The Daily Style

Oh, Hollywood...

2009-08-07T10:09:00.002-04:00

Here we have Byung-hum Lee, one of the stars of the new G.I. Joe movie. He's exhibiting everything right about about a suit, something his co-stars need a hand with. Notice where the vest ends, over the trousers. Not above them. It creates a seameless line of fabric, the intended purpose of a three-piece suit. Co-star Marlon Wayans attempted the same look. But alas, either the vest is too short or the trousers are too long. Either way, it breaks up what otherwise is a pretty solid look.

Channing Tatum has been stepping out well-suited while promoting this film. Only detail, the bottom button on the suit. Switch 'em up, and all is well.

Where do I start with this guy. If this was The Player Hater's Ball from Chappelle's show, he would be perfect, but red shoes are best left to the Pope and the red shirt? R.I.P. MJ.

This final young man below is decidedly trendy. Slim lapels, shirt collar and tie. While not for most guys in most situations, this look works for his age and a Hollywood premiere.

An unexpected twist

2009-07-22T14:34:00.003-04:00

How often do you see Washingtonians wearing Chelsea boots with a suit? Sure, W. had a penchant for cowboys boots with his suit but normally wore dark loafers. In a circle full of oxfords and wingtips, it's refreshing to see these boots worn by Peter Orszag, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budge. The rest of the ensemble is understated: pinstripe suit (maybe BB?) button-down collar blue shirt and red patterned tie. All fairly safe choices.

He was speaking to Council on Foreign Relations in this photo from Wednesday, July 22. Politicians can ease a little personal style into the narrow tunnel of Capitol Hill fashion.

No More Men.Style.com

2009-07-21T15:59:00.002-04:00

I read this in The Cut Blog today, men.style.com will shut down in October. From there, GQ and Details will each have a website. The setup always seemed odd to me, and certainly others. Esquire is its own site as is Men's Health and other leading men's magazines. Why would one of the heavyweights, GQ, be lumped onto a site with a few other brands? Well, no more.

Great piece on J. Press

2009-07-21T11:51:00.002-04:00

The manager of the J. Press store in Cambridge discusses the company's history and how they've survived in the midst of rapidly changing styles.

George H.W. Bush famously stated in 1980 that he wasn't a Brooks Brothers Republican, but a J. Press devotee as evidenced by the tag inside his jacket.

For over a century the company has focused on a 3-button sack suit. Essentially, the shape in less contoured that many contemporary styles. They also advocate a cuff on plain front pants, almost unheard of in today's men's magazines, style blogs and forums. It's the definition of preppy by our standards today. What it really is, is classic American clothing clothing that has remained virtually unchanged, which can be refreshing.

Check out the story by clicking the blog title.

Not an official endorsement, but close

2009-07-21T10:43:00.004-04:00

I promise I'm not being compensated for this, it's out of pure love for the styles, price points and quality of shoes from To Boot New York. Designer Adam Derrick has been in the business for over two decades, according to information on the website. The shoes are all made in Italy of what the company calls the finest leather. Handsewn and handsome many of the styles are at home with jeans just as much as suits. The leather soles are sewn on rather than glued. The styles are clean and sleek. The cuts range from classic to contemporary (a tad elongated).

Take a look at these brilliant double monkstraps, which can be paired with suits in shades of blue and grey to begin with. Try them with a nondescript jean to dress up up the casual pant. While this particular model comes with a nearly $400 price tag don't be alarmed. For a fraction of the, outlet stores like Off 5th and Neiman Marcus Last Call carry many styles of To Boot shoes. I recently bought a third pair of shoes from the company, a sleek plain black oxford with wingtip stitching details, at a significant markdown on Off 5th. Styles from previous seasons are still nice even when the new ones come out. Why not get them on sale if you can wait.

Do try this at home

2009-07-21T09:37:00.003-04:00

Everything's right about Bill Nighy's ensemble here. The jacket nips in just so at the waist; the jacket's lapels and shirt collar compliment one another; there's a great amount of sleevage; in short, a great combination.

What's even better is that there's nothing complicated about the suit or shirt; two shades of blue that work nicely together. No cuff links, no pocket square, no tie but it all looks great together. This is understated at its best. The patch pockets take it to the next level in summer elegance.

News Minute 7.09

2009-07-09T20:46:00.001-04:00

News Minute 7.02

2009-07-02T20:14:00.001-04:00

News Minute 6.24

2009-06-24T10:56:00.002-04:00

Depp and Bale

2009-06-24T10:17:00.004-04:00

I have not anticipated a movie this much since The Dark Knight. Public Enemies, the story of John Dillinger (played by Johnny Depp) and FBI agent Melvin Purvis (played by Christian Bale), opens in a few days. Two gifted actors both of whom still take on indie or non-mainstream projects despite mass commercial success.

At the premiere in LA, Bale took the classic route: dark suit, white shirt, dark tie. This look is never boring when the proportions are correct. He looks great, although a shave wouldn't hurt.

Depp, looks pretty good in a Tom Ford suit. Sleeves could have benefitted from a tailor. The sunglasses and hair is all Johnny Depp.

Chris Brown is guilty

2009-06-23T08:53:00.007-04:00

I'm a journalist, not a legal expert. I can't speak to whether it's a fair deal that Chris Brown got. He plead guilty to felony assault and got zero jail time and some probation. No one will forget the pictures of Rihann's face. But, alas, he's also the poster boy for a suit wearing him. Every detail about his court ensemble needed tweaking. The collar on his dress shirt needed to bigger and collar stays would have been useful. The collar stands out rather than sitting comfortably on the shirt. It's not so much the combination, just the proportions.

Since the collar is so small, a smaller knot in his tie would have complimented the collar. It's basic elementary. Either that or a spread collar shirt.

He shows no sleevage. It's a more put together look whe

n the jacket sleeves are taken up a bit to show some shirt cuff. That's a great amount of room in those jacket sleeves. Maybe two arms can fit into one sleeve. Again, just take the size down a notch.

A cardinal sin: he's fastened both buttons on his two-button suit. Look at how awkward the jacket looks when he moves with both buttons done. It's constricting.

The check suit is a quite bold choice. Maybe too bold for the courtroom. Rihanna looked elegant yet subdued for the hearing.

Read Kenyatte Nelson's Tweed & Velvet blog entry about courtroom attire http://www.tweedandvelvet.com/2009/06/holding-court.html.

Beat the heat

2009-06-22T22:46:00.005-04:00

It's wicked outside. Just plain miserable. But, you still want to look good. Right? Start from the top. Protect your dome if you find yourself outside. Straw hats are super cool and super cool. They look good and will block out some of the harmful rays the sun just happens to give off. While you're at it, test out a Panama Hat. It's a bit dressier. Notice the brim is slightly stiffer than the hat above. The more flexible the brim, the more casual the hat. Certainly, that's not a rule set in stone by the style gods (Alan Flusser, Esquire, GQ/Apparel Arts, etc). It can be worn with summery suits but probably works better with trousers. That means it won't work at the beach as well. Here is none other than Sir Sean Connery, the man every man wanted to be as Agent 007.

A quick reminder

2009-06-22T11:41:00.005-04:00

Don't leave your jacket sleeves like Jayson Williams. It's OK to take the jacket to a tailor. Hopefully, with a good tailor, your sleeves will show 1/2 inch of shirt cuff, like French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Roger Federer...bringing cool back to the court

2009-06-22T09:24:00.005-04:00

Roger Federer is back. King of the Court he is. Having tied Pete Sampras' record of 14 grand slams with a win at Roland Garros, Federer's confidence has to be at high. After a devastating loss to Rafael Nadal at this year's Australian Open, the buzz around real tennis people was, "Is he done?" Could Federer have been broken beyond repair after his tears flooded Rod Laver Arena? Eh...you never count out champions. I'm not saying he won't have battles with Nadal again, I'm just assuming his confidence is back. His swag is there, and it good to see. Don't believe me? Check out the gold and white warm-up suit he wore to practice Sunday. Most guys on the tour don't look that cool in civilian clothes. That wasn't enough. If ever there was a time when a man's wardrobe matched or spoke for his swag, it's Wimbledon 2009. It's only the first day but, the safari jacket, the white trousers with gold piping and the vest. Masterful. Wimbledon is about class and tradition. Federer gives a nod to the old school with the trousers (players didn't always wear shorts) although he'll ditch his when it's time to play, it's still pretty damn cool. Take note of the gold on the Nike bag to coordinate with the lettering. All meant to signify what he's here for: the golden Wimbledon trophy. To be the best and look the best is a combination Sampras never had and Nadal hasn't figured out.

