combed hair, etc.), but not overdone. Rememb370x345.jpger that you are sending out a message about yourself professionally in the way you dress, and to conduct yourself as if it was any other day at work.

Christmas Eve

Even if you're with your family, and especially if you are celebrating with someone else's family, it's important to dress modest, yet festive on this holy night. Think casual blazer or men's suit jacket, a collared shirt, and wool slacks; add on a tie if it's more of a cocktail party. While all day is generally referred to as Christmas Eve, this is technically an evening celebration, so darker colors are welcome.

Christmas Day

If your celebration takes place during the day, feel free to wear lighter colors, like heather gray, lighter blues, red or camel, but keep it formal. You may be sitting down for "dinner" at one, followed by watching a few football games on TV, but there will be churchgoers likely in your midst, so dress accordingly and leave the jersey at home.

New Year's Eve

If the invitation says "black tie optional," wear a dark men's suit that's a little on the flashy side. Consider wearing a shiny tie or a crisp collared shirt with sharper details. If the invitation says "black tie" that means it's your chance to wear a nice-fitting tuxedo and party the night away. As mentioned above, these are just guidelines for what to wear to holiday functions. Because dress codes can vary wildly depending on when and where the event is taking place, as well as who will be at the event, there are no "set in stone" rules for holiday party attire. To be on the safe side always wear a basic men's suit with a suit jacket or blazer, a dress shirt, a tie and a nice pair of shoes. You will never be underdressed in this ensemble, and if you find you are overdressed, just take off the tie and throw on a pair of sneakers you keep in the car for a cool and casual look. Menswear eCollection is one of the leading retailers of online mens suits due to the high quality suits they offer at discount prices.

Everything from business suits to tuxedos, neckties to dress pants can be found at MensweareCollection.com, at prices ranging from 40% to 70% off those found in typical suit retail stores.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Simmons

The Importance of a Proper Fit

2013-11-28T05:39:00.000-08:00

Men's dress clothes should always be comfortable. If they are not, it is the fault of the clothes' fit, and not of their nature. If the fit of a garment makes its wearer uncomfortable, he will look it; indeed a man looks his best when his clothes fit so well he barely notices them. A man's clothes send a message to the world about him, and if they fit him well, he will always make a good impression.

Unfortunately most men today wear poorly fitting clothes; it's not their fault though, as that the clothing sold in stores is cut to fit as many people as possible. When buying a garment the retailer is often of little help, as that the department stores rarely have a salesman on staff that has a deep understanding of menswear. Thus as in so many things it falls to each man to take responsibility for the fit of his own clothes and not to be swayed by the prolific selection of poor choices or the dubious influence of models or salesmen.

Proper Fit - Men's Dress Shirt

A dress shirt's yoke or shoulders should cover a man's shoulders and nothing more; the shoulder point should not extend down his sleeves. As for the sleeves, you want a shirt with enough fabric so that when you rotate your arms and hold them out from your sides all of your arm remains covered; close fitting cuffs will help with this. You want anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of play in both your stomach and chest areas, and the shirt should be long enough so that when you bend over it doesn't un-tuck from the back or sides. Finally, the neck collar, when buttoned, should be tight enough to fit no more than two fingers in the space between collar and skin.

Proper Fit - Men's Suit Jacket

A jacket must fit correctly in the chest and shoulders, as that these are very difficult to alter and in some situations downright impossible to adjust. When you stand with your jacket buttoned and arms hanging at your sides, the jacket's lapels should lie flat against the front panels, the buttons should hang close to or rest lightly on your stomach, and your biceps should just barely break the drape of sleeve from shoulder. If you tug on the top button, you should have enough room to easily slide your hand in between your lapels and chest, but not enough room so you can slide in your fist. As for your stomach, you should not be able to see it pull more than 3 inches from your belly. Of course, all of this depends on the fit you feel comfortable with. Sleeve length should end at about the wrist, although the exact point is also a matter of taste. As for the relationship between the shirt and the jacket: The shirt's cuffs should protrude approximately ½ inch from the jacket's sleeves when you stand with arms hanging. The shirt's collar should protrude about ½ -1 inch above the jacket collar, with both of them slightly touching.

