Sometimes a traditional necktie just won’t cut it. If you’re headed to a strictly formal event, you want to present yourself in the best possible manner, in which case a bowtie may be preferred. Consisting of ribbon fabric that’s tied or otherwise secured around the collar of a dress shirt, it’s synonymous with formal style. But unless you’ve worn a bowtie before, you may have some questions.

Choosing the Right Type

First, you’ll need to choose the right type of bowtie. While there are countless different styles, most bowties fall under one of three different categories: ribbon, clip-on, or self-tie. A ribbon bowtie is the standard type that’s secured by wrapping the fabric around your collar. The clip-on has an actual clip in the front, and the self-tie has a latching mechanism in the back. Of those three, the ribbon bowtie is preferred, as it offers the cleanest and most sophisticated appearance.

The Color

Of course, it’s also important to choose a bowtie in the right color. A good rule of thumb is to wear a bowtie that’s darker than your dress shirt, unless you’re wearing a white dress shirt in which case a bright color will suffice. If you’re wearing a light blue dress shirt, for instance, consider wearing a darker indigo-colored bowtie. In doing so, you’ll draw attention to your bowtie, enhancing your overall appearance. This rule doesn’t apply strictly to bowties, however. It applies to all ties, including traditional neckties.

Watch the Wrinkles

Don’t make the mistake of wearing a wrinkled bowtie. While bowties are small, they are still highly visible — and wrinkles will only hurt your efforts to achieve a clean, formal appearance. If your bowtie is wrinkled, try pressing it with a warm iron. This should make easy work of stubborn wrinkles and creases. And if that doesn’t work, you can always take it to the dry cleaners for professional servicing.

Symmetrical Design

When securing your bowtie to your dress shirt collar, make sure it’s symmetrical. In other words, don’t allow one side of your bowtie to sit higher or lower than the other side. The bowtie should sit horizontally on your shirt collar, maintaining a straight and even appearance throughout. Thankfully, adjusting a bowtie is usually easy, requiring nothing more than pushing the respective side up or down to balance the look.

References:

http://www.ties.com/blog/happy-national-bow-tie-day-10-tips-for-rocking-your-bow-tie-like-a-pro

No-shave November might be several months away, but you can get a head-start on your facial hair by using beard oil.

What is Beard Oil?

Beard oil is a moisturizing product that’s applied to facial hair and skin. It’s designed to keep a man’s beard soft, shiny and smooth by mimicking the effects of natural oils produced by our skin.

Our skin contains thousands upon thousands of pores through which natural oil (sebum) is released. Some people assume that oil is bad for your skin, but this isn’t necessarily true. The natural oils produced by our skin help to moisturize and protect against dryness. Beard oil works in a similar manner by replicating the characteristics of sebum to promote a healthier, better-looking beard.

Benefits of Beard Oil

Why should you use beard oil? As previously mentioned, it moisturizes the skin and beard, protecting against dryness. Furthermore, it prevents facial hair from becoming too weak or brittle, which is a common problem in cold and/or windy climates. Beard oil also minimized dandruff and flaking. And lastly, some beard oils contain vitamins and other beneficial nutrients, which may help your beard grow faster.

Steps to Using Beard Oil

There are several different ways to apply beard oil, one of which is the smear method. Basically, you apply a small amount of beard oil to the palm of your hand and gently rub it into your beard.

Depending on the type of beard oil you choose, you may be able to spray it directly onto your beard. After doing so, though, you’ll need to go back with a comb or brush to evenly distribute the oil. Run your brush or comb through your beard until the oil is evenly distributed. Congratulations, you now have a moisturized beard!

A third method is the eye drop method. If your beard oil is in eye-dropper, you can simply drip it onto your beard. Tilt your head back and squeeze a few drops of beard oil. But again, you’ll still need to evenly distribute the oil by using a comb or brush. This method only works if your beard oil is in an eye-dropper (or you can transfer it to an eye-dropper).

Regardless of which method you choose, it’s recommended that you apply beard oil daily for maximum benefits, preferably after you shower or bathe.

References:

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/09/09/diy-beard-oil/

 

When shopping for men’s new trousers, you’ll have to choose between a pleated or non-pleated front. While the difference is minor, you can distinguish between pleated and non-pleated trousers. So, which style should you choose and why?

Pleats

Pleated trousers are characterized by vertical creases running along the front of the trousers. Here, fabric has been folded and sewn together to achieve this detail. It essentially looks like someone pinched parts of the fabric together. Pleats have long been a popular choice among for men seeking a formal appearance, though there’s been a growing shift towards the use of flat-front, also known as non-pleated, trousers in recent years.

Flat-Front

Flat-front trousers lack the characteristic pinched fabric of its pleated counterpart. The fabric is completely flat, though it may be “darted” on the sides to achieve a more uniform design. Without pleats, they offer a cleaner and more tailored look, making them the preferred choice among men seeking a business casual appearance.

Furthermore, flat-front trousers typically offer a slimmer appearance. This is because the fabric is pressed directly against the man’s body, whereas pleated trousers have excess fabric that “puffs out.” If you want to achieve a slimmer appearance, stick with flat-front trousers for this very reason. It compliments your body by hugging against your wait and legs.