Congrats to Dan T.

2009-06-08T22:26:00.003-04:00

I've got to congratulate Dan T. He was named the Fan Favorite Finalist in Esquire's Best Dressed Real Man in America contest. He's got some really fantastic combinations and simply put, dresses his ass off. I was also competing for the Fan Favorite finalist but alas, the people have spoken. They chose a very stylish guy.

Now, there are still four finalists slots up for grabs. It's up to the editors now, so I thank everyone who voted and showed me love.

Quick look

2009-06-06T11:21:00.004-04:00

What's not to like about this combo from Sean Lennon. All summer staples, all working in harmony together. I browsing the AP server and had to share this photo. The stubble and glasses give this seersucker jacket a fresher feel than if he had been clean shaven. Take a page from Mr. Lennon's book for your summer look.

French Open Style

2009-06-05T21:11:00.004-04:00

During the past two weeks, I've caught clips of the French Open. It, and the U.S. Open rank are the two more stylish of the four majors. It has a great deal to do with the sponsors. Lacoste is the official apparel sponsor for chair umpire and linespeople at the French Open, while Polo Ralph Lauren outfits the same folks at the U.S. Open. What sets them apart is the cut of the clothing. The Lacoste polo shirts hit somewhere in the middle of the bicep and the pants are slim, not skinny.

Omega's most famous mission

2009-06-04T09:54:00.009-04:00

My mother often tells me the story. She and her older brother (my stylish uncle) say their goodbyes to their dad and board the plane in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Several hours later, they land at JFK airport in Queens, the first time in the United States. The place is abuzz. It's hectic. New country. Must find mom. My grandmother spots her children, everyone piles in the car, hop on the Van Wyck and head for Park Avenue in the Bronx. The streets are talking, people are excited. They can't figure out what's going on. Was it a holiday? Some parade? America can't be like this everyday, they may have wondered. When they arrive at at home, turn on the televsion and what's on? Man had just landed on the moon. They just happened to arrive in America July 20, 1969.

If you're good at math, which I'm not, you'll realize 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11's landing. It's well documented what was said about the step and mankind. The Omega Speedmaster was the timepiece the crew wore during the mission. Nasa selected Omega after tested Rolex and Breitling, among other watches. The luxury watch celebrates the 40th anniverary of the landing with a special edition unveiled Wednesday in New York by none other than Buzz Aldrin.

The Speedmaster is a beautiful timepiece. It's rugged yet has a very classic appeal. The history of the watch with NASA really solidifies that masculine quality. Among high-end watches, it's around $3,000, not bad when the Submariner is close to twice that.

Dressing well

2009-06-03T10:46:00.003-04:00

Alan Flusser sums up dressing well in this video from men.style.com. He makes some valid points about the fashion industry and what they present for menswear. Enjoy!

A case for collar stays

2009-06-02T10:06:00.003-04:00

Collars just look better straight, how God intended them to be. Collars whose points have turned in lend a unkempt look to the wearer. It's all about the little details. Here, Britain's Foreign Sec. David Milliband is guilty. All events considered, this is the least of the Labour party's problems. Style-wise, it's a quick fix that can turn an outfit around.

Collar Stay tips

* Remove them when washing

* Plastic or brass (brass is stronger but, excessive use can tear the underside of the collar

* In a pinch, bobby pins or paper clips work well

A little sports talk

2009-06-01T09:40:00.005-04:00

Poor Nike. LeBron James (and the Cavs) lose, sorry, are slaughtered by the Magic. The best player in the league exits the court quicker than the rest of his team moved on it. Rafael Nadal, somehow, loses at the French Open. I'm sure Kobe and Federer are happy. Nike's still got them, but it's not the same. Kobe and Federer came up, lost and won. They proved themselves time and again. Those guys have had their time climbing that plateau. They've won titles unopposed. The game is arguably more exciting when a guy hasn't won, when he hasn't hoisted that trophy or been number No. 1. Nadal are LeBron have achieved success but, they're still climbing. That's why it's thrilling to watch them, especially LeBron. Kobe has three championship rings, Federer has 13 grand slam titles and was No. 1 for what seemed to be forever (after Pistol Pete).

In comes Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. A man just a few year removed from high school and a team with sporadic post-season success. Analysts, bloggers, fans, ESPN, the NBA and of course, Nike didn't see it coming. There were no match-ups of Dwight and Kobe. No comparisons with the two Disney-hosting cities. The Magic swooped in quietly, efficiently and all-around to stop King James and the Cavs. Just like an unknown Swede toppled the four-time French Open champion. The biggest are stoppable, which makes room for the improbable.

Vote for Change (Of Clothes)

2009-05-31T08:56:00.001-04:00

Today is the final day of voting in Esquire's Best Dressed Real Man. If you have a moment or 30, please vote!

Get the look

2009-05-28T16:36:00.004-04:00

If you happen to get stuck in the art of dressing look for inspiration in magazines. They're a great tool if you want something different and can't quite figure it out. Take an ad or photo when you go shopping. Ensembles in magazine's certainly aren't meant to be worn with only the accompanying pieces. Just because you like everything about the outfit, doesn't mean you wear only those items together every time. It's that shirt/tie/link/square in a box combo mentality.

That said, it's a great visual inspiration. Magazine's often tout the best quality items (which indeed are fine) but don't necessarily match every man's wardrobe.

I'm a walking example of this today. I was ironing my shirt and realized I had put together something worn by Jason Stathum several months before. However, at a much lower price point. This is a two-fold message. Magazine looks can be had for less. It just takes some time and digging.

In the September 2008 issue of GQ Jason Stathum has on jacket ($2,650, part of a suit) and shirt($645) from Louis Vuitton; tie by Thomas Pink ($105); jeans by A.P.C. ($155); shoes by Brooks Brothers ($568); and tie bar from Thom Browne. This look was specifically for wearing jeans at the office; it's simple and clean. This look can go anywhere but, the proportions must be correct. Slim, not skinny, jacket, tie and jeans.

I did the same look for considerably less today. Jacket by H&M ($50); shirt by Missoni ($60 on clearance); tie by Polo Ralph Lauren (an astonishing $2 tucked away behind dozens of undesirable ties at TJ Maxx); jeans by A.P.C. and tie bar by Geoffrey Beene.

The Perfect Tie

2009-05-28T09:55:00.005-04:00

The black silk knit tie (which I'm wearing today) is the most versatile tie in my collection of about 30 neckties (in varying colors and fabrics). It's the tie I can easily dress up or down. Charcoal suit, white shirt, black silk knit tie. Check. Jack Purcells, slim black trousers, denim jacket, said tie. Check.

Knit ties still aren't all that common. Getting some men into a necktie can be a nearly a Herculean ordeal. Tell him he only needs one and the complaints will (hopefully) fade. The soft, nubby texture makes it perfect for the summer. The square bottom lends a more casual feel to it, making it a fantastic match for jeans and a simple white shirt.

Sure, you can wear other ties with jeans and a suit but, this one can go formal (much like in several Ralph Lauren Black Label ads). Black silk ties can go formal but, look stuffy when paired with a sneaker like an Adidas Samba or Chuck Taylor. Meanwhile, silk knit tie in other colors may work well with a multitude of jackets, suits and jeans but, they'll never be as elegant as the tie in black.

This is the go-to tie.

