men's corner: sprucing up your summer shorts...

while i have met some men who love to shop...ok...maybe love is a bit strong of a word to use...but men who don't mind shopping...but then there are those who absolutely hate to shop...don't want to be near a mall...store...or anything closely resembling retail...come to think of it...i even know a few women who do...

not loving to shop...is not an excuse to still be wearing shorts that you wore 8 years ago...time to update update update...and if you can't seem to get yourself to a store...get a friend to help...or...get a wardrobe stylist to shop for you...you would be amazed at what can be created for you (in way of a new wardrobe) in no time at all...

but if you plan on venturing out there...let's update to some new shorts...and while it is SO easy to go for basic black, brown, navy blue or khaki...let's step out a bit more...isn't summer all about fun in the sun?  your wardrobe should reflect some of that...

so...try a pattern...doesn't have to be bold...but it sure gives some interest...don't you think?

madras plaid short
banana republic

 how about adding some shorts in a vibrant color...

linen short
banana republic

if going bold is too much...go for a lighter color...but do go for color...

solid short
banana republic

any of these can be paired with a button down or t-shirt...and you are ready to go...and those old shorts that have seen better days?  toss them!

men's corner: happy father's day...

wishing all the dad's out there a fabulous day...and to my very own papacito...i love you with all my heart!

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men's corner: men in tights...

did the title get your attention?  an article written in the telegraph.co.uk...posted back in december...quite an article title:  men in tights: how 'meggings" are taking fashion by storm"...written by tom teodorczuk...click on the title if you'd like to read the whole article...i have to say...the only thing that sort of got my attention was the word "megging"...kinda catchy really...

but serious?  meggings?  maybe for some young artsy guy...i could see it...but i truly do not think that this "trend" is anywhere near "taking off"...at least not in my neck of the woods...

leggings in general...are not pants...now before i get a backlash from some readers on this statement...let me clarify...while they do work for some...the general public should not be in leggings...and definitely not wearing them as pants...makes no sense...while i have seen some great looks in leggings...the list is not very long...

so back to meggings...or better yet...let's not get back to meggings...my vote is a definite NO!  for most...if not all men...

what are your thoughts? 

men...does this look do it for you?

women...do you want to see men in meggings?

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men's corner: the art of shoe shining...

while i am always harping on how shoes can make or break an outfit...i have to take it one step further...while you may be sporting a great pair of shoes...if they are scuffed...and dull...that great pair of shoes...doesn't look so great...

found this wonderful video by the wonderful mr. porter...so remember men...make sure your shoes are shined...

men's corner: color matters...

a recent article in gq magazine titled "what you can learn from the most opinionated man in fashion" gives pointers from designer michael kors...starting with self tanner to turtlenecks...click on the article link above for all his pointers...

what resonated with me...was his point titled 'lastly, know thyself'...michael says..."play to your strengths.  if you have sandy hair, you need ivory, not optic white.  a redhead?  get some green in your closet.  black hair?  you'll look dramatic in black.  cary grant proved that if you have gray hair, you wear gray.  just look at george clooney.  it might sound insane, but it works."

color does matter...and it just takes little simple tricks to make yourself look...well...very put together without looking like you tried...

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men's corner: shine them shoes...

it happened again the other day...not the first time...and unfortunately...i'm sure it won't be the last time...there i was...in the elevator...the door opened up...and this man walks in...impeccably dressed...i mean...perfection...that is...until i looked at his shoes...they were dull......unpolished...and scuffed...

this is travesty!  ok...maybe a slight exaggeration there...but seriously...shoes can make or break the outfit...and although this is directed to the men today...it applies to all of us...women included...one of the easiest things to do...have your shoes polished...you may think they are on the bottom...covered by your pant leg...but believe me...people notice...and when they notice...they forget how the rest of you is impeccably dressed...