Why Pleats?

So, what benefits (if any) do pleated trousers offer?  Well, there are a few key advantages to wearing pleated over flat-front trousers, one of which is comfort. The excess fabric allows for greater movement, which in turn makes the trousers more comfortable to wear. Men with large bodies and/or athletic builds should consider pleated trousers because of its comfort.

If you plan to sit for long periods of time, you may want to choose pleated trousers as well. Sitting down stretches the trousers’ fabric. But pleated trousers feature just enough extra fabric to accommodate this stretching without causing discomfort in the process.

One or Two Pleats?

Most pleated trousers feature either one or two pleats on the front. Whether one or two, pleats are found on the front of the trousers, and they are designed for the same purpose: to create excess fabric for improved comfort. A single pleat, however, is a more subtle feature that’s not quite as overbearing as two pleats. Trousers with two pleats can look awkward, especially when worn by men with a slim figure.

References:

https://www.josbank.com/dress-pants-details

Jeans are among the world’s most popular types of pants. Characterized by their rugged denim construction, they offer a unique combination of strength, style and comfort — something that’s not found in many other types of pants. While you can always stick with traditional jean colors like blue and indigo, many men seek to differentiate themselves with an alternative color like black. But if you’re thinking of wearing black jeans, there are a few things you should know.

Choose the Right Color Shoes

As with most articles of clothing, it’s important to wear the right colored shoes with black jeans. Being that brown and black clash, you should avoid sporting brown shoes. Instead, consider a shoe color that contrasts or otherwise flows cohesively with black. White is an all-around excellent choice that really pops with black jeans, or you can go for a more bold appearance with red shoes.

Go with a Slim Fit

Denim jeans are available in dozens of different “fits,” each of which has its own unique characteristics. Slim fit, however, is arguably one of the most versatile choices, especially for black jeans. Slim fit typically runs straight through the legs and thighs, creating the perception of a slimmer figure (hence the name).

Keep ‘Em Cleaned

I know this probably sounds like common sense, but it’s still worth mentioning that you should keep your black jeans clean. Some men assume that black doesn’t “show” dirt or stains, but unfortunately this isn’t true. Whether it’s spilled coffee, ketchup, or just dirt, these and other stains can leave visible marks on your black jeans. So, try to get into the habit of spot-cleaning your black jeans when necessary to preserve their clean appearance.

Don’t Forget the Belt

If there’s one accessory you don’t want to leave home without when wearing black jeans, it’s a belt. Again, though, it’s best to avoid wearing a brown black with black jeans, simply because these two colors don’t match. Instead, stick with a black belt, or a color that contrasts with black.

Go Semi-Formal

One of the great things about black jeans is their formal, or semi-formal, appearance. If you’re seeking a business-casual appearance, for instance, you can easily achieve it with black jeans, a button-up dress shirt, and a blazer or sports coat.

These are just a few tips to follow when wearing black jeans.

References:

https://www.thread.com/tips/categories/jeans-and-trousers/how-wear-black-jeans-five-ways/

With summer right around the corner, there’s no better time than now to update your wardrobe with warm-weather appropriate clothes, including shorts. Granted, you can still wear jeans, khakis and other “long pants,” but shorts are the preferred choice for many men during this time of year. When choosing shorts, consider the following factors to find the right pair.

#1) Fabric

Shorts are available in a wide variety of fabric and materials, each of which has its own unique characteristics. Linen is arguably the lightest and softest material, while polyester is a stronger and more resilient material. Check the label to see what exactly the shorts are made of, and choose a fabric that’s appropriate for your needs.

#2) Color

Of course, you should also consider the color of the shorts. There’s no single best color, as it varies depending on when and how you’ll wear the shorts. Ultimately, you need to consider the colors in your other clothes and how they will affect the color of your shorts. If you wear a black t-shirt, for instance, you should avoid wearing black shorts (black and brown don’t mix). White and off-white/beige are excellent colors for shorts, as they flow cohesively with most other colors and styles.

#3) Length

Length is another factor to consider when choosing shorts. If you’ve ever shopped for shorts before (which I’m assuming you have), you’ve probably noticed how some of them are incredibly short, while others extend almost to the knees. So, what’s the right length for a pair of men’s shorts? Most fashion experts will agree that men’s shorts should be no shorter than the mid-thighs and no longer than past the knees. Ideally, they should stop just above the knees. This creates a slimming, attractive appearance, while still giving you enough room to move around without feeling restricted.

#4) Pockets

How many pockets (if any) do the shorts feature? There’s nothing wrong with a few discreet pockets on the side, but you should avoid shorts with half a dozen pockets. Unless you’re planning an outdoor adventure, steer clear of these shorts and instead choose simple designs with just a few functional pockets.

#5) The Cut

Just like jeans are available in different cuts, so are shorts. Some shorts feature a slim cut, creating the appearance of a slimmer figure, while others feature baggy and relaxed cuts.

References:

http://ironandtweed.com/mans-guide-buying-wearing-shorts/