The perfect denim

2009-05-26T14:54:00.003-04:00

For my recent birthday, I received what has now become the perfect pair of jeans. I have a pretty solid collection of denim: Levi's, Helmut Lang, Earnest Sewn (I'm a sale shopper) but this new pair trounces them all. The fit in unparalleled, the wash is that shade that works in the office and at the lounge, the cut and fit hit the bottom of my mocha split-toe oxfords and look just at home with my "vintage" Fila hi tops. They're not dangerously low-waisted as all men are not A&F models, nor are they too high. The straight fit is what I usually stick to. These are slim but, not hipster skinny.

What you'll love about the lack of stitching is the jeans are at home just about anywhere. I prefer not to wear jeans to say a church or a elegant dinner but, one wouldn't be out of place. Trendier jeans have their places and times. The New Standard, however, works at all times.

I've read about the A.P.C. New Standard for some time now. I've read the praise fashion editors have headed on the unadorned pant. I must say, I'm experiencing what they're written about: how the jeans are stiffer than cardboard, how they eventually conform to your body, how the understated aspects and superb fit make more of an impact than an embroidered 'R' on a back pocket could ever make. So far, they're the perfect jeans.

Vote for Change (Of Clothes)

2009-05-23T14:56:00.001-04:00

Much love

2009-05-07T13:48:00.002-04:00

In spreading the word for Esquire's Best Dressed Real Man. I've gotten an tons for support for friends, coworkers and relatives around the country and hemisphere. It's still early but I want to thank everyone for spreading the word. I also want to direct you all to The Gentleman's Standard and The Style Arbiter, both of which are in my favs. These two sites are amazing sources of style information and inspiration. The men behind them are quite stylish as well.

Funk up your eyewear with Paul Frank

2009-05-06T09:09:00.006-04:00

I've worn glasses since I was a boy of seven. That was waaaay back in 1990. Big was in. That's what I had. Big, clunky glasses. Throughout the years, I never warmed up to the idea of visiting the optometrist. I wished I didn't have to wear those nerdy specs. That and, I got stuck in the restroom while waiting for an eye exam once, which further traumatized me.

I always went for basic, non-descript frames. No need to rock the boat. As I got older there were two major instances: I nearly passed out when I tried on contacts (can't touch my eye for anything), and I concluded that a laser and eye shouldn't meet. I'll have these glasses for my life.

OK! Why not embrace them and make them part of my ensemble. Eyewear should play into your overall look. Why treat it like that that awful-tasting side dish. It's such a big part of style and it took me time to realize it.

*Make glasses an extension of your personality

*Don't be afraid to experiment with color and shapes

*Take a trusted friend or spouse when you pick out frames

*Think outside the box; if you have a great pair of sun glass frames you like, get prescription lenses for them

*Check ebay for vintage frames

*Don't limit yourself to the frames at your local eyeglass emporium

*Hop on those two-for-one deals. Having two (or more) pair of eyeglasses gives you some options in the morning.

Try Paul Frank. They make some absolutely amazing (and affordable) frames. Like the ones above.

Check out Paul Frank at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Frank-Optics/113189870365 and paulfrank.com

Sandal weather

2009-05-04T17:07:00.004-04:00

When the temp rises you wear thinner materials, right? You ditch the wool suits in favor of linen and cotton pieces, don't you? If not, I heavily suggest you do so but, today is about the feet. Let them breath during the hot summer months.

Ditch the socks, do away with boots, no heavy lug-soled shoes when it's 90 degrees outside. Turn up the style on your feet. Try sandals is shades of brown and black. Like these above. The thin soles lend a dressier feel to the footwear (summer dressy), rather than thick-soled sport sandals with Velcro and padding. Think leather, rather than rubber.

When these are worn, however, one must make the feet presentable. That doesn't mean an all-out pedicure (though it's great to have one). At the very least, make sure you toenails won't cut anyone; clear out any dirt or particles of sock from under the nail; no ashy feet.

Flip flops have there place. The beach and the locker room. The American youth has made everyplace flip flop accessible. Real shoes are safer, more stylish and more creative. That said, they're a great place for a shot of color.

Esquire Best Dressed

2009-05-02T00:04:00.002-04:00

I've made it into the Esquire Magazine Best Dressed Real Man contest. Check it out at
http://www.esquirebdrm.com/

New Post---Finally

2009-05-01T15:03:00.000-04:00

http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090430/VIDEO/904302023&template=video&lineup=1334447334

Style Minute

2009-04-13T14:04:00.001-04:00

Aim to look like this

2009-04-13T13:08:00.002-04:00

Mr. President stuck with solids for most of the campaign. He's slowly begun to break out the pinstriped suits. This is the most daring I've seen his business wear get. The fit is really fantastic. The waist nips in just so. The silvery tie played well into the Easter/spring palette. A closetful of solid suits can get dull. Turn up the volume (as much as a head of state can).

Style Minute-Obamas take Europe

2009-04-06T17:53:00.002-04:00

This is my style video, published on Ocala.com. Today I'm discussing the style of the First Lady, Michelle Obama. Also, what you can learn from the G20...style wise.

Nike Air Yeezy

2009-04-06T17:43:00.004-04:00

Yep. After a collaboration with Louis Vuitton, Kanye West has his own Nikes. Why not brand yourself as much as possible while you can. But $215? I suppose it goes with Kanye's overall love of himself and everything his name's attached to.

Ouch!

2009-04-06T13:22:00.003-04:00

Let's say I happened to be switching through the channels Saturday evening. I was vaguely aware of the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania. I was even more unaware of the WWE Hall of Fame ceremonies. Being a former fan of wrestlers like The Ultimate Warrior and Superfly Jimmy Snuka I can't help myself every now and again. WWE chairman/CEO/majority shareholder/sometimes performer Vince McMahon was introducing the final inductee for the televised ceremony. Who comes out but beer-drinkin', hell-raisin', 3:16 himself Stone Cold Steve Austin. In a tux. An ill-fitting tux. My first thought was, "He's got money to buy a tuxedo, why is he wearing this?"

Well, Austin opened his speech by mentioning that, moments prior to walking out on stage, the button on his jacket popped off. He was none to pleased about being seen in front of thousands of fans and millions at home with a jacket that he was unable to fasten. He didn't stop there, he went on to rant about The Men's Wearhouse, the manufacturer of the jacket, putting them on blast in a national spotlight. How's that for Mr. George "You're gonna like the way you look, I guarantee it," Zimmer, CEO of TMW. Having worked at a free-standing unit, I can attest to the poor quality of many of the house labels at TMW.

I'm pretty solid on purchasing a tux. But a $200 tuxedo isn't a bargain. Check little pieces like buttons, zippers and hems when you look at garments. These are the pieces you need to stay put. Something well-made should hold up for years provided you're not playing rugby in your dinner jacket.

Stone Cold, after a touching (actually yeah) speech, popped open two beer cans and guzzled them down. Whatever beer didn't fall in his mouth landed on the tuxedo jacket. That's about right for a tuxedo from The Men's Wearhouse.

Tighten your knot

2009-04-02T17:43:00.003-04:00

I applaud the efforts of the current Treasury Secretary. I can't begin to imagine what it entails. At the helm of hundreds of billions of dollars, battling a vote-no opposition party, and an anxious public, Timothy Geithner has an enormous amount of responsibility. Dressing well isn't near the top of his list. That's understandable, but just 5 seconds of work would make him look much better. Mr. Geithner's tie knots are consistently loose, with visible top button. It's a small fix that would yield instant style results. There are no quick fixes in any other aspect of his position. Why not have one.

G20 Style

2009-04-02T13:07:00.003-04:00

There's much to learn and much to ignore at the current G20 summit in London. Style wise, that is. Politicians very seldom break from the pattern of dark suits, regardless of the season. That's expected. But no two dark suits are alike.

