Tips
Henry Alford’s article in the New York Times published last month, titled “Does this Swimsuit Make Me Look Fat?” has ignited some really interesting discourse on the topic of men and body image, particularly within contexts of the seaside and summer. Thankfully, culture has been considerably gracious to men with its expectations of the handsome. Nonetheless, we are playing catch up with the contrived moulds that women are too often snared into. Alford’s diatribe wrestles with the inevitable: age, decline of metabolism and the body. He amusingly describes his as a Weber grill. Before getting on a tangent and waxing poetic on fit and style, it is important that we note and happily accept our bodies for what they are and respect their threshold. We should exercise and consider the beach season as an opportunity to tone up and lose some of those extra pounds, but at the same time we cannot expect to all have six-packs and a body that is always beach ready.
Park and Ronen, J.Crew, Ami Sanzuri, Saturdays and D&G are all swimsuit makers that should have styles that will flatter most of you guys out there regardless of age and body size, even if you have pot bellies or chicken legs.
I will say as a rule of thumb though, leave the Speedos for the athletes or swimming workouts and not for the beach, unless you workout on the beach, well that’s another story. Also, ditch the board short style; it’s too reminiscent of pubescence.
From left to right, Ami Sanzuri, Park and Ronen, J.Crew, D&G and Saturdays.
Many of us are still wearing shorts that look like they’re trapped in the 90’s and no that does not make it a cool retro throwback. Oversized and hovering below our knees, they billow out around our legs, making us look rather foolish.
While shorts come with a sensibility of relaxation and casualness they need not deter from our credibility. Shorts are comfortable and appropriate for warmer temperatures, but today they are also smart and fitted. These qualities are no longer limited to flat front shorts but are to be found on all sorts.
Style Tip: Avoid pockets in places that are typical of cargos and that 90’s rock band that isn’t around anymore. Rejoice gentlemen, we don’t have to hide our legs anymore, look for shorts that are slimmer and shorter. This makes the transition from summer day to night seamless. Dress up with a shirt or even a blazer for those stylish summer nights.
Here are some great places that sell some great shorts:
Defined as an ornamental shoulder piece on an item of clothing. Epaulets are traditionally found on the coat or jacket of a military uniform. For the past few years now, epaulets have enjoyed significant overexposure. Like a Lady Gaga song played excessively, you will find these extra and unnecessary straps of material slapped on the shoulder of every shirt most major retailers will sell. Sometimes they can even get creative and will have buttons holding them in place.
The truth is, epaulets on shirts are unnecessary and gimmicky. The treatment is reminiscent of sequined jeans and t-shirts, something that one should avoid at all costs. I will say though, when their incorporation is limited, they can add interesting dimension to a shirt, especially if not all your shirts have them. Having said that, the assertive military resurgence in the temperament of a lot of what we see and continue to see on runways these days seems to have contributed to rendering them as ubiquitous and superfluous.
For the most part, let’s just say that unless you are actually in the military, keep shoulder flair for trench coats and military or vintage jackets.
You do not have to own a sizable collection of designer or expensive ties to know that you need to treat these vulnerable accessories with a certain degree of care. This is by no means an implication of an expensive or high maintenance way of up keeping. While many invest in a tie rack of some sort, you will be pleased to know that ties are best stored rolled as opposed to hung. Hanging for long periods of time, especially when stacked over other ties, causes creases and ridges in the fabric.
Simply wrap each tie around your hand in an unsecured roll and store in a drawer or on a flat shelf in your closet. This is the best way to get rid of wrinkles and maintain the shape, quality and lifespan of a tie. When traveling, an unsecured roll wrapped over your hand is also the best way to travel with a tie. To ensure durability, especially when donning silk, take off your tie gently and always unfasten knots completely before storing away.
No matter how much you love wearing a certain tie, never wear it for more than one day at a time. Due to the nature of how ties are made and the fabric itself, these accessories needs to rest between wears.
