Hey gents,

I talk a lot about brown dress shoes… a lot. I’m a big fan of them over your typical black pair (because black is mostly uninteresting, unless you find the right pair).

On top of that, guys default to black dress shoes. Guys need to stop settling for “default” choices and saying to themselves, “Meh, good enough.” It’s important to be a little daring, step out of your comfort zone, and do things the rest of your peers are not doing.

So brown leather dress shoes are a step in the right direction.

But, to those still stepping up their game, what constitutes a GOOD pair of brown leather dress shoes? Can you just pick any pair that looks brown, and looks leathery? What qualifies as the RIGHT pair of brown shoes?

Well, what better way to explain than with pictures, am I right?

The WRONG pair of brown “dress shoes”

Here’s what you’re looking for… so you can avoid them. I say “dress shoes” because these aren’t really what I had in mind when I told you to go out and get a great pair of shoes.

I only pointed out a few things here, but you get the general idea. If you see any of these elements on a pair of shoes you’re considering, it’s best to back away slowly, turn around, and run.

The RIGHT pair of brown leather dress shoes

And here’s a good example of the kind of brown leather dress shoes you should look for when purchasing your first (or second, or third) pair.

These are the Fifth Avenue model by Allen Edmonds via Zappos. The characteristics I pointed out above are what you want to look for the next time you’re on the hunt.

Things like a narrow, sexy silhouette, leather upper and outsole, classic stitching, broguing (if you like it, i certainly do), the right heel height, and a Goodyear welt (the top-notch hand sewn construction, attaching the sole to the upper part of the shoe).

This particular model (and shoe brand) is expensive, sure. Not everyone can afford $325 shoes. But if you were going to own one pair for years and years, Allen Edmonds is one of the brands you want to explore.

Not only are they of extreme quality, they look damn sexy, they’re made in the US, and they even offer a recrafting service for all their shoes. For a fraction of the cost of a new pair, you can send your AEs in and have them resoled and cleaned up. After a few weeks, you’ll get your shoes back, looking better than ever.

Why not just buy a new pair? Because things look better with age, if they’re built to age well. Most cheap shoes aren’t meant to be worn years and years. Shoes like Allen Edmonds are (that’s why they offer a recrafting service in the first place… I’ve seen pairs that are 20+ years old looking as good as ever).

Plus, here at EG, we’re all about identifying and shopping for quality items, things that last, and using them for years. Why buy a $50 pair of “dress shoes” that last one year before the sole comes unglued and the “leather” starts to flake, rendering them completely unwearable?

This applies to dress shoes at any price point

But hey, I still hear ya. Even I can’t plop down four bills every time I want a nice pair of shoes. If this sounds like you, trust me, this isn’t about always spending top dollar.

The important takeaway from this is to look for these specific characteristics when you’re out buying shoes. Stay away from the WRONG pairs, and find shoes that resemble the RIGHT pair.

Boom! That’s it.

Questions?

Unsure about certain parts of the right pair, or why a certain wrong pair are wrong? Let’s hear it in the comments below.

ps — crazy, EG is almost at 1000 likes on Facebook! When did that happen? If you want to help us reach 1000 (not that numbers matter, but it’s just kinda cool to see), like us on Facebook here.

The benefit to you is that when we have a bigger community on FB, we can get into more detailed discussions about things and field opinions and thoughts from everyone else in the community. Plus, the conversation is better on there (and it’s easy to reach me). So like EG!

photos via zappos

The Lean Wardrobe is an ongoing series of articles exploring the ideas and philosophies behind curating a lean wardrobe… Things like cleaning out whats unnecessary, buying only what you’ll use, spending on things that are worth it, etc.

If you’re interested in creating a lean, mean closet with only stuff you love to wear (while getting rid of the crap that’s taking up space) you should subscribe to Effortless Gent (this will open in a new window).

Hey gents,

I’m a big proponent of understanding basic style rules, and then bending those rules (maybe even breaking a couple) to make them your own. Doing so will help you create a personal style that’s completely yours.

The idea of high / low style isn’t a new thing, but if you haven’t yet incorporated the idea of it into your daily life, why not?

High/low style (or high-low, whatever) is this general idea of combining high-fashion, tailored, and custom pieces with more casual, everyday pieces. Alternatively, the combining of the higher-priced items in your closet with your less expensive items.

