UNDERWEAR - American Apparel Undies

by The Style PA

I am all for more representative models in the industry, but American Apparel's choice of underwear model is, well, a little strange. I don't take kindly to a man with unwashed hair, spotty skin and a vacant expression catching me unawares while wearing only his pants. Luckily this was not a real life occurrence, I merely caught sight of him while browsing for some undies to feature on this website, but even so... the mental scarring will haunt my dreams for some time to come.

Anyway, I digress slightly. The real reason for this post is to draw your attention to a wide range of underwear over at the American Apparel website. Like most items from this brand. you can buy them in a rainbow of colours meaning you can match your pants to your socks, T-shirt or any other accessory. And this is OK by the way. When your jeans hang low, you may as well be wearing something colourful and coordinated. Check out the full range here.

Available to buy from just £10 a pair, these are a whole lot cheaper than those from some other big name underwear brands and just as stylish.

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TIPS - Which Shoes to Choose

Photo Credit: jen_maiser on Flickr.com

How many pairs of shoes does a man need?

According to the men I know, it is not very many. 1-5 is normal, 5-10 is a bit girly, and more than 10 pairs means you are either gay or just have an addictive personality, so I am told.

Some people choose shoes for their aesthetic merit, whereas others have different pairs for more practical reasons. My boyfriend has only 1 pair he wears regularly. They fit his look and his lifestyle so why bother buying more pairs, until they wear out that is. Other men have a selection sorted by function e.g. One pair for sports, one for casual and one for formal. Is 3 pairs really enough though?

Here is my slant on it... If you have a lot of different clothes, then it would figure that you need a lot of shoes. 1 pair in my opinion does not go with everything. I have been browsing online and there really is as much choice for men as there is for women, so no excuses! If your style is varied and changeable, and if you follow the trends – you need lots of shoes. If you tend to stick to your own style, and have more of a capsule wardrobe, then a couple of pairs will do.

Just follow these simple rules...

• Brown shoes go with greens and browns.
  
• Black footwear will work with navy, grey and black.
• Tan shoes go with lighter earth tones.
• Bright or lighter coloured shoes are harder to carry off and should match your individual style and personality.
  
• Never wear a smart shoe with casual trousers.
• Don’t wear white socks and black shoes.
• If you have a belt on, try and match it to your shoes (unless it is bright or patterned)
  
• If wearing a suit try and wear a shinier, sleeker shoe.
• When it comes to sneakers, keep them clean and fresh.
  

How many pairs of shoes are in your closet?

For a few more tips visit The Upper Lip who kindly gave me a mention on their blog.

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FASHION - Wolverine Tees at French Connection

The hotly anticipated Wolverine movie is out soon, and to celebrate the release French Connection have some great T-Shirts on sale. All tops are priced at £25; a bargain if you ask me. We can't all have the looks of Hugh Jackman so this might be the next best thing. Check out some of the designs below...

Oh, and if you are feeling lucky? There is a competition to enter too, a winner will spend 3 nights at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood and 10 runners up will win goodie bags. Please check the link for closing date.


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DESIGN - The Lamborbiker Concept

Image Credit: Flavio Adriani

Meet the Lamborbiker, an all new concept in sleek and stylish motorbike design. This ambitious new design by Flavio Adriani takes elements of Lamborghini and teams it with inspiration he has taken from other car designers. He complains that manufacturer's designs are becoming less aesthetic as the issue of eco-friendly transport takes priority.

The concept bike is part of a competition entry but the name isn't going to win any prizes if the online feedback is anything to go by. The real question, I suppose, is; will something this pretty ever get made? Would your name be on the list to get one, or more to the point, would you have the money? Read more about the bike and view further images here.

Image Credit: Flavio Adriani

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IDEA - Refresh Your Trainers with Sneakart

Beat the credit crunch by recycling your worn out sneakers. Give them a brand new look with Sneakart. Choose from the pre-made stickers or skins, or create your own if you have creativity running through your veins. If bright is your thing that is covered, if you fancy something subtle there is something for you too.

Most of the guys over at Sneakart come from a design background and they are full of fab ideas to make boring trainers stand out. Oh, and it's ethical too. By re-using what you already have, you won't be contributing to the landfill. Not to mention the fact that you will save a few pennies. Could there be any more reasons to check out this company?

Get over to the Sneakart website and start your custom design.

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STYLE - Style Guide for Men

Photo Credit: veloztony on Flickr.com

Do you need some help when it comes to choosing the right formal wear or suit? A lot of men tend to play it safe and stick to what they know because they are not confident in finding the right clothing. Chances are, they don't know how a suit should fit, or they think that getting something custom made is too expensive or a waste of money.

