Fashion fades. Only style remains the same.

Hey Sweet Meat. What it is? Mmm - mmm, strut it out. Bring it on home to me now.

2011-08-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

I debated sharing this with anyone, but it's too good to keep a secret. I have found the best men's clothes. The clothes are amazing let me tell you. They are the kind of clothes I picture in my head if I could actually sew or draw.

Welcome to SLS Distributors Men's Boutique. It is a fairly new online store headed up by Stefan Smith. the company is out in California, and has suddenly got a new following on Facebook of about 973 people. I tried to order something from them once, but it got back ordered, and the CEO Stefan kindly emailed me, refunded my money, and then gave me a coupon for 20% off my next order.

I am currently getting the budget set up so I can go back and get lots of these items for fall. I'm a total fall fashion kind of guy, so this place it right up my alley. The designs on the sweaters and jackets are so unique and add flare to the wardrobe. I like pieces that have a little something extra to catch the eye. Being single, you like to attract all the time, so you dress for the occasion.

I highly recommend visiting http://slsdistributors.miiduu.com/ and checking out the great items. Don't forget to stop by Oliver B.'s way for a quick fashion consulting.

Here's to style. Cheers!

I'm Dreaming of a Cavalli Christmas

2010-12-24T16:57:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all from Oliver B. Styles!

As we approach the end of another year, I wanted to take a moment and give a special gift to those of you reading my page (when I post) and taking away better feelings of your own personal style in a world where you are overrun with trends trends trends that have no everlasting substance. I hope that I have made your 2010 a little brighter and beautiful.

As I begin closing out this year of fashion I like to look back at the tips I have given you this year for one central theme that will capture 2010. I think I have found it: BREAK THE RULES!

This entire year I have presented you my thoughts on white shoes after labor day, complementary colors over matching, throwing out hosiery, spring colors in cold seasons, dark and rich colors in spring, and so much more. What is this all supposed to teach you? That there are no longer hard and fast rules for fashion. We all have to explore fashion--experiment with your look and do crazy things. I'd rather fail as a leader than to succeed as a follower. Except of course when it comes to flip flops. I will never back down that those are hideous, useless, and lazy fashions. I will never support them as everyday wear ... NEVER!

So be a leader in fashion. Take charge of your look and own it. We all want to look and feel beautiful. As we approach 2011 I hope all my readers take my lessons and make themselves look their best every day. There is no excuse to neglect yourself.

I got a great piece of advice today. it was in the context of becoming rich, but I think it works for style as well. I read that everyone should live like they are going to die tomorrow, but invest like they are going to live forever. I think that's great style advice.

Dress like you are going to die tomorrow. What I think that means is you should always look your best so that when you die you leave a legacy of beauty. If you died tonight, how would you be described through your clothes? Is that what you want as your legacy? Will you have regrets?

Invest in clothes like you are going to live forever. This goes back to my theme of distinguishing style from trendy fashion. Your main pieces of clothing should be investments. Maybe it's your favorite handbag, or a bracelet, or a sweater, or a pair of jeans or shoes. Whatever it is, when you choose that expensive must-have piece, it should be something you will wear far into the future. For example, I spent about $200 back in 2005 on a DKNY blazer that I loved. It was an investment, a must-have item. Cut to last night: I wore it out with a friend who commented on how nice the blazer was. When I told him I bought it 5 years ago, he was stunned. It's still fashionable. The amazing part is it looks even better on me now than it did back then. Invest in fashion readers! Your wallet will love it, and you'll find that you're more confident with a safety blanket in your hot timeless pieces.

So this is 2010: break rules, and set the standard for YOURSELF. It has been a pleasure having an audience to share my tips with. Now it's time for your Christmas present: a special holiday rewrite for you. Enjoy:

Collections ring,
are you list’nin’?
On the runway
clothes are glist’nin’.
A beautiful sight.
We're in vogue tonight.
Strutting in a Wintour wonderland.

Gone away: tacky sweater;
here to stay: something better.
A shiny silver dress.
Red bangles to access’.
Strutting in a Wintour wonderland.

In your hand you need a clutch or wristlet.
I found some good ones on bluefly.com.
You'll ask: Should I buy this?
I'll say: Why not?
But I would try to
split the cost with MOM.

Later on
trends will tire,
as your style stays on fire.
‘Cause Oliver B.
knows just what you need.
Strutting in a Wintour wonderland.

On your feet I think you need Zanotti.
You can’t go wrong with crystals and black suede.
You’ll be the best dressed gal at every party.
And give your male arm candy an upgrade.

When style shows
ain't it thrilling?
When you look good my life’s fulfilling.
We're fashionistas all day-
the Oliver B. way.
Strutting in a Wintour wonderland.

Strutting in a Wintour wonderland.
Strutting in a Wintour wonderland.

Here's to Style. Cheers!

Steampunk Alley

2010-10-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

Oliver B. is back--and it is good to be back--with a renewed joy today for fashion. Just when you thought you had grown up, done all your book reports for school, and put H.G. Wells on the bookshelf never to be looked at again, fashion said "Flams!"

Hopefully you all get the Victorian era references because that is the essence of steampunk fashion, although that term wasn't coined until 1979. Steampunk fashion has no set guidelines, but tends to synthesize modern styles influenced by the Victorian era. This may include gowns, corsets, petticoats and bustles; suits with vests, coats and spats; or military-inspired garments. Steampunk-influenced outfits will often be accented with a mixture of technological and period accessories: timepieces, parasols, goggles and ray guns.

This haute cant of togs is very much up my alley. Even though the Victorian era was about propriety and morality, there is something so S&M about the corsets, dark makeup, images of steam steam STEAM!! It's dark, it's edgy, it's sexual ... and I am excited that it has made its way to the forefront of fashion. Period clothing can be a very fun way to experiment with your style. You can acquire pieces from certain eras and give them the modern twist to make them relevant now.

Take a look at this woman's coat for example. Notice the buckle detail at the shoulder. I LOVE that! I have been on a hunt for a men's coat that looks like this for years. There's something simplistically complex about the design that I just adore.

And do I really need to say anything about this look? I am all about little touches like the buckles, the buttons, etc. that you just don't see often on garments. And my absolute favorite essential from the Victorian era is a cameo. The belt above has a cameo, and I have been on the hunt for cameo accessories: belts, rings, necklaces, whatever I can find. I did find this for you ladies out there:

Thanks to Holly for bringing this trend up. I think it is a wonderful lesson in style. Period pieces are a great way to add a uniquely personal touch to trendy fashions. I am personally a fan of the 60's retro look for men. I think it was a great era for men with wonderful tailored suits, vibrant colors, and cocktails! And you know that was my James Bond era as well ... enough said. So, some of my accessory choices such as hats and sunglasses reflect that era. I'm also a fan of the Victorian era for the details in the clothes ... so I am always on the hunt for a jacket with extra buckles, fabric pieces or odd zippers. So when I wear those pieces they reflect me because people see those details and say that's definitely something Oliver B. would wear.

And can we all just take a moment to admire these boots.

I just think these babies are on fire! That is the kind of boot that can only say one word: SEX. Notice all the little buckles and things on the boot. They're like little treats along the way. This is the boot of sex and fear and danger and signs that say "Do. Not. Enter." All my favorite things in life. Did anyone get that reference? Look to the hell my fans. The sex is in the heel ... lurking, hiding, stalking. Lesson learned.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Something's Got a Hold of Me ... Oh, It Must Be Leg!

2010-08-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

Jackie,

Thank you for sending in two very good questions. You know Oliver B. is always here to settle a fashion dispute ... especially one with such a longstanding tradition of being set in stone. It is my purpose in life to tear down such traditions, and shock the conscience of those traditionalists out there. That is not to say that I myself am not into traditions. My entire blog is dedicated to preserving a sense of tradition in fashion ... style must be timeless.

With that said, please tell your mother that pantyhose are not timeless style. They are relics of a far away time that for the most part should be forgotten. This is 2010 ... and in this time we do skin. I will not completely condemn pantyhose to a life in the garbage, but with all the creamy lotions, with their own built-in tanning shades, there is no reason to hide your legs behind tan fabrics 365 days of the year. It is perfectly ladylike to show bare legs nowadays. These days it's how much skin you show that makes you unladylike, not that you show any at all.

If she really starts to get on your nerves about the pantyhose, let her know that there was once a time when it was unladylike to not wear a corset. Would she like to try that on for size so she can be considered a lady in someone else's era? I don't think so. The damage to the rib cage alone would be a deterrent. Maybe she should embrace a new world of clothing where women dare to bare a little skin. There's no harm in it. My mother is 61 and even she doesn't wear pantyhose with a dress anymore ... and she's a charm school gal from a well-to-do family. Enough said.

So, in answer of your question: no you do not HAVE to wear pantyhose with a dress or skirt. If you have pantyhose that you CHOOSE to wear as your own personal style, that is fine. But there is no longer a requirement to wear them. Skin is in!

In answer to your second question I have one name for you: BEYONCE!!! We all know this woman is bootylicious and has curves for days. She knows how to dress those curves too. Take a tip from her lookbook: go old Hollywood glam, and don't be afraid to tailor the hell out of your clothes. The era Beyonce channels is an era where women's curves were celebrated. Thickness was beautiful ... the 40's and the 60's. Also look at Mad Men for style tips. These women accentuated their bodies and preserved an hourglass shape. Their clothing was dramatic and drew you in. These are my favorite decades for women's fashions. These were certainly glam eras: you don't hide your body; you flaunt it. Whether you're Marilyn Monroe celebrating a curvaceous figure, or Joan Crawford assaulting the screen with her broad shoulder pads ... they made their bodies heard. You must do the same.

But the one thing all these eras and women had in common: they tailored their garments well. Good tailoring cannot be overlooked. Whether it's just a pair of jeans or a cocktail dress, get in good with a great tailor and he will make you look stunning every time. When your clothes hug your body in just the right way, everything you think is wrong with your body is what you'll love looking at. Most designers all the way down to Target brand clothing are making their clothes a little more form-fitting so that they are bought with an almost tailored look to them. Even bargain stores are recognizing that a tighter fit just looks better.

I would also stress that you must ... and I mean MUST ... do more than just wear a pair of jeans and a tank top. Do something with it. Accessorize the look, add a pair of heels, maybe a short-cut leather jacket. Jeans, baggy t-shirt, and sneakers tend to accentuate the negatives of curvaceous figures.

Now that you have some new-found wisdom, I want to see you get out their and show those skinny bitches that stick is not a sexy figure. Now, let's go get a drink.

Here's to style, Jackie. Cheers!

Fall Forum ... Come one; come all!

2010-08-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. As we approach the fall season, I have decided to open up dialogue once again with everyone so that they can ask whatever question is on their minds about fall style.

I enjoyed the last open forum, and am hoping to find some inspiration in this one as well. As I have stated before, I am getting a little bored with fashion these days. It all looks the same now, and that wouldn't be so bad if the bulk of it looked halfway decent. Nowadays most people look sloppy and out of place. Then the rest are over trending themselves. Ugh I say!

So ... I am open to your questions, comments and/or outrageous objections about fall style.

Let's go!

Open Forum ...

2010-05-23T15:38:00.001-07:00

Okay ... Oliver B. has been away for a while. So sorry to those who actually read my blog and take in the knowledge. I have been seriously lacking in inspiration for fashion these days. People dress so tragically in South Florida. I'm amazed that even in 2010 this Night at the Roxbury look is considered fashionable. Ugh!!

A couple of weeks ago I was shopping with a friend, helping him create a new look for his new body. I walked him through a few stores and a few designers and gave my input on what would look best on him, and my tips for creating a "unique-to-you" look. That got me thinking: how many others have specific questions like he did on a particular look they are interested in?

So today I am making this post an open forum of discussion. You ask the fashion questions, and I will provide the style answers. No topic is off limits ... except whether flip flops are fashionable ... they aren't. EVER!!!! PERIOD!!!! ;-)

The door is open ... who's gonna step in? I await my visitors.

Here's to style. Cheers!

The Tell-Tale Smells ...

2010-03-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

Oliver B. is posting two blogs in one night. This particular blog is a special edition just for a special reader who asked a question that did provoke some thoughts within me.

The question asked was whether I had ever written a blog on scents in your home. While generally I would not comment on this in a blog, I did think to myself that the smell of your home can play a lot into your style. The daintier you are, the more likely that your home will have some flowery, powdery scent. Conversely, the more masculine you are, the funkier your home might smell. Have you ever noticed that even the cleanest man will have a "man smell" home? Never fails.

But Oliver B. is here to help the men pick out a scent that will not put their masculinity in jeopardy, but will at least allow a woman to walk into your home without immediately running away. I myself prefer the Meadows & Rain scent from Febreeze Air Effects. Why? Being a country boy, I like the smell of open fields and the way it smells during a rain ... that fresh smell of Meadows & Rain reminds me of my younger years. I'm allergic to chlorophyll (which makes plants green, so clearly it's everywhere) so I don't spend a lot of time in open fields like I used to as a kid. This smell is a memory refresher ... and with my apartment smelling like your everyday clean air, it doesn't call my gender into question. So, I would recommend something basic for men as a smell. The regular scent, or something that's rain, or plants, etc. Your home should basically smell like you opened the window and let the apartment take in the scents of the outshine environment (assuming the outside environment is natural and not big city garbage and urine). Lavender in a man's home is the quickest way to say I have a vagina actually. Do you have a vagina? You do if your home smells like lavender. I would also say that for fruits, flowers, powdery scents, and even the infamous Vanilla & Baking Febreeze Air Effects. Let the women have these scents ... you'll be fine without them.

I realize that many people don't use Febreeze, but rather prefer Neutra Air, Glade, etc. I do not advocate one product over the other. But, since I am familiar with Febreeze I use it as a reference. You can use any brand you like, just stick to the guidelines I have set forth.

I cannot stress enough to men that you must have some scent in your home. Trust me guys, we have gone nose-deaf to our smells after years of funk. By the time we got to high school, any chance we ever had of knowing how bad our rooms, apartments, homes, smell while living alone were gone. But they do smell ... badly. It's a fact. At least once a week, usually a Saturday, I open all the windows of my apartment and air out the place. Then after 24 hours of an air-out, I spray a little Febreeze in each room. While there are certain weeks I may have to give an extra spray mid-week, I find that this helps keep my place from smelling too much like a guy's apartment. It's hard to entertain (friends, Romans, countrymen, etc.) with a funky apartment, so you should always have your special scent ready for the occasion.

Remember that a stylish man is not a perfect man, but a prepared man. Go get your scent and be prepared.

Here's to great smelling homes. Cheers!

The Ghosts of Old Hollywood Return ... Again ...

2010-03-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

As I opened my March issue of Vogue, I came across this marvelous Dior ad. I have always been a fan of Christian Dior. And now I'm even more of a fan because of these ads. Oliver B. has been truly starved of beauty in the recent issues of many fashion magazines. Everything has become so futuristic, cold, structural ... mechanical. Where is the beauty? I need beauty! And now I have it. Just look at this wonderful ad from Dior. It is definitely a blast from Hollywood's past. A wonderful throwback to old Hollywood glamor. If you pay attention to the ad the model is styles a lot like Lauren Bacall.