Proper Fit - Men's Trousers

Pants or trousers should be worn at the natural waist, near the navel. Young people with flat stomachs may choose to wear them lower but they gain little in doing so. The man with a belly, on the other hand, looks much better with high-rise trousers draping from his middle than with his stomach spilling over a low-rise waistband; for this he should consider suspenders. Trouser bottoms should touch the upper part of your the front of the shoes and should brush the top edge of the sole at the shoe back; a single break in the front is considered perfect by most, but shorter pant legs that just brush the tops of the shoes can look better on the shorter man. Shorter men tend to do better without cuffs on their trousers, but should they want them they should be in proportion to their stature.

How to get the perfect fit?

Off-the-rack clothing is designed for the hypothetical male model - for each brand, this person's dimensions change a bit, but unfortunately his measurements are never very close to yours. How does a man get a proper fit?

Find a good Tailor - A good tailor can do wonders for clothing that somewhat fits you. They can bring in waists, shorten sleeves, and open up room in the stomach after the holidays. The limit here is that they can often only alter an imperfect garment; in the end it is still imperfect.

Invest in Custom Clothing - Notice I use the term invest; this is because owning clothing that is made to compliment your features is a smart move for any man. The beauty of custom clothing is that it is designed with your measurements; by its very nature it will fit you better than anything else in your closet, and as a result will look better than anything you've ever worn.

It is a wonderful feeling to wear garments that fit you perfectly. One feels light and comfortable as the clothes seem to float around the body, neither heavy nor tight anywhere but rather resting evenly throughout. A man in clothing that fits him is confident in his appearance and free to focus on the task at hand.

To read more articles on men's fashion, go to http://www.atailoredsuit.com and visit the style guide.

Antonio Centeno is president of A Tailored Suit, an online American boutique fine-clothing merchant specializing in bespoke men's suits, shirts, jackets, and overcoats. The company's mission is to help men create the clothing that best enhances their individual style. Antonio has studied men's clothing design in London, Hong Kong, and Bangkok, and he is a former US Marine with an MBA from UT Austin and a BA from Cornell College.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Antonio_Centeno

The 3 Essential Suits For Well Dressed Men

2013-11-24T15:58:00.000-08:00

If you have ever seen a truly well dressed gentleman you will notice that he wears his clothing effortlessly, almost as if he put no thought into the outfit. This is not the case. Creating an effortless look takes a lot of planning when purchasing. When it comes to suits buying with purpose can help take your clothing budget much further. A well dressed man is all about balance and flexibility in his wardrobe. You do not have to have a closet full of clothes to look like you are a clothes horse. The right mix of suits paired with the right mix of accessories can create the illusion of a much larger wardrobe. Here are the top 3 essential suits to build your look around:

The Killer Navy Blue Suit: If there was one suit every man should own it is the navy blue suit. You can pair it with just about anything and it will look great. You can wear it to just about any function, Business or other wise and it will fit in. It can be worn with just about any body type and skin tone and it will still flatter. This is THE suit to have. If you are looking to start or rebuild your wardrobe this suit should be your most expensive suit.

The Flexible Charcoal Gray Suit: A close cousin of the Navy Blue suit charcoal gray with a flannel finish is a great second suit. It works well with every 9-5 function and can still double (though not as elegant as the navy) for social duties. Look for dark almost black gray with some depth in the color, sort of a faux Flannel, if Flannel is not your thing.

The Power Navy Pinstripe Suit: From Mobsters to CEO there is a reason they all gravitate to the Pin stripe suit. The suit commands respect and is the perfect compliment to any wardrobe. it has been a staple of quality mens suits for decades and that is where it will stay for decades more. Chris Vance is the senior trends and fashion spotter for Requisite clothing, a custom clothing design house specializing in custom suits, custom shirts, custom tuxedos and sports wear for both men and women. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Vance

MEN’S FASHION WEEK LA

2013-08-01T11:26:00.002-07:00

THE CALIFORNIA MARKET CENTER HOST MEN'S FASHION WEEK LA

CONTACT: pr@mensfwla.com | +1. (213) 924-1224
www.mensfashionweekla.com

IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

California Market Center, Area 4 (B-Wing)
Monday-Tuesday, October 14-15, 2013
9:00am-6:00pm

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 1, 2013) - CALIFORNIA MARKET CENTER (CMC), the west coast’s iconic hub for the fashion, kids, gift & home, and textile industries, has announced its official partnership with MEN’S FASHION WEEK LA (MFWLA) for October 2013, which will run concurrently with the Spring 14 edition of LA FASHION MARKET . The Spring/Summer 2014 MEN’S COLLECTIONS and buyer previews will be presented during each day in Area 4 of the CMC—a contemporary menswear division that is located on the fourth floor of the B-Wing. Ultimately, the collaboration will unify efforts to establish renowned recognition for menswear resources in the western United States.

