Date Night

Now what the hell are you going to wear?
It’s surprisingly easy to leave this most important aspect of a Valentine’s date to the last minute, but it’s worth bearing in mind that failing to dress for the occasion after you’ve invested in everything from artisan chocolates to a surprise weekend getaway is about the same as pairing your knackered dirty Converse with your finest tuxedo – you’re simply not doing yourself justice.
But that’s not to say that you should be wearing your Sunday finest to your afternoon brunch date. It’s all about making sure that you dress both stylishly and appropriately for whatever you’ve got planned.
With this in mind, we’re giving you a rundown on what to wear to four common Valentine’s date scenarios.

A Movie Date

I can’t give you advice on what to watch, but i'm more than happy to point you in the right

Movie date

direction when it comes to attire. A trip to the movie theater may be a little more low-key than a dinner date, but that’s still no reason for you to slack on the style count.You’ll want to aim for the smarter end of smart-casual for this one, just in case you end up going for drinks before or after. Start off with a solid pair of trousers such as beige chinos, indigo jeans, brown/burgundy cords or grey trousers.
 
Build on your base with a plain cotton, plaid or plain button-down shirt and  a jumper or cardigan would be ideal – then polish your look off with a pair of smart boots in brown/black.

 

A Dinner Date

Dinner Date

Good choice; how can you go wrong with three courses of masterfully prepared meal accompanied by a few glasses of fine wine? 
Taking your date to dinner is pretty much safe and if you've jumped the hurdles involved in securing a reservation, then you’ll want to match that same effort when it comes to what you wear. It’s hard to beat a sharp suit in this instance. Given that you've opted for arguably the most traditional type of Valentine’s date, keep your look similarly classic by opting for a two-button, notch lapel style in light grey, charcoal, navy or black.
Remember: your aim here is to appear well-dressed and attractive, not upstage your date and make them feel uncomfortable. With this in mind, round out the look with a simple white button-down shirt or roll neck in a complementary color, a pair of classic black Derbies/Oxfords and a neatly folded pocket square that sits firmly on the subtle, rather than showy, side of the spectrum.
If a suit is a little too much for you or the restaurant in question, then revert to a foolproof chino and blazer combo. Try a pair of slim- to straight-fit chinos in beige with a navy blazer, blue Oxford shirt and pair of brown brogues or loafers. If you want to add a little formality to mark the occasion, then you can consider a plain colored knitted neck tie or a bow tie.

 

The Day Date

Whether it’s a day trip to a town or a near by city, a visit to your favorite museum or lakeside walk, this option is likely to see you moving in- and outdoors throughout the day, meaning savvy layering is paramount to looking and feeling your best.Ensure you’re prepared for every kind of weather March can throw at you by teaming a lightweight jacket classic crew neck tee and pair of dark jeans or slim chinos.
When it comes to footwear, you’ll want to go for a style that’s both sturdy and comfortable – boots and leather trainers are the best options here.

The Home Date

Probably the most intimate option, just because you won’t be leaving your home doesn't mean your trusty jeans and hoody combination makes the cut. You’ll definitely need to appear put-together, but it’s advisable to stop short of looking like you’ve tried too hard.Keep your outfit relaxed but presentable. Try a pair of straight-leg jeans or chinos with a shirt and lightweight v- or crew neck jumper, or a polo shirt with a pair of trousers.

While footwear won’t be at the forefront of your mind, we’d suggest you swap the pool slides or slippers for a pair of loafers, minimal trainers or desert boots. If you’re a ‘no shoes inside the house’ type of guy, please make sure your socks haven’t got holes in and that they complement your ensemble.
The All-Important Details



Finally, don’t go to the effort of crafting the perfect date – and the outfit to go with it – without making sure your grooming is up to scratch.
Drop by your barber beforehand for a fresh cut so your hair is looking on point and don’t forget to set aside some time for a clean shave or trim.
And when it comes to fragrance, be sparing with your chosen scent. While a few modest dashes of cologne are crucial for impressing your date, too liberal an application will only serve to suffocate them.
With four of the major types of dates to go on checked off, you’re covered for most romantic bases this Valentine’s Day.So, what will you be wearing? Where are you taking your significant other? Any essential tips to bear in mind when planning the charm offensive?

The long break!!

It's been long time i mean really long time that I have written something.

Reasons?? Well there are many and laziness is one of the worst enemies I've got.

My my passion for fashion brought me back.

Having a day job and coming back home tired and writing something just for the sake of writing isn't what I am planning to offer w

Well now that I'm back we are going to have better time than before.

I've just come out of a long wedding season collaborated with the holidays and Christmas.

