F.A.C.T

Santa Monica Place

2010-08-15T00:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the several year hiatus, not that anyone was checking my blogspot to see what I had written anyhow. However I have to thank the young candidate that I most recently interviewed for inspiring me to come out of hiding and begin to voice my feelings and concerns about todays fashion trends. www.pancakestacker.blogspot.com

I recently had the pleasure to visit the new men's store at Bloomingdales in the new Santa Monica place mall. It is something like I have never seen before. So fresh and so new. I really enjoy what they have done with the space as well as the direction thatthey are headed into with the new Bloomingdales format. I think that this is the wave of the future and that Bloomingdales has it's finger on the pulse of what people are looking for in today's shopping environment.

Classic suit style, Theory - Bloomingdales on 59th and Lexington

2008-02-16T13:27:00.001-08:00

Recently I went shopping for a suit for my Fiance @ Bloomingdales on 59th street and Lexington. My Fiance has been in search for the perfect black suit for the past several years. While there she went to shop the Theory section of the department store. Needless to say for those who know Theory as a label, their taste level is up there with the likes of the Nanette Lapore's and Laundry, if not better. So with that said we begin looking through the vast racks of mostly regular price clothing, because Theory is not often on sale. While searching my Fiance came up with no less than 5 different styles of jackets and pants to choose from. This is were the shopping experience gets good.

Being a male and shopping in various department stores and boutiques I can rarely find what it is that I am looking for. The fabric is either what I want, but the style is off, or the styling is perfect, but the fabric is terrible. Now being that this was a standard black suit, the fabric does not need to great, however the jacket does have to match the pants. And that is precisely the reason why I am writing this blog entry. No matter what jacket she picked up, every single one of them went back perfectly with the fabric of pants she had.

Most retailers are very cautious about investing too heavily in one fabric and/ or style. I believe this is mostly due to the lack of true merchant skills of days past. Most merchants/ buyers, and retailers today are shackled by the likes of upper management, or financial successes and failures of years past, to come up with any type of new ideas, and or take risks on ideas that may have long term success. This was not the case with Theory and Bloomingdales. Their merchant went after the basic/ classic black fabric in a very big way.

Now after about 2 hours and many wardrobe changes, we finally settled with a 2 button jacket with notch lapel, flap pockets, center vent, and fit a bit longer than the standard woman's coat. Upon reaching the register I came across the most simplistic, great idea of the season. One that many other retailers should adopt. Standing at the register I began to read an information card outlining every fit of the classic black suit that Theory offered for the season. This thing is a jewel. Immediately after reading it I figured out that they had another style of jacket, that was not seen in the original search. Amazing we didn't find it when we had been shopping going on 3 hours by now. In any case, the jacket located and the suit purchased.

Moral of this entry is this; retailers need to get back into the mind state of informing their clientele of how to shop and look great. I feel that retailers and clothing companies today are trying to be to broad with the merchandise selection and not really focusing on what it is that they are good at making. If your staple is a classic black suit, then you should make it the best, better than any other company out there. Not only should you make it better, you should also go into depth with the styles in which a customer can mix and match the same fabric with different styles and fits.

JACK OF ALL TRADES, MASTER AT NONE

I think this saying holds true for most places to shop. I am just glad Bloomingdales stepped out the box and took a stand on something they believe in. Thank you Theory and Bloomingdales. It was $600 well spent.

The Navy Suit

2008-02-05T10:45:00.000-08:00

I have long made the arguments that the Navy suit is the most important item in a man's wardrobe. Next to a Charcoal suit, there is not another more versatile piece of clothing that a well dressed man can own. It took Esquires validation to prove this fact. Take a look at the below Esquire article.

The Definitive Style Rules: NAVY SUITS
1. A well-made suit will be balanced around the middle button, so this is the only button you should ever use. This will emphasize your torso's shape, give you a little freedom to move, and keep you from looking like Chris Webber on draft day.

2. A navy suit can be worn with both black and brown belts and shoes. A black suit cannot.

3. The best shoe color for a navy suit: chocolate brown. It's dark enough to wear at night and colorful enough to shine during the day.

