Be Stylish

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The content of this book is Copyright 2009 by Lazar Ovidiu and Laszlo agy, referred from now on as „the authors”. All rights reserved. o part of this document can be reproduced or retransmitted in any form by any means (electronic, e-mail, photocopying, audio recording etc.) without the express written permission by the authors. The information contained in this book contains opinions of the authors and is informative and educational. The authors do not take any responsibility for the results of applying the advice given in this book.

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CONTENTS Contents ...................................................................................................................................................3 CHAPTER ONE: PERSONAL GROOMING ...................................................................................................5 BASIC ADVICE ABOUT PERSONAL GROOMING ............................................................................ 6 TAKING CARE OF YOUR FACIAL SKIN ............................................................................................ 7 TAKING CARE OF YOUR HAIR ..................................................................................................... 12 OTHER IDEAS FOR ENHANCING THE WAY YOU LOOK................................................................ 17 CHAPTER TWO: CLOTHING .................................................................................................................... 18 THE SHIRT ................................................................................................................................... 19 THE TIE........................................................................................................................................ 24 THE SUIT ..................................................................................................................................... 27 THE BLAZER ................................................................................................................................ 35 THE OVERCOAT .......................................................................................................................... 38 THE JACKET ................................................................................................................................. 42 THE SCARF .................................................................................................................................. 46 THE JEANS .................................................................................................................................. 49 BELTS .......................................................................................................................................... 51 SOCKS ......................................................................................................................................... 55 THE SHOES.................................................................................................................................. 61 TAKING CARE OF YOUR CLOTHES ............................................................................................... 72 MATCHING YOUR OUTFIT .......................................................................................................... 75 THE SUNGLASSES........................................................................................................................ 80 THE WATCH ................................................................................................................................ 87 THE BRACELET ............................................................................................................................ 93 THE RING .................................................................................................................................... 95 13 TIPS FOR “INTELIGENT” SHOPPING ....................................................................................... 98 BONUS CHAPTER: ATTITUDE AND STYLE ............................................................................................ 102 HOW TO BECOME AN EXPERT IN STYLE ................................................................................... 104 THE FIRST IMPRESSION ............................................................................................................ 108

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Do you remember how you were dressed on your first day of school? Most likely, you were carefully taken care of by your mother, who was even more excited by this event than you were. Even the smallest detail of your clothing mattered. After all, you HAD to make an impression among all those kids, right? Did your parents take care of you when it came to clothing? The answer is most likely yes. As a parent, you want your child to be well dressed, to „not make a fool of myself as a parent out there”. Then I want him or her to study hard, to do his homework, be a good boy or girl, then find a nice job and get married. It seems like the road has already been paved for you, doesn’t it? Then why did you purchase this book? Let me attempt to give an answer for you. You are reading this book because you want to shine in your own way, to be special and to express your personality. You want to be different… not a rebel - just different. And to achieve that, you’re probably thinking that by making a lot of money you will make it. You will have everyone gravitate around you and then you’ll be done. You will fill fulfilled. But you are constantly getting resistance from those around you. It seems like your ideas are not appreciated to their true value. People don’t seem to know how to listen; they always want to impose their ideas onto others and onto you as well. And the fact that they are right or not seems to make but little difference. You look yourself in the mirror and ask: how can I make people listen to me? How can I communicate to them the fact that I have very interesting ideas and things to say? Moreover, how come some people have a certain charisma in them that makes everyone around them listen to everything they say as if they were hypnotized? The answer is in your projected image. The way you look, take care of yourself and carry yourself , the way you smile the way you look at other people are of extreme importance if you want to gain an advantage in today’s society. We consider what you wear to be a staple in today’s society. Until recently, men didn’t care too much about what they looked like – that was something women did. Things are changing right now. We should be concerned about their image just as much as they do! Read the book, try it and you will see the results. I want to thank you and I want you to know I am extremely appreciative for being interested in this book. The things contained in it have made my life go one step further and I truly hope it will be your case as well. I know it sounds like a cliché but… a new journey is about to begin.

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CHAPTER ONE: PERSONAL GROOMING Until recently, personal grooming for men consisted only of shaving. The only products that men bought were: shaving cream, soap and toothpaste. In time, once they started making more money, the companies that sold personal grooming products began to notice their concern for how they looked and started to develop product catalogs specifically for men. Your body’s care is the first step towards becoming a stylish man. It’s not all in the clothes. The way you take care of your body says a lot. It says that you have self confidence and respect, and that you are careful to details. Personal grooming is one of those things that we tend to skip in the morning. We barely wake up, think about the hard day of work that is about to come, wash our face quickly and we hurry to work or school, often times without having anything to eat! People are superficial. This is not a mean affirmation, it is just a conclusion that I reached after reading a few books about human nature and social interaction, and after observing and taking part in real life experiences. Genetically speaking, we are not made to analyze other people in detail, unless we know them for a long time. We are, in exchange, paying very much attention to what our sensors tell us about them – which is most of the times shallow information. When we look at someone, we tend to analyze their face. In a fraction of a second, we look at the superficial elements he or she presents: if he is shaved, if he has a good haircut, if he has pimples or not. Keeping these factors into account, we tend to either make a positive or negative opinion about that person. All my female friends have confirmed the fact that, no matter how unattractive a man is, if he has good personal hygiene, he WILL get their attention. The more negligent he is about himself (yellow teeth, uncut eyebrows etc.), the more his value drops in the eyes of the women. In this chapter I will help you maximize the chances that you make a great first impression. It must not be skipped. Great clothes will do nothing if you don’t take care of yourself. And, if you are serious about taking care of your body and do it regularly, these impressions will quickly turn to CERTAITY. Enjoy!

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BASIC ADVICE ABOUT PERSONAL GROOMING

Before we get into details, here are some of the things that you MUST regularly do:

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Take a shower each morning and after every sporting activity (jogging, going to the gym etc.). Also, take one each time before you go out.

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Take a bath at least once a week. Baths are very relaxing to the body while they also help you mentally. When you wash yourself, pay extra care to the areas of your body that sweat a lot (genital area, legs etc.). I don’t recommend very hot baths as they can affect your skin’s health in the long run. Nothing serious will happen if you take them but, in order to keep your skin in maximum shape, you should not expose it to extreme temperatures.

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Look yourself in the mirror in the morning, before you leave the house. Make sure your face is clean.

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Wash your hands regularly! Do it more often if they sweat a lot.

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Comb your hair every day. Take care of your eyebrows, nose hair and hair from the ears at least once a month. Trim your chest hair also once a month. If you want to look good in a bathing suit, consider trimming the hair on your feet. You don’t have to shave it like women do as it is too time consuming and, after all, a little hair on our feet makes us more masculine, right? Just don’t let it grow too big.

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Get rid of dandruff! Dandruff appears when some of the superficial layers of skin start to fall off. It is not contagious but many people have it. You can find a variety of anti-dandruff shampoos. If that doesn’t help, try the following tip each time you wash your hair: wash it really well, and then clear with fresh water. Then repeat the process. In my case, I noticed a reduction in dandruff from day 2.

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TAKING CARE OF YOUR FACIAL SKIN

Men’s skin is with up to 30% thicker than that of women, reason for which it needs special attention to feeding its increased number of cells that constitute it. Plus, stress factors (written below) affect the men’s skin even more than women’s skin because of the fact that we were taught from an early age that cosmetics are for women only. Perhaps the best advice I can give you regarding your skin is not to harm it. I know it sounds weird but it’s amazing how much the aging of the skin is influenced by external factors, and not by the aging process itself, as you might expect. Thus, the easiest and cheapest step you can take is to minimize those external risk factors. Here are some of the most important ones: •

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UV radiation. Exposing yourself daily to sun rays is necessary (you should spend at least 10-15 minutes a day outside). Still, this exposure must not be exaggerated, since statistics show 90% of the premature aging of skin is caused by overexposure to the sun. Overexposure also increases the risk of skin cancer. To protect yourself from UV radiation, it is recommended that… o … you stay in the shadow as much as possible on those hot summer days, while you are not protected by sun cream o … you avoid exposing your face to sunrays for long periods of time. The less exposure the better. o … you consume vitamin D – rich food, such as sardines, tuna, egg yolk, skim milk etc. o … you wear sunglasses that offer both UVA and UVB protection. A small note here. If hats fit you well, please go with them, as excessive usage of sunglasses can damage your eyesight (especially if you wear them in dimly light rooms). … you avoid hot baths and showers. I am sure anyone likes a hot shower, but the skin doesn’t enjoy it that much.

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•

•

… you don’t make too many facial expressions. Excessive repetition of a certain facial expression leads to wrinkles. A stylish man will appeal a lot more to women if he maintains a blank look on his face, anyway. … you avoid excessive usage of facial creams. In the following pages, you will find out in detail what facial products to apply every day, but if you overuse them, they will lose some of their effect. Use them carefully!

Daily skincare must follow three steps: cleansing, toning and hydrating + UV protection. Pollution, your work environment, the dirt in the air and even nutrition can affect your skin. A gel or an exfoliating cream will eliminate dead cell skins, excess oil and dirt that accumulated inside the pores. Toner gel strengthens the skin and helps maintaining the pH levels and to fight against bacteria. It is used after exfoliation and/or shaving. The last step is skin hydration, which includes UV protection. It is necessary for maintaining the skin hydrated all day and all night, and to protect it from sun rays. What type of skin do I have? The first step to skin care is to know your skin type. Here’s in short, a list of all of them: •

Normal skin This is the type of skin not too fat and not too dry, having small pores, without any red stains or pimples. Elasticity and hydration are perfect for this skin type.

•

Oily skin Oily skin is characterized by an increased sebum excretion (the role of this substance is to protect the skin by acting as a barrier between it and the environment). You will recognize this skin type by its dilated pores, sometimes full of dark spots, and by the fact that it tends to be shiny. This type of skin is the most likely one to have acne.

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Dry skin This type lacks either fat, water or both. If the skin does not secrete enough sebum, it becomes sensitive to external factors. Wrinkles tend to be more pronounced. Dry skin is usually very irritable, and rough on touch. This shouldn’t scare you, though. It is possible that, by following my advice, to get rid of the problems caused by your dry skin (the best piece of advice you need to remember is to start using a moisturizer ASAP). If my advice does not work, it means you have more than a superficial problem and you should visit a dermatologist.

•

Mixed skin

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This type of skin is mostly found in women. The cheek area is soft and fragile, while the chin, forehead and nose tend to be oily (shiny). •

Sensitive skin This type of skin tends to be very affected by most external factors, such as pollutants but also by after shaves. It also reacts negatively to seasonal change. If you have this type of skin, you probably feel it itch or sting during the day.

Facial creams

What you should use daily

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Exfoliating cream Exfoliation is the process through which you remove dirt, dead skin cells, excessive oil and other pollutants, in order to leave room for “new” skin cells. It helps clearing the pores and reduces the risk of acne. Choose a strong, acid based lotion if you have oily skin and a lotion if you have very dry skin. Most exfoliating creams are suitable for most skin types. If you feel your skin like it’s “shrinking” or irritated, it means that your facial cream removed too much of the natural protector oil. Thus, your skin will produce more oil to compensate for the lost quantity, having as a result a shiny skin during the afternoon, and even blocking of the pore. In this case, it is best to choose a better hydrating facial cream. Usage: mix your exfoliating cream with warm water and apply it on your face and neck. After that, cleanse your hands with fresh warm water. Use it once in the morning and once in the evening, before you go to bed. You can also use it before shaving.

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Shaving foam / gel It softens facial hair in order to be trimmed or shaved more easily. It lubricates and hydrates the skin. It creates a better surface for the razor when you shave, thus reducing skin irritation that may occur during shaving. Mix with warm water and apply with your fingertips or brush. Wait 30-60 seconds for the foam to penetrate your pores, then you can start the saving process. At the end, cleans with warm water.

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You must use a shaving cream or gel each and every time you shave, except when you use an electric razor or if you just want to trim your beard.

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Toner gels They help clean the pores, remove remaining after the shaving process, protects the skin against bacteria and reduces it’s “shine”. In order to use it, pour a few drops of it on a ball of cotton and apply on face and neck. Use it once in the morning and once in the evening. Using it after shaving is not necessary if you already use a facial cream with a balanced pH.

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After-Shave It restores your skin’s humidity after shaving and prevents it from getting irritated. Do not use it if your skin is easily irritated. Use an after-shave cream instead. Choose a liquid after-shave if you have oily or sensitive skin. Most after-shaves are suitable for most skin types.

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Hydrating cream As their name suggests, hydrating creams are used to keep the skin hydrated. What they basically do is they slow down the rate at which the water in your skin evaporates. If you use it regularly, you will, in time, have a softer and cleaner skin. These creams also form a protective barrier against external factors. Apply it once in the morning, once in the evening and right after toning/shaving. This type of cream is not necessary if you have a very oily skin. It is best to ask your dermatologist, in this case, what product to use.

What else you might want to consider using (optional)

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Shaving oil for the electric razor Shaving oil softens the facial hair to make it easier to trim. It thus creates a better skin surface for trimming with the electric razor, thus reducing irritation.

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Use it by massaging your beard with a small quantity. Wait 30-60 seconds, after which you can start using the razor. Don’t forget to wash your hands after you applied the oil and before using the razor. You don’t have to use this type of oil if your beard is very soft and your skin doesn’t get irritated after shaving.

Periodic usage

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Exfoliating gel (facial) The exfoliating gen contains very small granules that remove dead skin cells. It helps opening your pores and reduces the probability of acne. Use the tip of your fingers to spread the gel until it enters your skin completely (until you can’t feel the granules when massaging). Cleanse using warm water and dry using a clean towel. Use it once a week, before hydrating, toning and shaving, and instead of your regular exfoliating cream. If you have skin problems (acne etc.), please ask your dermatologist before using it.

To sum up… In the morning: Most people should exfoliate, then shave, tone, use after shave cream and lastly, hydrate. Those with oily skin should skip the last step, hydration. In the evening: In the evening, it is enough to use a little exfoliating cream, then to tone the skin. If you have normal or dry skin, you shouldn’t forget to hydrate at the end. If you have oily skin, please skip this last step.

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TAKING CARE OF YOUR HAIR

Taking care of your hair is essential even if you don’t poses… too much. Nothing turns a woman off faster than a bad haircut. Shaving and facial hair grooming are also important for today’s modern man. We will talk about all of these in detail in what follows.

