Posts filed under 'Men’s'

Q&A: What Tie to Wear with a Black Shirt

Q:  I have a black suit and also a black shirt. Is there tie colour that would go with this combination?

Poppies Tie from TieLabBy Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant

A: 
Black on black makes quite a statement. You can create (at least) three different looks with this style. For a look that’s…

1. Jazzy and zoot suit inspired, try Thomas Pink’s spotted knit tie.

Spot Knitted Men’s Tie | $49 at Thomas Pink

2. Sophisticated and urban, try Thomas Pink’s art deco inspired tie.

Wild Fern Printed Silk Men’s Tie | $49 at Thomas Pink

3. Artsy and unconventional, try TieLab’s Poppies tie. Dramatically graphic.

Pictured: Poppies Tie | $30+ at TieLab

Have a great tip about what kind of tie to wear with a black shirt and black suit? Share it with us in the comments!

Style question?  We’ve got answers.  E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.

2 comments August 29th, 2007

Q&A: What to Wear with a White Blazer

Q: What would suggest wearing a white blazer with to NOT give off the Miami Vice look?  And, more generally, what other types of pants would you recommend with any blazer?  The jeans and shirt and blazer look is so boring.

Ben Sherman \'Paddle\' Two Button BlazerA: 
The big white blazer with a pastel shirt screams Miami Vice (and the 1980s), but you don’t have to dress like Don Johnson if you don a white blazer.  Try the white blazer with a black shirt and dark-rinse blue jeans for an casually elegant nightwear look.

You can also try going preppy with the white blazer. Pair it with a colorful polo and shorts.  Or replace the polo with a striped or plaid shirt for even more visual interest.  You can get away with knee-length shorts in white or colored fabrics–or even seersucker.  Finish off the outfit with a pair of boat shoes or docksiders.  Very WASP.

More generally, you can wear blazers with almost any type of pants, if you’re daring.  It’s less about what you wear than how you wear it.  While most men keep to jeans or trouser pants in the same fabric for their blazers, you can expand your options to trouser pants in different patterns and textures (very sophisticated when done right), cargo pants, and even shorts. 

Have a great tip about what to wear with a white blazer?  Share it with us in the comments!

Pictured:
Ben Sherman ‘Paddle’ Two Button Blazer | $169 at Nordstrom.


Style question?  We’ve got answers.  E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.

5 comments August 22nd, 2007

Q&A: Cool Clubbing Clothes for Guys

Q:  I’m an Asian college guy looking for cool clubbing clothes that I can also use as casual wear on campus. Have any suggestions?

Armani Exchange Slim Fit ShirtA:  Choose clubbing clothes that reflect your personality, just as you would for the rest of your wardrobe.  The standard men’s clubbing uniform is a collared, button-down shirt with trousers or fancy jeans.  If you want to blend in with the crowd, look for solid colors and darker hues.  But if you’re looking to stand out from the crowd, you can be more adventurous with bright colors and patterns.

For mall clothes, Armani Exchange tends to have the best clothes that double as clubwear and casualwear.  Their styles are a bit more flashy than that of other stores and tend to be more fitted as well.  Club Monaco also features subtly stylish clothing with a snug fit.

Where to start?  The quintessential shirt that works from casualwear to clubwear is a dark colored slim fit shirt.   

Have a great tip about what to wear to a club? Share it with us in the comments!

Pictured:
Slim Fit Shirt | $78 at Armani Exchange.

Style question?  We’ve got answers.  E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.

7 comments August 8th, 2007

Q&A: The Best Day Planners

Q:  I am looking for a cute but professional day planner case with a zipper.  The ones from Franklin Covey are functional but ugly.  Any ideas of where I could find something like this?

Piazza Filofax Organizer in Bright YellowA:  Day planners don’t have to be boring–and Franklin Covey actually does carry some pretty spiffy styles.  Look for bright colors for a stylish-yet-professional look:

Jodi Ultra Sleek Binder | $69.95+ at Franklin Covey
Can’t get enough of the turquoise on this slim leather binder.

Arcadia Binder | $36.99+ at Franklin Covey
Sleek lines and a deep red color make this planner a standout.

Filofax Piazza Personal Organizer | $195 at Filofax
If you’re willing to try an organizer without a zipper, take a look at this bright yellow Filofax style.  (Pictured)

Have a great tip about where to find a stylish day planner? Share it with us in the comments!

Style question?  We’ve got answers.  E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.

1 comment August 3rd, 2007

Q&A: What to Wear in Boston

Q:  I am moving to Boston, MA in the fall to attend Harvard graduate school, but I have no idea how to handle the Boston weather. I have only ever known the muggy heat of the south. What are a few key pieces of clothing that I will need to survive the Boston climate while still looking stylish?

Burberry Wool Duffle CoatA:  Boston’s climate features challenging weather patterns such as wide temperature swings in a matter of days, and unseasonal snowfalls. Summers are sunny, hot and humid, and winters are bitterly cold, windy, wet and snowy. You’re going to want to dress in layers to adjust to the changing weather conditions.

You’re accustomed to the humid, muggy summers, but you’re going to need to build your cold weather wardrobe. Here’s four cold weather essentials to add to your closet:

3/4 or Full Length Coat: Invest in one good-quality cold weather coat each year.  It’s your first layer of protection against the chilly weather, and it’s the item that will make your first fashion impression.  Look for a well-insulated coat that will keep you warm, but also choose one with special detailing, such as toggle closures or military-style epaulets at the shoulder line.

Thermals: Layer thermal underwear under your clothes to help you retail your body heat.

Knit Hat: A large percentage of your body heat is lost through your head–so keep your head warm with a knit hat during the icy winters.  Dark colors are safe, but you might want to add special flair to your outfit with a brightly colored hat.