4. Tuck in your shirt.

5. Three things you need in that party shirt underneath your navy suit: big cuffs, a high collar, and quality pearl buttons. One thing you don't: bling.

6. Undoing the cuff buttons on your jacket is a nice trick, but that doesn't mean you should. After all, even cheap suits these days have open buttonholes. So there's no need to show off.

7. Navy doesn't have to mean plain. Instead of toying with loud stripes, try a textured fabric to give your navy suit added character.

8. Two expensive suits are better than five cheap ones. One of them should be navy.

9. The Tony Siragusa rule: Know your neck size. (He obviously doesn't.) You should be able to fit one finger between your collar and your neck when your shirt is fully buttoned.

10. Neurotic comedians like Richard Lewis wear only black. Do not follow suit.

Gifts for Men: More additions, Blueray movies

2007-12-17T08:13:00.000-08:00

Blueray movies 300 and Oceans 13 are amongst many titles that are on sale this week @ Bestbuy for the promotional price of buy one at $29.99, and receive the second title free. Please check it out in the weekly advertisements in your local area.

Gifts for Men: New addition, Kenneth Cole Loafers

2007-12-14T19:24:00.000-08:00

Being that my nick name, given by my Fiance, is the fashion stalker, I felt obligated to post this link to the loafers that I have been waiting to drop in price for the last 6 months. The price for these loafers is now $52.49, I first saw them this summer and when they went on sale at the Kenneth Cole store, I was too late because they had already run out of my size. These are the perfect casual Friday, year around loafers. Slacks, a button down shirt, and blazer, with these loafers is a no brainer. Check them out, I would advise you to hurry because sizes tend to run out quickly on this site.
Kenneth Cole " Feel Good Loafer "

Size - 13
Black #1
Cognac #2

Gifts for men #10, Levis & Ralph Lauren Polos

2007-12-08T19:39:00.000-08:00

Last but not least are gifts #10 through >>>

I chose standard Levis and Ralph Lauren polos as my last items on my list. These items are always needed throughout the year. Blue denim jeans, and polos in different colors, how can a man go wrong with these 2 gifts.

Standard color polos that all men need
White
Black
Navy
Grey

Gifts for men #9, Uggz House Slippers

2007-12-08T19:28:00.000-08:00

Since my fiance swears by the boots, I figure that the slippers must be legitimate. Go to nordstroms.com, they have several styles to choose from. I dont care what style I get, as long as they are black and a size 13 or larger. I hate receiving shoes in a smaller size than what I can wear.

Gifts for men #8, Coach Signature Embossed Leather Belt

2007-12-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

Gift #8 is the Coach Signature Embossed Leather Belt. I think this belt is a great compliment to the Cuff link box.

Gifts for men #7, Coach Cuff link box

2007-12-08T17:14:00.000-08:00

The 7th item is also from Coach. Can you tell that I believe in the quality of Coach leather? I am not really into all that embossed, and embellished monogram look that was made popular years ago. However I do like this item for the house. Every man needs a place to sit his watch, cuff links, and collar stays if need be,

Gifts for men #6, Adidas top ten tennis shoes

2007-12-08T17:05:00.000-08:00

Gift #6, let me tell you that first and foremost, Zappos.com is the best source online to buy shoes. They offer standard, free next day delivery, and no tax on your shoes and purchase. So the price that you see is the price that you pay. Their return policy is awesome and it is just as easy to return the shoes as it is to order and receive them. With that said, I found these flashy Adidas Top Ten tennis shoes on the site. I happen to be a fan already of this particular shoes. Being that I own two pair already, I look for the most recent and cool colored shoes whenever they come out. These shoes are not for everyone, however they are an attention grabber.

Gifts for men #5, Coach weekend bag

2007-12-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

Item #5 happens to be the gift that I have requested from my Fiance for the past 2 years. For some reason I always end up wanting something else when it gets closer to Christmas, however, months prior to the actual day, I always want this bag. It is called the "Transatlantic weekend leather bag". It comes in black and brown, and also has a small toiletry bag as well. If you can get past the price tag of $498, then this is truly a good buy.