U.S. President Barack Obama-dark two button with a center vent. The top button of the jacket falls right where it should, allowing a deep v effect for his white dress shirts. The president sticks to barrel cuffs but opted for a French cuff shirt for a dinner at 10 Downing St., the official residence and office of the British Prime Minister. Overall, nothing exciting but not bad.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown-dark two button suit with side vents. Unlike Mr. Obama, Mr. Brown's top button has a higher stance which sort of distorts the lines of his body when the button is fastened. Mr. Brown is strictly a white, French-cuff shirt kind of man and rarely dons patterned ties. The stance could be lower.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy-dark two or three button suits with side vents. The cut of his suits is the best. There is a small amount of waist suppression, which defines the body. Unlike Mr. Obama and Mr. Brown, Mr. Sarkozy often wears striped shirts, pale pinks, pale blues and white shirts. They're almost always French cuff and he shows just a hint of cuff from his jacket. His suits are often pin-stripes, which is the most excitement one can expect from a head of state. It beats The first two.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev-Two or three button with side vents and hacking pocket, and the occasional double-breasted. The most daring, he's never with a spread collar shirt and massive tie knot. When he met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (poor Merkel), he wore a windowpane double-breasted number. The cut of his suits seem to work well, aside from the too-long jacket sleeves.

What to take from this? The cut of Mr. Obama and Mr. Sarkozy's suits, the pairings of Mr. Medvedev and Sarkozy. What to ignore: The high stance of Mr. Brown suits, and the too-long jacket and shirt sleeves of Medvedev.

The president's watch

2009-03-26T15:13:00.003-04:00

A few months back, I blogged about the president's watch; a chunky black chronograph. Visit barackswatch.com to purchase. In the meantime, check out this link.

2009-03-26T14:49:00.004-04:00

The Perfect spring/summer shoe

2009-03-26T13:41:00.005-04:00

We generally lighten up our color palette as the weather warms up. In come the lighter fabrics, and more comfortable pieces. Sandals come out, flip flops come out, but what about dress shoes. Sometimes you just don't feel like wearing oxfords with a suit The answer: the brown suede loafer. The perfect spring/summer shoe. Think about the versatility of brown. It blends nicely with white linen trousers, blue jeans, navy light-weight wool trousers, grey cotton trousers. It's less formal than black, yet still appropriate at a dressier outdoor function, like a wedding. You can wear one with a khaki summer suit. Two words: white jeans.

This just in

2009-03-19T15:59:00.002-04:00

It's serendipity, baby! Only in March is that phrase allowed. Earlier today I blogged about the supreme awfulness that is Crocs. Well, what do I see in the news, the auditor of the company has serious doubts about their ability to stay afloat. Read the story by clicking the link.

Crocs are NEVER acceptable

2009-03-19T13:35:00.003-04:00

Does this really have to be said? What was once a concept for a boat shoe has, in past few years, exploded as a trend among the mis-informed, non-thinking and sartorially challenged. Right...The wearers defend the plastic shoe-cloglike object as comfortable and go so far as to categorize them as acceptable footwear. Lovers enjoy the "fun" color combinations and jazzy designs of their own as well as the Crocs of others. I just as quickly defend my right to not have to be subjected to the most tragic creation in fashion in the last 10 years. Plastic shoes may be comfortable, but they're disgustingly tacky for those above the age of six. Even on children, it's questionable. Why? They're plastic shoes with holes. They have the most unflattering shape for any human. They add nothing, stylistically, to an ensemble and detract enormously. I've seen some relatively civilized-looking people and then, boom, Crocs. It's as though they just stopped thinking. We never want to stop thinking when we dress in the morning. Another issue is that plastic cheapens any look. A tax-paying adult really has no business wearing candy-colored, rounded toe, abominations to style trademarked as Crocs. There's value in natural fibers. They're breathable (so are Crocs, but they're damn ugly) as stylish.

I'm wearing a sort of brandy shade bit loafers right now and they're as comfortable as any sneaker I own. They're also infinitely more stylish than shoes with man-made materials. If comfort is the issue, there are stylish sneakers, loafers and tasteful sandals in shades outside of rainbow colors. These types of shoes look like a grown up should wear them.

Crocs are unacceptable on the following:

All breathing primates ( including homo sapien women, men, children. All races, incomes, faiths, sexual orientations, drivers of VW Beetles or Ford F-150 Trucks, fans of Jeff Foxworthy or Katt Williams, supporters of Rihanna or Chris Brown and even Sarah Palin believers.

The footwear is unacceptable at times including, 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Sunday through Saturday, 1 January 2003 through 31 December 3003.

The footwear may not be worn at any and all events requiring one's heart to beat. The footwear is banned from contests and all sporting events, excluding jousting and quail hunting with Richard Cheney.

Should you see any walking, breathing primate with the detested footwear, stop them, find a stick, remove the shoes with the stick, throw the shoes into the nearest trash receptacle, begin whistling "I Wish I Was in Dixie," continue walking.

Whew!

Watch time

2009-03-18T11:19:00.013-04:00

I'm a watch fan. I love time, respecting It, being on top of It, looking at It, gauging what I'm doing relative to It and wearing It. It's an obsession that my fiancee has accepted. We as men have little room to move around in the jewelry department, excluding hip hop artists and rock stars. It's said that men are judged by two pieces: shoes and watch. A proper timepiece says a great deal about where you are in life, what you value, how you want others to perceive you. Wristwatches are just as much status pieces as they are utilitarian for men. The functions, be they digital or automatic, are what draw men to these pieces. Just as important as what a watch is capable of providing is where to wear which watch. Say that six times fast, (three was just too easy).

For the man on a budget, this watch should be versatile. He should be able to wear it with a suit to a meeting or fishing with his dad or son. This watch is that of the stainless steel variety. Look for something streamlined. Because this watch is worn everywhere, massive crowns and colored dials may look out of place under a tux. (Sorry Mr. President) This first watch is the Invicta Pro Diver Automatic. Its look is based on the classic Rolex Submariner (a favorite of Connery's Bond) with the main exception being the scalloped bezel (Invicta used to make this watch with the identical coin-edge bezel). I own this one and it looks great and has some heft. It's not very expensive and it's versatile. If you want versatile in stainless steel but more elegance, look to the Cartier Santos. This design has been around for around a century. You're gonna need at least $3,500 for this piece, whereas the Invicta is around $150.

For a rugged, beefy choice, go with a chronograph. It's chunky and demands attention. It's the weekend watch, the head out with the guys watch, the laid back look watch. It would upset the flow of a well tailored suit and dress shirt. It's great for jeans, and boots, a leather jacket...your choice. I have a great one in black from Akribos, a birthday gift from my woman. This Oris model has a rubber band and several functions. You're going to pay at least $1,500 for this one. This Akribos (not the model I own), is about $200.

The formal watch should have very little detail. It should be thin and the dial should be clean. Oh yeah, the strap really must be black leather. This Lucien Piccard is 18K gold. Obviously, it's not crucial to have real gold, especially if your budget doesn't allow. But the lines are what you should be after. Not a gold fan? Try a white dial and a stainless steel bezel, like this one from Stuhrling.

Those are really just a few basics. The men's watch world is large, intimidating, exciting, cheap and pricey all together. Read up a little bit. Figure out what kind of guy you are, what your lifestyle is and what timepieces would suit you. Some guys are a one-watch kind of guy. Other men change watches according to mood and events of the day. Just make sure it suits you and it's not a fake. Oh, one more note. If you see a diamond watch you like, hand it back to the sales clerk, turn around and walk away. Diamonds on men's watches are really a bit vulgar. They decrease the value of better watches and scream to world, "I have endless disposable income as evidenced by this timepiece that has neither a second nor minute hand, yet 47 diamonds waiting to catch the light." Men are better un-blinged. Elegance is in the precision, the metals used, the rarity, the skin used on the band. Flashy isn't manly. All a diamond watch says is, "Look at how much money this cost me," there's nothing tasteful about that. I'd rather people admire features of a watch. The feature one can point out with a diamond watch is this, it costs a small fortune.

Spring cleaning

2009-03-16T13:13:00.002-04:00

Spring is a mere few days away. It's a great time to get rework your closet and spruce up for spring. But how do I spruce up? It just style happens this blogger has some tips for you.

Part 1--Rework your closet

Those days when you wake up and the high is 19 (F not C) are hopefully gone for several months. It would stand to reason that move the clothes you won't wear to clear up some space.