How to shave

You are a man so there's no way to escape shaving... Even those of you that have light-hair and you think your beard is invisible... it's not! Too many men see shaving as a painful and timeconsuming process, but this is mainly due to their lack of technique if any. Let's talk about regular shaving for a moment. Before you begin, observe the direction in which your hair grows on different areas of your face and neck. As a rule, you must shave in the direction in which the hair grows. Usually, the beard grows downwards on your cheeks and upwards on your neck. Firstly, either take a warm shower or use a wet towel on your face to moisture your beard and open up your pores. Do not use very hot water as it will dehydrate your skin. You can

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use, however, an exfoliating cream or gel, before starting the actual shaving, to remove dead cells. Apply the shaving cream in circular motions, making sure it stretches uniformly on the whole surface you want to shave. Don't use too much cream or foam as it can block your razor. Let the cream or foam soak in for 30-60 seconds before you begin shaving the hair. Start shaving in the direction of hair growth. Use your other hand to stretch the skin for a closer shave. Shave your sideburns, cheeks and neck. Leave your chin and your mustache at the end. In order to shave your mustache, stretch your upper lip over your upper teeth (for a closer shave). Remember to clean the razor blade after each cut in order to avoid it getting stuck and increase its lifetime. Gently tap the razor to the side of the sink to remove any remainings. When you are done, wash away using warm water the rest of the shaving cream or foam on your face. Make sure you didn't miss any areas. After that, wash your face with warm water again and then dry it with a clean towel. Apply the after-shave. If you have an irritable skin, use an after-shave balm instead. Ideally, you should replace your blade every 4th or 5th usage. An alternative to shaving using a razor is to use an electric razor (also known as an electric dry shaver). These have the disadvantage of not allowing a very close shave as razors do. Again, I recommend a shower or to wash your face with warm water before starting. Apply the special cream, and then wash your hands to prevent the cream entering the electric razor. Now for the actual shaving: use it in the opposite direction of hair growth. If you have a rotary shaver, like the one on the right, use it with circular motions. After you finish, it is recommended that you first clean it, and then apply the special oil that came with the product when you purchased it. This will increase its life span and make sure it won’t rust.

Sideburns Sideburns can have different shapes and lengths, the most frequent one being down to the middle of the ear, or rectangular shape. To see which shape suits you, consider the length

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of your hair. If you have short hair, keep your sideburns short. However, if you really want to stand out, short sideburns are usually not a very good choice. Another factor to consider is the shape of your face. A longer face allows longer sideburns while a round one demands shorter ones. To trim your sideburns, follow these steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Begin by combing them in the growth direction. Use a razor or a special device to define their shape. Comb them again, this time in the opposite direction. Use a special device for trimming sideburns to trim their length. Comb them in the hair growth direction and check yourself in the mirror to see if you like them. 6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you are happy with them.

Taking care of your eyebrows

Eyebrows are one of those things that pass unnoticed in the eyes of most men when it comes to facial grooming. Now, we all know that the face is the first thing someone sees when they look at another person, right? The overall look of your face depends a lot on your eyebrows. Especially if the look bad! If you have thin eyebrows, you have two options. The more expensive one would be to go to the parlor and have them professionally waxed (this is a great idea if you want somebody more experienced to define their shape – after that, you just have to maintain that shape). The cheaper way (and the one I chose) was to use a trimming device (such as Remington’s NEDH2600). A friend of mine bought one as well and he’s very happy with it. Unfortunately, this device does not provide a very close trimming, so you will have to use tweezers. We will talk about this later. Word of caution: do not, under any circumstances, use the shaving blade to trim your eyebrows! It can be very dangerous as it is very sharp, wide and not specifically designed for this. Tip: if you have a unibrow, it MUST go away. ,othing is more unattractive than to have hair between your eyes.

Recent studies show that shaving does not cause the hair to grow faster and to become thicker. Even though it may seem thicker, this is only because, once they it has been trimmed once, the hair loses its elongated top and maintains its thickness all the way to the top.

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Assuming you either don’t have thin eyebrows or that you’ve trimmed them, it’s time to talk about how to shape them. You can do this using tweezers. Things to consider when starting: •

• •

•

Wash your face with warm water before starting the plucking process. Hair will come out much more easily and with almost no pain at all. If you have the money you can purchase some tonic lotion on a ball of cotton (to keep the tweezers from slipping). Make sure you have very good lighting and a good mirror, preferably one that makes things look bigger. Pluck the hair in the direction in which it grows. This is very important. Not only you will encounter less resistance but the hair growth direction can reorient itself to the one you impose. For men, eyebrows must look great but also as natural as possible. If you shape them too well, you will be noticed (especially by women) and be catalogued as metro sexual or gay.

If your eyebrows look normal, grooming them won’t take long. All you have to do is pluck a few hairs, one hair at a time. Only those you consider they have grown outside the area that shapes the eyebrow. To finish the process, you can use a special eyebrow crayon, but this is not necessary for most men. As far as frequency is concerned, tweeze your eyebrows once a week, once every 10 days max.

Removing body hair

Whether you go to the beach often or not, removing the hair from areas where it doesn’t belong is crucial. We won’t talk about waxing because it’s complicated and... not necessary. A body hair trimmer is more than enough. When buying one it is important to check if you can trim hair in the pubic area. If you purchased one that doesn’t allow you to do that, the alternative is a small nail tweezers that you won’t use anywhere else. Let’s start the trimming process. The first area you need to trim is your armpits. If you find trimming your chest or legs is too much for you, you can start with this. Shaving your armpits is not only esthetic but it prevents sweating. We all know the armpit is one of the areas that sweats the most.

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Tip: regardless of the area you want to trim, use your free hand to turn the hair in the opposite direction of growth, and then trim it in the opposite direction. Trimming in the direction of growth does not provide a quality result.

Back hair removal Back hair can be a problem when it comes to removing it. I was reading the other day a study where 90% of women found back hair to be unattractive on men. If you have a little, don’t worry. If you have a lot, it has to go. The easiest way is to go to a salon where you can have it waxed.

Taking care of your nails

Nails are by far the most ignored aspect of male grooming. And the funny thing is they take the least amount of time. If we add to this the fact that the hand is the part of the body that enters in contact the most with other people then... please read on. Step one: keep them short. Try to keep them under 3mm. only cut the top and not on the sides, in order to prevent stinging. Step two: use a nail file to shape the edges into the desired form. Step three: cuticles. Cuticles are small folds of skin at the base of the nails. Most people don’t have any trouble with them, but if you are among the unlucky ones (in which case, you have dry skin) then you have to pay extra attention to them. Their role is not to let bacteria to enter the body. It is enough to keep them trimmed, using cuticle scissors. If, however, you want to take extra care of them, the next step would be to hydrate them, using special cuticle oil (make sure however, to tell the salesperson you’re actually buying this for your sister ☺ ). If you have cuticle problems (if the area starts getting red, it is best NOT to cut them, but to push them back, like so: use a little cuticle oil to soak them for a few minutes. Then, use a cotton bowl to push them back. Only now can you cut the remaining dead skin. Don’t be embarrassed to give more time to your nails. In time, the advice given in this book will be followed by more and more men. Be among the first to benefit from them.

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OTHER IDEAS FOR ENHANCING THE WAY YOU LOOK

Here are a few more ideas on how to take great care of yourself. Some are common sense while others require a little more money. Here they are: •

•

•

Take care of your teeth. Follow the steps that I’ve followed. First of all, take care of all your cavities. Then, make sure you visit your dentist once or twice a year. If your teeth are not straight, you MUST ask your dentist what you can do about it. A great smile can help you tremendously. Eliminate acne, pimples and dark spots from your face. You’ve already gotten some good advice on how to take care of your face. Still, you may need some treatment if our advice does not work. Pick a haircut that suits you. Experience and see what works best for you, then see what facial hair works best for you. Look at guys on the street that have haircuts that you might like, or check out the Internet. Eventually, you will get lots of great ideas.

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CHAPTER TWO: CLOTHING

This is probably the chapter you are most interested in. The subject of clothes is a very vast one, but I will try to simplify things as much as possible. Getting your style in place is a process, but one that can be started right away. To make really sure you improve it, you have to be around your more stylish friends, to steal ideas from the celebrities’ outfits and to take notes with what you think may look good on you. Even if you don’t have any money to spend at the moment, you can still go to the mall and try some clothes. At the same time, you can start saving money to buy them, or buy cheaper clothes that look like the ones you tried.

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THE SHIRT The shirt is one of the elements of an outfit which clearly stands out. For this reason, we consider it needs special attention. Before talking about colors and the way we can match shirts with the rest of the outfit, let’s theorize a little. The shirts’ cut can be classified (as the suits) as: slightly shaped, classic and regular. Slightly shaped shirts for men are rare, so we won’t talk about them. We will focus our attention upon the classic and regular shirts. The collar The collar is one of the elements of a shirt to which you must pay attention when you buy it. Quality collars are wrinkle free. If you see that the shirt you want to buy has a wrinkled collar, this is a sign that it will always remain wrinkled and in time it will deteriorate even more. Another essential element is that piece of plastic that goes under the collar. It is detachable and you should remove it when you use the shirt for the first time. Quality shirts have something like that but poor quality shirts don’t have it. Make sure the collar isn’t too tight. When you try it, it is important that you button up all the buttons. If you can put a finger between the buttoned shirt and your throat, the shirt won’t be too tight and it will suit you if it shrinks after the first washings. When you choose a formal shirt, you have to check the collar’s width. If you make loose knots to your tie, it is natural for the collar to be larger to hold it (large means the distance between the ends of the collar – the red line in the image below).

Take into account the shape of your face and the length of your neck when you choose the collar. Choose a short collar for a short neck and longer collar points for a long neck. Let’s see what shape of a collar you choose depending on the shape of the face.

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If you have a round face, don’t wear shirts with very wide collars, because they will put forward its roundness. It will be perfect to wear a tighter collar, with sharp ends, as in the image below. This will make your face look longer.

On the other hand, if you have an oval face, wear a wider collar.

The Sleeves The length of the sleeves is an extremely important detail. A sleeve that is too long or too short will make you look ridiculous. But I’m sure that each of us tried a shirt that fitted us perfectly... except the sleeves. How can we explain that? Shirts tend to be intentionally made with long sleeves lately. I mean informal sleeves. Try on the shirts you choose in front of the mirror and watch carefully every detail. Think about the jackets you will wear on top them; eventually try on the jacket and the shirt to be sure. If you chose a shirt with long sleeves, it may look ridiculous getting too much out of the jacket… Formal shirts are worn most of all with coats and suits, so their length is restricted by those. Normally, when you choose a formal shirt, its sleeve must be 0.4 - 0.8 inches (1-2

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cm) longer than that of the coat. In other words, you have to see 0.4 - 0.8 inches (1-2 cm) of the sleeve when you wear it with the coat on (you stand, with your hands resting at your sides).

Be stylish! Let’s review some actually shirts that are in style.

Shirts with collar and short sleeve

A shirt with collar and short sleeves will definitely give you a classic look in informal situations. They are up to date and you can find them in a diversity of colors and models. If you have to choose between buying a shirt or a t-shirt, you should take the first one.

Striped shirts

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Striped shirts can bring a colorful spot in your wardrobe, especially when it comes to those boring formal outfits. If you match them with some quality ties success is guaranteed. You will expose your personality even in the most formal meetings. Beware! Wearing both shirts and ties with pattern can be risky, so make sure the rest of your outfit is made only of solid colors, without other textures. If you’re not sure, the best thing is to give up to the tie with pattern for a solid color one. And if you want to go out, in an informal context, it’s enough to remove your tie, to unbutton one or two buttons and to wear a blazer.

Military shirts Military shirts are casual shirts with front pockets and epaulets on the shoulders. They will definitely make you look more solid. If you are thin, you’d better have at least one in your wardrobe. It can be worn with both jeans and trousers. Piece of advice: if you want to be stylish, try not to go for camouflage shirts, they are definitely not going to make you stand out. Do it if this style is really what fits you and you are 100% sure that it represents you.

What should I wear over my shirt? You can choose to wear over a formal shirt a pullover, a blazer or even a jacket. The most important thing here is to keep in mind that if you have a striped, cross-hatched or any other model of shirt what you wear over it should have no model. A pattern over another pattern will never work.

Should I wear the shirt in or out? Most of the formal shirts are made to be worn in. When you wear a suit, the shirt must be worn in. When you are dressed more informal, you may choose how to wear it. Some people prefer to wear the shirt half in (the front side in and the back side out). I advise you to try something like that only if you watch yourself in the mirror ten times before going out. This style doesn’t match most people. But if you come to the conclusion that it fits you, you should also choose a proper belt to bring it out.

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Make sure your shirt isn’t too long if you want to wear it out. Casual shirts made to be worn this way are intentionally made shorter. If you want to wear an older shirt out and it is too long, take it to the tailor to shorten it. How many buttons can I unbutton? The upper button has to be left unbuttoned except the case when you are wearing a suit or a coat and a tie. When the situation is very informal (a walk on the beach in the summer, going out to a club), then you can unbutton another button or two. Make sure your chest hair isn’t visible. If it is, follow the instructions in the personal hygiene chapter to remove it. Conclusion Casual shirts are ideal when you’re sick of t-shirts. And if you are serious about your wardrobe, then you need at least two carefully chosen shirts. Chose their colors according to your complexion: use brown, blue or beige for a light complexion; beige, blue or black for a medium complexion, and yellow and blue for a dark complexion. The colors suggested above will be to your best advantage, but black and white are also a proper choice. You should try as many models and possible and ask for many opinions (feminine opinions preferably) before buying. Remember that your outfit is more important than any individual piece therefore, a cool shirt will make no difference if it doesn’t suit your pants, your shoes and the rest of your accessories.

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THE TIE

An element to which, although not neglected, is given a minor importance, is represented by the tie, maybe due to the fact that ties are being worn only at special occasions, when the presence of the suit is sufficient to bring us to light. However, ties tell something about us. All we have to do is make sure they say the right thing. You can adopt two styles when you want to buy a tie: a conservatory one or a more nonconformist one. The conservatory style best matches formal dress. The ties worn are usually dark-colored (black, blue or gray), and they have to match the suit. Vivid colored ties usually come to light. You may run your rigs when it comes to colors: good choices are the red ties, orange ties also. However, stay away of pink. You can find a diversity of models (ties without model are called uni). If your working environment permits you, I advise you to wear distinguishable ties, but make sure they are made of silk.

How to tie a tie? You can make various kinds of knots, maybe too many: simple knot, Windsor knot, Prince Albert knot, Shelby, Half Windsor, four-in-hand knot, etc. Let’s focus upon making a Windsor knot. I think each person should know at least one type of knot, so I’ve chosen one of the most popular.

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The Windsor knot

Place your tie as in the image above. The small end comes below and is a little bit shorter than the big end.

Bring the big end up through the loop, and then bring it back down.

Pull the big end underneath the small end, as in the adjacent image.

Bring the big end back from the left side to the right

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Bring the big end again back through the loop.

Now pull the big end once again through loop, bringing the big end down through the knot in front.

Tighten the knot carefully using both hands. And there you have it!

How to iron your tie Yes, ties need to be ironed, also. We won’t talk too much about this subject, but we’ll see how you can do it. First of all, check the tie’s tag to see the fabric it is made of. You’ll set the iron to a certain temperature depending on it. For a silk tie, set the iron to a lower temperature; for a cotton one, set the iron to a higher temperature. Put the tie with the inferior side above. Cover the tie with a cotton cloth and iron it. Don’t iron the tie without covering it.