“It was perfect timing for MFWLA x CMC collaboration” said Pamela Williams, Executive Producer. “The general feedback has been positive. Equal excitement and anticipation comes from both industry and menswear enthusiasts. We receive emails as well as social media shout-outs expressing appreciation for instituting a Men’s Fashion Week in LA. Historically, menswear brands have suffered from a lack of visibility, in large part due to under-representation in the media and press; we will work towards alleviating such deficiencies. Other objectives include a strong push for buyer attendance. We anticipate that leveraging our combined efforts will bode well for the Spring Summer ‘14 MEN’S COLLECTIONS.”

“We are thrilled about this partnership, and establishing a central permanent home for the menswear resources on the west coast,” said Alyson Bender, Public Relations Director at the CMC. “We look forward to Area 4’s growth, and know this partnership will benefit everyone involved.”

The alliance between the CMC and MFWLA speaks to MFWLA’s efforts to contribute to LA Fashion Week’s cohesion. The California Market Center is located in downtown Los Angeles, central to prominent LAFW venue producers. Additionally, Men’s Fashion Week LA ensures that there are little-to-no schedule conflicts in developing a platform dedicated entirely to menswear, providing an intimate experience for both emerging and established menswear brands, editors, and buyers. Menswear designers will present Spring/Summer 2014 collections to an esoteric audience comprised of menswear affiliated press and media sources, menswear editors, menswear buyers, and stylists.

The first runway show is slated for 11:00am. An official schedule will be released early October on the Men’s Fashion Week LA’s and CMC websites. Additional showcases include press presentations and pop-up showrooms.

Brian Sibley, named Men’s Fashion Week LA’s 2013-2014 spokes-model, will serve as the official face and voice of Men’s Fashion Week LA. On-Site hospitality slated to include a Style Suite hosted by MFWLA Style Ambassadors, Norris Ford and Quentin Thrash (NorrisxThrash). The Style Suite plans to include shoe-shinning, grooming, and style workshops.

#

Industry Registration: RSVP@mensfwla.com

MEN’S FASHION WEEK LA

The cover of the California Apparel News read: “Men’s Fashion Week – Is L.A. ready?” Men’s Fashion Week Los Angeles (MFWLA) is committed to serving the menswear fashion and apparel community with one goal: to gain universal recognition for American menswear fashion designers, by providing a platform to turn creativity into productivity. Presenting brands gain exposure to a unique global audience, exclusively comprised of menswear buyers, press, and consumers. Sophomore 24 Media will produce Men's Fashion Week LA’s MEN’S COLLECTIONS October 2013.

About the California Market Center (CMC) – The CMC is the intersection of fashion, gift, home & design. Open year-round and located in the heart of the Fashion District in downtown Los Angeles, the CMC connects brands and reps with thousands of buyers, style-makers and industry influences from around the globe. From apparel and accessories to gifts, kids, and lifestyle collections, the product array at the CMC is unmatched on the West Coast, catering to every price point and market niche. Collections are presented in hundreds of showrooms and several trade shows featured throughout the CMC throughout the year. For more information, please visitwww.californiamarketcenter.com.

Spring Wardrobe Purge & Update

2013-03-19T10:07:00.002-07:00

So I just got back from Palm Springs with the last of my clothes and such out of my storage there. I have discovered that about 80% of it is going to Goodwill and that means 80% of my past years storage expense was wasted money. They say that if you don't wear or use something in a year's time to get rid of it and I tend to agree for the most part. So I've washed and folded everything being donated...keeping out one "good" set of old clothes for painting or working on my car etc... I find myself having to be rigorously honest with myself in that I tend to want to keep things I "might" want to wear someday which is bull because some of these clothing items I've never worn since I made my trek out to the west coast from New York back in 1988...out it goes! The only "cold weather" item I will keep till the day I die is my Pop's navy blue cashmere topcoat. That's my Christmas at Rockefeller Center coat if I ever get back there again. Oh and my black and white checkerboard Van's Fleetwoods too...they have to stay lest I succumb to the constant barrage of mail I get now from AARP and admit that I'm old. Never! I probably won't wear them much unless I go to a Cheap Trick concert but I will keep them around just in case.

