Pairing socks with shoes and the rest of the outfit is something I haven’t thought about for a while because it comes naturally. But, I understand there are a bunch of guys still unsure about which socks to choose when figuring out what to wear for the day.

Some questions you may have: Do I match them to my shoes or my pants? What about my shirt, can I match my socks to that? Should my socks match my underwear? Since my belt and shoes match, should I match my socks to those?

Okay, I was exaggerating a little (hopefully none of you are going out of your way to match your underwear), but some of those questions are valid, and you may find yourself asking them once in a while.

(Side note, I despise the idea of “matching” your socks to anything, and you’ll see what I mean by the end of this article.)

So, if you’re a fan of these Back to Basics articles, you might find this one pretty useful.

Looking for the full-sized version? (right click, Open in New Tab)

So here’s a quick summary:

• Athletic socks (white and black no-show socks, first sock column) for athletic shoes / casual sneakers only
• “Dress socks” (everything from the second sock column, on) for every shoe other than athletic shoes
• No thin / fine dress socks for athletic shoes
• No white / black athletic socks for dress shoes
• color tip: Be bold! Don’t worry about matching pants to socks
• color tip: Pair socks with colors in your outfit, be a little experimental
• fabric tip: Cotton and cotton blend striped and patterned socks for casual sneakers, casual or dressier leather shoes
• fabric tip: Thicker cotton and wool varieties for casual leather shoes
• fabric tip: Fine wool blend and cashmere dress socks for leather dress shoes

See what I did there? There’s absolutely no matching involved between socks and shoes. It’s about pairing socks with colors complementary to the rest of your outfit.

The “Match your pants to your socks” Rule

“But, B, isn’t there a rule that says you should always match (ugh) your socks to your pants? Black pants, black socks? Navy pants, navy socks? Brown pants, brown socks?”

This rule exists 1.) to give the simple-minded, “no gray area” type of guy guidelines to follow, and 2.) because visually, it elongates the leg (a good thing), whereas when you’re matching socks to shoes, it doesn’t do that.

This isn’t a bad rule to follow. In many cases, it’s sufficient.

However, you read the Effortless Gent. You’re not a simple-minded guy, and you know that the gray area most guys avoid is where you can have lots of fun, and where your personal style is developed and defined.

I say forget about this rule. I never deliberately match my socks to my pants. Instead, pick awesome socks with colors that are complementary to whatever you’re wearing. Most of the time, guys don’t have a chance to be too loud or daring with their clothing, but socks are one place where you can have a little fun.

How do I pair my socks with my clothes?

If you’re unsure how to pair your colors together, you may have to think back to art class in elementary school, when the teacher taught you about color relationships. Those same rules still apply.

To keep it simple, you want your colors to be complementary. Which colors are complementary? Bust out your color wheel and choose two colors opposite each other. If that’s too rigid a rule, you basically want the colors to feel good together.

Here’s how to figure out what feels good together. Check out this site, which lists all the basic types of color pairings.

Don’t be afraid of color

I’m a big proponent of color. Most guys don’t wear enough. Most guys stick to blue jeans, black up top, black shoes. Holy effing boring!

I’m encouraging you to explore color as you develop and define your personal style. Color is super important and keeps things interesting. As a refresher, check out the Back to Basics article about color that looks best for your skin type.

Looking for color pairing inspiration? Look through this site’s archives, browse other men’s style sites, check out the menswear stream on Tumblr.

Hopefully this Back to Basics article and my pep talk about going above and beyond your basic black sock convinces you to experiment more in the new year.

Let’s talk more about it

Hope that helps!

Leave a comment below, or we can continue this conversation over at Facebook.

socks: Hanes, Corgi, Happy Socks, J.Crew // shoes: Nike, Keds, Sperry, Tod’s, Clarks, LL Bean, Alden // credit: photo, photo

I’m about to make the most obvious statement I’ve ever made on EG. Ready? Here we go: Women dress really well, usually better than we do.

