What Is the Meaning of This? Blazer vs. Suit Jacket Is the term "blazer" really different from "suit jacket," or is this just a firefly vs. lightning bug language conundrum? According to The Compass, the word "blazer" has historically referred to a solidly colored, lapeled jacket with a less sharp construction, metal buttons, and patch pockets. A blazer was once part of the British Royal Navy uniform in the 19th century. A suit jacket, on the other hand, usually refers to a jacket that comes with matching suit pants. In looser terms, if you isolate a solid suit jacket from its matching pants, it becomes a blazer. Ascot vs. Cravat These are two words some people use interchangeably, but the truth is that they are not exactly equivalent. "Cravat" is a generic term that refers to a variety of different neckties, from bow ties, modern ties, un-named varieties of ties that have fallen out of fashion and, of course, ascots. An "ascot" refers specifically to a very loose and puffy cravat that's tied directly around the neck, underneath the shirt collar. This style originates from, you guessed it - the British. Some cravats are tied in this same loose fashion, but are over the collar, and therefore more formal. Photo from suitored.com Cummerbund "Cummerbund" is a funny word to say that refers to a wide sash one wears around the waist, covering the top of the pants and the bottom of the shirt. It was first used by British military in Colonial India (those British!) as a substitute for a waist coat. Nowadays, it's a component of black tie. The term originates from the Persian "kamar band," or "waist band." What suit terms leave you scratching your head and desperately googling? Save yourself the effort and let us explain - just leave a comment below. Blazer vs. Suit Jacket Is the term "blazer" really different from "suit jacket," or is this just a firefly vs. light... Read more » 8:10 PM +
Hue Got What I Need - Summer 2013 Summer is the most highly saturated season for menswear, when sweaters shed the charcoal shades of winter and the ivory of spring and dive head first into limeade. Other on-trend colors this season include grey and straw, both of which are perfect neutrals for a fashion-forward monochromatic ensemble. The more saturated seasonal colors are ideal for accessories like ties, pocket squares and sneakers. Have you been experimenting with this season's colors? Let us know in the comments! emerald cerulean cobalt fuchsia goldenrod grey lilac spearmint straw Summer is the most highly saturated season for menswear, when sweaters shed the charcoal shades of winter and the ivory of spring and dive h... Read more » 7:01 PM +
The Hairy 'n Scary Truth About Facial Hair Men have had a curious attachment to the hair that grows on their faces since the dawn of human history. And it isn't at all surprising that full faces of hair were more commonplace than they are today back when the only available tools for shaving were flint and sea shells. However, in a modern society where the presence of most forms of body hair is considered not only unhygienic but downright rude, is there still room in our hearts for face fur? "Scruffy" isn't the most popular beard adjective among women. Many prefer a light shadow or sculpted goatee. As William Shakespeare puts it, "He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man." Sprouting those first spindly hairs is viewed as a right of passage by many young men that sometimes transitions into a life of beard horticulture. Often, as self-proclaimed Beard Enthusiast Barry Neblett states, the love of facial hair cultivation takes root in childhood: "My dad always had a beard my whole life, and he's my definition of a man, so me being a man now or at least trying to be I want to emulate him in every way I can. Also, my beard is f***ing awesome." Our own Mikey Armanno states, "When a girl can appreciate the beard, I know they are a keeper," and cites the numerous benefits. "Studies show that a beard will make you live longer. Also, it helps hide a weak jaw line. I like to keep a low to medium length beard. Keep it clean and sharp on the edges. Keep the professional look with a mature face." He recommends Jack Black's Beard Lube™ to soften your whiskers and eliminate pain and discomfort during makeout sessions. But even with a heavily lubed beard, many women simply aren't fans of facial hair, or will only tolerate it within certain perimeters. Oddly enough, the unspoken rules women hold regarding facial hair closely parallels men's preferences about hair in the bikini area. Few partners would ask that the hair be removed entirely if a man or woman is emotionally as well as physically attached, but typically prefer that it is regularly trimmed and sculpted. Perhaps the rule of thumb should be "grow hair onto yourself as you would have it grown onto others." If you're one of the many men who are genetically predisposed only to peach fuzz and are $5,000 worth of desperate to rock a trendy hipster 'stache, you should consider visiting Turkey. Tell us what you think of facial hair in the comments below! We're interested in hearing from men who can defend beardlessness, and women who have borderline unhealthy fantasies about Santa Claus. Men have had a curious attachment to the hair that grows on their faces since the dawn of human history. And it isn't at all surprising ... Read more » 11:19 AM +
The Art of Manliness Style Pyramid There was an article recently on The Art of Manliness that perfectly simplifies the principles of style that few men can figure out intuitively. Not knowing what looks good on you when you go shopping is dangerous, and can result in a closet full of regret buys and an empty wallet. Here's the synopsis of how to recognize whether you will actually get good mileage out of an article of clothing: You won't even be able to take yourself seriously in a suit that looks like it's on loan from your dad. Fit The most important aspect of all is fit, which sits at the top of the style pyramid above fabric and style. Everything else about a look depends on how well it fits you. The best outfit can look awkward and unflattering if it is too tight or baggy. Therefore, when buying clothes, keep an eye on pants width/length. The hem of your pants should skim your shoes, not creep beneath them, and the rule of thumb for pant leg width is not "two of your legs can fit inside one pant leg." You should just be able to fit a couple of fingers between the fabric and your thigh. The bottom of your jacket should hit you just below the hip, never over your thighs. An over-long jacket is the best way to look shorter than you really are. Shirt sleeves should be long enough to go between your wrist and your thumb joint when your arms are at your side, and jacket sleeves shouldn't be more than half an inch shorter. Again, use the 1-2 fingers rule to determine what torso and arm width works best for you. Fabric This second most important principle refers not just to the fabric of your clothes, but to the overall quality. The general rule to remember is that if it looks cheap, don't buy it (especially if it isn't cheap). You can determine the quality of fabric by the type of fabric (suits/shirts should generally be 100% cotton or wool, and blended synthetic fabrics shouldn't exceed 95%), the weight (too-light fabric will blow around stupidly, fall apart and wrinkle easily), and the quality of details such as weave (check for little imperfections or pilling), stitching (avoid lose or sloppy stitches), hemming (should be flat and even), and materials (buttons, rivets, etc. should be high quality and sturdy). Get serious! Good looks are all up to you. Style This is the last principle, and it is the most difficult to qualify. Everyone has a different style, but there are some rules you should adhere to for maximum clothing mileage. For instance, you shouldn't buy an article of clothing if you can't think of something that coordinates with it. What good are neon green skinny jeans if you can't even imagine a shirt that would go with them? That's right - before you can justify a clothing purchase, you have to visualize an outfit. You should consider upgrading items of your wardrobe that are well-worn, out of style, or simply not age appropriate. Art of Manliness gives the example of handing over your high school Chuck Taylors for a grownup pair of suede saddle shoes (30 years of age is a good time to stop wearing sneakers with suits). The great thing about getting your suit or shirt tailor-made by Tien Son is that you don't have to think much about the style pyramid. We take care of most of these principles for you by providing you with high quality clothes that are perfect for your body type. It's a no-brainer when you have a retailer you can trust to provide you with something good. The only question is what you want to add to your wardrobe next! Let us know which style principles you struggle with the most in the comments section. There was an article recently on The Art of Manliness that perfectly simplifies the principles of style that few men can figure out intuit... Read more » 5:58 PM +