Collegiate Classic

There's nothing like an HBCU homecoming and this young Florida A&M University student gives a nod to that old "collegiate classic"" style with this green cardigan letter sweater with rep stripe bow tie.

Hot new billfold from Leffot

That pile of bills in your pockets says one thing, but if they are crumpled into a heaping pile, well, that says another. But traditional money clips aren't very good at their job, really — they're gaudy and can rip a bill better than hold it — and rubber bands are better suited for back alleys than the board room.

Now Leffot introduces the slimmed-down wallet which is as simple in function as it is refined in design. Available for $95-120 at Leffot.com 

 

Andrew Nowell S/S 2011

Washington DC Menswear designer  Andrew Nowell debuted his spring/summer 2011 collection at DC Fashion Week 2010 recently.  


One of the many hot designs he showed was this short wasted, sleeveless, hooded jacket in a sand tone with baggy skinny legged trousers.

The Proper Way to Apply Cologne

What man doesn’t like it when a woman smells great?   Conversely,  many women will say the same about men.  So here is the simplest and most effective way to smell good for about 6-8 hours without being overbearing.

Focus on you pulse points:

Apply your favorite cologne to your pulse points such as your wrists, behind the ears, and the base of your throat. Your pulse points generate heat which will then accentuate the scent.  Knowing that scent rises, there are some colognes that are subtle enough to be applied to the back of your knees and ankles for longer lasting results.

Keep in mind, that it is not a good idea to spray your cologne on your clothes; for one, the scent won't last long, and in most cases it may stain your clothes. 

Another mistake we men make when applying cologne, is to rub it into your wrists after applying it. That alters the original scent of the cologne.  Instead, simply tap both wrists together, just once.  Also, if you put on a fragrance before getting dressed, give it a chance to dry and mix with your body’s own natural scent.

Style Tips from "Diddy"

Calabrese Navy Pompei Weekend Bag

The new Navy canvas weekend bag with brown leather handals and trims with optional shoulder strap from Calabrese is an exclusive,  limited production bag made in Calabrese's signature style --  canvas plus leather tones.   

Neiman Marcus Camaro Convertible

Retailer Neiman Marcus and automaker Chevrolet collaborated on a limited edition Neiman Marcus Camaro convertible    The auto was  sold, for $75,000 (US), each, through the 2010 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book .  The luxury retailer sold all 100 of the special edition cars in three minutes.  

Building Leg Muscle helps Burn Fat

Legs are the biggest muscles in the human body. Building muscle in your legs will help you burn fat and get cut easier because muscle burns your body fat for you. If your not working out your legs your missing a great opurtunity to burn A LOT of fat!


If you aren't working your legs, you should.

New Suede Sneakers from Kris Van Assche

Kris Van Assche shows off a remarkable eye for that stylish jet black look, using a sharp sense of shape and design to offset the black design with  new black suede sneaker.   The shoe features  a padded ankle, and tonal top stitching.   

The new sneaks can be had for $500 (US) at Ssense

Swedish Style Milita Jacket

While it is not quite chilly outside for a wool coat, this Swedish Army coat will have you covered when mother nature decides to turn the tables.  This  vintage wool coat  has got to be one of the most perfect coats.  I love the back pocket details, an the sheer simplicity of it all.

Chicken Stew with Okra & Sweet Potatoes

Prep Time: 15 minutes 
Cook Time: 45 minutes 
Serves: 6 

Ingredients 
1 Tbsp. Lawry's Seasoned Salt 
1 Tbsp. Lawry's Garlic Powder With Parsley 
3- to 3-1/2-lb. chicken, cut into serving pieces 
2 Tbsp.  Extra Virgin Oil
2 sweet potatoes or yams, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 
1 large onion, chopped 
2 ribs celery, cut into 1-inch pieces 
2 Tbsp. tomato paste 
2 cups water 
1 package (10 oz.) frozen okra, partially thawed and cut into 1-inch pieces 

Directions 
1. In small bowl, combine Lawry's Seasoned Salt with Garlic Powder; sprinkle chicken with 1/2 of the seasoning mixture. 

