Style and Shirts

1. Tie Clips & Tie Bars

A tie clip is a piece of jewelry which is attached to the tie by a clip or clasp. Tie bars look similar to tie clips except they slide through the tie fabric and attach to your shirts. Both items are available in a variety of styles meant to compliment the tie of your choice. Here’s a fashion tip: Bars are now placed high up-about a third of the way down from the knot-and straight across.

2. Tie Locks

Modern and stylish, tie locks are great for power dressing. With tie locks, you can ensure a perfectly straight and secured necktie. The best part about tie lock is they are invisible when worn and creates no holes, creases and does not damage the necktie.

3. Tie Tacs

The tie tac comprise of two separate items, one which is the pin portion of the tie tac and the other called the tie tac base is made up of the back to the pin as well as a chain. A small bar is attached to the chain which fits through the button hole of a shirt. Tie tacs are available in styles of solid colours to precious stones but they must be used with caution as they are known to damage the ties.

4. Cuff Links

I have been told that watching a gent undo his cufflinks is regarded as a sensual act for a woman. Regardless of its effect, cufflinks are a great way to compliment a man’s entire ensemble. Available in a variety of designs and styles such as precious stones, gold, silver, solid colours and many more, it also sometimes comes with a matching tie clip.

5. Pocket Squares

Always remember, never get caught without the perfect accessory item to add a splash of color to your suit! Elusive and elegant, pocket squares can turn a nice looking suit into a superbly refined ensemble.

When it comes to packing for vacation, men usually do not have to worry about what type of clothes to pack. In fact most men prefer to travel light. Bringing along essential items that suits the weather is very common for short trips lasting no more than few weeks. Traveling light is considered convenient and practical.

Not surprisingly, most men are not embarrassed to rotate or even wear the same shirts or pants for the entire holiday, assuming laundry services are available. However, for the ladies, this is quite unthinkable as most will pack in a few extra sets just in case they run into a photo opportunity!

It is always best to bring along casual clothing that are appropriate for the weather and easy to clean. Having 1 set of formal wear which includes ties, cufflinks, trousers and shirts is also common for those formal dinning events.

Here are the Top 5 pieces of clothing that men should have in their luggage:

1. 3 sets of T-shirts
2. 2 sets of short pants or Bermuda
3. 4 sets of under wear
4. 1 set of formal clothing (long sleeves shirt and long pants)
5. 1 sweater/ wind breaker

We all perspire, especially when under pressure or while exercising. However the ‘just gotten out of the gym’ look isn’t suitable unless you’ve just come from… the gym. So stop ruining those shirts with hideous sweat marks! We’ll let you in on a little secret… Not all fabrics are suitable for people who perspire.

There are shirt fabrics that let your skin “breath” as well as tolerate a bit of moisture every now and then. The fibres in these shirts will not trap the moisture on your skin, but instead will have the ability to move the moisture from your skin to the outer layer of the garment. Cotton and wool are the most suitable fabrics to choose in your shirts to help cut down perspiration. Make sure that it is made up of 100% cotton or 100% wool since a combination with other synthetic materials will definitely change it is “breathable” properties.

Just as there is fabric lets your skin breath easily, there are also fabrics that will do just the opposite: they can make you sweat more! Synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and acetate are just some of the fabrics to avoid when shopping for men’s clothing. A combination of both the wool and cotton fibres can also be stifling, so avoid them.

Choosing the best shirt fabric as well as the best design for guys who suffer for excessive perspiration can be challenging. But what’s important is you get down to the basics and move on from there. Armed with some men’s fashion essentials made from breathable fabric and a powerful antiperspirant, no one need know you’re a little sweatier than most!

There are five basic items every man should have in his wardrobe. These items are the essential building blocks that make up a well-dressed man and will come in handy time and time again, regardless of what clothes you wear on a day to day basis.