*Fold the sweaters (they should never be on hangers anyway),

*Roll the corduroys (don't want a perma-crease)

*hang the Tweeds, Velvet, and cashmere jackets in plastic bags in the hallway closet. You're done with those pieces. While you're at it,

*Take winter weight suits and shirts out of sight (unless you want to roast in a wool/cashmere 2-button in May). Heavy oxfords shirts have no place in your spring wardrobe

*Store garments falling into the autumnal color palette away until next season (burgundy, rust, burst orange, forest green, taupe).

Part 2--Spruce up for spring

Spring is about loosening up. You were all buttoned and layered up for the past few months. Give yourself a rest. Winter can be subdued, which is perfect for darker shades. Get some light.

*Brighten your look with whites and softer pinks, blues, lavenders. When paired with a neutral piece, those colors shine, but not too bright.

*Short sleeves. Maybe not at work, but if you're have substantive relationships with others, you go out aside from work. A short sleeve shirt is perfect for this season. Find something that hits somewhere in the middle of the bicep. Short sleeves extending past your elbows are no longer short sleeves. Buy your size. If you're on a budget ( like lots of folks these days) have a tailor take in the sides of a shirt that's just a tad t00 roomy.

*Find some loafers with a relatively thin sole. No chunky rubber soles now, you're not walking through any slush these days.

*Gingham checks. No, it does not look like a picnic tablecloth. It's an eye-catching pattern that work for the season because it's usually a series of white and one other color checks. Wear it with a tie or without. Roll up the sleeves.

*Cotton suits in khaki. In Florida, it's already in the high 80-s. The lightest worsted wools just won't work. Cotton suits are elegant and cool.

So, go ahead, clean out your closet and make room for the spring clothing.

Style Minute-Prom Edition

2009-03-12T21:45:00.002-04:00

It's been a good while since my last post. But, here's the newest Style Minute. This week, it's all about formalwear. I'm gearing it towards young men and their prom selections.

http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090312/VIDEO/903122015&template=video&lineup=1334447334

Style Minute

2009-02-23T14:15:00.003-05:00

Check out the Style Minute on ocala.com, web home of the Star-Banner newspaper. I toured a new salon/day spa owned by San Diego Chargers captain, Clint Hart.

Oscars-Best Dressed Men

2009-02-23T10:15:00.004-05:00

Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig, and Will Smith exuded a classic, and hopefully not lost, gentlemanliness with three distinct looks at last night's Oscars. Jackman sported a classic one-button peak lapel dinner jacket with a waistcoat, custom made from Burberry; Ford opted for an elegant shawl-lapel dinner jacket from Tom Ford while Will Smith went the natty double-breasted route with shawl lapels. Looks to these men because what they're wearing looked just as good 50 years ago. No messy unbuttoned shirt collars, no skinny ties, no trousers bunching at the shoe, no odd colors; just well cut and classic. For formal dress, wearing one of these options is a no-lose situation.

Say no crack...and visible undergarments

2009-02-23T07:11:00.002-05:00

How about alerting the young men of America and informing them to, and I quote the always dapper Fonzworth Bentley, "Pull your ass down or pull your pants up." That was from Season 1 of From G's To Gents, great stuff. He's right though, boxers protruding from jeans which waistline hovers around the upper thigh is foul and offensive, oh yeah, it's also tacky and juvenile. It says to world that you're not prepared to enter tax-paying society; you are unable to figure out your true waist size; you believe there's a correlation to the number of women you get to how low your pants are. Wrong. Dead wrong. No man is an island, as the saying goes (my grandfather always said it, I hear) and we must all coexist in some semblance of harmony. You're not alone, therefore if I shower and put on proper fitting trousers and cover my privates, you should as well. If I take the effort to present myself in a civilized manner, so should you. Visible, soiled boxer shorts are not part of civilized society. They are for your eyes and whomever has the unfortunate task and handling your hamper. There. I said it.
On to my second point...Tank tops (sometimes referred to wifebeaters by inconsiderate cretins) are undergarments. I repeat, tank tops and undergarments. Therefore, young men of America, please refrain from wearing them to the mall without a proper shirt, further exposing your faded plaid boxer shorts. This practice is the height of thuggery. It appears that you are ready to fight by exposing your bidceps to potential opponents. This is not part of civilized society. If you wish to expose your meaningless tribal tattoo on your 'roided up bicep, please drive to the nearest beach, jump in the water, swim a great distance and stop.

Sean Penn should adjust his tie

2009-02-22T20:48:00.002-05:00

The Academy Awards are formal. Sean Penn is a rebel. We get it. He looks bad, how about that.

Take a cue from Hugh Jackman

2009-02-22T20:41:00.004-05:00

Hugh Jackman is the essence of gentlemanliness in his peak-lapel dinner jacket and shawl-lapel waistcoast at the Academy Awards.

His jacket sleeves are the perfect length; trousers are the precise break for formal dress; and if I was a white man, I would want his hair.

How about no white athletic socks

2009-02-16T23:46:00.002-05:00

Gentlemen. Every style manual, book, magazine; every stylish man, stylish woman, store associate, ex-girlfriend has said repeatedly, no white socks at dinner. I'm not sure how many times this memo has to be passed around. Perhaps eternally. White athletic socks only go with athletics sneakers in the pursuit of victory on a court or field. End of story. I was out the other night and saw a nice looking couple; she had a relatively simple dress and he appeared to have put on his best pair of jeans and starched polo for a big Valentine's evening dinner. Well, when seated at the bar, his white athletic socks peaking out of black dress shoes said more than any accessory she had on. Black shoes, black socks.

This week's Style Minute

2009-02-16T18:18:00.001-05:00

Click on the title for the link. This week, it's all about presidential style.

Gently used glove for sale, one owner

2009-02-16T17:28:00.002-05:00

It's up for grabs. Moonwalk lessons are extra. But really, Michael Jackson's Swarovski crystal glove is up for auction. The expected estimate: $10,000 to $15,000. Kanye's rushin' to his phone as we speak.

2009-02-16T11:14:00.003-05:00

It's about time Allen Iverson chopped the cornrows off. From the Sixers to the Nuggets to the Pistons, The Answer has sported cornrows and way-too-baggy clothing for his 6-foot, 165-pound frame. The 'rows in the styles he had were just a little teenish.

Some great looks of the weekend

2009-02-16T10:51:00.001-05:00

Some great looks of the weekend

2009-02-16T10:51:00.000-05:00

Change All Around

2009-02-12T10:30:00.002-05:00

So, is this truly the end of an era or do we wait and see?

Zimbabwe's President, Robert Mugabe, has pretty much ruled the country for longer than I've been alive. He's do so with reported acts of intimidation and violence across the country. The 2008 election was the most recent evidence of his unwillingness to accept defeat at any cost. With two elections giving Morgan Tsvangirai a clear lead (but not a 50% plurality) reported violence, kidnapped media and Tsvangirai fleeing the country dominated the goings-on the economically depressed African country, Major diplomats, including former UN head Kofi Annan, attempted to foster a multilateral approach to government. Meetings were held, the situation was discussed at conference, Mugabe continued to be vilified in the media (aside from the state-controlled Zimbabwean media). Leaders banded together to send a strong statement that they refused to acknowledge his legitimacy as leader of the country. Lots of words, not much else though (Zimbabwe, unlike Iraq, doesn't have any oil reserves to warrant an invasion, freeing the people from tyranny). Parade magazine listed him on their Ten Worst dictators lists for the past several years. Mugabe was banned from entering many countries, including the U.S. and the U.K. The only vocal ally was former South African president Thabo Mbeki, who has since been ushered out of power.

Well, in September Mugabe and Tsvangirai came to an accord, brokered by Mbeki, to share power in the country. Tsvangarai was sworn in February 11, 2009 as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. Let's hope it work out.

Style Minute returns

2009-02-10T17:21:00.002-05:00

Check out the latest installment of the Style Minute. It's my style show on ocala.com, web home of the Star-Banner newspaper. Click on the title to view.

