Scarves....For the Fall.

August 26, 2009

Fall is just around the corner, and a scarf can add a lot more to your look than just keeping you warm. In the many cultures, a simple scarf can mean a lot of different things. For example, Religions such as Judaism under Halakhah (Jewish Law) promotes modest dress code among women. Married Jewish women wear scarves to cover their hair. The Tallit is commonly worn by Jewish men especially for prayers. However, in most circumstances today, scarves are worn for fashion purposes. Scarves are a great way to make any plain outfit, into something a little more unique. You can wear them with a coat, or with a tee shirt. Anyway you decide to choose to wear your scarf; you need to remember a few simple rules. First off, just wrap the scarf around your neck once, and let the rest go. We don’t want to get carried away and look like Randy from A Christmas Story. Second, pick out a color that suits you and your features, but do not go over board. Pick something with 2 or 3 colors, or 1 color with several shades. This color scheme tends to go with more in your wardrobe. Third, Make sure your scarf is long enough. We don’t want to make you look like a fat man in a little coat. When purchasing a scarf, go ahead and try it on, and make sure the length goes with your body height. When it comes to thickness of your scarf, be careful. If you purchase a really thin white scarf, it may look like you wrapped your self in toilet paper; but if you buy a overly intense thick scarf, you may look like you have a neck brace on. So guys, before the weather starts to change, go grab your self a scarf, it is sure to give you instant sex appeal this winter.

-Joey

joey@themensfashionblog.com

 

Riverpark Front Fashion Show: Denver, CO

August 26, 2009

Living in the western United States, we usually are not fortunate enough to experience high end fashion shows. Well for the past 3 months, Denver has hosted a series of fashion shows at the exclusive Riverfront Park neighborhood in downtown . The show has featured designers such as Betsey Johnson and Robert Rodriguez. The show also features different cuisine's,drinks, and salons. I had the opportunity to speak with Laura Anderson, a marketing director for various well known brands in the hospitality sector who was enjoying the show.

Joey: Thank you for speaking with me after this amazing fashion show
Laura: Your welcome, and thank you to The Men's Fashion Blog.
Joey: How does marketing help a brand?
Laura: Marketing has alot of potential to make a unknown label into something huge. For Example, many people do not know about Robert Rodriguez, and marketing his line here at Riverfront is a great way to reach a new target audience.
Joey: What was one of the best features here at Riverfront?
Laura: The variety of entertainement. You have fashion, food, and great people to look at.
Joey: Is there a color that is in right now for men's fashion?
Laura: Definitely purple. Purple on a man is sexy and sleek.
Joey: Laura thank you for your time and enjoy the after party!
Laura: Thank you.

For more information on Robert Rodriguez and Betsey Johnson, please visit:
http://www.robertrodriguezcollection.com/bio.html
http://www.betseyjohnson.com/
 

Quick Tips.

August 26, 2009


Traveling? Here's a quick tip to help keep your luggage light.

For weekend getaways and short business trips, only pack one pair of pants. That's right....ONE pair. If you pick the right jeans or slacks, you can mix and match with different shirts, tees, sweaters and blazers. For example, the right pair of straight-leg or skinny jeans can look great when worn slightly rolled up with Converse and just as good when rolled down with classic wingtips.

Also, if you're flying, wear your blazer/sportcoat so it won't get wrinkled in your luggage.

In days when airlines are charging extra for your baggage to travel with you, I hope this tip will keep you traveling right and light.

