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Lifestyle (noun)
Their privileged lifestyle: way of life, way of living, life, situation, fate, lot; conduct, behavior, customs, culture, habits, ways, mores;
Their privileged lifestyle: way of life, way of living, life, situation, fate, lot; conduct, behavior, customs, culture, habits, ways, mores;
Developing Your Unique Style
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To develop a signature style you're going to have to ask yourself some hard questions. Are your clothes projecting the right message? Do your clothes match your personality? Do your clothes make you visually memorable? A signature style should do each. You should look great, project your personality and catch the eye of others.
It can be difficult to come up with a signature style from scratch so don't hesitate to imitate a look. There's no shame in making David Beckham's style your own. Just make sure the look fits your personality. Use Beckham's style as a base and slowly incorporate into it your personal fashion preferences. Relying on accessories such as sunglasses, ties, necklaces and socks, is a safe and inexpensive way to start creating your signature style. So is adding new colors and fabrics to your wardrobe. Use them to draw attention to all your best features. And feel free to alter your signature style as you grow more confident. |
Know your body type
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Whether you're tall or short, thick or thin, stocky or lean, it's important you understand what types of clothes accent your most desirable features best... along with which clothes best hide your undesirable features. To do this, you will have to get to know your body type. This usually involves asking for a trained professional's fashion opinion.
But you don't have to fly to Paris or Milan for great fashion advice. It can usually be found much closer to home. Pick a slow time of the day to try on clothes and have a veteran fashion retailer tell you what looks best on you and why. Get them to make suggestions on what current styles should fit you best. And remember to shower them with praise, so they'll always make time for you. |
Invisibility Colors
Don't just fade into the background. Stand your ground and show everyone that you're alive. Go bright. Go bold. Be visually memorable. Be a peacock in a crowd of chickens. It will dramatically improve your chance of being noticed by others.
Use bright colors to separate yourself from your competitors. Lively colors project positivity, radiate energy and ooze confidence. Your color choices can say a lot about you so make sure they're sending the right message.
Avoid grey, brown and any dull or light colors. They are invisible colors. These colors act as social camouflage - ensuring no one will notice you. They also scream, 'I have no confidence.' Instead, think in red, white, blue, black, yellow, purple and pink.
Shirts
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A great shirt must fit and be visually appealing. This means picking form-fitting shirts that comfortably hug your frame. Never should your shirt be boxy, shapeless, skin-tight or too short. It should fit snug on your chest, but not pull the fabric between the buttons. It should keep its shape, but allow you to move easily. It should flatter your frame.
A man who is bold enough to wear these colors is seen as a 'man's man' because it takes confidence in one's manhood to challenge the traditional male status quo. Doing so immediately creates some intrigue. Women can't help but wonder, "Who's the guy in the pink shirt?" So pick colors that stand out and make everyone else look like a bore. Pattered shirts such as vertical, horizontal and diagonal stripes, checks, and floral prints also continue to increase in popularity. These shirts can bring a touch of excitement to old classics. A white shirt with purple stripes, a checkered pink shirt or a black floral pattern on a red shirt can quickly re-energize any man's wardrobe. |
Business
Own at least two solid white shirts, a blue shirt, a pink shirt, a green shirt and a red shirt in solids or patterns. Try to match up shirts with complementary ties for best effect. By rotating different suits, shirts and ties, your look should never get stale.
Casual
Even if you wear a uniform or rugged work clothes during the workweek, every man should own six dress shirts (color suggestions above). Women love a well-dressed man, so make sure you own dress shirts.
Own at least two solid white shirts, a blue shirt, a pink shirt, a green shirt and a red shirt in solids or patterns. Try to match up shirts with complementary ties for best effect. By rotating different suits, shirts and ties, your look should never get stale.
Casual
Even if you wear a uniform or rugged work clothes during the workweek, every man should own six dress shirts (color suggestions above). Women love a well-dressed man, so make sure you own dress shirts.
