Ski Fashion - Dress for the Slopes in Style

When the snow starts falling and temperatures dip down, a lot of men point head towards the mountain for a day of skiing or snowboarding. Winter sports like these not only serve as the perfect break from the monotony of winter, but are excellent forms of exercise as well; perfect for keeping that “winter 15” at bay. While staying warm is the most important part of dressing for the mountain, this is not to say that you can’t look good at the same time. Rather than throwing on that chunky ski jacket without thought, there are plenty of things that you can do in order to look your best while cruising down the hill. The following are just a few things to the think about the next time you head to the mountain, all of which can make your apres ski time with the ladies a little more successful.

Take the Slim Approach
For quite a while, the notion that ski apparel should be bulky in order to be warm reigned popular. That said, modern design has shifted towards a more streamlined, “slim” approach to winter fashion, with ski pants and jackets being thinner than ever in the past. This can not only help to increase your flexibility while skiing, but will almost always be more flattering than the big, chunky ski wear that dominated the industry for so long. These “technical” style outfits typically feature thin layers of gore-tex or other fabrics meant specifically to keep a person warm without inhibiting their movement, and are the future of ski apparel.

Don’t Be Afraid of Loud Colors/Patterns
The ski hill is perhaps the one place where you shouldn’t be concerned about whether the colors or patterns you’re wearing are a bit loud. The fact is, loud, bold colors and patterns are quite commonly seen on the mountain, and embody the lifestyle that is often embraced by skiers and snowboarders. If you’ve ever wanted to get the chance to wear an over-the-top pattern or color, there’s no better placed to do it than at a ski resort. All this said, you should still take the time to ensure that none of your outerwear clashes, as a clash will be particularly pronounced if it involves bold colors. Stick with neutral-colored ski pants, saving the colors for your jacket and hat.

Take Advantage of Accessorizing
As with wearing loud colors or patterns, the mountain also allows you to take liberties with accessorizing. After all, gloves, hats and scarves are all practically necessary in order to stay warm throughout a day of skiing, and each present a variety of possibilities when it comes to fashion and style. Ideally, all of your accessories should fall within the same color family and should compliment the rest of your outfit. As an extra highlight, you can wear goggles that are tinted with a complimentary color. Finally, don’t forget about the color of your boots. While many people like to purchase boots that are bright or boldly colored, neutrals are almost always more versatile, and can be worn with a variety of different ensembles.

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Fashion Tips for Men in Their 20s

Dressing your age is one of the most important things you can do in order to stay fashionable without looking laughable. After all, a lot of people embrace trends that simply aren’t a good fit for their level of maturity; both older and younger generations are responsible for committing fashion sins on occasion. For men who are in their 20s, it’s essential to understand which trends and styles of clothing are acceptable to wear, as well as which might look out of place. With a strong understanding of how to dress your age, you can walk out the door with confidence each morning. The following are three key fashion tips for men in their 20s, all of which can help you to come closer to identifying your own unique style.

Move Away from Graphic Tees
For those who are in their late teens and early twenties, the graphic tee is a major wardrobe element. A lot of guys collect graphic tees, wearing a different one each day of the week. Moving into your 20s is all about beginning to incorporate more sophisticated pieces into your wardrobe, however, which should never be ignored. While graphic tees certainly have their time and place, they tend to look slightly juvenile on men who are in their mid-to-late 20s. Instead, consider graduating to plain, solid-colored tees. The t-shirt is still an important wardrobe piece, but works best when not plastered with logos or other graphics. You might also want to consider experimenting with Polos and fitted button-down shirts, both of which are quite versatile and are essential pieces for those who are in their 20s. Not too fond to wear a collar each day? Then stick to solid tees with either classic crew-neck or trendy V-neck cut.

Invest in a Few High-Quality Pieces
Most guys don’t care very much about fashion in their teens; this is to be expected. Once you start getting older, however, it becomes clear just how important it is to look your best as often as possible. This is especially true for those who are just entering the professional working world, in which case owning a few nice pieces are essential. While no one can afford to go out and spend thousands of dollars on an entirely new wardrobe, you can benefit dramatically from purchasing a few high-quality pieces to add to your closet. Put simply, every guy in their twenties should own at least one tailored blazer (navy blue is ideal), as well as a few pairs of designer jeans. Finally, strive to own at least three neutral-colored fitted dress shirts. The end result is an extremely versatile collection of high-quality pieces that can be used to accessorize almost any casual outfit. When investing in quality, I recommend focusing more on cut and fabrics rather than designer brand.