What I enjoy about this ad is a reminder of femininity that used to exist in our world. Don't get my wrong, I'm all about Sasha being Fierce, and divas being the female version of a hustler, and women who want to play a LoveGame or two, but I also enjoy some feminine glam. The days where a woman had class and sophistication, and a grace that today you may only find in black-and-white films. I miss that in women. I am grateful that the fashion houses are ready to celebrate glamor again ... and beauty. I was starting to see too much glamor and not enough drama. Oliver B. needs drama!

Christian Dior is not the only house celebrating Old Hollywood. Armani has an ad featuring beautiful long pants, reminiscent of Katharine Hepburn (who made women wearing pants fashionable at a time when all women wore dresses. St. John also has a little black dress that screams Meet me later for drinks, Mr. Gable. The list goes on ... the March Vogue issue is filled with beautiful clothes that scream of an era where women were women, and men were men. It's amazing how far we fell during our revolution of fashion, and how quickly we retreat every few years to old Hollywood to remind ourselves that we still need those beautiful dramatic garments of a oft-forgotten era.

If you ever need an example of the retreat, just look at several of the gowns worn by the stars at this year's Academy Awards. The sharp lines of last season's couture have been shaved down to curves. Now we want clothes that tell a story rather than summarize one. Didn't those sharp lines just seem to cut you off mid-sentence when describing them? I miss details, and gaudy jewelry that was offensively large. Insult me with your bold & beautiful wares ... I can take it.

Here's to style ... and to Old Hollywood. Cheers!

Santa, baby, hurry down the runway tonight ...

2009-12-22T17:03:00.000-08:00

Oliver B. is back for the holidays and ready to help some of the men enter the new year with a mindset to jazz up their wardrobe. That's right, get your pencils ready and your calculators going for those fabulous gift cards you’re gonna give for Christmas. Yes, I said gift cards. Don't be afraid to give people what they actually want for Christmas: no chance of standing in line at the Returns counter. HA!

Give the gift of fashion this year ... it's good for the soul, you know.

My January 2010 GQ issue has arrived and I have torn threw it to find the upcoming trends and the ways to jazz up a wardrobe with pieces that you can recirculate through the years in your closet collection. The new year is about thinking outside of the box. It's about color coordinating to the extreme ... mixing a red polo shirt with a fuchsia polo sweater, or teal with aqua blue. Something bold and eye-catching. Vibrant. Surprising. NEW! Delicious.

Perhaps you're an office worker and don't have the free hours to go that bold and vibrant. Not a problem. In an officescape defined by bland cubicles and by-the-books colleagues, you can still do something to get noticed. GQ is sharing how you can bring some life to your business wardrobe. And of course Oliver B. is here to add in a hint of long-term style to the suggestions.

First, sport a plaid pocket square. Where is it written that the pocket square has to be plain old white? Try a patterned handkerchief into your jacket. An perhaps you can try one with a very rough texture (think burlap).

Second, discover our lost friend, the sweet and round BROWN. Wearing a black belt with black shoes is kind of like whispering; you'll never speak out of turn, but you'll never be heard, either. Now, a brown belt with brown shoes? That's a statement--loud and proud. Be sure to choose muted colors around that brown option. A nice grey suit, navy shirt look. Something that makes brown the star immediately as you look at it. You can't make brown a star when the entire cast is all brown. Think about that the next time you match from head to toe.

Third, recharge your dress shirt. A brightly colored shirt can work at the office. You just need to be sure that the style of the shirt is traditional, and if you have to wear a tie, think dark. Again, the shirt is the star, so the ensemble cast should fade into the background. Let the color do all the talking. I'm a personal fan of blue, maybe even hunter green. But these colors work with my skin tone and eye color. Be sure if you go for a bold color it is a color that will look nice on your skin tone or with your eye color. Just because you wear a style doesn't always make it the style for you. Remember that style reflects you ... so check the mirror once in a while.

Fourth, get the modern briefcase. Offered by everyone from Louis Vuitton to Banana Republic (a favorite of mine), the modern briefcase--in canvas or textured leather--makes a mature alternative to the messenger bag. It also doesn't throw off the sleek, slim lines of your wardrobe. A clumsy briefcase will damage the aesthetic look of your new style.

Fifth, get some hardware. Consider wearing accessories that anchor your look with some heft: solid frames, sturdy cuffs, a slim steel watch. You don't have to wear them all at the same time (remember Coco Chanel's teachings on accessorizing). You just want accessories that reach out and slap passersby in the face and say "notice me!" If you can get people to focus on that accessory and miss the rest of your look, you've done it. I really love the solid frames. It's very 60's (my favorite era) and it brings up images of the hot nerd (who is amazingly in style right now as THE arm accessory ... thank you Emo fashionistas for aiding in that wave of appreciation).

Finally, understand the power of three. A three-piece suit is nothing to shy away from. For many years, we all felt that it might be a little too dressy for the regular workday. Not so anymore. Once the jacket comes off in the morning, the wardrobe is still sharp. Don't knock it until you've tried it. And the one great thing I love about the vest is it adds extra buttons to your wardrobe. I love buttons ... especially when they're being undone at the end of the day ... or during it. Your call ;-)

To summarize GQ's newest issue, I have written a little song for you all to convey the lessons of the day, with a couple of extra suggestions I found in the magazine that I liked. It's my special holiday gift to the readers who keep coming back time and time again for the sporadic rantings of a visionary striving each day to make people as beautiful as the world they live in. So, for your reading pleasure, I give you "Santa Baby" Oliver B.-style:

Santa baby, slip a plaid square under the tree, for me
I've been a real voguish guy
Santa baby, and hurry down the runway tonight

Santa baby, a Prada belt and Salvatore shoe, brown hue
I'll sit on the front row
Santa baby, and hurry down the runway tonight

Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the bright dress shirts you must enlist
Next year I could be oh so GQ
If you'd check off my Christmas list

Santa honey, I want a Vuitton briefcase
Don't make that face
I've been an angel all year
Santa baby, and hurry down the runway tonight

Santa cutie, there's one thing I really do need, accessories
Cartier cuff links will do
Santa baby, and hurry down the runway tonight

Santa baby, and fill my fashions with three-piece suits, to boot
Check out how sharp it looks
Santa baby, and hurry down the runway tonight

Come and groom me up please Jamie
With some moisturizer from L'homme Healthy
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in 'mani

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring
On a brand new smartphone
Santa baby, and hurry down the runway tonight

Hurry down the runway tonight
Hurry down the runway tonight

Here's to style. Cheers!

Wow & Forever

2009-10-19T17:01:00.000-07:00

Oliver B. here and there's nothing I love more than the fall season. Aside from the fact that I love cold weather, I also love the fashions of the fall. I always go for a sweater, long pants, scarves, hats, coats, etc. It's very easy to be sexy in the summer time where you show a little here and there. But to be just as sexy (if not sexier) in head-to-toe clothing ... now that is something to envy. Today's blog will focus on the overall picture I see in this season's fashion choices. Some of you may not be ready for it but you'll just have to bend over and take it like any of my other prisoners. Here goes ...

The theme I think is best to describe this fall season is passion. It is not a complete novelty to think of heat and fire in the fall, is it? But, that's what this season is all about. "Fall's palette paints nails with drama, as accessory to the season's perfectly polished fashion. Vivid pinks and violets. Darkest cobalt and emerald. Warm reds. Rich nudes. A passion for color." (Colección de España by OPI) And there could be no truer statement of the fall trends. In it's continuing run through the seasons, color is still the main staple. Often, especially in the colder seasons, our fashionistas retreat to blacks and greys and whites, and shy away from a bold and mesmerizing color. This would be a mistake. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO DRAW ATTENTION!!

I have seen a vibrant violet Gucci suit, to a rich plum Calvin Klein ad, to a bursting pink from Tommy Hilfiger, neon colors on Chanel couture, and let's not forget about the patent leather shockingly bright flats from Coach. All of it beautiful and really spruces up the dreary season. No more of this earth tone look in the fall. Stop matching the leaves as they fall. There's something inherently optimistic about a vibrant color, and Lord knows we all could use a touch of optimism these days.

Are we losing our confidence people? Every fashion magazine I have read lately from InStyle to Harper's Bazaar has some statement that wearing a certain look will bring you confidence. NO NO NO NONONONONONONO. Confidence should never come from your clothes. It should always come from you and you alone. You must never let the clothes wear you. And as a practical matter why should you base your confidence on items that will be out of fashion in a matter of months? Does confidence have an expiration date? Really?

My tips this blog come from Michelle Obama's wardrobe. Take a cue from our lovely First Lady whose unstuffy style is just the kind of optimism I want to see not just on the catwalk, but on the sidewalk as well ...

1) Bursting with color, a clean-line coat that comes to the knee makes a tasteful statement.

2) The new business chic swaps restrained suit jackets for spirited sweaters, often belted.

3) Anyone can pull off juicy tones, as long as they're worn with confidence (not worn to get confidence)

4) The knee-length silhouette may be simple, but the fabrics are quite the opposite: rich brocades, nubby tweeds, and dazzling metallics. Instead of offsetting the skirt's sumptuousness, play it up with a bright belt or an embellished sweater.

5) Pearl chokers are the jeans of the jewelry world--they go with absolutely everything.

6) Wide belts give definition to boxy jackets and unstructured cardigans.

7) A cluster of oversize brooches adds oomph to classic blazers.

8) A pair of low heels in snakeskin or metallic leather are in step with any occasion.

All of these tips are simple and fashionsteady, not fashionforward. Remember that you must always have a proper foundation to build a house on. Too many times I see perfectly good looks destroyed by a simple crack in the foundation like overaccessorizing. It doesn't have to be you. Learn the lessons.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Ties ... Ties, Ties, Ties ... For Career Boys

2009-10-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

It's Wednesday people ... and Oliver B. is back with another edition of "Ugly Tie Wednesday." For those of you just tuning in, Ugly Tie Wednesday is a little fun competition between the guys at work. They each come to work on Wednesday in an ugly tie, and one lucky man is chosen as the winner of the week with the ugliest tie. Each week there ends up being a discussion about at least one tie that we view as salvageable. So, as your window to the fashion world, I have taken it upon myself to not only show you the contestants in the ugly tie competition, but to give you a brief fashion lesson to show you how some of these ties are actually fashion forward. I am all about reusing what's in your closet if you can. Many fashions do get recycled, FYI.

Now, without further delay, I give you the contestants...

This week I was not able to select a tie to win. I have placed my top two as tie #3 and tie #6. Tie #3 is ugly for ugly sake. It's a tie that was just made ugly. Tie #6, however, seems to be a tie with such a subtle and demur design that until you walk up on it, you don't realize just how hideous it is. It has depth to it in its ugliness. So who wins? The tie that IS ugly, or the tie you have to discover is ugly? I'm going to let you all decide on that.

This week I have selected my savable tie as tie #5. It's beautiful, and yet was very controversial this week. Nearly all the men felt that the tie was ugly and should have won. Silly men ...

The fact is that this tie is the most fashion forward tie that has been worn on Ugly Tie Wednesday to date. I'm talking so fashion forward that the concept is in the Spring 2010 fashion lines. Collections like Robert Geller, Chanel, and Ralph Lauren are boasting very hot bright colors in their collections. Even LovetoKnow.com for men's fashion recommends jewel tones for men with darker hair. This tie is a perfect piece to add to your wardrobe. I think the key to remember is that you either make that tie the star attraction, or you go so big with the color that it's a subtle addition. You can always play up the looks I have included from the Spring 2010 collections. However, if you are not the type to really experiment in bold colors, you could always dress the tie with a nice white blazer, or a normal color, just in a shiny fabric. Versace has a white two-button blazer with honeycomb jacquard texture that is perfect for this tie. Take a look ...

Fashion has gone too severe lately. There is far too much black, grey, and white being presented on the runway. There's only so much you can do with that. It is time to brighten up again, and boy have the designers done that! I am wow'd at how well designers have taken seemingly loud and tacky colors, and have designed their pieces in a way that you forget what color you are looking at. It could just be that we have been so focused on dark colors that this extreme seems like the normal way to go. Who knows ... or cares?

Anywho, that tie is my pick of the week to save from an undeserved label of ugly. And to think this tie was found for only $4. You never know what treasures you stumble on.

In the end, I hope you all take away from this posting that bright colors are in season. While it may not be the right style for you, it is a fashion piece worth pulling into your seasonal trends. I give this splash of color ... this "transcendently psychedelic" beauty ... Oliver B. Styles' stamp of approval. Definitely vogue!

Here's to style. Cheers!

Ugly Is In The Ties Of The Holders

2009-09-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

It's a new week, and Oliver B. is presenting this week's Ugly Tie Wednesday. As I said last week, my coworkers have decided to wear ugly ties on Wednesdays, and have a little contest on who has the ugliest tie. This week the participants were going for goal, and some succeeded in presenting truly ugly (and non-salvageable) ties. Let's take a look at our contestants individually ...

Now, each week I will be posting the contestants of Ugly Tie Wednesday, and I will let my readers choose which tie is the ugliest, and indicate which ties can be saved and used in fashionable looks. I will be making my picks as well.

So, this week, the winner is the black background, loud print tie. If you all can see it, the pattern looks like stained-glass windows on churches. It is hideous. I was appalled at what I saw in person. I would suggest a runner up (should the winner not be able to fulfill his duties in the championship competition that we will have later) as the paint splotch tie. It looks like paint just fell on it ... I hate it.

I do think at least one tie can be saved. That would be the brown skinny tie (which looks like an all black tie, but it was actually brown). That tie is a relic of the 60's and 70's, but it has made a comeback on the fashion scene (I've seen it in more Hamptons America styles like Ralph Lauren). Some garments are less about the fabric and more about the overall textures. If you're wearing a lot of smooth lines, this rough, woven tie provides a great texture contrast. You should only do this with one piece in the wardrobe, whether it is a tie or a sweater vest, but not both. Mix it up a bit ... integrate textures. I personally liked that tie, and would wear it, so it's not an ugly tie.

And this my friends is the Ugly Tie Wednesday contest. Feel free to add your input and make your selections on the winners and savers. I will be sharing your thoughts with my coworkers each week. So, be sure to check back here every Wednesday for the latest entries. Oh God, I'm actually supporting ugly ties on my blog ... I need a drink.

Here's to style. Cheers!

All Dressed Up In Love ...

2009-09-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

I have been watching the Sex and the City movie over and over again lately, and listening to the song at the end, "All Dressed Up In Love." I have really taken to the song, and I hadn't realized why until today.

As I was reading a sex book (I also keep myself abreast of sexual discussions) it finally hit me why I have been enjoying the song so much. How you present yourself to the world has an enormous effect on how you're perceived by others. Creating a positive personal image that reflects who you are will help you make an engaging impression that attracts the kinds of people into your life that you want to attract. I have decided to call this being "all dressed up in love." It plays perfectly with love and friendship, and fits with the words of the song, and the description used by Carrie in the movie. Let's discuss this ...

This image is a combination of physical appearance and mental attitude. The two need to work together in order to be successful, so learning how to make your outside appearance match your inner personality is the key to creating a winning overall image. Your clothes are a reflection of YOUR tastes and interests, so use them to create the proper first impression. You want people to see you in your clothes, not see some guy or girl wearing nice clothes; you wear the clothes, they don't wear you. You pay enough for them ... they should be under your control haha.