Pants
Take your time when searching for that perfect pair of pants. Make sure they fit correctly in the crotch and rear. The legs should be neither tight nor baggy, and move with a comfortable ease. The pants should also fit snugly around the waist, the hem should rest mid-shoe and the shape must be appropriate for your frame. Once you've discovered what pants fit you best, you'll have to turn your attention to style and color. Style comes down to a choice between pleats and flat front pants. Pleats help the pants drape better, but more men are now choosing flat front because they offer a cleaner look visually and match up with more of your wardrobe.
When it comes down to colors, it's tough to go wrong with black, navy and grey. Light green, khaki, and light brown are all commonly worn but can be difficult to build an outfit around and do little to catch a woman's eye. Heavyset men, especially, should also try and stay away from light colors, as darker colors have a slimming effect.
Own
At least three pairs of dress pants. One pair should be black, another grey and the other navy or whatever color matches your wardrobe best. Just be sure each pair fits properly.
Shoes
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Shoes are one of the first things women notice about a man. Women love shoes and appreciate a man who does too. Great shoes tell her you are stylish, pay attention to detail, and will likely appreciate all the time and effort she's put in to find the perfect pair. So it is important men make an effort to wear amazing shoes. The key to shoe shopping is to not get overwhelmed. There are loafers, oxfords, monk-straps, wingtips, ankle boots, sandals, flip-flogs, driving shoes... so have a shoe store employee or shoe-savvy friend teach you what to look for. Then try on different styles, materials and brands to see what best fits your foot and personal style.
All fashionable men should own a pair of black and brown leather shoes. These shoes will keep you looking sharp and go with every outfit. Dress them up, dress them down, lace them up or choose loafers, it won't because classically designed, smooth and shiny leather shoes in black and brown go with every occasion. |
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Own
A fashionable man will own at least five pairs of shoes. Two pairs of dress shoes. One black. One brown. Another pair of casual walking shoes or sneakers, a pair of driving shoes or boots for rugged terrain and nasty weather. And lastly, a pair of sandals or flip-flops for summer.
A fashionable man will own at least five pairs of shoes. Two pairs of dress shoes. One black. One brown. Another pair of casual walking shoes or sneakers, a pair of driving shoes or boots for rugged terrain and nasty weather. And lastly, a pair of sandals or flip-flops for summer.
Belts
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For far too many men, the belt is a fashion afterthought. It's simply something to hold their pants up and nothing more. But a great belt is essential because it can energize your outfit, pull your look together or even make you appear thinner. So toss away your father's old hand-me-downs and invest in a real dress belt.
When it comes to belts - leather is better. Leather offers a clean look. It's sturdy. It's tough. It can tuck pounds away. Unless you're going for a really casual or earthy look, it's usually best to stick to leather. Suede, cloth, canvas, and nylon belts can look cheap if worn incorrectly and they aren't near as sharp or versatile. Men should also stay away from over-sized or busy buckles. If you can play Frisbee with it, it's too big. If it's hard on the eyes, it's too busy. Use the belt to compliment your look, not overwhelm it. Stick with a simple loop and prong buckle or a shiny square buckle that looks classy and doesn't have the designers initials stamped onto it. |
Own
Men should own at least two dress belts. One black and one brown. These will complement his wardrobe and match his dress shoes. Look for a unique buckle. One that catches women's eyes with its simple charm or boldness.
Men should own at least two dress belts. One black and one brown. These will complement his wardrobe and match his dress shoes. Look for a unique buckle. One that catches women's eyes with its simple charm or boldness.
Socks
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Men spend almost no time picking out socks and often forget socks are part of the fashion puzzle. This can lead to boring, bland and bizarre sock purchases or a reliance on friends any family to replenish their sock drawer at Christmas. Fashionable men don't rely on Santa... they make an effort to find great socks on their own.