-Farzad
farzad@themensfashionblog.com

 

Black....The Must Have in Every Guys Wardrobe

August 26, 2009
Black, a color that makes you look depressed, or is it the new power color. Many music artists have worn black to show resistance, mystery, and cultivation. Black has become in recent years classy and stylish, adding dominance and confidence to yourself and what you wear. So you’re probably telling yourself right now, that I want you to go out and paint your nails black and put on 500 pounds of piercings, but that black was for the 90s. The new black I consider to be a power color that can transform any guy into an instant hit at a party or any social gathering. Let’s start with the basics. First of all, please do not wear white socks and black shows. If you do, you just transformed a power look, into a clown suit. We are going black and not coming back, so from top to bottom, BLACK. Start off with some shiny black shoes, but don’t go over board and get disco looking ones, simple and modest are the way to go. When choosing your pants, go with a sleek modern fit, or a classic dress pant. The belt should have a silver buckle, not gold. We are not the sopranos. When picking out a shirt, go with a slimmer fitting button down, and leave the top two buttons undone, or for a more casual look, go with a slim fit short sleeve tee and add a silver plated watch. If you have a few black items in your closet, play around with them and see what goes best with your features. Boom, you just have transformed your look, into a power look. GO BLACK!
 

Quick Tips.

August 26, 2009


This weekend, I discovered something quite valuable. You see, in the past 3 weeks, I've lost 10 lbs and about 11 inches around my "midsection".
My dilemma: T-shirts. I do usually buy size Medium t-shirts but I've found that, regardless of the brand, t-shirts shrink. Sizes vary, no matter what the label says, from brand to brand.
My solution: Find a t-shirt that fits just right and buy one size bigger. Go home and before wearing it, wash it in hot water and tumble-dry on low heat.


I tested my theory this weekend on about 5 t-shirts that I just recently purchased and have not yet washed. 1 from Alex&Chloe, the rest from Target. The results were juuust right! I tried them on before and they were loose and not well fitting. After, they fit perfectly with the exception of a couple being just slighty too long for my taste.


Considering that many of the designer and pricier t-shirts tend to shrink (no matter how you wash them) this little tip could come in handy next time you're shopping for t-shirts.


 

Fashion....From a Photographer's Lens.

August 26, 2009


TheMensFashionBlog.com resident photographer Paulina Kababie has graciously written a quick highlight from the Bring It Downtown El Paso fashion event. Here she goes....


Where is all the fashion today? It's a question I've been asking myself over and over again recently. I keep thinking to myself that I finally made a new trend when I turn around to see someone else with my "new" idea. I feel that fashion can take you where you want it to take you. My biggest piece of advice regarding fashion is to wear it with comfort. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t wear it! It seems that for women, the general attitude is “Pain is Beauty", but is there one for men? Don’t get me wrong, women generally only have to go through pain with their high heels, tights, bikini waxes and so on. Should a man have to feel pain to look good? Or instead, should he use his confidence?

I went to the Bring It Downtown Fashion Event a couple of weeks ago as the photographer for The Men’s Fashion Blog wondering what to guys like to see on women and vice versa. I also kept an eye out for what guys should not be wearing to a fashion show (or for that matter, any sort of event). We all have our own style but every once in a while, there's the one that goes to the extreme. Now I, myself, have been in the situation where I wonder "How could I ever wear this ridiculously hideous thing?!"

First up, some of the ladies' outfits that I noticed the guys turning their heads to. Let me say this first...Girls, learn when and when not to wear too tight pants. It all depends on your size. If it is extremely too tight and leaves nothing to the guys' imagination, skip it. It doesn’t matter if they're jeans or khakis. In this example, you'll see the proper pant size for this model. Also, her look was layered nicely with jewelry and belts.

Next off, I believe that every woman should have a simple dress on hand that they can use in an "elegance-emergency". Also, a dress that it is right for the curves of your body. The dress on this model shows a perfect example of this.

There also comes a time in a woman's life when she should not be wearing the outfits that are clearly meant for younger women. It end up looking horrible or disgustingly tacky. I know when I get to that age, I’ll want to be rocking the best of the younger fashions but I will definitely know better than that. In this example ,the model with the pink mini skirt and tight gray shirt does not look the age for wearing this type of outfit. That is, of course, unless she has other things planned.

Women should also know how to use their confidence. There are some who do it in the wrong way which may look a little scary. Here this model tries to show us her glamorous look and it made her look like furious creeper instead.

