Sportswear

This season, men’s fashion is all about sportswear. And no, we don’t mean throwing on your worn out sweats and ratty tennis shoes. Fashion this season has taken inspiration from all facets of the sports world: from shirts reminiscent of the polo field to jackets taken right off the college campus, these trends are hot, hot, hot! Look for hoodies without zippers, short-sleeved raglan tees and Bermuda shorts that hit mid-knee. You’ll look trendy and effortless!

Custom T’s

This season is all about individuality! Take on your creative side and hit the internet to create your own fashion. Many online clothing companies are giving you the chance to customize just about anything, so take the initiative and run with it! For starters check out spreadshirt.com, they are super user friendly and you can get your fashionable creation within a couple of days!

Bags

If you didn’t buy into the man-bag trend of summer’s gone by, good for you! The murse is now obsolete, considered to be a bridge to the now popular backpack. When choosing a great backpack, look for durable canvas and leather bags that have an air of masculinity. Leave the Jansport bags on the shelf! A sturdy backpack can take you from work to the beach, giving you a hip, trendy look that others will admire.

Accessories

Accessories are becoming more popular for men; when worn correctly. Don’t load yourself down with a hat, tie, watch, scarf and sunglasses. Choose one or two accessories and wear them well. If you want to wear a burst of colour in your blazer’s breast pocket, skip the tie. If you want to wear a watch, skip the pinky ring. A great hat can take the place of sunglasses but doesn’t need to be worn in conjunction with them. It’s all about the understated, trendy look with accessories. Choose wisely!

Natural Fabrics

Designers are jumping on the green bandwagon and offering more options in the way of natural fabrics. Look for clothing and accessories made with organic cotton or natural fabrics like hemp and bamboo. These fabrics are kinder to the environment, nicer to your skin and give you a stylish look without making it appear as though you spend hours getting dressed. If you want to take it a step further, visit a great site like MooShoes and look for environmentally-friendly kicks.
With a closet full of the latest gear, you can easily wake-up, get dressed and walk out of the house looking trendy in 15 minutes or less. This summer’s men’s fashion will give you a sporty, casual appearance that you’ll love. Just be prepared for all that attention you get from the ladies!

Author’s Bio

Michael Isbell is a freelance blogger for tshirtprinting.net where you can find services for T shirt printing in Manchester.

Button-Down Shirt | Jeans | Aviator Sunglasses | Boat Shoes | Light Jacket

When going on a first date, you can’t go wrong with having dinner at a nice restaurant followed by a movie (of her choice, of course). Layering is a popular trend, so incorporate it by wearing a light jacket over a button down shirt. If you are going for a more casual dinner and it’s warm outside, you can opt for a polo instead of a long sleeve shirt. Still bring a light jacket, since the movie theatre or restaurant could be cold. You can then offer your jacket to your date to show you are a true gentleman. A nice pair of darker jeans and casual loafers or dress shoes will look very smart with your top selection. To complete the look, opt to include a pair of fashionable sunglasses, such as aviators, for when you walk outdoors during the sunset. If you have a silver or gold watch, I suggest wearing it for this date.

Button-Down Shirt | Sweater | Retro Sunglasses | Pants | Boots

Another popular first date, or “getting to know you” meet-up, is having a cup of coffee during a break in your work day (or over the weekend). If it’s sunny out, many will enjoy their coffee at an outdoor table or a local park/outdoor venue. While the goal of this date is to get to know the other person and see if you hit it off, you still need to dress to impress. Unless it is above 80 degrees, you will want to wear a nice pair of khakis (although jeans will work too). If it is a chilly day, I suggest wearing a nice collared shirt with a sweater over it. You will also want to wear a nice pair of boots that don’t go above your ankle. If it’s warmer out, a nice pair of clean sneakers can also be worn and will still look stylish. Since you will be outdoors, I suggest bringing a pair of sunglasses so that you don’t have to squint while looking at your partner. Retro sunglasses, such as the wayfarer, are very popular and are definitely in style!

Dress Shirt | Blazer | Khakis | Loafers

Many adults like to get to know each other over a drink at an upscale bar or lounge. For a date like this, it’s important to dress a bit nicer than business casual, but don’t go overboard and wear a suit (unless you are meeting after work and you wear a suit to work). I suggest wearing a dress shirt with a nice pair of khakis. You will want to wear a blazer or sports jacket to dress up a bit and signal to your date that you care how you look for the occasion. To complete the look, you should wear a pair of dress shoes or loafers and make sure your belt matches your shoes!