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THE SUIT We got to the most elegant garment: the suit. No matter how expensive are the articles of clothing (sport or casual) that you wear, a suit will always draw more attention. Walking on the street wearing a suit, you certainly saw all the eyes pointed on you. Most of the people wear a suit only at special occasions, except those who wear it as a uniform. And these people wear most of the time some grey suits, two sizes larger… Now let’s see how you can find the perfect suit. First of all, you have to know exactly why you want to buy the suit. Is it for work? Are you going to a wedding? Do you want to wear it day by day to impress people? You have to know as many details as possible before buying it, because it is an expensive investment. Take your time! Otherwise you may risk to avoid wearing for years and to see that you spent money like water. Secondly, you have to decide upon some details of the suit. What color and what texture do you want it to be? How many buttons do you want it to have? How should the lapel look like? Do you think it’s too much? No problem, we’ll analyze them one at the time. Choose the texture

The suit of a well-dressed man has to be made of natural textiles. The abidance of this criterion doesn’t assure the quality of your clothes, but its inobservance definitely destroys it. The best and most wide spread texture is wool. This texture is recommended because it can be worn in every season, it’s able to absorb and release perspiration, is easy to cut out, crumple-resistant, and comes in a diversity of thicknesses. Other texture alternatives: Cashmere – the quality of this texture is well-known. A cashmere suit is perfect for frequent temperature changing periods, because it keeps inside it a constant temperature. The disadvantage of this material is its expensiveness, and suit manufacturers began to avoid it lately, turning to cheaper materials, therefore the cashmere suits became hard to find.

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Cotton – this is the most acceptable choice of a material as an alternative to wool, especially for warmer periods of time, because it is breathable. Poplin – it is a combination of light materials which include: silk, cotton, wool and, sometimes, polyester. This type of texture is wide-spread at very elegant suit models, made for special occasions. It is an ideal texture for summer. The disadvantage of suits made from this material is their short durability. Poplin costumes are very delicate. Flax – is a very light and smooth material. Although wearing this material will give you a tropical feeling, it crumples immediately and spots very easy. It doesn’t represent the most inspired choice for a suit unless you like to go frequently to dry cleaning. Polyester – this is a very cheap synthetic material which has to be NEVER chosen for a suit. It gets warm because it keeps inside the warmth of the body and doesn’t allow it to breathe; it crumples pretty easy and has often an unnatural and strange luster. Microfibers – another synthetic material, made from very thin fibers which allow the body to breathe better than polyester. It is one of the cheapest materials available, but it has low-quality. Whatever texture you choose, avoid taking the suit too often to the dry cleaning because the cleaning process shortens the life of each article of clothing.

Choose the color

The first thing people see at your suit, before its cut, the number of buttons and the way it fits you, it’s its color. First impressions always count; therefore the choice of your suit’s color is one of the most important decisions. But this is not such a difficult task as you may think. The classic style is based on a few basic rules which, once you learnt them, make the adequate color’s choice a pretty simple task. Some colors are always proper for suits, while others are proper for a certain occasion and totally improper for others. Some colors are indicated only for certain seasons. If you are the kind of person who usually doesn’t wear a suit and you need one only for special occasions, where a formal dress is necessary, a dark colored suit will always be a good-choice. Dark blue, dark grey and black are the most proper colors. When you go to a wedding or a party, a dark blue suit will make you look awesome when it’s getting dark outside. You can wear it with black or dark-brown shoes. A black suit may seem the best choice for young people, but is actually the most uninspired choice. However, there are situations when only black is proper, so you’d better have a black suit, just in case.

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Now that we’ve solved the problem for those who limit themselves to a single suit, although everyone should have at least two such articles of clothing, we can move to those who use to wear suits frequently. Basic colors – dark blue, dark grey and black Any wardrobe should have suits of dark colors, because they are proper for almost any situation. The most proper and often seen color is dark blue, a very traditional and elegant color. Dark grey is also proper for young people because it doesn’t emphasize youth. Black is proper for the formal air it gives to people because it also creates an authoritative image. Brown Brown is another popular color among the materials used for suits, with various tones ranging from cinnamon to dark chocolate. A lot of men look fabulous in these earth colors. As we all know, brown was considered an improper color for business suits until the 80’s. Although times changed and brown became a color as proper for suits as darkblue, dark grey and black, there are some “old guard” members who still respect that rule. This fact shouldn’t discourage a well-dressed man to choose a brown suit for business attire, but it is well to know. Cinnamon – less glaring than white (but which also puts you forward) is perfect for spring and summer. It matches perfectly with white, light blue or any pastel shirt. It accentuates better a dark colored tie. Sand – an ideal shade for those who already have a few suits of classic shades and look for a special color that gives a professional look. Appropriate for all seasons wearing, this color is less elegant than grey and it matches better to a fine-featured men.

Light gray This is an adequate color for spring and summer, which doesn’t excessively draw attention to the wearer and accentuates his features, therefore is proper for those with fine complexion, regardless their carnation shade. You can wear it with white, light-blue and almost any light color, but if you have a very light complexion you’d better choose stronger colors for your shirts.

White – is a classic color for the warm season. Is matches everyone except the people with a very light complexion, but even they can fix that inconvenient by choosing a proper color for their shirts. The secret of looking good in a white suit is to wear it selfconfidently.

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When you choose between various colors, you have to keep in mind your hair, eyes and complexion color. Pay attention to the colors that accentuates your features and hide your imperfections. The only way of seeing these aspects is to try the clothes on. And don’t forget an important aspect when you try on an article of clothing in front of the mirror: pay attention to the light! The textures colors can change in fluorescent light and can have completely different shades in natural light. Choose the proper combinations depending on the destination of your suit. Traditional colors of suits, dark blue, dark grey and black match all complexion types, because the complexion’s shade influences especially shirt, tie and accessories’ choice, and it’s not so important for choosing the suit’s color. That’s why, if you choose a suit in these traditional colors, you will have nothing to worry about. Men with very dark hair and very light complexion, and also men with very dark complexion or very tanned have to be a little bit more careful than the rest of men, because a wrong suit’s color can disadvantage them a lot. Thus, if you have a very light complexion, a dark-colored suit will bring to light this feature, while lighter color as grey or brown will shade it away. If you have a dark complexion, a dark-colored suit combined with lighter colored shirt can provide an excellent contrast, and if you have a medium complexion, a shirt and a tie in lighter colors can provide you a warmer look. A man with light colored hair and a light complexion will be accentuated by light earth colors which match better with his features. Choose the design Men’s suit styles are not very complicated. Actually there are only four basic types, from which vary a lot of models. These are: •

Italian style (or European) – represented by double breasted suits, is generally appropriate for tall men. It usually has peak lapels, pleated pants and slit pockets.

•

British style – represented by formal single breasted suits. Also known as “the English suit”, it has three buttons on one column and three outside pockets, the pants are pleated or double pleated with a cuff at the bottom.

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•

American style – the most relaxed of the styles and gives off a younger image. The jacket has two buttons on one row and flat front pants. This type of suit shows off best your physical shape. The medium sized lapel accentuates your chest line and flat front pants show off your natural legs shape more than the pleated pants.

•

Mandarin style – unique style, which probably shouldn’t be classified among classic styles, inspired by the oriental cultures, that occupies a special place due to its late popularity. Its main characteristic is its very short and erect collar (stands straight up). The jacket is also different in that it has buttons all the way up the jacket and it has usually five to six buttons. Mandarin shirts must be worn with this type of jacket, and the tie is also non-existent.

Choose the number of buttons

Three button suits – these were very popular in the 90’s, because the two button suits were considered more conservative. Things begin to reverse now.

Two button suits – suited for most of men. No matter what brand you prefer, they sure have two button suits, but they try to make them as modern as possible, to attract buyers.

One button suits – yes, there are such suits, only they are not suitable for all people. You should wear them only if you work in a less conservative environment, where you will definitely stand out from the crowd.

Choose the lapel design

The lapel is the part of a garment that is an extension of the collar and folds back against the breast. Avoid very wide and narrow lapels, choose something intermediary. If your face features are sharp, the lapel can also be sharp. If you have rounded face features, a round collar can be an advantage for you.

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How to buy a suit

Before buying the first suit you put your eyes on when you enter a store, apply what you read so far about suits. Search for the suit made from your favorite fabric and color, that doesn’t cost too much. Don’t make compromises only because you didn’t find the perfect suit in the first store you entered. Against folk beliefs, the suit, when well-chosen, is a very comfortable article of clothing. When is not comfortable, most of the times, it is not the design to blame, but the size you chose. It’s no use to suffer for beauty’s sake, and if you don’t feel good in the suit you chose, you can be sure that everybody will see that. A man looks good when the clothes he wears befit him. When the clothes are too small, they are too tight and will make him feel uncomfortable, and when they are too large, he will look as if he borrowed them from somebody who’s bigger. But how can you see if a suit fits you? Check the following details when you try it on, from top to bottom: The jacket collar – the collar should uncover a half of a centimeter of your shirt’s collar when you stand with your arms at your sides. This way you make sure that when you sit, your shirt won’t disappear completely. Your jacket’s shoulders must give the sensation that your shoulders slightly come down naturally. Avoid jackets with shoulder pads, they are out of date! Sleeves – sleeves loops must be so high that when you bring your hands above your head the jacket doesn’t raise completely, covering your face. The length of your sleeves – you must assure that one centimeter of your shirt’s cuff remains visible, but not more than one centimeter. The bottom button of your suit must never be closed – not even when you stand. If you leave that button closed you risk breaking it off whenever you sit down. The pants have to lie on your waist, not on your hips and they have to fit comfortably between the legs, without leaving too much space. The pants have to fall straight on the leg, without forming swellings. Smaller people will probably have to shorten their pants to match with a jacket that fits them. The length: Your pants have to reach the superior part of your shoe’s sole and slightly touch your shoe in the front.

Take it to the tailor

The tailor will take care of the little details, once you found something that fits you. Small details might make all difference. In addition, you will feel much better when you

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know that you wear a suit that fits you perfectly! As an example, the tailor can broaden or shrink your pants, depending on your needs. Anyway, make sure the tailor doesn’t have to modify the size more than 1-2 centimeters. If you need a major modification, then you didn’t choose well your suit. There are only certain zones where the tailor can elegantly cut in your suit: •

• •

Pants’ waist – can be shrunk however you want to make pants more comfortable, but when the jacket fits you, normally you need only a few centimeters less. The enlargement of your waist depends on how much excess material was left at the cut of your pants. You can check that by looking inside them. Pants’ length – the same as at the waist, the pants can be shortened or lengthened only in the limit of the material left available from cut. The jacket can be enlarged at the waist or shortened at its sleeves, but make sure that you choose a skillful tailor to change it.

The best suit for you

Now let’s see what suit fits you! Some people find a proper suit easier than other. Other people have special needs and difficulties when they have to choose a suit. They need a certain fabric that suits their body type (when they are fat or thin), their height, etc.

If you are thin and tall... choose lighter colors. Lighter colors make things look bigger, so you can use that for your advantage. Try to avoid vertical stripes (that make you look taller) and darker colors (that make you look thinner) and choose lighter colors like khaki or grey.

If you are fat... use light fabric and dark colors. Every people heard that dark colors make you look thinner. You can choose dark blue or black. Choose mat colors or vertical stripes. If you are small... or even if you try to look taller, no matter which your real height is, use the following recommendations: Avoid vivid colors; they will only draw attention to you. You can make exceptions only in informal situations, when you want to stand out.

You can easily use the eternal vertical stripes when you want to subtly draw attention to you in formal situations. You won’t have trouble to find suits that have them. Even I have one, at my 1.75 centimeters height.

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Another thing you can do is to choose jackets with only one or two buttons.

Taking care of your suit When you think about the high cost of your suit, it seems perfectly normal to grant a special attention to its maintenance, in order to use it as long as possible. Keep the suit only on a coat hanger. Make sure the coat hanger fits the jacket’s shoulders. Otherwise, the shoulders can get out of shape if it’s too small, and also the sleeves if it’s too big. There are special hangers for pants. Avoid keeping the pants folded. Avoid the crumpling of your suit. Also avoid wearing the pieces of your suit separately. When one of them is worn more often, it can decolorize more than the other. When you store the suit for a longer period, you have to pay attention to moths. These small insects can make huge holes in your budget! The weapons you can use against them are: the classic tar camphor, modern sprays or closet odorants and if you have a cedar wood closet, this is the ideal place to store your suit. You can have trouble when you travel with your suit. Always use covers for suits (you can find them for sale and they are pretty cheap) and try to keep the suit hanged up. When you want to clean your suit, don’t even think about putting it into the washing machine! Dry cleaning needs to be done to keep a suit clean, but should not be overdone because it is a pretty rough process. Cleaning a suit can damage it, so get it cleaned only when absolutely necessary.

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THE BLAZER

In the colder periods of the year, when you can’t show your muscles on the streets through your t-shirts, a jacket seems to be the perfect solution. But everybody seems to have them. You have to leave somehow the pattern. What do you think about a blazer? Such a coat is perfect for the situations when it’s exaggerated to wear a suit, but it’s a formal occasion however (for example an informal dinner where you have to make a good impression). The blazers are worn with a variety of clothes, ranging from a shirt and tie, to an opennecked polo shirt They are seen with pants of all colors and styles, as well as jeans. A coat doesn’t have to draw to much attention, but it has to look fabulous on you. To be sure of that, be careful when you choose the size. When it comes to this article of clothing, you can’t full anybody: it either fits you or not. First of all, you have to decide whether you want a short, long or a regular coat, depending on your height. If you are tall, look for longer coats, if you are small, look for shorter coats. The surest way is to measure (preferably with the help of a tailor) the length of your shirt’s sleeve and your chest’s circumference. When you have these two measurements, it’s easier to choose the perfect blazer. When the blazer lies on your shoulders like a curtain or looks rather like a raincoat, it obviously doesn’t fit you. A wrong coat size can make a jacket or a coat look shabby. In this case you cannot afford to wear loose clothes, hip-hop style. Any blazer will look ten times better if it follows the shape of your body. What does this mean? When you want to buy a blazer in a store, don’t buy anything unless you’re absolutely sure it fits you perfectly. It’s ok to ask the shop-assistants until you find something that fits you. It’s their job to help you, anyway! And even if you don’t find the perfect size, choose it in such a way that you can have it modified by a tailor before you start wearing it. Wearing a blazer? Blazers stand out a lot because very few people wear them. This kind of coat became popular enough at the beginning of the 20est century, especially in Great Britain, being Copyright 2009 www.BeStylish.org – All rights reserved

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worn both at work and in the spare time. Later, it began to be worn in lighter colors, like white or yellow, with a two button-down shirt, but it was considered too formal for the younger people. But things began to change lately, and these types of coats are starting to gain popularity. In the worst case, you have to be one step ahead of others when it comes to clothes. A blazer is one of those things that give you an advantage. But if that doesn’t tempt you, the secret is to have a t-shirt that is very different from the others. Wear at least a vest – it will certainly look special! The blazer is a coat worn at special occasions. It can be seen as a cultural symbol of intelligence and wealth. It’s in style, classy and formal. Now get it out of context a little bit. Wear it with jeans. You’ll certainly look different than the others. Absolutely! If you really want to look different and to have a fresh look, try a white blazer. Over fifty percent of the people who participate to a special occasion wear dark colors to make sure the others accept them. The white you wear will give you an unequalled aura. A very good way of seeing weather someone is self-confident or not is to observe how much he wants to be seen. It suggests that they are used to hold the spot-line – the social value. If you want to draw attention through clothes, you must be self-confident, you must be sociable. Thus you’ll make all the girls from the room to look at you and they’ll see themselves that they are looking at you. You’ll be unstoppable. When not to wear it The best choice for a wedding is a suit. You should avoid casual clothes, as this is a formal occasion. This is also available for other formal occasions, like business meetings. The financial part A blazer is certainly a good investment. Each man should have one in his wardrobe. It makes women look at you and make you compliments about the way you look. If such a coat costs $300, would you pay $10 each time you go out and make an extraordinary first impression? You can wear it for years. Just make sure you keep it clean. Store it in a place where it won’t fill in with dust. After five parties where you look better than all the men in the room and keep yourself in the foreground, you’ll see that your investment worth it. It’s hard to find a quality blazer at a good price but… to become a person admired by the rest of the world is harder. Otherwise everybody will do that, won’t they? How many buttons should I close? Except the case when you bought a one button coat, never close the bottom button. If you close it only for design, it will tighten you too much at the bottom, making your movements difficult. Close the top button to a two buttons blazer.

