“The” Dress Shirt & Tie
A fabulous dress shirt and tie combinations by Fairfax (at Barney’s New York)..
A fabulous dress shirt and tie combinations by Fairfax (at Barney’s New York)..
Casual doesn’t mean bummy, so opt to get dad items that he can use to dress down his slacks or use as an everyday kick around wardrobe item. Our recommendations would be a shawl collar cardigan (perfect for cool nights and early fall too) or boat shoes which have made a strong comeback this year:
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:
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! .
It is far more common to see a center vent than side vents, however stick with what you prefer. If you have an ample backside, we’d suggest side vents; that way you can get a jacket that fits your body not your butt.
Day 3 is the big day – BBQ! Yeah you can do like the other joes and sport cutoff shorts and an old button down (maybe even a polo if you’re feeling sporty), or you can raise the dapper yet deconstructed bar with a dressier jacket….along with a cool washed out plaid button down. The ladies will ogle and the fellas will (quietly) hate!
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.
Day 1, usually reserved for travel, means you need to be comfortable to deal with crowds, overheating, quick transfers, or long waits. Begin with a statement cardigan that doesn’t say Mr. Rogers but rather Mr. GQ. Make it white to kick off summer right and add a few splashes of color to let ’em know you’ve still got pizazz. This sweater by Antonio Azzuolo is ideal.
Gucci men’s sweater Here is one of our favorite sweaters for spring by Gucci. You’ll see several different styles but be mindful of the following tips: (1) avoid three-quarter length sleeves as they can appear overly feminine; (2) opt for the stripes to be darker than the main sweater color; and (3) make sure the sweater hem is open and not banded.
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
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
Here are the top 5 men’s transition essentials for spring–those items that you love for winter and you can now repurpose for the spring season filled with warmer days but still cool evenings. A check shirt–in colorful patterns and a lightweight cotton (great for layering–a big trend right now). Wear it with a blazer and jeans or under your favorite suit (pick a solid tie). It’s not just shirts either, try a check patterned jacket. Etro Updated Check Shirt A double-breasted suit or jacket–the
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.
Sportcoats have traditionally been associated with old men or grandpa’s, but we need to dispense with that myth. Today’s sportcoats work as the perfect option to dress up a more casual outfit, or get you date-night ready without looking like you’re headed to a 5-star dinner. The options are vast but our recommendations include (1) sticking with grey or a darker hue, (2) opt for tweed, and (3) keep it very simple (no elbow patches, etc). Here are our picks:
A stylish start to the week from last week’s lessons learned… Holiday Gift Ideals: You KNOWthere’a gift you want, so why not make it easier on everyone and just tell us! We may even be able to get you what you want….or something like it! Look for our Tuesday post with the Best Gift Ideals for the Dapper Don in your life. Let’s Get It Started: The new year is the perfect time to get started on a new you….even
This is a guide to the three most common men’s jacket lapel types along with some addititional features.
Shirt, $220 by Band of Outsiders Hat, $24 by Topman Pants, $129 by Club Monaco Shoes, $14 by Urban Outfitters Notes: after work rooftop deck, weekend wedding, weeknight carousing…..it works!
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.
Transitioning from winter to spring can mean re-arranging your closet, shuffling clothes from closet to closet or storage to closet, or even a few moments of angst to find suits that no longer fit or shirts with holes in them but, to kick spring off in style is simple. Consider changing out your standard white shirt for a more colorful alternative: If you go with a colorful shirt, keep everything else understated and neutral Opt for a more traditional tie to “calm”
This one is easy (and essential): a v-neck sweater. Now you may wonder why we are so specific in the advice that it should be a v-neck as opposed to crewneck sweater — simply put, a v-neck creates a more open look and with less stuck to wrap around your neck, you’ll be cooler (in all ways)! The best options for spring v-necks include: J Crew Express Men Gap Barneys Opt for something with at least a splash of color and
Sweaters make the transition from winter to spring easy — and if you choose a brighter color, it could actually improve your attitude about the current weather as well. This Michael Kors contrast-trim sweater ($95) comes in ash, lark (pictured) and black. Under a blazer, sportscoat or light jacket; or over a long-sleeve tee or button-down…ready for spring!
Alexander Wang is on fire right now — the designer can do no wrong! So, to continue capitalizing on that success, the designer is broadening the offering of his hugely successful T by Alexander Wang line to men: he’s adding tees, shirts, and sweat clothing for men that will be available at Opening Ceremony and Saks Fifth Avenue. Style notes: the tees are amazingly comfortable but….we’re not sure softness and comfort are the main goals to be achieved during sweat-garnering
So just start slow – and this HUGE sale at Ventuno will help you re-build your closet full of haute dress shirts and silky ties. The downtown haberdashery Ventuno is throwing a 2-hour sale where everything is 30% off! Plus, rumor has it that there will be free wine and mini-empanadas (just make sure to make your selection before the drinking the wine)! 411: Jan 29th, 6-8pm, no cost, Ventuno (1055 SE First Ave, 305-372-5017)
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