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How Many Dress Shirts Should I Own?

Start with the essentials– solid whites, blues and pinks might not be super dapper. but they form the foundation of your dress wardrobe.  After that, your dress shirts should express your individual style. Dress Shirt 201 says an assortment of checks, windowpanes and stripes are the next level.  At a minimum, 10 to 12 great dress shirts can get through two weeks without visiting the dry cleaner.  A more robust wardrobe will generally have 20 to 25 shirts, ensuring a shirt for every occasion! .

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Tone Down the Top for Day Two

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.

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Melt in Your Mouth Not in Your Hands

This chocolate men’s summer suit featured in GQ is spot-on! Dark brown is too hot, camel is an everyday treat, but this milk chocolate coloring is unexpected but totally appropriate! [Items pictured: Suit, $400, by Perry Ellis Portfolio {generous cut}; Shirt, $40, by H&M; Tie, $20, by Topman {one of my favorite men’s shops}; Shoes, $168, and socks by J.Crew; Pocket square by J.Press] Perry Ellis Portfolio Suit

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A Not-Quite-White Suit

Can there ever be a summer without at least rocking your summer ‘whites‘ once?  To avoid looking like you’re part of An Officer & A Gentleman or Colonel Sanders, go a little off in your white! [Items pictured: Suit, $100, by H&M {just get one!}. Shirt, $50, by ck Calvin Klein {sizing is fairly generous}; Tie, $40, by Lands’ End Canvas {great site for spruced up classics}] H&M Off-White Suit

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Sometimes Simple is the Most Stylish

Our top 3 picks for simple-faced men’s watches that won’t break-the-bank, but will definitely leave you sitting pretty in the style category…as well as with a little extra cash in your wallet! Calvin Klein, $205 Skagen, $110

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5 Men’s Must Haves….Not That We Agree

Fashionising spoke with Nick Wooster, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman‘s fashion director and here’s what he had to say about men’s must-have’s and parallels between wardrobes and gardens… Must have for spring 2011 ~ a pocket square …. the easiest way to make an ordinary jacket look extraordinary (we agree!) Fall’s must-wear color ~ burgundy …. from deep plum to light pink; they call is cordovan (thumbs up!) Fall 2011’s statement piece to invest in ~ outerwear …. anything with

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Flaunt Floral for Spring

I had the chance to go to Final Four in Houston, TX a few weeks ago and had a blast! While there, I met a very dapper gent who, through subsequent meetings, has taught me the style value of men’s floral ties. Indeed he sports them regularly and often, and to my surprise, makes them look great.  We did our research and here’s what we discovered: Floral ties are a fabulous alternative to the microcheck The print/color usage make these

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GQ Watch Report

It’s here and I’m excited: the GQ Watch Report! The usual suspects are present (Panerai, Cartier, TAG Heuer, Rolex, etc), but also a few newbies including Oris, Hermès, Fossil, and Bulova to name a few! GQ Watch Report

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Shoe In

Matches Fashion shows some of the best, distressed looks for spring and summer.  They work for Friday casual, date night, Saturday errands, and weekend jetsetting….what else is there? Men’s distressed shoes Top to bottom: Car Shoe, Car Shoe, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci

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Know How to Hold ‘Em

And the correct answer is ‘in style‘.  If you have an Ipad then Makr‘s Ipad Attaché is the answer because it’s light, manly, made from one large piece of quality leather that is hand sewn, and comes in a few options! Makr’s Ipad Attache Note: right now this Ipad attaché is on sale for $204!

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Top Spring Trend: Blue, The Color, Not the Mood!

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

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The What, Who & Why on Men’s Style Magazines

It’s question we get asked quite a bit so, we thought we’d take a stab at giving you some insight into which men’s style magazines are our favorites, which ones are good for what and not so hot for something else, etc.  This is our perspective, but please share your experiences and insights with us….and everyone else! Men’s Health Published in 44 editions, Men’s Health is the world’s largest men’s magazine and the best-selling men’s magazine in the U.S. Read this

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‘All Wrapped Up in the Game’

It’s slang for being really into something….in this case, we’re all into macho scarves that keep our men looking hot and feeling warm!  The Blueprint for Style team checked out several, but managed to narrow it down to these three; each unique in their own way.  If you want some color, then opt for the Gant scarf, but if your norm is a trench or darker coat then the BOSS Orange option will provide just the right amount of light

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A Tie with a Dash of Panache

This spring it’s no one color in particular, but rather plaid ties that will be making the color splash for our dapper dons.  The key to pulling this off….think deep, dark, rich colors (leave the light colors to the pansies)!