Most people have outfits in mind for certain occasions. So, jeans and a t-shirt for going to the store, suit for work or a wedding, etc.

The idea behind high / low style is blurring the lines (something else I’m a big proponent of) so you take on a more casual dressy look, or a dressy casual look. Never too overdressed for any occasion, but never underdressed either.

Probably the most basic high / low style mixture out there? Denim with a sport coat. Looks great, classes up the denim. Throw on some great leather shoes and in 95% of situations, you’d be dressed appropriately.

Waistcoat, denim, dress shirt, sneakers. BOOM.

Some other ideas? A waistcoat and dress shirt with denim and sneakers, suiting trousers with a simple, fitted sweatshirt. Suiting trousers with sneakers and a thick cardigan sweater.

Think mixing high and low can’t look good? It sure can. Remember, if everything fits well, you’ll have a much easier time putting things together and making sure your look is polished.

Other reasons you may want to use high/low to your advantage:

Perfect way to utilize both casual / dressier clothing in your closet

If you’re like most dudes, the suit you bought and had tailored sits in your closet for most of the year, only seeing the light of day when a special occasion arises.

You need to make use of that suit more often. Break it up and use parts of it throughout the week. Throw on your suit jacket with your favorite pair of denim. Wear the trousers with a sweater and some sneakers. Mixing a suit in with other, more casual pieces, keeps shit interesting, and adds another dimension of awesomeness to your everyday style.

Here’s a great article (with images) from Dan T over at The Style Blogger, where he shows five different ways you can wear individual pieces from a double breasted suit.

Lets you be more creative with your combos

It’s easy to get into a routine with your clothing. And there’s nothing wrong with a uniform, but if you’re still figuring out what defines your personal style, you don’t want to get stuck early on. You want to experiment and try as many things as possible, so you can land upon something that’s uniquely your own.

Word?

Wondering if you can pair X with Y? Not sure how to pull off slim trousers with anything but the suit jacket it came with? Let’s hear it in the comments below.

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By the way, are you following Fifth&Brannan?

If not, you totally should be. We’re putting the final touches on our next collection, and we’re looking to release in early February. Stay updated by joining the 5&B fam and hitting up our Facebook page.

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 can just imagine the conversation that goes on among bros before hitting the clubs on a Saturday night.

“Hey bro, whatchoo gonna wear tonight?”

“Bro, what else? My Going Out shirt, yo! The ladies love it!”

“Aww snap, sweet yo. I just picked up a new Affliction tee at the mall, I’m totally rockin’ that tonight.“

“Dude bro, but what if the bouncer says you gotta wear a collared shirt?”

Ugh. This hypothetical conversation alone is the reason I hardly ever go out (to lounges and clubs). Being in the same room with broz wearing Going Out shirts and graphic tees drives me crazy and induces vomit, even with minimum Old Fashioned consumption.

Why there is no such thing as a “Going Out” Shirt

Sweet shirts, broz. See you in line at the club!

Image credit: left, middle, right (please, please don’t actually purchase any of these. The fact that the middle one is found on Zappos and is SOLD OUT disturbs me a bit. Okay, a lot. Hopefully by the time you read this, they take the link down… forever.)

Okay, maybe in your mind, there is a Going Out shirt, which roughly translates to a shirt with some crazy bold stripes, or a super dark colored shirt with ridiculous embellishment or embroidery (to match that stupid ass pair of artificially distressed boot-cut True Religion jeans), un-tucked (of course!) with the first three buttons undone. Extra points for the sunglasses, over-gelled hair, and square-toed “dress shoes”.

Here’s a little motion picture to more succinctly explain the G.O.S.:

Click here to view the embedded video.

(If you’re reading this in an email, click here for the video)

…

Duuude. Give me a break. There is no such thing as a “Going Out” shirt, just like there aren’t any “Sitting In My Cubicle” shirts. It’s either acceptable shirts, or terrible shirts. Guess which category the above fits into.

If you see anything that remotely resembles the shirts in the photos or the video, please, just step away.

Dude bro, those are some sweet buttons on your Going Out shirt.

Why cant I wear these shirts?

You can, technically, but then we’ll all be pointing and snickering when you’re not looking (and when you turn back around, we’ll be doing the same thing, but in our heads).