And as men dedicated to constantly improving our everyday style, it will benefit us to check these ladies out. Not creepily or stalkery of course (please, be discreet with your observations), but slyly, with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to learn! Right? Are you with me?!

Seriously, there is a ton to learn when you're checking out the right women... lessons that are immediately applicable to your own wardrobe, style, and swagger. Now more than ever—especially with the 'women-in-menswear-silhouettes' trend going on—the ladies are putting together texture, color, and pieces most guys wouldn't think to do.

Anyway, enough talk. Take a look at these ladies. What can you pick up just by studying the above photos?

Proportion and fit

A lot of guys still don't have their proportions down. Your clothing shouldn't swallow you. Your pants shouldn't pool at your ankles, and your shirts shouldn't billow in the wind. They also shouldn't be skin tight, exposing every gap in your rib cage or fat roll on your torso.

When you master proportion and fit, clothing will complement your body and accentuate your physique. Yes, even you bigger dudes can find clothes that fit. Wearing oversized clothes won't mask your size, it will make you look that much bigger.

Color

Be brave with color! Lots of guys stick to dark hues, or predictable combos they're comfortable with. This very phenomenon is what inspires us at Fifth&Brannan, where our philosophy is that there's more to life than black and blue.

Maybe you're afraid of not matching, or you don't know what colors complement each other. Maybe you think excessive color is too flashy or preppy. Get over it!

Injecting unexpected color into your everyday wardrobe keeps things interesting. If you don't know what you're doing, learn what to do… the internet makes it easy. If you hop on Tumblr, you will find a plethora of photos featuring dudes and chicks doing it right.

Lastly, not sure what looks best with your skin color? There's a Back to Basics feature that addresses your predicament.

Texture and print

These women use texture and print to add an extra dimension of interest to their outfits. Sure, you can buy a bunch of solid-colored clothing and be just fine, but this site is about looking your best on your own terms, doing the best you can with what you have. And you certainly have the aspirations and the means, so start experimenting!

There are so many wonderful fabrics with great texture (tweed, cashmere, fine merino wool, heavyweight denim) and handsome patterns (glen plaid, herringbone, gingham, houndstooth) out there. The list goes on and on. Read up and learn about them!

Or better yet, find some pieces with characteristics you like (regardless of whether or not you know what it is, but bonus points if you take the time to learn) and start incorporating them into your outfit.

Layering

A lady that knows layering. Bee from Atlantic-Pacific

It's the best time to experiment with layering when the weather turns chilly, though this can apply to practically any climate you live in. The idea is that you want to start with your thinnest (innermost) layer, working up to your heaviest (outermost).

So, for example, you may start with a lightweight v-neck shirt under a cotton button-down dress shirt, under a merino wool crewneck sweater, under a wool blazer. Make sense?

The benefit to layering is two-fold. Not only are you creating an overall look that is more interesting (which increases with the strategic use of color and pattern), but you're also allowing yourself to remain adaptable to any environment. If it's freezing out, you're covered, and once you reach your destination, you can always shed a layer or two if it gets too warm.

If you're in a tropical climate like Miami, you can still benefit by layering (though your layers would probably be much lighter). Let's say you wear a lightweight v-neck under your cotton button-down, and carry a light linen/cotton sweater with you.

You'll be cool enough to walk the streets in that sweltering, oppressive heat, and if the destination you end up in is pumping out the A/C too hard, you can throw on that sweater. Not to mention, the v-neck will help capture any sweat so your button-down doesn't get soaked.

Simple, right?

Learn from the ladies

Hopefully I've given you fellas a few more reasons to pay attention to the well-dressed women in your lives (and on your computer monitors). Sometimes inspiration comes from an unlikely place, so don't be afraid to turn to the fairer sex when you're trying to decide how to look your best in the morning.

Let's hear from you peeps

Agree? Disagree? Think it's crazy to look to women for style inspiration? Think it makes perfect sense? Curious to hear your thoughts (especially if there are any female readers out there). Leave em in the comments below!