Gifts for men #4, Kenneth Cole Boots

2007-12-08T16:46:00.000-08:00

The fourth item on my list are these cool boots from Kenneth Cole. I saw these at the Herald Sqaure Macys, they immediately caught my eye. Not to mention that I also saw Ne-Yo wearing them during the Macys day parade. Not that I am a Ne-Yo stan, however it is cool to see a celebrity appreciating my taste level. These boots are more for the cold weather days, with faux fur lining, they provide a great looking boot

Gifts for men #3, Canon digital camera

2007-12-08T16:44:00.000-08:00

Next on the list is a digital camera. No matter who you are or where you are, the memories that you encounter shoudl be caught on film. Unless you are in Vegas, because we all know, "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", you should not be without your digital camera. I have chosen Canon as my brand of choice. I have the Canon Rebel EOS SLR camera at home and it takes great photos. Now that I need a smaller, more compact camera unit, I will opt for the Canon Digital SD750 Camera

Gifts for men #2, Justin cowboy boots

2007-12-08T16:33:00.000-08:00

The next item on my list is a pair of cowboy boots. Years ago I had the pleasure of going to the Justin boot factory in El Paso Texas. I found a pair of cowboy boots and became extremely attached. Cowboy boots add a certain amountof confidence to the gentleman who is bold enough to wear them. They make a statement at all times. Sometimes you dont want to hear the statement that they make, or that others want to speak, however they never go not noticed.

Top 10 Gifts for Men, Hamilton Watch

2007-12-07T07:20:00.000-08:00

This season I have comprised my Top 10 gifts for men. This list is more about what I like than the rest of the world, however I feel like I have a pretty good gauge on the pulse of what men are looking for, so therefore the list was created. Take a look and tell me what you think. I have included pictures and links to pull up any and all items listed.

ENJOY!! and Happy Holidays

Since men are defined by their watch and their shoes, I have chosen the first item because I happened to run across it in Macys and I liked it immediately. This Hamilton watch is guaranteed to be in all the men's magazines next spring and fall.

Bypass the middle man

2007-12-05T12:50:00.001-08:00

Why is it that whenever a man wants a good looking suit, he has to go to the local department store to get ripped off by the high price mark up cadence that is being offered by the national monopoly of the moment. You can make a dash for any type of 3 day suit broker, example S&B, 3 day suit broker, S&K etc, however you tend to only get what department stores have either passed on, or dumped because of excessive inventory. Now in some cases this is not a problem. For the male who is a casual shopper and does not mind looking at more than one place to find the deal, or the man who is willing to wait for the price he wants to pay for that suit he has been eye balling, these locations are legitimate. However what about the guy who wants the fashion forward seasonal suit of the moment, right now, at the price he wants to pay, this is the problem, there is no place to get them. The factories who are local and willing to sell suit to the main deparment stores and chains have not stepped out of the box enough to start to gain the money that they are leaving on the table by delivering to third parties. So in esscence, the suit that you are about to purchase has exchanged hands a minimum of 3 times, and been marked up all along the way. So that suit that costs you $300, for an average today's man suit, should have cost you about $75.

Bacco Bucci Shoes

2007-12-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

Recently I stumbled across the Bacco Bucci website. This website isnt bad, it offers the customer a chance to see the entire seasons assortment in its catalog form. The catalog is clear, concise and to the point. This particular brand of shoes tends to cater more to the athlete and more fashion forward customer, however I believe there is a shoe on this website for everyone. Check out the site and let me know what you think.

Europeans do it better

2007-09-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

So upon my return to the states from abroad. I have concluded that european men and women simply dress better than people in the states. Now this is totally my opinion, if yours differs, who cares, this is my blog, just kidding. However I am serious about Europeans dressing better than Americans.

Last week I had the pleasure of traveling to London and to Italy. Lets first talk about what I saw in London.

