6 Ways To Wear A Blazer

Although you might find yourself spending more on clothing this fall than you did last year, given that we’re not completely in the clear when it comes to the recession, you’ll still want to consider your purchases carefully. Here we take a staple that every guy has in his wardrobe -- a navy (or dark colored) two-button blazer -- and show you how you can wear it with six of fall’s hottest trends. We’ve ordered our suggestions from most conservative to most experimental and there are price points to suit every budget. As you’ll see, all it takes to update your wardrobe for the season ahead is one or two new, of-the-moment pieces and a bit of shopping in your own closet.

With a deep V-neck cardigan

Layer up the smart and stylish way for fall 2009 by slipping a crew neck T-shirt, followed by a deep V-neck cardigan, under your blazer. The T-shirt will act as a second skin, ensuring you stay warm, while also preventing your chest from being over-exposed to colleagues and friends. The cardigan will keep you feeling cozy and give your ensemble a classic -- but up-to-date -- look thanks to its elongated V-neck. At only $50, this polyester/viscose model from Cheap Monday is an extremely affordable option that’s easy to wear and refreshing for fall.

Retail Price: $50
Availability: RevolveClothing.com

 

With a plaid shirt

Continuing the theme for everything American that’s enthusiastically taken over men’s fashion as of late, fall 2009 was awash with plaid and other pioneer-inspired patterns and garments. Keep your outfit decidedly modern, however, by selecting a plaid shirt with a contemporary fit and vivid, unexpected colors like this one from Ben Sherman. With a mix of light-gray and dark blue checks set against an electric blue background, this piece will really pop against a traditional navy blazer. This fall, substitute it in for your usual white button down whenever you can (and when appropriate, of course).

Retail Price: $89
Availability: BenSherman.com

 

With a chunky patterned knit

From Fair Isle sweaters to cable knits, chunky pullovers are big players in the style stakes this fall. NSF’s rayon, lambs' wool, nylon, cashmere, and angora-blend sweater features a retro-cool shawl collar and tone-on-tone cabling and ribbing detailing that’s distinct enough to be intriguing without being in-your-face. With a blazer on top, you’ll appear gentlemanly yet on-trend and totally office-appropriate, especially if the heating in your building seems like it was installed during the steam-power era. Beware that this sweater runs slightly small, so size up if you typically need a lot of arm and shoulder room.

Retail Price: $286
Availability: RevolveClothing.com

With heavily distressed denim

With the re-launch of their denim line, Gap has refined and re-designed their jeans to ensure the most flattering fit possible, incorporating everything loyal customers love about their products and leaving the rest out. This straight leg version is exactly like your favorite pair of everyday jeans, but with some strategic distressing and ripping, they’re perfect for fall 2009. Although you might not be able to get away with wearing these to work, teaming them with a blazer for nights out this season will make you appear fun and youthful, yet still respectable.

Retail Price: $68
Availability: Gap.com

 

With cargo pants

Shielding themselves against tough times, urban warriors marched confidently down the runways this fall. Try out the trend yourself with military-influenced apparel, like these combat pants from G-Star. Combined with a button-down or a T-shirt, your trusty blazer and some canvas sneakers, you’ll exude eclectic cool. While you don’t want to dress head-to-toe in military garb, you’ll earn serious bonus points in the style department by adding a scarf and then swapping your sneakers for some combat boots once temperatures drop.

Retail Price: Approximately $160
Availability: SSense.com

 

With combat boots

Masculine and rugged, combat boots are the must-have footwear to complement fall’s urban warrior trend. Worn with a blazer and jeans (or cargo pants), combat boots will look seriously edgy and aggressively stylish. This pair from Alexander McQueen represents an upscale, ultra-luxe version of the trend and will be stunning dressed up or down. However, if its price tag makes you want to open fire on the designer, simply hit up your local mid-priced retailer instead where you’ll find the real deal at more reasonable prices.

