Men's fashion tips...thrift shop bargains!

Due to the economic downturn in recent months, many dudes are trotting off to local second-hand shops - "Out of the Closet" and "Goodwill" for instance - to rustle up quality clothing at bargain-basement prices.

With a keen eye, and a few practical fashion tips in mind, it is wholly possible for a discerning shopper to piece a wardrobe together for the New Year without a big outlay of cash.

For starters, always check subtle design elements of sport coats and suit jackets, to avoid a "dated" look.

For example, pay particular attention to the width of the lapels.

If they're too wide, your lack of fashion sense will stick out like a sore thumb.

Also, scrutinize the article of clothing to ensure fasteners - such as buttons - don't draw attention to a fad popular a season or two ago.

Likewise, get up-close and personal with collars on dress shirts off the rack.

Are the edges frayed?

Maybe, they've lost their "retention" and flop about the neckline.

Bad news!

Also, ensure that the collar suitably frames a well-knotted tie when the top button is fastened.

Dress pants have a number of pitfalls to overcome, too.

A cuffed leg may not be in currently in style, a shine in the pants may signal you came from the wrong side of the tracks, and pleats that spread out instead of retaining their "creases" uniformly are strictly a "no no".

Most men have difficulty with ties.

Bottom line?

Make sure the cravat coordinates tastefully with the colors of the ensemble.

Then, scrutinize their faces closely to weed out the ones that are faded, stained with ketchup or mustard, or just plain out-of-style.

But, if the one that catches your eye is a vintage piece, snap it up.

They never go out of style if they're matched up and knotted properly.

Speaking of knots, ensure there is enough of the lush fabric to not only perform a crisp Windsor or four-in-hand knot, but allow the tip to follow precisely at the belt-line at the waist.

Avoid belts with oversized gawdy buckles, tooling on the leather that is hokey, and fashion flourishes that detract.

Two-tone shoes may have been in vogue a decade or two ago, but went the way of the dinosaur, for now at least.

Patent leather, iffy.

Pay attention to the eyelets for the shoelaces, backs that are broken-down from lack of use of a shoehorn, and detailing like snappy buckles and winged doo-dads once in vogue.

The deft arrangement of a pocket handerchief - and the subtle fashion sense needed to puff 'em up just right in the pocket - is a lost art.

But, if you're capable, they're a classy touch to the overall ensemble.

So is a hat!

Slouchy ones, wool-knits, fedoras, and those that express individual style.

It all makes sense, doesn't it?

Just think, get a little more creative in your approach to fashion purchases, and you just may end up standing out in the crowd - a fashion plate - instead of a carbon-copy of all those wanna-be dudes who don't have a clue about style from the get-go!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Barack Obama...fashion tips for stylish entrance on World Stage!

Because I was a fashion writer with a major daily, I couldn't help but notice in the morning TIMES that Obama's suit was looking a little rumpled.

A tough day? No excuse!

Now that Mr. Obama will be meeting with leaders in the political arena and sauntering out onto the World Stage, it is of paramount importance that he make a stylish impression.

The heck with what he thinks!

So, here are some fashion tips for Obama and the rest of you dudes pining to step up the Corporate ladder.

First, never wear a "Dress Suit" jacket with jeans. The look jars the sensibilities and often conjures up scorn from the top levels of management and big Government. (Royalty, too)

When you are properly suited up take care of the finer points of dressing, too.

For instance, the tie should not be too long or too short; in fact, the tip of it should fall at waist level right at the "belt" line.

The cuff of your dress shirt should also fall crisply about 1/2 inch below the jacket sleeve - no more - no less.

To avoid looking like you came from the wrong side of the tracks, never press your dress pants with the hot iron directly on the fabric - otherwise - you'll end up with an unsightly shine in the pants. Very Tacky. (cheap-looking, too)

Most importantly, the cuff of your pant leg should break - just so - at the front of your dress shoe. For this reason, it may be wise to take the loafer you'll be wearing to the tailor when the cuff is hemmed to ensure precision in this regard.
(Obama, you need a keen eye, here)

Never wear a boutonniere and a pocket handkerchief at the same time - strictly verboten. Along the same line of thinking, please note that teaming up suspenders with a belt is considered redundant, so avoid the buttressing like the trendy fashion plague that it is.

And, it would be wise to listen up in respect to shoes, too. Never wear brown shoes with a black suit. Also, be sure to ban white socks from a dress suit ensemble. If not, diplomats will be looking at your feet - instead of your handsome face - at formal dinners in foreign nations.

Potential Execs would be wise to take note that the big honcho often looks at the feet first as a test of character. If the shoes are properly buffed and shined - unscuffed and not broken down at the heels - you'll make your way up the corporate ladder - faster than you can utter "Donald Trump".

With an eye to the White House, Obama pay attention, too.

For sure, don't go overboard with any controlled clashing of patterns.

The quirky idea was a trend for a while, but generally the rule of thumb is this: if you're not experienced with mixing and matching techniques, stick with one pattern and two plains (solid colors).

For instance, if the tie is patterned, harmonize it with a plain jacket and a plain shirt so that the colors and textures offset the cravat.

However, if there is a pattern in the jacket (even if it is only due to a noticeable texture in the fabric (ribbing in herringbone, for example) reach for a plain shirt.

Also, make sure the hues in the jacket and tie are complementary and the colors are coordinated and harmonized tastefully.

If you want to avoid another silly mistake, always take both pieces of a suit to the cleaners; otherwise - if one item is pressed more often than the other - it will fade and look unmatched - and thus - underscore your lack of fashion savvy.

By the way, it is generally uncouth to wear a sport jacket with blue jeans unless the denims are brand new and neatly pressed. Only wear grungy jeans with a broken-in corduroy jacket - with patches on the elbows, perhaps - to effect that campus or devil-may-care, Prof look.

Also, only wear one or two pieces of understated tasteful pieces of jewellery, like a quality watch and ring. None on the pinky finger, please!

Finally, avoid walking into the room with the overpowering scent of bar soap or Old Spice emanating from your person.

The women (in some cases, even the guys) will run the other way.

Remember, it's style - not the clothes - that make the man!



Zips, snaps, and designer flourishes date a piece of wardrobe.
Watch out, Barack. The Fashion Police will getcha.