We hope these tips lead to a successful first date and hopefully many more to follow! Do you have a lucky item you wear or carry with you on dates? Let us know in the comments below!

Author’s Bio

Adam enjoys helping fashion minded customers find the right sunglasses to complete their wardrobe. When he isn’t busy at work, he enjoys golfing, traveling, and cooking.

Even the least fashion forward men know that it is worthwhile to dress well for the girl in your life.  Whether you are headed out for your first date or to celebrate your 15th wedding anniversary, here are a few tips to ensure that you’ll look as good as she hoped:

Incorporate some new colours into your wardrobe.  Brick red, autumn orange and rust shades are in right now.  New colours that you don’t normally wear will give your wardrobe the update it desperately needs.  You might even try wearing a sweater.  Even if scratchy wool fabrics are not for you, there are plenty of options made of much softer knits.

Add a classy leather item to your outfit.  You might pick a soft leather jacket, a nice messenger bag or other accessory.  Good watches have an attractive leather strap that would fit the bill.  Another great leather option would be a pair of fashionable leather boots that pair with your favorite pair of dress jeans.

Speaking of jeans, it may be time to buy a trendy new pair. Your jeans should fit well and generally be free of holes.  In general, darker washes are more appropriate for nicer occasions.  If you’re feeling daring, try out a pair of edgy grey denim.

No matter what you choose to wear to impress the object of your affections, make sure to spend a little time fixing your hair, ironing your shirt, and making sure your socks match.  Pay attention to the details and you’ll be sure to impress on your night out.

JUDAH FRIEDLANDER

For some, clothes make a statement about who they are. Then there are others who take this slightly more literally. Comedian and 30 Rock star Judah Friedlander has been rocking the thick glasses, metal hair and ‘statement of fact’ trucker baseball cap for years now.  He designs the hats and they’re statements himself.

JOHN DALY

With its weird pants, weird hats and weird shoes, golf style is a particularly challenging area. There have been other fashion icons of the sport such as Payne Stewart and Jack Nicklaus, but for the whole package a tip of the cap has to go to John Daly. Smoking, boozing, snogging and cheeseburger chomping his way around the courses of the world, Daly ruffled golfing feathers even further with his exceedingly garish trouser choices.

JACQUES COUSTEAU

The salty, sea-faring style of this underwater explorer was perhaps best typified by Bill Murray and his wool cap obsessed character from The Life Aquatic. Thick sweaters, parkas, awesome rectangular shades and, of course, his trademark red tocque, Jacques didn’t have to try too hard to look both rugged and classy. Even though he probably smelt faintly of herring.

SIR JIMMY SAVILLE

Though the late great DJ was rumoured to have been the first to use two turntables at the same time, the rap roots run deeper. With piles of bling and a warehouse full of baggy tracksuits to his name, he was an elderly man from the north of England, dressed as an MC. Animal prints, extravagantly dyed hair and with a constant cigar on the go; he was a true individual.

JOHN MCCRIRICK

Looking like a man attempting to resemble an English gent but getting it slightly wrong, this Brit racing pundit and reality TV star has developed a style and stuck to it. Sherlock Holmes hat, spectacles on a chain, tweeds jackets, possibly a cape thrown in, he epitomises the countryside gone to seed. He even has his own name for his enormous sideburns: ‘wackers’. Sadly the bubble burst slightly when the world witnessed his enormous white y-fronts during a stint of Celebrity big Brother.

RONNIE CORBETT

The diminutive comedian and TV star who is always accompanied by the word ‘diminutive’. When he wasn’t dressed as a woman or a tramp on his variety show, Ronnie presented himself as a singularly well groomed individual with ever-present Lyle & Scott golf sweater, slacks and trademark specs. Small but perfectly packaged.

PRINCE CHARLES

Heir to the throne and occasionally an endlessly running punchline, this royal roustabout has a regal style of his own incorporating blazers, ties and a parting in his hair so sharp it could slice cheese. He exudes a timeless, classy demeanour, much imitated by Andre 3000.

PHIL SPECTOR

Though his current wardrobe choices tend to be confined to orange prison issue jumpsuits, Phil made a splash during his court case with his selection of bizarre wigs and hairpieces that can only be described as ‘Beetlejuician’. A fan of the accessory with pocket watches, cravats and handkerchiefs often added into the mix, it was his fondness for wearing a gun on his hip that finally got him into trouble.