2. In deep 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat Olive Oil over medium-high heat and brown chicken. Remove chicken and set aside. 

3. In same skillet, heat pan juices over medium-high heat and cook potatoes, onion and celery, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in tomato paste and remaining seasoning mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add water and bring to a boil over high heat. Return chicken to skillet. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered 20 minutes. Stir in okra and simmer 8 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve, if desired, over hot cooked rice.

Apolis Smartphone Wallet

Provide optimal protection for your smart phone with the Transit Issue Smartphone Wallet ($68 US).  The phone case has billfold slots that will hold your cash and cards.  Your phone will remain completely functional while in the case and you are able to quickly remove it.   

Adidas O By O X Kazuki K-Vulc Mid Mintos

Adidas has teamed up with Japanese designer Kazuki Kuraishi to produce this new versitile grey suede trainer.  This shoe will look good with both denim, shorts or chinos. Heck, it will look great with black tailored pants too. 


This is the fourth fourth shoe in the Kazuki Kuraishi of Neighborhood for Adidas collection. The contrasting black stripes provide a sporty look that syncs perfectly with the burnished-effect laces.   Price:  $208 US

Closet organization basics

Suits, like so many public officials these days, suit jackets spend much of their lives in the closet. And the bestway to maintain their structure and shape is with hangers that mimic the slope and width of your own shoulders. To prevent any wrinkling, hang your suits, shirts, and trousers with some room between them.

When it comes to shirts, even they need solid support to reduce stress on the seams.  They won't get that from those white wire hangers you get from the dry cleaner. Invest in a handful of sturdy wooden hangers and you and your shirts will look much better much longer.

Believe it or not, a good trouser hanger maintains a sharp crease and causes as few wrinkles as possible at the fold. A felt-lined clamp hanger, like the one pictured here, or a felt-lined trouser bar accomplishes both. 

Maybach 57 S Coupe By Xenatec

Xenatec has partnered with Maybach to create a two-door coupe.  Designed by Fredrink Burchhardt both the bodywork and the interior are modified and still includes the same 612-horsepower twin turbo V12. Only 100 of the cars will be produced. The vehicle is priced at $925,000. 

Suiting the "Thick" Guy

We aren't all tall and lean and built like a fashion model.  Some of us short and a little round in the middle, but still like to look stylish and well put together.  Fortunately, that doesn't mean you can look just as stylish as any other young, professional who actually knows that appearance matter.  All it takes is choosing the right suit.

Like any kind of recovery, the first step is acceptance.  This is no difference.  If you are short, accept that you are short and buy short-length suits.  If you don't than you are doing yourself a huge injustice. Overly baggy trousers and long suit jackets only make you look sloppy, wider and shorter. Despite widespread belief, excess fabric adds pounds, it doesn't hide them. 

You'll know a good fitting suit if it hugs your shoulders instead of slouching off them.  If it doesn't fit firm in the shoulders then try going a size down--- most men, even thick ones, think they're a size larger anyway.  

Of course, no off-the-rack suit will fit you precisely, especially short-length ones.  Invest $30-$45 to have tailor slim down the sleeves and nip it at the sides.  This will help to create a mean figure and accentuate your shoulders.  It's an investment that will instantly pay off.

When choosing a suit jacket, you should gravitate toward those with a lower button stance. This will create long lines, stretching you out and inevitably making you appear thinner.  When choosing trousers, try a pant leg with very little break; this too will make you look taller. 

The rest is in the details.  Choose a solid shoe with a substantial sole---something able to get a grip on your weight.  Make sure your suit sleeves end above the hinges of your wrist, allowing for a quarter to half an inch of your shirt cuff to show.  This lengthens the look of your arms for a quarter to half an inch of your shirt cuff to show.  This lengthens the look of your arms.  Also, consider wearing a pocket square ---this takes the attention away from your round belly to your chest.  

