Menswear Guide

Helping Gentlemen Dress Better - Look Good, Feel Good

The Do’s and Don’ts of Business Casual Attire

by

Business casual offers the perfect balance between formal style and casual comfort. Because of this unique balance, it’s become the preferred choice among countless men. But if you’re thinking about sporting a business casual look, there are a few things you should know.

Do Consider Comfort

One of the great things about business casual attire is its ability to create a superior level of comfort. No longer are you forced to wear clothes strictly for aesthetics; you can now consider your own personal comfort. Therefore, it’s recommended that you choose soft, comfortable fabrics when sporting a business casual look.

Don’t Wear a Necktie

While neckties are essential for formal attire, they should be avoided for business casual outfits. Neckties are simply too dressy and formal for a business casual look — and that also applies to bow ties. Avoid wearing both neckties and bow ties for this style.

Do Leave Shirt Collar Unfastened

Normally, you should fasten the top button of your shirt collar, but this isn’t necessary when sporting a business casual look. Since it doesn’t require a necktie or bow tie, there’s really no reason for fastening your shirt collar. On the contrary, fastening your collar will only create a tighter and more constricting shirt. So, not only does it look awkward, but wearing a tie-less shirt with the collar fastened is also downright uncomfortable.

Don’t Wear Matching Trousers

What kind of trousers should you wear with a business casual outfit? With a formal outfit, it’s best to wear a suit jacket with matching trousers. For business casual, however, you should choose a less dressy style of pants, such as khakis or chinos. Do not wear a suit jacket with matching trousers. You can wear a suit jacket with a business casual look, but you shouldn’t wear matching trousers (it’s too formal).

Do Press Your Clothes

Regardless of what clothes specifically you intend to wear, make sure they are pressed and wrinkle-free. Even if you don’t have time to get your clothes dry-cleaned, you can still use a hot steam iron to de-wrinkle them.

Don’t Wear Sneakers

Just because it’s called business casual doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s okay to wear sneakers or tennis shoes. A better choice of footwear for business casual attire is leather oxfords or moccasins, either of which are perfect for this style. Just remember to choose a color that flows cohesively with the rest of your outfit.

References:

https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-business-casual-attire-2061168

5 Rules to Follow When Dressing for a Formal Event

by

Dressing for a formal event requires a different approach than your normal day-to-day outfits. In fact, the word “formal” specifically relates to the dress code. Instead of jeans and a t-shirt, you’ll need to wear something a bit more dressy. If you’re planning to attend a formal event in the near future, here are five rules to follow when getting dressed.

#1) Wear a Suit

There’s no other way around it. If you’re attending a formal event, you need to wear a suit (at least for men). A typical suit should consist of three pieces: a dress shirt, trousers and a matching jacket. There are countless different styles of men’s suits, though a traditional black or charcoal gray is usually a great all-around choice for formal events.

#2) Leave the Bottom Button Undone

With the exception of a single-button suit jacket, it’s usually best to leave the bottom button undone. If your suit jacket features three buttons, for instance, you should fasten the middle and top buttons while leaving the bottom button unfastened. Not only does this enhance your appearance, but it also prevents your suit from bunching up when you are sitting down.

#3) Match Socks with Trousers

A good rule of thumb when wearing a suit is to match your socks with the color of your trousers. So, if you’re wearing traditional midnight-black trousers, you should also wear black socks. This essentially conceals your socks, blending them into your trousers. Of course, no one will see your socks when you are standing. When you sitting, however, the bottom of your trousers may rise just enough to reveal your socks, which is why it’s a good idea to match them with your trousers.

#4) Necktie

You should also wear a necktie with your suit. A necktie is a simple accessory that creates a more formal appearance by defining your suit collar while adding color to your outfit in the process. Furthermore, one of the great things about neckties is the countless colors and styles in which they are available. You can wear a single color, two-tone color, striped, plaid or even polka-dot necktie.

#5) Clean, Formal Footwear

Finally, you need to wear clean, formal footwear with your suit. A pair of classic leather Oxfords is an excellent choice, assuming it matches with the rest of your outfit. Loafers are another great choice for formal attire. Just remember to choose a color that matches your suit and doesn’t clash with any of your accessories (e.g. necktie).

References:

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-appropriate-mens-attire-for-every-occasion-2014-9

Beard Oil vs Balm vs Wax: What’s the Difference?

by

Perhaps a beard really does make you more attractive. According to a study conducted by the Official Journal of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society, men with beards are viewed as being more attractive, masculine and healthier than their counterparts without facial hair. But if you’re planning to grow a beard, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the different types of beard products, including oil, balm and wax.

Beard Oil

Perhaps the most common type of beard conditioning product is beard oil. This classic product is the go-to choice among countless bearded men, and for good reason: it moisturizes the skin, protects against itchiness and dryness, and creates a darker and smoother-looking appearance.

When using beard oil, it’s recommended that you apply it using a brush or comb. Rather than just rubbing the oil directly into your beard using your bare fingers, try brushing it into your facial hair with a brush or comb. This allows the oil to penetrate deeper into your hair, moisturizing your skin directly at the pores.