London is the best place to go if you want to find great variations of dress shirts. They have the standard british spread collar, which is my personal favorite, as well as the 2 button tall collar with the extreme wide spread collar to accomodate the over size tie knot that a lot of gentlemen are wearing these days, as well as all the other standard cuts that you will also see in the states. I was surprised to see many stores dedicated simply to one particular item, not all over the place like most stores here in the states. If the store intended to sell dress shirts, then they displyed dress shirts in a major way. the merchandising as well as the customer service in this city was awesome.
The one thing that I did not care for was the fact that every store seemed to be on the same sale candence. So that meant that whatever store we went to pretty much had the same promotion as the one previous.

GQ magazine August issue

2007-07-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

Please take a look @ this months GQ magazine for the article on "Suit your shape" this article breaks down how men without the cookie cutter body styles should buy quality suits that fit their physique. I picked it up, @ the local grocery store while my girl shopped of course, and could not put it down. It really goes into detail on what shoes should be worn, the lapels that shape the shoulders, as well as the designers which look the best on the focus body type. The entire August issue is worth reading, I just found this article the most helpful.

Let me know what you think

APPLE, AT&T, CINGULAR, IPHONE FRENZY

2007-06-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-27T20:45:00.001-07:00

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

2007-06-27T06:21:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-13T05:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Sock appeal

2006-10-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

Recently, I like a number of other gentlemen in the fashion world have been looking for ways in which to spice up my current wardrobe assortment. I stumbled across the topic of this blog entry while vacationing in Spain. My friend and I went over this young woman's house where she was hosting a gathering of her friends. While in the company of these wonderful people, I noticed the socks of a young gentleman while engaged in casual conversation. At first I overlooked them, then it hit me, how mundane the life is of the man whom only wears those traditionally boring white crew socks that you get $6 for $10 @ any local store. The ones that give off no character when your socks happen to show. The ones that when an individual sock is lost, it can not be placed with another lost sock because there is no replacement. I have since gone out of my way to find rather inexpensive ways to accomplish this goal.
Places that I have gone that seem to have the best bang for your buck are H&M, Banana Republic, and J.Crew. I recently purchased 5 pair of socks @ H&M over the past weekend. Take a look and tell me what you think. If you have places to go to get interesting socks that are out of the box, please include in your post.

Thank you kindly,

Casual Fridays

2006-08-16T06:50:00.000-07:00

What does a man wear on casual Fridays? This is the long awaited question that no one has really ever answered. I myself have taken advantage of the treat of casual Fridays by partaking in the oh so casual jeans, tennis shoes, and tee shirt trend. Now before you, the reader, get all judgmental on me, I will have you know that Monday through Thursday, my wardrobe competes with many top level executives in the big city of New York. However my drop off for "Casual Fridays" is rather drastic. I have long wanted to be that guy who wore loafers and v-neck sweaters over button down shirts. However those looks seem so staged to me, as if the person wearing them is putting on a production of what they saw in last months Esquire magazine. Which I might add is rising on my short list of magazines that actually help the men of today put it all together.
Which look do you deem as the appropriate outfit to wear on Casual Fridays? Please leave a posting describing your thoughts on what is appropriate casual friday attire.

Still waiting.....

2006-08-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

I have been onto several websites in the past couple of days. I have searched high and low to try and identify those websites that provide some in depth knowledge as far as what to buy, where to buy it, and how I should look in it. These days we are looking for guidelines into the ways and wonders of mens fashion, and all we get is crap. No one is concerned with helping men step out of the box with their dressing styles. We are more geared towards what the trends are in womens, and hope that later on down the road this trend somehow translate into mens clothing.

My take on it is that although womens fashion may be the catalyst by which fashion moves, shakes, and breathes. Mens fashion should not take up a back seat. We should be our own agenda.