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men's corner: to brogue or not to brogue...

there was a time where brogues were worn by the men on wall street...and it was usually the older distinguished gentlemen...at least that is how i remember it...but brogues have come a long way baby!  such a great way to pull together some great casual looks...

if you are looking for brogues to go with your jeans...for example...step out of the box a bit...go for something a little more...well...not expected...maybe not your usual black or dark brown that you gravitate to...there are some interesting colors out there...brogues that already have the "worn in" look...and some neutrals that are great to enhance your shoe closet...

here are some fabulous choices...different tones of brown...how about a nice olive green touch?  or even a nice grey suede...these are sure to enhance any of your casual looks...

original penguin brogue wt
zappo's

hush puppies 1958 - brogue lug
zappo's

john varvatos richards wing tip
zappo's

calvin klein faxon
zappo's

men's corner: a gentleman's boot...

fall is all about boots...at least for us women...but men...this is an accessory that should be added to your shoe collection as well...and currently...there are some fabulous styles to choose from...like the one below by cole haan...or click here to see all the styles available with cole haan...

they can jazz up any pair of jeans or corduroy pants...or wear them with a suit...and your suit isn't as stuffy...adding a nice contemporary feel to your look...

air harrison laced boot
cole haan

men's corner: go out blazing...

as in...topping off that fabulous pair of jeans...khaki's or dress slacks with a nice blazer...it is truly an instant way of making yourself look "put together"...let's face it...anyone can put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt...but how seriously will people take you?  whether we like it or not...first impressions are made...and if something simple...like putting on a nice casual blazer...makes all the difference...why not?

one of the nice things that nordstrom.com is doing now...having the whole look on one link...if you like it...you shop the look...nice for those of you that don't think you can do it on your own...but better yet...get a trusted friend to help you out (someone whose style you admire) or a wardrobe consultant...who will be able to look through your closet...and most likely put together some fabulous looks...with what you already own...

here are some of my favorites...to get you inspired...the next time you are in line at starbucks...or boarding a plane...looking sharp...who knows who will be approaching you...it could be your next big client...or a new job opportunity...or a new life-long friend... 

love this first look...casual & sharp...all at the same time...

dockers wool blazer
nordstrom.com

  a little more dressy...hat not a requirement...but fun...

wallin & bros. sportscoat
nordstrom.com

  and of course...nothing wrong with adding some color...

ted baker london
nordstrom.com

men's corner: cuffing it...

to cuff or not to cuff...that is the question...and it seems like a nice cuff in your pant is back in full swing for this fall season...personally, i have always loved a cuffed pant...seems so stylish...and somehow it truly anchors the pant leg...

jim moore of gq states:  "tell your tailor to give you an inch and a half of cuff...and get him to hem your pants a good half inch above your shoes to show some sock...if he says the average customer likes no cuff and a big break...look him in the eye and say, 'i'm not the average customer...'"

there are so many things i love about that statement...first...show some sock...yes!  and make them a wow sock...not plain solid colors...and then the response to the tailor...there is just something special about the non-average man...

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men's corner: oxblood for men...

yesterday...i posted about the big color for fall..."oxblood"...and of course i showed different ways of incorporating it into your wardrobe...this is a great color for fall...and men...you can ease into it as well...here are some lovely examples...

cole haan 'air morris' casual wingtip
nordstrom

and if you are not a wingtip type of guy...how about trading out wearing regular jeans or khaki's for some gorgeous "colored" cords...such as these...

vintage cord in slim-straight fit
j crew

  add a bit of oxblood in the way of a nice textured belt...

allen edmonds 'manistee" brogue leather belt
nordstrom

  a gorgeous tie...would spice up your worn once or twice shirts...

burberry london woven silk tie
nordstrom

what a great color for a sweater...pick your poison...cashmere...wool...

elbow-patch crewneck sweater
banana republic

and of course...don't forget the socks...oxblood seen in paisley...polka dot and stripes!

men's corner: the dapper gentleman...

zz top said it best..."every girl's crazy 'bout a sharped dressed man..."

such was my encounter today...when i ran out of the office for a quick afternoon java run...all i grabbed was my wallet...what.a.mistake.that.was...because as i was headed back...in front of me...an elderly gentleman...slowly walking...with the help of his walking cane...

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 as i was approaching him...i was admiring the way he had put his look together...the beautiul fedora...nicely pressed slacks and dress shirt...perfectly shined shoes...

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and as i got side by side by him...my heart melted...he was also wearing a lovely paisley tie...the outfit...perfect in every way...

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of course...the only problem...i had no camera...no phone...nothing to capture this picture of perfection on the young 89 year old gentleman...i couldn't let this moment pass without letting him know how fabulous he looked...

"love seeing a gentleman...wearing a hat...and even better when accompanied with a bow tie...you look absolutely dapper"  to which he smiled...and said..."young lady...you've made my day...thank you for noticing..."  

men's corner: lacing up the right way...

as simple as it sounds...there is a right way to lace up those shoes of yours...saw this helpful video "lace your shoes like a man" on gq.com...happy lacing...