Beard Balm

Alternatively, some men prefer beard balm instead of oil. Beard balm falls somewhere between oil and wax in terms of texture, making it an attractive choice for casual beard growers. It performs the same functions as beard oil, including moisturizing and protecting the skin from dryness. The only real difference is that beard balm has a thicker consistency.

Beard balm also contains the same ingredients as beard oil, only with the addition of butter. By adding a small amount of butter, beard balm becomes thicker than oil.

Beard Wax

A third type of beard conditioning product is wax. As the name suggests, it’s characterized by its wax-like texture, allowing for greater control regarding the styling of your beard. Beard wax is typically used for beard competitions and serious beard-growers who want to style their facial hair.

There are dozens of different types of beard wax on the market, though most contain ingredients like beeswax, cocoa butter, shea butter and coconut oil.

Regardless of which product you choose, it’s a good idea to start with a small amount and gradually add more as needed. Over-doing your beard with too much oil, balm or wax will make it look messy. You can always wash out the excess product, but it’s best to avoid using excess product in the first place.

References:

http://www.askmen.com/grooming/appearance/the-right-way-to-use-beard-balm.html

What are the Differences Between Beard Oil and Beard Balm. The Worries of New Beardsmen

5 Tips to Preserve the Color and Brightness of White Dress Shirts

by

It’s frustrating when you buy a pearly white dress shirt, only for it to fade to a darker tone after just a few washes. While clothes of all colors are susceptible to fading, whites are particularly problematic. It’s not that whites fade more than other colors, but rather the fading is more noticeable because of their original color. Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to preserve the color and brightness of your white dress shirts.

#1) Wash Whites Separately

Try to get into the habit of washing your whites in a separate load. While it’s probably easier to toss all of your clothes into the same load — whites, blacks, blues, etc. — doing so causes the colors to bleed together, in which case your whites are more likely to fade.

#2) Pre-Treat Stains Before Washing

Before washing your white dress shirts, check them for stains. Assuming it’s a topical stain that hasn’t “set” yet, water and laundry detergent alone should clean it. You can give your washing machine a helping hand, however, by pre-treating stains on your white shirts beforehand. Simply apply a small amount of color-safe stain remover to the affected area, gently scrub it with an old toothbrush, and place it in the washing machine.

#3) Follow the Care Label

Of course, it’s also a good idea to read and follow the care label on your white dress shirts. Here, you’ll find specific instructions by the manufacturer regarding how to wash, clean and care for the shirt. Because different shirts are made with different fabrics and construction, some have different caring instructions. Following the advice listed on your shirt’s care label will help preserve its pearly white color.

#4) Wash with Cold Water

Some people assume that washing clothes in cold water is less effective than hot water. In reality, there’s very little difference between the cleaning power of hot and cold water. Furthermore, washing with hot water increases the risk of color bleeding. So, if you’re worried that your white dress shirt will fade in the washing machine, set your machine to cold water instead of hot.

#5) Wash with Vinegar

In addition to cold water, you can also preserve the brightness of your white dress shirts by washing them with vinegar. Adding one cup of white vinegar to the load helps “set” the color and subsequently reduces the risk of fading and bleeding. Furthermore, vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener, making your dress shirts softer and even more comfortable to wear.

References:

https://www.birchbox.com/guide/video/5-tips-for-keeping-your-dress-shirt-crisp

Essential Skincare Tips for Men

by

Skincare is something that many men overlook. Some guys assume their skin is fine while others believe there’s no real benefit in caring for their skin. But regardless of your skin type, all men can benefit from a skincare regimen. To learn more about skincare for men and how to achieve healthy, vibrant skin, keep reading.

Moisturize Daily

Arguably, the single most important thing you can do for your skin is to moisturize daily. When skin becomes dry, it’s more susceptible to flaking, cracking, blemishes and other problems. Like a sponge, our skin is constantly absorbing or releasing moisture, depending on the surrounding environment. If you’re in a dry environment, your skin will also become dry. So, use a moisturizing cream or lotion to keep your skin moist and protect against dryness.

Wash Face After Exercising

If you’re a physically active man who enjoys exercising, you should wash your face immediately after working out. Exercise promotes the release of sebum within your skin’s pores. This natural oil produced by your skin helps to moisturize and lubricate your skin. Unfortunately, though, it can also promote breakouts and blemishes when left unchecked. As long as you wash your face after exercising, however, this shouldn’t be a problem.

In addition to washing your face after exercising, you should also wash it immediately before going to bed. Doing so ensures your face is clean when sleeping, preventing excess oil from clogging your pores at night.

Choose Skincare Products Carefully

Not all “skincare products” are actually good for your skin. The truth is that many contain harsh ingredients like alcohol or salicylic acid, which can further dehydrate your skin. When choosing skincare products, look at the ingredients to see what exactly the product contains. Avoid products with harsh chemicals such as this and instead choose products with natural ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe vera, vitamin E, etc.

Beware of Razor Bumps

Assuming you shave on a regular basis, you should take the necessary precautions to protect your skin from razor bumps. Also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), razor bumps occur when hair follicles begin to grow sideways or inward instead of outward. If you shave too closely too your skin, for instance, it may cause irregular hair growth; thus, causing the formation of razor bumps. To prevent this from happening, try to get into the habit of shaving after you get out of the shower and use an aftershave lotion or cream to soothe your skin.

References:

https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/skin-care-for-men