Just remember that confidence and self-esteem are very important fashion accessories. Having a perfect body, handsome face, and stylish wardrobe may get you a lot of attention, but if there's nothing behind all that glitz and glamor, no one is gonna hang around for long. Do you want the people in your life to fade out as quickly as the trendy fashions you use to lure them in?

Dressing yourself up in love starts with figuring out who you are. This takes that scary procedure we all try to avoid: self-examination. It's easy to be like everyone else, but being yourself--being unique--is ultimately going to be much more satisfying after all the torture you go through to get there.

Your best look comes from attitude. The most attractive quality in a stylish man or woman is confidence. A person who is confident and projects an air of happiness and satisfaction is always wearing THE sexy "it" item. If you walk around looking and acting angry or frightened or nervous, people are going to sense it and stay away. If you adopt a condescending or rude attitude, no one is going to want to be with you because, after all, just what could someone with a bad attitude have to offer? The person who is confident will have style in the bag. Nothing is more vogue than a content person.

So, get out there and be the very best you that you can be. It begins with asking yourself who are you. Let the answer (along with my other style tips) lead you to YOUR look.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Let's Play a LookGame: Sack or Salvage?

2009-09-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

Oliver B. here with a special survey for my readers. I have been issued a challenge: turn a seemingly ugly tie into a fashion item. Can it be done? I think so, but I'm curious at what others are thinking.

SO, my office is doing an "Ugly Tie Wednesday" thing every week. This week was the first official week of it. There are two ties competing for the prize of ugliest of the week. Take a look below:

Now, I have stated that I feel the one on the left is the ugliest tie. Here's my thinking: the purple tie on the right is a salvageable tie; the one on the left should just be burned on general principles. There was heavy disagreement by the owner of the purple, who fervently advocated his cause for having the ugliest tie. I still think his tie can be made into a fashionable item of clothing. Here's how ...

Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Lanvin, and more have posted recent runway shows featuring these looks. So, from what I gather of the runway shows, ties like the purple tie (which is a great shade of purple FYI ... purple being the new hot color tie to wear in the political world) are fine to wear, and to offset the lime green polka dots on the tie, you should wear a more dark, charcoal, black, or midnight blue color. I always say that you should pick one item of clothing to be the star of the outfit. In this case it would have to be the tie. What you do is play down the rest of your look in order to present the tie as the featured item. I think with a little inspiration from the above looks, the tie will pull off fine in social settings. I wouldn't recommend it for a professional look (unless you work in fashion or public relations or something along those trendy lines) but it's definitely something I would allow in public.

Now that you've seen the ties, and have had a chance to look at my research, the question is which tie do you find the ugliest, and do you think the purple tie is salvageable for trendy fashions?

The new trends are all about splashes of loud colors--bright, vibrant, shocking colors. We have spent many years trying to avoid bright colors as horrible in fashion. The walls are coming down people: you can wear white after labor day, florals in winter, metal accessories in spring, jewel tones are all over the place (no longer reserved for jewelry), bigger is better, and loud is the best volume ;-)

Here's to style. Cheers!

Je Cherche Une Femme ... Une Femme Française

2009-09-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

Okay my fans ... a new blog is coming your way. I was talking to a woman today who is making a trip to France, and wants to look as fashionable as possible. That is certainly understandable since Paris is one of the fashion capitals of the world. It is home to some of the greatest design houses of our time: Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermés, Christian Lacroix, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Louboutin to name a few. But what do you expect from a country which considers fashion a national issue?

The expression haute couture is, in France, a legally protected name, guaranteeing certain quality standards. French couture is regulated by an industry governing body, the Fédération

française de la couture, du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode created in 1973, which itself consists of the Chambre Syndicale de la mode masculine (men's fashion), the Chambre syndicale du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode (ready-to-wear) and the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture (high fashion), the latter having been created in 1868. The Federation also has a fashion school, the Ecole de la chambre syndicale de la couture parisienne (created in 1928).

Now that you have a slight history lesson, back to the topic: French fashions. This blog will be dedicated to finding great style for a French vacation. Let's begin ...

Trends:

I think first I should get the trendy stuff out of the way. While you all know I am a fan of classic and timeless style, as I have said many times before you should always have some trendy pieces to mix with your classics. Never forget that trends are not bad, they just aren't worth investing too much of your money. For trendy pieces I would suggest H&M, and even Zara. These are two very trendy stores where you can find the latest fashions at the best prices. Take a look at this French street fashion look ... the vest and the shoes are both Zara items.

This is a head-to-toe example of trendy French fashion ... sexy, rocker, bohemian, with just a touch of sophistication. Want to see more ...

And there you have trendy street fashions. Pick out things you like and start looking for them.

On to classics ... I don't have the time to go into every detail of French style, so rather than photos, I will simply state a few helpful hints.

Here are my top ten tips for choosing classic styles:

1) Chunky jewelry is always vogue.

2) Hats are a must ... think Diana Vreeland, "Hats, Hats, Hats for career girls ... "

3) Don't forget a scarf.

4) A beautiful man is a hot accessory.

5) Fashion reflects everyone; style reflects you.

6) Casual luxury is a way of life in France.

7) A good handbag can make or break your outfit.

8) A men's tuxedo shirt can have so many possibilities.

9) A red lip (that doesn't look hookerish) can jazz up a dark-colored outfit.

10) No outfit is complete without a key accessory: confidence.

If you follow these tips, I am sure you will find a style that will serve you well in France, and even here in the U.S. Chic is a universal language, so brush up on it.

Of course you know that this is not every detail of French fashion, but it is enough to jumpstart you on your way. I always like to be a guide for fashion, not a dictator. I would also recommend that you be prepared to purchase some items in France that you expect to keep a long time. Chanel is timeless, and always stylish. Christain Louboutin has stunning stiletto shoes. Make sure you don't get knockoffs. Christian Louboutin shoes have a signature red bottom that is trademarked. That's just in case you run into a hustle man like we have here in the U.S. haha. And you MUST visit Dior as well.

SO ... go forth and be fabulous.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Hobbled Couture

2009-08-08T16:56:00.000-07:00

Oliver B. here, revitalized and renewed, and ready to get back to what I enjoy most: discovering beauty. Ever checked out the new music artist on the scene, Lady Gaga? If so, you have obviously seen the outrageous fashions--well, perhaps it's better to say costumes--she wears. She is rave chic all the way, and artistically couture down to the shoes. She has been seen wearing tuxedo tails and panties, or a dress made out of bubbles. She is a walking art sculpture, and a testament to why I say fashion is beautiful . . . it is art.

I have been wanting to write a blog about her for some time, but never could get going on a full discussion as she was brand new. I wanted to wait to see what she had to offer in terms of long-term fashion sense. Today she has proven that she is an icon in her own right. She has outdone herself in her new video, "Paparazzi," where she wears a gold armor outfit with crutches, and hobbles down the red carpet.

Aside from the obvious humor, there is an amazingly artful beauty in that scene. Imagine that you are the photographer for a high fashion photoshoot, and Lady Gaga is your model. Take some shots of her hobbling down the red carpet. Doesn't she have that broken down doll look that is so coveted on America's Next Top Model? Throughout the entire video she is in outfits that any average person off the street would call a costume. And of course they would hate what she has on. I love it! She is a cross of Joan Crawford, Alexis Carrington ("Dynasty" reference for those of you who never watched it), maybe even a little Yves Saint Laurent thrown in their as well, and then just a splash of club kid. If you are a fashion lover, then you will love her. I find her music does tend to take a backseat to her clothes though. I almost view her videos as a runway for what she wears rather than a video to promote her music. Am I the only one that feels that way? I do enjoy her music, though. I just find that her clothes are so bold and in your face that her music can't keep up. That's amazing to me that one of her arts can't keep up with the other, and yet both are ahead of the game.

I have to say that I find her looks, her videos, her music, all beautiful. They are creative. She touches on the past, reflects the present, and assaults us with the future. And audiences everywhere want more. In that sense, I suppose you can say she's timeless. I think of her as a new Madonna, a prime example of postmodernism. I can't wait to see what she does in the future.

Now I do understand that most of you out there are wondering why I'd ever create an entire article on Lady Gaga's fashion choices when clearly haute couture is not meant to move from the catwalk to the sidewalk. But, what I find so beautiful about her is the adventure in her choices. She isn't afraid to go overboard. And perhaps that's the lesson I have failed to impart on my readers. I always just tell everyone I love a certain style like chunky jewelry; I also remind you of Coco Chanel's rule to remove one accessory before you leave the house. I never just stated, only implied, that going big is great.

It is so much easier to subtract rather than add. In that respect, we can all extract a catwalk/sidewalk tip: go big or go home. Never be afraid to go for a look. Maybe it'll work, maybe it won't, but if you don't experiment you miss out.

Our lesson for today is this: fashion is a form of art, but it is fading. What keeps art moving is the discussion of the artists out there, and encouraging those provocative artists that revitalize the art world, and make you realize why you got interested in it in the first place.

So, Lady Gaga, "Just dress ... gonna be okay ..."

Here's to style. Cheers!

Dress To Be Undressed

2009-07-05T18:31:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I like to write a blog that covers just basic tips to start off your journey to style. Not everyone can be Oliver B. and born with an artistic gift in clothes. That doesn't mean you can't be taught about how to dress your best.

I was having a conversation the other day about modern styles (slutty dresses, sagging jeans, ultra skinny jeans on men, etc.) and how they just don't seem to work. I will go on record and say that most all styles out there in the fashion world are good. It's a matter of who is wearing the clothes and for what reason. Skinny jeans on a man are cool, but not when you are dressing in hip hop fashions ... it looks off. Yes ... I am specifically talking about you Washington, DC. GET IT TOGETHER!!! If you are going more for the artsy, intellectual, alternative fashion realm, the skinny jeans are gonna work on a guy. That is because the jeans are a bit girly, and that style has a sort of androgynous quality to it.

So, during the conversation we talked about how certain styles don't work. I argued that all styles work if they are properly done. So, I gave my top tip for a successful wardrobe: dress to be undressed. It's very simple and works in every style. If you dress everyday as if you want someone to want to undress you, you have style down cold. If you are of the urban hip hop style, then when you sag your jeans, you want them to sit just off your ass. Sagging puts your ass on display, so you want it to look it's best. It should be toned, firm, and paired with fitting briefs or boxer briefs. That way, when you walk down the street, your future significant other will see you and say to himself/herself, "Wow, he looks so good from behind, I wonder how good he looks in the front when he's out of those clothes." Get the tip now??

And this works for goths, preps, anyone. Sex sells, and sexy comes in all styles. It's your job to find your style, and then use it to attract. Most of my friends always hear me say I always wear clothes that I don't expect to wear for long. The clothes cling to what it should, hide what it should, and draw attention to areas I think you should look at ;-). That's what it's all about people.

To wrap this tip up, just remember that style is a life choice. You find mates this way, jobs, friends, etc., or you don't find them because of what you project through your clothing choices. What do you want your life to be? Choose wisely, and dress like you love yourself enough to put your best look forward.

Here's to style. Cheers!!

GQ Euro? Hello Mein Lieber Herr ... ;-)

2009-05-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

Oliver B. back again with a live model blog. I love it when the opportunity just appears in front of me to show you how easy it is to be stylish. There's no reason to go out and buy thousands of dollars in couture. The things you have in your closet that you aren't sure about can work sometimes. Once again, my blog is dedicated to men's style. But there is a lesson to be learned ladies. Style is beyond genders, races, sexual orientations, and so on. Haven't I always said I only discriminate on the traits that are mutable ... like your clothes?

The model for today (He is German by the way, which is why I chose the German title. I thought a nice reference to "Cabaret" would be appropriate as well. I am not just about style, I am about culture. It will do each of you some good to learn a couple of musical references. ) demonstrates just a couple of things. Of course we have already talked about tailoring , so it's a given that the suit is properly tailored to fit his body. Today's blog will move to the tie.

The tie, if you noticed, is a much darker grey than the shirt, with pink diagonal stripes. My model was a bit concerned that perhaps the tie did not go with the suit and shirt. HA HA I say to that! We are in 2009 fashions folks. The rules be damned when it comes to matching ties. In fact, I think the trend nowadays is to do more of a complementing overall look, and throw in a contrasting tie. What I mean by contrasting is something that sets the tie apart from the suit. The suit is almost a background to the tie. That's what I want to see. Don't be afraid to buy bold ties. I don't mean neon; never attribute your neon crappy ties to my advice, or those crazy patterns of hearts and ducks and ish. But I do want to see rich reds, blues, greens. Men shouldn't be afraid of jewel-toned ties. Even this tie my model is wearing is bold. It really stands out against a light shirt, with a white collar, and a black suit. It jumps out at me. And when a tie jumps out, your eyes moves along it, from the face to ... well, you know where ties end ;-). You want to draw attention to the places that will benefit you best.

See, there's a pop in that look. It almost looks like it shouldn't be there. But it is, and I like it. You have to throw some caution to the wind people. Take from this the idea that you should have at least one piece of clothing or an accessory that stands out ... like a woman who wears a white suit with a pair of green pumps. Before you leave your house every day, see if there's one thing on you that could be a stand out article. In fact, I declare that to all who read my blog, the very next day after you read this should be a "Say Something Clothing" Day. All you have to do is pick up something you have that pops, and make it the star of your costume of the day (a little shoutout to Little Edie from Grey Gardens). The rest of your clothes need only coordinate with the star, be the backup dancers to the head showgirl. This will not only teach you not to be so afraid of color, but also how to complement your clothes, instead of worrying about matching. Matching is so over ... let it go.

The next thing I want to put out there is a little something I did at Barrister's Ball last year that I thought worked out well in execution. For those of you men who wear french-cuffed shirts, try to vary up your look by wearing the cuffs outside of your suit jacket. Let my model demonstrate:

Now when you take a look at my model, notice that the cuffs are moved to the outside. He doesn't have the cuff links in yet, so they aren't secured, but as you can see it compliments the white collar on his shirt well. Not a bad look if I do say so myself. I wouldn't show up in it in the courtroom of course. At least not in Georgia. You know how stuffy it is down there. But, in a more fashion-conscious workplace this would be nice.

So, what have we learned folks? We've learned that a good style tip is to pick an item of clothing and make it the star of the your costume. I have said before to try bold colors, but it can also be done with just a simple shift in your look. Something that just stands out. Bold is easy; I want you to work on this. It can be done by wearing black slacks, a black polo shirt, and a tan overshirt (remember Mr. Sheffield from "The Nanny"?). I used to have a corduroy one that went well with that look. It wasn't bright and in your face, but it looked great. Got it? Good. Don't be afraid to send me your style finds. If I see something I really like, I might just put you on the blog and let everyone know why I like what I see.

Now, get out there and get dressed. Here's to style. Cheers!

The "Costume of the Day" Look

2009-04-20T21:50:00.000-07:00

Oliver B. here, back in full force with another blog. My inspiration for tonight's blog is a brand new movie out that I just can't get off my mind.

Grey Gardens is a new movie out on HBO about the Edies--Big Edie and Little Edie. This is a great movie on the mother/daughter duo that stole our hearts and minds in a 1975 documentary. As the aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Onassis, these women made headlines when it was revealed that the one-time high society combo were now living in squalor, with mounds of garbage coating their dilapidated mansion in East Hampton. If you haven't seen either the original documentary or the new movie, you must see it. You've never seen anything like it.

