I didn't mean I was gay.

(From a Men's Health Article)
Muted, dark toned clothes blur your silhouette, creating a long look. Let pinstripes stretch your frame even further: They fool the eye. When the eye is directed along the stripe, the body appears mroe verticle. Make sure your suit jacket covers your butt without extending further down: a shorter jacket will emphasize the line of your legs, making you appear taller. Conversly, a jacket that's too long will shrink your legs.

Okay. Out doors. Number one rule for outdoors is comfort, followed closely by functionality. Cargo pants, strong (thick) jeans (possibly carpenter), vests, and tech jackets should be up there. A good pair of boots goes a long way. Timberland still has non urban wear that does quite well.

The only excuse for an attitude like this is being angry gay.
Oh. While I'm sure you have a good reason for feeling this way, you will find it counterprodutive to at least 60% of all men's style. While a lot of style goes to how comfortable you look in what you wear, much of it has to do with what is trendy and other people think. In all honesty, there is a reason that you don't wear pajamas to work. While I'm sure there is no official rule against pajamas at work, there are expected norms.

Maybe you can talk out your anger(?) about what women think of how you dress. When you and your SO(/future SO) are together, you'll want her to say something like, "You know what? Those jeans/that suit/etc. looks really good on you."

Anger? Hahahaha. It was tounge in cheek. Well it was supposed to be.

I don't care what women like in the sense that I'm not going to change my appearance or actions soley to attract them.

And thanks for the advice, I'm trying very hard to imagine myself in pin stripes.

Yankees uniform?

Just kidding. You could go with pin-stripe suits but that's not really everyday unless your job requires it. You can also try maybe bolder, thicker stripes. Also, maybe avoid high-color contrast stripes like black/white, instead, maybe go for more subtle pairings. You don't want to walk aroung looking like a referee or a Footlocker employee, zebra etc..

So, for eaxmple: Dark khakis(brown, black, dk grey, navy blue,) with a striped sweater and maybe a blazer over it.

I'm just guessing, not an expert. You'll probably have to ask some chick and they can tell you.

Interesting thread - After reviewing the info so far, I would say the following:

I feel the most important thing is, obviously, figure out / realize what image you want to project. Afterwards, the rest falls out. If you want to look like you've got your shit together, first get your shit together. Then project that image. For instance, I have a mild anti-authoritarian streak in me, so usually the stuff at Abercrombie, Structure, etc doesn't work for me. I tend to hit local places for my Oxfords and cacky slacks, Levi's 501s (button fly is the only fly, for me at least), and crew neck t-shirts. Specifics, in my opinion:

1. All leather accessories should match in tone. You can play some with texture, but don't get too crazy unless you know what you're doing.

2. For the sockless look that doesn't stink, in addition to odor-eaters, I would suggest some ridiculously short athletic socks. You can find them, really - completely fit below the ankle line of the shoe, but absorb the sweat and cushion the foot.

3. I personally always, *always* wear an undershirt everytime I leave the house, unless I'm running, practicing yoga, or equivalent. Keeps the sweat down, and I feel it gives more substance to the shirt you're wearing. For an Oxford, I feel it's absolutely prerequisite.

4. If you are wearing pants / shorts with belt-loops, do not leave your house without wearing a belt. Don't answer the door without one on.

5. If you wear jewelry, figure out your skin tone and don't clash. For instance, I've got red hair and freckles. Silver looks like ass on me. Gold works. Some people can go either way. Just know what you can do.

6. Did I mention don't clash. Learn how to group colors by shade and tone. I know a lot of people are doing the intentional clashing of similar colors, but I just can't deal with it.

7. I personally feel that unless you are either Don Johnson, Ricardo Montalbon, or Sir Alec Guiness, you can't wear white suits or anything close to white suits with t-shirts, and the t-shirts can be anything close to neon.

8. A little trick I've found works, if you wear cologne, is a dab just below the waist-line. It slowly emits, and if you have the pleasure of having someone else take your pants off, it's a little refresher. Not too much, or it's stifling - and no where actually on your Johnson. Taste factors and such.

