Menswear Guide

Helping Gentlemen Dress Better - Look Good, Feel Good

6 Fashion Tips for Men with a Muscular, Athletic Build

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It takes a lot of hard work to develop a muscular, athletic build. Equally difficult, however, is trying to find the right clothes to wear. If this sounds familiar, consider the following tips to improve your appearance and gain more confidence in what you wear.

#1) Skip the Skinny Fit

Men with an athletic build should typically avoid wearing skinny-fit clothes. This includes skinny jeans, straight-leg jeans and slim-fit shirts (among others). While skinny-fit clothes such as these are great for men with a slimmer appearance, they are generally too constricting for athletic builds. And for this reason, it’s best to avoid them.

#2) Size Down

Some athletic men assume it’s better to wear oversized clothes, so they end up with a closet full of XXL shirts and garments. However, wearing a size smaller than your actual body size can actually improve your appearance. Known as “sizing down,” this can define your muscles to achieve a cleaner appearance that compliments your body. If you normally wear large shirts, for instance, try a medium to see what it looks like.

#3) V-Neck Shirt

Skip the crew neck shirts and instead choose a v-neck. Generally speaking, v-neck shirts make your neck look longer by drawing attention to your upper body. There are times when a crew neck shirt is acceptable, though v-necks will better compliment your athletic body.

#4) Cut Back on Layers

Layers are usually a good way to enhance your appearance. It allows you to incorporate multiple colors and styles into your outfit while also giving you the opportunity to add or remove layers if you are hot or cold. Men with athletic builds, however, you should cut back on the layered look and instead stick with basic garments.

#5) Have Your Clothes Tailored

When all else fails, you can always have your clothes altered by a professional tailor. Granted, not all clothes can be tailored. Depending on the fabric and method of construction, however, a tailor may be able to alter some of your clothes to create a better fit.

#6) Wear the Right Shoes

This doesn’t apply strictly to men with athletic builds — it applies to all men. However, wearing the right shoes is particularly important if you have an athletic build, as your shoes are usually more visible (and you’ll probably be doing a lot of working in them). Whether you prefer sneakers, boat shoes, oxfords, etc., choose the right footwear for your respective outfit.

References:

http://www.fashionbeans.com/2015/athletic-muscular-mens-style-fit-guide/

2017 Fall Essentials: The Harrington Jacket

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September 22 marks the first official day of fall. And with this seasonal transition comes cooler temperatures, which is why it’s a good idea to update your wardrobe with the appropriate outerwear. There dozens of jackets and coats from which to choose, but one particular style that’s becoming increasingly popular is the Harrington jacket.

Overview of the Harrington Jacket

So, what is the Harrington jacket exactly and why should you wear it this fall season? Originally created by apparel company Baracuta in the 1930s, Harrington is a jacket style that’s characterized by the use of lightweight fabric — cotton, polyester, wool or suede — and waist-length construction. While it was invented in the 1930s, however, it didn’t become popular until the 1950s and 1960s, during which iconic rock legend Elvis Presley was often seen wearing it.

Furthermore, a character in the 1960s soap opera Peyton Place wore the Harrington jacket, which is essentially how it got its name. Up until then, the style didn’t have a specific name. it wasn’t until Rodney Harrington was seen wearing the jacket in Peyton Place that it become widely recognized and known as the Harrington jacket. More than half a century ago, the jacket is still known as the Harrington jacket.

Why You Should Wear a Harrington Jacket

One of the greatest benefits of the Harrington jacket is its classic style. It’s a simple, timeless style that’s not going to fade from popularity anytime soon. Granted, there are similar jacket styles available on the market, but few offer the same level of classic aesthetics as the Harrington.

Another reason why you should wear a Harrington jacket is because it’s lightweight. Depending on where you live, a heavy coat may prove to be too hot for the early fall months. With its lightweight construction, however, the Harrington jacket is the perfect choice, as it’s guaranteed to keep you comfortable. Towards the winter, you may want to switch to a heavier coat. But for the fall, a Harrington jacket will probably offer a higher level of comfort.

When choosing a Harrington jacket, however, consider the material from which it is made. As stated above, you can find these jackets available in cotton, polyester, wool and suede. If you plan on wearing it outdoors and in the rain, polyester is probably the best material, as it’s waterproof. If you only plan on it wearing it indoors, however, you can choose an alternative, non-waterproof fabric.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrington_jacket

Should I Shave with a Straight Razor or Safety Razor?

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This is a question many men ask themselves. Shaving is arguably one of the most important steps in self-grooming. By removing excess facial hair, you’ll create a cleaner appearance — and that’s something every man should strive for. Of course, there are different types of razors available, the two most common being straight razors and safety razors. So, which razor should you choose?

Straight Razor

The straight razor is the oldest and most traditional style of shaving razor. It’s characterized by a single, long razor attached to a handle (see above). From afar, straight razors resemble knives, which is essentially what they are. You hold the handle in one hand while carefully running the blade across your chin, neck and other areas where you want to remove facial hair.

So, what are the benefits of using a straight razor? For starters, they tend to last longer than their safety razor counterpart. A high-quality straight razor will offer you countless years of use. Granted, you may need to sharpen or replace the blade, but you don’t have to worry about replacing the actual straight razor.

