BEST SUEDE: Made from the reverse, aka flesh, side of calfskin. Kidskin however is mostly used to make dressy shoes thanks to it’s fine nap. To find out if the suede is good quality, examine the shoe by working your hands through it. Check out if the inner linings and soles are made of leather. One more factor is checking if the components were stitched and not cemented. The latter have been known to fall apart which probably won’t make you happy at all.

COLOR: No Pastels. Pick in the line of chocolate, cognac, black for the Winter and light brown or tan for Summer.

STYLE: For versatility, you’d be better off with cap-toe lace ups, chukka boots, or monk-straps. Each suede shoes will work with either navy or gray suits. They won’t look bad with jeans or khakis either.

CARE: Shoe trees to insert when not word would be a good investment to give suede shoes longer life. The shoe tree will absorb sweat as well as help maintain the shoes’ shape. A soft-bristle brush to gently brush the shoes after wearing is recommended. A light stain is inevitable but don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world. Just use a soft gum eraser to solve the problem.

The common dread about suede shoes is the rain. Chill. Paper towels could save the day. Stuff the suede shoes with paper towels, then place in a dry place for 24 hours and the suede shoes will come back to life like rain never happened.

The featured suede shoes is Magnanni ‘Birmingham’ Oxford, $325 from Nordstrom.

(Image : Nordstrom) (Source : Esquire The Handbook of Style)

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Some of these Mancessories that we agree on are :

Earplugs — not the ones you put in your ears to protect you from loud noises. We’re talking about the painful looking earring plugs that stretches out your ear lobes. Punk Rock my behind. OUCH.

Headbands — really? This isn’t the 80’s you know.

Jester Hats — time to grow up buddy!

Wacky Multicolor Ensembles, Vintage Plastic Sunglasses — YES, leave that trend to Kanye West, heh.

Cowboy Hats — unless you’re a cowboy and in a rodeo of course.

Fingerless Gloves — seriously, what were they thinking?

Check out the rest of Mancessories that must go at Lemondrop.

(Image : Lemondrop/SockerPlinga1 On Flickr)

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Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Shirts

Polo Shirts — these are comfortable and refreshing to handle the summer heat. Polo shirts can be worn at work, at home, running some errands, and of course, at the gold course. I particularly like the Ralph Lauren and IZOD brands.

White Shirt — any regular white tees would do. Maybe Hanes or Fruit of the Loom brands? At the end of the day and after all that heat, nothing can compare to the cool comfort a white t-shirt brings. Not to mention it looks oh-so-sexy with dark wash jeans. Whewww!

Cargo Shorts — the classic shorts for guys during the summer. They can be in brown, camouflage prints, or even denims.

Plaid/Madras Shorts — step out of your comfort zone by wearing some plaids for the summer. The jury is still out there deliberating the plaid shirts future but plaid or madras shorts, however, are gaining momentum among the summer fashion line up.

Sandals/Leather Flip-Flops — comfortable summer footwear that could be worn with shorts, jeans, and chinos.

(Image : Macy’s)

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Image details: Premiere Of Sony Pictures’ "Hancock" – Arrivals served by picapp.com

Unless your name is Will Smith, please don’t ever think about wearing the same light gray 3-piece plaid suit he wore at the his new movie, Hancock, premiere. Seriously, this look is hard to pull off. Not all Men could do it. You can do the aviator sunglasses, silk gray necktie, and the crisp shirt, plus the polished black oxfords but not the plaid vest, jacket and pants. Like I said, your name better be Will Smith if you decide to wear printed suit like this.

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Image details: "Speed Racer" Japan Premiere served by picapp.com

Is it just me or is there something totally wrong with this metallic 3-piece suit that’s not really a 3-piece suit? Oh I don’t know, the jeans maybe? I guess in a way Emile Hirsch thought wearing the matching metallic pants would be going overboard. Well, everything shiny from top to bottom is overboard but why go for it in the first place? Why not just wear something dark like black or heather gray and go for the entire 3-piece suit. I’m just confused with the idea of a tuxedo jacket, vest and white crisp shirt with jeans. Maybe if the Speed Racer star nixed the jacket, I wouldn’t be so confused this Monday morning.

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*Image Via Buzzfoto.

More on the skinny ties issue after the fold…

DETAILS wrote an interesting piece about the end of skinny ties. Interestingly enough, the magazine’s Jan/Feb issue’s cover was High School Musical Heartrob Zac Efron and he was wearing a skinny tie with his black on black ensemble. Hmmmm….

What’s my take on the down with the skinny ties campaign? I’m in between. Whatever makes you feel good. Skinny Ties are harmless compare to all the obnoxiously avant-garde clothes those huge designers showcase at the Fashion Week Runways that they expect you to wear in your everyday life. Know what I mean?

Your turn, Yay or Nay on skinny ties?

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Justin Timberlake should seriously need to give Iggy Pop a lesson on, well first and foremost, putting some clothes on. I know I know, that’s Iggy Pop’s identity. Performing with no shirt on. But come on, that was like what, 20 years ago? It might have been good in those years but I think it’s time for Iggy to put a shirt on. Let’s face it, he’s not Matthew McConaughey, heh.

Anyhoooo, JT looks mighty dashing in his signature style that we are all too familiar with. White Dress shirt underneath one buttoned blazer, pants and of course, canvas sneakers. His style it just effortless, isn’t it? Accessoriezed with his charming smile, he’s ready to present Madonna her Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame award .

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