9. Regarding moisturer / facial treatment - consider getting Clinique For Men Aftershave. Combined with a $2 bottle of Clearasil acne cream / moisturizer, you can shave hair from anywhere and it won't be a problem.

Or don't, whatever works for you.

Excellent advice, especially in the summer if a gentlemen is the type to perspire a bit (I know a fella who doesn't wear t-shirts under his dress shirts, and let me tell you, when he perspires, you can see his black back hair, and well -- ewwww). Wearing a tshirt (and please, not the wife-beater t-shirt either) makes a less expensive shirt looks like it has more body to it and makes it look more expensive

Thanks Mal - I personally find it irritating that so many guys are inundated with the notion that nasty = rad-tastic. Well, I guess ultimately I don't care that much, as it just tends to cut down competition and all that, but seriously - the notion that men can't take care of themselves from a health/grooming perspective has simply got to go. If they choose not to, that's fine - but to feel like you can't or you sacrifice your masculinity is an idea I don't understand. I forgot to add:


10. If it's not a t-shirt, a pair of underwear, socks, or something you can work out in : hang it in the closet. It will last longer and look better. If you can afford it, use the drycleaners - at least for the Oxford shirts that you plan to wear in any serious / professional sense.

For my recommendations, I think that men should wear a minimal amount of jewelry. My rules are:

1 watch (not total, you can have different styles)

2 rings. 1 wedding, one college, freemason, world series, something like that. as far as the second ring, particularly college, I am not crazy about it, but for instance if you went to one of the military academies you probably wear your ring.

If you have to be formal at all, no earrings. I don't like them anyways, but if you have to think about your formal appearance, then put your toys away.

If you wear a chain, it should be very simple and preferably only to carry a religious symbol. I do have a gold chain that is fairly discreet, but you never see it and I hang my wedding band from it when I work out so I don't lose or scratch it.

No bracelets. Period.

Tie tacks, clips, etc should be discreet.

Cufflinks are ok, and this you can use to advertise something like golf or something else trivial and noncontroversial.

Otherwise, thats it. Obviously, people are going to have different opinions about this, but this is what I follow and would recommend.

I'll back you on everything but this one, but that's a matter of personal preference. I pretty much go no-earrings in professional situations, but usually keep them at things like weddings or black-tie parties, depending on the host.

Hmm I'm a pretty fashionable guy but I don't particularly follow any trend so to speak. I just wear what looks good. I don't really have a particular style I stick to either. I've been told I dress retro and breakdancer haha. But in truth I don't think a guy should have to dress the same way all the time. I got a lot of clothes that I've collected over the years and I just mix & match em from time to time. Sometimes I dress sporty, dressy, casual T & jeans, hiphop(I am a rapper after all), retro, etc.

No matter what I wear I always get told I look good. My mom can't put her finger on it..she says "Son..you dress kind of funny but I dunno it just works for you." She says this because one day I was dressed in a button up shirt I have with big checkered patterns, brown, dark purple(kinda plum), with these somewhat plum colored eh how do I describe them..like well they were pants...and I had my brown leather jacket on over the shirt, my brown & tan suade adidas, brown sunglasses, and one of those hats that looks like an apple hat except flat(My dad says I look like a railroad spike when I wear it) and thats it. I walked past a girl and she started checking me out. My mom noticed and thats when she told me that lol. I carry myself well is what it is..I look good in whatever I wear cause I like the way I look and others do too. I always get complimented on it.

I don't particularly care what I wear either..I wear jeans I've had since I was a freshman, clothes I've picked up at thrift stores, designer clothing I've gotten at stores like express and structure...casual clothes I've gotten at JC Penny's, Buckle, Gadzooks(before it became an all girls store) band t-shirts from Hot Topic, Old Navy stuff. Button up long sleeves, button up short sleeves, button collar short sleeves, t-shirts, slim fitting shirts, pull overs, hoodies, vests, etc.