Mrs. O in Vogue...actually the cover

2009-02-10T16:12:00.001-05:00

Note: First Lady Michelle Obama will be on the cover of the March issue of Vogue magazine.

The originators of Swag

2009-02-09T15:38:00.001-05:00

Rap Pack

2009-02-09T15:25:00.004-05:00

Well executed. The "Rap Pack" of T.I. Lil' Wayne, Kanye West and Jay-Z in black and white captured that feeling, the essence of the Rat Pack. These are the men with the most influence in music, not just hip hop. What the original five members of the Rat Pack did and the personalities they were can be linked directly to these men-with of course the evolution of America and what's acceptable. The best performers in the best clothing on the biggest stage. Sammy, Dean and Frank were about swag, which undoubtedly affected this generation. Oh yeah, M.I.A. did her thing. This was most certainly the best part of the entire telecast.

Grammy dos

2009-02-09T09:27:00.009-05:00

Give props to Snoop Dogg for having the courage to leave the house in a suit like this...

Give props to Jennifer Hudson for a great performance and and even better look.

Call out Katy Perry on

her lackluster, emotionless performance of what should be her only hit.

Take style cues from Death Cab For Cutie...which is far too long a name.

Let Stevie Wonder sing, ALONE. No more guest appearances by flavor-of-the-month teen idols.

Listen to Janelle Monae. She's got a great voice and very energetic.

Grammy donts

2009-02-09T09:19:00.003-05:00

Don't do what Kanye West does. Don't wear what he wears. He puts out hit records, he can afford to be eccentric (even though he's just going back 25 years)

Don't leave a double breasted blazer open, like Kenneth Edmonds has done here. As Mr. Glenn O'Brien has often stated, it gives the effect of batwings. There's just too much fabric swinging around to look god.

$9,000 homeless outfit

2009-02-08T21:12:00.003-05:00

Sure Coldplay is huge. Sure they've sold millions of albums, sold out out thousands of venues and made a little bit of change but do they have to look homeless? Is that the standard of dressing for a rock star? Seemingly spending no time on a carefully crafted nonchalant look. Highwater trousers, tattered jackets, and multiple wrist bands...but when you're Coldplay is just doesn't matter. They're that cool.

Grammys JT

2009-02-08T21:07:00.003-05:00

Nice jacket JT. Justin Timberlake stepped out in a one-button shawl lapel dinner jacket a few minutes ago. It's got some sort of fantastic texture and sheen. This is the way to do black on black. Nicely done sir.

Not in drag but with bags

2009-02-06T10:01:00.002-05:00

The NYT had a piece about men who don't quite cross dress, they add women's pieces to ensembles. I'm not sure how I feel. Yes I am. Men should, quite simply, dress like men. Check it out.

Love the voice, not the clothing choice

2009-02-04T11:13:00.003-05:00

Jennifer Hudson looks like a pear. Her rendition of the national anthem was incredible. She's amazingly talented but, her stylist for the Super Bowl isn't, or at least wasn't for a day. To clarify for the I-love-her-so-much-she's-overcome-tragedy fans, calm down, I'm not dissing her, just the pants.

She's got some...curves. When you have a little more going on there's nothing worse than pants that taper at the ankle. Skinny pants just aren't for everyone. Trends are fantastic for stars but useless if they don't suit your frame. Skinny pants only emphasizes the middle, making it look bigger and you get a pear effect on top and an ice cream cone feel from the waist down. No good for someone so talented and normally quite stylish. A fuller cut would have been much more flattering. I'm just sayin'

Stydol-Jay-Z

2009-02-03T12:32:00.003-05:00

It's easy to ignore the man standing next to Beyonce. But take a moment to look at what he's done to bridge the gap between a hip hop community brought up in jeans, Timbs, white tees and Jordans to the entrepreneur many now aspire to be because of he, Russell Simmons and Sean Combs. From beaver hats and bespoke dinner jackets to jeans and shell-toe Adidas he brings a variety to the sartorial table. Having Beyonce on your arm doesn't hurt either.

A style request for men

2009-02-03T11:58:00.005-05:00

<-----Avoid this with every ounce of being.
Men, for the love of God, please try to wear some real clothes when you step out of the house for a night out. A evening out with a beautiful woman should make you want a little something more for yourself, and more for your lady. If you don't have one, you may gain the attention of one by avoiding any of the items below on your night out.

Things to avoid

1. Jogging pants

2. Flip flops

3. Visors

4. Sneakers LeBron James wears in 2009

5. Sneakers Michael Jordan wore in 1989

6. A Steelers sideline jacket

7. Official licensed NCAA apparel of any university, college or academy.

8. White tank tops!!!

9. Exposed undergarments

10. An entire bottle of cologne

11. Anything mesh

12. Slim is good, if you're slim. Skinny jeans don't work on a 260 pound former high school defensive end. Likewise, a cross country runner looks foolish in clothing size beginning with an X.

13. Men's clothing shouldn't sparkle. It's just plain wrong.

****14. Unless you want to look like every douchebag in Miami Beach, avoid any garment with the words Ed or Hardy***

**Grow up and buy a real shirt

Dressing isn't as painful as one may believe. We should all take a good amount of pride in ourselves and this extends to appearance. Looking like you care really is minimal. What to wear

1. Blazers (nipped in at the waist, sleeves above the knuckles please and no more than three buttons)

2. Dark Jeans (simple, no ridiculously gaudy logo on the pocket.

3. Two dress shirts; one in black, one in white (shirts should not extend past the base of your wrist)

4. Gray v-neck sweater or cardigan (to wear over your white or black shirt if it's cold)

5. Vests (to wear over your white or black shirt if it's not cold

6. Velvet jackets (because it's sexy...jackets, not trousers)

7. Shoes with a leather sole and a toe box that points to something (i.e. no square toes)

8. Or try anything these gents are wearing.

An argument for shaving.

2009-02-03T11:49:00.002-05:00

Shaving is a personal preference. A little facial hair works, maybe some groomed stubble, a neatly trimmed beard perhaps. What doesn't work is this. Anil Kapoor, who was in Slumdog Village, was on The Today Show, in a well fitting two button, pinstriped navy suit. He even went the natty route and added a pin under the collar. Very old school, it's a great sartorial touch. What bothers me in the moustache and the stubble. It's really one or the other; neat stubble or a moustache and shaved face. When paired together it looks sloppy. A suit should bring out the class in a gentleman.

P.S. leave the earrings to Diddy.

TF does it all

2009-02-03T11:38:00.003-05:00

The spring ad campaign for Tom Ford will be in March magazines. The seller of $990 jeans is also, filming a movie, expanding his empire, drowning himself in luxury, and getting lots of celebs to don his wide lapels. During all of this, he found time to shoot all the shots for upcoming ads. Check out more.

More NFL style

2009-02-02T15:03:00.005-05:00

Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner were the best of the best dressed during Super Bowl festivities. Well fitting suits, minimal pocket square action, muted shirt and tie combos. Good stuff. Note. These guys only wear the NFL licensed gear on the field.

NFL Style?

2009-02-02T11:37:00.014-05:00

When Santonio Holmes was a t a press conference today as the newly minted Super Bowl MVP I was a little underwhelmed. Not by his game-winning score, but rather what he chose to wear the day after the biggest game of his career. This is the best you came up with? You're the Superbowl MVP Mr. Holmes. A drab brown and white check shirt under an even less exciting argyle sweater vest?

Holmes is a good looking guy who is now on a bigger stage. A winner does a little bit more than this casual wear after such a performance. He dresses for the moment. For comparison, look at what Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald wore after a loss. Two button suit, hacking pockets, pink v-neck sweater...He's dressed like a winner. Take a cue Mr. Holmes.

Really?

