Diddy on How a Man Should Smile in Pictures

The funniest man in Harlem.

Read More

Esquire Visual Rules: Acceptable Logo Size

Another shot at the Dragon, Skull...Art-Show Shirts.

Read More

Thanksgiving: How to Pass the Dressing

Summary: No sweatpants past noon. It's ok to wear seasonal colors. Steer clear of elastic. Tuck in your shirt...Stay in Your Lane!

See all the tips (here) and (here).

Read More

Secrets of Thrifting: Suit Shopping

Finding a fresh suit for $5.99 may take some time, but in this case time is money....saved!  Check out the tip over at: An Affordable Wardrobe.

Read More

Different Ways to Wear a Peacoat

3 Peacoats from Urban Outfitters for under $150

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20111548&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19107135&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18797233&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS

Read More

From Old and Stale to New and Fresh

Select services that can remodel and repair what you already have.  So you can get a favorite item restored or an outdated item updated.


Shoe Repair (apparently they can even repair huge holes).  More Details (here).

Denim Repair:
Price range: $15-$25

Turnaround: 10 business days
More info (here).

Bespoke Laces, it's in the details!  More (here). 

Tie Diets. According to GQ "Almost no one should go over 3-and-a-half inches."  Find out how to shrink ties (here).

Read More

Online Shopping Tip

Remember to do a quick Google search for Coupon/Promo codes before checking out.  In this case I bought a Navy Cardigan from Land's End that was $30 but shipping was an outrageous $9.  So I Googled: Land's end free shipping coupon code and ended up here: www.retailmenot.com where I found a free shipping code for Lands's End (Code: OCT19 Pin: 6846).  It only takes a couple of minutes and usually I'm successful finding extra discounts.

Read More

8 Ways to Wear a Henley

I recently picked up a Henley (Banana Republic) for a $1 at Salvation Army.  I have never worn a Henley but for a buck I figured I'd try it out.

I'm still not sure if this Thermal with buttons, or this collarless polo shirt is for me but below is a visual how to for those who may want to add the Henley shirt to the wardrobe.

 8 Ways to Wear a Henley

1. As a Muscle Shirt

2. With Stripes

3. Button all the way up (like a thermal)

4. As an Exposed Undershirt 

5. With a Flat-top

6. With a Blazer

7. Sleeves Up

8. With Short Sleeves (Like a Deep V-Neck)

Read More

Valet's How to Pull Off White Denim

I want to try this because I've seen the white denim outfits in GQ and Esquire and it works.  It sets you apart and if done right you automatically become sartorialist bait.  That's part of the problem I'm not 100% ready to take on the responsibility of becoming an official dandy.  As my friends suggest it would be a lot easier pulling off white denim stepping out of a 760!  For those who are ready click (here) for some tips from Valet.com.

Read More

The Esquire How-to Style Guide

-   69 style basics tips on improving everything in your wardrobe (my favorite 10 rules below).


1. Unless you're wearing a blazer, there's no wrong time to roll up your sleeves. How high you choose to roll them says a lot about you.

2. There's not a whole lot of room for irony or imitation in style. The best-dressed men always dress like themselves.  See all 69 rules (here).
3. The closest a man should ever come to touching denim shorts is helping a woman out of them.
4. Fitted is good. Snug is dicey. Tight is just wrong.
5. When purchasing jeans, leave the acid, stone, and other artificial washes to the good people of Eastern Europe. The best way to break in a pair of jeans is to wear them as often as you can.
6. Velour: no.
7. The shinier the shine or the pointier the point, the less casual the shoe.26. A $40 pair of jeans can fit you just as well and look just as good as a $200 pair. They'll just take a whole lot longer for you to find.
8. Khaki is a color. Chinos are a pair of pants. Know the difference but feel free to use the terms interchangeably.
9. Animals make the best logos.
10. Unless he's a chef, a gardener, or a jolly fat man from Holland, no one should ever wear clogs in his daily life. Same goes for Crocs.

Read More

That No-Sock Look

I recently tried the shoes with no socks look with my boat shoes and chinos and while I prefer the look the Sunshine state heat poses a problem: foot perspiration. It's almost bad hygiene attempting to pull off this look here. The best solution: The Loafer Sock - no show socks which give that barefoot appearance, cut perfectly for boat shoes and loafers. The problem with some of the loafer socks is that they look like ballerina shoes. The so-called men's loafer socks from well respected brand Gold Toe (shown below) is an example.

I recently ordered a couple of pair from Banana Reublic who make an acceptable looking loafer sock and not just a liner (2 pair for $14 in black or white) making this the best way to pull off the look and avoid looking like this.  Update: Mocc Sock & Co., is another great alternative.