RUSSELL BRAND

Resembling a cross between a Victorian ragamuffin, a nursery rhyme villain and a fading 1970s rock god, Brand has selected his style and stuck tenaciously to it. His fondness for chest hair displays might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but it was good enough to snag pop starlet Katy Perry. If only his taste when picking film scripts was better.

FARNSWORTH/FONZWORTH BENTLEY

As the valet/personal assistant/butler to music and fashion icon Sean Combs, you know Farnsworth or Fonzworth Bentley has to look good at all times. So good in fact that he branched out from adjusting Diddy’s mic and selecting his underwear, to becoming a music star in his own right. And his rocking of the bow tie and umbrella combination has to be applauded.

Author’s Bio

Dale Shaw is a freelance writer, currently working for Wish who provide a range of unique gifts and experience days. Check out their range here!

Shirt first

Even before choosing a tie, you need to sort out your look by choosing a nice shirt. There is nothing wrong in choosing a favourite tie first and then a matching shirt but what is important here is to wear the shirt properly in order to look groomed. If your shirt is untucked, then no matter how straight your tie is, you will come across as scruffy. Make sure you fasten all buttons, including the pockets and the cuffs. Buttoned-down collar lapels do not make for a very formal look, so try to avoid them if you are going for a formal look with your tie. Don’t forget to iron your shirt! With or without a tie, a shirt that does not look crisp spoils the look.

Colours gamut

Now that you have sorted out how to wear your shirt properly, you are ready to add a tie to it. Pick a colour that complements the shirt. A contrasting colour is often the best but if you are wearing a pale blue shirt, then a vibrant deep blue tie also looks good. Some like to wear similar tones of colours for both the shirt and tie, but the tie ends up getting lost in the background. There is nothing wrong with this but it defeats the point of wearing a tie if you are going to camouflage it. A bright red tie on a black shirt looks fantastic.

Lost in a world of patterns

Perhaps more than any other types of garments, ties come in all sorts of patterns and even without patterns – just prints. From checked patterns to stripes, horizontal, diagonal and even sometimes vertical, the imagination of the designer is the limit. Often, there is no pattern at all, just prints of popular design, characters or symbols. How do you match such a tie with the rest of your outfit? Simple – make it the centre of the outfit. If your tie has a solid colour, that is, there is no pattern, you just have to think in terms of colour coordination. But add stripes to it in multiple colours and some men might shy away from that tie. However, it is not difficult to find an appropriate shirt if you want to wear these kind of ties.

Pattern rules

Plain ties go along well with patterned shirts and vice versa. This means if you want to wear a striped or checks shirt, pick a plain tie. A striped shirt will also suit to a similarly striped tie. Just ensure the patterns are similar as well as the colours. Never cross-match checked patterns and stripes, one from the tie and one from the shirt.

If you want to wear a striped tie, go for a solid colour shirt or a striped shirt. These are the only two ways to wear a patterned tie.

How about ties with designs? In this case, there is no pattern to match on the shirt, simply drawings, prints or abstract images. You will always have to choose a plain shirt for that and even better, a plain white shirt. This is because plain shirts act as a kind of plain background and allows the bold tie to indeed come out without any distractions.

So follow these simple rules. If you can’t be bothered to think about all this when dressing up early in the morning, keep it simple. Go with a shirt with a block colour; blue shirts are always a safe bet for men and you can find plenty here: http://www.mushirts.co.uk/plain-shirts/blue/. Then simply match it with a plain solid colour tie and you’re done. A yellow tie on a blue shirt will look perfect. You can’t go wrong with that.

1. The Denim Shirt. The faded, casual denim shirt has ridden to sudden prominence as the number one thing for a guy to wear this summer. Urban Agent recommends a chambray shirt with a tailored fit to wear with a blazer and nice jeans and another looser denim shirt to pair with khakis for the weekend. Esquire suggests that you keep the look less cowboy and more “off duty rock star” with a casual, classic denim shirt from Levi’s.

2. Boat Shoes. If you want to pull off the huge summer trend of going sockless with dress shoes (and Urban Agent and GQ suggest that you do) you will need a pair of classic all-American boat shoes to carry out the look. You don’t need to go all Ivy League about it—no popped colors, no salmon coloured pants—just a pair of classy boat shoes, some light pants, and a killer preppy attitude.