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Close the first two top buttons or the middle button to a three buttons blazer. Stand out against the temptation of closing only the top button, leaving the other two opened. Close only the two middle buttons to a four buttons coat. Does the blazer have more than four buttons? You can leave it unbuttoned, or close all buttons, except the bottom ones, which reach the thighs. If you close all your buttons you’d look a little bit too buttoned. Most of you will never wear a six buttons blazer so don’t worry – just remember to keep the bottom one unbuttoned.

Recommendations: • •

Avoid over three buttons blazers, especially if you’re not tall. Unbutton your coat when you sit down, so that your coat stays well.

What kind of pants should I wear with my blazer? Jeans are your first option. If you prefer formal pants, you have to check their texture. When they have the same texture as the blazer make sure their color is different. Otherwise, it’s ok to have colors that are close. The collar of the shirt – In or out? Definitely in - the collar used to be worn above the jacket thirty years ago, but today is completely out of fashion. Can I create my own “suit” using my blazer and a pair of suit trousers? Practically you can’t, except for the rare case when the blazer and the pants are made from exactly the same material. In the other cases you should keep your blazer for less formal situations.

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THE OVERCOAT

Men’s overcoat is rather omitted as a needful article in a masculine wardrobe lately. Probably the guilt for this situation belongs to our way of living in artificial climate environments that keep us away of outer coolness and the more casual approach of fashion. However, each man should have an overcoat from practical reasons that don’t necessary involve fashion. You can wear a sport jacket, indeed, but even if you consider it warmer and more comfortable, it will only crumple your suit and distort its shape, especially at the shoulders. In the colder months, no matter how stylish is the suit you wear beneath, the first impression you make is based on what you wear over it. If you wear a sport jacket, you’ll offer the impression of a sport outfit, and your elegant shoes and suit will look discordantly. On the other hand, when you walk in, draped in a knee-length coat with your scarf smartly knotted around your neck, you make a distinguished impression that will stick even if you take it off to reveal a polo shirt and blue jeans. Of all the garments we wear, the overcoats have perhaps changed the least over the past century; designers and fashion magazines range them according to the materials they are made of, usage, etc. There isn’t a well-established standard in the field, and we’ll try to classify them into five main styles, according to their cut.

The pea coat It appeared in 1950 - 1960, when cars became more popular. Unexposed to the outer climate, the drivers felt the need of a more comfortable and proper for driving overcoat, that is to say a shorter overcoat. Made from various fabrics, having original cuts, this kind of overcoat kept its well-earned place among the most comfortable types of coats up to now. A well known design is that of the coat worn by Jude Law in Alfie, a coat which created a true fashion trend.

Chesterfield style Originated in Britain, this kind of coat was introduced by the sixth Earl of Chesterfield, George Stanhope, who made this article of clothing famous at the beginning of 1yth century.

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This model distinguishes through its custom or overlapped lapel, flap slanted pockets a single breast welt pocket, slightly shaped and elegant, falling to the knee. One of its characteristics was the black velvet collar, but in time this detail became optional. This very classic style is best set off in grey or dark grey, made of dark colored cashmere or even the camel hair classic.

Crombie style This style name also comes from Britain. It is named after the company founded by John Crombie in 1805. This very classic overcoat, with a simple lapel, single breasted, is also known under various names. Is main characteristics are its cut away shoulders, patched lapel, flap pockets and eventually a flap chest pocket. You can wear it for both casual and extremely elegant occasions.

Polo style This classic type of coat can be traced to Britain’s Edwardian polo fields and was made known by the famous American brand Brooks Brothers, which dressed personalities like Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Clark Gable, Cary Grant, etc. Polo coats are single breasted and double breasted. Sometime the polo coat is designed with big patched pockets and a half-belt or all-around belt. The chromatic scale is extremely various and so is the range of fabrics the coat is made of.

Covert style This kind of overcoat resembles a little the Chesterfield coat and borrowed its name from the material it is made of: the covert wool. It was worn by aristocrats when riding or going to hunt. The color of covert overcoat is generally beige of various tones. This style’s main characteristics are its collar opening, single breasted with four concealed buttons on a row, and four rows of stitches at its sleeve cuff and bottom hem. The fabric used for this coat is covert wool, and also other types of twilled fabric. The perfect garment choice over a suit for any man that respects himself is an overcoat. The overcoat is that article of clothing that will add style to your winter wardrobe.

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When you try on an overcoat, you’d better wear a suit, to see how it fits. Check out the shoulder’s line. The coat doesn’t have to be too tight because it can distort the suit and disturb the easy movement, but neither too loose, because it looks very unaesthetic. Another thing you have to check when you try on a coat is the length of the sleeve. When you fold your arm, the coat’s cuff has to end at your wrist. Check whether the collar keeps its place when you lift it; this is a proof of a well-done cut and you might need to wear it like this on a snow storm or a gale, etc. Another element that says a lot about the quality of an overcoat is its lining. Check it to make sure that it’s not made of an uncomfortable or of a poor quality material, and that it’s seems are well done and resistant. As any other article of clothing, the overcoat has to be chosen depending on your shape, to emphasize your strong points and to hide potential imperfections. A short man should wear clothes that make him look taller. A man can use some tricks when choosing the perfect coat design: a straight, squared shoulder line, pockets sewn higher than normally, V necklines. The length of your overcoat must never go bellow your knees. A tall man has to keep balance in height. He has to choose horizontal lines. Buy clothes made from patterned fabric, like tweed. Light colors are also proper for this kind of physique. Double breasted overcoats are proper for those with an imposing constitution. But if you’re a little smaller, you have to choose designs, colors and fabrics that don’t accentuate this imperfection. Good choices are plain, dark colors, straight, unshaped cuts, and vertical striped fabrics or fishbone (see the image below). Avoid by all means coats that are too long and those too heavy or massive.

Fishbone cut

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When you don’t know what color will fit you best, black is the perfect choice, excepting the case when you are very tall or very thin. Other alternatives that go with any suit and tie color are navy and charcoal. Light colors like beige and grey can also be easily matched with the rest of the outfit. As the coat is an acquisition you’ll probably want to wear for many winters, it’s always good to know some maintenance rules for it: -

Don’t put it into the washing machine, not even if the indication on its tag says so. The overcoat can be dry cleaned only. Avoid ironing the coat with the hot iron. Soft materials like wool and cashmere are very sensitive and can get a shining look at the contact with hot objects. Try to always keep your overcoat on a hanger when you don’t wear it. If you keep it hanged on a clothes tree, it may loosen its back and shoulders’ shape.

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THE JACKET

On a cold weather, during the spring and autumn, you have to wear a jacket. Made from a vast range of materials, in a variety of models and colors, it’s impossible not to have one in your wardrobe. Some jacket models firmly maintain their position against new fashion trends, like leather jackets; others, although not very fashionable, like quilt, sport or classic cloth jackets, are preferred due to their coziness, and other jackets come or go out of fashion, suffering more or less style changes, like denim jackets. The choice of a jacket depends very much on each person’s style and personality and on the situation you wear it. It’s impossible to buy a proper jacket for all occasions. However, there are a few aspects you can guide on when choosing the perfect type of jacket for you: - Freedom of movement. The jacket shouldn’t restrict your movements in any way. But don’t buy a jacket two size larger to be sure of that. Try also to avoid unisex products. Try on the jacket by raising your hands and bending to make sure it isn’t uncomfortable for normal movements. - Heat comfort. The jacket you chose will be more or less warm, depending on its model and the fabric it is made of. It’s a sure thing that the jackets which offer you protection against coldness will be larger and heavier. There are also synthetic linings specially designed to offer an increased heat comfort with a small amount of volume and weight, but you have to be ready to pay more for those. - Weather fastness. Many jackets are made from weatherproof exterior materials. When you want to buy a jacket for long term outside activities, choose an adequate model, with elastic or knitted cuffs and welt. - Hood. When you choose a hood model don’t forget that its purpose is to retain heat, so make sure it fits your head and doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable. - Zipper. If you chose a zippered jacket, make sure the zipper is a quality one, and its ends are insulated (usually with fabric) to keep the coldness away. - Pockets. They have two purposes – to keep your hands warm and to hold other objects inside. Therefore well-lined pockets are welcomed. Check whether they have a closing system you can count on. Here you have a few of nowadays in wear jackets:

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Classic jacket It’s perfect for not very cold days and the favorite jacket of those who prefer a more elegant style. You can wear it over a suit or over a casual outfit. It can be made of various materials: cloth, tweed, viscose and synthetic fibers combinations that give its dress. Among classic established colors like black, dark grey, brown, etc. cherry is another color in the headlines. A great advantage of this jacket is the fact that it can be very ingeniously accessorized with various foulards, scarves, and bags.

The leather jacket

The leather jacket is a special kind of jacket which was borrowed from sport, namely from motoring. It was born from the necessity of creating a jacket from a resistant material that could protect the body from various factors like: external heat, rain, wind, and possible crushes and slipping on the ground. We meet in wear the leather jacket which keeps sport connotations although sometimes it is made in a more classical style. The leather jacket can be long or short, made of leather or suede leather, fabric or furlined. Thus, one of its most appreciated qualities is the increased heat insulation. To realize this type of garment, a very expensive raw material and an adequately manufacture is needed. That’s why its price is higher than for other types of jackets. You’d better by this type of jacket from specialized, reliable stores, where you can

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receive indications about how to provide its maintenance, because they have certain particularities, depending on the model. As a typical article of clothing that doesn’t escape observation, the leather jacket is not suited for all occasions, and it isn’t an advantage for all silhouettes. If you decide to buy such a jacket, make sure the model you choose is advantageous for your physical shape and be prepared to pay for it more than for another kind of jacket. As for the colors, beside black which is always in wear for this kind of jackets, “natural” colors like brown or beige are always holding the field. In wear tendencies recommend the renunciation to excessive zippers and pockets.

The denim jacket

This jacket comes back in force after a period when it was ignored by designers. The classic style and the slightly shaped one are now in fashion. However, don’t forget that the trial of combining the denim jacket with jeans can be fatal, especially when you try variations on the same color shade. The simplest variant is to wear the denim jacket with black trousers.

Parka

Inspired from the Inuit clothing, this piece of outwear has the advantage of keeping you very warm during the cold season, and also very comfortable. Although it’s slightly oversized form doesn’t make it an article that seems to face the fashion trends, its indisputable qualities maintain it in the

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pipeline. Another factor that probably keeps it in fashion is its embracement by the representatives of musical trends like hip-hop. The models with fur-trimmed hood in white, pearl, gold or regular colors like navy, purple or khaki are preferred. It goes perfectly with jeans, even if they are wider, with sport shoes, and as accessories the most favorite are foulards, woolen caps or bonnets. These kind of jackets, especially more massive models, are recommended only for the well-proportioned men.

Military jackets As soon as the vintage style was readopted, the military jacket made its appearance again, fitting perfectly into the urban landscape. Its specific elements are the shoulder boards, metal buttons and chest patched pockets. Its main colors are the original colors of this style, that is, khaki, green, dark grey and navy. But for eccentric people there are also more color options.

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THE SCARF

The cold season is an unwanted season for many men, because they can’t show their muscle in molded t-shirts, they can’t wear all the rage sunglasses – they think that their jacket or overcoat hides completely their physical shape when they walk on the streets. Luckily, there are possibilities of setting off even below 10 degrees: the scarves. Scarves come, like the ties, in a great variety of colors and textures. When you choose a scarf, it’s important to take count of your winter clothes. Since most of us have dark colored overcoats and jackets, a glaring scarf (see the image on the right) is an excellent choice if you want to add some color to your outfit. To see the proper colors for you, also take a look to the section “Matching your outfit” from “Personal care” chapter.

Recommendation: choose a scarf with pattern. Scarves with pattern also have dark colors, and this combination is much more attractive and trendy. Take a look to the model below:

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How to tie a scarf There are a lot of possibilities of tying a scarf. Let’s take a look at a few of them. •

Fake knot

1. Let the scarf hang around your neck equally on each side

2. Make a knot on the left side

3. Let the right end pass through the left end to form a knot.

5. Tighten the knot

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•

The Ascott knot

1. Let the scarf hang around your neck equally

2. Take one end and bring it towards the other

3. Let the brought end pass from under the other end.

4. Now bring it upwards

5. Adjust both the ends equally facing downwards.

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THE JEANS

Jeans can be rightfully considered the most known garment of the 20st century. Made from a fabric called denim, they are still in fashion and their disappearance in the near future is not likely. Jeans are an omnipresent piece in each man’s wardrobe. Some of us wear it every day, with no exceptions. That’s the reason why the term casual, when it comes to jeans, is led to extreme, because they are ubiquitous. In the next few lines we’ll try, on one hand, to make sure you choose something that fits you, and on the other hand, to make you choose them so that they make you set off (on their own, or in harmony with the rest of your outfit). Looking for the right pair of jeans Finding the perfect pair of jeans may seem an easy task, but it’s not. Waist, hips and the length of the leg are different from a man to another, and if we add each person’s preferences, things become more complicated! Before entering the store is important to have some basic idea about what you want to accomplish. • • •

•

• •

•

If you have wider hips, search for printed and striped jeans, especially at the bottom, to put the top of the jeans out of side. If you have shorter legs wear jeans a little longer. Search for jeans that have some distinctive element. First of all, you should choose a pair of jeans with back side pockets that stand out (see the image below). Women will definitely see this detail, so much the more they usually steal a glance at men’s bottoms! If you are tall and thin choose jeans that lie close to your body, with normal waist. Don’t choose too loose jeans because you will look lost in it, nor too tight, because they’ll make you look too thin/fragile. If you’re medium height and thin choose jeans that fit your body, with a little lower waist. Larger jeans look good when you have very marked legs and an athletic constitution. In this case, a larger pair puts forward the shape of your femoral quadriceps and biceps. A very tight pair will make your muscles look too pronounced. A loose one will subtly set them off when you move. Anyway, make sure you don’t feel “too comfortable” when you choose them. Loose clothes don’t make anyone look good. If you’re fat, follow the same advice: choose loose jeans. Search also a pair of jeans with bigger pockets, because these will make your bottom look smaller.

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Price Branded jeans like Armani or Calvin Klein are more expensive but denim’s quality is very good. However, if you don’t have too much money, the brand doesn’t count for finding a pair that fits you (haven’t I said so ten times so far, in the previous chapters?). It’s important to choose the pair that will fit your physique. If you have an older pair of jeans that you haven’t wear for a long time, and it’s in a good shape, try it on: if it’s too loose you can take it to the tailor to adjust it, and this way you’ll save some money. Good places for buying jeans are the outlets. Prices are much smaller and quality is the same. You’ll definitely have where to choose from. Recommendation To preserve the color of your jeans it’s indicated to turn them inside out before washing. In addition, wash them separately the first time after you bought them.