Avoiding sock slip-ups is easy. If you want to know what color socks to wear, remember to match your socks to your pants, not your shoe. However, when you're wearing jeans, you match the sock to the shoe. It's also important to match shoe style to sock choice. Dress socks for dress shoes. Athletic socks for athletic shoes. Socks may just be a small piece in the fashion puzzle, but they can strengthen any outfit. Match your red tie with red socks and you can look like a fashion all-star. Unique socks can be used to surprise people. They can be conversation starters. They can become a part of your personal style and help attract the opposite sex. |
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Jeans
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Wearing the right jeans gets the right type of attention from women. The key to finding a great pair of jeans is comfort and fit. The most common mistake men make is getting over-sized jeans. It doesn't matter if you're 15 or 50, baggy jeans make you look sloppy and heavy - not casual and cool. Find a pair of jeans that shows off your frame. Make sure your jeans fit properly in the crotch, rear and leg. Just because you can get a pair of jeans on and zip up the fly doesn't mean they fit. You have to be able to breathe, move comfortably, and above all, sit down. Your jeans should sit at the top of your hips, fit snug on the waist and rear, and hang comfortably around the legs. There are a number of washes to choose from: blue, dark blue, grey/black, white and distressed. The darker colors are seen as more formal and can be dressed up with a blazer and worn out to dinner, while lighter colors are seen as more casual and to be worn when with friends and running everyday errands. Own At least two pairs of jeans to wear on the weekends. Find two different styles that look great on you. If you spend a lot of time in your jeans, it's okay to splurge on top-of-the-line brands. They'll be worth the investment. |
T-Shirts
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Nothing says comfort like the t-shirt. But pulling one on shouldn't cramp your style - it should be an extension of it. Whether it's to be worn underneath a dress shirt or on its own, the t-shirt should be more than just a fashion afterthought for men. It should be a blend of comfort, fashion and personal style. There is more t-shirt styles and designs than one could wear over the course of an entire lifetime. The key to finding the t-shirt for you is finding one that fits great, whose color matches other pieces in your wardrobe, and that you find fun to wear. Whether it's a vintage Rolling Stones concert t-shirt or a new undershirt, it should be a joy to wear. Undershirts, such as sleeveless t-shirts, are a vital part of every man's wardrobe. Sleeveless t-shirts help provide extra support be helping pull in the waist, help add bulk to thin frames and provide warmth in the cold. These shirts are a must for businessmen or anyone who attends formal events. It's also important to have t-shirts suitable for impressing the opposite sex. Find a couple of heavy short-sleeved shirts that look sharp and stylish. Collared polo, v-necks and Henley's can offer men a classier and unique short-sleeved style and look great worn with both dress pants and jeans. |
Own
At least six t-shirts. Two should be casual and fun, two designer/dress, and two sleeveless t-shirts to be worn under dress shirts. |
Ties
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The necktie is the ultimate men's accessory. It can energize, complete or augment any outfit. It can take an outfit from satisfactory to spectacular with a flip of the wrist. The quality of a man's tie show women how much they care about their clothes and how they look. Because a fashionable man always wears great looking ties.
There is certainly no shortage of styles; print, solid, small pattern, large pattern, stripe, variegated stripe, bright, knit and polka dot, just to name a few. The key is to match your tie with your suit, shirt and personality. When you are are to do all three, you will almost certainly turn heads and create intrigue. There are also a few rules to follow when it comes to tying ties. Never let the tip of your tie fall below your waistline. The size of the knot depends on the shirt collar (the bigger the gap, the bigger the knot). And the four-in-hand knot is the best and most basic knot, which can be worn with all collar types. |
Own
Five ties of different colors and patterns. The bolder and classier the better.
Five ties of different colors and patterns. The bolder and classier the better.
Underwear
Undress to impress. Pick underwear that fits snug, is comfortable and looks stylish. Your best bet is to find a pair of boxer-briefs with an interesting pattern along the rim and a dark colored fabric. It's also important for men to stay within the boxer, brief or boxer brief range. Wearing thongs or bikini briefs can diminish your manliness.