3. The Canvas Backpack. When you are juggling a cell phone, camera, iPad, and maybe an energy bar or a spare deodorant, it can be tempting to just throw everything into a reusable shopping bag or a “murse” and call it a day. But fashionable men are reclaiming the backpack from the kids department and transforming it into the ultimate practical accessory. Urban Agent suggests a classic or vintage rucksack-style backpack for all your essentials, while Details touts canvas as the perfect summer alternative to classic and boring leather. A cream-colored canvas backpack with rich leather accents is the perfect carry-all that is both manly and practical.

4. The Leather Jacket. No, this one isn’t new, and chances are you already know that the leather jacket is the ideal fall and spring transitional piece. But you can also wear a leather jacket in the summer, provided you keep it cool and casual with a v-neck tee, some man jewelry, and a perfect pair of shades. Esquire even suggests that you abandon the classic black and simple brown jackets and dare to wear the coloured leather jacket—camel, navy, and even Michael Jackson red are all big trends for 2011.

5. The Espadrille Sneaker. Popularized by the charitable organization and shoe designer that is Toms, these casual canvas shoes have become the go-to shoe for any fashionable guy. Lighter than traditional sneakers, more mature than Converse All-Stars, and more respectable than sandals, espadrille sneakers are easy to wear with everything—even shorts.

6. The Summer Sweater. There are plenty of occasions that call for something more than a t-shirt, but you really don’t want to wear a full suit. Those are perfect times to wear the ever-popular summer-weight sweater, which can actually be more comfortable than a dress shirt if you choose a light fabric and weave. Esquire suggests the nautical look of the classic navy and white striped sweater or the crisp preppiness of a trimmed tennis sweater like the classic Lacoste ribbed v-neck.

7. Diamond Jewelry. Most men do not buy diamonds for themselves, and probably never expected to wear diamond jewelry in their lifetimes. But subtle, masculine diamond jewelry is gaining popularity, and not just rappers’ earrings. Diamond rings can be used for everything from wedding bands to signet rings to a powerful fashion statement, and a dog tag necklace with a diamond chip has just the right combination of edginess and classic appeal.

8. The Light Suit. If you are going to any weddings or formal occasions this season, it’s time to retire your classic black suit in favour of something much more summery. There is the cool-guy approach to the warm-weather suit of an all-white ensemble of white tee, jacket, and skinny jeans. Or you can opt for something more classic and refined with a linen suit in stone, beige, or light gray, finishing the outfit with a dress shirt in a tropical-inspired color like a not-too-bright but strong blue. GQ recommends that you wear a linen suit with confidence—the wrinkles are part of the look. Don’t forget to finish off your look with brown shoes and vintage shades.

9. Huarache Loafers. If you are going to wear sandals, which were seen all over the runways this year despite being a somewhat controversial footwear choice, Urban Agent recommends that you choose the Brazilian sandals known as Huaraches. Woven leather sandals that expose only a bit of skin while still keeping you cool and comfortable, huaraches are a far more classy and manly choice than flip flops, Adidas shower shoes, or the strappy men’s sandals recently marching down the designer runway.

10. Short Hair. Long, floppy locks may look good on celebrities who probably spend more time and money on their hair than your girlfriend and all her friends put together, but short-cropped hair can be just as sexy and puts you at much less risk of looking ridiculous. If you are going to an important event like a wedding, get your hair cut one week before so it will have time to grow out just enough to look natural.



Because it is extremely warm, lightweight, and comfortable, alpaca wool is most widely used to produce alpaca clothing in Peru and the United States. Just a few of the reasons that alpaca wool is so popular for clothing garments are:

• Soft and scratch-free alpaca wool feels wonderful against bare skin, unlike other popular animal fiber products such as sheep’s wool, making it ideal for items such as alpaca gloves, hats, scarves, and socks that demand both warmth and water-resistance in order to keep you warm and dry without sacrificing comfort.
• Alpaca wool sweaters can be worn comfortably without an undergarment that might otherwise be worn to protect you from the scratchy material of sheep’s wool-based sweaters.
• Alpaca robes are some of the most comfortable robes available due to their soft, warm, lightweight nature, and their ability to be washed over and over without pilling.

Other alpaca wool uses include craft projects, baby items, and home decorating uses.

Craft projects for which alpaca wool is used are fiber spinning, felting, knitting, and crocheting.

• Fiber spinners enjoy spinning alpaca wool into yarn because of its softness, light weight, and durability, which produce high-quality yarn.
• Knitters and crocheters love making handmade garments from alpaca wool for the same reasons, and because it is a joy to wear, alpaca-knit products make a wonderful gift for a loved one.
• Felted alpaca wool, which is produced by washing the wool in hot water, is much softer than felted sheep’s wool, the fiber that is most commonly used for felting.