I'm also a bit of a jacket whore. I have a jacket for every day of the week and then some. A grey reversable zip up hoodie, grey n white puma jacket, brown pleather jacket, brown suade leather jacket, a corduroy jacket in solid black, off white, and tan...A brown one with the wool lining...a tan polyester suit jacket with pearl snap buttons I found at a thrift store for like 1 or 2 bucks thats from like the 70's :lol: A white I guess racer style wind jacket that has black checkers & red stripes coming down the left side and a patch that says stewart warner or some shit on the other side that I found at a thrift store haha...and some polyester black and teal green umm shiny soft material style jacket I got at Old Navy...etc. As it stands no blazers just yet but I've been dying to get some..at least one in Brown, Tan, Black, Blue, and Grey..oh and off white! haha

The stupid thing is I live in Texas and so rarely ever get to use these jackets cause it's always facking hot down here! lol.

Jeans I buy in all colors, light blues, dark blues, greys, dark grey, black, I went ape shit for cargos when I was a sophmore lol, dark greens, etc etc. Always loose fit, boot cut, or slightly baggy fit. I used to wear really wide legs a long time ago but no more haha.

I buy shirts in the same colors. I'm mexican and I have brown skin..dark colors look good on me. I like blacks, greys, tans, browns, etc. But I wear all kinds of colors greens, reds, whites, and blues too... Though I just look particularly good in the forementioned darker colors.

Bottom line...I dress unusually but everything I wear I look good in for some reason lol. I prolly break a lot of so called fashion "rules" on a daily basis.

Asta!!

Id go so far as to say that, in formal situations, or anytime that you are wearing a coat, they (and a french cuff shirt to go with it, obviously) are required. They (actually, the cuffs of the shirt more than anything) project a much more refined, formal look than a normal barrel cuff shirt, which just looks like something you got on the discount rack of the local department store.

That said, they should be classy and not gaudy in the least. I have several pairs--one is a simple silver pair, rectangular with my family coat of arms engraved in them. Simple, understated, and yet elegant. My other pair is a brass round number with a black center. Basically, it looks like a black circle with a small ring of brass around the outside edge. Again, simple and elegant. Also, never wear french cuffs/cufflinks without a jacket, unless, for example, it is hot out and you just took off your coat.

It goes without saying that your shirt should be pressed and wrinkle free. Also, avoid dress shirts with button down collars--a proper dress shirt's collars will stay down just fine without them, and they look tacky and half the time make the collar billow out. I prefer spread collar, but there are several different collar styles to choose from.

Here's a tip for my fellow men wtih long hair (still good if you have short hair, but you don't have to worry about split ends and that kind of stuff.) Find a shampoo that doesn't have cetyl alcohol. In fact, find a shampoo that doesn't have any alcohol in it. If I had a before pic, I'd post a before/after comparison, but trust me that there's no way I'll ever buy a regular shampoo again. The stuff I use is Realm for Men (www.realmfragrances.com) You can find the stuff in the TJ Maxx, Marshall's, and AJ Wright chains for about 15% of the list prices (no, I don't pay $30 for two weeks' worth of shampoo.) The only problem I have is that I need to alternate the soap with antibacterial to prevent breakouts.

Another trick is to use witch hazel and a cotton ball to clean your face instead of using soap. It isn't harsh on the skin, but it removes dead skin cells without being abrasive. After you shower, turn off the hot water completely (do yourself a favor and put a hand over your groin to prevent shrinkage and pain) and run it over you for a bit to close up your pores. It also does something beneficial for your hair, I forget what exactly, but mine feels smoother when I do it.

Also, I moisturize and my skin feels a lot better than it used to.

I clicked on Gucci just out of curiosity, to see what the sale prices are like. If you'll all excuse me, I think I'll go hang myself with my $15 tie.

That's a really good idea. I've often wondered about the drying effect of alcohol on the hair. I'll bet it's responsible for discoloration and dryness in hair. I'm gonna go get that Realm stuff tomorrow.
I don't mind the abrasive stuff on my face. I use Neutrogena face scrub before I shave every 2 days. Witch hazel is an excelent option, though.
What kidn do you use?
Hahahha. One of my ties was over $100. I think I'll make my own from now on. Now where can I get some silk larva....

I think Mens Style is a great subject.

I am a young man and will be attending college this fall after working for a couple of years. I am updating my wardrobe and taking on a more formal apearance (compared to jeans and a t-shirt) The problem is that I am 6'7" with a slimish build but broad shoulders.