1. Your suit should be of a timeless style, suitable for every event, such as weddings, funerals, job interviews, graduations and important business meetings. A well tailored men’s suit in navy blue or charcoal grey are good basic colours for any occasion. You can dress these up or down depending on the situation. Even if you don’t work in an environment that demands you wear a suit, it’s essential to have one.
2. A crisp, clean, ironed, white dress shirt is essential to go with the suit. A white shirt will go nicely with almost any colour suit you have and is easily dressed down with jeans for a classic look.
3. A solid tie in a basic colour is very versatile and matches almost any shirt and suit. You can also choose a classic diagonal striped tie in basic colours. The most popular colour of men’s ties is blue, followed by red. Blue is a less intrusive colour, where as red has built a reputation as a ‘power tie’ very popular with politicians!
4. Every man needs a pair of well polished black shoes and a black belt. Black is a good colour because it will match any item of clothing. If black is too boring for you, dark brown could be an option - just make sure if coordinates with your suit.
5. Khakis and jeans are essential items that no man can do without. Jeans are the most popular item in a man’s wardrobe today. Dark blue has been the most fashionable shade for years and doesn’t seem to be dropping in the denim hierarchy. A darker shade of denim is always a safer option, as they And in situations where jeans are a little too casual, khakis will be the perfect alternative. Either can be effortlessly teamed with a dress shirt or a casual t-shirt.

If you’ve gone to the effort of landing a great job interview, why spoil your chances by turning up in a business shirt that’s seen better days and a faded tie? You needn’t think of an interview as a men’s fashion show either.

Good grooming is essential for a serious job candidate. That means hair properly cut, washed and combed, clean trimmed nails, and a freshly shaved face with minimal cologne if any. Clothing must be neat and tidy. The first impression, fair or not, is very important to the interviewer and sets the overall tone of the interview.

Follow these tips to impress at your next interview:

• You want to make sure your suit is pressed and clean. A solid colour is best with a dark blue or grey colour being the best choice.

• A classic silk tie that matches the suit is essential along with a freshly pressed, clean white shirt.

• You also want to make sure that there is nothing in your pockets that will cause any bulges.

• Remove any jewellery and do not chew gum or candy. The only accessories you need are cufflinks and your watch.

• On your feet you want a pair of clean and polished laced dress shoes with dark socks. Brown or black is best for shoes with matching socks.

• A nice black leather belt should also be worn.

• A simple brief case is practical and also lends a professional and business oriented feeling to your overall appearance.

Top it off with a full length overcoat and you are dressed for success!

1. Formal Belts:

This is an excellent example of a belt from Danish brand F by Friis. It has a large feature buckle with the signature gothic ‘F’ cut into, exposing the colour of the leather behind. The quality leather has a smooth finish and makes this a great formal or casual belt for any occasion. This will definitely make you stand out from the crowd as this belt screams style and professionalism.

2. Man Bag:

A perfect accessory to match your formal suit. Man bags are definitely the most sought after accessory with more styles and variations coming onto the market. The man bag is becoming one of the most popular choices for men, with A-list celebrities such Cristiano Ronaldo, Andre Agassi and Brad Pitt taking them to the height of fashion must haves….this accessory will not be dying out anytime soon.

3. Leather Phone Cases:

Instead of keeping your phone tucked away in your inside pocket, a leather carrier case similar to the image shown below will definitely finish off your smart look for any occasion. The phone and carry carry will be neatly tucked away clipped on to your belt underneath your suit jacket.

4. Scarves:

Another favourite accessory are the now popular mens warp scarves. These scarves will give you that casual look if you feel that you are dressed to formal. The warp is folded several times and suspended in a dye bath so that only part of it is immersed. This gives bands of colour. After it has been rinsed it is rearranged so that the undyed sections are in a different colour dye bath. When the warp is put on the loom it is it is manipulated to give a “spiky” edge to the overlap between the colours.

5. Mens Sunglasses:

For a number of men (including professional), sunglasses are an essential accessory, not only for their practicability but also for style. Many large designer brands invest a lot of money in advertising their products using celebrities. Police sunglasses, for example, have used both David Beckham and George Clooney.

With the new registered trade mark for Mens Sunglasses you can wear your sunglasses knowing they are top quality, but not top-end pricing!

Jeans are known for their versatility because they go with everything. They’re the backbone of men’s fashion! So, if you buy the right style with the right fit, they will always look good on you regardless whether you pair them with a working shirt for the casual smart look or simply throw on a T-shirt for a night out with the guys. Depending on your budget, I’ve listed below my top five pick which range from designer jeans to the budget conscious.

Best Jeans for Men:

1. Stand Falcon Jeans from Guess 100% cotton denim with button fly, five pocket styling and comes in slim fit with boot cut. This low rise laid back favourite retails at $98.