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men's corner: the tired suit...

let's face it...a man's suit is not something you replace every few months...but after a bit of wear...that suit begins to feel...and look a bit tired...what to do?

this last weekend...a client was thinking he needed a spruce up in his work attire...but didn't want to spend loads of money...meaning...he didn't really want to buy new suits...so we ventured out...and picked up some nice colorful shirts (other then the colors he is used to wearing) and print dress shirts...mixed in some nice new ties...did a bit of mixing of patterns...and voila...a tired suit...no more...

so skip the plain white shirt...go a little crazy...add some color...some print...and liven up that tired old suit...oh...and don't forget some fun print socks!

1901 trim fit dress shirt
nordstrom

men's corner: swimwear addition...

tis the season for some fun in the sun...and no better time to update your swimwear collection...the good thing...is most stores are stocking up on fall items...so you can find some great swimwear...on sale!

but being that it is summer...and it is rallied around fun...pool time...beach...bbq's...even you conservative types...step out of your box...and add some fun & flair to your  ensemble...

add in some great color...

9" cargo long board short

or pattern...like this fabulous plaid...

7" board short in chilmark plaid

stripes are a fun addition as well...

9" long board short in social stripe

can't decide?  go for several....show off your personal style with color & pattern...and most of all...have some fun in the sun...

men's corner: carrying your stuff...

so...you are all dressed up for work...whether your work attire includes a suit...or your basic slacks and button down shirt...dressed or casual...one accessory that is sure to ruin this look is attaching a backpack that a high school student would be lugging to class...

i mean...come on...adults need adult bags...if you are in need of something to carry your stuff...upgrade...upgrade...upgrade...so many fabulous messenger bags...or even briefcases...that really don't look like the briefcases your father once used...you don't need to look stuffy...and you definitely do not need to look like a boy in adult clothing...

and on a side note...you may not realize it...but as you are lugging this hideous backpack around...especially when commuting...you probably don't realize how many people you are side-swiping with said hideous backpack...believe me...i've been hit...

here are some great messenger bags...sure to update your look to picture perfect...

fossil estate messenger

banana republic messenger bag

men's corner: the basic black shoe...

a shoe can make or break an outfit...this applies to both men...and women...but let's face it...not all of us can have...or much less want a closet full of shoes...i of course...am cringing as i type that...for it certainly does not fall into my line of thinking...but there are those...un-like me...who only want the basics...

as was the case for my client's step-son...he was venturing out into the corporate world...and wanted some help with his wardrobe...including shoes...but of course...he was on a budget...and well...truth be told...it was more the step-mom who was wanting this little shopping trip for him...not so much him...

but...as always...with the clients that don't like to shop...i try and pre-shop as much as i can...so that the experience is a pleasurable one...and not a whole day event...so for someone starting out...it truly is back to basics...and when it came to the shoe...my first choice...was and is...the black lace-up...

pretty much...every man...should have a pair in his closet...no if's, and's or buts about it...this basic shoe...can be dressed up or down...which is always good for someone with a small shoe collection...and best of all...it can go with your dressier slacks...but also with your jeans...

doesn't that sound like a win-win?  a shoe that does it all...well...almost...

kenneth cole new york 'meet the family' derby
nordstrom

men's corner: the white t-shirt...

what can one say about the classic white tee?  it is truly a staple in any man's closet...worn alone...with blazer...or under a dress shirt...the key is to find your favorite fit...and then stock up...does the brand matter?  i think what matters most is comfort...fit...and softness...of course...

but one thing that happens...so often...is that these lovely staples are not replaced...let's face it men...they need to be replenished...at least once a year...beyond the normal wear on them...which in time...they will loose their luster...and elasticity...

and do you really want to be wearing some dingy old t-shirt underneath a nice dress shirt?  it doesn't matter if no one sees...you see!  get in the habit of checking them...and replacing them...and don't just stop at the white ones... =)

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happy father's day...

wishing all the father's a fabulous day!

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fashion funnies: passing dress inspection...

this was in last sunday's san francisco chronicle...do you pass dress inspection?

gentleman is singing while getting dressed...

laaaah tee taaaaa...et voila!

gentleman sips coffee...buttons up shirt...

kisses the wife...

and...

wife:  wait!! you can't wear that shirt and suit together!  and where did you find that tie??!!

wife adjusts tie:  there...now you look presentable...

later in the office...

colleague:  john - you're a bit late for this meeting, aren't you?

john:  i know...i didn't pass dress inspection

for better or for worse

wishing you a fabulous weekend