Take This Time to Experiment
One of the best things about being in your 20s is that it affords you a great deal of opportunity to experiment with different styles and trends. Experimentation is essential in order to help you find your own individual style without spinning your wheels, and can be a great deal of fun. Once you get into your early 30s, the luxury of being able to experiment with your style begins to dwindle as a result of rising responsibilities. As a result, you should view your 20s as a veritable lab for conducting experiments with fashion and style, taking note of what trends you identify with and which ones you do not.

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Top Career Choices in Men's Fashion

For men who have a strong interest in fashion, there’s nothing better than working towards a career in the industry. Those who work in fashion not only get to spend each day doing what they love, but also tend to bring home a rather large paycheck every couple weeks. Obtaining a career in fashion isn’t necessarily easy, however, and typically requires a combination of luck, determination and and inherent knowledge. With the right amount of time and effort on your side, however, you can rest easy knowing that you have a good chance of reaching your goals. The following are just a few of the top careers in men’s fashion, all of which are more than worth working towards obtaining.

Designer
The role of “designer” is typically viewed as being the pinnacle of jobs in the fashion industry. Indeed, designers are allowed to get creative without having to worry about struggling to bring in a paycheck, and have the ability to make large waves in the fashion community by creating unique, trend-setting pieces. Becoming a fashion designer is extremely difficult, and often requires a good deal of schooling and interning under designers who have been at it for years. According to the United States Department of Labor, the starting salary for a designer in the fashion industry is approximately $32,000, with potential to earn over $100,000 over time. Those working towards becoming a designer can expect to work long, non-traditional hours; especially in the early stages of their career. Beginning designers should look for employment at a well-established company in the industry, such as Calvin Klein or Ralph Lauren.

Marketing Executive
Anyone who pays close attention to the fashion industry knows that marketing is everything. After all, clothing doesn’t sell itself, and relies heavily on advertisement in order to fly off the shelves. Marketing executives benefit from working a job that involves both creativity and business strategy in order to create an effective plan for selling a clothing line to the public. Become a marketing executive is easier than is often thought, and requires little more than a degree in marketing and a few years of experience in the industry. The difficult aspect of this is finding a position in marketing in the fashion industry, as there is typically a lot of competition for these positions. Starting salary for marketing executives according to the United States Department of Labor hover around $43,000, with a great deal of room for improvement. As with designers, marketers can expect to work schedules that some might consider to be rather hectic; especially those who work in public relations. KMR Communications and IMG World are two of the most well-known marketing agencies that deal with the fashion industry, and serve as prime examples of where one should look to work after graduating.

Photography
If photography and fashion are two of your biggest passions, you’ll find being a professional industry photographer to be one of the most rewarding positions you could ever obtain. Professional fashion photographers enjoy a flexible schedule, excellent pay and a fun, exciting work environment. The best way to break into this aspect of the industry is to get a degree in photography and start building up a portfolio for yourself. This way, you’ll be able to show your work to prospective employees, which can drastically affect your ability to land a job. When building a portfolio, ensure that the majority of the shots relate to fashion in some way. If you don’t have any samples that are in this vein, you may want to consider offering up your services free of charge in order to build your portfolio. According to the United States Department of Labor, fashion photographers tend to make around $50,000 year as a starting salary, although it’s possible to go on to make over $100,000. Steven Meisel, Mario Testino and Peter Lindburgh are amongst the world’s most foremost fashion photographers today, and are all worth looking up to.

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Shopping Tips for Mens Watches

When shopping for a men’s watch, many people don’t know where to start. Between style, material and copious other variables, there are a lot of elements that need to be taken into consideration when choosing a watch. As a result, picking the perfect watch typically takes a great deal of time, research and effort. Just because finding the right watch isn’t easy, however, doesn’t mean it’s impossible. The following are just a few tips to help you to choose a watch that will last you for many years to come.

Consider Style
Perhaps one the first thing you may want to do when shopping for a men’s watch is to determine which style might be right for you. Style is everything when it comes to watches, and can have a dramatic impact on whether or not a watch fits into a given situation. For example, people who find themselves in formal situations on a regular basis need a watch that will fit their surroundings, which means certain styles (sports watches, for example) are simply not a good fit. Fortunately, there are so many different styles of watches on the market that it’s possible for just about everyone to find one that fits their lifestyle well. For best results, visit a store that sells a wide variety of different types of watches and inspect each style carefully, which will help you to hone in on potential candidates.