Although ties certainly do not need to pressing in say the frequency of dress shirts or pants, wrinkles do occur. You will probably find yourself wanting to tend to a wrinkle without necessarily washing or treating your tie. Should you choose to iron your tie, be sure to learn about the fabric that the tie is made from. Regardless of how heavily twilled it may be, never let a tie touch the iron directly. Cover with cotton fabric and iron swiftly but effectively, tending only to creases. Other options are using a hand steamer or simply letting the tie hang in the bathroom during a hot shower.
When it comes to washing ties some regard the act as blasphemous as washing selvedge denim. Washing is fine, just as long as you do not do it often and consider going to a reputable cleaner to do the job.
This past summer almost every woman and lots of men too, had some version of this preppy, nautical piece in their wardrobe. Unfaltering, the ubiquitous horizontal stripe managed to transition seamlessly to the fall and to the heart of winter, presenting a classic declaration of style regardless of season.
If you haven’t considered this in your wardrobe, think again. A simple piece, particularly as a short or long sleeved tee, it doesn’t require much planning around or adjusting. Foolproof, it achieves a look that’s pleasurably casual.
For starters, consider the stripe in a basic navy, black or even red for an injection of color. Further, be aware of any other article of clothing you may be wearing that has stripes or a bold pattern. Although today’s fashion temperament disregards old and stuffy rules, in this instance, it really pays to keep it simple and stick to one pattern.
Whilst pairings maybe limited to jeans and other unconcerned weekend outings, a dressier, whimsical look can be achieved by pairing a solid navy suit with a navy striped top. Keep it carefree with colorful socks and your favorite pair of Jack Purcell or Cons.
For an effortless stylish get up, pair black horizontal striples with a simple gray blazer and black pants.
On wet days horizontal stripes look great layered over a mac or lightweight trench coat, jeans and loafers.
Photos courtesy of J.Crew and GQ
While it makes perfect sense to keep somber and dark in a season as earnest as winter, it is no excuse to mirror those cold and miserable grey snow covered pavements.
Consider your accessories as an opportunity to inject some life-giving color to your clothes and spirit. Ties, socks, pocket squares and even suspenders are accent color possibilities that are bound to spruce up any dark, winter ensemble.
For a traditional pop of color otherwise known as contrast, consider navy or red but in texture, such a knit tie. This, for example will draw attention to gray faultlessly.
Feeling a little more adventurous? Consider mixing patterns. A blue Gingham shirt with a herringbone blazer makes for a great winter preppy look, and you’re guaranteed not to look like a clown.
Save the super bright colors or patterns that really push the envelope for an unobtrusive accessory such as a pair of socks. A personal antidote to brighten those dreary days, the peek of cheer they emit is enough to separate you from those winter duds moping around the office.
Last but not least, consider administering some of that color on your outer ensemble as you brave the elements for your commute. While black leather gloves with a grey coat are tried and true. Some color on a scarf or even gloves is enough to thaw out your most frozen of spirits.
By Susan Kim – Guest Blogger (Reposted), How to get your career mojo back after 40
Last week, I focused on the 12 ways for women not to become invisible after 40. This week, it’s a version of that for the men.
Channeling your inner Don Draper is easier than you think.
I say version because as men get older they don’t become invisible. In fact, they start to stand out for the overly comfortable way they dress. The New York Times had a great article about this, referencing the play, Superior Donuts. In it, middle-aged Arthur says, “I haven’t dated in a long time.” The much younger Franco deadpans, “That’s hard to believe, the way you dress and everything.” Arthur retorts, “I like to be comfortable.” Franco smirks: “You might be comfortable naked, but that don’t mean it looks good.”
40+ men, it does not have to be this way. Because compared to women, it is sooo ridiculously easy for you to mojo up your style.