Read More

How and When to Wear the Short-Sleeved Button-Up

If you're like me you haven't quite mastered the Short Sleeved Button-Up Shirt.  The DC Image consultants at Image Granted (featured on CNN and in Time Magazine) answer all questions regarding the when and how on this topic in the post The Long & Short of It All.  Here are the highlights:

The short sleeve shirt has its place in a man's wardrobe.  It is a variation of its long sleeve brother who is the gold standard we are familiar with.  However, its usability is vastly different.  The majority of short sleeve shirts are designed for sport and play while the majority of long sleeve shirts are designed for work. If you're attending a BBQ, hanging out at the beach, or running errands on the weekend, by all means wear a short sleeve shirt and go about your merry way.

However, if you find your yourself behind a desk at work; your job title includes manager, supervisor, lead, CEO; or if you find yourself at restaurants with white table cloths, then you'll just look like a putz in short sleeve shirt.  The garment is inherently casual and sporty and should stay that way.

If you've decided to take the plunge and drop a few stones on a couple good short sleeve shirts you best know how and when to wear them. If the bottom of the shirt is curved it usually should be tucked in, but due to the relaxed nature of the shirt this is left up to the wearer.  Flat bottomed shirts are designed to be untucked.  If you leave it untucked it should not cover your bottom like a long sleeve shirt.  Similar to polo shirts the sleeves should hit mid bicep and while they should show off your arms they shouldn't be tight.  The collar can be regular turn down or button down.  Most short sleeve shirts will come without collar stays which lends itself to the casual wearer even further and they can have a pocket or no pocket with  a short placket or long.  Throw one on in gingham, plaid, or solid in cotton, chambray or linen with your chino shorts, boat shoes, straw fedora and aviator sunglasses and you're good to go.

Read More

How to Choose a Tie

How To Find a Matching Tie For Your Suit on Howcast

• Combine Patterns with Solids.
• Pinstripe suits with Plan ties.
• Combine suits/ties with small Patterns with ties or suits with larger Patterns.
• Plain shirts with Patterned suits and ties.
• Patterned shirts with Plain suits and ties.
• For a challenge, wear Striped shirts with color-coordinating Paisley, Dots, or Box-patterned ties.

Read More

The Beginner's Guide to Thrifting

Nice comprehensive Thrifting Guide from SethBrundle covering everything from being patient to sanitation.  Check out the post (here).

Read More

What to Expect at the Tailor

Recently I made my first trip to the tailor, thinking it probably would be cheaper to get some ill-fitting pants (and 1 shirt) altered instead of buying new pairs of pants.

So I have 3 pairs of pants and a dress shirt to the tailor, try everything on let the tailor now what I wanted. When my total was tallied it came to $140! Granted I had a lot of alternations but I was still shocked, I thought I was being hustled.

Here's the Breakdown of the Alternations that I wanted and the cost:

Dress Shirt

Sleeves Narrowed/Tapered - $18

Sleeves Length/Taken up - $12

Pants #1

Waist Taken In - $13

Pants Hemmed/No Break - $12

Pants #2

Waist Taken In - $13

Pants Hemmed/No Break - $12

Pants Narrowed/Tapered - $16

Pants #3

Waist Taken In - $13

Pants Hemmed/No Break - $12

Pants Narrowed/Tapered - $16

Well I ended up getting alternations on Pant#1 (before and after pictures to come) and upon further review the tailor wasn't a hustler.  Using my recent experience, GQ, and other sources I compiled a pay scale with no wide price ranges but an average cost for several common alternations.

Jacket

Sleeves Narrowed $18

Jacket Sides Taken in $26

Shirts

Sides Narrowed/Tapered $16

Sleeves Narrowed $16

Pants

Hem Shortened $11

Pants $15

Waist $14

Turn Around time is about 5 days.

Read More

You've Got Options with Military Watches - A Guide

I was introduced to the 1940's style Military Watch collaboration made by J. Crew and Timex perusing the pages of GQ.  The watch which comes with a black strap retails for $150 at J. Crew and additional watch straps are $20 or two for $30.  This watch opened my eyes to the interchangeable watch strap and as a buy low value shopper this appealed to me.  Whether you want to coordinate or get board easy, it almost like getting a new watch or transforming an old watch for $20 or less.


Ok, that's enough talk, $150 is not bad because of the options this watch gives you but here's where/how you can pay even less.

The cheapest way would be to remove the the strap from a watch that you currently own and just buy the strap(s).  The straps usually come in 16mm, 18mm, and 20mm widths (with wider or narrower options available) and the length is usually 9 to 12'' so make sure to buy the right sized strap for your watch.







Or you can buy this Citizen Eco-Drive watch for $80 or for even less Timex watch for $26!  Also you can find Watch Straps on eBay or at Central Watch on sale 5 for $30.

Read More