2. Bats by Ted Baker. These lightweight slim fit jeans with a button fly and purple back pocket stitching are just too good to be true. Personally, I felt that Ted’s new season of Urban Prep is wonderful for the fashion forward men. Bats retails at £80.

3. If you like straight jeans, you’ll love Gap’s new updated version. This high quality woven cotton medium-tinted denim comes with fading throughout. It sits just below the waist, slightly loose through the leg, straight leg opening and has five-pocket styling, button fly. This pair of jeans can easily pull off the belt and blazer look. Retails at $59.50

4. The new 7 for all Mankind Bootcut Jeans looks super casual in dark, inky colour with a naturally faded look on the front thighs. Distressed front pockets and hems and signature squiggle-embroidered back pockets finish the look. Available for around $184.00.

5. Finally, my all time favourite most affordable jeans, Levi’s Red Tab 511 Alpine Skinny from Urban Outfitters retailing at $49 only. This 5-pocket jeans is cut in a skinny fit straight through the leg with a low rise, in a distressed and faded wash. Fraying at the pockets and cuffs with colour whiskering at the thighs. And here they are…

1. Hang them up

Hang your fine suits up on a good wooden hanger at all times no matter how busy you are. Mens clothing hooks are a big taboo, stay away from using them.

2. Don’t cram your closet

Avoid cramming your closet. Suits need space to breath and space also allows wrinkles to work themselves out in between wearings.

3. Laundering Suits

Cold water is preferred when you are laundering mens shirts and trousers. Try to avoid starch where possible as it will damage the fibres of the shirt. Using it on a moderate scale on cuffs and collars are fine.

Remember never to leave shirts and trousers in the dryer longer than necessary. As soon as they are done, take them out of the dryer and hang them up.

4. Minimize dry cleaning

Dry cleaning chemicals can be harsh on suits and as such, it is best to minimize sending them for dry cleaning. Most suits actually need to be dry cleaned about once a year only. Regularly brushing your suits down with a clothing brush to remove dust and dirt is a better option.

I am sure many of you reading this have invested in a high quality wardrobe. By simply applying the above basic tips, you can keep that investment in great shape and help your cherished suits last longer while maintaining that great look

Do you suffer from blackheads? I noticed that many of my male friends suffer from this unpleasant “skin condition”, especially on the nose. Of course, I did not bring up the topic for fear of embarrassing them but I believe men are no different from women. In order to be well groomed, men’s skincare is important. Therefore, I feel that this post will be a great favour to those who are having a hard time battling blackheads.

What are blackheads?
A blackhead (medically known as an open comedo) is a yellowish or blackish bump or plug on the skin. It is caused by excess oils that have accumulated in the sebaceous gland’s duct. Blackheads can also be aggravated if you leave your skin dirty and dead cells accumulate within your open pores. Apart from that, too much makeup is another cause of blackheads.

Removing Blackheads
If there is no infection on your blackhead, you can try extracting blackheads yourself. However, do make sure you use sterile materials and do so in a clean environment. To make the extraction process less painful, try steaming your skin for a while over a bowl of hot water to soften the skin and loosen the pores.

Bear in mind that excessive squeezing can damage the skin around the pore and invite acne formation. To remove the blackhead, use a flat blackhead remover or comedone extractor which are available from most beauty stores.

Treatment wise, I would recommend topical products like benzol peroxide and tretinoin. Check with your local pharmacy or doctor on these products before using them. There’s a large range of specialised men’s skin care products for blackhead and acne prone skin.

Autumn/winter ’07 is the season that screams ‘Knitwear’ in UK. Men’s cardigan has recently experienced a fashion resurrection and it is now considered one of 2007’s most essential men’s fashion items.

Since cardigans are one of the most adaptable clothing for a man, you can wear one loosely over a slim fit mens shirt for the smart casual look. Alternatively, you can team it up with a skinny tie and throw on an extra long striped scarf for a stylish evening look.

Whether you are looking for a smart cardigan to complement your formal wear or simply interested in stripy cardigan for a casual look, your light knit cardigans will be the best investment this season.  Here’s my pick of the week to shop for cardigans: Burton

This season sees the launch of Burton’s exclusive premium range called Black Label which is effortlessly stylish and classic with a modern twist. I love the sophisticated, chic collection comprising of men’s cardigans which can be easily worn with jeans for the casual look or teamed with a pair of smart trousers for that classic look.