Retail Price: $995
Availability: AlexanderMcQueen.com



                                                                                                                                                                                      source:askmen.com/

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Man Fashion Tips: All About Mens Shirts

Nothing new to men's shirts, this words is around us for many years, but whether you’re walking into a department store, ordering online, or looking through a catalog, it can be confusing to figure out exactly what you need or why you need it. There are many occasions and settings, which often call for a specific dress code. So I thought of sharing with some of you a quick guide on various occasions and appropriate shirt and style options available, from men’s t-shirts to men’s dress shirts, and everything in between.


• Men's Casual – An everyday look, the emphasis is style and comfort. Casual men’s t-shirts can be as simple as a plain white or boldly colored t-shirt or they can be a statement piece, with logos and embellishments, which can be paired with blazers and jean jackets and worn to night clubs and trendy parties. This style gives the most options as men’s t-shirts can worn, which includes polo shirts, golf shirts, fitted t-shirts, or more ornate or fashionable button-down shirts. Either a casual cotton t-shirt can be worn or a men’s dress shirt can be worn in a more casual manner, such as rolling the sleeves or pushing them up to the ¾ length. There are a variety of colors, logos, styles and fabrics for this dress code and offers the most liberty at creating your own personal style and allows the most self-expression. Prices can be as diverse as style, with a plain men’s t-shirt starting under $2 and designer 28t-shirts that cost between $122.00-$790.00.

• Men's Dressy Casual - Men’s t-shirts should be avoided. The best shirt for this dress code can be a button-down men’s shirt, either long or short-sleeve and paired with a sports coat or blazer. Though it doesn’t offer much variety, you have more freedom with color choice, fabrics and an open-collared shirt is appropriate. Also, this means no tie should be worn, as it would be formal. Prices can be as low as $7.95 and upwards of $700.00 and the same price range for dressy casual men’s dress shirts goes for informal, business casual and traditional business men’s shirts.

• Informal/Semi-Formal/Cocktail - The dress code is less formal and calls for a dark suit, and a tie is not required. The men’s shirts best suited to this dress code are crisp, dress shirts that are long or short-sleeve. Since a tie is not needed, if one is worn it can be more bold than with a business attire. This kind of attire is perfect for cocktail parties, evening weddings or weddings that don’t state otherwise, or special events. It also lends itself well to museum openings and art galleries, or first dates and holiday parties.

• Men's Business Casual - This style is the most lax of all business attire and can include a range of shirts from knitted golf shirts and polo shirts to men’s dress shirts. The shirt should be tucked in and worn with a simple leather belt. Since the attire is still business, leather shoes should be worn, though you’re not limited to lace-up shoes or simply black or brown. The color palette is more varied and vibrant. This offers more choices of what can be paired with the men’s shirt, such as cardigans, sports coats or knit sweaters. Dressy men’s long-sleeve button down shirts can also be included in this style. Polo shirts can cost $49.99-$128.00 for designer labels or department store brands. Cheaper brands cost $10-$15.

• Traditional Business - The color palette should be muted or dark earth tones; generally, navy blue, black, dark brown, gray and sandstone are the best options. This attire calls for dress shirts for men that are less formal, so a button-down shirt with a Lay-down collar is sufficient. The shirt color should be white, off-white or a muted complement to the suit. Other options include a simple vertical pinstripe pattern.

• Business Formal-The appropriate men’s shirt is a white shirt in the French-cuff style, and the shirt should be fastened with cuff links. The suit is dark and tailored, with a silk napkin square and a simple silk tie with no ornamentation or busy patterns. Prices start at $14.99, with designer mens shirts could ranging from $217.00-$700.00.

• Formal - This can be the same attire as Black Tie, with a white men’s dress shirt, or dress code can be more lenient, with suits worn without ties or worn with black dress shirts; it all depends on the city and the formality of the event. The price ranges from $29.75-$165.00.

• Black Tie - Tuxedos are worn at these events, so the perfect men’s shirt would be a tuxedo shirt. Choose either stiff cotton or linen in white or off-white. The shirt can have a stiff front or more traditionally, Marcella, plain or pleated. Tuxedo shirts can have mother-of-pearl buttons or be fastened with cuff links and shirt studs. The collar can come in Lay-down, Wing or Wingtip, or Mandarin. Prices range from $7.95-$225.



 source:a-man-fashion.blogspot.com

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