Another benefit of using a straight razor is the simple fact that it’s less likely to produce razor bumps. This is because straight razors don’t create the same “close” shave as safety razors.

Safety Razor

The safety razor is a relatively new concept that first appeared in the early 1900s. Prior to its invention, the only tool available for shaving was a straight razor. Safety razors are characterized by the use of a protective component (usually made of plastic) between the blade and the skin. This plastic is designed to reduce the risk of cuts when shaving. While you can still cut yourself when shaving with a safety razor, it’s less likely to happen when compared to a straight razor.

Safety razors often feature two, three or even four blades. With more blades than a straight razor, they typically offer a closer shave. This can be both good and bad, however. A close shave means you get a cleaner appearance, but at the same time it also increases the risk of razor bumps. When you shave too close, hair follicles may grow inward and sideways, which is essentially how razor bumps form. If you’re going to shave with a safety razor, choose one that has three or fewer razors to reduce the risk of razor bumps.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaving

Tired of Finding Lint on Your Clothes? Check Out These Tips.

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When it comes to lint, many men throw in the towel by wearing clothes riddled with lint. While it’s nearly impossible to avoid all lint, there are steps you can take to minimize it. And by doing so, you’ll create a cleaner and more formal appearance. So, consider the following tips to rid your clothes of lint.

Wash Wool Sweaters Separately

Some fabrics produce more lint in the washing machine than others, with wool being the most problematic. Washing a new wool sweater, for instance, may produce a substantial amount of lint. Now, if you wash the sweater with other clothes, your other clothes will also accumulate this lint. This is why it’s a good idea to wash wool sweaters and other wool garments separately. After washing them, you can then remove the lint without worrying about your other clothes.

Clean the Lint Trap

I know this probably sounds like common sense, but it’s still worth noting that you should clean the “lint trap” in your clothes dryer before each use. When the lint trap becomes clogged, excess lint will remain trapped inside the dryer, resulting in more lint on your clothes. Furthermore, failure to clean the lint trap is a serious fire hazard because the lint obstructs the hot air from being released outside through the exhaust vent.

Dryer Sheets or Ice Cubes

When drying your clothes, try adding either a dryer sheet or few cubes of ice. A dryer sheet is the best solution, as it’s designed specifically to reduce static cling. When clothes become statically charged, they’ll attract and hold more lint. If you don’t have any dryer sheets, however, you can always use a few cubes of ice instead. Ice cubes also reduce static cling by adding a small amount of moisture to your clothes — just enough to prevent static cling.

Lint Roller

We can’t talk about ways to prevent lint without mentioning a lint roller. Consisting of a cylinder-shaped roll of one-sided tape, it’s an invaluable tool for keeping lint off your clothes. Simply run the lint roller across your clothes, at which point it should capture most of the lint.

Anti-Static Spray

Finally, consider using an anti-static spray on your clothes. These products are designed to reduce static cling and subsequently prevent lint. You can find anti-static sprays available at most home goods stores.

References:

https://sewguide.com/keep-lint-off-clothes/

2017 Men’s Summer Fashion Trends to Watch

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June 21 marked the official start of the summer season. And now that spring is in the rear view mirror, you should update your wardrobe to reflect the seasonal transition. So, today we’re going to explore some of the top men’s summer fashion trends for 2017.

Above-the-Knee Shorts

Granted, above-the-knee shorts have been around for decades; they were even popular back in the 1970s. However, there’s been a revival of sorts surrounding this style — a trend that’s expected to continue through the summer and beyond. Above-the-knee shorts offer a unique style that compliments a man’s body. Furthermore, most men will agree that they are cooler and more comfortable to wear during the summer than below-the-knee shorts.

Denim Shorts

Who says denim shorts are no longer in style? While they’ve faded from popularity in recent years, they’ve since experienced a revival. Denim shorts combine the benefits of denim with the style of traditional shorts. Denim is rugged, durable and offers a unique appearance. If you want to differentiate yourself from the crowd this summer, consider sporting a pair of denim shorts. Just remember to choose a “tone” that works with the rest of your outfit.

Linen Shirts

Of course, linen shirts are also a hot fashion trend for the 2017 summer season. As you may already know, linen is a lightweight fabric that’s made from the fibers of the flax plant. In addition to being used for clothes, it’s also used to make aprons, towels, bed linens, tablecloths, furniture covers and more. Linen is often preferred over other fabrics because of its exceptionally lightweight characteristics. Linen shirts embrace this element by offering a cool, comfortable style that’s perfect for summer.

Light-Colored Jeans

Some men assume that dark indigo-colored jeans offer the greatest aesthetic benefit. After all, indigo and other dark colors are typically associated with a more formal appearance. While it’s true that indigo is a better choice than light blue for formal events and occasions, there are times when light-colored jeans come out on top, such as the summer season. Unless you’re attending a formal event, it’s best to stick with light-colored jeans this summer. A pair of light faded, 100% denim jeans is an excellent addition to your summer wardrobe.

Bomber Jacket

Just because it’s summer doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to put away your coats and jackets. A thin bomber jacket is a great choice of outerwear for the summer. It’s light enough to prevent you from getting hot, yet it still covers your arms.

References:

http://www.gq.com/about/summer-style