Choose a Material
Like style, material can have a large impact on the look and feel of a watch. Gold watches, however, are heavy and eye-catching; perfect for formal affairs. That said, this type of watch cannot stand up to the elements the way sports watches with leather bands and protective casings can, making it a poor choice for those who find themselves spending a lot of time outdoors. Material will also have a dramatic impact on the price of a given watch, as some materials are far more expensive than others. As a result, the material you choose will depend not only on your personal preference, but also on your budget. Those who are on a tight budget obviously should avoid watches made out of pricey metals such as gold and silver.

Digital vs. Analog
Finally, you’ll want to determine whether you want your watch to have a digital or analog display, each of which is a viable option that comes along with it’s own unique set of pros and cons. For example, digital watches are easy to read, yet most people agree that analog watches are more attractive and eye-catching. Also, digital watches are considered to be fairly casual in nature, making wearing one at a formal event a rather poor choice. That said, analog watches have a higher chance of needing to be repaired because of the clock mechanism that makes them up, which makes a case for those who are interested in purchasing a digital watch. Since both digital and analog watches typically sell for around the same price, the decision should be based solely on personal preference.

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The Trusty Cardigan: Style & Winter Hug in One

Like it or not, the humble cardigan has steadily infiltrated the men’s fashion scene over recent winter seasons. So much so that while holiday shopping for husband and brother, each of whom are adverse to the reemergence of this cozy winter warmer, it soon became clear that traditional non-buttoned pull overs are diminishing. But why the aversion by so many men in their 30’s and over? When quizzed, it became clear that many find these woolly wonders too feminine for their masculine personas. Conversely, when I asked some young college students, their view of the cardigan was a lot more positive and many were the proud owners of a variety of button down styles. Why such a divide?

It’s true to say that the modern man’s cardi is a craze that was first born by the skinny jean silhouette. This skinny look has turned off the more broadly built and mature man, while being lapped up by the younger generation. But, contrary to current popular belief, there is no need to have a super slender silhouette to rock a cardigan, quite the opposite. If a cardigan is worn properly, it can accentuate a man’s masculine broad frame, hide an abundance of holiday related calorific sins and bring the ladies a knocking for a cozy cuddle under the mistletoe. Yes, cardigan’s were a staple of Mr. Brown, your elderly math teacher, but it was also a fond favorite of legend of our time, Kurt Cobain and, more recently, Jay Z, Justin Timberlake and even Daniel Craig. Not convinced? Here’s a few tips to encourage you to give your new Christmas cardi its first outing:

Be Suave
Believe me; it is possible to look suave in a cardigan! Try wearing a cardigan instead of a suit jacket with a formal button down shirt and slacks. Top it off with a skinny tie for a sexy, on trend look. Bring out your quirky side with some more daring accessories such as a colorful bow tie, black framed glasses or a fedora hat.

Dressed down cool
No longer is there a need for skinny jeans to pull off a cardigan in dressed down style. Opt for chunky cozy knits and pair with slim, well fitted jeans and a plain t-shirt. Sporting a cardigan with baggy jeans will mean losing the smooth silhouette you are trying to achieve.

Stand out
The key to standing out when wearing a cardigan is down to the fastening of buttons, the shirt you’re wearing and simple confidence. Fastening all the buttons can make you feel and appear uptight, leave the last few buttons open for a relaxed look. Next, make sure the shirt you wear underneath your cardigan isn’t too bulky. This will ensure that the best of your physique is shown off, without exposing any Holiday over indulgence around the belly area! Lastly, you may feel out of your comfort zone, but be confident about wearing your cardigan. If you follow these tips you can’t go far wrong and will look stylish, sexy and event ready.

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Winterize Your Wardrobe with these Cold Weather Staples

With Christmas just passed you’re likely well into your winter wardrobe. Although dressing for cooler temperatures can be fun – think of the all layering possibilities! –it can also be a daunting task. How can you stay warm and look seasonally appropriate without bulking up to the size of a polar bear? Follow these simple styling tips for a perfectly polished winter wardrobe.

Beef up your ties
Silk ties are appropriate year round, but flannel and wool ties can be worn in the fall and winter. Make this simple change to your closet while you can. Think of ties in plush grays with red stripes, navy plaids, and solid charcoal hues. Of course you can still wear your silk ties, but switching to wool a few days a week will feel fresh and up-to-the-minute stylish.