But the most talked about thing in the movie is not exactly the Edies. Since the release of the 1975 documentary, Little Edie's fashion has been a hot topic. How a woman with nothing created such a beautiful, and creatively original style concept, still puts designers in awe to this day. A lot of the fashion that have hit the runway have been inspired by Grey Gardens.

Why? Just take a look at it. Start with the head wraps of Little Edie. She used sweaters, shirts, heavy towels, etc., and tied them with simple pins and a brooch. But the placement of the brooch,

and the way she pinned the scarf down without showing that it was pinned pulled off the look. The head wraps never moved on her head, but what you see is a simple tie. She was definitely good at presenting a good costume although underneath was quite a production.

Her clothes were very good. As many designers have stated, her clothes were combinations of different garments that she fashioned so well, you weren't sure of the numerous layers she was actually wearing. She was able to seamlessly blend patterns that, although contrasted, in the whole complimented each other to create a pretty beautiful look. As one costumer from the movie said, "Little Edie used what she had to make a very specific style for herself. We spent hours thinking about how she manipulates clothing. She is a genius draper of fabric. The things she wore on her head had a lot of weight -- sweater vests and heavy towels. How did she drape them so beautifully with only one pin? She also had this incredible sense of how to mix patterns. You would never know she had 10 pieces of clothing on."

Little Edie became quite an inspiration as you can tell from the many designers who were inspired by her. Designers such as Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Isaac Mizrahi, and even Nick Verreos from Project Runway owe her some credit for their designs. The sketch above is from Nick Verreos. Very bohemian, don't you think? There's a sad beauty behind the look. Through sheer necessity, she used what was on hand, but because she was a stylish woman, made it work as best as she could, and transformed herself into a daily character in her "costume."

I think the one lesson you should take from this is that style doesn't have to cost. Use what you've got. If you have an old brooch lying around, put it to use. Repurpose the things that are in your closet. You may be thinking they should be thrown out, but Little Edie would have an entire outfit from everything you'd throw away. Think about that the next time you go to the closet and think "I have nothing to wear."

Gentlemen's Couture ... Anything Women Can Wear, We Can Wear Better

2009-04-05T23:14:00.000-07:00

"Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you ... Anything you can be, I can be greater. Sooner or later, I'm greater than you."

Welcome back kids! Yes, I know. Oliver B. has been missing in action for quite some time. In my defense, fashion has really been predictable lately, and I haven't been as inspired as I usually am. Jewel tones are still hot; chunky jewelry is still hot; patent leather is still hot. I can only comment about it so much before I am as repetitive as the fashions are. So, I needed time to find my inspiration. I am happy to report that I have found it. I call it Gentlemen's Couture. It is the hautest trend going on right now. You've seen it on the Jonas Brothers (who I think are the best fashion forward males I have seen in a long time), and even Justin Timberlake (who has made the top ten most stylish list in the Bible, GQ). The classic styles of a GQ man, vamped up for the modern androgynous high fashion runways, and paraded on the sidewalks of urban cities. I love it! The more we blur the lines between the gender fashions, the better fashion becomes.

Just take a look at what's hitting the runways these days. Isn't it all fierce? The lines are clearly designed like women's clothing, but there is still a manly quality to it.

Just enough girl to be fashionable. I must say that the white jacket on the second model is right up my alley. And the bag on the last model is a glamour choice as well. Good stuff I tell you.

It is the modern male. The metrosexuals have paved the way for quality products in men's clothing. I remember the days when all we had were basic Levi's and suits. How the world has changed, huh? Now more and more lines are designing better clothing for men than women. Has the power shifted in fashion? Do the men dominate now? I have read in magazines such as Women's Wear Daily that more women are venturing to the men's sections of store for better bags, jewelry, and even clothes. The intricate details on clothes are found more in the men's lines than women's. I've notice that women's clothing is now bordering on the overly flashy, tacky, "Jersey" look I always hated. Poor women. Sucks to be you right now, right?

I guess that's all I really have for you right now. Just a quick little blog to let you all know I'm alive and keeping my eyes on the trends. But remember, my blogs are not about trendy, it's about stylish. I report a few flukes here and there that jump out at me, but overall I want my readers to learn what it means to have style, not be trendy. After all, fun fur was trendy once, but pearls are stylish. See the difference?

It's good to be back people. Here's to style. Cheers!

Mantyhose: An Interesting Frontier

2009-01-12T18:43:00.000-08:00

"Dude, I got a run in my mantyhose. Fuck!"

From construction workers to athletes and businessmen, the male populations have found a passion for pantyhose, claiming they wear the hosiery for support, comfort and aesthetic purposes. Luckily, there are now pairs made specifically for men so that they don't have to ravage their wives’ or girlfriends’ dressers to nestle into a pair of nylons.

According to an MSNBC article, European men have been sporting hose for several years, but the trend has been slow to catch on in the U.S. (It is important to note that the trend has no connection to men who wear hose to cross-dress, since they prefer to wear pairs that are more feminine.) The "mantyhose" is also part of a larger trend of nontraditional men's underwear designed to lift, sculpt and suck in that beer belly — from the "mirdle" (man-girdle) to Australian designer Equmen's Core Precision Undershirt, touted as the "Spanx for men." A small group of male pantyhose enthusiasts from America, Canada and Europe even set up a Web site, the U.K.-based e-mancipate.net, "to speed up the mainstreaming process of male pantyhose" for men all over the world.

I realize that many of you out there are a little taken by the fact that men are wearing hosiery, but I say get over it. For those of you who have been studying your fashion (and reading my blog), you are aware that the trend these days is to blur the lines of gender and sexuality. This is just another step in that direction. Let us not forget that there is man makeup, man bags, and so on. As we move further into a new day, more fashion trends such as this will come about. Whether you like it or not, mantyhose is here to stay.

What is my personal opinion on the subject? I don't like the idea of pantyhose on a man for any reason, support or not. Something just seems off to me about it. I am a James Bond kind of guy ... well-groomed, but still ready to whoop ass when necessary, and lacking in real sensitivity. James Bond don't do no damn mantyhose.

I will say though, if a man is going to wear mantyhose I would prefer that they look like these photos in them. The better you look in something, the more likely people are to forgive what you wear. I can certainly forgive nice legs like these. You should too.

The lesson we should all take from the mantyhose is again that fashion is a reflection of society and where it's headed. I have been saying for years that the future will blur the lines of sexuality and gender. Before long, those boundaries will be a thing of the past. Fashion is reflecting that by creating clothes that are can be worn by men or women. I think we should all just embrace the change, and help it along. That way, there's less of a chance that the blurring will be done badly. I have already seen mantyhose in purple, so there needs to be more fashion conscious people watching this trend to steer it in the right direction.

Here's to style. Cheers!

GQ-Suit-Lookin' Boy

2009-01-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

I am glad that everyone enjoyed my last blog with a live model. It was a new thing I thought I would try so that you can see the real deal fashion ... live and in person.

I have a new present for you: another live model. Unfortunately, it hasn't been a female yet, but I think we can all agree that men need the most work with clothes anyway. So, my roommate Michael will be my model today as I dredge up an old blog. We all remember my blog many months ago on finding the perfect suit for men.

In my September blog, "Most men's suits just don't suit me ...," I provided some simple rules to turn any man into a GQ man. At the time, I didn't include photos in all my blogs so that you could see what I'm talking about. Now, thanks to my model, I have something to show you all.

I just happened to be walking upstairs to my room when Michael walked out of his room to the bathroom to check out his suit. He recently purchased a suit at Bloomingdale's and had it tailored there. The suit caught my eye, and it was perfectly tailored for him. I was impressed. So much so that I snapped a couple of shots for a sequel blog.

To refresh your memory ( for those of you who will not go back to read the entire blog), here's a summary of the tips I gave:

1. Fabric

There are only three basic fabrics to choose from, so no need to go any farther unless you are an advanced dresser--wool, polyester, and cotton (yes, there are cotton suits being made).

2. Pants

The waistline of your pants needs to be at a comfortable fit. Pants should sit comfortably on the waist, just above the hips. As far as the hem of your pants, pant length should reach the heel in back and allow for a break in the front.

3. Shirt

The sleeve length needs to be exact. Stop wearing shirts too big for you. Remember that this is your "good suit." Everything should fit just right.

4. Jacket

The suit’s jacket needs to fit easily across your stomach in order to appear professional. It should not be overly tight, but rather allow for some play when the jacket is buttoned. A two-button suit is an American classic.

5. Colors

Black, charcoal, gray, midnight blue, brown, tan, slate, do you see where I'm going guys? These are colors that work. This suit must be multi-functional.

Now, taking all these tips as a whole, let's take a look at how it works in real practice. Here's Michael:

And here's to style. Cheers!

Diamonds are a bland girl's best friend.

2009-01-06T10:58:00.000-08:00

Inspired by a friend's recent engagement, and aversion to diamond engagement rings, I thought now would be a good time to address that. Spring will be coming soon enough, and marriage proposals will be the talk of the town. Why not get a jump on ideas now for that special someone in your life. I will be giving my top tips for finding an engagement ring.

Tip #1: Know Your Fiancee.

I would certainly say this is the first and most important tip I can give you. Is your fiancee a ring girl? Does she want an engagement ring, or a down payment on a house? I know this will shock many of you, but not every woman wants a ring. I know you may want to lock her down and make her your property by putting a nice stamp on her for all men to see. But, maybe ... just maybe ... what will make her stick around is knowing y'all will have a roof over your heads.

Tip #2: Diamonds Are Forever, But Not For Everyone

First, let me say I love diamonds. I think a flawless six carat rock will make me marry dang near anybody. However, diamonds are too typical people. Not every girl wants one. Know this now. Is your fiancee a diamond girl? Or is there another stone she always wears, or that she just finds more beautiful. I, personally, am a sapphire guy. Deep, blue, sapphires. I love them ... and I think they are the most gorgeous stone around. My mother loves garnets. So, in our cases, a diamond wouldn't work for us. Besides, I find diamonds a little tacky nowadays. They clash with most fashions, unless of course you dress like Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl every day. Do you? Well then, think of another stone. Diamonds are not the rarest stone around, so the price of them doesn't actually correspond to their supply.

Tip #3: Dare to Design

This is my favorite tip. If you really want to blow her mind when you present her with the ring, think about creating a ring that she's never seen before. Designing your own ring can be a great way to provide that unique touch to the ring that makes it that much more special to her when she gets it. A special tip from me to you is that I like to visit Van Cleef & Arpel's website to look at their engagement rings. They have a great selection of rings, and their designs are usually quite unique. I like to use them as a starting point and then add something more catered to my desires to the ring (in my head), and bam, you have an outstanding ring that is your own creation.

Take a look at this ring, the Couture. I love how it's designed to look like the diamond is like a button. Now, I am not a fan of the classic circle cut diamond, I like a rectangle more. So, my spin on this is to take the center diamond, make it a rectangle cut sapphire, raise it a little, and the loop can stay. It still looks like a button, but just a rectangular button. And the sapphire throws it off just enough to make you look again at the ring. It reminds me of this shirt I had once. It had wooden buttons to it...oak I think. it was so different than everyone else was wearing people talked about it the whole semester I wore it.

In this case, I think the diamonds really make the sapphire pop more once you see it together. But you get what I'm saying about a simple revamp. You can look at a number of rings to get ideas. Piece things together. Just don't do the pear-shaped diamond with a gold band. It looks hideous, and there's a reason Carrie threw up when she saw it on Sex and the City. I would too.

Tip #4: Befriend a Jeweler

If you're looking to save a little money, it might be nice to get to know a jeweler now who can make you your creation at a fraction of the cost. You can buy the stones wholesale at a much cheaper price (allowing you to get bigger stones wink wink), and even take your old gold jewelry (or platinum, whatever) and have the jeweler melt it down to make the band. There, you can have a gorgeous ring made that doesn't break the bank. I do have a jeweler in my back pocket should I ever lose my mind and go the marriage route. I have a design in mind, I can get the stones cheap, and I'm sure I can swing a good price on the white gold needed for the band.

Any of you can do it. My brother took my mother's old gold jewelry--that had broken but she never threw away--and had it melted down. He bought a garnet stone (her favorite, and had a ring made up of all her old jewelry. She loves that ring and wears it all the time. She'll tell anyone about how her son made a ring for her out of her old jewelry. And I will admit the design of the ring is great for her ... exactly her taste. The same thing can be done for your fiancee. Go for it.

Tip #5: Men get engaged too!

That's right. It ain't all about you honey. Men are on the other side of the engagement, and sometimes they want a ring too. Sometimes, more so than the woman does.

This tip is really just to make you all aware that it is okay to ask the guy to marry you. And if you do, give the boy a freaking ring. Don't ask him to marry you then demand he go out and spend thousands on a ring for you. Get him something! Nowadays, men's engagement rings are become a common thing. They are truly more unique than a woman's ring. Take a look at this one I found:

Not bad, huh? Certainly an interesting way to go. Break with tradition. Put your stamp on that man. Hell, the gays have been putting engagement rings on men for a while now. Don't let them have all the fun. Besides, maybe a nice engagement ring will get the guy to stop wearing his tacky class ring all the time. Those things are ugly ... just ugly. They are bulky, ugly, and should be kept in the box it came in. I hate those things, and men buy them as big as they can get, don't they? That's a whole other tangent I shouldn't get on. Let's just say putting that ring on HIS finger instead is a cost saver, and takes care of several accessory problems he may have. It's win-win.

LOL ... here's to style people. Cheers!

A special gift to my readers ... thanks for visiting my page.

2008-12-26T23:10:00.000-08:00

This posting is a milestone for me. This is the first time I have ever done a blog using a live model to demonstrate the look. I’m excited about this one.

What I have done is put together the latest trend for men’s style … and I have a great model to put it together. Each picture is a piece by piece aid in pulling off the look.

This look has graced everyone from Justin Timberlake, to Zac Efron, to Pete Doherty, and so on. Lots of celebrity men have tried this messy chic look, and it’s a good look. I highly recommend it as a fallback look for an evening out. Now, you at home can make it yourself with just a little bit of advice from Oliver B. Styles. So, let’s get started putting this together.

The first thing you should start with is a pair of jeans. Black jeans with a bit of gray bleaching have been used here, but explore whatever color you like. This is strictly the basics here. You will also need a contrasting shirt. We have a very light gray shirt to contrast against the black. If you have light blue jeans, maybe a dark shirt. Don’t forget a belt. My model is wearing a very simple belt. With the look completed the belt will draw your attention to the crotch … which is where you want the attention sometimes ;-).

Now we can throw in the vest.
Notice that the vest doesn’t match perfectly with the jeans. It isn’t supposed to. Remember that fashion is no longer about matching. It’s about complimenting pieces that create an overall look. Write that down.
We are on to the tie. The tie is important. It makes the look more evening. Without the tie, it’s more of a casual day outfit. You want to tie a single Windsor knot to the tie, and leave it hanging. It must hang just at your shirt’s opening. The shirt should have the top button and the next under it undone. So tie your tie to that point. It should look like you were wearing the shirt and tie all day, done perfectly, and are now undoing it a bit to relax on your way out. If it helps you to get it right to do the shirt and tie completely, then relax it a bit, then go for it. I'm much more meticulous about things so I am pretty good at making things look sloppy without starting off correctly. But if that's not you, start clean, and work your way into the mess.

