Fashion Vs. Quality

So now I have decided to share some of my newly found knowledge with regards to the world of finer time pieces. NO Bling Bling, just pure elegance and sophistication. The type of time piece that only a gentlemen, or a classy lady would be able to identify.
So with that, I will step out first into the world of "High End" fashion watches. These watches consist of your
- Gucci
-Armani
-Bulova
-Movado
-Etc
These watches are signs of status, however they are only functional in the realm of being flashy. they present the observer with a quick glance into what is on the wrist of the person wearing the jewelry. These types of watches are only good for one thing, looking good. and if that is your purpose for the watch, then you are on the right track. However, with the dollar being so hard to make these days. and every investment that you make today, being a viable money maker tomorrow, I just see the fashion watch as a "waste of time and money". These watches have a life span, most often quartz movement, and face plates that often get scuffed up and scratched.
therefore, my feelings are that if you are going to spend this kind of money on a watch you should really look into one that you can reinvest with if you decide to upgrade.
So with this knowledge of finer watches, I have myself ventured out into the watch world only to find out how expensive "class" is going for. Watch retailers are a rip off, so just looking at the sticker price in big chain franchises can give you a false impression. I find that online watch retailers are a better way of finding out what a watch is really going for. Some examples are
www.worldofwatches.com
www.ewatches.com
www.overstock.com
www.watchplanet.com
etc
Some brands that may interest the new buyer are Hamilton, Corum, IWC, Tag, Fortis, Formex, and Oris. These brands start in and around a $1000, and go into the upward 5 and 6k's. I feel this is a legitimate leap into a realm that will not dramatically effect your pocket book, however having the ability to increase your pocket book via casual conversations with high level people in the industries of your choice.

(side note. This article was slightly thrown together, and is more of a work in progress. This also is not intended to damage the name and reputations of any of the aforementioned brands, just a personal opinion of the writer.)

Facial issues

So I have come to the realization that your face matters more than a nicely tailored garment. More than an expensive pair of shoes. More than a shiny luxury car that you step out of in front of the most posh restaurant. Do you know why this is? Your face does not go away, you can not take it on and off, it stays with you, and is your representation, sometimes without you even knowing it.
With that in mind, I have taken a new approach on life when it comes to my face. I have been on the hunt for the best Men's facial products around. I have for the moment settled on Clinique skin care for men. In this I have the exfloliation scrub, the face wash and the moisturizer. Very basic, yet very effective. I can see the difference in my face when I go lapses without that facial TLC.
What products are there out there for men to use?
Good question, I have seen Nivea with a mens line, also Lab series for men I have heard is pretty standard. I found that Neutregena really drys out your face, however if you have really oilly skin then this may be the product for you. You can always go with the clear and dry if nothing else tickles your fancy, However my suggestion is that you do your homework.
The old cliche goes that "you never get a second chance to make a first impression". I agree 100% get it right the first time and keep your face up to par.

Lost in time

As if today's generation does not have enough of it. I have the feeling that we are now choosing to ignore it. We are opting to leave the arm jewelry designed for keeping track of time at home, or better yet in the stores, and using other forms of technologically advanced devices to determine the sun's alignment. My first observation has come from the female gender. More and more I am noticing that women are wearing watches less and less. Nowadays it is more popular to see a woman with more fancy arm braclets and wrist chains than a classy time piece. I have also inquired as to why that may be. The most popular response is that why wear something bulky on my arm when I can just look at my cell phone when I need to. Thats right, the cell phone is becoming that all purpose one stop shop for convenience. Today a cell phone can do everything from call someone, send emails, access calendars, listen to music, surf the web, establish style and credibility, and also TELL TIME. Companies are adapting to the trends of this young generation. When Apple is making ipods that can fit into your chapstick pocket of your 5 pocket jeans, then you have to know that cell phone companies are not too far behind. My next prediction is a commercial with an Ipod so small that it can fit into your nose. Mark my words it will be seen. Paris hilton will be the one advertising it. LOL. Back to the real topic at hand. Why is this? Watches dont depreciate, let me clarify, fine watches, quality watches, rolex's patek phillipe, etc, watches do not depreciate, so why not invest into something that will not change in the next 6 months. Most often cell phones are like computers, every six months they are out of date. Someone has come up with something smaller and better. More sleek and trendy. So why then are we so misguided to believe in this trend.
I feel men to be on the opposite spectrum. The bigger the face of the watch the better. For a man the watch is a status piece to those whom care. It separates the men from the boys. A finely made guess collectin watch, compared to a Daytona Rolex. Big difference. A Marc Ecko bling bling watch, or a Cartier. These examples are drastic, however my point is clear. Men are more likely to use these items as a way to move up the ladder to a more elite status.
Bottom line is that, with "time" all trends change, I mean think about it, we have gone from telling the time with sticks in the sand on the beach side, to having automated devices tell us the time at leisure. From classic men wearing chains on their time pieces, to men wearing watches big enough for for an entire room to keep track of time.
Maybe its time to understand what you are doing with your money, and reevaluate what we are doing with our time, and ways in which we tell what time it is.

White Tees are PlaYed

XL to XXXXXXXL, and all that mess between are all played. I understand how the originator of the trend started it because it allowed young kids an opportunity to express themselves through their wardrobes without implying any gang affiliations. However the "trend" "phenomena" has gone too far. There is no originality anymore. Everyone has stuffed themselves into this mundane cliche of a dress code. Pro Club is to blame, if you ask me. White tees, blue jeans, brands of choice, rocawear, seanjohn, enyce, akademiks, etc, and air force 1's. This particular outfit last 4 seasons 365 days a year. Any suburban mall is guilty of possesing at least 5 of these an hour on average with a slight variation. One guy may wear a cap, the other a dew rag, another has corn rows, and the other has a fake "jesus piece" from the mall mobile silver cart, lol. This style is killing my eye sight. Knowing how the inner city youth are truely the trend setters of todays fashions, I wonder what trends they are looking towards when it comes to dressing themselves on the daily basis. Take a chance to be different, dare to be set apart, you will find that you leave much more of an impression on others.

