Ok men, here is our turn to have a little bit of fashion advice. For starters I will just say one word: ombré. This is what the fashion world refers to as the slow fade of color from a darker shade to a lighter shade in order to draw the viewer's eye in a specific direction. Take this wonderful v-neck sweater from Kenneth Cole. The darker area around the bottom helps to conceal any flaws (ex: excess weight, or a family of flying squirrels stuck to peanut butter). Basically the eye is drawn towards the lighter areas of the shirt. The lightest area being in the middle also helps to create the image of larger pectorial muscles.
Next we have what I like to call the shoulder broadener. Horizonal stripes especially across the middle of the chest help to make it appear as if you have a larger (muscular) chest than you actually do. If you notice on this model, the accent with the polo shirt "v" also helps to add the shape to the pectorial area. The collar on the shirt adds to the ideal upside-down triangle shape of the male upper body. It helps to accent the "traps" thus pulling the eyes outwards towards your outer shoulder. Notice that the model doesn't have a bright colored belt to immediately draw your eyes to the center of the body. The subtle look of this outfit is what really makes this work. The darker fade jean even helps with a lengthening/slimming illusion.
Another great look for pretty much any male is the sports coat/blazer/suit jacket. Now this jacket, being made up of a linen/cotton blend strives for what is most often called the "noble wrinkle". It isn't so much a look of unkemptness...but rather a purposeful look of relaxation. What a jacket does is merely enlongate the torso. Since the flash of color comes at the center of the body, the eyes don't linger on the outward shape of the body. This is a great tactic for a man wanting to hide a little bit of a "spare tire" or those pesky flying squirrels caught in peanut butter. The several top buttons of the dress shirt unbuttoned shows that the male is confident and stylist. I highly recommend the top 2-3 buttons undone. Finally, a 3 button or more jacket pulls the lapels higher up on the jacket, thus slimming the person. If you have a larger waist, I would steer clear of a 3-button and move to the classic 2-button. A 2-button usually has more room through the lower area of the jacket without being overly noticeable. The one-button is reserved for usually slim-cut jackets and as such should be worn with well tailored shirts and more classic-cut pants.
Finally, the v-neck and 3/4 length sleeve. The v-neck has made quite a comeback over the last year. It allows more of the neck muscles to be seen, but the real benefit is how it helps to shape the chest area. The v-pattern mirrors the underside of the male pectorial area and really accents a well developed chest, or helps to enhance an average one. Notice how the shirt is just loose enough through the abs region to leave some to the imagination but at the same time doesn't blouse out at the bottom. The 3/4 length sleeve is one of my personal favorites. I often roll my sleeves up or "scrunch" them up as shown above. This shows off the thinner area of the forearm and helps to bunch up the fabric around the bulkier area of the arm. For guys with great biceps this actually masks your assets, but for guys with average to scrawny arms this works to your benefit. Since the bicep area is indiscernible, the imagination plays often to your advantage. Plus, the other benefit of the "scrunched" look is that you look more casual...and confident.
So that's how it rolls as of late. For more fashion ideas check out
www.kennethcole.com or
www.expressfashion.com .
Oh, and everytime you get ready to go out play the song
Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top. It is the ultimate male psych-up song.
Over the years most men seem to come to the conclusion that pampering yourself is primarily a female trait. The beer drinking and sports loving is only left up to us men and that cracked skin and razor burn are the medals of manhood. It is really only in the last 10 years that we have begun to see the shift back the other direction with the innovative development of the "metrosexual". Currently, it is not uncommon for some men to pluck their eyebrows, wear make-up, and carry man-bags (otherwise known as purses). I am by no means here to argue the new social category of the "metro" but merely to offer the suggestion that not all the changes are for the negative. For example: take the serenity shower (shown above) which resides at The Broadmoor five star resort and spa in lovely Colorado Springs. Now I don't know about you, but it looks pretty sweet and amazingly refreshing. Aside from the $42 price point for only five minutes of bliss it sounds like a wonderful time had for all. $42 , you say?...smashing darling. I'll take two.
But let's talk on a smaller scale. What about the basic spa products that have traditionally been reserved for women. Bath and Body Works has started to realize this shift in male thinking and has since developed an entire men's line. In fact, they have moved the aromatherapy line into that fantastic grey area known as the androgynous zone. The products aren't skewed towards a specific gender. Having soft skin and relaxing sleep shouldn't be held hostage by the female sex like the last chocolate bar on the first day of PMS. Instead men should be able to embrace the soothing sensations of a sea salt soak like Chandler Bing from the hit series Friends. If you remember the episode, he mocked the power of the bubble bath but once he tested the seemingly still waters he found a swirling vortex of pleasant sensations beneath the placid veneer. My recommendation: start off with something simple like a basic moisturizer or a simple bath soak. You may find that sugar scrubs and pillow sprays are right up your alley.
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