Baby items made from alpaca wool products are ideal. Not only are they incredibly soft and lightweight, but also they are suitable for comfort against babies’ soft skin.

• Alpaca wool is dirt and water-resistant and can sustain many washings.
• Baby blankets made from alpaca wool are soft, warm, and light.
• Natural alpaca wool fiber is free of chemical dyes and is much safer for babies than synthetic fiber products.

Home fiber products such as woven rugs, upholstery, and blankets are both comfortable and durable when made from alpaca wool.

• Woven floor rugs are stylish yet functional because the fiber is strong and resists water, dirt, and stains. Spills on these rugs are easy to clean up because they don’t soak in.
• Upholstery made from alpaca wool is ideal for the same reasons: easy to clean, durable, and stain resistant.
• Alpaca wool blankets and throws are a great way to decorate your home and provide comfort and warmth wherever it is needed. People who don’t like a lot of heavy blankets can enjoy sleeping under alpaca blankets and bedspreads.

Author’s Bio

Erick D. Smith is a blogger from San Diego, California who writes about a variety of fashion topics, including the popularity of using alpaca clothing in Peru and the United States. Next time you’re out shopping for new0 winter clothing, look for alpaca gloves, socks or scarves.

Black tie and white tie formal shirts for men are made of white pique cotton. This kind of fabric has a rich woven texture that is easy to spot. The way to identify pique cotton is from the fine nature of its weave which makes it impossible for a visible pattern to be seen. If you feel this fabric, the most striking thing will be its sheer smoothness. White pique cotton shirts are only for black tie or shirt ties occasions and nothing else.

Then there is silk. Silk has always been considered a symbol of royalty. It is still considered a very luxurious fabric. A blue silk shirt for a man can be considered to be the equivalent of a shimmering black dress for a woman. For most men the choice between light or icy blue depends on their personality and looks. The trick with silk shirts is to avoid bright colours which will always tend to be overkill.

Sadly silk is the kind of fabric to be avoided by those who sweat too much. It darkens when wet meaning that sweaty underarms will quickly be highlighted and will therefore be very easy to notice.

Silk shirts go best with linen pants, which has been a winning combination for many years. There are those who strongly believe that this combination will remain fashionable many more decades to come.

Actually there are pros and cons for both sides. Cotton has a very attractive appearance and is an excellent conductor of heat which makes it ideal for hot weather or places where the humidity is high. Cotton is also very natural and very comfortable to wear at all times. It is also recognized as the standard by which all other shirt fabrics are judged.

The problem with cotton for men’s shirts is that it wrinkles at the least excuse and also easily gets bleach damage. This is why most men have a well-loved cotton shirt in their wardrobe that suffered some kind of damage and yet they cannot bring themselves to throw it out yet.

In sharp contrast the big advantage with blended shirt fabrics is that they are often resistant to wrinkles. They also have a very nice appearance and yet are cheaper than cotton shirts.

The down side of blended shirts is that they are more vulnerable to heat damage from an iron with all the man-made fiber in them. On a hot day they also tend to be extremely uncomfortable. It is not the kind of shirt you would comfortably perspire in.

In the final analysis cotton shirts and blended shirts both have their good points and negative ones as well. So, it is probably a better idea to have both in your wardrobe and to use them alternately considering their different strengths and weaknesses.

A plus sized man must avoid at all costs tightly fitting clothes or clothes that reveal and even enhance parts of their bodies where they are bulging. This usually has the effect of making a person look even bigger than they really are which is the very opposite of what successful plus sized dressing is all about. Always seek clothes that fit well and are in fact a little larger because this will give the illusion of you being much smaller than you really are.

For this reason off the rack clothes may not always work out too well for larger sized men and will often need adjustments. The best route would be to go for custom-made clothes, especially for attire like suits.

When purchasing shirts, never forget to pay attention to the shirt sleeves and how well they fit.

A common mistake most plus sized men make is to choose sweaters and shirts that are way too large even for them. On other occasions the designs do not suit larger people. The result is that despite the fact that the plus sized clothes fit well, they still end up being unattractive and emphasizing the huge size of the wearer.

Plus sized men must be careful to take more time and pay more attention to their clothing. The advantage is that these days we have plenty of designers who specifically specialize on designing clothing for plus sized men.