Billy White Shoes

Gone are the days of complex shoe patterns and metallic designs. Nowadays men want their shoes to make a simple statement. Clean cut, sharp outfit, and pure white tennis shoes are no doubt the triple treat, hat trick, three peat that every man should ascribe to. This look is so versatile within todays fashion world. It can be dressed up with some nice premium denim jeans, a novelty tee shirt/ Collared sportshirt and sportcoat. And Conversely dressed down, or more casual with a nice suit. The white tennis shoe phenomena transcends across the fashion worlds, from couture runways to hip hop concerts, the pure addition of a pair of fresh whites is priceless.

Denim Is Dead

With the growing popularity of premium denim designers and manufacturers, it was just a matter of time before those in the know would break away from the mundaness of the pop culture, and start dressing like the true sophisticatos that they are. My thoughts are that no matter what happens, premium denim has put a stamp on todays wardrobe. It has opened up an avenue in todays fashion that men were not capable of driving down in years prior. However today the avenue is far to overcrowed, much like the much hated 405 fwy in los angeles. Therefore, those who navigate these streets called fashion, need to find side streets and short cuts to reach the final destination of originality and creativity, much sooner than the mass public. And finely tailored slacks would be my first option of choice.

Retail Drama

So with all this mumbo jumbo about the combination of Federated Department stores and May Co. I have come to set the record straight and voice some of my frustrations to the open public. Mergers of any kind are a pain for all that are involved except for those who are making the decisions and increasing their bottom lines. Even those employees whom are on the side of the mreger that is acquiring the lesser of the to companys still have reason to be worried. Its like the new kid on the block syndrome. No one knows what they are capable of. You used to be big man on campus and all the street kids looked up to you because you were the fastest, smartest, most all around person, now some new employee has come to plant their stake in your territory. A territory that may have taken you some time to win. In any case, this process does not sit well with those from the lesser company either. The options of leaving your comfort zone vs. being unemployed are not quite on the same playing field. One desicion out weighs the other no matter how much they try to increase your severance package. Because the bottom line is that you are not guaranteed to get a job in the alotted time set for your severance. And heaven forbid that you are one of those people with no real talent, but you have gotten by all these years on who you know, and not what you know, then you are really going to be in scramble mode.
I feel that more thought should be considered when taking over a company that employs more than 10k people. It should look at the greater cause and effect of those in which they are affecting, not the notion of more stores, more money, money benefits in my retirement plans.

TBC.....

Stepping out of the box

After visiting Spain, I saw better fashion on the average everyday guy than I would ever see in the states, NYC included. It is the small things that seperate us from being at the top of the fashion world. For instance, wearing patterned dress socks with jeans, rather than your standard everyday white gym socks. Or wearing a scarf in cold weather climates with a light weight sweater or pull over rather than a huge parka that looks like we are going to the snow. Most of the time I believe that less is more, and most often better. Take some time and re examine what small things you can do within your wardrobe that will help you to step out of the mundane box of fashion.

Slacks over denim

After some thought as to what could be the next phase in the trendy LA setting, I have come up with a solution to the cookie cutter fashion that is overwhelming the LA region. My idea is taking it back to somewhat of the old days, but not so much. I am rocking the dress slacks with the plain white tennis shoes look. This look can be pulled off, however if you are one of those people who feel like the preppy look is not for you, then this will not interest you. This look is sharp yet comfortable. classy yet sheik. I got the idea from kris van assche, a relatively new designer to the fashion world. Not new as in his experience, but new as far as his own line. I would recommend going with any type of slacks that have more of a boot cut at the end, especially for those men who have a extremely large foot. You can get these types of pants from Express, and often times @ Banana Republic. French Connection also offers a couple of good pair. The white shoe of choice would be without a doubt. The original Stan Smith Adidas. These shoes are classics, relatively inexpensive and they last a long time. they come with a bunch of different trims, but i would recommmend the traditional white on blue if you decide to go with these. Other shoes are the Jack Parcels, the Converse all stars, shell toe adidas, reebok classics, etc. I would stay away from kswiss, and any type of skater shoes. the look can compliment a standard polo, or more of a preppy look with a button up and pull over argyle.

Cookie Cutter Fashion

I dont know about you, but I know that I am personally tired of going to the clubs and seeing the same guy walking around with the same blue jeans, button down striped shirts, and boring sportcoats. I feel like no one is trying to step out of the box anymore. We look towards the TV to make our decisions, and then get mad when we see ourselves out on the town. Take some time, be yourself, and represent your likes and taste. If you feel comfortable in a blazer then so be it. But wearing it because Usher has it on, or Kanye flossed it on the cover of VIBE is ridiculous.

Significance of the Tie dimple

The dimple in a man's neck tie can make or break the harmony of the dress shirt tie combination. Typically I prefer the Four-n-Hand when it comes to making a standard dimple in the tie. However there are several ways inwhich a man can tie his tie. There is the fan favorite, Windsor knot, there is the Half windsor, the fore mentioned Four-n-hand, the Pratt knot, and the Sophisticato. All of which have they're place in the arsenal of a well dressed man.