So what was hot this season and what will be ?? We'll find that out 

One of the things that made a huge comeback was my all time favorite accessory Bow tie

So let's get started and I'll talk to you in my next article

Ciao!!! 

The Perfect Wardrobe

Hi everyone!!You might be having dozens and 100's of things in your wardrobe but its never complete without the few things.

Here's a list of things a guy should have to make his wardrobe perfect and complete.

1. A White Oxford Cloth Shirt

 
  
The most versatile shirt you’ll ever buy.Easy to dress up with some formal trousers and a blazer but works equally as well with a pair of jeans. For maximum versatility, try and get one that is long enough to stay in your trousers but still short enough to look good when untucked.

2. Slim Dark Jeans

The reason they should be slim (but not skinny) is so they can be worn with a blazer but still look great with a pair of loafers or lace ups. They can be dressed up or down and will go with anything you get your hands on.

But you must remember to do your homework! Try on as many pairs as you can and then get the best pair tailored to perfection.

If you can afford it, opt for a selvedge pair – the quality of the denim is generally much better and will help them last years.

3.  A Dark Solid Tie

Should be simple and neutral enough to go with all the suits, jumpers and shirts you can throw at it. Navy, grey or black are ideal. Again, keep it slim but not skinny, and try not to go more than 3″ at its widest point.

If you can, opt for one with a bit of texture (like wool or a silk knit) in order to add a bit of detail to an otherwise very simple and versatile piece.

• DRAKES SLIM GRENADINE SILK TIE
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

4. A Navy Blazer

Normally I would suggest you purchase a navy suit as it will work just as well separated as a whole piece. However, I appreciate not everyone has the budget for a whole suit and I would rather you spent the money on a quality blazer than an average suit.

Try to make sure the fabric is dark enough that it can be worn in the evenings to clubs, bars or semi-formal events and throw it over anything to instantly smarten up your look.

5. A pair Of Grown Up Trainers

Something I cannot stress enough. Upgrade to something like Adidas Stan Smith’s, Chuck Taylors or Vans, buy them leather, keep them clean and you won’t go wrong.

 6. Grey Crew Neck T-shirt

I really shouldn’t have to explain this one. Works great as a layering piece, because grey goes with every other color under the sun. A crew neck also flatters nearly every face shape.

This item will never look better than when it’s paired with the dark jeans and grown up trainers on a lazy Sunday morning. 

7. A Black V-neck Jumper

Again, another classic.One of the easiest and most elegant looks for a man to pull off is a pair of formal trousers, a white shirt and black v-neck jumper combination. It works well as a layering piece under a suit and even looks great with just a pair of jeans in those summer evenings.

8. Slim Neutral Chinos

Same rules as the jeans here guys. Go for something in beige, camel or olive for maximum versatility but grey or brown will work just as well.Try to make sure they are of the traditional formal variety rather than the denim wash versions that are out right now – it’s much easier to dress a smart pair of chinos down than it is to dress up a more casual trouser.

 

9. A Pair Of Black Lace-up Shoes

Your go-to elegant dress up shoes right here. That is not to say they can’t be dressed down with a pair of jeans and a tee, but when you have a pair that are clean toed (so no seams or brogue detailing) they could be worn with a tuxedo and would still look appropriate.

• TOPMAN WALTEROOT BLACK LEATHER SHOES

• ALLSAINTS DEBUT SHOE

• H BY HUDSON BRAUN BLACK SHOES

10. A Medium Grey Suit

If there’s one thing you should spend some money on, it should be this one.

It’s the most versatile suit you can own and you can use the jacket as another blazer and the trousers as another pair of formal trousers with the chinos. It can take you from your first interview all the way to your final address to the board – including all those weddings, funerals and clubs in between.

The Top 10 Look book

As I said, with only these ten essentials in your wardrobe you should be able to get dressed in the dark and still look as stylish as ever. The beauty of menswear is that once you have these items, all you have to do is start expanding your color palette in order to add even more interchangeable pieces. So why not pick up some shirts in blues, pinks and greys? Or another blazer but this time in black? A few more different neutral chinos and jumpers won’t hurt either.

Stick to this format and you will have a great foundation wardrobe that will soon be ready for you to start introducing on-trend pieces and accessories that will individualize your look.

But as always, it’s not all about what I think – we want to hear from you guys too. Do you agree with my top ten list? Have I missed a key ‘essential’ piece off? And if I have, are you prepared to say why it should be deemed as essential? Let me know guys!

'Short' it out

You all might have guessed it from the title what I'm going to write about today. It’s one my favorite thing, Shorts.

Today we will see what different kinds of shorts are there, when you should wear them, how to wear them and lots of other things that you should not do.