2009-01-22T11:50:00.003-05:00

So they're going after Michelle Obama for not wearing black designers. Seriously!? Nevermind the enormous pressure the fashion set has placed on her; bringing back the fashion industry and what not. Never mind the microscope any First Lady is under. Amnau Eele is co-founder of the Black Artists Association. She had to audacity to call out Mrs. Obama for, of all things, not wearing a black designer. She's really not required to wear a black designer and doesn't owe black designers anything. Mrs. Obama has a black hairstylist and perhaps makeup artist. But these times are beyond that black nationalist kind of talk. The Obamas are worldly and sophisticated, not limited to promoting an agenda for blacks alone. They represent the wonderful diverse place this country has become. As a citizen of this country I was proud to see people from all walks of life at the Obama rally I attended before the election. That crowd represented the country being ignited by something greater than personal agenda. It was a collective unity among the West Indians and Koreans, the single mothers, the daughters of doctors, the college sophomores and great-grand parents. That's what Mr. and Mrs. Obama represent-everyone. To say ,"That was our (black people) moment," is divisive and selfish in an atmosphere of unity and hopefulness. The moment belonged to America an Mrs. Obama wore designs from American designers quite well.

President time

2009-01-22T10:35:00.005-05:00

President Obama has been wearing this custom Secret Service chronograph since his most recent birthday. He's a man of his word. It's not a big name, pricey timepiece like Tag or Omega. It's from the his Secret Service detail. My guess is probably has some James Bond kinda inner workings? Who knows. But, the watch is relatively inexpensive and great looking. Bush stuck with a plain Timex and Clinton sported a Timex Triathlon on the campaign trail to connote the everyman image. It worked. Check out this timepiece on the link (in the title).

Overnight stars?

2009-01-21T10:05:00.003-05:00

The FIrst Lady wore a lemongrass coat and dress to the swearing in a white gown to the inaugural balls. While Isabel Toledo, has been designing for over two decades, Jason Wu, designer of the gown, is just 26. I appreciate the First lady going with up and coming designers and relatively unknown designers. Give them some love...and business. Oscar de la Renta, a favorite of Laura Bush, doesn't really need the exposure.

Check them out on the today show by clicking the title.

Inaugural style

2009-01-21T09:40:00.007-05:00

From Chesterfield coats to J. Crew gloves to Beaver hats and driving caps to the adorable Obama daughters, yesterday's inauguration of President Obama was a bitterly cold day but that didn't stop people from stylin'.

Mr. President

2009-01-21T09:35:00.000-05:00

Milan runway

2009-01-19T10:49:00.003-05:00

Here are some looks from the runway shows in Milan that actually translate to real life.

Already ready...

2009-01-19T10:34:00.004-05:00

Great stuff from this past weekend. Guys, take a look at these top coat choices the next time you reach for the Nike pullover. Daniel Craig was in a notch lapel navy coat for a premiere of "Defiance," Josh Groban opted for a peak lapel in Washington while Usher went military style.

5 Style fixes that won't cost you

2009-01-14T13:39:00.003-05:00

Having style involves far more than shopping. It's all about checking the little and no so little details before you leave the house. Here are a few fixes that will only cost you seconds.

1. Slide a collar stay in the collar. Many dress shirt, even sport shirts come with collar stays. Slide them in when you put the shirt on. Remember to remove the stays before laundering. Rounded flaccid collars look, well, wimpy. Make sure you collars are standing proud.

2. Pull your socks up. This is assuming you are not wearing white athletic socks with every shoe in your closet. When you cross your legs, a sock pulled up maintains a clean visual from trousers to sock. If the socks aren't pulled up and you cross your legs there is a chance of showing some leg hair, breaking up the line of the leg and just looking bad.

3. Tuck your shirt in. This makes a world of difference when you're out at dinner or movie. It looks much more tidy and put together. There are exceptions, but for most guys-who wear shirts too big-tucking in is the only option.

4. Pick up your feet and look straight when you walk. There's something tragic about someone walking hunched over and dragging their feet. It's lazy and slovenly. It says, "I don't care." Don't look down, look ahead (that's to be taken literally and figuratively). Pick up your feet and walk like a man.

5. Pull your jeans up and utilize a belt. Nuff said.

5 around $50

2009-01-14T09:44:00.008-05:00

Economic downturn. Check. Need to look good. Check. Don't let the current financial atmosphere get you down. There are still ways to look good for not too much money. Here are five American staples for in the neighborhood of $50. Remember, it's not about how much it costs or who's name is on the tag, what matters is how the garment fits.

1. Your basic navy blazer. This can take you to a wedding (with trousers and a tie), date night (with jeans and a fun dress shirt), job interview (definitely a no-nonsense tie), or a picnic on a cool day (with chinos and sneakers). It's possibilities are probably endless. Try Target, sale racks at JCP, Sears, Macys, TJ Maxx among others. Make sure it's a two-button single breasted. Double breasted is great but harder to pull off. This one was found at amazon.com.

2. White oxford... to go with your blue blazer. This one is from Gap. They have it listed at $39.50 but since Gap has sales all the time, the chances are good to find one even less expensive. The quality is pretty solid. You can wear this under any sweater; navy or charcoal for work, black for night time, argyle. Wear it with the blazer or a cardigan or a sweater vest. Try it paired with chinos and plain white sneakers (no shock absorbers); roll up the sleeves come April and through on some madras shorts. It's the most versatile piece in the wardrobe.

3. Black loafer. Unlike the brown loafer, the black is just at home in the club as much as it is in the office. Find one with a high vamp (that's how high the shoe comes over your instep basically, lower vamp, more foot exposed. only for the opera). Wear the black loafer without socks in the warmer months and with cords in the cooler months, like right now.

4. The stainless steel watch. Leather bands are great but some will feel the need to wear the black strap with black shoes and so on. A SS band goes with just about everything. Wear it with a suit at work or a wedding, wear it with jeans and a rugby shirt and sneakers. Find one that's not too chunky, like this one from Croton, at overstock.com.

5. Blue jeans. If you're going to own one pair, why not go with a pair that's never gone out of style, the 501 from Levi's. The wash is versatile, it's neither too light or dark. For night, pair it with darker shades, in the day, wear it with loafers and a white oxford. Try it with a slim cut dress shirt or a fitted polo shirt. Wear them all the time. Jeans, especially a pair devoid of any decoration, save for the Levi's stitching and the tab, look better with age. Visit levis.com or retailers like JCPenny, Sears and Macys.

Will and Daniel do it again

2009-01-13T10:13:00.005-05:00

Will Smith and Daniel Craig have consistently come out in full style force at their respective movie premieres. This look was sleek and trendy. The black leather jacket, scarf and driving cap all worked in cutting edge harmony. The slipknot is a very easy and practical way to tie a scarf and Smith does it here well.

For his chat on the Today Show, Daniel Craig opted for a tieless look. A well fitting, solid suit and soft blue shirt speak volumes. He was very buttoned up during the media tour for QoS.

The cast of Defiance is just great looking and well dressed.

Style Minute

2009-01-12T17:47:00.001-05:00

Check out a breakdown of the Golden Globes fashion at ocala.com.

Click on the title.

Globes of Gold

2009-01-12T15:11:00.005-05:00

Leave it to a legend to get it right. Martin Scorsese nails the formal look at last night's Golden Globe Wards with this peak lapel dinner jacket, bow-tie and waistcoat.

Ralph Fiennes takes it up a notch with the houndstooth pocket square. White linen is a no-fail option but no one else is doing houndstooth-and this looks great. Aside from the man love, Terrence Howard's patterned dinner jacket is a nice yet subtle change from the solid black at awards show.

Not bad Mr. Vice President Elect, not bad at all.

2009-01-11T09:32:00.003-05:00

Check out Joe Bide, our VP-elect looking all Top Gun. The veteran senator and soon to be Vice President wears a suit pretty well as does Mr. Obama. However, as far as casual goes, Biden trumps Obama...big time. Mr. Obama wears baggy chinos and running sneakers or ill-fitting polos with his Blackberry clipped to his waist. No good. Biden has been spotted in great tweed jackets with hacking pockets; chinos that fit; and he does the great justice to the navy blazer. Here, on a surprise trip to Afghanistan, Biden is rocking some Ray Ban aviators, which look cool, whereas when French President Nicolas Sarkozy wore them, they looked flashy. The sunglasses work well with the god-i-hope-that's-not-a-mock-turtleneck top and the brown leather leather. It's a great look but still authoritative. Too often elected leaders are told by aides that they can't look too good. Untrue, take a look at Joe Biden and take a cue.