The Going Out shirts you see above are tacky, contrived, and make you look like you don’t know how to dress (because you don’t). It’s like wearing Ed Hardy or those Affliction tees (which coincidently, some guys do) to the lounge or club… or anywhere in public, for that matter.

You’re putting yourself into the “D-bag” category when you wear this shirt to the club, and all the ladies are thinking, “Oh there’s the d-bag with his d-bag broz all wearing the same shirt.”

You’re not dressing up when you put this shirt on with your Sevens; it’s the opposite. You’re categorizing yourself as a guy who doesn’t know how to dress.

Look, if you’re this guy, don’t worry. I don’t hate you. No one does. But now that you know you’re committing a crime, how about you just stop?

Do yourself a favor: take those Going Out shirts, and drop them off at the nearest dumpster.

Okay fine, I’ll stop wearing my favorite Going Out shirt. What do I wear to the club then?

If you’re going to an establishment that requires you to look presentable (i.e. wear a collared shirt and dress shoes), then instead of donning the bare minimum, why not step your game up?

Here’s an example of one basic outfit that you can wear 200 consecutive weekends in a row, and you’ll always look good, never trendy, and best of all, this involves no Going Out shirts.

White oxford: J.Crew, Dark denim: Levi's, Navy blazer: LLBean Signature, Brown cap toes: Allen Edmonds, Socks: Corgi, Belt: Dockers

• Put down your faded ass denim and throw on a well-fitting pair of dark denim
• Put on a slim, white shirt (fine cotton, spread collar? even better), tuck it in
• Brown leather belt
• Brown leather lace-ups
• Navy single-breasted, vented blazer

BAM! That’s it.

Looking to add your own flare? Maybe you want to spice it up a little?

Try a subtle stripe or pattern with your shirt. Try different colors (hunter green, lavender). Wear a tie! Put a pocket square in your jacket’s breast pocket. Wear a great pair of socks. Find an awesome striped wool blazer. You get the point.

From Chicago Street Style

Oh look, here’s practically the same outfit I described above, plus some serious personality and style injected (and a bit of badassery, if I do say so myself).

There you have it, a solution to your nightlife woes, and a chance to ditch that terrible shirt you’ve been wearing this whole time.

—

Thoughts? Objections? Are you pro-Going Out shirt and want to rip me a new one? (Ha)

Are you glad someone finally said something (though I’m sure I’m not the first one)? Other questions? Let’s hear them below.

Till next time!

ps — Could you Like Fifth&Brannan on Facebook? In case you didn’t know, Fifth&Brannan is a clothing label I run with my wonderful, gorgeous designer girlfriend, Kate, and we have some cool stuff coming up soon that we can’t wait to share. Join the 5&B family on FB.

Hey gents,

I’m about to drop some knowledge on you in a minute. But first, I want to make sure I have your attention. Make sure to read through this whole article because at the very end, I’ll have a special surprise for you, but you’ll have to read through to find out!

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For the uninitiated (read: those who aren’t avid readers of this site) “casual” typically equates to sloppy. Most of the time this isn’t intentional; I highly doubt anyone wakes up in the morning thinking “I’m gonna look my absolute shittiest today.”

The problem is, lots of guys don’t know what to put on when they’re not wearing their work uniforms, whether that be a suit and tie, or an orange vest and a hardhat.

Enter the idea of Refined Casual. There is no one type of casual outfit, just like there is no “going out” shirt, despite what most guys think.

I’m encouraging you to blur the lines a bit between dressy and casual. When you have a more refined casual look, you’ll never find yourself completely under or overdressed in any situation you find yourself in.

What does this mean exactly?

Step away from t-shirts on your off days, and throw on a button-up sport shirt. Try a fitted crewneck sweater instead of your typical hoodie. Put on a great pair of chinos instead of your ripped, faded denim.

What better way to illustrate this point than with visuals? Below are three outfits I put together. Study them not as absolutes you should memorize and mimic exactly, but rather use them as references on how to pair color and texture together, and more importantly, how to willingly stray away from your usual casual choices.

Each of these examples feature Bonobos’ Game Day Chinos, some of my favorite out right now. They have great colors available and the fit is perfect. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the market for new pants.

Take a look at the Game Day Chinos here (opens in a new tab).