Ah, the 60’s! Dean Martin, martinis, and terrific hats. This hat is classic:In fact, I saw Sean Connery wearing this hat in “From Russia with Love,” and a similar one in "Goldfinger." To take this 60’s classic to the 00’s, cock it to the side, or wear it more up to the back of your head ... kind of like Boy George used to wear his hats in the 80's (yes, that is back, I promise you). My model demonstrates the cocked to the side look. I find that the "cool guy" (whatever that means) wears the hat cocked. The more artistic, sensitive at times guy, will wear it in back like Boy George. Don't knock it either way, it looks good.

Alright, accessories. You know I love accessories. Because this is a more rock, celebrity look, this is rock accessories that break my general rules of over accessorizing. You will need a nice watch, and rings. Take a look at my examples:

My model is wearing a Guess watch, and for a semi-expensive good watch, I recommend them for the men. The rings have been strategically placed on his hands. I am not aware of what store they came from, but you can find this style of rings even in kiosks in an airport, so don't worry about the search. Any guy who has rings will have some of these stashed away from his cool Lorenzo Lamas biker fantasy he had when he bought the things. I have three. That would be the way to do them. Yes, I am that particular about the placement of the rings. He had on another one and I made him take it off because it didn’t look right. Anyone who knows me knows I am meticulous, even about the unorganized look ... I know, I'm anal. I can't help that, but I can help you look less sloppy.

To finish it off, there are shoe options.

The top is the dress shoe and the bottom is a biker boot. If you are going to an evening party, use the dress shoes, and tuck in the shirt. If you’re going to something more casual, like a night out at a bar, try the boots and untuck the shirt. My model is going with the tucked version, so dress shoes it is. And there, you have a stylish, and versatile, look.
Simple, isn't it? Most of this stuff can be found in the average guy's closet, and he has no clue the treasures in there. Instead he always picks up a dorky t-shirt and torn jeans for every occasion.

And there, my first blog with a live model is done. Let’s all thank my model for his participation in my blog. Does it look good?

Damn, I'm good. Here's to style. Cheers!

House of Deréon/Deréon: Two different fashions. Don't get it twisted.

2008-11-26T20:51:00.000-08:00

Like many of you fashionable people out there, I have not been a fan of Deréon clothes. You know them when you see them. Flashy, ghetto fab clothes on the racks of stores like Macy's or Dillard's, or your local ghetto fashions store. I hate it. I find it tacky, and a waste of child labor.

But what I was made aware of recently is that there are two separate lines with the name Deréon. There is the House of Deréon, which is run by Beyonce and her mother Tina. Those clothes I can actually appreciate. The line are nice. It's a good combination of the 40's, 70's and modern era. This is the right line to look too. Of course there are a few mistakes, like the lace dress, but overall they are brand new in the fashion world, and every designer makes mistakes. If you want proof, look at Ugly Betty. You've seen her clothes, right? It's a known fact that all of her clothes are designer couture. The stylist for the show intentionally finds the ugliest pieces of designer collections for Betty. Yeah ... so I can certainly forgive a lace dress from a newcomer.

The other line, the one people are most familiar with, is Deréon. I don't like this line.

This is the tacky, flash-filled disastrous line. I was interested to find out that Beyonce extended this line in collaboration with her sister, Solange. Why am I not surprised by this? That child's taste does lean more towards the ghetto fabulous, and slightly "scoochie," as Jamila calls it, styles. She just doesn't have Beyonce's more polished appearance. That is a shame because I would say Solange is more high fashion than Beyonce in her looks. Beyonce is typically beautiful. Solange has a beauty through several flaws ... which is a recipe for high fashion modeling. But lord her taste in clothes do not match up. And she proves with her own line of clothing with Deréon. Most of it is a hot tacky mess.

So, that is pretty much the extent of this blog. I wanted to make clear that my ban against the clothing line is directed at Deréon, not House of Deréon. That does work smoothly with my feelings of the two leaders of both lines. I find Beyonce to be a classic, and yet innovative dresser, and her line follows suit. Solange is a hot mess, and her line follows. So, if you have the money, check out House of Deréon.

Here's to style. Cheers!

All Sizes Do Not Fit One

2008-11-24T14:36:00.000-08:00

Meet Thom Browne ... fashion designer/anarchist. I say anarchist because what he is doing to fashion is not innovative by any means in my book. It is an overthrow of the most basic ideas of style. And the fashion community is eating it up. His suits have even attracted the attention of "The Bible." Yes, y'all ... GQ has now featured him in their latest issue. Not only did I find his suits featured as a hot new item, His suit even appeared in a section of the magazine where they photograph everyday people walking around. So, there is at least one person in the world who walked down the street in this ill-fitted suit with no socks. What is wrong with this picture?

I am all for revolutionizing style, and creating new and interesting looks. But this is a suit that in no way fits a man's body. High-hemmed pants, tightly-tailored jackets. You're spending thousands of dollars to look like you grew and extra foot or so overnight. Remember the movie "Big"? This is what it looks like summarized in clothing. I don't get it.

Is this what we've come to now? The only way to be creative in fashion is to look as tacky and unpolished as you can possibly manage. It is one thing to play with gender roles in clothes, it is quite another to cram yourself into a Steve Urkel's pants.

I will compliment his choices as far as the overall look. If you look at some of his clothes that have hit the runway, they are very creative, and I love the overall look. I would certainly find his suits more appealing if they just fit the body better.

This look with the half-cut jacket is very good. That is artistic and creative: the pants become the rest of the suit jacket. That is something worth parading on runway. But Pee Wee Herman cuts for clothing? Shouldn't be vogue. And yet, the fashion world eats it up. I guess fashion has been so deadly safe for years to the point where anything shocking is gold, even if it's the wrong kind of shocking.

Well, welcome to Thom Browne's high-hemmed suits. They have gone from catwalk to sidewalk. I just hope they stay off my block.

Here's to style. Cheers!

The Best Suit You Can Afford: A Birthday Suit!

2008-11-19T14:17:00.000-08:00

I was talking to Courtenay the other day, and she brought up an old memory from law school that inspired me for this blog. Courtenay, Nnena, and I teamed up for a calendar to raise money for a student organization. We went with more fashionable photos, with lots of skin. It looked great. Courtenay brought up the idea of turning it into a business rather than practicing law. That's not an entirely bad idea. The "Birthday Suit," as it is often called, is far more photographed these days than clothing. Do we all recall the Abercrombie & Fitch catalog? Was there ever an actual article of clothing on anybody in that catalog? I don't remember.

So, the question of the day is this: has fashion lessened the old adage "Less is more" to the point where naked or near-naked is what's selling the clothes? I'm starting to think so. Editorials are more about skin now. It stands out so much more sometimes. And, let's be honest, it's just nice looking at an undressed beautiful body isn't it?

I am seriously rolling around the idea of a calendar business. Some skin here, some fun there, some money everywhere. It could work. I could even use the photos as attention grabbers for an image consulting business. Wouldn't you want to know more about a company advertised by hot nakedness? lol

I have seen some great photos taken ... very artistic, and barely any clothing involved. But, it's still high fashion photography. I could get down with a business revolving around looking good, and talking people out of their clothes. Not a bad life at all.

To be serious for a moment, the human body is a thing of beauty all by itself. Man or woman. So often people don't appreciate their own au naturale appearance. We cover up everything we don't like about our bodies with clothing. That's not the point of clothes people! The point of clothes is to enhance what you already have. Let's not use it to hide what we don't like. We should feel sexy naked and sexier clothed.

Try an exercise I like to do daily. After you get out of the shower, and dry off, take a look at yourself. Yes ... butt-booty naked. Just take a look. From head to toe. I want you to find something on your body that you usually overlook and compliment it. I don't care if it's a kneecap, a fold, a nook, or a cranny ... just compliment it. Do that daily. Rather than criticize what you don't like, turn it into a positive. And for each body part, think about what clothes you want to wear for the day to make that part look or feel sexy to you. Believe me, there are certain parts of your body that no one will see in your clothes, but that part will feel sexy to you in that outfit. If it doesn't, it's the wrong outfit, or you need a new wardrobe. Now that's a new spin on "less is more." The less you criticize your body, the more confidence you'll have in it, and the better you'll feel about yourself.

Confidence in the best look on anyone.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Give and Take: How Sharing Ideas Can Help Your Style

2008-11-12T13:12:00.000-08:00

Like many of you out there I keep a Facebook page. It is loaded with law school friends, college friends, high school friends, hometown friends, and so on. It's collection of people I've come across in my life. It's where I can share my ideas, and receive new ones, all in a centralized location.

A few days back, I posted an interesting Note about shunning those with different ideas than you. Several people provided their input, and today it struck me about how that discussion relates to fashion. In an ideal world, we enjoy different viewpoints, ideologies, and tastes coming together, and through the sharing of our individualism with other people, we come to understanding. We each grow as a better person, and that would eventually spread through the world. Well, that's the ideal. Why not bring that same growth to your wardrobe?

Have you ever thought about being around people with different styles than you? Is there someone in your clique that loves the rocker look? How about a preppy? Someone who always dresses too sexy? Someone classic? Someone "All-American?" What do you all think about the clothes each other wears? Do you like them, love them, envy them, hate them? Have you ever tried to take that friend's style, and work it into your own?

Let's try a little experiment. Think about the people in your life and what they wear. Now, think about why they wear certain clothes or accessories. Can you take their ideas of what's fashionable, and weave it into your own looks? How about an example ...

Take a person who is a Gap, Old Navy, all the way. Say she has a goth friend, a Vogue, trendy friend, and a sexy scantily dressed friend. Goths love dark clothing and makeup, and a lot of metal accessories. A Vogue girl is bit French, European prêt-à-porter. And of course the sexy friend tries to show a lot more skin. So what can the Gap take away from these friends? How about this:

I personally love a nice oversized, gaudy ring. This Vampiress ring works nice with the following look that combines a bit of the other friends:

What do you know, Gap has some European inspired clothes. This dress is quite trendy these days, and it has that Gap conservative, cover a lot up, design with the sexy show some skin flair. But, because the Gap girl is a conservative dresser, she can wear the stocking or leggings so that she doesn't feel too exposed with skin. Pair it all up with a chunky shoe like the ones above (I said chunky, not ugly...there's a difference), and you've got a look. And for those of you a little more daring with Goth, go for a dark shade of fingernail polish ... even black. I wouldn't go for black lipstick, but a deep shade, and a strong smokey eye could work. It's a bit daring, but it combines the best of all the looks into one finished, fabulous look. In fact, your friends should have some of those pieces for their own looks, so you all could swap pieces, and combine. There is fashionable goth, so don't give me that line.

What do you think? And all you had to do was open your mind to the possibility of someone else's ideas ... funny how easy and beneficial that is to do.

As I have said before fashion is a reflection of society. Don't you want your society to be a mesh of all things and, from the collective, achieve greatness? It can only be done by an open sharing of ideas, and a respect for the differences you have. I'm not saying embrace the differences, but work with them. Respect is something greater than tolerance. If I can do it with clothes, it can be done with people. A lesson not to let this country turn into GAP people, huh?

Here's to style. Cheers!

The Color Purple

2008-11-03T20:30:00.000-08:00

"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it." — Shug Avery

Well, for the fall fashion season, the designers have taken Shug's advice and made sure that everyone notices the color purple. Traditionally, the fall season is a time for subdued colors. This is a time for rust-colored orange, browns, yellows, reds. Colors that blend in with the autumn scenery. Well, for fall 2008, we don't blend, we stand out and overpower. Welcome to a new day.

New York fashion designers have shifted from the usual dull autumn hues, and opted for more bright, exciting colors. What's the No. 1 must have color for fall? Purple. A deep, rich royal purple jewel tone. This the "It" color on the fall runways. It's bold, exciting, vibrant, and breaks the norm for the season. I love it.

But the designers didn't stop there. Jewel tones are all over the place in a variety of bold colors. I'm much more fond of blue, but that's just me. So, get out there and pick up a few pieces and mix it up. This year is not about muted shades. You want to stand out.

And, to help you out with what to buy -- now that you know the colors you need -- here are a few of the style trends for fall:

1. Tailored blouses tucked into high-waisted pants or skirts

2. The layered look

3. Jackets are longer this season

4. Long trench coat

5. Flashy jewelry -- the big, gaudy, chunky kind that draws attention to your face. (Don't overdo this trend. Mix subtle pieces with larger pieces. Take a look at Women's Wear Daily for examples of the chunky jewelry. Just remember that you should only have a piece or two that are bold. The rest should serve as a background.)

6. Belts are bigger

7. An oversize, patent leather purse

Any of these styles can incorporate the new colors. But never do all trends together. That is just tacky. Be sure to mix the old with the new, the flashy with the subtle, and so on.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Pink Posse? Think Pu**y

2008-10-22T22:55:00.000-07:00

The Pink shirt ... the most tragic piece of fashion to ever come off the lines at any sweat shop in Honduras. I mean these kids work for $0.45 a hour, can't they at least be proud of what they're making? Why, oh why did this color have to show up for a grown man?

As many of you know, I have a serious grievance against any grown man wearing pink. Actually, I would say after 13 (when boys and girls start actually start developing serious differences....namely hair growth) a male should no longer have feminine colors in his wardrobe like this. Pink, light yellow, light purple, general pastels and Easter colors....NO NO NO!

I understand that manhood is being redefined, and softer man is coming to life. But seriously guys, do you have to be so soft you move into limp-wristedly flaccid? Yeah....I said it. I had to make up a whole new word to describe this crap. And it's not just this shade of pink that must go....all shades (salmon, whatever you call it to convince yourself you aren't wearing pink). I have heard everyone try to justify a man wearing this color. Let it go. That dog just ain't gonna hunt folks.

People ... get it together. Let us find other shades of color in our wardrobe. Even the hottest man will not make this look good. Because really, when you see a hot guy in a pink shirt, are you saying he looks good in that shirt, or that he just looks good, OR that he would look good without that pink shirt on ... he should take that off? Yeah I thought so.

I am taking a stand on this like I took a stand on flip-flops. This isn't fashion. It isn't style. It's just plain tragic. I will not condone pink on a grown man. I will not Sam I am. At the end of the day it looks like Japanese baby doll fashion. And if any of you have seen that, you will understand why I target pink wearers. It's no different in my eyes. It's okay when you're young and don't know any better. But at a certain age, you let childish things go. The problem with our society now is that we are holding onto it. 30 and 40 year old men still play video games. They still go to clubs to pick up "chicks" or "hot girls." It's a reflection of how pathetic and juvenile men have become. They continue to be Peter Pan...forever a child. Their clothes even reflect it. Where are men? Throw down your pink shirts, join the grown-up world. Maybe if we're all lucky, the other childish things men continue to do in older ages will fall behind too.

Every once in a while I relate a fashion concept to societal norms. Bare with me. Eventually you'll find that clothing reflects society. And in some cases, dictates it. Take a look back at history and you'll see it for yourself. So, bare with me when my commentary dives into a societal piece.

A toast: to leaving behind childish ways. Starting with pink shirts. I'll definitely drink to that.

Here's to style. Cheers!