Gone are the days when shorts were considered just as beach wear or resort wear. It’s much more then beach wear nowadays. I was born into 'Shorts-not-beachwear' era.

I wear shorts at every possible place, going out with friends, shopping, to the mall, at house parties or just on a stroll.

Shorts are a key component of the male wardrobe, especially as we venture into warmer climes. They offer a break from the heat as well as comfort during it. Shorts are also a very good option when it’s raining and wearing normal pants or jeans is not a very good idea.

There is a new generation of shorts out there that are shorter, slimmer, and cooler than the baggy ill-fitting khaki/Beige numbers you probably own. These shorts have a little more heft and detailing and make for a more substantial look.

I think shorts are probably one of the hardest items to put a decent outfit together with and this is even more obvious when you see other people “trying” to rock them. 

With jeans there are so many shapes, cuts and washes and you know where you stand with them. You can wear anything on the top half (formal or casual) and still easily pull it off. Shorts however are slightly different. Many men do not know how to wear shorts correctly, and do not know what items will look good with them.

Style of shorts is important. Cargo shorts will always have that relaxed casual vibe to them and so should be treated accordingly. Don’t wear a smart short sleeve shirt with them, or wearing boat shoes, it doesn't look right.

Likewise with graphic print shorts or heavy colored board shorts; keep the top and accessories quite plain/neutral colors otherwise it will be too much. You don’t need everything to scream “look at me I’m fashionable” – it comes off quite the opposite and contrived.

You can use shorts in an outfit just like you would with trousers or jeans. However, the type of shorts you wear should be very much dependent on your body shape. 

If you have long/skinny legs, then you need a longer cut in order to give your skinny legs some proportion. Do not wear shorts that are too baggy, because it will just further enhance the fact that they cannot fill them and they will look lost. A pair of hi-tops or sandals would be a good idea as well in order to decrease the length of leg shown.

If you have chunky or short legs, the opposite applies; you can go for a more relaxed fit and shorter length (or simply roll the shorts up a couple of times) in order to enhance your leg shape and length.

If you are lucky enough to have muscular footballers’ legs then really you can get away with anything and the women will still love you. 

Pale legs look much better in neutral tones like navy, beige or chocolate as it does not contrast so hard and make those lily whites stand out. As your legs become more tanned, crank up the colors because anything will look amazing – think bright summer blues, pinks, yellow, and of course the standard monochrome white, black and grey.

Be different with a pair of brightly patterned or unconventionally colored ones. But whether you chose checkered basics or cotton-twill shorts with folded cuffs ensure you buy them trim—they should fit like dress pants, not like frayed frat boy bulky cargo’s. Your pockets aren't meant for carrying melons. Go for a more old-world Tennis length that ends a little above your knees. Don’t be afraid to experiment with bright electric colors. This season it’s cool to look like you stuck your finger in a socket.

If you’re not at the beach, or even if you are put away your flip flops and opt for something smarter. There are much better options of shoes to pair up with your shorts, like boat shoes, espadrilles, slip-ons etc.

Other than chino shorts and formal, tailored shorts you can wear denim shorts. I personally love denim shorts. They don't look as dressy as chino shorts or tailored shorts but a ripped pair of denim short looks really cool. I somewhere feel that denim just accentuate your sex appeal.  

You can experiment more with stripped or printed shorts .this summer stripped and printed shorts are making a huge come back.

Stripes can be integrated into your existing looks far easier than other, statement options. Avoid teaming with other stripes, especially those of a similar width. Too many and you risk resembling a convict, and an unflattering outfit. 

The simplest option is – as with any look incorporating print – to pair your stripes with a neutral anchor, in this case the top half. A white shirt and complementary sweatshirt (either worn or draped over the shoulders) work perfectly with striped shorts to create a look that can adapt to changeable weather and temperatures.

 Camouflage, or ‘camo’, has been an unexpectedly dominant print for a number of years now. Experiment with this military print rather than wearing it the traditional way. Style them in manner far detached from football jerseys and shapeless shoes.

Floral designs on legwear may summon the images of awfully bulky board shorts, but keep the silhouette slim and the length just above the knee for a piece that offers a positive style statement. Tone down the rest of the look with a timeless approach – double floral isn't going to win you any points.

Always remember “Fit Is the KEY”. It’s acceptable if you go wrong with the colors but you should never wear wrong fit. A pair of short which fit perfectly will do the magic.

Hope I did sort out the confusions and problems you had about shorts.

Do let me know what you think about my post by posting your comments and queries.

You can follow me on twitter @Ivan_WLopez and on Instagram @Unique_Ivan