Game Day Chinos in red, Resin tailored shirt from Gap, Half-zip lambswool sweater from J.Crew, Navy Bayswater pea coat from J.Crew, Earthkeeper boots from Timberland, Golden / Brass leather belt from Tanner Goods

Game Day Chinos in Petrol Blue from Bonobos, White all-rounder oxford shirt from Bonobos, Millerain waxed cotton field jacket from J.Crew, Red Oak leather desert boot from Clarks, Heritage tan / black leather belt from Tanner Goods

Game Day Chinos in Surplus from Bonobos, Brushed flannel work shirt from Lands’ End Canvas, Waxed cotton field jacket from Lands’ End Canvas, Suede chukka boot from Quoddy, Mahogany / nickel leather belt from Tanner Goods

Lucky for you, since you’re an EG reader, you can get 20% off with the code “effortlessgent”, just use it at checkout. Not bad, right? Check out the chinos here.

What did you score today?

I’m sure you saw my last article about Bonobos’ ridiculous Cyber Monday sale. Well, that’s going on right now, so make sure you check that out and pick up some great stuff at a crazy amazing discount. In case you’re wondering, nope, the effortlessgent code won’t work on Cyber Monday purchases, but you won’t even need it anyway. The deals will be that awesome.

You’re not too late, go check out the cyber monday specials on bonobos.com now.

Aaaand now, the surprise!

  This contest has already ended. Thanks for entering!   

The good folks at Bonobos knew I loved their Game Day Chinos, and when I told them I was going to feature them in an article, they were gracious enough to throw in a pair for free to one lucky winner.

Nice!

So here’s what you gotta do to win a pair of Game Day Chinos. In the comments below, let’s hear your BEST pick-up line, ever. Make it good! And make it count.

Pretty simple, right? Last day to enter is this Friday, December 2, at 11:59pm Pacific.

I’m looking forward to hearing your best pick-up lines… this should be interesting.

Oh, and if you have any thoughts / questions on “refined casual”, leave em in the comments as well.

Good luck!

Hey gents,

How many times have you stumbled upon a sweet deal online but never completed the purchase because you couldn’t figure out if the last one in your size would actually fit (and there were no returns, no exchanges)?

Or have you ever found the perfect sport coat on eBay or Style Forum, but it didn’t have size tags and the seller simply listed the measurements?

I mean, what the heck are you supposed to do with that, right?

Am I right?!

Well, let’s make sure this never happens to you again. Here’s the ONE tool you need to solve all your online shopping woes:

Tailor’s tape!

Lucky for you, you can find it on Amazon, in practically any big box store (Target, Walmart, Kmart), or in an arts and crafts store in your neighborhood, and it’ll cost you a few dollars at most.

How is tailor’s tape going to solve all my online shopping woes?

This little tool can measure every single square inch of that hot bod of yours. And those measurements are exactly what you need to make those confusing online purchases much easier.

I don’t want to measure every square inch of my body.

Okay, fine. I was over-exaggerating anyway. You really only need 6, maybe 7, measurements. That’s it! With those 6 (or 7) measurements, you can buy any garment anywhere without having to try it on. Pretty nifty, right?

So what parts of my body should I measure?

Good question. To make it easy, why not take a look at this handy dandy diagram below:

Here are some descriptive definitions for the more confusing ones:

Sleeve length: Measure from the base of the neck, across the traps to the shoulder, down the arm, to your wrist bone.

Chest: Measure the widest part of your chest, usually across the nipples (ooh la la).

Natural waist: Your natural waist is generally where your torso bends if you were to stand straight with your legs shoulder width apart, and tipped over slightly to one side. That crease sorta in the middle of your ribs? That’s your natural waist.

Hip: Where your pants typically sit. If you finger that area (wow, really?) you can feel your hip bone. Your tape should come right across there, parallel to the ground.

Inseam: Measure from the inside of your thigh (this is too much) to the heel.

These are the only measurements you’ll need.

Some tips on getting an accurate measurement

This is a little difficult to do if you’re on your own, unless you have something like this. If you’re not as fancy and you picked up traditional tailor’s tape, better get your patient significant other to help you out.

Keep the tape straight

It’s really important to make sure the tape is level as your S.O. is wrapping it around your body parts (whoa). If it isn’t straight, chances are you’ll get a skewed measurement. An inch can make a big difference in the fit of your clothes, so make sure your designated measurer is as precise as possible. If you’re measuring your chest, waist, or hips, the tape should be parallel to the ground.