Confidence

2006-07-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

I receieved an anonymous post which stated the below insert. I however beg to differ

"What makes a man well dressed? I'll tell you; its one key component. Have you ever seen a man that you thought was just so clean? His jacket tailored to reveal a waist line...His slacks hugged the buddox just to the appropriate degree, but not to close becasue no one likes the nut huggers....His tie has the perfect cute little dimple...and in that rare instance that he had to lift the side of his shirt you noticed clean white crisp underoos that said I smell delicious...haver you seen this man, I have. I digress in excitement. However, my point is we have all seen this man, but by the time you reach home you didn't remember the details of that mans ensamble. You didn't remember if the socks were blue argyle or orange stripes. A week later, you can't remember if the man was wearing a suit or a kelt, but your mind says, "he was a well dressed man." The reason he's a well dressed man is the key component. That man had CONFIDENCE, and he wears that confidence as the most important component of his outfit. With confidence a man can convince you he is a well dressed man in his payless shoes, Express suit, and swatch watch. Trust me I have seen a man in a Hugo boss suit with a Patek Phillipe on his wrist only to turn and break my neck for the man in the Stacey Adams suit (don't know the name brand...thats my point exactly). All a man needs to worry about when he leaves the house is....."Did I get my confidence?"

I believe that confidence is the "X" factor. You can not measure or equate the amount of confidence worn by a particular individual. Nor can you soley assume that it is confidence that made that particular gentleman stick out in your mind over the finely tailored suit or garment. My point is that no matter how much confidence a man exudes, he must still step up to the plate, meaning he must fine that suit, that outfit that brings out that confidence. I have watches many of modeling shows and it seems that they all speak to a woman looking her absolute best even while draped in a paper bag. Bologna! You show me a person in a paper bag who can exude that confidence, and I'll show you a person waiting to change into something more appealing to their tastes. Bottom line is that your confidence should not border on the the price tag of your garments. I get that point, but to say that confidence is the only ingredient needed to make a well dressed man, is incorrect

Shopping Experience @ Phils 1908

2006-05-13T20:16:00.000-07:00

Today I had the pleasure of walking into a store that I have never been into before and walking out with the mindstate that I will soon be doing some quality business with this store.
The store I am referring to is "Phils" 1908 on 989 Third Avenue @ 59th Street, in NYC directly across the street from Bloomingdales. If you blink you will miss it if traveling by cab, however on foot you can not miss the well displayed street store front visuals of quality tailor made garments.
Upon walking into Phils, I was properly greeted by a gentleman who took his time in explaining the workings of his price points and turn around time on custom made garments. I myself am not ready for this step into the top notch realm of gentleman's fashion, however, I love the idea of playing around with the notion of a future need.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear that custom made garments at the location started @ $895 for custom made super 120's fabric suits. The only additional cost would be the choice of linings to insulate the inside of your jacket. This if you dont know is a steal of a price. I am curious to know how itis that he is able to afford that price, being that he stated the suits are made in Italy. But in any case, I will cherish the though of one day puschasing that custom made suit from Phil. A beautiful business relationship in the making.

Fashion Basics

2006-05-08T15:12:00.000-07:00

I often run into this problem where I feel like one of three problems seem to arise at the worng time.

#1 My underwear of choice just do not seem to meet the expectations that they once did, when I first bought them. Meaning, for purposes of clarification, they no longer hold you properly in all the right places, the colors are beginning to fade, and lastly, the elastic around the waste band and thighs, if you wear tighty whities or boxer briefs, start to give way.

#2 I seem to either misplace, throw away or somehow neglect to collect the right foot of a once paired set of socks. This happens to everyone, I dont care who you are and how rich you have become. Everyone one of us has fallen victim to the washing machine sock monster. which seems to eat that one foot of the pair of socks, which leaves you with a misc. drawer of sock hopefuls, that one day the will be rejoined with their loved ones. lol okay enough of that.

#3 Only for those people who have some underarm sweat gland issues like myself, the notorious yellow ring in the armpit of a perfectly otherwise white undershirt.

Now this last one really upsets me, because no matter how good of a washer that I think I am, it is inevitable that all my shirts will one day meet this fate.

So I have proposed the following. Suprisingly so, this tactic will be really easy to accomplish.

If you are like me, then you hate to spend money on those things that you really need but can do without. And what I mean by do without is this. I will spend an extra $100 lets say on a nice pair of jeans or shoes because they are on the outside and readily seen by all. However basic furnishings, i.e underwear, socks and undershirts, are those items that we feel we can overlook in efforts of making other things look better.

