Men's Dress Shoes

The do's and don'ts

I pride myself in being able to analyze a person based on the way they dress. First, I look at what exactly a person is wearing. Are they dressed up or are they casual? Are they dressed for the situation at hand? Are they trendy or classic? Then I break down their outfit by colors, fabrics, patterns, and accessories. The biggest 'tell all' about a person, however, is their choice of shoes. In a professional situation it is important to never make a bad first impression, and your shoes can make or break you. A man can wear a really nice suit, but if I can see that his shoes are scuffed or old and clunky, then there is a problem.

Being a man, you don't need to have a shoe selection equal to that of Carrie Bradshaw. All you need are a couple of quality, select pairs that are well maintained. If you think that you might need some help- not to worry, this guide is for you. All you need to do is take the first step and you'll be well on your way to an impressive, professional look.

DON'T be a square

If there is one style of shoe I hate more than any others it's the square toed shoe. This style of shoe makes you look cheap. If you own a pair, then pick them up and throw them away. The shape of your shoes need to be as modern and streamlined as the rest of your closet. Choose shoes with a slim contour (not overly skinny) and a rounded (not sharp) toe. These shoes will give you a stylish, tasteful and masculine look.

DO look for a good fit and comfort

Pay attention to the width of your shoes. If you are someone with wide or narrow feet then you already know the value of this. However, men with just slightly wide or narrow feet generally don't pay attention because their shoes always do an OK job. If you're spending good money on shoes then make sure you can walk around in them for long periods of time- you don't want that really nice pair of oxfords to sit in the back of your closet forever.

DO take care of your shoes

Always weatherproof and shine your shoes, you don't want them to be ruined in less than a year. Make sure to rotate through your shoes so that they have time to dry out from perspiration. Using wood shoe trees is always a great idea!

DON'T wear white socks

Once you get passed the age of 16 you should never own a pair of whit socks. Having a wide variety of socks to choose from allows for flexibility in your look, and when you sit down you wont be self conscious when your pant leg rides up showing your ankle. Don't be the person who didn't match his socks with his outfit- it's tacky and distasteful.

DO have a pair of black lace-ups

The most important dress shoe for every man to have is a pair of black lace-ups. They can be dressed up or dressed down. If they are simple and not super ornate you can wear them with anything from jeans to a suit, and anywhere from your office to the club. 

DON'T lace your shoes like the store

Shoes shouldn't be laced straight across- it's hard to loosen and tighten, and it's only meant for display. Take out the laces and start over by inserting the laces over (not under) the bottom eyelets.

There are so many things you can do to class up a look, shoes are just one of the many. When in doubt, a simple and classic look is the safest way to go. Honestly, anything that will turn you into Zac Efron, Ryan Gosling or Channing Tatum, do that!

#Shoes #Fashion #Class

How to Wear a Suit

The perfect suit for the modern man

There is nothing more perfect than a man in a suit. Every man should have his own suit after the age of 16, there is always opportunity to wear it and make an awesome impression. I have seen many men become fresh and sexy when they put on a suit. They become confident and poised, ready to take on the world. Conversely, if you don't know how to pick out the proper colors, fit or patterns then you can make quite a fool out of yourself. Here is the best advice I've found for picking out the perfect suit. Good luck, stay classy!

#SuitsAreSexy #ModernMan

How to Wear A Scarf

They aren't just for girls

I wear scarves all the time! I've been told by guys that the reason they don't wear scarves is because they think they look to feminine- that's a false assumption. Scarves have been a staple to the classy man's wardrobe for years! The only thing that makes a scarf too feminine is when it's covered in sequins or beads, it has animal or floral print, comes with a scarf pin (men don't EVER have scarf pins), or it's thick enough to be a blanket or too light to provide any warmth at all. Men, to be safe, just stick to a plain or simple patterned scarf with a rectangular cut and limited fringe. Scarves are a great way to class up any outfit and stay warm in the winter. It's a great way to add a splash of color to a bland outfit too! 

Real Men Real Style has a great style guide on how to tie a scarf- my favorites are 1, 5, 6 and 10. 

What The Colors I'm Wearing Are Saying About Me

Being one of the few gay men in my fraternity, I am constantly asked questions like “what should I wear?” or “does this look good?” More often than not I find that the hardest decision for people is what colors they should wear. Colors have a powerful effect on the way we act and the way the world sees us. They give off an energy that affects our emotions, confidence levels and our desires. There are many who have a few colors that dominate their closet and sense of style- these say something about you.

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RED is powerful and strong. It may suggest you could be impulsive and ambitious. It’s also the color of desire; some studies show that it makes others feel more attracted to you, and makes you, yourself, feel more attractive. You should wear red when you want to up your game on a date, or you’re going out for a night on the town- don’t wear it to an important work meeting.

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The color of purity and positivity is WHITE. This color runs the risk of washing you out and also can hurt your level of attractiveness in the minds of others. White is also the color of innocence and virginity- wear it when you’re going for an air of innocence.

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YELLOW is a happy color! It can boost your happiness and help the moods of those around you. This color tells the people around you that you’re fun, interesting, active and lively. Wear any day you need a pick-me-up.

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PURPLE has two sides to it- a lighter shade will tell people you are sensitive and compassionate, and a deeper purple will show you are intuitive and have strong feelings. Wearing the color purple can help with confidence levels, and helps creativity and critical thinking. Wear this when you need to get the BIG idea at work or in school.

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PINK is plain and simple. If you’re a man, others respect you more having the balls to wear this color. If you’re a woman, wear this to meet your boyfriend’s parents. That is all.

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Success is generally associated with the color BLUE. It’s the color of both the sky and water which represent loyalty and authority- this is great for you! It helps you work creatively, and shows others you are trustworthy. Navy is a color that shows friendliness and power. Wear this color to ACE the job interview of your dreams!

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GREEN gives off a peaceful and cautious energy. If you wear it correctly it can increase your positive feelings, but if it’s worn wrong then you might look sickly. Because the color green is regularly associated with nature, it is a refreshing and soothing color. Wear it if you are feeling stressed and need to calm down.

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ORANGE is both bold and optimistic. Shades of orange motivate and energize, and increases spontaneity. Wearing this color suggests to others that you are competent and independent, and sometimes impatient (due to the increased spontaneity). Wear this color whenever you're in a team leader position or are working with children.

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Many like to wear BLACK because it's slimming and it "goes with everything", but it's also the color of mourning. When wearing black, a person can come across as strong-willed and disciplined but they might also seem too independent and inflexible. Wear this color when you're standing up for something or someone, or need to put your foot down.