I’m using a Polo Ralph Lauren polo shirt as our basis here. Don’t be afraid to wear a blazer over the polo shirt. The darker the denim jeans, the better. If you want to wear a lighter color like this tan brown Lauren Ralph Lauren corduroy blazer then that’s good too. Tucked in or not? It depends on your comfort level or the time of the day. The blazer I used here is from John Varvatos. Lace-ups for footwear would be much preferred to give it that really “pulled together” look.

Another great example is by wearing this waister twill jacket from Kenneth Cole ($158) over the polo shirt. This one is a more laid back look with jeans that could also work as a travel look if paired with light brown pants. A corduroy fabric or even denim would do. Just don’t pair the latter with denim jeans of course. The light brown pants would be much better. the trick is the length of the jacket. Around the waist or top of the hip are the ideal lengths. In here you could get away with wearing a dark canvas sneakers like the classic Converse.

Another idea that you might want to venture into is a sweater over the polo shirt look. This one is a little tricky because a sweater would look chic over a collared button shirt accessorized with a necktie but I’m not to sure about the regular polo shirt. I’ll do it with my son but I don’t know about grown man. I sure don’t sound confident, do I? I think at this point, you need to consider your comfort level and own style. If you like it, go for it. Just be aware of the color of the pants and the shoes you’re going to wear it with. In any case, a polo shirt will definitely work for Fall season.

(Images : Nordstrom, Macy’s)(Guide : DETAILS Men’s Style Manual)

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How To Get A Perfect Shave

First, you must have the following items on hand : A sharp razor, Shaving cream or soap, Warm water and A steady hand.

The razor. You’ll choose based upon looks and sex appeal (think of the great commercials!), but it’s the performance that matters. Different beards and skin types will do better with different blade configurations. It you have a light beard or sensitive skin, too many sharp things scraping you skin isn’t a good idea, so a twin blade might be just fine. If you’re as hairy as a bear, you need all the cutting surfaces you can get.

1. Buy a razor with disposable blades. No need to waste all that plastic on new handles each time with disposable razors. The type of blades you want to use will determine the handle.
2. Keep your razor clean. Rinse it frequently while you’re shaving, clean it well when you’re done. Ritual grooming products has a Razor Rinse that disinfects the blade to reduce razor bumps and burns.
3. Change your blades often. The average cartridge is good for 4, maybe 5 shaves. Beyond that, you’re asking for a blood bath, since dull blades cause drag, which cause nicks and cuts.
4. Use a pre-shave oil. A dab of oil rubbed into your beard prior to applying the shave cream will blunt the impact of the blade on your skin, making for an easier shave.  Try Anthony Sport, which is affordable and made by a well-known player in the men’s grooming field.

Multi-blade razor:  Multiple blades (3 or more) provide as close a shave as most guys want or need. You know the drill: each blade cuts your beard progressively closer until you have a face as smooth as a baby’s butt, or something like that. The Gillette Fusion’s five-blade system offers what many guys consider to be the best shave for the money. (Which is good, considering the cost)

Safety Razor:  A back-to-the-future choice. Safety razors offer the closest shave short of a straight razor. Using one takes some practice, but the shave is fantastic and in the long run the old-school razor blades are cheaper than cartridges (try $5.00 for 10 as opposed to $28 for 8 cartridges). Merkur, one of the only safety razor manufactures left, makes a nice product. Try one of the adjustable razors to control the closeness of your shave.

Next, the shaving cream/soap. The cream or soap should soften your beard and make it easier for the razor to its job. You want something that doesn’t dry out your skin while setting the beard up for slaughter.

1. No more aerosols. I know you have fond memories of the can of Edge or Barbarsol that was in your “welcome to college” kit, but that time’s past. There’s not much other than gas and some fragrance in the can.  Advertising aside, you want a cream or soap, not foam from a can.
2. Moisturizers are a good thing.  It’s the “m” word that makes guys cringe, but you want a shave cream or soap that has oils and moisturizers, like shea butter, olive oil, maca nut oil, silicone, or glycerin to help the razor glide over your face with minimal drag while softening up the beard.
3. Wetter is better. You want to get as much water on your face as possible to soften the beard. Basically the shave cream’s job is to make the water wetter.
4. Use a brush. Many of the popular shave creams tout themselves to be brushless, but a good shaving brush helps saturate the hair and lifts it to get it ready for the reaper. Badger hair is considered the best.

Lab Series Maximum Comfort Shave Cream. After the initial surprise of having your face feel all icy-hot, the stuff really smooths the glide of the razor and giving a slicker shave than anything else we’ve tried.  Comes in a 3.4 oz. tube or 8 oz. jar and lasts.

