Men's Matters
MANly Facts: Shirts
If you can’t place one finger comfortably into the top of your buttoned shirt, it’s too small. Can you even breathe?
2014/03/03
If you can’t place one finger comfortably into the top of your buttoned shirt, it’s too small. Can you even breathe?
Apparently there are rules to wearing turtlenecks and Esquire has laid them out clearly. And we concur….. Cotton is good but thin merino wool is better. Turtlenecks were not meant to be worn alone. If you have a short neck, no turtlenecks for you. [our own addition] The saggier the neck, the worse it looks ~ keep it tight! Black turtlenecks are slimming but also very Giorgio Armani-esque. Try a little color… Our advice: if you’re in a cool climate or
That’s easy because you need them ~ for spring and summer, you can do cool plaids, polos, or henleys. We found lots of great options for under $100 at Piperlime (my new favorite store for casual guys stuff…) These are the shirts that will work all weekend, for your vacations, under sportcoats, alone…and even look good on your girlfriend in a pinch ~ easy, stylish, put together but not too much!
It’s doable and tell me this contemporary plaid blazer with collarless shirt isn’t HOT! Wearing plaid doesn’t have to be professorial, geeky, loud, or stuffy. Gucci under the guidance of Frida Giannini has flourished and while this particular combination may be out of your price range {blazer, $2,350 and shirt, $510}, consider the possibility that plaid is a new classic. Here’s a Gucci Prince of Wales check blazer, ASOS Slim Fit check blazer, or Peter Millar Vespa sportcoat that captures the
..sometimes! We’ve pulled together a peek at the must-have tops for men for now, and going to spring. we triple-dog-dare-you to find a better list! Checked cotton shirt ~ we love J Crew, and Hugh & Crye {we’ve been diggin them for years!} Denim or chambray shirt ~ we’re vibing again with J Crew, Mr. Porter {a bit pricey}, and Levi’s Polos ~ we love Gap {relaxed fit}, Levi’s, and John Varvatos {they are so soft and pliable} Cashmere sweater (crewneck or
Like it? Try it! Here’s how: contrast ~ light with dark, or vice versa micro dots ~ they appear solid from a distance, but textured up close collar & tie ~ opt for a spread collar (not too much, not too stingy), and classic tie (not these trendy, skinny ones) Go forth – be dapper – and conquer!
If you’re going to do mixed patterns, one should be more pronounced than the other Holiday season = party season so darker colors dress up easier The ‘louder’ plaid in the tie offers a bit of Holiday attire-ish compromise Shirt by Tommy Hilfiger; tie by Hugo Style solution: this combo goes from casual day to nighttime with a sportcoat or even relaxed tuxedo jacket!
So these Brooks Brothers shirts are perfect! 4 fits (traditional, regular, slim, extra slim), 165 sizes, 100+ styles….and they’re non-iron. Hello? Done…!
For the active/outdoorsy fathers, looking sporty without being too casual is hard to do. A good carryall is essential — something that can hold what you need without having you look like you’re back in grade school or delivering packages; and a nice shirt that goes from day to dinner is desirable too! Our two recommendations are:
Gents- you all have button-down shirts or sport shirts that you pack for the long weekend, but somehow they always seem to be too stuffy. We’ve been preaching the benefits of floral ties and plaids, but opt for a slim khaki tie and you’re in business! The tie can be worn to your swank evening BBQ, nighttime pub crawl, meet-the-parents lunch, etc.
Blue, the color not the mood, was a prominent shade in men’s collections for Spring 2011. Don’t let this color get you down though! Instead of drowning your entire look in blue hues, embrace it with accessories and shoes. Accessories are an excellent way to take up a trend while still maintaining your own uniqueness. Of course, do still experiment with blue garments such as sport and chino pants (wonderful for the spring weather!), lightweight button-down shirts, blazers, and tees. Gents, choose
Spring is all about color, but as a guy too much color can leave you too much of a standout. This Ralph Lauren polo, “Indian Blue”, is the perfect way to usher in a bright spring without chirping too loudly. It works great with jeans, or going into summer with chinos or white jeans.
Ever see a friend (or perhaps yourself) in the mirror and you have massive shirt puffage?! Well, depending on the type of pants you’re wearing, a slim cut shirt is your answer. You should be able to raise your arm without you shirt rising up from your pants.
You’re in your prime and physically fit, but when you tuck your shirt into your pants, you get a midsection bulge – – why? Two options to resolve this issue: (1) Try a slimmer cut shirt (European shirts vs. American); many makers offer full or tapered. Or (2) have the shirt altered, and many specialty stores can do this for a nominal fee. When it’s all said and done — it simply means the shirt is too big!
A stylish start to the week from last week’s lessons learned… Cigars: There is a certain sexiness to the inhale and exhale, and smell of a cigar…. Plaid: I am not only a strong believer (now) that men should always wear a collared shirt, but evry amn should own a plaid shirt preferably with epaulets to create a more polished yet casual look Dry Cleaner: Perchloroethylene is considered by the EPA to be hazardous….and one of the main ingredients that deteriorates
A stylish start to the week from last week’s lessons learned….. Ice Cream: It’s a fabulous way to stay cool in the summer heat and a easy backdoor way to a woman’s heart… Tees to Tee Up: T-shirts are a part of every man’s life but when they become a wardrobe staple, then we need to talk. What ever happened to polos, button-downs, henleys, short-sleeve rugbys, jerseys, etc? In Miami, I saw way too many men in tees…on purpose…as if they were
Instead of sterile racks of shirts, you’ll see saddles, vintage maps of London and late-1800s photos of Richmond, all shipped up from Ledbury’s tobacco-warehouse-turned-showroom. (Blame the Surgeon General.) You’ll order up a bourbon from the bar in one corner and take in the stylings of the bluegrass banjo player in the other.
I have some definite know-how when it comes to pulling men’s business attire together but, I don’t know it all. So, I’ve pulled together expertise from a variety of sources, vetted it (some people are not reliable), and created this quick crib sheet on how to coordinate ties, shirts and suits. READ IT – did we get it right?!?
Washington, DC Metro Area
barnettm@blueprintforstyle.com
(209) STY-LISH
If you have general questions, feel free to use the form below to send us a quick message.