It's Time for Time

2008-10-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

Word on the street is that watches may be the new "It" item in fashion.

"Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, Versace, and Roberto Cavalli have all introduced pricey new watches in the past two years, and brands like Dior and Chanel are expanding their watch divisions. "

Time pieces have been a neglected area of a person's look. You walk around and you see people wearing the latest trends, and it gets blindsided by a rubber watch that was clearly bought as an impulse buy at the registers of Wal-Mart or Target. You might as well be wearing a calculator watch, or one of those tacky hip hop, multicolored watches that are way too pricey to be that ugly.

If you flip through your latest fashion magazines, you will find a lot more editorials for watches. And as you have read above, the major fashion houses are even jumping on the watch bandwagon. So, this blog is gonna give you my top picks for watches, tips on when to wear them, and tips on which watches go with what style. Trust me when I say a watch isn't a constant accessory. I have two, and you don't always see me wearing either one of them. There are times when you can just leave it at home. You have a cell phone, don't you? You will always know what time it is. But if you are the type to need to wear a watch....here's how to do it with style.

MEN:

My top picks for watches are the kind that are so simple looking that they stand out when you look at them versus flashy. The Lange 1 by A. Lange & Söhne is a nice piece. It's simple, yet very sleek, fresh ... certainly vogue. This is the kind of watch that can be worn in business, and in pleasure. It is a very grey color...so be on the lookout for what you pair it with. A nice navy, black, or grey suit can be nice. And those colors are not bad at all for a business casual look either. Now if you're a brown shoes kind of guy, you can go with Breguet. Apparently Napoleon Bonaparte was once a client of this watch company (Established in 1775). The model 5327BA is a nice brown leather band and gold watch. It would compliment any uptown style that you can wear brown leather shoes with. Now if go completely casual and trendy....the Cartier Roadster is a great little find. This a sleek, and yet playful watch.

Very casual. outside of businesswear, this could polish any look...even shabby chic. Let's be honest, if you aren't wearing something that most can't afford, how will they ever know you're better than them? Oh, and if you are like me and you wear rings, or necklaces, or even wrist cuffs....no watch. Even men can overaccessorize. Unless you are in a band...keep the accessories to only two. A ring and watch, a cuff and necklace, etc. no cuff with a watch....EVER.

WOMEN:

For women, the styles choices are a bit different, so rather than tell you exactly what to buy, I will have to explain what to look for in a watch. For a business suit, you want something simple, small, and almost undetectable on your wrist. Try not to wear something with a link wristband. Leather bands are your friends with a suit. For a more business casual look, or your uptown wears, try a link band watch.Or for a more posh look, try a larger face watch...maybe jeweled a bit. And really only recommend a bracelet style watch with a below the knee skirt, or long pants (palazzo -esque pants..something with room...very Katherine Hepburn). It's much classier, and adds that appropriate feminine touch. There is no formal wear....NONE...that I can recommend a watch for ladies. NONE. Let it go. If you're in formal wear, your watch for the night should be on your date's wrist. You're not Cinderella...you don't need to be that aware of time in that situation. A good tip for finding these styles is DKNY. They have an assortment across the spectrum of watches to fit your needs. And DKNY is much more affordbale than Chanel, which would be my haute choice.

Now I know these choices are quite expensive. Remember that you can always find similar styles for a lesser price if they are out of your range. The point of this is for you to better understand what looks good and what doesn't. Just because it's A style, doesn't mean it is THE style.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Victor / Victoria: Fall 2008 Menswear

2008-10-01T19:02:00.000-07:00

IT HAS FINALLY HAPPENED. It started with CK One, the unisex fragrance. Then, with the American embrace of Euro club fashions, we entered a land where men could share clothes with their woman. We let metrosexuality take over. It has all come down to the final assimilation of masculinity into the feminine world.

Welcome to the newest in men's fashion -- women's fashion transposed onto men. Check out the Fall 2008 Menwear Magazine. You will find a wonderful article on the latest fall wears for men. These lovely pieces include a beautifully detailed Versace shearling and leather coat, cashmere scarves, rug-embroidered hoods that resemble a woman's wrap, and a Prada Trench with a very a neckline that is only suited to show off a woman's cleavage.

I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised by it. Then again, the whole point of a collection is to shock a bit. This year, the hottest trend in women's fashion is Menswear. Women are wearing menswear-inspired fashions. What's good for the goose is good for the gander, right? So, here we are. Men are wearing Womenswear.

This season, Fendi has even sent their men out on the runway with purses and clutches. Fashion has gone to the women. And I actually like it. Don't think I'm crazy. I don't like the pieces that have been created, but I do think it's time to move in this direction. There are some things in Womenswear that I have wanted to see translated to menswear. Let's take a little looksie, shall we?

Do you love it? I do. I'm not a fan of the fur so much. But I can live it. The overall message is that fashion can cross genders. Gender really is an illusion most times. It should be with clothes. I am certainly enjoying the new lines.

Many of you will probably say the new styles have gone too far. For shame! Embrace these looks. You don not have to repeat them exactly. But don't be afraid that something looks "too girly" for you to wear. A strong man can pull this off flawlessly. Are you man enough to fem it up? I say we toast to the success of the gender-bending menswear, and hope it continues to the look I've envisioned for years.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Men: Commit This to Memory!

2008-09-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

The October 2008 issue of GQ magazine (I prefer to call it the Bible, so be aware as posts go on) is now out. In it I have found a very good article. that all men need to pay attention to. GQ has issued 66 rules, tips, and secrets for living -- and looking -- like a civilized man.

I agree with the article that society in general, and manhood specifically, has been casual-ified. Some of the new rules have their place in a modern world. But as you know, I am classic on many things. We have left behind tradition, and put in its place Abercrombie & Fitch, and Blackberries. Meaning, we live by the Internet (not people), and expensive ragged clothes. Am I the only one confused here? What happened to basic human decency. Whether it is clothes, etiquette, or whatever, the gentleman should still be present. Those ugly butch lezzie feminists have stolen the GQ man. It's time for him to make a new appearance. Below I have included what I think are the most central words about style from this article. Men, pay attention.

No.3 Find A Signature Scent

If you have an everyday scent, people will start to register you invisibly -- and more important, remember you. Get a couple of samples and test-drive them for a day. The right one will make people enjoying being near you. Once you have selected the one scent, master its application. You want a single short spray on the top of each forearm, one on the neck, and one down the back of the shirt (before you button up, pull the collar back and aim downward). Play with it until you get it right.

No.7 The Dating Man

Be decent about your one-night stands. You don't have to date her or even see her again, but you do have to take her call. And if she wants to hang out and you don't, you have to man up and tell her the truth ... as gently as you can. And don't then call her the next week at 1 am looking for round two. I think the lesson here should be to just be upfront about your intentions. Game is a limp dicked man's security blanket. Direct honesty works a lot better. If you want her for one night, make it clear.

No.19 Lose the Novelty Drawers

Your underpants shouldn't be funny. They shouldn't have jokes on them. They shouldn't have been "cool in college."

No.54 Locker Room

You have to be at least partially clothes to strike up a conversation in the locker room.

No.55 Plane, Train, and Automobile ... Trips

Getting on a plane isn't an excuse to look like a schlub. Dress comfortably but stylishly. No Sweatpants. No Flip-flops.

That was a just a taste of what GQ is offering this month. I suggest that every man pick up a copy and read through it. It has great tips on how to be comfortably stylish, how to break up, the must-haves of gentleman's style. Specifically, there's a piece on the right watch. I told you all to think Bond. There are some vintage-inspired watches that are very Goldfinger, or Dr. No.

Here's to style. Cheers!

From the Catwalk to the Sidewalk: How High-End Fashion Influences Your Low-End Prêt-à-Porter

2008-09-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

If you're Kimora Lee Simmons, the cast of "Gossip Girl," or even Anna Wintour, you know the best place in the world to be is New York City when Fashion Week starts. Why? It is the premiere event for fashion. And you will probably never go.

Most people will never get into a show in their lifetime. They can't afford the clothes, nor would they wear them in public if they ever could afford them. So, your question is probably why you should care about fashion. You, the average, everyday man or woman, has been inspired by most of the pieces on the runways. You didn't know it

Whether it's the hot "It" items, or the trendy color, or the trendy design, you will find that it trickles its way down to the more affordable stores. Have you been to H & M lately? What about Old Navy? Forever 21 perhaps? I know ... Target? Yes, well thank those overpaid designers like Poenza Schouler and Issac Mizrahi for the fashionable (and affordable) clothes on your back right now.

Meet the Proenza Schouler blouse for Fall 2008:

Nice, isn't it? This blouse will run about $600. Would you wear it on the street though? Probably not. So, how do you take this little number to the sidewalk?

Now, as a personal style tip, I don't care for the bows on shirts. The bow has become a staple on the runway this year. If you're a bow girl, go for it. If you want something a little different, tie it like a regular men's tie ... with a double Windsor knot. It's a little bigger, but it will be a risk worth me looking at.

Let's try something else a little harder to take from the runway. Have any of you seen the Dolce & Gabbana Metal corset?

Very couture, right? Well, let's assume that you can afford this lovely item. How would you wear it? I think this is a perfect item for cocktail hour, or a night out on the town. Definitely Evening kind of wear. Try mixing it into this style below for a little added edginess to your wardrobe. This is just a simple dress, and all the accessories you can match up at a local department store. On a cooler evening, I would get a nice trench, very slim and thin fabric, leave it untied, and put the corset over it as a belt. Just play with the look.

I will tell you the greatest, and easiest secret to turning runway fashions into expressway fashions. Listen closely. Never wear an entire runway look. Take the overall message of the fashions. If metal is in...find some metal accessories and add them to your wardrobe. If the new color is purple, then find a purple blouse, or purple jewelry, or something like that. The point of the runway in your everyday clothes is influence, not completely imitation. You should be picking bits an pieces of the runway into your clothes.

Here's a photo from this year's Fashion Week. Now stop for a minute and think about what she's wearing. It looks nice on a runway, but who would look just as good walking down the street in it? I think no one. So, how do we fix it? See that vest? Wear it. But here's what you do differently. Take a good pair of black heels, find a white t-shirt that is much smaller, and pull off that look. Get your hair in a low ponytail, and find some dangling earrings. A black chunky bracelet and a skull rocker ring wouldn't hurt the look either. See? That wasn't so bad.

This one was a fairly easy try, but I want to you to get in the habit of looking at clothes as pieces, not an entire look. It is not an entire look until you have it on your body, and it looks good. Got it? Think you can do it with something a little harder? Let's give it another try.

Remember what I said. Stop. Take a look at the entire outfit. Now, break it down piece by piece. Find what works and what doesn't. Then, think about why certain pieces don't work. What makes them inappropriate for everyday wear. Now, can you fix those problems? Hint: the answer is almost always yes, so don't automatically dismiss an outfit. That's a fashion coward.

Did you find everything you needed? Let's see. So, you stopped and took a look at the clothes, right? What did you see?

Wrong! Here's what you should have taken from this photo. First, if you notice, all the girls are wearing jewel tones. That is big this season. Did you see the Emmy Awards last night. Many women were wearing these colors. There's your first style choice. Secondly, you should have noticed that all colors were mixed with black and gold, which should help you find the right accessories. And patent leather ... the shoes, the bags, the belts. Love it. Wear it. Look great with it. And all the garments show the neckline, not the cleavage. This season is a bare neck and shoulders. These are the best parts of woman, and should be on display because it's them last parts to go if they look good on you. I'd even venture to suggest the ankle boots. It's a more French style, but it is all over the runway and the sidewalk. Short skirts, legging, both paired with ankle boots. Get used to it. It has been coming harder and harder since the Devil Wears Prada. The one below is Miu Miu, patent leather. They're from 2007, but patent leather hasn't made its way out yet, so you're still good.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Timeless Styles: What You Should Know?

2008-09-17T15:53:00.001-07:00

Tonight's blog is on timeless styles. What are they? How should people wear them? Fashion is not an exact science in all aspects. There are certain things that one can do in order to always be in style.

So, below you will find my style must-haves that will turn any of you into a timeless fashionista.

1. Jeans

Yes, jeans. Ladies and Gentlemen, these are here to stay. The idea of jeans began all the way back in the 16th century, so it is clear they aren't going anywhere anytime soon. They hit their height of popularity beginning in the 1950s, but they have been around for quite some time. Now, we have them in any different styles, fabrics, colors. They are fabulous. And they are a timeless pant.

The way you should wear them is where we divide trendy with timeless. YOUR JEANS SHOULD FIT!!! A good pair of jeans should hug a woman's curves comfortably, but not tightly. Think Valentino here ladies. Valentino gowns caress a woman like a man's hand. Your jeans should do no less. I am a fond believer in the straight leg as a staple in your closet. They can be paired off with many styles of shoes. So, in the jeans department ladies, you should find a pair of jeans that fit at your actual waist (low rise will not be timeless), that break at the bottom just right, and that hug your body just right. With that said, understand that not every wash, or cut, will fit you and look great. You should be able to stand and sit wearing them, and still be comfortable. It's a hard task, I know. But, the reward is the perfect jean that will always be in your closet waiting to jazz up any outfit you create for the occasion.

Men, jeans should be at your waist as well. Our waist for jeans should be at the beginning of our love line ... that V just below the belly button. Your jeans Should sit right on your ass, comfortably, and without moving once you are dressed. So, YOUR JEANS SHOULD FIT TOO!!! For those of you unaware, sagging is believed to have originated in prison. Prisoners are not allowed to wear belts for fear of hanging themselves, etc. So, their clothes sag. This is the more pleasant explanation of sagging, linked to why men equate this style with being "hard." The reality of the trend is, or at least has been thought to be the reality is, that sagging was used by the prison bitches so that they weren't caught fucking. When you sag in prison (where many don't have underwear to wear), your ass is exposed just underneath your shirt. You can easily lift that shirt up, presenting your ass for your "husband," and he can go to town on you. If a guard walks by, your husband can easily dismount, and you both can be on your way without anyone being the wiser since you didn't have to adjust any of your clothing. Stop being bitches men. Pull your pants back up, get a pair that fit (not 8 sizes larger than you), and let's go from their. A classic pair of Levi's on a man can't be sexier.

2. Accessories

I have said it over and over again. Accessories make an outfit. Now, this area is a little tricky because accessories do follow trends. However, there are some must-haves that you can always fall back on any decade, and be alright.

Women:

You will always need a string of pearls. I tend to recommend the longer strands of pearls that can be wrapped several times, or tied, or just worn long. They are more versatile than the shorter strands. Pearls are classic, and will always be a glamor choice. They can go elegant, trendy, day, night, and so on. You will need to do your homework on pearls to make sure you select properly. But, like the jeans, once you have them ... they will be used for years to come.

Men:

You will always need a watch. There should always be a watch in your dresser that isn't flashy, but is sophisticated, and masculine. Think Movado ... A James Bond style of watch.

3. The Little Black Dress

That's right. A woman should always have a little black dress that is fit for a funeral, a night out, or a night in ;-). Coco Chanel created this little number, but it is something that every woman should have in her closet. It's all all-purpose fashion, and when you have the right one ... timeless. The trick to this one though is to buy it thinking ahead. You should be able to wear it now, and have it be altered later if necessary. So, your little black dress should not be that little. It should be a grown woman's dress. Not meant for street trash. I cannot stress that enough ... the highest it should go is just above the knee. Strict adherence to this rule should be observed. You might want this dress to go with your pearls, so have that in mind when selecting both.