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BELTS

Many men think that wearing a belt is optional. However, reading this book you already realized that each element of your outfit is optional. Belts, like ties and pocket squares, are another discreet part of an ensemble, which can destroy or define your entire look. A belt can say a lot of things about you and it can be a colorful spot on a rather boring outfit.

When a woman gives you a thorough going over she usually sees details. Take the belt above, for instance. All you have to do is wear it with a pair of brown shoes and, optionally, a brown bracelet.

Two basic types of belts There are two types of belts, dressy and casual. Generally, narrow belts are dressier (used especially for suits). Dressy belts are normally made of leather and they have a simple buckle (as you can see below). Wider/thicker belts are made for casual outfits.

Dressy belt Every man should own such a belt in his wardrobe. Dressy belts should be simple and sleek. They SHOULDN’T have an immense buckle, be too extravagant or with a too elaborated design. Make yourself understood and elegant. As for leather belts, if you want to be one step ahead, buy high quality leather, like the crocodile skin. If the cost seems too high, draw consolation from the thought that a quality belt may last for a lifetime.

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As for color: choose black or brown. Brown belts match with lighter colors and make an excellent transition from light colored trousers to colored t-shirts and sweaters. If you’re in trouble about distinguishing these two types of belts, dress belts tend to be a little bit wider than the width of your tongue. The color of the shoes and that of the belt should be similar. Materials: buy only leather. You can choose of course lizard skin, ostrich, crocodile, etc.

Casual belts: Madness begins here. This is the place where you have more liberty with belts, because you can find belts made from practically any type of material. Casual belts may be wider than usually. As for color… the combinations are endless. The rules aren’t very strict, actually. I even saw men that were wearing a thin tie as a belt. It may be a risk, but if you know what you’re doing, you can make a powerful impression. You can choose very stylish, large belts. However, this is also a field where many men choose the wrong way. I saw ridiculous belts: dragon-shape belts, tiger-shape, etc. There are even belts with LEDs which have messages alongside! Please, stay away from such belts! Many people believe that using an extravagant belt will attract attention. This is true, but it will send a wrong message, at the same time:”take a look at my strange belt and my completely lack of taste.” You don’t want to make a mistake, and that’s the risk you assume. Having a unique style doesn’t mean that you have to ignore the rules of attraction. Do me a favor and stay away of tasteless belts.

Creating a complete look Therefore, when you enter into the crazy world of belts, you have to keep your eyes opened. The wider the belt is, the bigger the risk. Stay away from clingy or mirror buckles. The most important thing is to make them match the rest of your outfit. Each article of clothing you wear has to fit and to “vibrate” with your entire attire. The most simple and easy to remember recommendation I can give you when it comes to choosing a belt is to match it with your shoes. Black shoes require a black belt. It’s not a rule, nor something that sets you off, but the belt must match something in your attire. For instance, I own a dark mauve belt and I wear it with a certain t-shirt, which has mauve stripes on it. In this case, the fact that it doesn’t match with the shoes is forgivable, because the match with other elements from an outfit requires a great attention and thus it makes a better impression for those who notice it.

Stylish casual belts There are some clichés that belong with the style of each accessory. Be aware of these clichés and play with them in order to obtain a complete look.

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Braided belts go perfectly with jeans and polo shirts. They will be my number one option when I’ll buy my next belt. By tradition, these were made of kangaroo skin, from the leather stripes that once remained after whips were made.

White belts go with a modern, black-white look, (they are perfect for going out to a club). Wear something like that with a black shirt and jeans and your belt will set you off.

Here is a belt with a military like look.

Belt sizes Belts are usually sold with a tag that indicates their size. Measure your waist and remember to go 3-5 cm (1.2 – 2 inches) further. This way, if your waist is 84 cm (33 inches), that means 88 cm (35 inches) for the belt. Another way of finding the perfect belt size: use an older belt that fits you perfectly following the indication in the diagram below. This way you will avoid approximating your new belt size and you’ll buy the perfect one. Copyright 2009 www.BeStylish.org – All rights reserved

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Belts storage Here you have a piece of advice about belts storage. If you intend to invest more than 100 dollars for a belt, make sure you protect that investment. Most of men use to leave their belts in their trousers when they don’t need them. Unfortunately this custom will make the leather lose its shape. Belts should be always kept vertically, away from the sun. This way the leather will remain dry and safe. For instance, I keep my belts on hangers (I hang the belt’s buckle on the hanger’s hook). But if you have a larger budget you can buy a special hanger for ties and belts. When you dress casual, show off your belt! The most stylish belt in the world is useless when you cover it with your shirt or t-shirt. Wear your blouse or shirt like the man in the image below to set off your belt.

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SOCKS

When you want to look good, you know that often little details make all the difference. Socks are many times neglected. Hidden under the jeans, they are given little importance. Many men buy some fabulous clothes, but they forget to choose a pair of socks to complete their outfit. They say your outfit is as good as your weakest accessory. Going by this proverb we’ll try to improve the quality of your outfits by choosing the right socks. Let’s see the main types of socks.

Casual socks

They are usually made of wool or cotton and come in a great variety of colors, models and thicknesses. These, especially the dark colored ones are proper for jeans. Many men choose white socks for jeans but you’d better keep them for going to gym.

Sport socks Sport socks are usually made of cotton and their color is grey or white. You can find also short models. When you wear these models with sport shoes, they are practically invisible.

Socks for business pants/suit They are usually made of silk, cashmere or cotton. They cover a part or all of your lower leg.

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Choosing the right size When you want to buy socks, the worst thing is a sock that doesn’t fit you. The heel of the sock has to lie exactly on your heel, not above or below it. Normally, the sock’s size should be the same with that of your shoe (or one size larger). If the tag contains only S, M or L, check it to see the sizes it covers. For instance, an M can designate a size of 36-40 (European size). When you try on a pair that is too large for you, take a smaller one and check if it suits you. The cozier are your socks, the better. Check right now your drawers and get rid of the socks that don’t fit you.

Choose proper socks for your clothes When you wear business pants or a suit, the socks should match with their color or your suit’s color, with one little exception: when you wear light colored suits, your socks should be a shade darker than your suit, but lighter than your shoes. The reason why socks should have the same shade with the pants is that you outfit must be cursive from top to toe. But if the color of the socks matches that of the shoes, the watchers eyes will stop to the pants, because the pants and the shoes look separated. When socks match with the shoes, the eyes pass over to the top of the shoes. For instance, a blue suit and brown shoes should be worn with blue socks, not with brown socks. A grey suit and black shoes look much better with dark grey socks. NEVER WEAR WHITE SOCKS WITH DRESS SHOES. If you obstinately want to set off your socks, you can choose them so that they match another part of your outfit. For instance, if you have a grey suit and a red tie, and black shoes, you can wear black socks with a red model.

DO ,OT WEAR WHITE SOCKS WITH DRESS SHOES!

Try socks with pattern with a solid suit to add some extravagance to your outfit, or solid socks with a suit with pattern. If you have too many models on you, you may seem that you are trying too hard to stand out.

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Every time you wear a suit and a tie make sure that your socks cover your leg. This way, your naked leg won’t be visible when you sit down. You won’t make a good impression when you have to lift your socks all the time! For casual attire If you decide to wear shoes with jeans, try some navy or black socks. If you wear black sport shoes, wear short black socks. Although white socks are welcomed in the gym, in most of the other situations they are not the best choice. Even in everyday life you’ll seem more in fashion with dark colored socks than with white socks. But be careful about the material. Woolen or cotton socks go better than silk socks for casual occasions. Try to match your socks with the color your pants, for instance, blue socks for jeans and beige for khaki trousers. If you don’t want to be that extreme about matching colors, I suggest you wear short socks in order to hide them completely. If you feel capable, you can fill in an outfit or a suit making bold combinations with colors or models that stand out.

It’s very proper to give up to your socks for some outfits (better in the spring or in the summer). It will look very trendy whenever you do it. If you sweat very easy, wear short socks to create the impression that you don’t wear socks at all.

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Socks with sandals You can wear sandals in the summer season in our country, but not with socks. If you want by all means, to wear sandals in the spring or in the summer, and you thought that a pair of socks would make you feel warm, I strongly advise you to move somewhere more south, where weather it’s warmer. Otherwise, avoid wearing socks for sandals. Tip: how to fold socks Nothing looks classier than a man’s closet, with his clothes ordered. You put your suit nicely on a hanger, your shirts in order, and your carefully folded pants sit triumphant on the shelf. Good! Now let’s open the socks’ drawer. If the reaction of the opener looks like that of Kevin’s from “Home alone” when he tries on aftershave, it means that you don’t have to skip that action.

Maybe you say that the arranging part is not so difficult. But, to get to the result from the image 2 above, we have to submit each pair of socks to the folding process. Instead of having some flocks in our drawer, we’ll have some flat folded pairs, which look much better and occupy less space. Let’s get down to the business!

Step 1: Lay the socks in front of you, one on top of the other, with the heel pointed away from you and the toes end to your left. Make sure they are NOT turned inside out.

Step 2: Fold the socks with your left hand, so that they cover your right hand.

Step 3: Remove your right and place your left hand as that in the image. Then fold with the right hand, so that you cover the left palm. The thumb remains on top.

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Step 4: pull the left hand and place it underneath the folded socks and the thumb in the loop at the top

Step 5: Put the right thumb in the same loop and keeping your left hand tight, use your right hand to pull back the superior sock. Cover the rest of the “flock” already formed so you’re your left hand is covered by the loop of the superior sock.

This is the final result: it looks much better. This is the way a man’ socks should be stored all the time.

Conclusions The socks are a little part of a man’s wardrobe, but since the attires are planned from top to toe, make sure you’re wearing the right socks. 1. Match your socks with your pants for normal outfits. 2. Match your socks texture with the rest of the outfit: silk socks with suits and other formal outfits, thicker woolen socks for winter outfits.

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3. Keep the white socks for gym if possible. Wear blue socks with jeans. 4. For casual outfits you can match the socks with your trousers, for a more sophisticated look, for instance short black socks with dark blue jeans. 5. If you want to put yourself forward even more, choose socks with pattern that match with something else from your outfit, or even socks that draw attention by themselves. 6. Drop your old and ill-suited socks.

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THE SHOES

Every man needs a few pairs of elegant shoes for the inevitable situations that may appear. If you are a man who knows how important the quality shoes are, then the things I wrote next will seem familiar for you. But for all the others, this might be the most important fashion article to read. Shoes are going to be the most important article of fashion that you buy. What you wear in your feet can put forward or “ruin” every outfit. It doesn’t matter if you have the most extraordinary suit in the world, if you don’t have the proper shoes in your feet, you lose. Besides, you will also feel immediately the results of the investment made. The powerful noise created by your shoes sole while you walk on the sidewalk has a pleasant resonance for your ear and creates in you a feeling of satisfaction when you know that you’re the one who produces it.

How much should you spend on a pair of shoes? Quality shoes are pretty expensive. They can cost as much as a decent suit or a quality watch. This is the minimum sum you must spend for a pair of quality shoes. If this scares you, keep in mind that a good pair of shoes is an investment that will last for a long period of time. However, a longer period of life for your shoes depends on how you provide their maintenance.

What should you look for? When it comes to shoes, the most important thing is quality. You’d better have two or three pairs of long lasting shoes, than ten pairs of poor-quality shoes.

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How can you recognize quality? For a pair of shoes quality means material, manufacture and there are a few basic things you should know: • • • •

Shoes must be made of leather, even their sole must be leather. The sole of quality shoes must be stitched onto the shoe, not glued Quality shoes must be made of natural leather, not of synthetic material. Stitches must be well done and less visible.

The basic elements of the shoes

Laces Lace-shoes are a better match for a suit than the other models of shoes. Color Black will always be more elegant than brown. Material When it comes to elegant shoes, glossy leather is the ideal choice, but make sure you don’t go to the limits. Other kinds of textures may be proper for casual shoes. You can experiment buckskin or even crocodile skin, if you have enough money. Toe cap An elongated toe cap is more classical than a square toe cap. Rand (the lateral side of the sole) High quality shoes must have a short rand. The stitch must be in the upper part of the shoe, where the shoe meets the sole and creates the exterior side of the shoe. It should be visible, but also it shouldn’t go much over the side of the shoe. The sole A thin sole indicates a cheap shoe pair and it not only scuffs rapidly, but is also uncomfortable for walking. Shoe’s sole must have approximately 6 mm and it’s preferable to be made of leather, not rubber. Model The recommended shoe model for business wear is very simple, in order to match with the simple textures of the suits. More complex shoe models are proper for casual wear.

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The main types of shoes Although the shoes of a man occupy not even a small part of the shoes of a woman, each man should have at least four different kinds of shoes to make sure he’s covered for all the situations that may appear in everyday life. Of course, there are as many shoe types for men as for women, but the next four types are the basic types that should never miss from a stylish man’s wardrobe. When you start shopping shoes, you must consider the various aspects of everyday life and the occasions that ask you to adopt a certain outfit. You may need frequently a certain type of shoe, but give an eye to the special occasions that may appear. The four types of shoes are:

-

Elegant, business shoes – for those who work in environments that require an elegant outfit, a suit and a tie; for business meetings; for festivities and special occasions (weddings, christenings, etc)

-

Casual shoes – more or less elegant, these are the shoes you’ll wear maybe most frequently. They are necessary in most of the situations, from less formal office attire to going out to clubs.

-

Sport shoes – whenever you want to be comfortable, not only when you’re practicing a sport.

-

Boots – for colder weather, but also when you have to do some things that require solid footwear, like climbing up the mountain.

Business shoes

This is probably the type of shoes least bought by men, because they think they can wear a more elegant casual shoe in the situations when business shoes are required. But whenever you wear an elegant suit or elegant pants, business shoes are the only version accepted by fashion rules.

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There are various types of business shoes:

This pair of shoes is very elegant and popular. It is exclusively designed for business class. Shoes are best put forward if they are worn with a high-quality, elegant suit.

Due to their texture and weight, these shoes can be worn with thicker and textured fabrics like flannel. They are too formal to be worn with jeans.

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The best choice of material for business shoes is leather. Chose a low heel model and make sure the sole is also made of leather. Rubber soles go well for casual attires, but if you want to impress through your outfit choose only business models with leather soles. Business shoes are more elegant if they are bright. Be careful when you match them with the suit. The main rule you have to follow for such an outfit is simplicity. If you’re not a fashion specialist don’t make experiments and don’t exaggerate. Try to wear shoes that have the same shade as your costume or darker. When is difficult to choose the color, try black – you cannot fail. Colors matching: • • • •

Black shoes match with navy, grey or black suits; Brown shoes match with chocolate, brown, beige, green or other earth colors; Cherry shoes match with khaki, light brown, blue and grey; Cinnamon shoes match with light colored suits – beige, cinnamon, white, etc.

The shoes must match your belt and eventually your wallet for a business look.