Throw away your old underwear. Faded or damaged boxers and briefs are the height of un-sexy, yet some men seem reluctant to toss them in the garbage. You should never own a pair of underwear for more than five years. If she sees you in your underwear, you're doing well - so don't ruin it with ratty underwear.
Own
At least seven pairs of underwear. Keep consistent with style (boxer, brief or boxer brief) and own at least three different colors. Black, grey and blue are the underwear colors men choose most often.
Coats
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Sunglasses
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Protect your eyes and stand out by picking a different color lens or style of sunglasses than everyone else. Pick a red, yellow or blue lens in a traditional frame. Or pick an unconventional frame such as circular, over-sized or aviator. Either way, you'll look great and separate yourself from the crowd. Sunglasses can also help round square faces and square round faces. This is done by choosing a frame that's the opposite of your face shape. This means square frames for round faces and round frames for square faces. This simple step instantly transforms the appearance of your facial structure. |
Church And State -
Serious occasions demand appropriate attire. Dark clothes with high-contrast accessories: generally a dark suit and white shirt with a dark tie and black shoes. The most serious places on earth are courts, houses of worship, and seats of executive power. In these places you never want to be wearing anything that says you’re casual.
Travel -
People used to dress up when they traveled. They wanted everyone they came into contact with to know that they were respectable, would pay their bills (or tip), and behave properly. It’s a fact: Wear suit or tie in most places and you’ll get treated with more respect. Any more respect you can get in an airport is worth the effort.
Your Residence -
The closer to home you get, the more casual your clothes become. Black shoes give way to brown, dark suits to light, smooth fabrics to rougher. Inside your own house you should be able to wear anything you like (or nothing at all). But when you invite others into your home, you’re making it a public place. Politeness-the concern for the comfort of others-dictates that you create an atmosphere of comfort for your guests. That usually means getting dressed up to their level rather than having them come dressed as if they were in their own homes.
Summer Wedding -
Your friends are getting married on the beach. They want to feel the sand between their toes as they say their vows. Good for them. They’ll be in a tuxedo and wedding dress. What are you going to wear? We suggest a light-color, lightweight suit with a formal tie or white linen shirt.
There was a time when formal and semi-formal had real meaning to any man who heard the term. Formal meant tails, a white white vest, and white tie. If you had them, you were expected to wear medal and decorations too. Semi-formal meant you could wear a tuxedo, what the British call a dinner jacket. In other words, a ball was formal; a dinner was semi formal. Well that’s not our world. You’re more likely to read Black Tie or Black Tie Optional on an invitation. What does that mean?
Serious occasions demand appropriate attire. Dark clothes with high-contrast accessories: generally a dark suit and white shirt with a dark tie and black shoes. The most serious places on earth are courts, houses of worship, and seats of executive power. In these places you never want to be wearing anything that says you’re casual.
Travel -
People used to dress up when they traveled. They wanted everyone they came into contact with to know that they were respectable, would pay their bills (or tip), and behave properly. It’s a fact: Wear suit or tie in most places and you’ll get treated with more respect. Any more respect you can get in an airport is worth the effort.
Your Residence -
The closer to home you get, the more casual your clothes become. Black shoes give way to brown, dark suits to light, smooth fabrics to rougher. Inside your own house you should be able to wear anything you like (or nothing at all). But when you invite others into your home, you’re making it a public place. Politeness-the concern for the comfort of others-dictates that you create an atmosphere of comfort for your guests. That usually means getting dressed up to their level rather than having them come dressed as if they were in their own homes.
Summer Wedding -
Your friends are getting married on the beach. They want to feel the sand between their toes as they say their vows. Good for them. They’ll be in a tuxedo and wedding dress. What are you going to wear? We suggest a light-color, lightweight suit with a formal tie or white linen shirt.
There was a time when formal and semi-formal had real meaning to any man who heard the term. Formal meant tails, a white white vest, and white tie. If you had them, you were expected to wear medal and decorations too. Semi-formal meant you could wear a tuxedo, what the British call a dinner jacket. In other words, a ball was formal; a dinner was semi formal. Well that’s not our world. You’re more likely to read Black Tie or Black Tie Optional on an invitation. What does that mean?
