Category Archives: Style Tips

Men, Accessorize!

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I decided to write this post after an interesting discussion with my friend about men and accessorizing. She asked me why men do not wear a lot of jewelry and I found myself looking for an answer.

I think the reason why men do not wear a lot of jewelry, which can range from precious metals to rope bracelets, is because we prefer to go simple. For many men—myself included—a watch and a cool necklace is all we need. However, after thinking about it, my friend is right, men should definitely accessorize more.  Jewelry can add personality to an outfit, turning the standard cardigan and button-down combo, into something with more pizzazz. Not to mention, jewelry can be layered, thus making amazing standout pieces.

And for those who believe accessorizing is only for women, think again. It is the year 2012. Men are wearing skinny jeans, men are accessorizing with scarves, and men are walking around with handbags. Simply put, the age of “that’s for girls,” is quickly fading. So, do not be that guy, step out of your comfort zone and try something new.

Guest Post By Jacamo

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Big Does Not Need to Equal Bland

Our motto is ‘taking men’s style to the next level’ and it’s great to come across both men and designers who are doing just that. Men with larger frames can sometimes experience style struggles when trying to find smarter outfits, so it was great to see Brit comedian James Corden coming up trumps at a recent awards ceremony.

James, 33, has a big bubbly personality and a stature to match, but he pulled off a classic tailored look while presenting at music awards the Brits last month, showing larger men can dress for the occasion. He also took some style inspiration from one of our favorite Brit style icons – his mate David Beckham - and styled his hair into a softly waxed quiff.

If you’ve got a commanding stature and have been struggling to nail a smarter look, you’ll find some specialist retailers online like Jacamo Menswear who cater for all shapes and sizes. But, before you buy, you’re best off taking stock of what is likely to suit you. You may want to take some style inspiration from Mr Corden, who looked rather dapper in a black tailored suit and waistcoat, which he wore with a crisp white shirt and patterned tie.

Larger gentleman are often warned against wearing monochrome outfits like this, as contrasting shades have a tendency to draw the eye to areas they may prefer not to highlight, like the stomach. James tackled this by wearing a coordinating waistcoat in black underneath his jacket, slimming his frame and preventing the eye from falling on his slightly generous stomach. In warmer months it’s possible to achieve a similar effect by wearing a lightweight jacket teamed with a shirt of a similar shade.

Below are pictures of former England cricket captain and Jacamo’s ambassador, Freddie Flintoff, wearing a suit from his own Freddie Flintoff collection.

Sew & Tailor

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Every man of style should know how to sew because you never know what could happen–you rip a hole in shirt or you cause a small tear in your coat. I am not saying that you have to be a master in sewing. No one is expecting you to tailor your own clothes, but you should be able to sew a button on your jacket if it falls off.

However, if you cannot sew, a good tailor would do. Now, you do not want to give your clothes to any tailor, do your research. Think of it as buying a car. Would you buy a car from anyone who calls themselves a car dealer? No. So, do not give your clothes to anyone who calls themselves a tailor.

Below are some useful tips on finding a good tailor.

Get Started:

Google tailors in your area, read the reviews, and visit them if you have to. It is your clothes, the fact that you are getting them tailored shows that you are invested, so make sure that your investment is worth it.

Experience:

Look for tailors with experience. Do not get me wrong, just because you have experience at something does not mean that you are good, but more likely than not, it does. However, make sure that you get references, it is always best to hear from others before you hand over your clothes.

Cooperation & Fashion Sense:

Is the tailor trendy? or old-school? Ask the tailor about their own take on fashion and decide if their view is in-line with yours. In addition, if the tailor resist your suggestions about the way you want your clothes, then move on to the next one. It is important to have control of your style.

Ask Around:

Do you remember that man, the one whose style you admire? Yeah, well ask him who tailors his clothes. That tailor might be the one you have been looking for.

Guest Post By Stylepilot

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Fashion’s Golden Eras Are Getting Married In 2012!

What are the latest fashion trends for men?

Be A Rebel, Always.

Current key trends are edging towards smart distinct looks while embracing a spirit of rebellion and a refusal to conform to authority.  Men should be looking to push the boundaries of their style this year and have a lot of fun seeing exactly what they can get away with.  Key styles for this year embrace the feeling that a rebel movement is for all hours and not just for playtime.  Many are stuck in the nine-to-five routine with little opportunity to break out, limiting their naughty tendencies to the weekend only.