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Manly Tshirt Tip

“Wearing a T-shirt simply makes a great suit jacket look less rigid, less uptight. I personally like to wear a white loose-fitting crewneck tee—or one of those U-necks—but you can get away with anything. Try a rock-band tee, a college tee, or just a solid-color, and wear it with a structured jacket for a nice contrast.” -Neil Barrett

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The Well is Deep with Curated Style

Atlanta-based Donnie Wellz may be the real deal….I love their curated selection of elegantly masculine travel accessories and furnishings including ties and cufflinks.  Owner, Dennis Williams, started in Japan and made his way west — along the way, he picked up some European cuts and fabulous insider relationships to make haute and dapper men’s items.

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It’s Finally Friday’s Quirky Yet Fashionable Questionnaire

Read about this week’s laid back southern gent who likes it hot and whose personality is as colorful as his closet!! He’s a ‘Georgia peach’, but we all know that it “ain’t where ya from, it’s where ya at” that counts! Occupation: Entertainment and Sports Agent Age: 35 City/State of Birth: Atlanta, GA Current City/State of Residence: DC Metro Status: Father (let’s leave it at that)   Shoes or Sneakers? Sneakers Lace-ups or Slip-ons? Lace-ups Blazer or Sportcoat? Sportcoat Cashmere

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Secret Chicago Finery for Gents

The Shrine is located in Chicago on the Gold Coast…just above Jack Spade‘s!  Stuffed with leather couches and filled with silk woven ties and pocket squares, this spot will easily become one of your must-visit spots as you think through the most finely acquired items including vintage pocket watches and Japanese cuff links. Here are the details for your visit: Shrine ♦ 47 E Oak St, 2nd Floor (between Michigan and Rush) ♦ Chicago, IL 60611 ♦ 312-675-2105

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It’s Finally Friday’s Fashionable Yet Quirky Q&A

Read about this week’s everyday dapper don who is a Pacific Northwestern to the core.  He keeps it simple and to-the-point, no frills and no designer wear.  A gent more comfortable in a black suit than a tuxedo, but savvy enough to love stripes and sushi.  Read a little more about our ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ compadre! Occupation:  Human Resource Manager:  Hi-tech Age: 44 City/State of Birth:  Tacoma, WA Current City/State of Residence:  Seattle, WA Status:  Single Shoes or Sneakers? Shoes Lace-ups or

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It’s Finally Friday’s Fashionable Yet Quirky Q&A

This week’s everyday dapper don is a left-coast Dr. Welby with southern inclinations.  He loves seafood, shoes and sports, and can likely keep up with the best them since he boxes!  Let’s read a little more about this southern gent with modern proclivities…. Occupation: Physician Age: 42 City/State of Birth: Tacoma WA Current City/State of Residence:  Raleigh NC Status: Not sure Shoes or Sneakers? Shoes Lace-ups or Slip-ons? Lace ups Blazer or Sportcoat?  Sportcoat Cashmere or Wool?  Cashmere Baseball cap

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A Man’s Power Accessory: The Tie

Yet another fabulous shot by David Lewis Taylor for Four Seasons Magazine.  The pieces were artfully selected by Mark Grischke and I wanted to share. Ties have been around since King Louis XIV, but never have they been such an important part of completing a man’s ensemble.  At Blueprint for Style, we love the bow tie but recognize the four-in-hands as the staple with a business suit especially in conservative DC and the perfect compliment to a black suit in place

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It’s Finally Friday’s Fashionable Yet Quirky Q&A

This week’s everyday dapper don has a weakness for suits and looks every bit the part of a stylish man about DC.  He’s a hometown favorite who prefers custom suits and cashews, so read more about him and judge for yourself: Occupation: Sales Professional/Cash Management Consultant Age: 48 City/State of Birth:  The coolest city on the planet Washington, DC Current City/State of Residence:  Lanham, MD Status: ? 1.    Shoes or Sneakers? Shoes 2.    Lace-ups or Slip-ons? Lace ups 3.

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Men Why Not….

….try more color in your life?  If there’s a great takeaway from Tokyo, it’s the use of color by men and women alike.  Color adds depth, flavor and panache to an everyday outfit.  C’mon give it a spin….

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