I was out shopping for a few classic dress shirts, oxford blue, blue striped and perhaps a purple but wasn't able to find a single shirt that fit properly (161/2' 36/37) that wasn't white. I was also shopping for a vibrant blue and green cable knit, crew or V neck sweater and could not find anything in large tall.

This is becoming a serious problem. I have about five months until college starts and have already fixed the majority of what my wardrobe was lacking (less more varied suit / blazer colors) but after shopping at the majority of department stores in my city, I am not sure where else to turn? Any other tall, slim men have suggestions?

Have you tried "Big & Tall"?

Try here:

http://www.casualmale.com/

http://tall.com/tall.asp

http://www.big-tall.com/

Good Luck!

I've found that nice shoes can work wonders. I've got a pair of Doc Martin shoes that I've had for about 10 years and they'll make a simple jeans/shirt outfit seem dressy.

They were fairly expensive because they're the "real deal" and imported from England but it was money well spent. Women really do notice this sort of thing.

Aparently, GQ isn't all crap! I found these jeans at www.gq.com just a few minutes ago. So what's so great about these jeans....well I consider myself a bit of a jean conasuer, and I've always thought that the best 'faded' jeans are the jeans that come normal and are faded by the wearer. Think of your favorite pair of jeans. They didn't come that way, you made them that way. You wore them so that the jean fabric because soft and stretched like a good leather jacket tyo fit your body. You were the one who accedentally spilled the clorox on the right ass cheek. You were the one who rubbed the knee one time to many, giving it a little hole. They grew on you. All the fades and wiskers are there naturally, not by some sand blaster or artificial color fading done at the manufacturer.

Okay, Will...get to the point.

From www.nudiejeans.com
Nudie Jeans, a Swedish line that recently made its way stateside, [are] manufactured from “dry” denim that’s unwashed, untreated—and meant to stay that way. For the first six months you own them, you’re not supposed to wash your Nudies at all, and you’re advised to do so only rarely after that. A welcome alternative to the overly faded and whiskered denim that (at long last) seems to be disappearing from chicer store shelves, Nudies hark back to more rugged times, when the only creases, thigh-fades and wallet-outlines a pair of jeans sported were those etched by the wearer himself. “Dry denim jeans shows your personality more,” says founder Maria Erixon, a former designer for Lee Europe
http://men.style.com/images/news/0205/04/022805v.jpg
http://www.nudiejeans.com/images/feel/guldheden.jpg
Wear them, don't wash them. Make them your own. I just bought a pair.

If your hair is beginning to move on to greener pastures, don't be afraid to go short, really short. Make absolutely sure that you don't do it yourself, as it should still be slightly longer on top, and shorter on the sides.

Cool thread! I've always needed a lot of help in this area.

yah, this is a good thread, but i think we need more links.

i like that nudiejeans junk and bluefly is crucial.

im a fan of freitags european slings/backpacks ( http://www.freitag.ch/index_frames.php )

what other online outlets do people use?

Not sure I could handle the Nudiejeans thing--I hate the "stretched out" feeling I get from clothes that have been worn too many times without being washed (something that happens all too often to me :lol: ). I agree though--store faded jeans = the suck.

Great thread by the way. I'm a bit of a small guy and when I wear a backpack, it looks really big on me (padded shoulder straps belittle my already small shoulders). I'm looking into buying a messenger bag possibly from Timbuck2. Any other brands I should be looking into?

http://www.timbuk2.com/images/perspe...f_re-re-re.jpg
A Timbuk2 bag

Thanks. :)

freitags, linked in my post 3 posts up. they are swiss, they are made out of recycled materials, and they complement any arrogant WASP attitude perfectly.

This is far from being a fashion question, but it seemed relevant.

I have a couple shirts that I ordered online, and the neck holes are enormous. Even though I'm a pretty muscular guy the large neck holes make me look goofy as hell. How can I either shrink the shirt down a little bit or by some technique sew the neck hole so it's smaller?

Edit: The shirts in question are 100% preshrunk cotton.

I'm looking to get another suit, seeing as I only have one. It is a dark grey (almost black) Pierre Cardin suit that I got at the Men's Warehouse. So any suggestions on something stylish, yet reasonably priced (say < $350)? Also, color suggestions, considering what I have.

