Get Shirty

What shirt to wear?

Tough, tough question. Why is that? The difficulty with choosing a shirt is that there is so much choice even in our own closet but it's frustratingly difficult to get it working with the whole outfit or occasion.

We'd like to make a suggestion: Get sorted with nice fabric, simple design and slim-medium fit (you can't be wearing a shirt that hangs like a tent). But before we look at some options let us clue you in to some of the multiples that factor in:

1) Collars

2) Cuffs

3) Pockets

All these options are not out there to intimidate, they are actually very useful in helping us decide what shirt we really need for the occasion. Here's the check list to help you decide:

1) Am I wearing a tie?

1a) Yes, what kind of tie? If it's a big fatty - go with a wider spread. If it's slimmer (popular right now) then go for medium spread but we would steer away from narrow and/or button down collar unless you want your neck to look thinner.

In terms of pockets, keep it simple, only 1 pocket (or none looks good).

If you are really smart you just can't beat cufflinks - pure class. Otherwise, whatever you like, just don't go too long in the sleeve - that can ruin an otherwise great look.

1b) No - move to 2!

2) The no-tie, causual options are endless (which can be part of the problem).

Collar style wants to be pretty open (wide) because your top button or two will be undone. You don't really want a thin spread with a collar that's wide by default. We have a problem with button down collars - who knows why...maybe because they are pointless and rarely look good.

In terms of pockets, be symetrical - either 0 or 2.

Cuffs: Single button and no nonsense. You might want to roll up the sleeves and some French cuff design could drive you crazy. Casual shirts will be single button most of the time anyhow.

3) Will I tuck in or leave out? This isn't really a biggy, you just want to try the shirt for length and cut (straight or waiver) if you'll leave it out. Too long could be an issue.

4) Logos. Try your best to let your shirt makers' shirt speak for itself. Logos should be kept on the inside of the garment for the most part.

5) Since you're leaving the collar open-neck, make sure you know where the buttons lie. If that last button is too high you can look all 'buttoned up' and if it's too low you can end up with half your chest hanging out. We find this check to be a real deal maker of breaker more than anything.

What's out there?

THOMAS PINK pound for pound probably make the best shirts you can buy off the shelf. Prices are high but not totally crazy. Check out their 'White Collection' - stunning.

http://www.us.thomaspink.com/

We all know these guys but don't let familiarity breed contempt. Always good, often great and shirts are fabulous.

Calvin is a winner here because they offer plenty of style with many plain, solid, clean options

Reiss make stunning clothing particularly on the smart/casual segment: http://www.reissonline.com/us/

Autumn Cardies

A return to clothing this post (we confess most posts will be) and this one's a little outside the box: The CARDIGAN. Our take on the good old fashoned "cardy" is that a few years ago it came flying out of the fashion doors with the prospect of being a quick appearance that almost came across geaky and old school - both of which can be very cool. It surprised everyone by holding it's ground and has become a standard issue garment that guys would do well creating a permanent place for in the cupboard.

We've found some great items for you to shop around for and some very stylish 'style merchants' showing how to pull them off:

TIE & CARDY

Open-neck Cardy:

How about some of these selections you can easily get your hands on:

Diesel $110

Diesel $110

Banana Republic $130

Banana Republic $89.50

ZARA $39.90 (Our pick)

ZARA $39.90

Gucci $1035 (If you buy this over the ZARA you have some real problems. It's not that we really like this garment - it's OK - we just had to show you what a waste of money really looks like.)

Calvin Klein $88

Interesting...

It's time to move away from clothing for a while, not least because style is the sum of many other components with all their interpretations. This weeks contribution relates more to life than appearance: INTERESTS. Simply put, interests make people interesting.

Imagine you are introducing yourself to a group or individual. How does your conversation normally go? So often it follows likee this: Name...Occupation...Location of residence...awkward silence...fishing for more conversation that only gets more difficult and superficial sounding.

How about asking your new acquaintance this: "What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?" All of a sudden the conversation can come to life and you may even find common likes you can share.

Here's the catch - they will likely ask you what your interests are. Your interests should be interesting or should take an interesting twist. And remember this: there are 2 kinds of interest - and we all need both:

Primary Interest: Essential life activities e.g. Exercise, reading, travel, cooking, music etc.

Secondary Interest: Non-essential but fabulously engaging activities e.g. Hang gliding, fly fishing, canvas painting, wake boarding, photography, ball room dancing, rock climbing, sculpture, wood craft, sailing, white water rafting, language learning...

Most of us have a primary interest that will normally be classified by the fact that it directly benefits us or is shared by the masses (i.e. health, learning, functionality) but this post encourages us to pursue a secondary interest mostly because they are fun, creative, life giving and absolutely stylish more than we might realize. They stylize us because they make us unique but also intriguing while increasing our vitality - which is altogether appealing to others.

Have some fun watching clips from the Dos Equis comercials you may already be familiar with: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI58wj4b4g0&feature=related Pretty funny, but perhaps some thin threads of truth when you think about the activities that make this guy..."The most interesting man in the world!"

Here's to being interesting...

Shoes to Cruise 2

This week's post is hopefully full of examples of what kind of shoes dress up well with jeans. The only problem is that it's almost exclusively taking shoes from the same store. Before you sense a cop-out on our part please let us explain: Too often smart shoes with jeans are just too business like. Business shoes have their place with trousers and suits but jeans need a shoe that has an element of edge, attitude, character or fun even when the occasion is potentially more sophisticated.