4. The Perfect Suit

Please see my previous blog about this guys. It is a must-have for every man.

5. Matching Personality

For my final must-have for timeless style, I recommend that you understand your personality, and the vibe you put out in the world. Your clothes should reflect who you are. If you are an elegant person, you won't pull off the rocker look. So, don't try it.

My suggestion for both men and women is to sit down, flip through a few catalogs and fashion magazines, and really think about the person you want to project to the world. There is no one look for everyone. Even the staples I mentioned above have variations depending on the person. So, your must-have is to have a personality that matches your style. Risky fashions look out of place on a reserved person, and reserved fashions look wrong on a person who always takes risks. If you aren't the type for the clothes, be careful of wearing it. You make your look.

These are my best must-haves for timeless fashions. Each of the above items are what I recommend that we all have in our closet, regardless of what style you like, your body type, whatever.

I understand that this blog may be a little vague to you, and may not answer every question you have. You have to understand that personal style is just that. It is hard to write a general blog geared toward such a case-by-case issue. My blogs are meant to guide you in the right direction. I want you to think about what I have suggested, and do the work it takes to learn more. I hope to be a consultant one day on this type of thing so that you can each come to me individually. That way, I can go into a more detailed analysis of your personal needs, and help you more. For now, you will all have to do with taking my suggestions broadly, and using them to guide you specifically.

Here's to style. Cheers!

NO ... WIRE ... HANGERS ... EVER!!!! Let's just use models instead.

2008-09-17T15:53:00.000-07:00

As soon as the idea of this blog was presented to me, that little line from the extremely campy movie, Mommie Dearest, came to mind. And I think it is the most appropriate title for this blog.

I was asked the other day my opinion as a "fashionista" on the super skinny model phenomenon. Why do designers want such emaciated women walking down the runway in their clothes? Why is walking death so chic? In a word? Hangers ... that's the key.

There are a few out there who would suggest that it is more cost effective to have slender models because you would use a lot less fabric to make the sample garment, thereby cutting down the cost of making the initial outfit for the fashion show. Granted, that is true. But, in the long run, when you are creating a gown that you plan to price at thousands of dollars above it's actual production costs, an extra square inch of fabric will not matter so much that the entire industry has to embrace the concept.

No, what we are talking about with this trend is simply a presentation of the clothes. Models are supposed to be hangers. Put this image in your mind: clothes shopping in a department store. What do you do when you see a dress you like. You take it in front of a mirror, on its hanger, and you put it up against your body. Then you visualize what it would look like on your body. That's the model's job. She is supposed to walk down the runway as if a walking hanger with a dress on it. You visualize yourself in the outfit. That's why the clothes on the runway tend to drape on the model's body. When it's on a hanger, there's no form to it. You, as the buyer, are the form. You have to want to be in the clothes. Sometimes when you see a model filling out an outfit, you start telling yourself that you can't wear it. It's couture ladies! It is meant to be made to fit.

Many designers, former model Iman as well, have stated that models are simply human

hangers. They are not supposed to stand out at all. They are meaningless. Fashion is about the clothes, and the model's job is to do all that is possible to make the clothes the centerpiece. What do you notice when Beyonce wears a gown? You notice Beyonce, right? You also notice her gown, but you are focused on her hourglass figure in that gown. When you see a skinny model on the runway, what do you notice? You notice her clothes, then you notice she's a skinny ass model. See the difference? A model with a body makes you notice her first, clothes second. A skinny model makes you notice the clothes first, then maybe her ... maybe. What do you think a clothing designer wants to get the first notice? Enough said.

Having explained that, I do want to make mention that this bone-thin look is not a fashion look. While there is a reason for emaciated models to become the "it" item for designers, it should not be the body type of all women. Somehow this look has infected the conscious of all women. No no no! You are not a hanger women. Get that out of your mind. Models need to be skinny because they need to be invisible. Clothing stands out the best when the body is a blank.

Do you want to be invisible in haute couture? Hell no! You want to be seen everywhere. You are the star attraction everyday. On the runway, only, is where the star must be the clothes. So, push that spotlight -hogging bitch out of your light, and eat something. John Mayer referred to Jenner Love Hewitt's body as a Wonderland. You've seen her body....it is not catwalk worthy. So if her body is wonderland with curves, why are you all aspiring to look like the ticket stub that men hold onto until they get into that park? Think about it ...

And as always: here's to style. Cheers!

Just A Quick Round of Applause

2008-09-15T17:56:00.000-07:00

Someone was saying today that America's Next Top Model needs to go. I had to wholeheartedly disagree with her. While we all have our little annoyances with Tyra Banks, I can't say I would want the show to go. The main reason, if I ever doubted the shows relevance to high fashion, haute couture modeling, is this photo from the second week:

Meet Lauren Brie. Last week, this girl was at the bottom of the pack with her photo. She just didn't quite have it yet. This week, after some coaching, she cranked out what has been dubbed by all of the judges as the best photo ever in ANTM history. And I would certainly agree. From the "broken arm" pose, to the angry attitude of her face, to the amazing position of her legs, this shot is platinum. I've never seen one like it before. This photo actually tops Eva's shot from Cycle 3, and you all know how much I loved Eva the Diva.

Regardless of Tyra Banks' consistency in making everything about herself, she is cranking out girls who bring some integrity back into modeling. She is bringing back the models who learned their industry, learned their craft, and excelled at it, rather than just look pretty and snort up everything you make. These girls are learning to be businesswomen. Even though their job is to look pretty, there's a difference in "model pretty" that most models don't understand, and that's why they continue to struggle for fame. Think of Tyra as the Mercer Law School of the fashion world. She is teaching these girls how to "practice" modeling so that they will hit the ground running. I have to respect that.

And the results? Just look above ... flawless!

Here's to style. Cheers!

(*** I do hope you notice that I drink a lot where fashion is concerned. It's just so stressful to teach you all to be stunning. Ah well, bottoms up.***)

Fashion: The Unacknowledged Candidate

2008-09-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

Well, it was brought to my attention that I needed to take a moment and comment on the styles of politicians ... or should I say, lack of style. Here goes.

It is true, most all politicians lack a sense of real style. They have PR people, hair people, makeup people, the works to look good to the public, and yet they rarely ever do. Men look drab and lifeless, and women look like....well Janet Reno with a little more makeup. That is not a happy day for me. I don't know about you, but I would like to see the leaders of my nation looking like they are worth the praise they get in their high offices. Just because you are helping to run a country doesn't mean you have an excuse to look awful.

Like it or not people, looks do matter. The perfect example is the Kennedy clan. I think many people in fashion will never forget the mark they left on what style meant in this country.

JFK and Jackie had style. The American people not only looked to them to be the first family of the United States, but also to show them what they should be wearing or doing. When Jackie redecorated the White House, every housewife in the country watched her tour of the new decor, and started begging their husbands to let them do the same in their homes. Men groomed themselves to be a JFK, and women did the same to be Jackie.

They were not only the ideal political family, they were the ideal for how political people should look: glamorous, stylish, classic, and warm. In the wake of our current presidential disaster, it has become even more apparent that we need to return to our warmer, more glamorous days before "The Hill" became a see of black, badly-fitted suits, heels that even a grandmother shouldn't wear, and choker-style pearls. Everyone looks like they are going to a funeral. Which might be why this country is dying--wrong state of mind. Just a thought ... think about it for second.

This has to change people. I'm not saying to throw out all black suits. I am simply suggesting that maybe it would be better to vary the look up. Mix a color in the rotation, accessorize better, and get suits that fit. I have already attacked the men in a blog about their unflattering suits. This blog should really move toward attacking the women and their drab leanings for clothes. Whether you are a female politician, or a politician's wife, please learn to carry yourselves better. Honestly, there are librarians who can put together a better outfit. And that's me being kind.

I'm sure many of you think that as a politician, Sarah Palin is a decent dresser. While I do applaud some of her pieces, on the whole she is a mess when you get down to the details. She looks like she puts her makeup on with a butterknife, her glasses make her face fat, that hairdo is done, and her shoe choices leave a lot to be said for her abilities in office. I am a firm believer that shoes make a person. They tell you a lot about the person. Her shoes are lazy ... which tells me that no only does she lay there in bed, but she may lay there in office too. Whatever the man says is the gospel. But what do you expect from a stereotypical pageant girl, right?

She is not all bad though. A few minor alterations to her wardrobe would spruce her up nicely. Her glasses need to be more square. That would slim down her face a little more. Right now, she looks a little pudgy. Of course, toning down that pageant makeup would be on my top list of things she should do. And I really need her to pick a hairstyle that doesn't look like she's about to be crowned by the reigning Miss Whatever. Oh, and the shoes. She has had some good days. This photo is a picture of a good day. She splashed a little style and femininity into her wardrobe. Where did she miss the boat? ACCESSORIES!! Yes. You know those are my mainstay in any wardrobe. The red shoes just look out of place on all that serious black. A simple tweak could have been a chunky bracelet in that red color, and she could have easily had a tailor line the suit jacket in that red, and make a slit in the back of the skirt lines with that red. OR, skip the bracelet, open the jacket to see the red lining and have a necklace with a red pendant on it. Little touches like that make the red less shocking. It's okay to mix colors, but they should have some place in what you're wearing. Don't just fling color anywhere.

Now, take a look at one of her disasters:

Now, what the hell is this? Everything about it says wrong. There's no salvaging this look. If you have any piece of it, throw it in the trash immediately and don't look back.

But now you see how with just a few tweaks of a decent wardrobe, you can go from drab on The Hill to fab on The Hill. It just takes a little effort, and a personal commitment to look as good as you want to feel. You know when I feel good about myself ... powerful, intelligent, confident, organized, and in charge of my own destiny? When I am well-groomed, and looking sharp. Clothes can make the woman. It's a morale booster.

Now, on to a politician's wife. We have Michelle Obama. I promise you I am not biased at all about political parties. I equally hate all of them. But I will say that Michelle Obama is a potential first lady who is put together. McCain's wife looks nice too, but all that red on her pale skin makes her look like a hooker. I'm sorry ... a call girl ... they don't do the ho' stroll. Michelle Obama manages to pull together very dignified, and yet sexy, but still elegant looks. I have to put up photos of several looks I like. She's very fashion forward, while being classic. And that is a style worth applauding.

Doesn't that look good? We're gonna have to do something better for that hair, but a silkier perm and a little product will have the worked out.

I do want you all to pay attention to Barack and McCain in these photos. Notice that Barack has a better fitted suit. It's tailored closer to his body. That is the way it's supposed to be. We just need him out of the typical black suit. He does a decent job on ties. The color does stand out, which may be his style: accentuating the ties. That is not a bad way to go.

So, the overall message int his blog is that living in the political realm should not be an excuse to look drab and slovenly. When you have power, you should dress the part. What you wear influences people. People who don't have the power, or want it, look up to you. They wear what you wear, they shop where you shop, they read what you read, and so on. So, if you show up looking wrong, it's a message that that is okay. It's not! Professional dress is not find the ugliest stuffiest thing to wear. It is about a higher standard of elegance and dignity. I believe that was lost after Dynasty went off the air....it's time to reclaim it. The 80's glamorous wealth & power look can still be done. This is the U.S.! Having our cake and eating it too is the American way... but we are so consumed in the power and money that we forgot what that brings ... a responsibility to set a proper example to those who will one day enter that world. That example includes how to present yourself. Join me in giving the professional look a much needed makeover.

Here's to style. Cheers!

... these Crocs are a sham.

2008-09-14T20:01:00.000-07:00

I think by now everyone is familiar with Crocs. These hideous shoes that have taken over people's feet throughout the world. Why? Why oh why would you do something like that? What did your feet do to you to deserve this horrible fate.

My blog is about style ... and Crocs are not it. They are on the same level with flip-flops: a trend that should have never been. I think the best indicator of how completely useless these shoes are, take a look at all the children that were injured when the shoes got caught in escalator mechanisms. That was the Universe's way of punishing the fashionless masses who would dare wear those things. What better way to punish you ridiculously clueless fools than to take out your children for your pathetic attempts at style.

Yeah.....I said it! But, if you feel that was too harsh for you, I have a nicer way of voicing my disgust, and your fate for wearing them:

I am Sam.
I am Sam.
Sam, I am.

That Sam-I-am!
That Sam-I-am!
I do not likethat Sam-I-am!

Do you wear Crocs?

I do not wear them, Sam-I-am.
I do not wear Crocs; they are a sham.

Would you wear them here or there?

I would not wear them here or there.
NO ONE should wear them anywhere.
I do not wear Crocs; they just aren't glam.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

Would you wear them in a house?
Would you wear them to kill a mouse?

I do not like them in a house.
I would not wear them to kill a mouse.
I would not wear them here or there.
NO ONE should wear them anywhere.
I do not wear Crocs; they just aren't glam.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

Would you wear them in a box?
Would you wear them to run from a fox?

Not in a box.
Not to run from a fox.
Not in a house.
Not to kill a mouse.
I would not wear them here or there.
NO ONE should wear them anywhere.
I would not wear Crocs; they just aren't glam.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

Would you?
Could you?
In a car?
Wear them!
Wear them!
Here they are.

I would not, could not, in a car.

You may like them.
You will see.
You may like them in a tree!

I would not, could not, in a tree.
Not in a car!
You let me be.

I do not like them in a box.
I would not wear them to run from a fox.
I do not like them in a house.
I would not wear them to kill a mouse.
I would not wear them here or there.
NO ONE should wear them anywhere.
I do not wear Crocs; they just aren't glam.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

A train!
A train!
A train!
A train!

Could you, would you, on a train?

Not on a train!
Not in a tree!
Not in a car!
Sam, let me be!
I would not, could not, in a box.
I could not, would not, to run from a fox.
I will not wear them to kill a mouse.
I will not wear them in a house.
I would not wear them here or there.
NO ONE should wear them anywhere.
I do not wear Crocs; they just aren't glam.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

Say!
In the dark?
Here in the dark!
Would you, could you, in the dark?

I would not, could not, in the dark.

Would you, could you, in the rain?

I would not, could not, in the rain.
Not in the dark.
Not on a train.
Not in a car.
Not in a tree.
I will not wear them, Sam, you see.
Not in a house.
Not in a box.
Not to kill a mouse.
Not to run from a fox.
I would not wear them here or there.
NO ONE should wear them anywhere.

You do not like Crocs?

I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

Could you, would you, while milking a goat?

I would not, could not, while milking a goat!

Would you, could you, on a boat?

I could not, would not, on a boat.
I will not, will not, while milking a goat.
I will not wear them in the rain.
I will not wear them on a train.
Not in the dark!
Not in a tree!
Not in a car!
You let me be!
I do not like them in a box.
I will not wear them to run from a fox.
I will not wear them in a house.
I would not wear them to kill a mouse.
I would not wear them here or there.
NO ONE should like them ANYWHERE.
I do not wear Crocs; they just aren't glam.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

You do not like them, so you say.
Try them!
Try them!
And you may.
Try them and you may, I say.

Sam!
If you will let me be, I will try them.

You will see.