Why I wish I were a man
It’s not just that men get the vast majority of the income, executive positions, and political power. I wish I were a man because by doing just one thing that takes 5 seconds, they can go from being a 4 to a 7. Or a 6 to a 9.
Men, you are complete idiots if you don’t do this one thing
Get a tailored blue blazer. Just toss on your blazer over a white shirt and jeans and — shazam! Your whole look changes. If you put it over a patterned shirt and nicer pants, it is an even bigger transformation. And, if you want to go all Don Draper, add a pocket square (a colorful little bit of silk you put in the outside pocket). Do not skip the tailored step. No matter what type of shape you’re in, you’ll look slimmer and taller if it’s tailored.
You’re also idiots if you omit these 6 tips
- Smile. Men don’t smile nearly as much as women, so when they do, everyone (especially women) really notices. It’s totally unfair that men get so much attention for something that is almost the default expression for women.
- Update your glasses. Whether prescription or sunglasses, it’s not enough for them just to be functional. Unless they are are the cool retro type, you need to update your frames. Men over 40 often neglect to do this because they hate change and it seems too foo-foo.
- Get a haircut, become friends with a hair product, and embrace your baldness.Oh my gosh — the one area where men finally are at a disadvantage. If you have hair, make the most of it with a great cut and hair products. Always, get a good hair stylist that focuses on men. If you’re balding, go with it. Once again, talk to a stylist who can help you.
- Diversify your friendships. If you’re straight, you need to expand your circle and include some gay men and straight women friends. Gays, you already have women friends and some straight acquaintances; you need to become closer friends with some key straight guys. And to round out the whole kumbaya circle, everyone should be friends with lesbians. You will become much more interesting — and everyone finds that’s sexy.
- Ask a woman questions, then shut up and really listen. Did you know that most women will keep a running score of how many questions you’ve asked compared to how many she’s asked? Most men don’t ask that many questions. When you ask and really listen to the answer, everyone thinks you’re much better looking and charming than when you were just talking about yourself.
- Lift weights. I’m ending this the same way I ended the women’s list. Lift weights because it will get you in shape faster than cardio (although do that, too) and everything looks better on a nicely muscled frame. Plus, when you feel in shape and strong, you move with so much more confidence. And what’s more stylish than that?
At least half of you reading this right now are women. I know it’s unfair that men have these uber-easy short cuts but the good news is that it’s much more straightforward for you to get your guy to make these changes. And the bonus — if a woman is with a good looking man, she is perceived to be better looking herself.
Thanks to David McKnight of DAMstyle for contributing to the style tips.
Photo credit: NBC Photos Dana Edelson
On the surface, oversized scarves seem like the sort of thing best left for the trend obsessed and runway bred. Having said that, an oversized scarf is a practical way to stay warm and bring a sense of dimension to your outfit. Moreover, its popularity has been maintained for a few cold seasons now, dismissing those faddish perceptions it may conjure.
There are no tricks or complicated rules here. Simply sling an extensive scarf or cowl, plain or knit, over yourself and leave the rest of your ensemble simple. Match with a fitted, warm blazer or pants. Don’t wallow in your clothes by adding a parka or heavy winter coat.
As you get more accustomed to your extensive scarf, you’ll learn to break-it-in, adjusting it effortlessly to the contours of your body.
With oversized scarves or anything that uses a significant amount of fabric like a suit or a coat, you know it’s best to keep the colors or patterns subdued. In this case, a statement is already achieved with an extensive piece of fabric that is tied around a silhouette, thus bold colors or striking patterns are best left aside.
If you’re feeling really adventurous you can achieve the oversized look by pairing more than one scarf together. This could be tricky and require more maintenance than usual, yet you can achieve quite the result by experimenting with color, texture and size.
These scarves are available in most major retail stores. Zara, particularly makes some good knit ones in a range of interesting shades and tones. Having said that, check out some of the more artisan spots such at Etsy, where these can be made to order and aren’t so ubiquitous and commercial.