Introduce a sweater vest
Add an extra layer under your suit with a sweater vest. The sweater vest will not only bring added warmth but is an easy way to master the layered look. Look for a fitted, patterned or brightly colored sweater vest for a look that is decidedly more GQ than Chandler Bing.

Argyle socks
Give your tired black socks a rest and don some more colorful argyle socks. A hint of color and an interesting pattern peeking out beneath your trousers is a warm and fun look for winter.

Scarves
Add a colorful scarf to your suit, sport coat, or sweater. Tie a simple slipknot in your scarf on the way to work or wear it tossed and loosely looped on the weekends.

Winterize your suits
This is one change you’ll be grateful you made as the temperatures continue to drop. Look for suites in caramel colored corduroy, dark wool, or grey flannel.

Add a manly watch
An oversized watch is a great look for the winter. Since you’re going with heavier pieces in your wardrobe, larger accessories are necessary to compete with the thicker fabrics.

A chunkier shoe
With colder temperatures comes wet, unwanted precipitation. Invest in a chunkier winter shoe with a thicker rubber sole to keep your feet dry from snow, rain, or worse – slush.

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The Five Best Stocking Stuffers

Christmas is less than a week away and if you are still looking for some last minute stocking stuffer then this guide will be perfect. Below are five great stocking stuffer ideas any man will love.

Cufflinks
Most men don't spend much time, money, and thought on upgrading their wardrobe. That's why certain fashion accessories will always make a perfect present. For this year's #1 stocking stuffer I am picking a pair of cufflinks. Choose a pair that reflects is personality. Sites like Cufflinks.com offer over 10,000 different styles. I am sure this huge selection will also have one pair for the men in your family.

A Tie
A nice tie is a perfect stocking stuffer. What's so great about the necktie: one size fits all, it adds great style to any suit without costing too much, and it also fits into a stocking (once rolled up).

Tickets
Does your man have a favorite sports team or band? Then get a set of tickets for the next game or show! It is always a winner! Looking for something a bit more budget friendly? Then go onto StubHub.com or search the "tickets" section on Craigslist. I have been able to score many tickets at less than a third of face value! My tip for those seeking the ultimate deal: look for a last minute deal (just a few hours before the event).

Swiss Army Knife
Another manly present that any man of any age will love. It will always come in handy be it in the office or on the trails at your next hiking trip. My tip: Get one with a USP stick - the ultimate survival knife for the blue collar urban warrior. Mc Gyver would be jealous!

Beef Jerky
Any man will love some nice dried and well seasoned cow. Get him a few ounces of gourmet jerkey. It sure beats coal!

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What is the Right Width of a Necktie?

Are you getting confused by different tie widths available to you? Flipping through a GQ magazine you see models dressed in very narrow ties but as soon as you head out the door these so-called "skinny ties are nowhere to be found. Should you follow GQ and update your tie collection? Before you throw away your expensive silk ties, here are a few pointers that will answer all your questions in regards for proper tie width.

The Story of the Skinny Tie
Skinny ties are nothing new and it is not a trend that came overnight. In fact the skinny tie was first made popular over 50 years ago - which is an eternity considering that the modern necktie is only about 150 years old. Bands like the Beatles commonly wore skinny ties conributing to the success of the skinny neck-wear revolution. Later on, in the 1970s, tie widths went back to "normal", and in the 80s (a decade not necessarily know for it's great sense of fashion and style) ties became super wide (4+ inches). Today normal width ties are 3.25 to 3.75 inches wide. Skinny ties are also once again popular and have a width of 2 to 2.5 inches.

Skinny Ties - Just a Fad?
The skinny tie is nothing new. It is a style that has been around for over 50 years. It is not a fad, and, although chances are good that its popularity will fade again, will never be considered a bad design that is not worth bringing back into fashion.

Want to Wear a Skinny Tie? Learn How to Wear 'em.
Before putting on a trendy skinny tie there are a few tips to consider. First, skinny ties look best on tall and thin men. If you have more of a "roundish" body type then the skinny necktie will look disproportionate. Second, skinny ties look best with slim fitting suits that have narrow lapels. And last but not least, skinny ties look best with a asymmetric and smaller tie knot like the Four in Hand.

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A Tie's Worst Nightmare: Worst Tie Fashion Mistakes

Don't be the guy that commits one of these 5 "worst fashion mistakes when dressing in suit and tie". If you avoid these five tie Faux Pas then you will be dressing better than the avarage American Suit & Tie Wearer.