Picture credits from top to bottom, left to right:  J.Crew x2, Lands' End Canvas x2, Creme Fraiche x2, Sorakeem, theamericanlegacy, Atlantic-Pacific

This giveaway has ended. Thanks to all who participated!

 Hey gents,

So you might remember a previous article where I showed you the current bags in my rotation which I use to carry my ten essentials.  I mentioned Maxwell Scott as one of the newer bags I acquired in a previous post, and after spending a few months with it, I’m happy to talk a little more about it today (oh, and give it away. Keep reading).

Maxwell Scott is a family-run business based in the UK selling top-quality leather goods manufactured in Italy. When starting the company ten years ago, they made the decision to only use Italian leather and craftsmen. After traveling all over the world sourcing materials, leather processes, and construction techniques, Italy had the best, hands down. I like the dedication to quality Maxwell Scott has strived for, and once found, accepted only the best construction and materials.

 Maxwell Scott has plenty of leather goods for both men and women, from handbags to wallets, even luggage. Most likely you’ll be interested in the large selection within the Business and Travel sections… things like leather briefcases and luggage and duffel bags.

The quality of leather

I immediately noticed the leather quality as I unpacked the bag, but it’s great to know the story of where the material originated from. On Maxwell Scott’s site, they explain a bit about their leather and why it’s the best.

In case you didn’t know (I sure didn’t), there is an organization based in Tuscany called the Italian Consortium of Leather Tanners, and one of their main objectives is to advocate the continuation of the process of vegetable tanning leather, an old tradition that produces a really beautiful and long-lasting finished product.

The bags at Maxwell Scott are made from these full-grade hides, and what’s great about the careful selection of this leather is that you’re guaranteed to have a bag that will last a long, long time, will stand up to the wear and tear you put it through, and will gain character the more you use it. It essentially becomes a whole different bag through aging and continual use.

The older and more wise I get about what style means to me, the more I tend to appreciate really old and long-lasting things. This bag has the potential to become one of those things you use for years, and then hand down to your son or other well-deserving young’n.

My firsthand experience

Admittedly, the Lorenzo is a really lovely bag. The quality and craftsmanship is outstanding; every stitch perfect and evenly spaced. The leather is smooth to the touch, yet the bag is so sturdy, it could take a serious beating and easily get its scuffs polished out.

It’s a slim, compact briefcase with one main compartment, perfect for when you don’t have a bunch of stuff to carry (it measures 14.2″ x 10.2″ x 2″). The bag also features a detachable strap for when you want to sling it over your shoulder.

In the main compartment, you’ll find sectionals for storing the smaller things like business cards, pens, and your phone or a small notebook. There is also a full length zippered section accessible from the main compartment.

There are also zippered compartments on the front of the bag (hidden by the v-shaped front flap, and on the back of the bag. For a compact briefcase, there is plenty of storage available for all your daily needs.

A note about price and quality

After viewing Maxwell Scott’s online catalog, you might be thinking dang, those are some pricey bags. But honestly, how often do you buy a great leather bag? If you do so every year or two, then you must buy some terrible quality stuff.

Bags are something most of us use regularly, and are one of those items I’d put in the splurge category. Think of it this way, if you have to use and touch and spend time with this item every day, why not buy one that is quality, has a great back story, and will last longer than you?

I think you’ll agree it’s worth splurging on, especially if you factor in the number of days you will use it and the number of years you will own it. When you choose a classic piece, you won’t have to worry about it not being aligned to your future tastes either.

Maxwell Scott bags understand the classic aesthetic. Nothing is overly trendy or fancy; just wonderful, timeless designs in supple, yet durable leather meant to last pretty much forever.

The giveaway: Try one out for yourself

Here’s your chance to do just that! I’m giving away the Lorenzo briefcase ($330 value) Maxwell Scott provided to me for review. It’s still very much new as I only used it a handful of times (knowing someone else may be using it in the near future, aka, You, Mr. or Ms. Giveaway Winner). It comes with the detachable strap and is contained in a brown drawstring bag to protect the leather during shipment.

