Man oh Man

Simple Rules for Mixing Shirts and Ties

I'm somewhat of a fashion dolt. And, on top of that, complicated style rules are just beyond me. I actually do try but more often than not I decide to go the conservative route and stay far away from the fashion boundaries.

This morning, however, AskMen.com posted an article outlining the 4 Rules for Mixing Shirt and Tie Patterns that I think could help me and others like me. The rule most helpful for me is the one that deals directly with a patterned tie on top of a patterned shirt.

Skillfully combining a checked shirt with a differently checked tie is a quick way to get a quirky look. The rule to follow in this case is to always wear smaller checked prints on your body and larger checks around your neck. Again, make sure you pay attention to color and choose a shirt and tie in a similar color palette. Take, for example, this hip combination of a pumpkin-plaid, Hickey Freeman shirt with a navy-striped silk tie from Luciano Barbera: The shirt has smaller, thinner checks, while the tie has a larger and brighter pattern. As the checks become larger from the shirt to the tie, the effect is more Johnny Depp than Screech. Just remember to keep your trousers in the same overall color scheme.

Simple rules make me happy. Now I just need an occasion to give these a trial run.

Haggar Videos

Thanks to Andrew for finding these videos and sending them my direction. Haggar has, apparently, just launched a new advertising campaign on YouTube promoting their line of clothing. I've provided the links below. What I can't seem to figure out is, what's their angle?

I've never worn Haggar clothes. I know that my grandfather does. And I guess that could be part of the strategy at work. They've got to be trying to make their clothes cooler to a younger audience. But, then what's up with the Bob Vila-type guys and the do-it-yourself format? Are they actually relevant to the audience that hangs out on You Tube?

Listen, I'm 38 going on 60. I'm a bit of a crumudgeon and I always have been. So, their point-of-view on these topics speaks to me a little. But, I'm still not sure I'm going to go out and buy any Haggar clothes. So, if I won't, are there a lot of people who will?

Dog Crap
Stereo
Sponge
Boyfriend

Manners

Sometimes something I read just strikes me as incredibly smart and useful in its simplicity. The most recent article to fit that bill is published in this month's Details magazine.

More sage advice from Julian Niccolini, co-owner of the Four Seasons restaurant.

On toasts:
"Don't make a speech before one glass of wine, or after four. And keep it sweet. People are always trying to make jokes when they toast, and they just wind up sounding like insults.

On crying at work:
Maybe if your father dies. Otherwise, no way. If some bastard fires you, don't cry. Yell.

On dressing for bad weather:
A cheap umbrella is a nasty thing. Buy two nice ones - one for your home and one to keep at your office. Get a third in case someone beautiful ever wants to borrow it. And if your shoes are Italian, never wear them in the rain or snow. If they are from some other country, do whatever you like.

Shopping for Accomplishment? Or Leisure?

Jennifer sent me a link to the following article in the Contra Costa Times. The premise is that more and more men enjoy shopping. But, I wonder if that really depends upon the definition you are using. Some of the highlights:

Some men may never love spending a day at the mall, but a growing number of men are behaving more like Taylor and embracing their sense of fashion and style.

Men are spending about 10 percent more for apparel than they were two years ago, according to data from NPD Group Inc., a consumer and retail information company.

"Shopping is another outlet for men to feel more special and unique in the world," Nicosia said. "Men don't like to admit to it, but subconsciously they will spend an extra dollar on products, clothes, materials and experiences that will make them feel accepted, loved and unique."

"Guys are more serious; even if they are avid shoppers, they want to get in and get out," said Jay Underwood, owner of Atlas in Walnut Creek.

That last quote summarizes my premise. I, too, can appreciate fashion. And, I love to buy myself things. But I would say that I HATE shopping. To me, shopping is only a means to an end. If I need something, I go look around for it and buy it. I won't, however, go shopping without a plan or shop for shopping sake. And, to me, that's the difference.