#1: Wrong Tie Length
Unless you are dressing for a Halloween costume, tying a tie too short or too long is one of the worst fashion mistakes you can commit when wearing a necktie. A tie should reach to the middle of your belt buckle - no longer and no shorter! If you are tall and/or have a neck larger than 18 inches then you may need a longer necktie. Most retailers, although in only limited length, will offer XL ties. I also suggest you have a look at our affiliate site's Extra Long Ties.

#2: Wrong Style
This one should be a no-brainer! Certain styles and colors are designed for specific dress codes and occasions. A black bow tie for instance should be reserved for a formal, aka "black tie" event rather than your office dress. Novelty ties, aka ties with large pictures, should only be worn as part of a costume or a particular holiday/event.

#3: Pattern Faux Pas
Pair different patterns so that they alternate in size. A tie with small check pattern (for example micro r gingham check) should not be worn on top of a finely checkered shirt. It will be a look that will be too busy!

#4: Wrinkled & Twisted Ties
A tie should hang down straight and be free from wrinkls, crevices, and twists. TO ensure a tie always has a perfect drape, untie your necktie after each wearing and hang it over a hanger or specilly designed tie rack. Also, to make sure your necktie goes back to its original, wrinkle-free shape, never wear a tie two days in a row. If a tie is part of your daily work attire then you should own at least a handful of ties that match your shirts and suits.

#5: Bad Knots
It is actually not the tie that is noticed first, but the way the tie is tied. A poorly tied knot will make even the nicest and most expensive necktie look shabby. With the help of this site you should have no problem to tie a tie the perfect way.

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Fast Fashion Rules: Tweed Suits

There’s no arguing that wool is the gold standard of suits in men’s fashion, every tailor’s bread and butter. It’s what your dad and his dad and his dad before him most likely wore. So when a new fabric like tweed offers a refreshing alternative to the establishment, it’s much too good a style opportunity for any modern guy to pass up.

Modern tweed is lighter and sleeker than the stuffy, scratchy stuff your old man probably saw in his time. The fabric’s British provenance and association with upper crust pursuits lend it an air of refinement and sophistication, no matter what necktie you wear with it.

Keep It Trim
Like any good suit today, you don’t want a tweed set that hangs off you; baggy, saggy suits do nobody any favors. Since tweed has less drape and more structure than wool, you have much to gain from a tailor’s service and a more precise fit.

A slim, trim cut is also a big part of the whole package that updates tweed from its fusty reputation of the sixties and seventies. When you lose the extra weight, you lose the age. Sharp tailoring also maximizes the structure that’s built into the textile. Strong shoulder seams and a slight taper will emphasize your chest much more than had you done the same with wool.

It’s a good idea to opt for abbreviated fits and no break when it comes to tweed. Chalk it up to the fabric’s lack of draping ability; you can’t rely on it to fall or pool in a nice way. Better to show a little ankle and a little rear than to look all awkward.

Turn It Up
Neckties and shirts usually involve a complex process of coordinating and matching with the rest of your outfit. Erring on the side of caution is the usual strategy here, especially if you’re going somewhere dressy like the office. Tweed gives you the rare chance to really play up the colors and patterns of your neckties and shirts.

Get out all of those large check shirts and wide stripe neckties that have been relegated to the back of your closet. Because of the depth and richness of the fabric, tweed is almost impossible to overpower. Remember, though, that the most basic rules of balancing ties and shirts still apply. It’s still a good idea to let one piece have the spotlight while the other takes on a supporting role in the background.

For an even more impressive effect, you may want to coordinate shirt, necktie, pocket square and even socks (which should be visible with the no-break trousers). Consistency in the color scheme makes the outfit seem more deliberate and put together.

Spend On It
Any style-aware guy knows that the value of a good suit doesn’t diminish over time. Invest in the tweed suit, preferably via a tailor who knows how to make clothes for your body. Not only will the suit itself look better, but you’re also more likely to end up wearing it even when the fad is done and faded.

Tailoring is so much more crucial with tweed because the textile isn’t very forgiving when it comes to fit and construction. Also, it’s easy for the suit to fall back into the frumpy seventies vibe that designers today desperately want to avoid. While you’re at it, pick up the other details a gentleman should have: the pocket square, the cuff links, the smart tie. You’ve already begun dressing the part, after all.

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