Too loose = bad

You want to feel the tape wrapped around you. If it’s too loose, most likely it’s also not straight, so you’re going to get an inaccurate measurement no matter what.

Too tight = bad

Yes, you want to feel the tape wrapped around you, but you don’t want to cinch it so snugly that your spare tire is cascading over it, enveloping the tape in a wall of skin and lard like some weird 80s horror film. Keep it firm, but not tight.

Line it up

Hold one end, wrap the tape around your body, hold it firm, and match up the free end to the nearest line on the tape, like so:

Pretty simple, right? You want to do this for each of the areas listed in my handy dandy diagram above.

Half or full?

Some places give you measurements that look peculiarly small. For example, you may see a garment listed as having a 20″ chest measurement. Well that just means they measured across the chest without doubling the measurement. So your 40″ chest is 40″ because you went all the way around your body.

While you’re at it, measure your clothes

Let’s say you have a blazer that fits you perfectly. Take the jacket’s measurements. This will come in handy when you’re looking to buy suiting online.

Measuring a garment is similar to measuring your body, but easier. You’re essentially taking the same measurements you would on yourself. Lay your garment on a flat surface, and follow this measuring guide we use on the Fifth&Brannan size chart page:

(need the full size version? click here.)

BOOM! You’re equipped.

Make sure to keep these numbers on a Post-it and stick it in your wallet for quick reference, and shop online with confidence, armed with the knowledge of your own measurements.

Feels good, doesn’t it?

Questions?

I’m here to help. Leave em in the comments below!

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

As I was getting ready to write about choosing a good pair of leather dress shoes, I came across this well-written article that pretty much covers all the bases, and then some. I just had to share it with you guys. Why reinvent the wheel if it was already invented, right?

Read the article from kinowear.com here.

Take note that this article was written in 2008, but every piece of advice is still relevant today. It will still be relevant in 2018, and probably 3008. I can’t say that for sure, but I wouldn’t doubt me.

Don’t forget

I think one of the basic—yet most important—ideas in this article is to buy quality. Don’t sacrifice a couple dollars for a subpar shoe. You’re looking to spend at least $200-$300 brand new (or if you’re a slick eBayer, $200-$300 for a shoe that may cost $500-$600 new). There’s a reason a good shoe costs this much: the quality of the material and the quality of the construction.

Average your cost over the total days you will use said pair of shoes, and spending $200-$300 isn’t that outlandish. A quality pair will last you years, maybe decades, compared to a cheaper shoe made from synthetic material with crappy construction.

Also, a quality pair can be repaired, resoled, and refinished. There’s no point repairing a subpar shoe, so you’ll end up throwing them out and buying another pair. Save yourself the trouble; read this guide, then go out and find yourself a decent pair of shoes.

Let’s hear it

I’m sure there are naysayers out there. Or maybe not, maybe you totally agree with me. What’s your take on spending top dollar for a nice pair of shoes? Let us know in the comments below.

PS, you should follow me on Twitter.

image credit: Ryan Plett

The following is a guest article from Michael Gilman over at groominglounge.com. He knows a thing or two about how men should clean up, having many years of experience under his belt. Listen to his advice.

Enter Mike…

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If personal ads read like the following, most guys would never think about taking preventive measures to ward off premature aging:

Swedish bikini model seeks middle-aged male with wrinkled skin for fun with no commitment. Brown spots a plus.

But since ads like this don’t exist, it’s probably a good idea to take the steps necessary to keep skin looking young and fresh. Here’s a quick course designed to help that dermis stay forever young.

What are men worried about?

Recent research shows that men are most worried about the following when it comes to their skin and aging:

• Fine Lines: Wrinkles all around the face — particularly the eye and mouth area (often referred to as “Crow’s Feet”).
• Tired-Looking Skin: Skin that looks “worn out,” with no hint of softness or suppleness (sorry, we couldn’t think of any more macho words to use). We’re talking about a dull, coarse, leathery hide.
• Brown Spots: Small patches of discoloration on the face and neck.

What causes these issues?

Not to get too scientific, but collagen and elastin are the elements that keep skin looking soft and healthy. When these elements are damaged or reduced in volume, skin tends to go downhill and premature aging sets in. So, it’s important, where possible, to protect skin from outside forces that damage collagen and elastin.