On a more positive note, there are some who use their confidence wisely. The next model seems secure in her looks and shows this in her intense pose.

Now moving on to the Men’s fashion, after all, this is TheMensFashionBlog.com. Guys, you should know that us women also look at your backsides and we do expect it to be done right. The following picture shows 4 great examples of what I am trying to say. Your pants should not be saggy (unless its clear that this is what you were going for) or too tight because then we'll wonder how "anything else" might fit in there. Luckily, all these models have their pants on juuuust right.

There are different accessories for different people. Men should think about how they look like with hats and sunglasses. It's called a mirror, boys. Use it! There are some that end up looking like taxi drivers and others that look effortlessly classic. Next up: Confidence. Men should also have confidence but never to the extreme because if men take it too far, they tend to look like arrogant, stuck up creeps. In this example, the model with the open shirt and shorts looks as if he is trying to completely show off, which kind of ruined the outfit.

But in this other example, the model wearing the purple shirt shows how he feels comfortable and confident in what he is wearing. This brings out a much better result.

That's about it for me! Stay tuned for more fashion do's and dont's.

-Paulina, Photographer for TheMensFashionBlog.com

 

Accessorize! Watch Me Now...

August 26, 2009


In continuation of my "Accessorize." series, I bring you: Watches. Probably the single item I get complimented most on is my watch. [whichever one it may be on any given day] I love watches! I couldn't even tell you how many I have.

When I talk about a watch, I'm definitely not talking Rolex. While Rolex is nice, I'm no fool. For something that I change everyday, I'd rather spend much less for more watches than [insert insane dollar amount here] for one watch.

Today, rather than find examples online, I'm pulling watches from my own collection. These are some of my favorites that are definitely in heavy rotation.


First up, a brown-faced, brown-strap watch by Daniel Steiger. My mother actually gave me this watch. She gets this catalog from Timepieces, Intl. which actually has a lot of great watches and they almost always have a 2-for-1 deal. Their watches start at about $120 and usually don't run past $300. Anyway, when you get 2-for-1,the price is always nice.


This is one of my Geek Chic favorites. The Casio Databank in yellow. Purchased at Hommework, I think this is my most used watch. I feel like it truly does go with everything because of its geek-factor. Even if it doesn't "match", people still get a kick out of it.....and I'm all about putting on a show. These cost about $95 and Hommework actually has a few in stock right now. [Quick Tip: Don't live in El Paso?Hommework will ship for a flat rate of $5.95]


This next one is also a bit geeky but what can I say?! I've got the braces, the glasses and the tech-savviness that qualifies me for the gig. I must say that I LOVE SWATCH!!! They truly do take a lickin' and keep on tickin'! The ticking sound is so loud, I sometimes focus on it to clear my head. My Swatch has a barcode design and is super-casual. I believe I purchased this one for about $65.


I also have an affinity for chunky watches and this one fits the bill juuust right. This is a G-Shock Japanese Limited Edition watch which I also purchased at Hommework. This one was a bit pricier but definitely worth it. At $199, it features a black croc patent-leather strap with purple stitching, backlight, timers, alarms, calendars, 13 different languages, etc.... If you find one, get one.



For "dressier" occasions such as the occasional wedding, business meetings and dinner dates, I opt for a basic silver Kenneth Cole watch. This was a gift from a very good friend of mine and I believe they are usually about $95. You really can never go wrong with a Kenneth Cole watch. His timepieces are typically very safe but always classic.


And finally, to prove that a good deal can be found by just looking in the right places, my "go-to" black watch. This one is by Lambretta and I snagged this for $25 [only $25] at a store closing sale. There are always good and bad aspects to unstable economies. BAD: the store closed. GOOD: I got a watch for $25!!!! The store was The Jeanery in San Diego and it used to be one of my must-stops whenever I'd visit that fantastic city. Now, I'll have to settle for whatever else I can find.