Can a Stranger Dress You Better Than You Can Yourself?

2013-02-05T01:35:00.000-08:00

Image via CrunchBase

Fashion thrives on the tangible. That old proverb “seeing is believing” is of crucial importance when it comes to clothing. But there’s a little piece of all of us men that wishes someone would do it for us — pick out an outfit, top to bottom, just like our mothers (perhaps regrettably) used to do for us in our elementary school years.

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to have help picking out new clothes–from my mother, sister and girlfriend, among others. But a few months ago, I received a box of clothes in the mail, a package that had been tailored specifically for me–filled with stunning outfit choices from Theory and Ben Sherman, no less–and selected by none other than Lisa Bubes. Who is Lisa, you ask? To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. Lisa and I have no history together. In fact, we’ve never met in person and have only spoken on the phone twice. But she demonstrated an incredible ability to both match and challenge my personal style brand, presenting me with four highly-curated outfits in colors and styles that suited me precisely. And it was all done from the comfort of my desk, with no need to trek from store to store in the frigid New York winter, hunting for whatever garment I happened to need.

The fashion-filled box that arrived was all part of my experience with Trunk Club, a subscription fashion service that assigns each customer a personal stylist and a fashion consultant via phone or Skype. After sizing me up, figuratively and literally, the very bubbly, exuberant Lisa went to work, selecting outfits that fit my size (I’m slim, so clothes are often baggy on me) taste (I don’t like brown or horizontal stripes) and budget (So I might have said there was no limit here). Some of these outfits were exactly what I’d be looking for in my local Macy’s or Nordstrom. Others — like a shawl-collared sweater and a moorland sweater — are clothes that wouldn’t garner a second glance (let alone a first) if I were shopping for myself.

Mercedes SL

2012-12-03T07:09:00.003-08:00

Source: muchocars.com via Motorcycles on Pinterest

Style

2012-11-30T18:17:00.004-08:00

Source: thisandthatstyle.tumblr.com via GetAuto on Pinterest

Ben Sherman Belt Studded by BEN SHERMAN

2012-08-19T02:11:00.001-07:00

Ben Sherman Belt Studded by BEN SHERMAN:

Paul Frederick

2012-06-09T05:12:00.001-07:00

Men's Accessories

2012-03-02T10:27:00.000-08:00

Men certainly are trying to keep pace with women when it comes to accessories and fashion. Unfortunately men's accessories are not as wide-ranging as women's. Cuff links, rings, chains are most commonly used accessories among men. However, the really stylish also wear earrings and bracelets. Fashion designers too tend to overlook these things. But men's fashion accessories certainly make a style statement and add a dash of sophistication to casual and formal wear.

There are a few accessories which all men need: A simple belt - casual as well as a formal one that goes well with your clothes and your style is mandatory for men. Men's belts are generally made of leather and have a small buckle attached it. The belt usually measures 3 cm or less. Unless it is a jeans belt that is broad with flashy buckles

A black belt is an essential part of a men's wardrobe as it becomes easy to pair it with black formal shoes. It is better to find belts that can be reversed and worn both ways. A combination of black and brown with chrome buckle would be perfect.

For formal men's fashion wear accessories like cuff links and matching tie is a must. In the past men had to strictly stick to formal wear while working, but with changes in time casual wear has replaced formal wear at the place of work. Ties with loud patterns must be avoided as it does not suit all occasions. A stripped tie preferably in navy blue or burgundy is an essential part of men's fashion accessories.

A chrome cuff link not only looks sleek and elegant but also goes well with any tie. Cuff links in ovals, circular and square shapes look the best. It is an accessory which men cannot ignore.

Bags are also a part of men's accessories. Today designs for men's bags come in stylish patterns. Messenger bags go along well both with causal and formal wear. Those travelling can carry the backpack. Since the briefcase has become outdated do not bother to possess one. A black or brown messenger bag made from leather or nylon is considered versatile.

During winter gloves and scarves are essential part of men's accessories. Black leather gloves not just provides warmth and comfort but makes the wearer look stylish too. Stay of bright colored woolen gloves.