I offer you this advise. Try purchasing a single pair of quality socks once a month. What I mean by quality is a pair of socks that would normally cost you about $10 buy themselves. I would try to stay away from the 3 for $X packs because there you are getting quantity and not necessarily quality.

Secondly, try to buy a pack of Tee shirts and underwear once a quarter. What I mean by quarter is this.
1 year = 12 months
3 months = 1 quarter.
Therefore you are constantly rotating your supply of fresh furnishings to your mix, not wearing that lucky pair of draws that you " got lucky in " 2 years ago.

Thirdly, find out what brands fit you the best and what color compliments you and stick with them. For me, my woman likes me in all black. I also find that Calvin Klein underwear tend to have the best fit. However me being the frugal shopper that I am, I try to find these items on sale at various times throughout the year, so that I can pick up more for my dollar.

Some good places to look for these items are during father's day promotions. Everyone, I mean everyone will have a sale on these items during this time.
Stores you should try for designer discount underwear are
Marshalls
Tj Maxx
Ross
Lohemanns
Century 21 (east coast)

Some brands that you may find are to your liking

Calvin Klein
Jockey
X-ist
Polo Ralph LaurenAlways remember to buy your size. There is nothing worse than a pair of undergarments that are too small. Your entire day will have a bad start and duration if you make this attempt. And never buy something too big just because it is the right price. undershirts are made to provide you with that extra layer of protection for most often sweat glands and body oils. They are made to fit to your body. Underwear are the same way, too much clothe in those areas creates an uncomfortable feeling and most often irritation. Stay away from extra big undergarments.

NEXT TOPIC IS THE BOW TIE. CAN THEY BE WORN @ WORK?

COMING SOON !!!!!!!!!!!

2006-04-11T08:20:00.000-07:00

Yes gentlemen, and gentlemen. By popular demand, and innovative thinking, I will be bringing to you the first free online how to guide on men's personal styling. My first topic will be the neck tie. Since I have noticed that an overwhelming majority of my readers have logged onto this site in efforts to find out how to tie and create that perfect look for their next tie. I have taken the liberty to take it to the next step and give a step by step instructional video on the process.

Please try this @ home.

I will then begin filming more issues and topics based on the requests and questions that I receive from the site itself.

As a blueprint I feel the first 2 topics will be "How to tie a neck tie", and second "What type of Tie should I buy". Please log on for more updates.

Great Value $4 Great Deals

2006-04-11T07:21:00.000-07:00

I have found some great deals on Macy's.com. Today and tomorrow are their "One Day Sale" days and everything in the clearance pages are an additional 25% off.

Now I myself consider myself to be a forcaster when it comes to Fashion and shopping. I tend to not jump into the trendy styles of the moment. Instead I wait for a more economically reasonable time when those items are @ a more affordable price. This works for me in 2 ways.
1.) It prevents me from jumping on the fashion breakdowns ie. Von Dutch.
2.) It keeps my account and self control on a tight leash.

Besides who am I kidding. I am not the guy who will set the next trends and styles. But I am that guy who will take that trend, funk it up and expand on it, in a classic gentlemen type of flavor that will remain timeless.

So with that said. Here are my top website picks of the day. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Far Gone

2006-02-27T10:04:00.000-08:00

Gone are the days of simplistic everyday sneakers. So long to the days when I would go to my neighborhood Footlocker and look for the 2 for $89.99 special promotions. I have now seen the light and it happens to be,,,,,,,,. BETTER LOOKING SHOES... lol thats right, all I want is better looking shoes. Something that everyone in your neighborhood would not have the savvyness to go and copp. Something that you cant buy 2 and 3 pairs of because there are limited quantities. Something that if you put them on Ebay, the mother of all shoe shops, you would actually make a profit rather than give them away at a loss. I am tired of the mundane, trite, ways that I try to stay in this box called safety. why not step out, and with a fresh pair of kicks that will make a statement.