Now, here are a few tips in watch selection and watch care.
1] When watch shopping, in order to get an everyday watch, look for something reliable with a classic, round shape.
2] Pick a watch that fits your wrist! Having a secure-fitting watch is key to maintaining the watch's life. If it's jumbling up and down your arm as you are running around all day, something bad is bound to happen to it. [such as the NUMEROUS times I run into walls, arm first.]
3] When storing watches, its all about comfort (for the watch). I have a canvas tray where I keep most of my watches. They are easily found and the canvas protects them from scratches. If you've got a watch box to keep them in, more power to you!
4] If you have a significant number of watches, check that the batteries work at least once a month. There's nothing worse than finding out at the last minute that your battery is dead!
5] I said it once, and I'll say it again....make sure the watch fits!!! If purchasing a metal link watch, most jewelers will do the first fitting for free. This means removing any extra links and making sure the watch is just the right fit, while preserving the extra links (should the be needed in the future) in a neat, little paper envelope.

If you've got questions or comments pertaining to this post, don't hesitate to email me! I'm always open to suggestions.


Watch out!!!
-Farzad
 

Accessorize!

August 26, 2009


Yes, guys should accessorize too. If you think that necklaces, rings and bracelets are just for girls; you're wrong. These days, there are plenty of designers that cater to men's jewelry - and no, they aren't all puka shell necklaces and Italian gold chains. As a matter of fact, I sincerely hope you are NOT wearing those items....unless you're from Hawaii or in the mafia OR in the extremely singular case that you are, in fact, Mr. T.

What I'm talking about are pieces that stand out in a crowd. Pieces that tell the world a little bit about you. Whether you like watches, necklaces or anything in between, there is something out there to punctuate your ensemble. After all, it is most likely going to be the last thing you put on.

This will be a multi-part series and today, we'll start with Necklaces.

I recently came across a great brand with a lot of fantastically unique pieces. Alex&Chloe. They offer reasonably-priced jewelry for just about every occasion. I discovered them at a great local store called "Hommework" [Don't worry, you'll hear more about them. An article will be coming in the next few days]. The first necklace [among many others] I bought from their collection was this one:
A pill...A PILL!! Who makes "pill" necklaces?! I love it! It's different, it's new, it's awesome. I also purchased their "Fork You" necklace, which was so cool until it was broken by some roughhousing at a bar. Oh well, I suppose I'll just have to find a replacement. ;-)

Up next, the KR3W Master Pendant. This particular necklace comes in 3 colors [gold, silver, black] and is available for $15 at Karmaloop.com. For some reason, old-fashioned keys have always intrigued me. Their look is fresh but in a classic way.


And last but not least is the Double-Rosary Necklace at UrbanOutfitters.com. This necklace would look great with a deep v-neck shirt or even a crisp, white linen shirt during these hot summer days.



Stay tuned for more accessory ideas, tips and pics. If you've got any thoughts, feel free to sound off in the comments OR send me an email.

-Farzad
 

Quick TIps.

August 26, 2009



Is your collar out of control? Collar stays are great and nowadays, they come free with most button-down shirts. However, keeping track of them can sometimes be like finding a needle in a haystack. I've come up with a quick and easy solution when your in a collar-crazy bind. Bobby-pins or paperclips! So simple and you know everyone has them. Snag a couple of bobby-pins from your girlfriends vanity or swipe a few from your desk at work. You can also pick them up at your local superstore; Target, for example, has bobby-pins in the checkout lane for only a buck and change/60pk. For about .03 cents each, losing them won't be such a tragedy.


-Farzad
 

WOW.

August 26, 2009
I must say, looking through the runway recaps at men.style.com, I'm extremely intrigued by Moschino's Spring 2010 line. I want to wear it all, everyday, forever. Ok, maybe not everyday, but I want to wear it a lot. Check out some of my faves below and check out the rest of the runway recaps HERE.













By the way, I really want the 5th one down for my cousin's wedding in September. Anyone know a good tailor?

-Farzad
 
 
 
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