All you have to do to enter is list your essentials in the comments below. If you’re lucky enough to win, what would you carry in your new Lorenzo briefcase? Next week, I will randomly choose a winner. Contest ends Sunday, August 21 at 11:59pm Pacific time.

In case you’re ready to buy one now now NOW, why not stroll on over to maxwellscottbags.com and take a look at what they have to offer.

Good luck!

I’m in such a giving mood lately, have you noticed?

Actually, I’ve just been presented with some cool offers lately, and I love passing them on to you guys. Speaking of, have you entered the Primer Magazine / Hlaska briefcase giveaway yet (ends Aug 3rd)? If not, you should. Great bag, Hlaska’s a cool company, and Primer’s a great magazine! And who knows, you might get lucky, just like Andrew R. did the other day.

So I was talking to my friends at Bonobos recently, and I must’ve wooed them with my sweet talk and overly good looks, because at the end of the conversation they were all like, “Dude, let’s hook your readerz up with 20% off at bonobos.com!“

And you know I was all like, “Hellz yea, fo sho, dawgz!!!1!111!1″

—

Well, it went something like that. Close enough, anyway.

Even though I may be dreaming about that exchange, the Bonobos deal is no dream! Our good friends over there are hooking up my awesome readers and EG loyalists with 20% off at bonobos.com.

Are you thinking to yourself, “But B, I don’t need more pants.”?

Dude, have you been to Bonobos lately? They stopped selling just pants long ago. What is this, 2008? Andy Dunn no longer slangs product from his trunk anymore. Bonobos is an awesome men’s store with tons of selection; I’m sure you’ll find something amazing for a great price.

In case you were wondering, my favorite so far is probably their straight-leg washed chinos (32×30, in case someone out there wants to throw a pair in their shopping cart for me :] )

Take advantage of 20% off at Bonobos today by entering “effortlessgent” (sans quotes) at checkout.

Happy shopping, gents!

Last week, 60 of you entered our joint giveaway with Ratio Clothing for a custom dress shirt. Eric and I fielded all your answers and many of you had some great ones! It was very hard deciding the winner.

After much deliberation, we decided to go the random route, and turns out Andrew Rasner is our big winner! Congrats, buddy. Here’s his comment:

Wow–nice company, thanks for introducing them. Something like this may just convince me to make the jump to MTM shirting, something I’ve always been on the fence about. Now, to my ideal collared top.

For an piece like this, I’d want something really classic and versatile. I love the texture of oxford cloth–and what’s more classic than a blue oxford? As far as the cuff goes, I love the no-nonsense nature of a barrel cuff. Although, I do prefer a cornered barrel cuff to a rounded one (wonder if Ratio would do that upon request . . . hmm). No pleats in the back, but I would like a pocket (I’m an architecture student–having a pen at hand is pretty much a necessity–and besides, you can’t even see the pocket under a sportcoat). As far as the collar, I find the the semi-spread ideal, and the standard placket is just fine (again, I know the seamless is dressier, but you can’t see it under a tie–and for casual occasions, the standard looks much better). Ratio slim fit, and “short” length so that it can be worn untucked with shorts during these summer months!

Where would I wear it? Ah, the possibilities. The shirt I just described is pretty versatile. I have a semester in Europe approaching ever faster, and I’m trying to acquire a flexible and dapper wardrobe to drag around with me–so a shirt like this would be absolutely wonderful. But first, it’d be worn to a Death Cab for Cutie concert in a few weeks, with the company of chino shorts, web belt, and boat shoes. Then, changing pace, it’d find itself under a chino sportcoat for an evening on the town with my lovely girlfriend.

On a side note, sincere thanks for providing these types of opportunities–an intro to a great brand, and a chance for a free bespoke shirt! Now that’s an awesome blog post.

Awesome! Enjoy your shirt, and I hope we get to see some photos once you receive it.

Didn’t win?

Don’t worry. We’ll do another giveaway again. Maybe we’ll do a Fifth&Brannan giveaway sometime soon… who knows.