Wallets are indispensable for men. To make a style statement choose a plain black leather wallet, however avoid the ones with big logos. Watch is another accessory that can never be forgotten, though avoid gaudy and over-sized straps as they are not considered trendy. Stainless steel watch bands are not only durable but its good looks make a person look masculine too. You could also opt for watches with leather straps, however avoid going into the water while you are wearing it.

Men's fashion accessories need to be versatile - as it needs to blend well with your choice of outfits. Select accessories of classic colors and shapes to make it look interesting and versatile. There are some men who wear not accessories. Find out what your man prefers before you buy something expensive.

Hendrik has published over a hundred articles about mens fashion and style. He is also the owner of tie retailer: http://www.mens-ties.com/ - a site for ties, cuff link, pocket squares, and tips about mens fashion.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hendrik_Pohl

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5749058

A Men's Guide to "Business Casual"

2012-02-20T21:50:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Many companies began instituting a business casual dress code many years ago with the creation of "Casual Friday." Over the last ten to fifteen years, casual Friday has turned into everyday for many businesses. If you find yourself in a business casual environment, care should be taken in the choices of work attire. An employee in this environment must remember that casual or not, their appearance makes the first impression, and each employee will, at some point, be the "face" of the company to someone. Gentlemen, business casual means much more than khaki pants and a polo golf shirt. Don't be afraid to show some personality through your appearance, just be sure to show some restraint. For example, T-shirts, either printed or plain, have no place in a professional workplace. Also, do everyone you work with a favor and do not wear any shoe that exposes your feet. Leave the sandals for the beach and always wear socks to work.

Now that we have looked at two rules that should be considered unbreakable, let's tackle some options that the business casual man does have.

The Suit

Believe it or not, this is an option in the business casual environment. Today's suits are designed to be more versatile. Many styles can be worn without a tie or with a crew or mock neck shirt. A sweater can even be added during the colder months.

The main thing to remember is that it is still a suit. It should be worn only after being pressed and cleaned. Also, be sure the pants have a clean and crisp crease. You can dress the suit down, but it still has its place and appeal. The point of the dressed down suit is to look more casual and relaxed, but still look sharp and well put together. In terms of keeping the suit in good shape, try not to have it cleaned any more than four times a year. Dry cleaning too much can compromise the fabric.

The Sportcoat

Today, there are too many options available to touch on each. The important thing to remember about the sportcoat is, much like the suit, look for versatility. Many jackets can be worn in a business casual environment by day and dressed down with a nice pair of jeans by night. Also, be sure to keep it in good condition, just like the suit.

There is a difference between a sportcoat and a Blazer. Really, no man should be without a Navy Blazer in his closet. This is simply one of those items that every man can use at some point, and in this man's opinion, it is just as necessary as a pair of jeans or khakis. Stick with wool for your Blazer because it just looks and feels better than blended fabrics. The blazer is not as casual as many sportcoats, but, like the suit, it can be dressed down and keep that well put together look.

Shirts

I cannot say this enough, but do not wear t-shirts, printed or solid to work. They simply are not appropriate in a professional environment. The three options here are polo or golf shirts, mock neck shirts, or button-up shirts. Mock neck shirts come in a variety of fabrics and look great under suits and sportcoats. Polo shirts also come in variety of colors and fabrics and are a fairly traditional option for business casual.

More and more men are wearing button-up shirts, normally worn with a tie, with an open collar. The important thing here is to be sure to keep them clean and pressed. Just because the look is less formal doesn't mean it should be sloppy. There are several different collar choices, from button down, to spread, to pinpoint. There is really no rule here, but my suggestion is to try all styles and choose what you are most comfortable wearing.

Another note about button-up shirts is the French-cuff shirt. It has become far more acceptable to wear a tasteful French-cuff shirt with a nice set of cufflinks, without the tie. It adds a little touch of a classic look without dressing you up too much. Again, this is another one of those personal preference things. My suggestion is to give it a try. If you don't like it, don't wear it.

Pants

Don't wear jeans to work. Now that we have dealt with that, what should you wear? Khaki pants are a very traditional option. Be sure the ones you wear to work are clean with a crisp crease, and that they fit properly. Wearing these everyday can make you seem, well...boring.

Change things up with charcoal, black, or olive. Even a pair of gray pants can work with the right shirt and jacket. We come to another personal preference with pleats versus flat front. Again try both and go with comfort.