It’s also important and obvious to note that while time and genetics certainly play a role in premature aging, it is universally agreed that a healthy lifestyle and skincare regimen can mitigate negative factors and results.

Things to avoid

This stuff wreaks havoc on collagen and elastin and affects your skin’s appearance:

• Major Sun Exposure: Betcha didn’t know that 99% of all premature aging is the result of sun exposure. Such exposure causes a massive attack of free radicals that cause wrinkling, sagging and damage to that precious collagen and elastin.
• Smoking: The damage to skin can be significant, but is still probably the least of a smoker’s worries.
• Unhealthy Lifestyle: Sleep deprivation, ongoing stress, heavy drinking and poor nutrition have a direct effect on the skin’s appearance.

Things to do

Whether you’re trying to avoid premature aging all together or just slow it down, follow these golden rules:

• Wear Sunscreen: Slap on a moisturizer with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or more every single morning. Avoid unprotected sun exposure.
• Follow A Solid Skincare Routine: Remember the letters CSP – Cleanse, Scrub and Protect. To find a daily routine that’s right for you, click here.
• Quit Smoking: That’s it… just knock it off.
• Live Healthy: Eat well, take vitamins, and get some sleep and exercise.

Grooming Lounge tip

One of the easiest steps in maintaining younger-looking skin involves drinking a lot… of water that is. Eight glasses a day. Chug-a-lug.

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A little more about Grooming Lounge:

Grooming Lounge is one of the country’s premiere destinations for men’s grooming solutions, boasting a comprehensive e-commerce and instructional web site, several upscale barbershops in the Washington, DC area and the company’s own lineup of shaving and hair care solutions.

Note: All links within article aren’t affiliate links, just links to the groominglounge.com store.

The other night, the girlfriend and I caught a late showing of Crazy, Stupid, Love. Steve Carrell’s character, Cal, is a middle-aged, soon-to-be divorcé who, in an attempt to pick himself up after days of self-loathing and pity, becomes inspired and then coached by a younger, smoother-talking, swaggerific Jacob (played by Ryan Gosling), and ultimately reinvents himself.

There was a montage during Cal’s reinvention that displayed him in some pretty impressive outfits for a guy his age and in his situation. This made me realize that guys, no matter their age, have no excuse for not dressing well. The movie is a great example of how the classic rules of clothing apply to any age group and never go out of style.

Most men ages 40 and up seem to fall into one of these three categories: 1.) they really get what they’re doing, 2.) they’re stuck in some previous decade they enjoyed most, or 3.) they stop caring completely.

Ironically, lots of men in this age group also have the level of success their younger counterparts are striving for, and most are comfortable in their own skin, which I assume comes with over four decades living on earth.

So for you older gents who are realizing you need to present yourself better, why not follow in the footsteps of our friend Cal?

Fit and proportion is still as important as always

I see lots of older dudes wearing really, really snug clothing, like they stopped buying clothes 15 years ago but their waistlines continued to expand. Or they wear really big clothes, often under the assumption it’s more comfortable.

Well-fitting clothing doesn’t translate to uncomfortable, and whether you’re skinny, overweight, or just right, you need to buy clothes that fit your proportions.

Stop lying to yourself. If you no longer fit into the pants you did five years ago, go buy a bigger size (or better yet, start exercising again). If it’s been a while since you’ve tried fitting yourself for clothing, go to a higher-end department store and ask for help from a knowledgeable salesman. That’s their job, after all, to assist you in getting this stuff right.

Alternatively, go to a store yourself and start trying on clothing. Grab several sizes in the same style, and see what fits best.

There are alternatives to the Dad jean

More like Gosling, less like Carrell

What defines a Dad jean? Well, the pair Cal is wearing in the picture to the right is a good visual represntation. Overly-washed light blue denim or “WalMart blue” denim, unnecessarily high rise, wide throughout the thigh and calf, and sometimes even a short inseam, causing unintentional flooding.

Levi’s 501 or 505 is a good standard for denim. If you find yourself in Dad jeans, please do the world a favor and go to Macy’s (or Sears, even) and pick up a pair. Denim enthusiasts will argue that Levi’s at Sears differ greatly from those at Macy’s, which differ from the ones at Urban Outfitters, which differ from the pairs at the Levi’s stores themselves.