Trying shoes on First of all, don’t forget that feet swell during the day. Thus, you’d better try on the shoes after a normal activity day. Almost each person has a foot which is bigger than the other, and usually this is the right foot. Try on the shoe in the bigger foot first. Don’t count on the size you now you wear normally. Sizes not only can be different depending on the model, but the existence of standard sizes is no longer a sure thing, not only for shoes, but also for clothes. Try on always both shoes and buy them depending on how you feel them in your feet, not on their size. When you are trying on the shoes get up and walk a few steps, because this is the only way you can see if they are really comfortable and don’t pinch you. Don’t count on the idea that shoes „stretch out”. They have to fit perfectly when you buy them. When you to buy some shoes wear proper socks, which are of the same type and thickness as those you will wear the shoes with. The shoes fit you when the heel settles comfortably into the shoe and it’s not too tight, doesn’t slip, and the ankle doesn’t touch the edge of the shoe (otherwise can be extremely uncomfortable). The arching from the tip of the shoe must correspond with the arching of the tiptoe and there has to be some space where the toes can move. The little toe has to stay comfortably. Also make sure that the foot doesn’t slip inside the shoe at the models with elongated tip.

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If you decided to buy a pair of shoes, buy exactly the pair you tried on, don’t accept another pair of the same size because they can be different.

The maintenance of the shoes Formal shoes have to be carefully attended, and only in this way you can have them as long as possible. Dust them after each wearing. Even when you intend to wear your formal shoes again the next day, clean them after you get them off! Don’t exaggerate, however, and don’t use too hard instruments which can damage your shoe. Use a soft cleaning rag or a soft brush made of natural hair. In order to make them look clean and elegant, polish them each time you wear them, although you consider they look presentable enough. The shoe cream has not only an esthetical role, but also a protective one. So make sure that you use a quality shoe cream. Every time you put your shoes on you must wear clean socks. This is not only a rule of fashion or of maintaining the shoes, but a rule of hygiene. When you store your shoes for a longer period of time make sure you put them into a ventilated place, so they won’t start smelling strange. Store them cleaned and eventually put inside them boat trees to maintain their shape. If the shoelaces are made of synthetic material and they come undone easily, replace them with cotton shoe-laces. Don’t bind them too tight, this thing may create discomfort and is not healthy for feet circulation. Don’t choose formal shoes with a heel higher than half an inch. If you are small and you’d like a model of shoe that makes you look taller, there are special insoles that can be put inside the shoe and can give you some extra height.

Casual shoes

Anyone needs at least one pair of shoes that aren’t quite sport shoes but are comfortable enough. These are the kind of shoes you wear when you go to a movie, for a walk, or even to work when you’re not asked to wear a formal outfit – a suit and a tie. Casual shoes rules are slightly different than those of business shoes. Keeping in mind the color combinations stated for business shoes, when it comes to casual, you’d better avoid too shiny shoes. Leather remains however the ideal material for these too, although you can have some other options for casual shoes.

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Again, it is better to avoid models that are too complex; after all, you want to draw attention to you, not to your shoes. Black and brown shoes will always be in fashion. But if you wear jeans, you can forget about many rules. Almost each type of casual shoe goes with jeans. Even those with complex models I warned you about earlier. Shiny shoes should also be avoided when it comes to jeans. Most of the times you wear jeans, you choose your shoes depending on the shirt or on what you wear in the upper part of your body. Casual shoes come in a variety of models, materials and colors. Here are some of the most common types:

You can wear these shoes with any casual outfit, especially with jeans.

If you want to buy a pair of shoes that will always look good, take a lace less pair. One of the details that contribute to a shoe’s degree of comfort is the type of lace. It’s an often unheeded thing, but wide laces are more comfortable than cylindrical laces, because they press less the foot in the knot area. Don’t forget about this little detail, because coziness is one of the main qualities of casual shoes.

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If the shoes don’t have laces, make sure they can’t damage easily when you put them on/get off. Boots When choosing the boots, you have to know very well in what circumstances you’ll use them. If you need a pair of boots for cold, snowy days, you can choose from various models that go from casual to business, but do not expect to have the same elegant outfit wearing a pair of boots, as wearing a pair of business shoes.

Elegant boots, who look fantastic with elegant and casual clothes, like a pair of dark-colored jeans or a blazer When you try on the boots, don’t forget to wear a pair of thick socks, because these are the socks you’ll wear in cold days. Check also the adhesion of the sole, you’d like to be stable on your feet when the pavement is frozen. A special category of boots are the mountains boots. They are conceived depending on how intense your activity on the mountain is. If you are a climbing and exploration passionate, you probably know very well which the models that fit you are, and you also know how important it is to have adequate footwear on the mountain. But if you are a beginner you should ask for the advice of a specialist when choosing this kind of footwear. However, take into account the following recommendations: Mountain boots must have a very strong sole, so that you don’t feel the irregularities of ground and stones when you walk. They mustn’t be too heavy if you’re not an experimented climber. The boots must be solid enough to protect your foot from strokes and to sustain your ankles properly. Buy boots made from a single type of material, they are water-proof and more resistant.

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Sport shoes Some confusion exists when it comes to sport shoes. Everybody wants them due to their coziness, but few are those who know exactly what they need. Sport shoes must be chosen depending on the activity you make when you wear them. Due to the popularity of this type of shoes and in order to help buyers, the great sport shoe manufacturers split their shoes into collections specially designed for usage. So we see two types of shoes in the offer of the companies: shoes that belong to the street wear collection and shoes that belong to the professional collection. The shoes from the street wear collection are models which preserve the coziness of sport shoes, but are not conceived for making some sport activities, although the models can make you think about their professional variants. The main difference is the material the sole is made of. Stronger and more durable materials are used for these models. We can also find in the streetwear collection models that resemble the sportsmen’s equipment, but they are „fashion” variants, pretty difficult to take care of and improper for sport activities. Streetwear collections models are ideal when you want a sport look, a daily shoe that offers the coziness of sport shoes, adapted to the urban style of life. These shoes go perfect with jeans, and they are probably the only choice for the larger models. You should never wear this kind of shoes with elegant suit trousers, even if you chose a black sport shoe model.

Sport shoe from a Streetwear collection Sport shoes can be machine washed only if their tag specifies this thing. They should be worn only with cotton socks, which assure the breath of the foot, and this advice is available for all kind of shoes. Although their price is higher, buy well-known brand shoes, to make sure they have the necessary quality and resistance.

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Tennis shoes are very trendy this period. They can give more personality to your outfit and you can find them in various colored models, so you have plenty of liberty to match them. Buy quality sport shoes which allow air circulation. Avoid counterfeited products. If you want to buy a pair of sport shoes to practice a certain sport, you’ll have to choose from professional collections. Here are also two types of shoes: the so-called semi-pro shoes made for those who want cheaper variants of the professional models, and models made for those who practice sport as professionals. Don’t venture to buy professional models only for the sake of having “what’s the best”. It’s possible to feel that these models are not as comfortable as the semi-pro models, because performance sportsmen make specific movements you’re probably unaccustomed to, and that’s why they need special shoes. Running shoes These shoes can be chosen depending on the way you’re walking during the running. There are people who put more pressure on the interior side of the sole and they need motion control running shoes – you’ll find the Motion-Control explanation on the tag of your shoes; other people put more pressure on the exterior side of the sole when they walk, and they will need cushioned running shoes which fade this effect – you’ll see the cushioned specification on the tag, and people who put an equal pressure on all the sole when they walk, so they need stability running shoes (with Stability tag). Therefore when you choose your running shoes pay attention first to the way you’re putting pressure when you make a step – you can see that to a frequently worn pair of shoes, the way the sole scuffed. After that you’d better go to a specialized store where you can ask for the advice of a specialist.

Football shoes You and your colleagues probably go from time to time to the stadium for a little football match. And you decided that you need proper footwear for this activity. You obviously know that professional players wear special spiked sport shoes. But if you’re not an experienced player, don’t venture buying such shoes. They can be really uncomfortable and can make movement difficult for an inexperienced player and they also can lead to accidents. Ask for advice in a specialized store when you buy a pair of football shoes and check the following aspects: They must be made of leather, very resistant, the soles have to be adherent and to be comfortable for the ankles. These are only two types of the sport shoes you may need when you want to take sport exercises, but don’t forget that each sport has its own requirements and wearing a wrong type of shoe it can also reduce your performances and prove harmful for your health. If

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you are going to make some gym exercises you should know that you must wear shoes with traceless soles, therefore you should avoid colored rubber soles shoes. Although they seem a small chapter in men’s fashion, shoes are very important not only from an esthetical point of view, but especially due to their coziness and comfort. Wearing a wrong, improper or uncomfortable pair of shoes may damage your image, state of mind and especially health.

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TAKING CARE OF YOUR CLOTHES After you invested so much money in your wardrobe, it’s important to make sure it doesn’t damage. The careful attendance of clothes saves you money for the long term. First of all, let’s focus our attention upon clothes’ labels. Here are some of the most popular: Wash at a maximum of 30 degrees Wash at a maximum of 50 degrees Wash at a maximum of 30 degrees, Short cycle Wash at a maximum of 40 degrees Wash at a maximum of 40 degrees with mild treatment Hot water wash Hand wash Hand wash at 30 degrees Any bleach when needed Only non-chlorine chlorine bleach Do not bleach Do not wash Do not tumble dry Dry clean Dry clean, low heat Dry clean, no steam Dry clean, reduced moisture Dry clean, short cycle

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Do not dry clean Iron Iron low heat Iron medium heat Iron high heat Iron low heat, no steam Iron medium heat, no steam Iron high heat, no steam Do not iron Do Not Iron with steam Line dry Drip dry Drip dry in shade Dry flat Dry flat in shade Do not wring

Stains We all got stained dozens of times so far, but if you were like me some time ago, you didn’t know either what to do to minimize the damage. • •

Blood stains: absorb as quickly as possible with a sponge dipped into salted warm water, and rinse with clean water. Do not use hot water. Red wine stains: the key thing is to act as quickly as possible. Use some napkins first to absorb as much wine as possible. possible. Make sure you don’t rub the texture with them – this will only amplify the stain. If you have white wine at hand, pour it over the red wine, if not, try with vinegar. Another alternative is

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• •

to pour some salt over the stain and then remove the stain with a wet towel two minutes later. Coffee and tea stains: clean the stain with warm water, and then pour a little hot water. Finally, clean the stain in water and soap. Egg stains: clean well the stain first, and then use a wet towel and warm water. Do never use hot water, because it hardens the stain

Other recommendations •

• •

Don’t leave crumpled clothes on chairs, bed or other places. Fold them or hand them on drawers. Otherwise the clothes will remain crumpled until the next washing and ironing, or maybe even permanently. Give them an airing from time to time Give them a brush if they are dusty. Clothes brushes are very cheap, they cost from 50 cents to one dollar, according to their size.

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MATCHING YOUR OUTFIT

When it comes to matching, it’s funny that many people think it’s a banal thing. They don’t even think what to wear and put on some clothes that they like and go to work or to school. The only reason why they think they look good is because they like those clothes… considered separately! But when they go out on the streets, any critical eye (especially women’s) sees the disastrous combination! Sometimes I feel the need to go and tell them… This topic is pretty complex, and the best way of understanding these things is to take all things slowly. We’ll start with the basic notions. We can make mistakes if we put all the rules on the table and this fact will make the learning process harder.

I’ll try to resume all the information I have in a few pages, in order to give you something that you can apply IMMEDIATELY. The best starting point is to remember some concepts you learnt during the drawing class when you were little.

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RA,GE OF COLORS

You must know which are the colors associated to another color and how they strengthen or weaken each other. Once you understand these relations, you’ll start to see how certain colors match each other. It’s not enough to match colors of the same shade. Thing begin to complicate: some combinations attract positively the eye, while others don’t go at all. I know these things didn’t like you not even in the 4th grade, but they worth a little effort. There are three basic colors: blue, red and yellow. By mixing any two primary colors you obtain a secondary color. PRIMARY + PRIMARY = SECONDARY For instance: Blue + Yellow = Green Red + Yellow = Orange

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Red + Blue = Violet The subsequent adjunction of luminosity creates its different shades. A tertiary color is made when you mix a secondary color with an adjacent primary color. For instance: Green + Blue or Yellow = Green-Blue or Yellow-Blue Orange + Red or Yellow = Red-Orange or Yellow-Orange Mauve + Blue and Red = Blue-Violet and Red-Violet Thus, the range of colors contains 12 colors altogether: 3 primary colors, 3 secondary colors and 6 tertiary colors. Therefore, combining the primary colors, and adjusting luminosity you may create any color in the universe. Primary and secondary colors which are side-by-side in the color spectrum are called analogous. Analogous colors for yellow: Green and Orange:

Analogous colors for Blue: Green and Violet:

Analogous colors match each other but only when they have the same luminosity level.

Opposite primary and secondary colors are called complementary colors. Blue is complementary to orange.

Purple is complementary to yellow.

Red is complementary to green.

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You can wear one of these pairs to set off. However, be careful: some shades don’t match each other. Proper colors for your complexion Now that we know these things, let’s pass to more practical things. Some colors best fit certain skin types. Let’s analyze them. •

•

•

Dark complexion:  Proper colors: pink, yellow, light blue  Colors you should avoid: dark brown, tropical green Medium complexion  Proper colors: beige, blue, black  Avoid: dark brown, red Light complexion Proper colors: brown, blue, beige Avoid: pink, red, orange

Recommendations • •

•

• • • • • •

Keep in mind that analogous colors match, but make sure they have the same luminosity. Use complementary colors if you want to draw attention. They do not only show that you are self-confident, but show also that you know how to dress. Like this you create a rich range of colors. Golden rule: you should not wear more than three colors at the same time. Choose maximum three colors that match each other, otherwise the result can be risky. Use proper colors for your complexion. Try more colors until you find those that fit you. Don’t forget to ask for other opinions. If a lighter color fits you perfectly, use it. You’ll immediately draw attention, because the human eye observes more easily lighter colors than darker colors. Never wear the colors of the winter holidays red or green (except around these holidays eventually). Try to avoid wearing grey with bright colors like yellow. A monochromatic outfit is safe. However, try to wear at least some shades belonging to the same color, and not the same color from top to bottom. Lighter and darker shades of the same color look often good together, forming a monochromatic effect.

For instance, if you are completely dressed in black, this will make you look thinner than you really are. And if you are already thin, this is not an advantage for you. •

Stripes. If you are tall and thin you’ll look much better wearing horizontal stripes, which will make you look more solid. If you’re short, than you’ll look taller wearing vertical stripes.

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Another recommendation: Avoid wearing colored pants, unless you know very well what you’re doing. They are a little bit sickening. Pants are the foundation of an outfit, so they have to draw less attention. Choose pants in neutral colors. Thus, keep in mind these recommendations every time you dress and start working at this aspect of matching right now!

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THE SUNGLASSES

It’s not an easy task to find the proper pair of glasses. Everything matters. First of all, sunglasses must protect you and have quality. The lens protects you against solar radiation, therefore this is the first thing you must consider when you buy a pair of sunglasses. Your current activities and lifestyle are the elements that dictate the purchase of a proper pair of sunglasses. When you look for a pair of sunglasses pay attention to the way they fit you, according with the structure of your face. Are they in the same range with your eyebrows? Are they matching with your skin tone? Is their style matching the style of your outfits? What do sunglasses say about your personality?

Let’s see what kind of sunglasses you can choose according to the shape of your face: If you have a round face...

… you should pick round lens sunglasses

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If you have an oval face...

For triangular faces try Ray-Ban Aviator type sunglasses...

