Tien Son Fashion Feature: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Joseph Gordon-Levitt Born February 17, 1981 in Los Angeles, California Years Active: 1988-Present Esquire's best-dressed man of 2012 was always a somewhat sassy heartthrob, even as a teenager in 3rd Rock from the Sun, but it was just recently that he's come into his own as a conspicuously adorable fashion icon. Photo from Flight Ave One of the most important principles he applies to his wardrobe is fit. He fully embraces his small stature and slim figure with tailored clothing and perfect hem lengths, making his outfits look amazingly sharp and composed. As a result, his height isn't even noticeable when he's on camera, and not just because gravity was broken a little in Inception. Another aspect of his style that sets him apart is his fantastic grooming, especially in an era of patchy-bearded hipsters. His cleanly shaven face and perfectly coiffed hair look classy and effortless instead of finicky. He's the kind of guy you desperately want to be associated with. You can just tell that if you looked at his fingernails at any time of the day they would be completely clean and polished. Finally, he isn't afraid to experiment with trends, and that's because he has a good foundation to start with. He knows what works for his body, and he always starts building his outfit with tailored pieces. So, if you want to take a page from his book, you'll want to start with some tailored basics, like a pair of custom pants and a basic sweater. Who's your favorite fashion icon? Let us know in the comments below! Joseph Gordon-Levitt Born February 17, 1981 in Los Angeles, California Years Active: 1988-Present Esquire's best-dressed man of... Read more » 4:27 PM +
Ring Leader Part Two: A Guide to Men's Jewelry Last time we went over men's jewelry that's more or less conventional in the Western world: solitary rings, tie clips and cuff links. However, these pieces are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of man glam; it's time to talk about risky but potentially powerful accessories such as bracelets, necklaces and piercings. Necklaces I once had a college professor who could not get over my classmate's choice to wear a chunky gold chain around his neck every day. One afternoon he locked eyes with this student right in the middle of the lecture, pointed to his neck, and stated, "Dude, stop wearing that chain. It's doing nothing for your image." And while probably no one will ever be this blunt if you're not pulling something off, his reaction is likely akin to what most people will think about you if you fail to apply the "less is more" rule. Photo from Upscale Hype For casual looks, rugged-looking tribal necklaces with rope, turquoise and wooden beads aren't a bad way to go. Shells, however, are way out of style. If you want to wear a chain, keep it light and short - just long enough to be partially hidden under your shirt so that only a little bit shows. Subtlety is key. Kanye West, when he isn't wearing theatrically huge gold necklaces on stage, is actually quite skilled at pulling off subtle statement pieces, like his Arabic nameplate necklace. If you have a necklace with some meaning, such as a family heirloom, a religious symbol, or dog tags, even better. Since men are given minuscule jewelry allowances, whatever you do wear should make a statement about who you are and what's important to you. Bracelets Decorative bracelets are quite difficult for men to pull off, but dressed-down wrist accessories are actually fairly common. A tiny chain around your wrist that pokes out of your sleeve isn't a terrible idea, and rugged materials such as rope and leather are commonplace. You may even want to consider something with function, such as a paracord survival bracelet that can unravel into several feet of rope. What's more manly than a bracelet that could save your life in a desperate situation? Piercings Earrings have become the most socially acceptable and common form of men's jewelry. Gauges have been around for centuries, and are currently infiltrating the mainstream. For a working professional, it's obviously best to avoid huge, gross-out gauge sizes, but wearing moderate piercings to work is becoming a more and more acceptable creative statement, much like tattoos. Wearing only one piercing at a time to work is probably best (both pierced ears counts as one piercing), and which one you choose is a matter of personal taste. I'm of the school that snakebites and septum piercings are trendy and stupid, and that nothing trumps a subtle nose stud, but you shouldn't necessarily abide by my advice since I have zero piercings myself. Like always, we want to hear your opinions. What man jewelry do you love/hate? Last time we went over men's jewelry that's more or less conventional in the Western world: solitary rings, tie clips and cuff link... Read more » 4:20 PM +
Ring Leader: A Guide to Men's Jewelry Admittedly, there aren't a lot of men's jewelry departments in stores within the United States. Male jewelry-wearers are a niche, exotic lot that one pictures hailing from Italy or India, but that doesn't mean you don't belong in their ranks as well, at least in some small way. Let's stick with the familiar for now: watches, wedding bands and cufflinks/tie clips. A modern watch by Kenneth Cole Watches For a "timeless" look (get it?), a leather strap and a simple, subtle face should be your go-to. This kind of watch is of no offense to anyone, whether you have a corporate job and worry about standing out too much, or you work in a repurposed factory with a handful of hipsters and worry about standing out too little. For a more modern look, try a gunmetal finish and minimalist face. If you really want to show up Sven in the graphics department, rock a retro wooden watch or a large, digital face. Whatever you choose, let your watch be an expression of yourself and your overall sense of style, tying your whole look together. For more watch tips, check out last summer's article about watches and belts. Wedding Bands For the most part, men in the Western world are allotted only one socially acceptable ring - the wedding band. But, you shouldn't have to be married to fill this free jewelry slot. Americans are great at inventing social customs, like "purity rings," so why not make up your own excuse to wear a ring? Like, a ring to indicate your promise to yourself not to eat too much pizza. Gold cufflinks and tie clip from Tien Son Subtlety, like always, is your friend when it comes to pulling off rings. Tungsten is perfect for this - it's clean, neutral and masculine. Stick to geometric, sculptural patterns. Cufflinks and Tie Clips Color coordination is important for these suit accessories. Warm gold tones pair well with earthy browns and beiges in your suit and shirt, and also work well with deep blues. Silvers, meanwhile, are more modern and neutral. Next time we'll talk about riskier accessories, such as necklaces and earrings. Are you a fan of male jewelry? Let us know in the comments below! Admittedly, there aren't a lot of men's jewelry departments in stores within the United States. Male jewelry-wearers are a niche, ex... Read more » 1:15 PM +