Don’t concern yourself with that right now; you have bigger problems. Just snag a pair of 501s and move on with your life. Oh, and make sure they’re inky blue, unwashed, non-distressed denim. This will be your everyday pair.

Once you’ve scored yourself a new pair of well-fitting, non-Dad jeans, don’t just wash them like any old pair. Wash them separately or with other dark-colored clothing, and use Woolite Black to resist fading. Hang dry to avoid shrinking.

Better yet, don’t wash them until they’re visibly soiled or smell so bad your dog is offended. Seriously. Non-distressed denim tends to form to the contours of your body, so they feel more and more comfortable with each wear. Washing them is like hitting the reset button.

Shoes matter

Barring any medical complications, pay attention to your footwear. Don’t walk around in public wearing beat up Asics or Costco’s Court Classics tennis shoes. You’re a grown, established man.

Find a good pair of brogues; my favorites are the Florsheim Veblen. They’ll look great with your non-Dad denim.

Other alternatives? Tan Sperry Top Siders are classics and go with everything. So do Clarks desert boots.

If you’re a sneaker guy, go with something unadorned and simplistic, like a pair of low-top Jack Purcell Converse or Tretorn.

Stay away from anything designed for sports use (basketball shoes, running shoes, cross trainers)… those are only fine when you’re actually participating in said sporty activity.

Getting older doesn’t mean you should stop caring

Maybe you’re married and have kids, or you’re in a committed relationship, so you’re not on the hunt for hot chicks anymore. Perhaps you’re no longer trying to impress the dudes in your gang with your cool threads. Regardless, you should still be trying for your own sake. You’re a man! When you’re out in the wild, present yourself with some respect.

Dressing well isn’t just about vanity (at least not completely). Dressing well is about self-respect, self-worth, being proud of yourself, presenting yourself in an appropriate manner to those around you. It’s about feeling good and holding your head up high. Can you do that in a ratty tee from 1987, or your college-aged son’s old high-school clothes he no longer wears? No, you can’t.

Style isn’t about spending gobs of cash on the latest and greatest things from the runway, or about having a guest bedroom double as your personal walk-in closet. You don’t have to have thousands of pieces in your wardrobe. You only need a few pieces flexible enough that they can easily be worn with each other.

Not sure where to start? Work on this list:

1. 1 pair inky dark blue denim, unadorned, plain, non-distressed, unwashed (have I mentioned this enough?)
2. 1 pair tailored navy trousers
3. 1 white oxford cloth button-up / poplin button-up
4. 1 light blue or lavender oxford cloth button-up / poplin button-up
5. 1 navy blazer (gold buttons optional, vents + great fit + tailoring mandatory)
6. 1 casual two-button khaki sport coat
7. 1 charcoal gray 2 button wool suit (vents + tailoring mandatory)
8. 1 pair of brown leather lace ups (rounded toe, slim leather sole)
9. 1 pair of black leather lace ups (same)
10. assortment of dress socks (be daring and experimental with color)
11. 3-5 heather gray v-necks
12. boxer briefs (or briefs, but no regular boxers… too much material underneath your pants)

Don’t be scared to layer

Layering can add layers (clever word play! not really) of visual interest to your outfit. Another benefit? You can control your bodily temperature in gradual steps.

Let’s say you’re a month or two into the Autumn season, and you have an undershirt (hopefully a gray v-neck) over a button-up dress shirt, and then a thin merino wool sweater, and then a blazer as your outermost layer. Getting warm? Peel off a layer. Still hot? Peel off another. Starting to get chilly? Throw that layer back on.

How would you do that if you wore, say, a T-shirt underneath a winter parka? You’re either sweating in your parka, or freezing in a T-shirt. Layers are key.

These ideas apply to every man, young and old

If you’re insightful, you may have realized this. Doesn’t matter if you’re an 18-year-old high school grad coming into your own sense of style, or you’re 62 and running around the park with your grandkids… these basics can be applied in any situation.

What do you think?

Have you seen Crazy, Stupid, Love? What do you think about Cal’s new sense of style?

What other basic rules (that apply to any age) did I miss? Am I forgetting any must-haves in that starter list above? Let’s hear your thoughts below in the comments.