Still want to win stuff?

Maybe you’re on a giveaway-entering spree, and you feel your luck hasn’t run out quite yet. Well, why not head over to Primer Magazine and check out the giveaway they’re doing with Hlaska. It’s an awesome briefcase made by a great company, and I wish I could enter myself, but I’m probably disqualified. Damn.

When I’m out and about, I don’t like carrying much. Having to haul stuff is so burdensome, so I make sure whatever I do have to carry can fit in my pockets.

If for some reason I must carry more than I can hold, I take one of these bags along.

A messenger is my shape of choice. It’s utilitarian, and not pursey or womanly at all; it can carry a good amount, but at the same time, isn’t too huge.

I have three in my current rotation. One is a leather messenger called The Journeyer from Far Horizon Traders. It’s the perfect size at 16″x12″, and the durability of the leather is solid, like you can swing it around and beat it up and it will look even better when you’re done.

When I’m feeling all techie and San Franciscan (or casual, I guess) I have this coated canvas bag that my friend Neil over at Incase gave me. This thing is really awesome, super slim, and built to take care of all your electronics… which is pretty much all I carry if you check out my article last week on my ten essentials.

The newcomer to the group is the Lorenzo leather briefcase by Maxwell Scott. A little baby by comparison (at around 14″x10″), this is good for carrying the bare minimum like an Air and a Moleskine, or maybe emptying out the contents of your pockets and storing them in this.

What I like about Maxwell Scott is that every one of their bags is made in Italy by craftsman who have probably been doing this for generations. Maxwell Scott is a small family-run company based in the UK, which I love, because small businesses are awesome.

Keep in mind, when you buy quality leather bags you’re paying a price, but quality equates to durability for years. So find a model you love and know you won’t have to think about buying a bag for a really long time.

I’ll have a more in-depth review of this piece once I get to spend more time with it. In the meantime, check out the selection over at Maxwell Scott.

Four days left, can you help?

If this site has helped you at all the past year or so, it would mean the world to me if you would pledge.

Fifth&Brannan has been a labor of love and we’re finally in production, but there are more costs than we accounted for (naturally), and every pledge really does count.

We only have four days left so we’re giving it that one final push. Please pledge and be a part of this label we’re creating!

Have you heard? Fifth&Brannan is hosting a launch event in San Francisco. Want to attend? More details here.

If you’ve been reading this site for any length of time, you’ll know I’m a bit anti-fashion, meaning I’m against going 100% trendy, or following trends to the letter because, well, they pass.

To be more accurate, fashion trends (re)cycle every 20 years or so. Have you noticed?

When I lived at home, my mom always mentioned to me when she saw certain celebrity trends on TV that were familiar to her. It always went something like this:

“When I was younger, we were all doing that! I can’t believe that fashion style is coming back…”

Fashion is cyclical and can look dated after its popularity deflates and until its next refresh. Classic style, on the other hand, stays relevant no matter the year.

Case in point: Early- to mid-90s, wide-legged jeans were really trendy in certain circles. Do you remember that? They were huge. And with each year that passed, they became progressively hugererer. This denim company called JNCO had the largest pair of pants I’ve ever seen. They were called the Twin Cannon. The cuffs had a 26″ circumference. wtf? The cuffs covered your whole shoe and you basically looked like you had no feet.

Twenty years prior, in the 70s, flared denim was very popular, mimicking the same silhouette around the ankle.

That’s what I’m talking about when I mention the cyclical nature of fashion. Sure, the pants aren’t EXACTLY the same, but they’re closely related, both trendy, and they’re both… out of style.

Now contrast this with something like the basic fit of the Levi’s 501. How many times has that silhouette changed since the early 1920s? Maybe a little, but not very much. The 501 is a classic because the fit is just right, and it hasn’t changed much in its 90-something year history.