I know many people who shop to get ideas. To socialize. Whatever. They'll spend all day out at the stores and come home empty-handed. Then, they'll tell you that they had a wonderful time shopping. In may case, none of those people are men.

Maybe the article uses the term too broadly. Or I may be using the term too narrowly. What do you think?

Does Pink Soothe the Savage Beast?

Hayden Fry, the legendary football coach at the University of Iowa, used to paint the visitors lockerroom pink. I don't know if it made the visiting teams less aggressive or just made them so damn mad that their minds were on things other than football. Either way, the Hawkeyes enjoyed an incredible home won-loss record at Kinnick Stadium.

I don't think they do that any longer because a professor (among others) objected. But, back to the topic at hand...

The Wall Street Journal, in an article titled "The Politics of Pink Shirts", discusses Tony Snow's sense of style and how he might be using it to set the "tone" with the media (Tony Snow is currently serving as White House press secretary).

Mr. Snow mixes things up, with colors that often seem to reflect the administration's mood. Discussing Syria, recently, he wore a serious white shirt and maroon tie. When the president gave an upbeat press conference in the Rose Garden after a surprise visit to Iraq, Mr. Snow wore a cheery pink shirt and a light blue tie.

Based on President Bush's recent coverage in the media and his dismal approval rating, I'd be hard-pressed to suggest that the tactic is working. But, the next time you have a client meeting or presentation that has the potential to get a little tense, try pink. Unless, of course, you're meeting to discuss national security or world peace.

Manliness & Style

When it comes to style (or clothes) what really makes the man? Another Details article titled The Death of Hollywood Style laments the ultra-casual style of celebrities today vs. celebrities of the past. In the article one paragraph, essentially, summarizes the author's position:

“The jeans-and-T-shirt look has become the establishment,” says Thom Browne, the meticulous suitmaker who won this year’s CFDA menswear award. Today’s real rebels, he says, are the ones in suits. Coulter thinks that the music scene is having an influence again: “Look at what all the cool British bands are wearing now.” Even Dolce & Gabbana, the designers who once touted shredded denim as formalwear, are putting their celebrity clients in basic black suits. “I’m 47 years old,” Domenico Dolce says. “I want to dress like a man, not a boy.”

And that suggests the age-old question: do clothes really make the man? Or, does a strong, confident man (regardless of what he's wearing) make the clothes? I'm clearly no fashion expert. I'm not even sure that I've developed a discernable style of my own but, I guess, I've never believed that clothes made me smarter. Or better looking. Or more of a man

True, sometimes putting on a nice suit really makes me feel like I'm ready to take on the world. And sometimes an espresso caliber shot of confidence like that is really what I need. And maybe it helps me command a different level of respect when I need it. But, by and large, I dress down. I consistently choose comfort over style. And, I guess that means I just let the chips fall where they may. So far it seems to be working for me. And George Clooney. And Matthew McConaughey.

So maybe the only connection clothes actually have to manliness lies in the idea that a man understands what standard of dress is required by the occaision. Or what type of image of himself he needs to portray for the situation at hand. A boy could probably just care less.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

How To Buy A Suit

I work in a position where wearing a suit is rarely necessary. Still, like probably most men, I love the way I look and feel when I've put on a suit and tie. It tends to change my outlook and add a little bump to my confidence.

As it turns out, I've had a major Jones for a nice seer sucker suit for quite a while. Not sure why, other than I think it looks kind of cool and it says that I'm put together without being overly formal. Plus, I love the look of a Southern Gentleman. At any rate, my wife and I went shopping and found a great deal. So I bought it. But, afterwards I realized that many of the questions I was being asked I really had no idea how to answer nor did I really know what they were asking in the first place. So, I tended to defer to "whatever you think. You're the professional."

Well, GQ has a few suggestions in their article How To Buy A Suit. I'm linking it here for everyone else who's an inexperienced suit buyer. It's weird, it's another part of our lives that men are just supposed to "get" but I just wonder how many of us really are clueless.