Let the celebrities inspire you

I just love Tom Ford. And I think anyone that knows the slightest bit about fashion probably feels the same way. But anyways, my point of the day is that even though I hate to follow celebrity blogs and sites that constantly bombard you with pictures of famous people doing normal things, I do think we should sometimes recognize the fact that these performers know a thing or two about being in public. Especially during a huge event, such as the Oscars, in which they all dress up and play nice for the sake of art. Filmmaking is a wonderful thing, something I studied a lot of in college (mainly b/c the head of the department was beautiful) but also because I found a true appreciation for bringing beauty to a screen. And whether you want to admit it or not, everyone appreciates a little beauty. People dressed well and with such effort is a compliment to you, the viewer/public. It shows that the person putting themself on display took the effort and time to impress you, and that they do care about your reaction.

Take that into consideration when you get dressed. Whether you have an industry event, a work event or just a date planned, remember that other people will see you and will always appreciate something nice to look at. Put on a nice shirt, or a suit for a change. It will impress more than just your mother, I promise.

And of course, I can tell you where to get a new shirt, pair of pants or suit. www.FashionMensWear.com is a great source for all things men-related. We dress everyone. Even and especially the big guys. See....

Shine Yo Shoes

So I've been sitting in my desk for the past 5 hours watching the customers come and go, talking to a few, but not many, and I got to thinking about how many old-school men I met this week here at the store. Old-school guys are cool, because for one, they've gotten over all the annoying fads and trivialities that come with the younger generation (which yes, I am a part of) and know a thing or two about do-it-yourself. Or should I just say, doing something. We've gotten so used to throwing everything away once we feel it's luster is gone, we have no idea how to repair or reface anything. I'm getting on a bit of a tangent here, so I'll just get to my point. Ya'll should know how to shine your own shoes. Why, you ask? Because it's just kind of cool to know how to do these things. Good convo starter at a party...

you: "so I was shining my shoes the other day..."
female: "really? I didn't know anyone did that anymore? Tell me about it."

That's best case scenario, but I am assured that it would be a good teaser at least. So upon talking to my father, who was in the Navy and knows how to shine shoes, we went through the festivities of shining shoes.

1. Get a kit.
You don't need much, just some polish (color dependent upon your shoes) and a soft rag (t-shirt will do) and a brush (horsehair)
2. Get some newspaper or something to lay under your project. The polish does leave marks. Bad for light carpeting.
3. Brush the heck out of your shoes to make sure all dirt and grime is off the leathers. Really brush them.
4. Apply a small bit of polish, bit by bit and start working it into the shoe in small, tight swirls. It should turn into a methodical thing, where you can zone into the process. Almost therapeutic, if you will.

By the time you finish the second shoe, your first will be dry and ready to brush off. Use that horsehair brush I told you about earlier and buff that dried polish off. It will leave a slight gleam on the leather. Looks good, doesn't it?

You can go over it a second time, with a little bit of water, which is called a spit shine (get it?) for a super shiny shoe. It's up to you.

And that's it. You're done. Easy as pie and saves your shoes from wearing too early. Plus it is a true sign that you have successfully learned to care for your things. Taking pride in what you own is important, and should be done more often.

SS10 Trends

It's already February, I know. I can't believe it. 2 months into the new year and Gio has already been to Fashion Week in New York and is currently in Las Vegas for the shows. As always, he's a happy camper, running around from venue to vendor, finding the best in up and coming and established artists. There are a lot of emerging trends going on right now, from the fedora to the pocket swatch to the boat shoes, etc. A lot of what I have said in prior posts is still very relevant to this day/month/year. Go back and look if you need. But according to Gio and some of his as-fashion-savy accomplices out there in Vegas, there are a few more trends to look forward to for the upcoming year. They're easy and common sense, not too hard to accomplish and understandable.

1. Army/Navy Military Garb

People are still loving the structure of the military-inspired shirt and jacket. Now we carry several different companies that are providing us with military inspired jackets. Veronisi is big on the trend right now. The good thing about military-inspired is that it's not full and heavy like traditional military jackets. This one here has traditional aspects, such as the squared shoulders, collar cord and bomber cut. It fits well, slim through the chest and is light enough to layer and warm enough to get you through the cold.

2. Old school prep

Retro athletic looks, complete with dork-ish glasses and athletic jackets can be seen coming down the runways. I have one good example for you on our site. It's this SportActive shirt that is a retro slim fit complete with a coat of arms on the chest. It would look great with straight leg jeans and a hoodie, or a vest.

3. Clean and simple, please

Basic black tee. Basic white tee. After all the embellishment that's been going on, it's nice to see a plain tee and standard pant.