Brown shoes

2006-02-24T06:07:00.000-08:00

I have seen this done before. I have even tried it a couple of times myself. However the likelyness of pulling this one off is slim to none if you do not know what you are doing.
My topic today is brown shoes on a grey/ neutral palette. Now imnot talking about any color of brown shoes. The more rich in color and texture, the more chance you have of passing the look off like you tried to do it, vs these are the only good looking pairs of shoes in my closet. The higher quality of your brown shoe gives you the results in the end. A good starting point in terms of quality would have to be kenneth cole. A staple amongst young professionals who are not going to spend that prada and zegna $$$ on shoes, yet want the look of sophistication.

Examples to come....

What's your signature

2006-02-14T09:14:00.000-08:00

So today I was having a conversation with my woman, and she mentioned that she finds a man with a signature really attractive. Now being that this is "Love" day, I could have gone ballistic and start inquiring who she is talking about,haha, but i just sat back and listened to what she had to say. In her explanation she said that a man that can be identified day in and day out by what he wears can be viewed as attractive. Depending on what he trademark/ signature is. I then started to reflect on what I felt my signature was, only to realize that I do not have one. I am so all over the place, that I do not tend to cater to one particular look. Now I would say that I am versatile, and willing and able to adapt to many different looks. Which to me correlates to a variety of classic variations of elegance, but that could just be me. Lol. However that may not be the truth. Every man, check that, every person should know that one thing that makes them look and feel their best. It could be for instance
Hairstyles
Shoes
Cuff Links
Coats
Scarves
make up
Color
Dress shirt
patterns
ETC

The point is that there is such a vast number of items to choose from, my suggestion is that you pick one and make it your own. Do it the best, so that you may and will be known for it.

Dress pants resurrection

2006-02-11T01:16:00.000-08:00

So like I said in previous postings, "Denim is Dead", denim is down trending, and people are tired of looking like one another. Now women, and men in the know, are opting out of the premium denim market, and looking for something more out of the box that identifys their personal taste in fashion.

more to come......

B I G HATZ

2006-02-11T00:53:00.000-08:00

So my topic for this week is big hats. Im talking about big new york style baseball caps. Not the type that your granny wears once a year on easter sunday. Im talking about the 2 sizes to big new era baseball caps that every youngyan has on is the city. I have been here only a week and a half, and already the contagious spirit for me to go out and replace my already fitted and molded New york Yankee blue cap has crossed my mind. Be it that I have a rather large head already, i would think that the sizes that i would have to choose from would be limited. But not here in good old NYC. I quickly found a size in Champs that would allow me to fit right in to this oversized NYC, and american society. Where wearing your clothes really big is the popular trend amongst the youngsters of the nation, I find that the way they wear their hats may actually present a better look all around.

Tips on the way to buy a B I G HAT.
- take your head size and add at least a 1/2 inch. meaning if you wear a 6" cap, you should at least buy a 6 1/2
- make sure that the brim of the cap flows straight across your forehead. there can be no breakage in your brim. this shows proper fitting.
- anything with NY on the cap is a best seller. LA is also a good alternative.
- make sure it is New Era, they pretty much have a monopoly on the industry. although there are other cap companies. very few have the fit and look of the New Era.
- look for the best price, because in NYC the trend is to wear your hat 2 sizes to big, the prices here are much more than those in LA, starting at $31.99 in many places

"Well Dressed"

2006-01-27T13:55:00.000-08:00

What makes a man "well dressed" compared to any other man in this world? So this is the question that I am presenting to myself for this upcoming spring season. What makes a man more well dressed than the next man? Is it his ability to put together an outfit that no other man could have fathomed? Or maybe it is the ability to step out of the socially mundane box of fashion, and experimenting with what makes you happy while wearing the garments of choice. I have found that the most intense outfits that I have put together are the ones that were spontaneous. Which sucks because I find myself late to several functions a year, because because of this indecisive behavior. So that brings me to the reality that my outfits must be pre meditated with a momentary spoontaneous twist.

Fashion Vs. Quality

2005-11-30T10:12:00.000-08:00

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

2005-10-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

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

2005-10-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

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

2005-10-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

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

2005-10-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

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

2005-10-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

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

2005-10-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

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

2005-08-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

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

2005-08-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

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

2005-08-10T15:21:00.000-07:00

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

2005-08-10T12:09:00.000-07:00

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.