Sharp’s Kid Glove Shave Gel. The first thing you notice about the Sharps is that it’s Shrek-green. The second is that it’s really slick. The green comes from the botanicals (aloe leaf extract, rosemary leaf extract, algae extract) used to heal the face while shaving. The slick is glycerin, a non-oil based lubricant that helps the blade glide along your face. In 3.4 oz. tubes.

Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shave Cream. The sandalwood helps with my occasional battle with razor bumps and the glycerin and coconut oil reduce the road rash that shaving can give. The razor didn’t get clogged from the shaving cream and my face was as soft as I can ever remember after a shave. In 3.4 oz. tube.

Steps to a Great Shave

1. Shave after you shower. Post-sleep puffiness causes a spotty and accident-plagued morning shave. A good face wash and scrub gets your face off to a great start. It’ll also soften your beard in advance.
2. Use warm to hot water for your shave. Keeps the blade clean and your beard soft.
3. Apply pre-shave oil to your face prior to the shave cream.
4. Apply shave cream/soap with a brush to get the best application. Use a dollop (around the size of a quarter) and add more water as necessary to get full coverage.
5. Shave with the grain of your beard – in the direction of the hair growth – to minimize razor bumps and burn. Then shave across the grain for a closer shave.  Never against the grain.
6. Clean the razor after every stroke. A clogged razor leads to nicks and cuts.
7. Go slow, especially at the neck and jaw line. You may need a second pass to ensure you did a good job.
8. Rinse your face in cool water to close pores and cool your mug. It just had a rough time.
9. Take care of any nicks and cuts with a styptic pencil or post-shave balm. Don’t anything with alcohol in it.
10. Use a face lotion with SPF 15 or above. You can get quality ones as cheap as $8 at the drugstore.

Thanks to Be Better Guys for this elaborate and very helpful shaving tips.

(Image : Newscom)

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What To Wear On A First Date : Shirts

Casual shirts selections : Don’t go too bold. Lightweight and neutral colors that would go nicely underneath a blazer as well as stand on it’s own if you ever feel the need to take off your blazer at certain point in your date. Like inside a movie theater. Get your head out of the gutter please, . Or if you decide not to wear a blazer over it.

Tommy Hillfiger Matteo Shirt, $49.99

Calvin Klein Jeans Damascus Stripes Shirt, $51.99

White Linen Shirt, $69

Tommy Hilfiger Gide Shirt, $59.50

Lucky Brand Jeans Embroidery Shirt, $88

What To Wear On A First Date : Jeans

Jeans: Straight Leg cut and most preferably, a dark wash would be the perfect choice. Don’t go baggy and start showing off your underwear. I mean, c’mon now. How about the skinny jeans? If that’s your jeans of preference, I’m guessing you have the body frame to actually pull it off.

Izod Vintage Wash Relaxed Fit Jeans, $32.99

Tommy Hilfiger Rocky Authentic Jeans, $39.99

Kenneth Cole New York Dan Jeans, $39.99

Banana Republic Indigo Wash Jeans, $79.

Banana Republic Dark Wash Jeans, $79

What To Wear On A First Date : Blazer

Blazers: A nice blazer that fits gives it a “I know how to dress” impression. If you don’t have one yet, this is probably the time to get yourself a navy blue blazer.

DKNY Horus Blazer,<a href=”http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=358531&CategoryID=43385″>

Tommy Hilfiger Navy Blue Fit Blazer, $164.99

Alfani Corduroy Sportcoat, $124.99

BR Navy Blue Blazer, $198

What To Wear On A First Date : Shoes

Shoes: Casual yet clean/polished. Women love shoes. Besides checking out your butt if it looks good in jeans, your footwear is probably the next or the first they’ll be looking at.

Banana Republic Turnstyle Dress Loafers, $140

Converse Low-top Sneakers, $73.95

Banana Republic Dress Oxford, $140

Remember, this is a first date. Appearance matters kind of matters. Whether you are somebody to bring home to her parents will have to be decided after a few weeks or so. That is if if you call her back after the first date to have another date, and another, of course.

(Images : Banana Republic, Macy’s, Zappos)

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The Esquire magazine editors are releasing a book called “The Handbook Of Style : A Man’s Guide To Looking Good” on January 2009.

Don’t think the book is another way to tell Men what and how to look good. Nick Sullivan, Esquire’s fashion director said, while opinions do matter and everyone  sure have their own, the book is most importantly a guide in dressing and the primer elements in Men’s fashion and styling.