Also, I'm looking for a comfortable pair of brown shoes that can be worn with both jeans and kahkis. A casual shoe, that doesn't look polished or cheap. Price range for these say < $125. Thanks in advance

Kryptik,

If all you have is a dark grey suit, I would suggest a blue suit as your second. I have always had good luck at Men's Wearhouse. Tell them how nuch you want to spend, they will show you higher and lower and you will be able to see and feel the difference. A dark blue with maybe a small dark stripe looks really nice. Think about where you might be wearing it. Dark grey is sometimes a little over the top for a summer wedding.


On the shoes......I would suggest Rockports. In brown nubuck suede. Comfortable, stylish, jeans, khakis, dockers.

For your second suit... Blue can be very nice and practical... Blue with a subtle pin stripe can be nice too. You can also, depending on the cut, wear the jacket with jeans and a shirt that is broken in... Very stylish.

Depending on the colours you can wear, might consider a tan coloured suit. I can't wear them but I've seen them look nice on other guys. Tan suit with either blue or light green (almost mint colour) shirt can be very nice, especially in the summer. Pay attention to the shoes you have though.

Good reference: http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/3...uinness150.jpg

I use the Body Shop's Face Saver for Men... smells nice (my wife thinks so too) and it has made my face feel so much better after shaving. It's also really great in the winter as it gets bloody dry here.

Kryptic:

1. I might also suggest an olive suit. I've had decent luck on suits in that price range from S&K as well, if you have one near - particularly at an outlet mall.

2. Re shoes, I would also suggest This pair of Sperry's that they are listing at $150, but I know I got a pair of them about six months ago for a little over a $100. Next to a pair of Doc Marten's I own, these are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. However, I'll have to say that Rockport generally does make a good shoe as well. Just another idea.

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check this soap / body wash I'm using now and post back...this stuff makes my face feel like butter when I get out of the shower.

oh - that picture was classic too :)

Thanks for all the suggestions, I hope to get out to the store in the next couple of weeks to check out some of these ideas.

I agree with that, I only own two suits, olive and black... I find that the olive works well in many situations, and where it doesn't, the black suit picks up the slack.

I saw the big/tall links and post earlier, but I have a few questions of my own if everyone doesn't mind...

I'm 6'5" tall, roughly 320 pounds and am working on losing some weight...

Finding clothing seems to be especially difficult, I have a fairly even frame.. my torso and legs are pretty balanced, yet I still have a difficult time with purchasing clothing that is comfortable and stylish at the same time.

I have a problem finding shirts that are a correct size for me.. shirts that are long enough are generally too large around the torso, and shirts great around the torso are generally too short. In my world, even the "tall" sizes seem to be incorrect. Is my only hope to have custom tailored shirts like oxfords? Any ideas?

The same seems to apply with jeans, and only a few manufacturers make jeans that I feel comfortable in.. Ralph Lauren's are great, but wear, tear, and rip easily. I usually end up getting Tommy jeans that area devoid of any major brand markings, etc so as not to advertise, however they usually end up being a little more baggy than I like.

Shoes and socks, I have my own style on... so I'll leave it at that.. :)

I love classic, good looking mens fashion... The kind of outfits that you'd envision Steve McQueen in... or perhaps Pierce Brosnan... But find it difficult to find this look in my size, to fit my budget.

Most days, in the end, I feel like I look like John "Bluto" Blutarsky in Animal House... :crazy:

RallyEX... the best soloution is tailor-made clothing but that can get really expensive. If you wear suits a lot I would say you should invest in a couple of really good tailor-made (bespoke?) suits. Make sure they are more classic in style than of the current fashion as you want them to be wearable past the current season.

My father-in-law is a big man as well and he shops for clothing at a Big & Tall shop. He always looks nicely dressed... certainly not cutting edge fashion but he looks good.


Pigglet... I see you suggested loafers for shoes. A fine choice for some but I just can't see myself in loafers. I have this thing about laces.

Also Olive is a good colour but again, watch your skin tones. If I wear an olive suit it makes me look like the living dead.