In the main, sunglasses range in four categories depending on the UV protection they offer: • • •

•

The sunglasses with no protection belong to the first category (those should be avoided). Those with a reduced protection belong to the second category. Your stylish sunglasses should belong to the third category because here you find the sunglasses with high radiation protection. They have often a smoky lens, especially black, brown or blue. The sunglasses with a very high protection degree belong to the forth category, they are specially chosen to be worn on the mountains.

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What are the lenses made of? Each material used for the lenses has its own characteristics. Like in the case of protection, the material is chosen depending on the exposure to the sun, and your lifestyle (where you want to wear them). You’re probably less interested in the material (I recommend you to buy glass lenses). In addition, if you ask the shop-girl what are the sunglasses made of, she’ll probably cast a baffled eye on you. However, if you have the possibility to choose, I’ll describe here the main types of materials: •

•

•

Polycarbonate lenses. They have high impact strength, but they don’t offer a very good protection against radiations. They have balanced performances in proportion to the other types, and they are often used during sport activity practice (athletics, cycling, etc.). Glass lenses. These are actually made of a combination of sand and certain chemical elements. These offer a very good protection against radiations, and they let pass 90% of surrounding light. Its deficiency is its weak impact resistance. Plastic lenses are characterized by an impact resistance and permissivity to environmental light. Unfortunately the UV protection is very weak.

Many people think that they found a very good pair of sunglasses, but they might look much better, despite the fact that they spend over a hundred dollars on them. Why shouldn’t you find the best pair of sunglasses, if you pay so much money? Many of these pairs worth practically 10 bucks if we consider the way they fit their owners. It’s not the price what is important, but the way they fit you. To prevent such wrong decisions I will tell you some important factors that you have to consider when you choose the proper pair of sunglasses. The journey towards the perfect pair of sunglasses When it comes to choosing the perfect pair of sunglasses, like choosing your look, don’t forget that they are an important part of your wardrobe, because their lifetime is at least as long as that of the clothes. Trying them on is like you’re trying on a pair of shoes or a suit you choose for a wedding. The sunglasses should reflect you and they shouldn’t be only an ornament. First of all you have to establish a budget. Some brand sunglasses may cost up to 150 dollars or even more, while others may cost fewer than 10 dollars. Of course, there are many pairs of sunglasses that would perfectly fit you, and their price range between these two extreme values. When the time comes for you to make up your mind, it’s absolutely important to try them on before buying them. It’s important because you have to see and feel how the pair you’re trying on fits you. I don’t advice you to buy online, because the trying on is an important part of the shopping process. Eventually, you can put a mental note on those you like and search them in town the next time you go out.

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Personally, I prefer brand sunglasses due to their remarkable qualities. The investment is worth it if you take a serious pair that you can keep a longer period. Brand expensive lenses allow a better view and protection than the cheaper plastic lenses. However, buy the pair you like the most. In the end, everything amount to the pair that make you the most happy. UV protection is very important because the quality of the lenses is essential for your health. The experts say that sunglasses must protect you against radiations, one of the sunlight’s components, which contributes to eye diseases. The recommendation is that you look for sunglasses which block about 90-100% of UVA and UVB radiations. Why sunglasses draw attention Sunglasses are the perfect element which adds power to your look. They make you look more mysterious, more elegant; they give you a bad boy look. The eyes are a power source in social interactions. If more than 90% of communication is non-verbal, and if the eyes are the most powerful means of non-verbal communication, then we can reach to the conclusion that sunglasses are some very powerful tools in a man’s ammunition. For those of you who are shyer, sunglasses can protect you, at first from the keen eyes of women, especially of beautiful women. When you talk to a woman you like and you’re not self-confident, your eyeballs tend to dilate, and this thing may be observed immediately. You learn very easy to maintain visual contact with the persons you’re talking to through the sunglasses. The sunglasses stop other people to take away your “power”. You can’t read a man if you don’t see his eyes, the mirror of the soul. An alpha male with smoky sunglasses has not only a powerful presence, but it’s hard to realize what he really wants with the word he uses, because you don’t see his eyes. Maybe he looks into your eyes, maybe he looks somewhere else. The simple fact that you ask yourself that can make you hesitate in front of him. Fatal. The sunglasses make your eyes look bigger. They exaggerate one of your main power sources.

Wearing sunglasses in a club If you plan to use sunglasses in a club make sure you walk into the club with your sunglasses on: but don’t wear them inside. This way it will look as if you wore them all day long and it happened to get to the club with the sunglasses on, instead of looking like the man who brings his sunglasses especially to wear them in the club. It is also good to wear them on your head as an accessory. If you want to wear sunglasses to an indoor party or by night, like a celebrity, it’s ten times better to wear a pair of sunglasses that allows the other people to see your eyes.

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Pay attention to the way sunglasses offer even more power to the man. I say that people may think that you are striving too much especially because you wear smoky sunglasses at night. When you wear non-smoky sunglasses you’d reduce the chances of coming up against a blank wall and of embarrassing yourself. To cut a long story short. You don’t want to look like you don’t see where you’re going. It’s very good to wear smoky sunglasses in the sunlight, but take a lighter pair when you go out in clubs or pubs. Speaking about wearing dark shades in the bright sunlight, don’t forget that if you don’t wear them, the sunlight will contort all your face. And allow me to say that when you put the hand to your eyes to protect them from sunlight you’ll look like Captain Cook searching for ships on the sea! You’ll look more attractive and relaxed wearing the sunglasses that protect you from UV radiation. Let’s imagine that you go out to a club one night, showing the avatar of such a celebrity when a curios girl asks you: ”Why do you wear sunglasses into a club? Don’t turn into a nice guy just because she was the one that started the conversation. You have to stick to the image you want to set off and answer something like this: These are the sunglasses of agent 007, darling. They can see straight through your blouse! The sunglasses can be the subject of a conversation anytime, like any other accessory. The condition is that they fit you well and draw attention to you. For instance you can put your glasses on a girl’s head, just for fun. This will definitely make her laugh and stay more next to you, because she’s wearing something that belongs to you.

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Colors matching Search for a pair that fits your hair and skin color. For instance, sunglasses with darker rims or darker lenses favor black-faced people. On the other hand, golden or yellow rims go pretty well for black-faced people and fabulous for blond people. Try also to match the color of the rim with the color of your jewels/ accessories. Silver goes with argent, gold with golden. You’d better not interchange them. Let’s analyze each color. Grey lenses Grey is the color that shows best the natural colors through the lenses, regardless the luminosity. Generally this color is recommended by solar optics specialists due to the protection it offers. In general, the sunglasses used for skiing have lenses of this color. Brown lenses Brown is a color that offers a very good contrast and, therefore a very good vision. In addition, they also offer a very good protection in most of the cases. Small problems may appear at this type of lenses in the case of sudden changes of luminosity, cases when you’ll feel an easy eye discomfort. Blue lenses These lenses are ideal in case of reduced or moderate luminosity. These kinds of sunglasses are used especially in the autumn and winter due to the reduced amount of solar light (dark weather and the angle under which the rays of sunshine fall upon earth in this period. Blue lenses usually belong to 1st or 2nd protection class (we spoke about them earlier). What’s in style? Sunglasses in style right now are those with smoky lenses. Sunglasses with black and thicker rim are also in wear. The black lens sunglasses can be worn with an elegant sport jacket. Don’t forget that most of the sunglasses are unisex. But there are also sunglasses especially designed for women, like Chanel sunglasses, or those which have jewels on them. Next time you enter a store, ask to try on a pair of Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses. This type matches almost everything, both casual and elegant outfits. If you wear a rock star outfit I recommend a pair of Diesel sunglasses. Choose a pair with less smoky lenses and try them on with a white sport jacket.

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Shutter Shades If you really want to impress people (they work best on hot women), this is the right pair for you. They are 100% made of plastic, some of them don’t have any lens, just empty spaces between plastic. They are proper for clubs, because the absence of the smoky lens allows you to see better at night. You have to have a really awesome personality and really believe in yourself to be able to wear such a pair and get away with it! The only thing you have to do now is to apply what you read so far. Go and try on a pair of sunglasses in the nearest store! Look for those which fit with your face and wear them only in the right situation. Remember: sunglasses are only an accessory; they have to be carefully used!

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THE WATCH

When I’m at the office I check the right foot of the monitor to see what time it is. But if I want to see the same thing on the street I check my mobile phone. I noticed that I completely renounced to wear my wrist watch some time ago. Its utility became at least contentious. But isn’t there any other reason to wear it? I met many men who said: “I don’t wear a watch; I’m not the kind of man a watch would fit to.” We all want to make a first good impression, and if you don’t set off your personality through a watch, maybe you should start doing it. Men are limited when it comes to wearing jewels. A watch that draws attention is the only acceptable jewel for a man. Although you wear other types of jewels, the watch should be your most visible accessory. A proper watch will accentuate your outfits and make you look more self-confident. Women will look to the watch you wear and how it fits with your outfit, gathering clues about your attention to style and details. Watches’ water and temperature resistance Water resistance was a delicate obstacle for watchmakers. Initially the watches were meant to be rain, dust and perspiration resistant. Next, due to the interest manifested by swimmers, they began to improve them (the 50ies). Although some watches are “water resistant” (insulated watches) you should pay attention to sudden temperature changes. For instance, if you leave the watch in the sunlight on the beach and then you enter into the water with it, the components’ dilation and contraction will affect it in the long run. Water may affect the crown of the watch when you wash your hands, especially if you use soap. A wet watch attracts dust easier and its watertight packing will be damaged in time. Avoid exposing your watch to water – you’ll make it live longer.

Finding the proper watch for you The choice of a watch is very important, so you should carefully explore the world of wrist watches before making the great acquisition. You need a few basic recommendations, depending on your money, but also on your adopted style and outfits. First of all we should talk about the various types of watches. There are two important classes: mechanical and quartz watches. Mechanical watches are considered classical, their main disadvantage being that they are inaccurate. There are, of course, companies that produce mechanical watches with performances close to those of quartz watches, but the price is many times higher than that of the last ones.

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The precision standard for a mechanical watch is about -15/+20 seconds in 24h (the mechanical watch may have a delay of maximum 15 seconds). There is even a Swiss institute, Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, which tests the quality of Swiss watches and which doesn’t allow a delay longer than -4/+6 seconds for the mechanical watches. Quartz watches are not only more accurate but also cheaper than mechanical watches. They use a so called quartz resonator. Due to this technology their precision is of +/- one minute/year. Let’s talk now about the various brands. Choose a Swiss watch if possible. There are about 1400 Swiss watch manufacturing companies, and most of their quality is unquestionable. You may choose between brands like Doxa, Edox or Atlantic. If you have enough money a watch like Calvin Klein or Emporio Armani will definitely look good on your hand. Although it is not well-known for its experience in this field (like Rolex), the Armani logo can draw attention to you, because it is…on your hand. Bring at least 200 dollars with you if you want one of the watches mentioned above. Think about the look of the watch on your hand and their proportions. You wouldn’t like to wear a giant watch on a very thin wrist, trust me. Buy a big watch if you have a big wrist, but think twice before buying something bigger. Buy a watch with a silver or steel shell and a detachable strap. This way you can buy more straps for the same watch and you can change them according to the situation. For instance, I will buy a brown strap which will match with the brown leather bracelet that I wear from time to time, a black strap, a crocodile skin strap and a colored strap for summer. If you sweat easily is good to buy a watch with an inoxidable steel shell. Follow the same advice if you work into a corrosive environment. Colors: Silver and gold are in wear and classic. Silver watches match best with black, grey, silver and blue. Golden watches match with brown, beige, and cinnamon. Let’s see now a few of the various types of watches you can find in stores. Classic watches If you are on a small budget, a watch like Citizen is enough. It matches well with everything, so you may choose the one you like. For many people the simple presence of the watch on their wrist is a sign that that person is very careful about its image. Doxa watches are another good alternative. Sport watches If you are an active person (cyclist, climber, runner or swimmer) you definitely need something that shows that. These kind of watches have other endowments. We cite here: chronometer, water resistance (a few hundreds of meters), compass and thermometer.

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Sport watch Many watches collectors would pay a lot of money for these watches because they are more valuable due to their high manufacturing cost and aesthetics, than their simple function of showing the time. Breitling is a Swiss brand originated in the Jura Mountains area in Switzerland. In 1884, Leon Breitling began to produce accurate weighers meant to be used for industrial purposes. His son, and then his nephew put forward the family business focusing their attention upon airplanes chronometers, but also upon wristwatches.

Breitling watch

Breguet watch Many people consider Abraham-Louis Breguet, an aristocrat from the court of Louis XVI, the parent of watches. He impressed the whole world with his innovations in design.

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Of course, he is the greatest watchmaker of all times. Since 1775 he had clients like: Napoleon I Bonaparte, Winston Churchill, Alexander Dumas and others. The influence of Breguet upon the art of time-keeping proved to be decisive in a period when watches had to be kept in positions as closest as possible to verticality, to assure their proper functioning.

Breguet watch

If you look for something more stylish and at the same time masculine, look for leather strap watches. You can be a sportsman, a skater or just a regular man. These watches will set off your masculinity. Fossil makes great leather strap watches. Leather strap or metal watchband? Leather straps allow you to match better your watch with your outfit and your look is more sophisticated when the strap is thinner. For instance, take a look to the watch below:

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It looks very good and matches very well the formal outfit. It goes with any shade of brown, yellow or beige.

Metal band watch Metal band watches match with black, grey or blue outfits. Some watches may be extremely expensive! In this case you really get what you pay for, so is not a bad idea to buy a quality watch. A quality watch is the most rapid way of showing a self-confident and successful image. If the people around you don’t know anything about watches then is enough to buy a counterfeited watch. But if you spend your time between connoisseurs, it’s preferable that you buy an original watch of a less known brand. Prestige brands will remain well-known long time ahead, like the famous Rolex brand. This is by far the most well-known brand for watches. But are they really the best?

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The reason why Rolex watches are so expensive is that Rolex Company creates artificial inflations of prices limiting the number of models from a new collection. In addition, they check the retail price to make sure it corresponds to their recommendations. Many experts say that you can buy a better watch of a different brand with the money paid for a Rolex. But the image and the prestige shown by Rolex leave people unmoved by its price. The wristwatch is an investment and a symbol. If you never thought about investing into a watch, start looking for one. Start making research and take your time. If you like a certain watch, that could prove to be your best accessory.

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THE BRACELET

One of the least wanted accessories for men are the bracelets. We usually buy a chain or a watch. But things change. We try to raise our sights and draw attention. A bracelet will definitely do that. The bracelet is just another way through which you can set off your personality. This means that bracelets are not at all more special than rings or chains. One night you may wear a leather bracelet, another night you may wear a ring. Or you may wear them both if they match with each other and with the rest of your outfit. A few directions and examples of men’s bracelets If you have a thin wrist, choose a wider bracelet, which will add weight to your wrist, like this leather bracelet:

The one below is a surfer bracelet, in case you’re interested in this sport. But you may consider it even if you don’t practice it! It will give you a sportier air at any age.

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For something more subtle, a more refined bracelet, choose one that is made of leather. I have a brown leather one that goes great with golden accessories and yellow clothes.

If you want something more sophisticated or brilliant, choose a silver bracelet:

Any rubber or leather bracelet is considered casual, while any metal one is considered elegant. A bracelet that has both metal and rubber will match both these occasions. As you can see, bracelets may seem unimportant, but they are an extraordinary way of improving your style.