Boots: Fashion starts at the foot, so invest in a pair of ankle-length (or above) boots that will keep your feet warm and dry.

Have a great tip about what to wear in Boston? Share it with us in the comments!

Pictured:
Burberry Wool Duffle Coat | $1,395 (preorder) at Nordstrom.

Style question?  We’ve got answers.  E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.

7 comments August 1st, 2007

Q&A: Create Your Own Personal Style

Q: I am a 24 year old guy who is going bald at a fairly rapid rate.  Can you give any suggestions as the styles of dress that look well on a bald guy?  I’ve tried to copy Bruce Willis, Sam Jackson and Vin Diesel, but those guys are all badasses and alas, I am not.

Mike & Chris Mercer Zip Up Hoodie for MenA:  Our best advice is to be yourself.  It’s difficult to copy a celebrity fashion style–it’s their look, not yours.  Do yourself a favor and focus on yourself. 

Ask yourself–what’s the best feature?  Then focus on that.  The key is to redefine yourself from the inside out.  Think of yourself as a guy with that great feature, not as a guy who’s going bald.  Then dress accordingly.

Do you have a lean physique?  Flaunt it with fitted clothes.  Great face?  Frame it with a great jacket collar.  Or draw attention upward with special detailing at the shoulderline. 

And take some (calculated) fashion risks.  Try a bunch of stuff on in the fitting room–items that you know you’ll love, and garments that you’re not so sure about.  Try new styles–and new colors.  Who knows?  You might find that, for you, turquoise is the new black.  Or that patterned shirts make you look better than the standard striped ones.

Have a great tip about how to find your personal style? Share it with us in the comments!

Pictured:
Mike & Chris Mercer Zip Up Hoodie | $215 at Revolve Clothing.

Style question?  We’ve got answers.  E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.

July 25th, 2007

Q&A: What Socks to Wear with Low Sided Shoes

Q:  I have a pair of Sperry shoes and I normally do not wear socks, but the sweat has just eaten up the soles of the shoes in only a month’s time.  What kind of socks do people normally wear with Sperry shoes?

Feetures No Show SocksA:  No-show socks are the way to go with your Sperry shoes.  You get the best of both worlds–the appearance of socklessness with the comfort and dryness of wearing socks. 

Here’s some no-show socks to get you started:
Wrightsock Coolmesh® Lo Double Layer 6-Pair Pack | $51.95 at Zappos
(Pictured) Feetures Light No Show Socks | $7.99 at Footsmart


Style question?  We’ve got answers.  E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.

3 comments July 11th, 2007

Q&A: Funky Yet Functional Glasses Frames

Q:  Do you have any tips on new glasses frames? I want something that will last for a year or so. I work in a design firm, so something funky isn’t out of the question, but I’d like something that that I can wear all the time.

Kate Spade Bailey Glasses FramesA:  Most tips surrounding glasses frames center around balancing out your facial features to get closer to the "ideal" oval shaped face.  In a nutshell, we advise those with round faces to look for more angular frames and those with more angular faces to seek rounder frames.

Since you work in a design firm, you’re probably looking for a pair of frames that’s not only functional but also a bit edgy.  We’d recommend looking for:

(1) Angular frames, no matter what your face shape.  We do, however, suggest taking your face shape into account and recommend a slightly less angular frame for those with heart or square face shapes.
(2) Thicker frames for a bolder, more confident look. 
(3) Colored frames, if you dare.  We like reddish brown for its wearability and inherent edginess.

Two brands to check out–Kate Spade for retro-chic frames and Gucci for bold, angular styles.

Pictured:
Kate Spade Bailey Eyeglasses | $152 at FramesDirect.

Style question?  We’ve got answers.  E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.

3 comments July 3rd, 2007

Q&A: Dress Code–Summer Chic?

Q:  My husband and I have been invited to a work party at a fancy restaurant.  My husband is an attorney, and most of the guests in attendance will be attorneys and judges.  The invitation states that the attire will be "Summer Chic."  Please describe "Summer Chic" and how it would apply to men and women.

Banana Republic Heritage Linen SuitA: 
Summer Chic implies a degree of casualness, but given that the event is a work party at a fancy restaurant, keep the outfit professional.

For Women: Sleeved dresses or two-piece outfits–nothing too revealing.  Have a sleeveless dress?  Pair it with a cropped cardigan sweater.  Light colors and lightweight fabrics will turn this outfit from plain chic to Summer Chic. 

For Men: Two-piece suits, coordinated or uncoordinated, in lightweight fabrics.  For summer, I like light colored suits–shades of khaki or cream are seasonally appropriate.  Wear a dress shirt and tie, though feel free to mix things up with bright colors or bold patterns.

Pictured:
Heritage Linen Suit | $473 at Banana Republic.

Style question?  We’ve got answers.  E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.

3 comments June 27th, 2007

Q&A: Is a Grey Suit With a Black Tie Business Appropriate?

Q:  I’ve seen pictures of guys (Hollywood-types) wearing black ties with white shirts and grey suits. I like the look, but is it business-appropriate? My sense is no - it seems more like a night-out / formal / dressy occasion combination. What do you think?

XMI Black Silk TieA: 
While the look is decidedly formal, it’s still business appropriate in certain settings.  The more visibility, authority, or client contact you have, the more formal your dress should be.  And depending on where you’re located, business dress may be more or less formal.  Rule of thumb for the US?  The further east you are, the more formal the dress.

Love the look, and it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Pictured:
XMI Silk Tie | $75 at Nordstrom.

Style question?  We’ve got answers.  E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.

2 comments June 20th, 2007

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