I'll have the Leg of Man, garcon ...

Well, Holly had the bright idea that I should start a blog about fashion. You know, impart my style tips on everyone in a central location. I have thought about this many times, but really didn’t think I wanted to become one of those “bloggers.” But, here I am. Never say I didn’t give my all to fashion.

For those of you who are new to me, I am somewhat of a style consultant among my circles. Many different people, whether male or female, come to me for style tips. My tips range from clothes, to decorating, to diamonds, and so on. If it’s a matter of luxury, beauty, and good taste, come see me about it. I just have a gift for art.

Where did I get it from? I have no idea. I grew up in the Deep South. The countriest country. It makes absolutely no sense that I know this stuff, but I do and I love sharing what I know. My gift to the world is working to make it a little prettier.

So, as I was saying, Holly suggested I do this blog after we had a long conversation about men wearing dress shoes with shorts. A couple of days ago I posted a Note on Facebook about a style column I read in GQ Magazine (the Bible as I like to refer to it) that stated that it was fashion failure to wear flip-flops regularly. They are just for the beach, or around the house. The column also stated that it was okay to wear dress shoes with shorts. That is the part that sparked the most conversation.

I agree with the column….to a point. There are a few men out there who can pull off this look. And when I say a few men, I mean a few men. This particular look, in my opinion, has an exact science to it. If you deviate from the look in any way, it’s not going to work. Here’s what it takes to make the look work: great legs, the right cut of shorts, and the rights shoes. I’ll break it down a little further for you.

Men at the peak of tone have incredible legs. However, muscular, toned legs aren’t enough. The right legs for this look are long, slender, toned only enough to look athletic but not be athletic, and hairless (or at least a very fine layer of hair…nothing really noticeable). This would be your typical runway leg, and that is what I’m talking about. Not many men have this particular leg, and thus cannot pull of the look. Now, on the shorts end, the cut for me needs to be just above the knee. Not mid thigh, or below the knee, but right above the knee. That helps to elongate the legs. The shorts must also be a thinner leg. There should not be a lot of room in them. The lines should be sleek, not baggy. This is also where men go wrong. Also, consider the shoes. Loafers are typical, but I hate them. I think the proper shoes should be square-toed dress shoes or deck shoes. And no socks! Socks just make you look tragic.

To give you the look I’m talking about, see below:

Now that is an appropriate example of men wearing shorts with dress shoes, and you can see how many men will not fit this look. I like the look on the left best, but the cut of the shorts on the right better. Combine the two, and I think that's the exact way I want to see a man wear the look. So, overall, the consensus is to just not do it. Unless you are actually a model and have worn the look on the runway at some point, don’t start until a designer actually puts it on you and declares it a good look for you to wear. I am all for experimentation in fashion, but some things (like fun fur or flip-flops) should never even enter your mind to try. This look is one of them.

So, this is my first blog. I think I have now cleared up any misunderstandings people have about that trend. I didn’t realize so many had an opinion on the look. I’m glad I found something that provoked a real conversation. I hope I get many more topics like that.

I hope that in reading this blog you are inspired to go out and start looking at the fashions and taking pieces of it to make your own. True style is eclectic, never one look. Which brings me to another point from the title of my blog.There is a difference between fashion and style. Fashion does fade. Not to say that being fashionable is wrong. It’s just to say that your goal should always be style first, and fashion after. Incorporate fashion in a way that will allow you be in step with trends of the times, and still always be classic. Think of a Chanel suit with the latest Manolo Blahniks, or an Armani Suit with the latest “bling.” Classic styles with the latest fashions.

Here’s to style. Cheers!