Say!
I like Crocs; now I'm the man.
I do!
I like them, Sam-I-am!
And I would wear them in a boat.
And I would wear them while milking a goat ...
And I will wear them in the rain.
And in the dark.
And on a train.
And in a car.
And in a tree.
They are so snug, so snug, you see!
So I will wear them in a box.
And I will wear them to run from a fox.
And I will wear them in a house.
And I will wear them to kill a mouse.
And I will wear them here or there.
Say, I will wear them ANYWHERE!
I do so like Crocs; but my girl did not, and left me man.
Damn you!
Damn you, Sam-I-am!
Now I'm alone, and stuck with just my hand.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Barney Choo, Manolo Boobah, Nine Wiggles, Elmo & Gabbana ... the newest frontier in "cry" fashion.

2008-09-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

There is a new emerging fashion trend for babies --high heel crib shoes for girls. That's right: high heels for babies.

Two Seattle mothers, Britta Bacon and Hayden Porter, have created a new look for babies on the "crawlway" ... or should I say the "kittywalk?" These are little baby shoes with a heel that collapses if a baby attempts to stand on them. But, they are shaped like a heel. And they come in six styles: leopard satin, hot pink patent, black satin, zebra satin, black patent, and hot pink satin. Now, even the youngest girls can have a complete outfit. As we all know, no outfit is complete without the right shoes.

Heelarious is the line that makes these shoes. And at $35 a pair, your baby can have them. Many people have been upset by this newest development. They say that this has taken fashion too far. Do I agree? I don't know. Would I put my daughter in them? Hell no!

But taking these shoes out of the context of a baby wearing heels, and all that can imply, let's think about the overall message here. What is this? It is a way to get babies in the early mindset of thinking about looking good. Now, the burdens of beauty are falling at the babies' doorsteps. And why shouldn't it? Maybe heels are not the way to go, rather clothes for babies, in more than Easter colors, wouldn't be too bad of an idea. Baby fashions...... I like the idea.

Who knows ... high fashion for babies could produce the next Diana Vreeland, or Coco Chanel, or Anna Wintour. The game is getting to be for the younger and younger. If you want your child taking over the world, you have to get them on the right track earlier now than you used to. Nowadays, you don't have your teenage years to discover yourself ... who you are. By teenage years you should already know and be making plans for your future. Youth has responsibilities. And putting grown up shoes on a baby is just a subtle implication of that fact. Isn't it funny how fashion is always intertwined with the changing times? Every change in society's development has a fashion to it. Fashion really is everywhere.

I think the best way to wrap up this blog is just to say plainly that regardless of your feelings toward this trend, it is here. It is a reflection of the times we live in. Like it or love it people, babies can now strut the playpens looking better than most of you. The gauntlet has been thrown down. What are you gonna do about it?

Here's to style. Cheers!

Men: the ultimate style accessory for women.

2008-09-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

A thought just occurred to me as I'm sitting here in class: what is the must have accessory for every woman to feel stylish and beautiful? And then it struck me out of nowhere ... MEN!!!
Of course! Why didn't I think of it before? Men make the best accessories for a woman.

I'm sure some of you assume that I am joking about this, but I am very serious. Think about this for a moment: have you ever taken a good look at a haute couture magazine? What did you notice? Contrast.

Take this recent photo from America's Next top Model:

Do you know what makes this photo high fashion? Her stance. McKey is in a couture dress, in a nature setting, and she's rough and tough. Tyra said it best in another shot: to make a photo high fashion, project the opposite of what you're wearing. So, if you were in a ball gown, maybe a grungy, slouching stance would then make the shot high fashion. It's all about contrast. This is why girls are in $5,000 dress with combat boots on a motorcycle. It's edgy and interesting.

Here's where the man comes in. When you go out at night, and you want to look your best, take a man with you. If you're high class and luxury, maybe have a scruffy rocker-type on your arm. And get a photograph of the two of you together. I guarantee if you do this right, you will look even more stunning. And isn't that what an accessory does? You've got your "Freakum Dress" on, bring a man in a more conservative suit. Again, attention moves to you...and you look great.

Sit down one day, and really think about the look you are wearing, and find a guy for the night that contrasts with it. When you both compliment each other, you fade away. You want to be the star? Steal the spotlight. Make sure he looks good in his role, but not better than you. The accessory must enhance you, not cover you. And what makes a man the ultimate accessory? He can be changed with each outfit. A suit one day, jeans and t-shirt on another, and so forth. A beard one day, shaved on another, a stubble day ... you get the picture. It's likely that you're attracted to someone who has an opposite personality to you, so why not look the parts as well.

Hmmm...maybe this style tip is a little too far, but I wholeheartedly support it. Give it a try ... it can't hurt to experiment a little. Good luck.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Most men's suits just don't suit me ...

2008-09-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

I really think this should go without saying, but every man should have at least one good suit in his closet. You never know when you may need to go to the closet and be ready for a grand occasion. For a woman--and a growing population of men--there is nothing sexier than a man in a well-fitted, good suit. Men, we just look better when we are suited up. No matter what your size. A suit is like snow: a magical blanket that hides what's ugly, and makes everything beautiful.

Unfortunately, most men turn what should be a simple look into something tacky, bulky, and generally unflattering without even thinking of it. Think of how many men you have seen in a suit too big for their bodies, or too small. Most men don't care how they look. And that is tragic. This blog will help any man select a perfect-fitting suit. As I sit here in one of my tax classes, I noticed that the professor is wearing a suit that is all wrong for his body. It really makes him look like a homeless man who just bought a suit at the Salvation Army for an interview to get himself off the streets. A mean picture, yes; a true picture, hell yes.

A nice, properly worn suit looks good everywhere from the office, to the opera, to dinner, and on the way to bed. It is the equivalent to the little black dress for women. It's a closet staple for any man. Just choose the right one, or you'll lose style points that are very easy to pick up. If you follow these simple rules, I am certain I will make you a GQ Man of Style:

1. Choose the right fabric.

Let me be clear about one thing men: there are only three basic fabrics to choose from, so no need to go any farther unless you are an advanced dresser--wool, polyester, and cotton (yes, there are cotton suits being made). I cannot give a preference between one of the other. You need to be aware of the feel of the suit on your skin. Some people maybe allergic to wool, or polyester. Remember that you have to be comfortable in the suit. Hives do not equal comfortable.

2. If the pants don't fit, your suit ain't shit.

The waistline of your pants needs to be at a comfortable fit. Pants should sit comfortably on the waist, just above the hips. As far as pleated pants are concerned, it depends on your body type. If you are a little chubby in the stomach area, then you can get away with wearing pleats since it will help cover it up. If you are thinner, then stay away from them. Pleats will only make you appear skinnier. Pleats should not open. If you are wearing flat front pants, be careful that the pockets do not gape. Both indicate that the pants are tight.

As far as the hem of your pants, pant length should reach the heel in back and allow for a break in the front. Pleated pants can be worn with or without cuffs. Be careful on the cuff / uncuff issue. A cuffed pant makes you look shorter. On the other hand, cuffed pants show maturity. It's a judgment call. If you are wearing flat front pants, plain and uncuffed bottoms are the way to go.

3. Stop wearing your Dad's shirts.

The sleeve length needs to be exact. Stop wearing shirts too big for you. Remember that this is your "good suit." Everything should fit just right. Tailoring is not just for the rich and fabulous. Sleeves should come to the base of the palm when arms are at your sides. Once you put on your suit jacket, the cuffs of your shirt should show 1/2". Be aware that it is common for arms to be different lengths. Tailoring will keep everything properly even.

4. Choose your jacket wisely.

The suit’s jacket needs to fit easily across your stomach in order to appear professional. It should not be overly tight, but rather allow for some play when the jacket is buttoned. A two-button suit is an American classic. However, I am a fan of the three-button, or four-button for some people, suit jackets. The key is to know your waistline and what flatters it. For a thinner man, I would recommend the classic two-button. For a larger-framed man (not fat necessarily, but an actual large frame with broad shoulders), I like a three-button. I reserve the four-button for a taller man, or a man who could use the extra length of a four-button. Get to know you, and what you need to look your best.

5. Get it together ... you're suit should not "taste the rainbow."

Colors has always been a problem for men. Steve Harvey is not the authority on suits. A red suit only looks good on women, and Prince. That's it gentlemen. And the same goes for violet, and the rest of the ROYGBIV spectrum. Black, charcoal, gray, midnight blue, brown, tan, slate, do you see where I'm going guys? These are colors that work. This suit must be multi-functional. Save a red suit for Halloween, or the Player's Ball. And please....PLEASE...choose one color. Men should only wear a suit with one color jacket, and a different color pant when they are in prep school. It is tragic, and a waste of material. Segregate the colors of a suit. It's okay....the Supreme Court won't come after you for it.

I hope this has been helpful for you. I want to see hot, sexy men of all shapes and sizes in their suits blowing these women's minds (and the booming population of men who like it too).

Here's to style. Cheers!

Hail to the Queen! Her legacy lives although she no longer breathes.

2008-08-31T20:22:00.000-07:00

On September 13th, at 8 pm, Lifetime will be airing a special movie telling the life story of the most important figure in in the history of 20th-century fashion--Coco Chanel.

Coco Chanel has undoubtedly been the biggest influence on haute couture. Her pioneering, menswear-inspired fashions created a classic look that has never gone out of style. To this day, you will still find women wearing her original suits, accessorized by the trademark costume-pearl necklaces Chanel always paired the suits with. And to this day, that look has never been out. And who can forget her signature fragrance, Chanel, No. 5? That perfume was created in 1921, and 67 years later still graces the wrists, necks, and that sensitive area behind the knee (I hope you women paid attention to what I said because that's where women should be placing their perfume FYI), of women around the world.

I am a bit excited that this movie is coming out. I have always looked to Coco Chanel's legacy as an example of true style. True haute couture should not be the bells and whistles of some of these design houses. "A woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed." Granted, couture is art. However, there is some art that you can display for all to see--elegant, beautiful, and timeless--and then there is some art that you keep in a private collection because it is too bold, confusing, and generally offensive in a way that should not be displayed in your home, only a museum or art gallery. Chanel is elegant and timeless. Every piece was created to be worn...not just appreciated for it's artistic value. Chanel used to say, "simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." There's no better way to describe style.

You know, writing that little quote made me think of just how much Chanel has influenced my fashion choices when I advice others. Before I left Macon, Cania and I were going to the End of the Session Banquet for NCDC. Cania called me and asked me to come over and help her pick out an outfit for her to wear. She pulled out a pants number that was okay by my tastes, but not great. So, I paired the top with a nice skirt, and left the pants out as an option. Since I didn't like the pants with the top, Cania asked what she should pair with them then that would be more fashionable. The first thing that came to mind was to find a nice boxy, shoulder-padded suit jacket, a camisole, and a long string of pearls. And, of course, closed-toed shoes for business, open-toed for evening cocktail hour. Classic Chanel, and it never even occurred to me that was what I was doing. It just looked elegant and beautiful. Maybe every woman reading this should make sure they have that outfit in their wardrobe. It's timeless. Don't forget you need a nice clutch purse for this look, and a wealthy stockbroker on your arm. ;-)

This blog is not meant to be a style advisory, although there a couple of inserts in here that you should definitely add to your list of style tips. As I have said many times, style is about simplicity. And in that spirit, I have one more Coco Chanel adage: "When accessorizing, always take off the last thing you put on." There are so many more things she has imparted on the fashion community, but I wouldn't want to cram all of it into this one blog. This blog is simply to entice all of you to watch this Lifetime movie, and appreciate the woman who revolutionized women's couture. I'm sure I'll have more of her tips as this blog continues. In the meantime, I'm gonna sit down, pour myself a vodka martini--shaken, not stirred (because shaken is better for vodka...gin martinis must be stirred or you bruise the gin)--and enjoy my own newly purchased fashions. By the way, this season is all about retro 60's fashions...slim lines, layers, dress shoes and pants. This was one of my favorite decades for clothes. It's nice to see a new take on the old standard.

As always: here's to style. Cheers!

The "Man Bag"

2008-08-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed lately that more men are walking around with what we call "man bags?" Usually, it is a small messenger bag, or a Coach pouch that is marketed directly towards men. I hate these things. They suck, and no man should ever walk around with these things.

Why can't men just have purses, or handbags?

Think about the way fashion has evolved now. We have returned to much sleeker lines on the designs. Men wear slim leg jeans and pants. Everything is designed to fit the body, not hang on it. This means that everything we put in our pockets will throw off the lines. So basically fashion has presented the necessity for men carrying their stuff in a bag of some sort. Where else are you gonna fit your chapstick, iPod, cell phone, wallet, etc.? You need a bag. Men need a bag.

I know, I know, you think that a bag would be too feminine for men. But seriously, what is really left of complete masculinity nowadays? We have makeup designed for men, we have allowed metrosexuals to take over the world. Men are getting regular manicures, caring for their mommies, and are showing their emotions. You tell me what's left in the world that is so masculine that a bag would ruin it. The age of a more effeminate man has come. I'm not complaining about all of the new changes. Some things are useful. It's nice to not be ridiculed for wanting to look your best. My main problem is in the makeup, and the pretense that wearing those "man bags" is not wearing a purse. IT IS!!

So, now that I have put my stamp on men with bags, the next step is to discover the right bag for a man. I'm not saying go out and pick up a Kate Spade or anything. I think that might push the boundaries into the Prince zone. We don't have to go that far, unless you think heels are the wave of the future for men. For a man, I think we should go for something a bit oversized. Pharrell carries a large, neon purple, "Burkin" style bag. I think a oversized Burkin bag would work for a man. The key for men is to have larger bags than women normally carry. The latest trend for women is to wear large handbags. Oversized accessories are very much in fashion, and the bags are no exception. Not many women wear them, but the bags are out there and they are large enough where a man can wear them to avoid those dainty little messenger bags, and stylish enough to avoid the uptight briefcases. The goal is to avoid those stupid backpack fabric bags. Those are worse. You might as well be one of those weirdos walking around with luggage around the city.

Perhaps a few examples of men and their bags:

Now those are a much better way to carry around your stuff. I especially like the first bag. You might also consider duffel bags as well. The designers are making them much better than they used to. Now, there is an actual design or pattern to them. You may not care about these things, but even a small detail like that can make a look.

I should also note to be careful about which brand of bags you buy. This pertains to women and men. I cannot stand those nouveau riche bags with Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dooney & Burke, etc. plastered all over the bag. Whatever happened to showing the design, not the designer's name. It's ridiculous, and most people look awful with it. Fashion is not about labels (for the most part). It is about beautiful designs that accentuate your own personal beauty. When was the last time you really looked beautiful with the alphabet plastered on your body? How can you function wearing that? Or a better question, should you function? Or should you drop off the face of the Earth and put us out of our misery looking at you in it? A bit harsh of a statement, yes. But it's still true.

So, the verdict on man bags is that they are out. Way out. The future is in just a regular handbag. Why perpetrate, just wear the handbag. At the end of the day, I think a man looks more prissy by trying to hide the fact that he is wearing a purse. A real man can have anything on and, frankly my dear, not give a damn. So why not just do it? Now, let's all go out, get our bags, meet up for a drink, and live our lives without caring about what other people think. Viva la revolucion!

Here's to style. Cheers!

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

2008-08-26T20:17:00.000-07:00

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!