4. No more casual Fridays

Looking good in a suit is easy to accomplish and should be done more often. That's it. Suits are hot. I think you know where to look on our site for them, but if I receive a complaint, I promise I will give you a link. We are kind of known for suits. It's a little bit of what we do.

5. Plaid

This trend comes and goes, and is accepted by some or a lot. It's trying to make its way back into this year, but we'll see what happens. We're looking to see more shaded, not tartan for the cool, un-lumberjackey side of the pattern. We have a few plaids on site and on the web, Civil Society does a good job with them, for instance, this one is cool.

6. Hi-tecky clothing

Guys are liking this performance meets presentation deal. Lightweight, water resistent/repellent, and performance enhancing are a few of the keywords to look for in your next purchase.

7.Americana

With the insecurity in the economy comes a type of idealization of old-school Americana. Things that are made in America and are uniquely American (like Suburban soccor-moms and Levi's) are being looked at as comfort-food for the fashion industry.

8. Layering upon layers

It just looks awesome and is perfect for the fluctuating temperatures during the spring. Don't just layer clothes, but fabrics, textures and patterns as well. It's a cool way to develop your fashion identity.

9. French cuffs

You don't have to toss your barrels, but look at the many more French cuffs that are out there right now. There's a bunch

Obsession Confession

So, as of right now I'm wearing your basic black, hightop Chucks, but needless to say I have a deep love of shoes of all sorts and want to show you a great pair right now. These puppies are soooo nice. Handmade in Spain, out of Bambi, with leather soles and Bologna flex construction (which just means that they do not have the stiffness that typically comes with brand new shoes). Why do I love these you ask?

a. the different textures. These shoes are interesting to look at from all angles. The seams break up the length of the shoe and the center texture adds dimension.

b. the leather soles always win me over.

c. the color. As I have pointed out in the past, burgundy/merlot/wine/whatever you wanna call it may be the best color in the world for shoes. It's flexibility in what you can pair them with always makes the buy worth it.

d. the square toe. Gangster.

And of course, I do know where you can get them (wink wink). And the website allows you to see every angle, which is nice.

I just found another pair too, that are beautiful and a bit more affordable... Look:

Find these here.

Suit up for the Season

The Best Suits for your Workweek




It may have been your new year's resolution to dress better, it may have been your resolution to get a job; or it may not have. But if you've got a job that requires a strict regiment of waking up, putting on a suit and being seen by others all day, you may want to check out what's going on when it comes to this year's trends. Suits are staple pieces, as you know, and can seemingly roll with the ebbs and flows of fashion, but sometimes they may need a little updating. If you're still wearing that one you got right out of college for your first interviews, it may be time to retire that puppy. If you're looking to update, look no further for help. I (because I care) and my guys here at FSB can show you what to pick to match your style and how to tailor it to fit your needs.

For starters, there are five basic suits that every man should look into getting. These are based on their colors. What's bold? What's safe? What works for the spring and summer?

Try a standard, medium grey suit




It is a strong anchor to a man's wardrobe. It is appropriate for any time or event, whether it is a board meeting or client presentation, or even that first interview that you need to impress at. We've got a good one here. Or my recommendation would be to look at our Mizanni suits because you can custom color and tailor them to your liking. They're a rare find and a great deal.

Try a navy suit




It is a true classic, and goes well from the boardroom to the night out afterwards. Navy can be worn with brown or black as well, so its an economical choice when it comes to budgeting a wardrobe.

Black

Black used to be iffy when it came to everyday wear in the office, and only because we in the fashion world had not discovered lean tailoring. When it comes to black, having a large cut suit, or even a suit that is not tailored well enough to your size can be overwhelming. And I mean that in the likes of morticians and limo drivers. But if you can cut the suit to a slimmer proportion, it looks great. For the upcoming SS10 season, I would recommend wearing this suit with lighter shirts and darker ties. And because it is such a standard choice, feel free to exercise some creativity with the tie.

Navy Pinstripes are for Winners

This is one of the most confident suits you can buy, in a traditional sense of suiting. It looks great on everyone, as long as they have the confidence to wear it. You can keep these suits on the simple side by pairing them with solid shirts and ties, or you can get a little adventurous by pairing a striped tie with the ensemble.

Khaki Cotton for the Cool Breezes

This suit makes you want to kick on some Sublime and rock into work, because you know you're cooler than everyone else in there. As far as you're concerned, you got this look down, just ask. A khaki cotton suit is perfect for SS10. Wear it with a light shirt (white, blue, pink) and a dark tie (burgundy, navy, brown). I'll definitely love it, and that's all that really matters, now, isn't it?