How to avoid being a tragic trend chaser by sticking to classic looks

This image is from the 1960s (source:Take Ivy*) but could easily be mistaken for a photo taken present day

I’m not completely anti-fashion trend, though I have a couple rules I follow when dabbling in them.

Don’t go full-on trendy

Adopt trendy ideas and elements of popular items, but don’t completely replace your style. When you do that, it looks contrived and unnatural, almost like you’re trying too hard, which you probably are.

Diversify your classic look with trendy elements

So apparently man jewelry is trending a bit the past couple years. Things like manly rings and bracelets and things. I’ve always liked how certain bracelets looked but I could never really find any affordable options before the markets started producing them to capitalize on the trend (perhaps they caught on to Street Etiquette?)

When I found this leather and metal ID bracelet J.Crew put out, I got one, knowing that I’m pretty much indulging in a trend, but that it was okay because I’m just using it to accent my already personal look. This brings me to the next point.

Adopt trends because you love them, not because the cool kids are doing it

This is a big pet peeve of mine. I hate seeing people chase every single fashion trend out there in the hopes of looking more chic or being the envy of their peers. Style is personal, it’s intimate. It should reflect who you are. If you’re chasing trends left and right, what does that say about you and your personal style? Not much.

If you find a particular trend you like, then by all means, adopt it. Kinda like me with the bracelets. My watch gets lonely from time to time, so I wear two or three bracelets because I like how it looks. I’m not doing it for anyone but myself. I’m not doing it because People Magazine told me the new “in” thing is wearing man bracelets. I just do it because I like it, and I make it look good. Simple.

Don’t ever forget your personal style says a lot about you, and trend chasing isn’t doing you any justice.

Learn to spot trends and decide if it’s really you or not

Excessive pants rolling (no matter the occasion) seems to be a trend. I understand if you’re walking along the shore at the beach, but if you’re at the mall? I don’t think that’s necessary. Half-tucked button-up shirt? Kind of a trend. Boat shoes? Classic item gone trendy.

I’m not pointing these things out because they’re good or bad; that’s for you to decide. The point is, figure out if this trend you follow is really you or not. If you’re trying hard to be the cool cuffed-pants guy, but you look doofy doing it, then maybe it’s not really you.

Take a long hard look at the trends you follow and see if you can really pull them off. You might need to start being honest with yourself, or, who knows, maybe you look super sexy and can pull of trend X quite well. If that’s the case, and it meets the rest of the criteria above, well then awesome!

Know what looks good on you

I know a couple heavyset dudes who love rocking the Levi’s 511 denim skinny fit. If you have to buy a skinny fit model in a size 42 waist, maybe you shouldn’t be wearing denim labeled “skinny fit”. This goes along with the whole idea of being honest with yourself. If you want to complement your physique, stuffing yourself into skinny denim isn’t the answer.

Maybe they really like the trend of skinny jeans, who knows. The thing is, the trend doesn’t like them, and maybe it’s something they haven’t realized yet. Dress for your body type and you’ll always look your best.

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There you go, a couple guidelines on how not to look like a complete trend chaser, while at the same time, staying true to yourself and finding a classic style you can personalize and make your own.

Thoughts? Questions? Leave them in the comments below.

Oh, and RSVP to our Fifth&Brannan Launch Event in San Francisco!

*Find Take Ivy here (affiliate link)

Since a lot of you guys were asking what items I have and can’t live without, I thought I’d compile this list. I could live without some of these (maybe), so think of it as a list of things I use daily or happen to bring with me everywhere.

Clockwise from left to right:

11″ Apple MacBook Air – the ultimate portable productivity machine. I bring this wherever I go so I can whip it out and do work when I have a couple hours of free time (which honestly hardly ever happens, but you never know). Some days I go to the coffee shop and work all morning, and this is my companion.

keys – to lock and unlock things

hanky / pocket square – no matter what, I always take one along with me. You never know when you’ll find yourself sans napkin, or need to clean up a mini spill. Simply fold and carry it in your back pocket; you won’t even notice it’s there, but you’ll remember you have one when you need it.

sunglasses – I’ve had these Montblanc shades for a couple years. I picked them up at Loehmann’s for $50; they were originally $300 if I remember correctly.