RallyEX - you might also look through a vintage place....chances are slim, but if someone dropped one in there (ok, basically died and their family got rid of it) chances are you won't have much competition for the size, and they typically are a helluva lot cheaper than new, but frequently just as nice. I'm not *quite* your size, but I've had some decent luck in there.


i'm so opposite, it's not funny. i have plenty of shoes with laces, but love not having to tie up...i tend to be the guy who has his bubble-toe skips perma-laced to just loose enough to slip on, and all of my dress / dressy-casual shoes are loafers / slip-ons.

edit: i kin spel gud.

Holy Shit I've been moisturizing my face since I was 16 - so for almost 10 years. And that doesn't make me gay. In fact i'm the most in touch with my sexuality out of anyone I know.

Men should moisturise! Complexion is the number one key to looking good. You shave, you moisturise. You will look old and shaggy/too rugged before your time if you don't as that razor and gel/foam will take out the moisture that your body put in.

My girlfriend loves my super soft skin, it glows, its got a natural sheen to it (not greasy by the way) Its like a baby's ass.

On a ligher note, a man should always wear double cuffed shirts to work, for the use of cufflinks (I find the most in-offensive to be the elastic double ball style, but a plain brushed aluminium style, or something sporty/related to work like a $ on one side, the euro on the other etc works well. You want to project success not bargain basement shirt finds.

I only buy double thick material shirts from people like T.M.Lewin (www.tmlewin.co.uk)

or Thomas Pink (www.thomaspink.co.uk)

Have a look through the mens sections on the sites.

Suits have to be crisp, clean and well dry cleaned - and shoes extremely polished.

GOOD HINT - I also agree that the only jewellery you should wear is a great watch. We've all heard that women first look at your face, your watch then shoes or whatever

- thats why I wear a Rolex GMT Master II (http://www.rolex.com/collections/oyster/fich_gmt.html)

I have the red and blue version listed in the collection....

But guess what - ITS A FAKE - full (japanese, ok not swiss made) oyster wrist movement wind up action, keeps the time like a dream, looks EXACTLY the same... and the key is that the retail price is only £2500 (I think around $4000) so its not one of the 30 or 40 grand versions which no-one would ever believe I could afford. Anyone asks it was a 21st birthday gift from my father.

There are good fakes and bad fakes. track them down... for example www.4swisswatch.com

I am in no way plugging these sites, just saying they look pretty good - I actually got mine from a street vendor in Spain, this is just spam i got recently, so they probably can't be trusted.

You can wear a mediocre suit with a good shirt, good watch, tie, cufflink and shoe/belt combination and pull it off.

As far as casual is concerned, I'm a jeans and t-shirt man, but the "rolex" makes that look good too.

Totally not true. I have it on good authority that the use of moisturizer by males is directly and irrefutably linked to the overwhelming desire to commit hot man-on-man sexual congress.

So that's what's been causing these urges... damn I guess I'd better stop moisturizing.


As for double/french cuffs... I love the look of them but not all the time. A good quality shirt is adequate. I get mine tailor made when I am in asia... Four dress shirts, custom fitted for $100. Best dress shirts I own.

yeah, back when i moisturized i'd get these urges when i was in confined spaces - elevators and whatnot. Now I'm going to regular MA meetings and it's all good. Sometimes I get weak and slip a dab of Intensive Hands in my gloves or something, but that doesn't make me a bad person. I can moisturize now, and it's not a problem. Thanks to these guys

As far as shirts go - I'll back you and essentially something Sailor through in a while ago. Unless I'm going to be in the God-Awful Heat of South Carolina in the summer, give me a good thick shirt, but not always French cuff...sort of depends on what I'm doing.

Oh, that body wash I was talking about is Olay dry-skin / extra moisturizer (the shower always makes me feel funny anways ;) ) ....which would explain why it leaves my skin like butter.

Ok, ok, I must be gay!! But all is well now I visited the religious guys mentioned above. They castrated me and pinned my eyes open showing footage of hot naked women a la "clockwork orange" and now i'm fine.

Did I forget to mention that its the local (topless) firemen who moisturize me all over every morning

only topless... boy you *must* be straight.