Something to be mindful of is how you wear your pants. Many men (most men) in America unfortunately have a bit of a gut (including yours truly). Stop fooling yourself and stop hiking up your pants twenty times a day. If you have a gut, accept it and don't wear the pants below your true waist line. You may think it looks better, but it doesn't. Actually, it makes your stomach look bigger because it hangs over the waist of the pants. One option here is to add a pair of bracers. Bracers are becoming much more acceptable for men under 70 years old. In fact, I know many men that can't stand wearing a belt now that they were willing to take the leap of faith and try a pair of bracers.

Shoes

Do not wear tennis shoes, sandals, or flip flops. This is simply poor taste. Look for a nice dress shoe, either lace up or slip on, and keep them polished. By the way, stick with the basic colors such as black, brown, or burgundy. While your taste may lean towards the indigo dress shoes, they simply are not professional.

There you have it. Business casual done right is really not that difficult, but many men would rather have a root canal than spend much time on how they dress. If you are that guy, and you just can't get it right, your best bet is to visit your local men's store. Make sure it s a men's store, not one of the big anchor retailers in a mall. Any rep at a men's store worth his salt will be able to give you great advice.

Patrick Bodsford has held several positions in business management over the last 15 years. More articles by Patrick can be viewed at http://www.psbodsford.weebly.com.

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The Pocket Square

2012-01-22T06:36:00.001-08:00

Glasses

2012-01-09T03:55:00.001-08:00

Heimie's Haberdashery Shoot

2011-11-26T15:39:00.001-08:00

Heimie's Haberdashery Shoot, a photo by handsomecycles on Flickr.

1930's Gangster Style Men's Suits

2011-11-25T02:19:00.001-08:00

Look at 1920s and 1930s gangster suits and you'll be convinced, a custom suit is the most stylish piece of clothing you can wear.

Gangster Suit Stylings

Men's suits owe much of their current look to the changes in fashion during the 1920s and 1930s.
In the late twenties, men's suits went through a metamorphosis from the thin structured suits that had been worn for far too long, to the newer more "natural" cuts and finer fabrics we see in the suits of high fashion movie stars and the gangsters of fashion's Golden Age.

"There Goes Al"

Even 70 years after his death people still talk of Al Capone as a stylish gangster in the era of stylish gansters.
Capone owes much of his reputation to his suits. Yells and screams could be heard as Capone and his armored car entourage rolled through the streets of Chicago.
Capone was always decked out in a custom, top-of-the-line suit; when the best suit cost $85 Capone would buy 20 suits at $135 apiece.

To this suit he would add a Raccoon coat, matching silk tie and handkerchief, a canary yellow or green silk shirt, Italian glove silk undies, a cream colored borsalino wide-brimmed hat, a big black cigar, and of course his $50,000 11.5-carat Jagersfontein diamond ring.

(Info thanks to Mr. Capone by Robert Schoenberg) Few men can do 1930s gangster suits as BIG as Al Capone, but you can do it as well as Capone.
Most gangsters and movie stars could easily afford to buy the finest quality suits, hire the best tailors, and put together the best accessories, but the rest of us who admire the style, don't often have the dinero to drop five figures on an outfit.

Read more: http://www.1920s-fashion-and-music.com/1930s-Gangster-Suits.html#ixzz1ei9F6ORL
1920s Fashion and Music

Men's Suits of the 1920's

2011-11-25T02:15:00.001-08:00

Mens fashion of the 1920s showed a a sharp and unique contrast to those of the previous decades.

At the end of WWI, men came home to find their closets full of clothes that were outdated.
The soldiers returned to the "Edwardian" and Victorian wardrobes they had left before the war.
These clothes didn't reflect the progress of technology, marketing, and individualism that marks the 1920s as a unique decade in American history.
Though the shift in mens fashion was not as pronounced as that of women's fashion movement.
Men's fashion changed rapidly as the 1920's progressed.
It moved away from the stuffy conservative suits of the previous fashion eras, to a more "masculine" and individualistic approach to men's suits.

Read more: http://www.1920s-fashion-and-music.com/mens-fashion-of-the-1920s.html#ixzz1ei8KJv5C
1920s Fashion and Music

The Jaeger Lecoulture Reverso Recalls a More Civilized Era

2011-11-25T01:42:00.000-08:00

Saville Row

2011-11-19T21:58:00.001-08:00

How To Match Dress Pants With Shoes

2011-11-15T07:01:00.000-08:00

How To Match Dress Pants With Shoes

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