 
Take It to Work.

Try something different in your work attire this year, whether you’re a formal dresser for work or you’re allowed something a touch more casual.  All of the key aspects of fashion carry something with which you can rebel without causing too much of a stir!  Get rid of the loose-fitting suit and get something with a little more bite into your wardrobe.  Something slim fitting and figure hugging will make a great change from the oversized two piece you know hand on heart you could swim in if you tried hard enough. 

Keep shirts white but again well fitted, while investing in some edgier designed and perhaps more vividly coloured ties.  Navy is boring!  Keep yourself fashionable and looking original in the office with a brighter outlook to your work style this year.  Badges and brooches are now available from most menswear providers so you can add a thoughtful touch to your style.  Let your speak for you at work and get people talking about how well you are dressed, instead of the typical office talk.

 


Something For the Weekend.

Ditch the suit at the weekend, the denim is coming out to be devilish with you.  Every rebel knows ultra-skinny jeans are the way to go and is a must-have piece to start building any look this year.  Boots fit in well with this year’s trends too, so you will have a striking, yet durable look to your bottom half at all times.


The shirt and tie can also be consigned to the past, for two days at least, so you can throw on the layers and give yourself an attitude defining twist.

 
Start At the Bottom.

Get online and find yourself an outfit building tool to really help you look the business.  Outfit builders now go a lot further than just putting a shirt together with a pair of trousers.  Build a look of stylish clothes which will almost feel as if they were made specifically for you.

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Style Pilot serves as an online personal stylist website for men, run by some of Europe’s top stylists.

The Mystery of Cologne, Solved.

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For some men, when it comes to applying and purchasing cologne it is like figuring out the purpose of Stonehenge–a mystery. And who could blame them, it is not easy trying to find the right scent–one that does not make you smell as if you just walked out of Willy Wonka’s factory or Yankee Candle. Nor is it easy to figure out how much cologne one should apply on themselves–Should I only spray it on my neck? Should I spray it in the air and walk through it? Should I spray it all over my outfit?–It is harder than one might think. However, there are a few important things to know when it comes to cologne:

1) Think small. The life span of a bottle of cologne is one year. Even if you haven’t gone through the whole thing, after twelve months buy a fresh one; you don’t want to wear a stale fragrance.

2) Test in increments. When shopping for a fragrance, try two at a time at the most, one on each arm. Sniff your shirtsleeve between tests to clear your palate.

3) Keep it simple. Leave spraying wrists and other pulse points to the ladies. One hit on each side of your neck will do.

4) Rotate scents. Like your wardrobe, your scent should change with the seasons. In the warmer months, wear a small amount of a lighter, fresher scent; in winter, heavier scents like musks in slightly larger doses are appropriate.

5) Spray yourself, not the air. I know a lot of men do this, hell I used to, but spraying your cologne in the air and walking through the mist is not only stupid, but a waste of cologne. By the time you walk through the mist, most of it is already on the floor and on top of that the cologne is not even touching your skin.

6) Spraying, no over spraying. You want people to remember your cologne (and you) for the right reasons, not because you almost suffocated them when they were around you. Keep the spraying to no more than 3.                                                                                        

Tips #’s 1 through 4 were taken from JP Mangalindan’s GQ article, How to Buy (and Apply) Fragrance, while tips 5 and 6 were written by me.

The Question of Shoe Lacing

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Shoe lacing can be a hassle believe it or not. Trying to determine if you should lace your shoes straight-across or crisscrossed can cause a real headache. I usually leave the lacing of my shoes the same way I bought it, the last thing I need to do is stress over shoelaces. However, shoe lacing  is a big deal for some men. In fact, I know a few guys who have a particular way of lacing their shoes. One guy for instance laces all of his dress shoes straight across and all of his casual shoes in a crisscross fashion. Although it sounds a little silly, I must admit that the lacing of a shoe does make a difference in its overall appearance.

Below are several ways that you can lace your casual and dress shoes.

Straight (Bar) Lacing 

Hidden Knot Lacing

Crisscross Lacing

Shoe Shop Lacing

Head over to Ian’s Shoelace Site  for detailed instructions on how to do the lacings mentioned.