I have to disagree. If you can afford to have a suit custom made you will feel and look a hundred times better. You may not think people will notice the fact that your trousers are a little too long/short or that your sleeves don't fit quite right, but it does ruin the whole finish and will make you look scruffy. This isn't always an issue, but if you have a high powered career and need to be taken seriously, quality clothing will make the right impression.

I have included below links to pages from A Tailored Suit's style guide. These articles have been written by people who know the importance of looking good. The guide is pretty comprehensive, there isn't much else you need to know. Take a read and let me know what you think.

Understanding Proper Fit
How to Choose a Tailor

Men's Suits: An Introduction to the Jacket
Men's Suits: The Jacket in Detail
Men's Suits: The Jacket Completed
Men's Suits: Exploring Color
Men's Suits: Exploring Patterns
Men's Suits: Fabrics
Men's Suits: Double-Breasted Jackets

Matching a Tie - A Basic Overview

A Gentleman and Jewelry

Men's Dress Shirts: An Introduction
Men's Dress Shirts: A Deeper Understanding
Men's Dress Shirts: Cuffs - An Overview
Men's Dress Shirts: Collars - An Overview
Men's Dress Shirts: Fabrics
Men's Dress Shirts: Understanding Seasons & Color
Men's Dress Shirts: Understanding Contrast & Color

Dress Shoes: The Importance of Good Shoes
Dress Shoes: Types

Men's Overcoats - Stylish Protection

INTERVIEW - Stuart Graham from Lyle & Scott

Thanks to my-wardrobe.com for this interview with Stuart Graham from Lyle & Scott, a well respected brand known for their vintage, casual sportswear.

1. Describe the inspiration behind your Spring/Summer 09 collections?

The Spring/Summer 09 Vintage range has carefully chosen reference points from our 80’s sportswear heritage with an Americana twist. The vibrant colours were influenced by primary Pop Art Brights.


2. Who is the Lyle & Scott man?

That’s a difficult question. We have three separate brand categories under the Lyle & Scott business umbrella. Vintage, Heritage and Club. Different looks for different consumers. Heritage is geared for the man who requires a considered, preppy, but classic look. Club Range is ideal for a fashion-conscious Golfer. my-wardrobe stocks the Vintage Collection, which offers its consumers a bold, confident, edgy and independent look. This collection has been instrumental to the resurgence of the Lyle & Scott brand, offering us the chance to expand our product offering and quality.


3. Do you feel men are becoming more fashion conscious and open to experiment with their style?

Yes definitely, men have developed better trend awareness and are also given extensive choices. In the high street there are affordable options, which are created from the catwalk at an accelerated time frame. The average man is being pressurised by the media & his partner to keep with developing trends, which has helped them develop greater confidence in their image. This is mainly due to the historical stereotype of masculine references being broken-down.

In my opinion there hasn’t really been a prominent subculture since House music, circa mid/late 80’s. Blended subcultures have diluted men’s fashion creating more awareness on style.


4. What three style tips would you give to men to ensure they're always looking their best?

• Grooming, (keep it simple..rough & ready or neat & trim)
• Always have classic basics in your wardrobe. E.g. wool v-neck, classic polos, Harrington, Chino, vintage denim, peacoat, white t-shirt, pumps and brogues. You can experiment and build an outfit around these staple garments.
• Don’t own a mirror, confidence is the key.

5. What do you attribute to Lyle & Scott's success?

Not every company can boast a rich 134 year history and draw inspiration from an extensive brand heritage or vast reference points. The brands heritage includes one of the original collaborations with Christian Dior on ladies wear in the 50’s. The Yellow Eagle, which is an instantly recognisable logo, driving trends on golf courses for five decades. It’s been a staple piece in the sub-culture of the terrace casuals in the 70’s & 80’s. In the past fifty years we’ve had amazing array of celebrity endorsement. The most impressive is the Duke of Edinburgh, which handed Lyle & Scott the Royal Warrant. All of this, in addition to considered retail positioning, has considerably helped in raising the brand profile. This has enabled Lyle & Scott to develop a unique brand identity which has bridged generations of consumers.


6. Name five items in your wardrobe that you couldn't live without?

• Lyle & Scott Cashmere Cable Knit.
• Filson Backpack
• RRL Shirts
• Vintage Real McCoy Indigo denims
• Tan Santoni Italian Brogues

You can get the retro sportswear look at my-wardrobe.com this season; the Lyle & Scott collection is proving to be a real hit. Luisa de Paula, buying & Merchandising director for my-wardrobe says "The resurgence of vintage sportswear brands is fuelling a renewed energy in menswear sales". I say, don't be left behind, get shopping.

Blue Flap Pocket Shirt - £63

Pink Lambswool V Neck - £73

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