Style Minute

2009-01-10T14:29:00.002-05:00

New Year, new you...right. Check out the Style Minute. This week it's all about ways to look good on the cheap this year.

Keep it

2009-01-09T12:43:00.003-05:00

Click on the title to read the arrogant, absurd and absolutely understandable assertion from Versace.

The company won't put items on sale, essentially so their regular clients will still feel special carrying the overpriced goods. I see both sides of the argument here. People flock to luxury because of the exclusivity and their seemingly large disposable income. If you pay money for a label, big money, you probably don't want everyone on the street carrying a handbag from the store or wearing the same dress you have coming out of say, a Ford Focus when you drive a 6 series BMW. That's all well and good. However...

It's and arrogant choice by the company to ignore the global financial crisis and just bad business. Would you rather have a store full of clothing and accessories with three CEOs walking around to maintain the look of your brand or a half empty store with the cash registers filling up?

Black tie??

2009-01-09T12:30:00.003-05:00

The Critics Choice Awards were held last night in Santa Monica, CA. While it's not the Oscars many chose to dress up a bit. I'm under the belief that a when one dresses for an event, go all the way. That means clean your facial hair, tie your tie and for goodness sakes, button your jacket. It's contradictory to wear black tie then loosen it to "add your own touch." If you want to be formal be formal, if the event is casual, show up in jeans. An untied necktie looks cool...later in the evening. WHen you arrive it looks like you just didn't finish dressing or an overpaid stylist said "this looks cool." Thankfully guys like Brad Pitt don't try to reinvent any dress codes. Pitt goes all the way with a three piece suit and black necktie. Ludacris goes all the way with his cut-away collar, dinner jacket and waistcoat. Sean against-the-grain Penn would look better with a tied necktie. Common would look more put together if he didn't try for look cool with his unbuttoned cuffs.

Notorious DIddy

2009-01-08T13:01:00.004-05:00

Notorious, the Biggie Smalls biopic, opens Jan. 16 but, the N.Y. premiere was held Jan. 7. Derek Luke was a perfect cast as the ever-stylish Diddy. Both attended the premiere in neutral tones. Luke brightened his up with a smile.

Will Smith always brings his sartorial 'A' game. This plum turtleneck and dark trousers paired with brown lace-ups adds a more dandyish touch than plain black. The check jacket works nicely with the two solids; trousers and turtleneck. The shoes are jacket are pop pieces; they stand out while working in harmony with the ensemble.

Style nod to Ghana's new Pres.

2009-01-07T14:01:00.003-05:00

Here's to Ghana's new president, John Atta Mills. The west African country inaugurated its new head of state today (07 Jan.) in Accra, Ghana. I love the Kente cloth he wore to his inauguration. The brilliant colors and patterns evoke dignity and honor...when worn at a presidential inauguration.

While some African leaders (former South African president Thabo Mbeki, the despot Robert Mugabe) adapted to western standards of dress, many have maintained a certain heritage by wearing the clothing of their land and I appreciate that. Leaders like the former president of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo and the new president Umaru Musa Yar'Adua maintain traditional dress, at least on official state business.

We have an inauguration coming up here in less than two weeks and while the half-Kenyan Mr. Obama won't be in any Kente cloth, he won't disappoint in a bespoke suit.

A new respect

2009-01-04T19:48:00.000-05:00

I've always appreciated the work of Andre Leon Talley, the Vogue Editor-at-Large. While the fashion world is making strides as far as race is concerned, certainly top exces and editors at the big mags; Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, GQ, Esquire are predominantly white. Mr. Talley has been instrumental in promoting designers of color as models in the pages of Vogue. The fashion set know him as the guy sitting next to Anna Wintour (Vogue Editor-in-Chief), but this interview with Charlie Rose gave me a new light on Mr. Talley. At the end of his segment (which begins at 23:00) I had a new level of respect for him as a journalist and arbiter on style. Check out the video.

Payback's a...

2009-01-04T19:42:00.003-05:00

Sorry I've been out for a little while. Hectic holidays and what not.
What's new in the fashion world? Reports indicate Tom Ford will open a new store on the famed Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills...right across the street from Gucci. Beautiful. I'm not aware of the specifics surrounding his departure from Gucci aside from rumors but, doesn't it sit well that you're doing better on your own, opening a store across the street from the company that seemingly didn't want to keep you. Check it out.

Sock it to you!

2008-12-26T19:15:00.000-05:00

You’ve probably read about how to match your socks. Most experts suggest blending your socks to your trousers for a clean line. See here, the socks are an extension of the trousers so to speak. So, when seated, it looks better if the theoretical trouser is uninterrupted in most cases. When the socks match the shoes it break up the line of the leg, giving you a boot effect and downplaying your hopefully great shoes. Also, through caution to the wind once in a while and blend your socks to some part of your ensemble. Perhaps a dot or stripe in your tie or pocket square. Have fun with socks. This works with pretty much everything. This rule is unbreakable though. Black trousers, black socks, black shoes (shined).

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T14:33:00.003-05:00

Great day today. It's been full of family and food. It doesn't get better than that. As far as style goes, I haven't got much except to say it really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Obama

2008-12-24T09:49:00.003-05:00

What's going on here Mr. Pres.? Walking 'round like you're some type of model. Can't a man just take a vacation. That said, the man's built. Here's to Obama. I've gotta get my workout on.

Hats!

2008-12-23T21:32:00.001-05:00

Try on a hat without a team logo for a change. The prominence of hats in Hollywood and Washington may over but, they never stopped looking great. Think about how cool Malcolm X looked in his fedora or Harry Truman nailed a look with his Panama hat. These days with hats-wearers in the minority, you’re bound to stand-out above your hat-less peers. If you’re feeling a little trendy, go for a newsboy or driving cap (like this one). For the colder days, give this Irish fishermen’s hat a try. This one is herringbone tweed; perfect for the fall and winter. In my own opinion, the driving cap is quite versatile. It’s at home atop the head whether the rest of you is clothed in jeans or a cashmere topcoat.
Give a real hat a try. Remember, Jon Gruden gets paid to wear a visor. If you doubt hats look cool, google Brad Pitt.

Always bet on black

2008-12-23T20:28:00.003-05:00

Flip through any fashion magazine and the ads are full of black clothing, regardless of the season. Why?

Those who love the world of style and fashion have always gone to black. Whether the event formal is as formal as the opera or a stroll in the park. Why does it look so good? It just does. Women rely on their LBD and men should have a black suit somewhere in the closet. With a change in accessories black be at different times solemn; sexy; elegant; and cutting edge.
When paired with white it creates a palette that is more or less unmatched. It's always guaranteed to work.
Black t-shirt and jeans is always a casual winner. Black jacket, black shirt for evening; black suit white shirt for business. It all just makes sense.
Check out what this model, decked in all black, had to say about her style.

Style school

2008-12-22T03:40:00.003-05:00

I wonder if Dr. West has a closet full of black three-piece suits, and scarves because he's been rocking this look for years. He's here with Malcolm Jamal Warner (Yes, Theo Huxtable), Kanye, Common, Tommy Davidson, President-elect Barack Obama over the years. Actually, he rocks this exact same look at every public function...and it looks great. I'm all for something formulaic. Dr. West has this mad scientist/sartorial splendor thing going on. His clothes fit well. His hair obeys no force. His hair was a little shorter and he wore a different tie on the cover of one of his books, Race Matters. Wear the same clothes everyday if you're saving the world by introducing theories, dispensing knowledge and inspiring people to think, which doesn't even come close to everything he's done. Here's to you Dr. I-wear-the-same-ensemble-everyday-because-I'm-brilliant-and-I-can West.
P.S. Who's this young Hollywood couple? Surely it didn't take a stylist to come up with this. It just took a look at Dr. West.