APPLE, AT&T, CINGULAR, IPHONE FRENZY

I dont know what to make of this frenzy surrounding the I phone. I mean the world went bananas when Verizon dropped the motorola Q phone, and in just six months, the phone went from $400 to $99 for the christmas holiday. Now with the backing and superior technology that apple seems to give it's products, I am sure that the new I phone will not meet the same fate as the motorola Q, however, I would be hesitant to jump into a new phone that would cost me $499 for the 4 gig, $599 for the 8 gig, with a minimum of $60 a month phone bill, not including roll over, taxes and service charges, on a 2 year contract. You do the math. You are looking @ 2K, $2000, on the lowest rate plan that cingular, of excuse me, the "new at&t, has to offer. Lines have already begone to form in most metropolitan cities.

"Customers were camped out at Apple and AT&T stores across the nation. The gadget, which combines the functions of a cell phone, iPod media player and wireless Web browser, will go on sale in the United States at 6 p.m. in each time zone.

At Apple's flagship store in New York, the line snaked around the block as would-be customers brought a dog, an inflatable couch and good spirits". (Yahoo news)


Everyone wants to be the coolest person in the office with the newest phone. I am just saying, be careful, but if you do buy the new I phone, please enjoy it and let me know how you like it.

Waiting on the sales

If you are like me, then you are waiting for the right time to buy yourself some nice things @ a reasonable price. I have the nick name amongst my friends as the "fashion stalker". I will see something that I like and stalk that item until it goes on sale, for however long it takes, I will wait on it, if that item is worth having. that is my dedication to this fashion life.

So this brings me to the point. Coming up next weekend, you are going to see the mother of all sales for this season. I shop for the future, meaning I shop for next spring/ summer, this summer. Next week 4th of July weekend, all retailers will be on sale. You will not be able to walk into a store next weekend and not find something in the store on sale. Its just a fact, everyone wants to get those last minute markdowns into the system, all retailers want to pad this season to get those bonuses, or better yet reach that strectch goal to obtain big money. In any case you get the picture. Retailers want to grab your attention with sales, and they want you to walk out of the store with a lot of merchandise.

Tailor Made... yeah right

Recently I read an article in Esquire magazine, one of my favorites, that spoke on the rules for purchasing a suit. Upon reading the title, I continued with the body of the article hoping for an elaborate detailed list of things to look out for when purchasing that quality suit. I received the following.


1. When in doubt go with 2 button
2. Beware of the saleperson on commision
3. No two suits are cut the same (not really helpful)
4. Listen to your tailor. (and who might that be?)
5. More elaborate pattern, less often to wear. (not bad advice)
6. Try to take the suit outside in the daylight. (now what stores allow this?)
7. Reputable shops offer tailoring. (again not really helpful)
8. Dont order suits online. (why not, if you know your size.)
9. a 3 piece suit means business. (good advice)

So this bring me back to the title of my post. Where are these great tailors. The average person, meaning you and I, have to go down the street to our local cleaners in order to receive a sub par alteration. Meaning the changes made to your garment never seem to truly fit your body, and they end up costing you more in alterations than what the suit was actually worth. The art of the masterful tailor is long gone. No longer do you get sons following in their father's foot steps in order to one day become that master tailor. Nowadays we are comfortable buying that box cut suit off the rack and hoping like crazy that it fits.

A great tailor is like a virtuous woman, when God blesses me with the location of one, I intend to marry them for life.

Wide Leg Dress Pants / Trousers

Years ago I was shopping with a buddy of mine when he went on an excursion looking for wide leg trousers. I had no idea what he was talking about. These were the days where baggy jeans, and loose fitting tee shirts were my norm. So to hear someone speak of "wide leg trousers", it naturally peaked my interest. If you are like me, then the idea of traditional fitting dress pants/ trousers don’t sit well with you. Historically most designers have stayed in the box with their make and model of traditional dress pants. Meaning they give you minimal room in the seat of the garment, this does not go over well for men with larger hind parts, the room in the thigh regions never give you adequate circumference to be comfortable, and if you do want that comfort you have to jump up 2 sizes in order to obtain it which then throws off the waist of the garment which even a great tailor can not fix or else it looks like your back pockets are kissing. Now that was slightly long winded, however I want you to understand my frustrations with tradional trousers, and embrace the wonders of the improved wide leg version.

Now I know what you are thinking, "why would I go out there and buy wide leg pants to end up dressing in the likes of Michael Irving, Steve Harvey, and Erving Magic Johnson"? This is a good question, why would you? These gentlemen, although well dressed have taken the silhouette of wide leg trousers, and suits for that matter to another level. Almost parallel to dressing like a clown, or the zoot suit wearers of days ago. Now I will commend these gentlemen for taking the initiative to dress like a grown man should, however, trading in a XXXL white tee shirt for a XXXL suit is not that big of a step. Suits and trousers should compliment ones physique without making that person uncomfortable. Clothing is made to enhance the appearance of that person wearing it, not drown them in fabric. Enough ranting.

Wide leg dress pants/ trousers offer what the gentlemen of today are looking for. From the athletes, to business men, to every weekend church service goer, the wide leg pants provides that man with the additional room necessary to feel relaxed and good about there appearance.

Now that I have told you about why they are so good, and important to have, let me tell you where to buy them. No this is the hard part because I have only seen them in one place. Now every designer every couple of years tries to incorporate one pair into their assortment for the season, however one store in particular, carries them as a basix model, year after year, with a variety of fancies to keep you coming back for more. The store I am speaking of is Bachrach Men’s Clothing. This store operates roughly 40 doors mostly in the Midwest and the east coast, however they do have a catalog business, as well as an internet site with is user friendly. I encourage you to go out there and take a look for yourself. Try a pair on, and then come back to this site and post your comments. I can almost guarantee, you will not be disappointed.