The store, Aldo, gives us sweet feet that will get you through almost all situations and you won't feel over-dressed if the occasion is less than what you expected. Again, we're doing smart as it relates to jeans, not a suit and tie and Aldo hits this mark better than anyone and gives tons of choice with it. Aldo makes' Jean Smart' fun because it gets more creative than the 'Suit Smart' shoes you might try to swing with your jeans, a dress shirt and suit jacket. If you're in Miami and you feel a million dollars you could even go with white snakeskin - Aldo even has that shoe for you. For now, let's imagine an art exhibition at a gallery, an informal interview for a job where employees dress more casually or you're heading out on a group date when you're not 100% on the venue. Not sure how plush the restaurant will be? Check these babies out for size:



Aldo: Mainard ($80.00) www.aldoshoes.com









Aldo: Ruzzo ($74.98 on sale)









Aldo: Worzybock ($54.98 on sale) *Our favourite pick











Paul Smith: Dip-Dye Parnu 2 Shoe ($193.00 on sale)
www.paulsmith.co.uk/us











Paul Smith: Brasow Shoe ($193.00 on sale)










Aldo: Lamoore ($54.98 on sale)

URGENT POST: Paul Smith arrives in USA

You may have noticed the last two shoe posts revealed how partial we are to Paul Smith, the London designer. If you, too, liked his look we have good news - you can now buy Paul Smith in the US with US dollars with US distribution: www.paulsmith.co.uk/us

Paul Smith is stylish for sure. Don't be put off by his more outlandish stuff (he is a fashion designer after all). Amidst all the crazy outfits are perfectly made clothes for everyday use as well as the catwalk.

This would be a quick taste:

Shoes to Cruise 1

Great jeans demand great shoes. Few men get this area right (especially in the eyes of the women we know) but it's not as tough as we might think. As with jeans, we need the right shoe designer, then we can find a safe but beautifully made shoe and get more creative from there.

Usually we aim to create a look within the 3 budget groups but it's tough to do that with shoes so prices are sporadic here. On these posts we'll give suggestions in 2 style brackets though: Casual and Smart, with each bracket representing the next 2 posts. This process is a ton of fun for several different reasons but mostly because there's just something great about having fabulous shoes under you.

This week: Casual shoes.

A few quick fundamentals: Firstly, rule out sports shoes as they will ruin the look of your great new jeans - especially no running shoes allowed. Remember, the look is casual not sport or recreation. Comfort and style for a relaxed situation not athletics. You might think some of the choices this week resemble training shoes but the designers out there create subtle but significant differences.

Secondly (and this goes with both brackets) get your socks right. Keep your sock colour as similar to the general shoe colour as you can - simple as that.

Check these sneaks out and see what you like:

Brand: ALDO. Model: "LIMBER" ($38.00)

Brand: Converse. Model: "Jack Purcell Garment Dye" ($50.00)
N.b. check out the Converse website (http://www.converse.com/) and see their cool set-up where you can design your own shoes with any detail you want on it.

Brand: Paul Smith (UK). Model: "Rabbit Sneaker". (205 UK Pounds)
N.b That's about $300 and you need to make sure if you order these from the the UK that you really get your sizes right as there is a half size difference. Although it's a tough deal to juggle - Paul Smith is all around one of the most cutting edge designers out there today. Worth it? That's for you to decide: http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/

Brand: PUMA. Model: "Jiyu Slip-on shoes". ($42.00)

If you like these you could get another pair in black.

http://www.puma.com/

Brand: Diesel. Model: "Pass On" - available in 3 or 4 colour options
(currently on sale on the Deisel Website for $45.00 for a bargain at http://www.diesel.com/)

Brand: Lacoste. Model: Cerberus 6 ($77.99 on sale). This shoe fits the 'simple is beautiful' mould. You can't go wrong with this one.

http://www.lacoste.com/

Forever in Blue Jeans

The Must Have Item We Must Get Right


How often do we find ourselves in jeans? Compare what is probably our most lived in attire against how little time we spend choosing the right pair or how little we spend and we likely come up short.


The difference between great and not so great jeans is vast - from styling, material, fit, shade or just picking the right jean for the right occasion.



Some tips in getting jeans to really shine:


1) Go to the right place. Find a good brand well known for quality jean making.


2) Get help. Ask the assistant for advice and their opinion.


3) Get fitted and tailored for length wherever possible. Many good jean brands assume the length will be altered. Be ready to pick these babies up a week later after they have been adjusted. IT'S WORTH IT! Jeans too short look downright silly. Jeans too long drag on the ground too much and don't fit right over shoes. Always ask even the lower-end stores if they can adjust - if not take 'em somewhere that will.


4) Be careful with the shade or colour: If you stay between darkish blue and indigo you'll be safe. Going light or to the other extreme - black can be really tough to pull off. If you need those shades consider trousers for the look instead.


Let's look at some jeans that stand out right now in the 3 budget groups for what could be your 1st seriously sweet pair of jeans:


HIGH END

1st - TRUE RELIGION: Billy Natural Super Big T Urban Cowboy Dark ($319)

2nd - DIESEL: LARKEE 008R ($190)

3rd - HUDSON: Relaxed Straight Legged Jeans ($198)

4th - ROCK & REPUBLIC: Henlee Boot Cut Jeans ($220)

MID RANGE

1) FOSSIL: MC4006 Flap Pocket Denim ($88)



2) BILLABONG: The Point ($54.50)

BUDGET

HOLLISTER: Balboa Classic Straight ($39.50)