How To Buy A Suit
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Off-The-Rack -
Know at least two configurations of suit shape, lapels, and buttons that are flattering to your form. Having a sense of what works for you will make it a lot easier to concentrate on the important things. Sometimes it’s as simple as knowing a designer or tailor whose aesthetic reflects your needs. Just because you’re buying a suit off the rack, doesn’t mean it won’t require a fair bit of tailoring. Make sure you know your size in both American and European measurements-the numbers will be different. When shopping for suits, it’s important to wear a collared shirt, a belt and the appropriate shoes. That way the tailor can fit the arm length to your own shirt cuff and the pant break to your shoes. Made-To-Measure - Allows you to choose the suit fabric, type of lapel, the number of buttons, even the shape of the pocket. Consider it custom with training wheels. Custom - A full-on custom suit is a collaboration between client and tailor. Each tailor has his own style so you are better off finding a tailor whose work you admire than trying to make a tailor bend towards your imagination. Once you’ve found a sympathetic sartorial soul-mate, discuss what you want to use the suit for and what details he can add to make it special. Custom tailors are artisans, if you find the right tailor, stick with him. |
How To Alter Your Suit -
There are some places a tailor can completely remake the suit and others where he can only make a bad situation worse. A suit has to fit correctly on the shoulders. Once you’ve got that happening, the rest is workable. Is the jacket to long for you? The tailor can take it up an inch. Sleeves can be narrowed slightly, especially at the forearm and the waist can be taken in. The pants can get roomier in the seat and opened up in the crouch. The legs can be tapered and length adjusted. Be aware that things like pockets and pleats cannot be reworked. But if you don’t like those, you shouldn’t be buying the suit in the first place.
There are some places a tailor can completely remake the suit and others where he can only make a bad situation worse. A suit has to fit correctly on the shoulders. Once you’ve got that happening, the rest is workable. Is the jacket to long for you? The tailor can take it up an inch. Sleeves can be narrowed slightly, especially at the forearm and the waist can be taken in. The pants can get roomier in the seat and opened up in the crouch. The legs can be tapered and length adjusted. Be aware that things like pockets and pleats cannot be reworked. But if you don’t like those, you shouldn’t be buying the suit in the first place.
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Suit Basics
The Shoulders-
A good suit starts at the shoulders. It should fit your posture and flatter your frame. If your suit jacket doesn’t make you look better when you put it on, you’re wearing the wrong one.
The Lapel -
Avoid narrow and extra wide and keep it somewhere in the middle. Also consider whether you prefer a notched lapel-which is customary-or a more dramatic peaked version.
The Buttons -
Suit snobs pay close attention to the buttons on the sleeve of a suit jacket. Most suits, even those from top European designers, have sleeve buttons that don’t actually unbutton but are strictly for show. The best suits have working button holes on the sleeves. And while you’re not likely to ever see anyone rolling up the sleeve of the suit jacket unless his name is Kanye, some flashier types like undoing these buttons in order to show off the superior hand tailoring of their garment.
The Pattern -
Stripes and checks are the most popular patterns for suits-though these are often so subtle they are not noticeable from even a short distance. A better suit carefully matches where the patterns meet and overlap, with stripes continuing across the seams perfectly.
The Pockets -
Most suits are delivered with the pockets sewn shut. Pull them open, but don’t load them with your cellphone, keys, or wallet as this will ruin the silhouette.
The Lining -
Subtle or shocking, a good lining, like functional button holes on the sleeve, allows suit junkies another opportunity to demonstrate their sartorial flair.
The Stitching -
Superior suits are hand-stitched by a tailor. Although fusing-a fancy word for the suit being glued together-is commonplace for off-the-rack suits, a truly handmade suit will be sewn by artisans. This will be reflected in the price.