I used to buy expensive designer sunglasses until I realized how ridiculous that is. Most consumers don’t know that big brands select models from a display case of pre-made frames, slap their logo on, and charge $300 when their cost was probably in the single digits.

When buying sunglasses, worry about fit and overall appropriateness over brand. If you still want a brand name, go to discount stores like Ross or Loehmann’s for super deals. It’s hit or miss most of the time, but you can get lucky if you’re persistent and patient.

wallet – I’ve had this J.Crew slim wallet for seven years now. It was a bright kelly green but it’s taken on a whole new shade (like a green/black) since it sits in the pockets of my dark denim. I love the slim silhouette and the fact that it allows me to carry only the necessities. Bulky backsides are a no-no.

earbuds – these are from V-MODA (called the Vibe Duo) and they can run $100+. These are the best earbuds I’ve owned, and you really do have to invest a bit more money if you want quality. Doesn’t mean you can’t get a good deal though, so check Amazon or eBay. I found mine on Amazon for around $60. They have them on Amazon for $27 now ^{(aff link)} – holy moly that’s cheap.

notebook – I carry this red Moleskine for when i need to quickly jot things down, or want to get ideas out of my head and onto paper. Sometimes writing and sketching things out is easier than trying to outline it on a computer.

pen – this is my favorite pen. It’s one of those 4-color pens that’s really popular among 4th graders and it has green, red, blue, and black ink. It’s helpful when I’m hashing out ideas because I can write stuff in different-colored ink to emphasize things, or differentiate them from whatever else I’m writing down.

watch – My watch is an old Seiko Titanium Perpetual Calendar I’ve had since I was 16, making it my oldest watch in the drawer. It’s lasted this long, and I’ve only changed the battery once, so it’s a trooper for sure. Hopefully I can use it for another 10 years, if not longer.

Apple iPhone – the modern-day swiss army knife. This is the one tool I get upset when I leave at home. It does everything for me. I write EG articles on this thing when I have nothing else, I use it to find my way, keep in touch with people, check my email, update Twitter and Facebook… it’s the best phone I’ve ever owned. If I had to only pick one thing to carry with me all the time, it would be this little guy.

So those are my ten essentials, the ten things I have with me practically all the time. What are yours? Take a picture and tell us about it in the comments below!

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Some 5&B news before I let you go

Fifth&Brannan, the menswear line I co-run with Katie, is having a launch event on June 18! So if you’re in or near San Francisco (or even if you aren’t, and would like to attend anyway) check out our official launch event page: http://fifthandbrannan.com/launch

It’s been a long time coming and we’re super excited to finally release our small collection of shirting, which we plan on expanding to tailored pants and fitted jackets in the coming releases. It’s been a labor of love (and the cause of some sleepless, stress-filled nights, to be honest), so we’d love to have you at our launch party to celebrate with us. Once again, here’s the official page for it: http://fifthandbrannan.com/launch

Hope you can make it!

Purple gingham pocket square from Fifth&Brannan

The pocket square is the ultimate accessory. It provides the extra punch you need in an outfit, and it’s actually useful if you spill or need to clean yourself up after a street brawl.

The old rule says to always carry two pocket squares, or hankies: one in your suit jacket’s breast pocket (for looks, but more importantly, in case the lady you’re with needs to use it), and one in your back pocket for yourself. I guess that’s because you wouldn’t want a pretty girl wiping her nose with something that’s been touching your butt all day.

Here are some basic ways to fold and place a pocket square in your suit jacket’s pocket. There are an infinite amount of ways to do this, but these are the basics. The idea is to not try too hard. You don’t want it to look too perfect, or too imperfect that it seems you tried for 10 minutes to get the right amount of pizazz and flare in your display. If you’re struggling, just stuff the damn thing in there and get on with your day.

1.) The clean edge

This is probably the most basic (and also cleanest) way to display your pocket square. Fold it in thirds, and then in half, and place in your pocket, clean edge up.