Last but not least, exude confidence. Unfortunately, there is no substitute for a lack of confidence. 

Building Your Best Body

Most guys in the gym—even the regulars—look about the same year after year. Maybe you do too, and that sucks. You don't go through life trying to stay where you are, so why are you still lifting the same weights as last year? Probably because you don't have a plan for progress.


Leading personal trainers suggest that in order to progress you design a program of workouts that will manipulate your muscles and ensure steady gains. Rather than changing completely different routines every month try making very subtle changes to the basic template, so you can stick with the very best exercises and rep ranges. This way, you won't lose progress on any lift while you still get enough variety to grow and keep it interesting.

Black glass Beaded Bracelet by Shaka King NY

You can never go wrong with black.  This all black round glass bead bracelet has a small antique silverplated cross charm on a stretch jewelry cord.  Style tip: wear in multiples of 2 or 3.

Cost $20 at the King of Chic E-Shop

Nike Launches Harris Tweed Kicks

Nike to roll out new  Air Royalty from the upcoming Vach Pack. The high top sneaker comes with a Harris Tweed and leather upper, giving the sneaker a high end look. The Harris Tweed logo tag is boldly featured on the tongue of the sneaker.   The shoes are expected to be released on October 22nd. Via Nike Stadium.

The Verizon iPhone “Rumor” Getting Stronger

A new rumor by the Wall Street Journal  is reviving what people have been awaiting for some time now, the end of the marriage between Apple and AT&T.

The Journal reports, "Apple Inc. plans to begin mass producing a new iPhone by the end of 2010 that would allow Verizon Wireless to sell the smartphone early next year, said people briefed by Apple.

The new iPhone would be similar in design to the iPhone4 currently sold by AT&T Inc. but would be based on an alternative wireless technology called CDMA used by Verizon, these people said."  The phone would go on sale sometime in the first quarter of next year.

Now that everyone who has AT&T has purchased the phone, it’s only right they look for some greener pastures.

Levi's waxed-cotton jacket

Two uniquely American staples, Levi's and Filson's, the outdoor wear manufacturer, have teamed up to create this Oil Finished Trucker Jacket, which embodies the enduring, honest work style worn by men of every trade and equal worth since 1962. The jacket is water repellent, wind-resistant, and features soft, brushed moleskin lined collar and cuffs.  We highly recommend that you ordering up from your regular size: S(36), M(38), L(40), XL(42). For a roomier fit, order up two sizes.  (Jacket ($188 US) available at Filson.com)

Finding a good basic, everyday, suit at a bargin

A few people have asked what the best suit they can buy  for the very least amount of money.  After consulting with a few fashionistas we've determined that that suit is a Chester Barrie (solid navy  recommended), slightly used ones can be hand on eBay for under $100.  Chester Barrie are the makers of  the Ralph Lauren Purple Label - they’re among the best ready-to-wear suits you can buy. 


Chester Barrie suits (made in the UK) are hand-tailored suits comparable to those manufactured by the great tailors of Saville Row except they are made to standard sizes and distributed by the best mens stores including Harrods, Burberry, etc. They even make the ready-to-wear suits for the likes of H. Huntsman & Sons and other high end retailers.
They use  materials, trimmings, etc. comparable to Saviile Row but without the several fittings that are required for a bespoke Saville Row suit they produce a Saville Row quality suit at a substantial savings for the man who can be well fitted by a standard size.  

Barnabé Hardy Origami Cardigan

Barnabé Hardy introduces a new spin on a an old standard cardigan for fall 2010.  Shown in "Virgin" wool with  geometrical prints in a combination of red, white, black and several shades of grey with mother of pearl buttons and rib trim screams luxurious. Available at studiohomme.