You’ll find important advice on everything from what cuts of suits fits specifically for you, the right trousers for your built, travel tips, grooming guidelines and more.

Other helpful tips & tricks from Esquire’s The Handbook of Style:

• Know your neck size.  You should be able to fit one finger between your collar and your neck when your shirt is fully buttoned.
• A tie’s stripes should always be bolder than a shirt’s.
• It’s ok to not wear socks in summer, but only if you give your sweaty shoes a break every other day.
• An invitation saying ‘black-tie optional’ implies you can choose between black tie and a suit, but it really means black tie.
• Know the nuances of khaki pants – don’t roll up the cuffs to your calves like clamdiggers unless you are actually digging for clams.
• Never put eyewear, your cell phone, an ink pen, or a bulging key chain in your pants pockets.
• There are three proper ways to tie your shoes: straight laced, crisscross, and over-under.
• A wallet is for credit cards only – cash goes in a money clip in your front pocket.
• Your eyeglasses should contrast, not mimic, the shape of your face.
• The five terms your barber will understand are thinned out, layered, choppy, razored, and texturized.
• It is acceptable to wear your jeans five to ten times between washings but fewer if they get visibly dirty or baggy at the knee.

THE HANDBOOK OF STYLE not only shares the how’s but the why’s as well. The book has 240 pages, priced for $14.95 in the US market, and $15.95 in Canada.  “The Handbook Of Style : A Man’s Guide To Looking Good” is published by Hearst Books and will be out on January 2009.

(Image : Esquire)

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Popular Mechanics : 100 Skills Every Man Should Know

72. Tie a bowline
73. Tie a necktie

Esquire : 75 Skills Every Man Should Master

3. Take a photo

46. Tell a woman’s dress size.

SoapNet : 50 Things Every Men On TV Should Know

3. If you have a twin, warn everyone you know.

6. Real men don’t have body hair.

Bless your hearts guys, and I really mean it. Have fun reading what you’re supposed to know, do or master, heh.

(Image © Dexie J. Wharton / She Knows Best)

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Do you ever get that day when you can’t decide which color scheme you want to wear? Or wanting all the colors for that matter. Let’s hope you only want to 3 colors. Oh gosh. When that day comes, follow Alexander Skarsgard’s lead. He wore a bright green shirt, which is surprisingly toned-down version of a bright green color. The denim jeans of course, and canvas sneakers (assuming Converse), with 2 different colored laces. One is blue, the other one is red. How creative, how fabulous!

No, I’m not being sarcastic. I really think it looks cool .

(Image : Newscom)

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When was the last time you opened the car for your Lady? Let alone help her out of the car? Look at Ashton Kutcher, looking all hot by the way, helping his wife Demi Moore out of the car. Awwwwww. Notice Ashton’s 2-toned wing tips (shoes)?

I really like his suit and print shirt. It’s clean and very well put together. He hasn’t looked this suave in a long time. He’s been rugged, and eccentric so it’s nice to see him in this nice clean, monochromatic look. Plus like I said, Ashton is showing that Chivalry Ain’t Dead. Thank Goodness .

Post from: She Knows Best

Being the Best Man to a wedding doesn’t mean just organizing The Bachelor’s party. Your responsibility as a Best Man may not be as complicated, scary, interesting, and a “make my pre-wedding life a happy one or else” responsibility like what’s expected from the Maid Of Honor, it’s still a responsibility, nonetheless.

So what else do you need to do to be the Best Man you can be? GroomGroove.com outlined a list of what’s exactly expected from a Best Man. A list? Oh relax, it’s not a lot.

They missed one important task though. Writing and delivering a good Best Man Speech. But, feel free to check out the list.

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See, that wasn’t so hard, is it? Now go apply what you’ve just learned .

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Bubba liked to frequent the old swimming hole but was never able to attract the girls.

He decided to ask his friend Billy-Bob for advice.

 
“It’s those big baggy swimming trunks that make you look like an old fool. They’re years outta style. Your best bet is to grab yourself a pair of Speedos, about two sizes too little, and drop a fist-sized tater down inside them. I’m telling ya man…you’ll have all the babes you want!”

The following weekend, Bubba hits the swimming hole with his spanking new tight Speedos, and his fist-sized potato.
Everybody at the swimming hole was disgusted as he walked by, covering their faces, turning away, laughing, looking sick!

Bubba went back to his buddy Billy-Bob and asked him, “What’s wrong now?” “Lard-Almighty Bubba!” said Billy-Bob, “the tater goes in the front!”

*SOURCE

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