If you’re trying to keep it simple but still stand out, try this with a tux or a dark suit and a white pocket square. Or you can try something like this combo in the photo, with a herringbone blazer and small grid-patterned pocket square.

2.) The rolled hem

The decorative red stitching on the edge of this pocket square by Fifth&Brannan is called a rolled hem. Something like this creates a bit of visual interest and pop when you throw it in your pocket.

If you fold your pocket square like the basic clean edge in #1, just insert it in your pocket clean edge first, letting the rolled hem peek out over the pocket. When I keep a pocket square in my jacket, I often throw it in there rolled hem up.

3.) Four corners up

This is a variation on the common “three corners up” style, which might be more ubiquitous.

Fold your pocket square corner to corner, creating a triangle. Fold over again, corner to opposite corner, and then once again. Stuff in your pocket, and arrange the corners like so.

When I have a pocket square with a contrasting rolled hem, I like how the fourth peak doesn’t display any stitching. To me, that’s interesting and part of being effortless. If you’re a perfectionist, you may not like it, but that’s entirely your call.

4.) The Poofy Poof

I doubt “Poofy Poof” is what true clothiers and sartorialists would call this style, but that’s what I call it.

Gather and bunch the pocket square from the middle and it will create this mountain of fabric. Then stuff in your pocket, leaving the peak sticking out. Poof it so it looks like you’re keeping a cloud in your pocket and it’s attempting to escape. BOOM. Done.

4b.) The Inverted Poofy Poof

I think one of my favorites (and probably the most nonchalant) is the Inverted Poofy Poof. You take the peak of the mountain that formed when you gathered the pocket square from the middle, and stuff it inside your pocket first.

This leaves the edges haphazardly formed and spilling out of your pocket. If you’re more conservative, you can stuff more of it in. If you feel like showing off a bit, leave more out. It’s up to you. Effortlessness at its best!

This is the easiest method by far, and one you can have the most fun with.

5.) The butt pocket

I always carry a pocket square with me, even if I’m not wearing a sport coat or suit. I always find myself sans napkin, or in a situation where I’ll need to wipe a couple drips of coffee off my jeans.

The square always goes in my right pocket, edges up, ready to go whenever I need it.

Add a pocket square to your daily arsenal (which probably includes your wallet, watch, phone, and maybe a Swiss Army knife) and you’ll wonder how you went so long without one.

What’s your favorite way of folding and wearing a pocket square? Is your preferred method not listed here? Let us know in the comments below.

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Thanks for reading. Hopefully you can put some of these methods to use. If so, I’d love if you followed us on Twitter and Liked us on Facebook.

Also, keep an eye out for our new segment on EG coming this Thursday! I’ll be introducing a new topic that will hopefully interest all you dudes out there trying to look and feel your best.

Until then!

Well here we are! A week after the giveaway ended. Guess it’s time to reveal the results!

If you totally missed this giveaway or haven’t visited here in a while, check out the original post here.

And the winners are…

Congratulations to Curtis P. for being the first randomly-selected lucky winner, and he decided on the bow. Great choice!

Congratulations also to Ben H. for being the second randomly-selected lucky winner, and he received the tie. Also a great choice!

The winners have been notified by email.

Thanks again for all your comments. It’s interesting hearing how each of you wear your ties, where you wear them, and with what frequency.

I wanted to thank Lumina Clothing once again for hooking up my readers with awesome neckwear. The ties truly are great and to be honest, I wanted to keep them both. If you haven’t been to their site, make sure you check it out and pick up a tie for yourself.

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Coming up

Stay tuned because we have some good stuff coming up in the next several weeks with Matt Ruggieri of The Motley. In case you missed it, Matt wrote a great series, Maintenance 101, with tips on skin care, hair care, and shaving several months ago.

We’ll discuss and dissect the online shopping experience and would love your guys’ input and stories regarding your own experiences. Matt also might have something for you, just for participating. So check back soon!