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THE RING More and more men prefer to wear rings, and those who don’t wear them think more seriously about buying one. There is a lot of information about jewels, but the information about the more restricted category of men’s rings is almost inexistent. Rings come in variety of materials, the most important being gold, silver, tungsten, steel and titanium. Brief history Rings are not something new for men. The first people who wore them were the Egyptians, who joined them in a chain to use them as a monetary unit, or to be worn in the afterlife by mummies. Greeks and Romans used them as royal seals, and at the end of the middle ages they became so popular that they wrote laws which forbade poor people to wear them. The burst of men’s ring began after World War Two, when rings began to be used by married men. We’ll focus in the next lines upon men’s rings as accessories.

,ot all men can wear rings We all saw men who don’t look good wearing jewels. A ring doesn’t look good on their hands, not even if they choose from all the rings in the world. Their hand shape could be to blame, their total image or simply something unexplainable. The success at wearing rings depends greatly on your posture, the way you move, and you dress, I can tell you that from personal experience. I advise you to experiment because the art of wearing rings is something that can be learnt. The kind of ring you wear and the way it matches your dress is a determinant factor: it will either accentuate your look or will transmit mixed messages and will make people look strange at you.

What can the perfect ring do for you? The ring in itself cannot help you. But it can be a great accessory if you’re stylish with the rest of your outfit. The role of these accessories is to give you that small advantage over the others. I don’t want to suggest that you need this advantage, because many men look better “clean”, without excessive things on them. But others have a personality that needs to set off, and a ring is ideal to signal it. The purposefulness of this book is to redefine your personality, to redefine you as a man. That’s way the ring has to be seen like a step forward towards the final result. It has to be carefully chosen depending on your life style, on how you are and you want to be. Your personality can be sexual, mysterious, romantic or “noisy” and funny. You know better! One of the things I like to do is to play with my ring in front of the people, during a conversation. It works better in groups especially when the conversation is a boring one.

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If you are with some girls, for instance, and you listen to them while you play with your ring, this will draw their attention automatically. And if the ring you wear is a stylish one, they’ll be definitely interested to know from where you have it, and especially why you wear it.

Pick a ring that will accentuate your unique style However, I want you to keep in mind that what I show you are only some examples, to make an idea about what you want to look for. Every ring matches a certain style. The first choice for anyone is the classical ring. It can be made of silver or steel, and goes great with casual as well as formal outfits. It makes your personality stand out in a subtle way.

Casual rings They go with jeans and blazers… but not with formal wear.

Silver rings with natural leather This kind of ring will always draw attention and make people ask you about them. Take a look at the ring above. I’d be very curious about it if I’ll see someone wearing it. Sporty rings These kinds of rings look more natural. They match a man with a more relaxed personality. If you’re the kind of man that wears chains, trendy shirts or “rock & roll” clothes to draw attention, but you dress sport, this kind of ring is perfect for you. The key is the black area in the middle, which doesn’t draw too much attention and many people like it. You may attach this kind of ring to a rubber chain to create a personal look.

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The Claddagh ring For those of you who don’t know what a Claddagh ring is: this is a ring which comes from the Irish tradition. This has a heart on it (you’ll obviously find that these hearts come in a diversity of models and sizes – I have a ring which is effectively made of pieced out harts). If the ring is on the right side, with the heart put out of the body, this shows that the person who wears it is not involved into a serious relationship or that it is single and is looking for a relationship – “their heart is opened”. If the person wears it on the left hand with its face towards the exterior, this shows that he/she is engaged. I saw many girls who wear it – maybe both of you will have it and you’ll look at each other’s ring. This may be the beginning of a relationship. Recommendation: If you don’t find the kind of ring you look for, search on the eBay because it is an extraordinary option. Shiny ring The reason why I choose rings that don’t shine or metallic rings is because these shining rings are tasteless with casual clothes. The shining rings tend to go better with bold clothes (e.g. blazers) Colors If you want to choose something bolder try to play with colored rings. You only have to match the colors carefully with the rest of your clothes and accessories. Classic rings go best most of the times and they may be worn with a variety of outfits.

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13 TIPS FOR “INTELIGENT” SHOPPING

Do you think about saving some money? Shopping can be, especially for men, a nightmare. We don’t like to spend time making them – we’d better drink a beer or watch a football game. I’ve gathered the best advice which will make the mission of dressing with style easier for you. Here they are:

1. Make yourself a budget This is the first thing you have to do. A previously established budget will make you sure that you don’t spend more than necessary and will make you think twice before buying a product.

2. Go with classic Fortunately, men may wear a garment for several years, without looking out of fashion, because most of the clothes made for men have a classic style. Fill in your wardrobe with useful clothes instead of trendy clothes. These are a few basic articles of clothing omnipresent in each man’s wardrobe: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

White shirt A dark colored and a light colored pair of jeans Black suit Black belt Topcoat Overcoat Zippered parka Classic shoes White t-shirt Polo shirt Ties Sunglasses Watch

You can create many combinations of outfits buying only basic garments and matching them. For instance, you can wear a colored polo shirt under the blazer and black jeans and classic shoes. You can also wear a white shirt under a zippered parka and a pair of jeans and sport shoes. Don’t mix all the times close colored garments, on the contrary: try to create contrasts in your outfits.

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3. Buy only what you need I know it sounds familiar, but when you start buying clothes that are on sale, you’ll drop in the snare of buying more things that you need. You’ll have the illusion of saving money, but actually you don’t. But if you spend fifty dollars for a t-shirt, or you buy ten t-shirts which cost five dollars each, the sum you spend is the same. Ask yourself if you really need what you want to buy. Would you have bought it if it hadn’t been for sale? Choose quality, not quantity. Wait for the sales. Try to find the sales calendar of your favorite stores. Make friends with the shop-assistants – they know what goods are available, when they’ll be put on sale and may keep your chosen goods for a period of time, in case you’re not decided. All you have to do is ask for information. Submit to their database to keep you informed about of new products and the when all the sales are.

4. Make extra-season shopping. Make a habit of buying extra season. You probably don’t want to think about sweaters and boots in July, but you’ll realize then that you can save a lot of money. Clothes stores make sales before the end of the season. They start making restocking a month before the next season. This gives you the opportunity of buying great cheap clothes.

5. Pay a visit to the closest outlet in town If you don’t know yet, the outlet is a store that sells new clothes from previous seasons at up to 70% lower prices. Find the closest outlet in town and go for shopping with your family or friends.

6. Buy cheaper socks and underwear Save money for quality articles of clothing. Think that when it comes to underwear, socks, colored t-shirts, or even straps, you can find them easy at very cheap prices and no one will know the difference. You’ll be surprised what you may find in stores at reasonable costs.

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7. Buy online Shopping online is one of the best and quicker solutions of making shopping; because you can do it sitting at home. Men don’t like loosing lots of hours browsing stores, trying dozen of clothes on. The Internet solves this problem because we have hundreds of articles at just a few clicks away from each other. The only disadvantage is that you can’t try on the product in advance, but it will be great for you to know the right size, and also if you have the possibility of returning the product. A good way of buying online is to try the articles first in a garment store to see the best size that fits you. Then you only have to search the product with the same size on the internet. Now when you look for a cheaper product on the internet you’ll have the assurance that it fits you. Use accessories to create various outfits.

8. Look at the people around who dress well. Make mental notes the moment you see an article of clothing that draws your attention. You may even ask that person from where she bought it. However, avoid asking the price. It’s rude, and you’ll find it anyway at the store. Once you have classic clothes in your wardrobe you can create a lot of outfits with various accessories. Instead of buying new clothes, buy some ties and you’ll have a lot of new combinations. Buying only a new hat or a scarf you can create a new outfit with the same t-shirt and the same pair of trousers. In addition, the price of an accessory can be much smaller than that of most articles of clothing.

9. Exchange clothes with other people A less practiced custom, which can give interesting results. Establish a meeting with your family or close friends and interchange clothes or accessories they never wore, or they are bored of after wearing them a few times. If your friends have good tastes for clothes and it doesn’t bother you that they wore them, this can be an original way of getting some extraordinary things.

10. Make a list The moment you go out the door you have to know exactly what you want to buy and how much money you want to spend. Don’t go beyond your budget, even if you see something tempting. Clothes mean a lot, but they are not everything.

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11. Make mental notes upon the clothes you want to buy and follow up the evolution of prices. The stores tempt clients with sales that can reach even 50%. You only have to be informed. You may save hundreds of dollars this way.

12. Before buying ask yourself: is this matching with my wardrobe? Is it absolutely necessary to buy it? How many garments in my wardrobe is it matching with? 13. Try new combinations of clothes with those clothes you already have. Take your time before dropping all your clothes to the ashbin. For instance, I managed to find three new combinations in the last month using my older shirts and t-shirts. Before going shopping… Before going to shopping open your closet to see the clothes you already have. Sometime you buy an article of clothing and you have nothing to match it with, so you are forced to buy more clothes that match the new bought garment. This means you are not a clever buyer. Make sure you always know what is in your closet before going to shopping, so that you can match accordingly. Sometime you’ll be surprised to see the clothes you have in your own closet. You’ll find some extraordinary clothes you never wore. Now you have more clothes to wear, without going to shopping. Conclusions There are a lot of ways through which you may build your own style and avoid the temptation of going often to shopping. Don’t forget: a few quality things are better than a wardrobe full of poor quality clothes. Start the foundation of your wardrobe with classical elements and little by little you add new good quality accessories. Each element of an outfit doesn’t have to cost much. For instance, you may wear an extraordinary pair of shoes that you like with a simple t-shirt and jeans. The shoes will be the attraction of your outfit and will show that you have style. You have to maintain a balance between trying too hard and not trying at all. Now you have 13 more reasons to start building your wardrobe!

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BONUS CHAPTER: ATTITUDE AND STYLE All right! So you’ve started changing your wardrobe. You are ready to wear the clothes that you purchased using this guide. A little scared but with enthusiasm, you look into the mirror ten times before you go out in your new outfit. You already anticipate the ironies of the people you know, when the will see you like this. But you’re not going to back down. You’ve made an investment in yourself and are committed to going all the way. This chapter is like a user’s guide for clothes. It’s not enough to simply put them on you and go out, you will be shot down most likely. This will come first and foremost from colleagues, friends and relatives, who are still used to the “old you”. You have to have the right attitude when wearing these clothes. Because, a stylish person has to have certain moral traits. He has to be congruent to what he appears to be. Both his clothes and his behaviors must communicate the same thing about him. You will better understand what I want to say through an example. We’ve all heard of Christopher Columbus. In the period when he was trying to find financing for his expeditions, many people mistakenly thought he was of noble birth. This idea was further nourished after his death by his son, who said that his father was the descendant of Count Colombo of the Cucarro castle from Montferrat, in the north of Italy. Others have said he was a descendant of the roman general Colonius. othing’s more further from the truth. Columbus was the son of a humble weaver called Domenico Colombo. He was OT of noble birth. Then how did Colombo manage to create such a reputation? Answer: by his behavior. He was firmly convinced that, if he acted like the rich do, he will eventually be accepted. This was the major factor that contributed to his success. This is a great example for you to learn from. Once you have the clothes that reflect your personality, you must act as if you knew you are meant to be a big success in life. If you’re wearing a suit, hold your back straight and talk elegantly. If you are wearing a bold outfit (like I do, sometimes), be more optimistic and smile more. If you’re wearing sunglasses, a superior attitude might suit you. People always assume you behave according to the clothes you’re wearing. Why let them (and yourself) down. Remember that the advice given above should be taken lightly. You shouldn’t go to the extreme with your behavior. In fact, I recommend that you never go to the extremes. Even if you prefer that superior attitude, remember that people want to have great conversation partners and to be liked and appreciated. Since your new clothes offer you a

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certain social status, higher than what you are used to, it is your responsibility to lead the interactions and make those around you feel good. Remember: with a lot of power comes a lot of responsibility!

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HOW TO BECOME AN EXPERT IN STYLE

How can someone become, from being a shy, not so well dressed person, a very attractive guy? It’s all in your head. This was the case of Johnny Depp, one of the most renowned fashion symbols today. Each time he gets dressed, he relies on his OWN sense of style to create his outfits. His trial and error regarding to clothes gave him a look that is neither that of an actor, a celebrity or a rock star. He is first and foremost an artist. He will always look good by combining designer clothes with a plethora of accessories. Even though he looks great in suits as well as sporty outfits, he prefers leather jackets. He doesn’t care that much about what other people think about him. He makes decisions about every little detail when it comes to clothing. You never know what Johnny Depp will wear at a certain event. He seems to do the same when it comes to picking his parts, as well… What could this mean? It can only mean that he started a personal journey on a path to mastery. And this path is not only for this or that area of his life, it concerns every aspect. It concerns his personal life, his public life, his clothing, personal and spiritual development and many other areas. You should do the same: choose a path to mastery and stay on it. And since you are reading this book, you are obviously interested in style. When you make a decision to get stylish (or to do anything else in life), you have to accept that it is an endless journey to perfection. When I say endless, I really mean without an end… maybe only in the day that you die. No matter what outfit you choose to wear or to experiment with, NEVER be afraid to stand out. Some people may resent you, others will appreciate you. You just stay on your path. After a while, you will see the result you’ve been waiting for all this time. When we finally decide what we want, we make goals along the way to be able to measure the progress. But way too soon we become too excited about what’s waiting for us at the end of the journey, and we start to daydream. But the truth is, there is no deadline. At least, not for those who want to evolve continually. Why? Because today’s world is in constant motion if you’re not moving at least as fast as IT is, it can only mean you are left behind. Never fall into the trap of thinking you are a big success for reaching some goal that you’ve set for yourself. Someone once said that, if you have already started the journey to your goal, you already ARE a success.

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The secret for being a winner No matter on which aspect from your life you want to improve, it is important to make a habit of working on them constantly. Most men want to work on a single aspect of their life, then to go back to that goal-less human being they were before. They focus their efforts for a short period of time and, once they’ve reached a superior level, they just stop caring. So, if they stop, they are not on their path to mastery anymore… The only “masters” are those that see themselves as life-long students. We’ve all been through this at some point in our lives. We give something up once we’ve reached a smaller success and, because we stop, we go back to our old habits. Are there aspects of your life where you’ve stopped training? Maybe it’s an instrument you’ve stopped practicing… maybe you’ve stopped going out or going to the gym. If you ever stopped working out you know that, once laziness sneaks in, things can only get worse. You start gaining fat and losing muscle and, at the same time, you lose motivation. Then, you start eating fast food again and watching TV all day long. All your previous efforts lifting weights counted for nothing, Obviously, a small thing such as snapping your fingers can be easily learned. Once you’ve done that, it becomes automatic. But, when it comes to bigger things, there should be no limits. Thinking we’re good enough is not enough. How can we know what our limits and our potential are if we never dare to get close to them? One of the determining factors that separate the achiever from the non-achiever is how long he stays on his path to success. Many of you, who are reading this, are looking to get better with women. When it comes to this aspect, it is very easy to have a result-oriented mentality. When we are following something, it drains us of energy. We have to enjoy the process of getting better at women in general, rather than just to get sex for validation. Here’s an example of a man that many consider to be a master: Lance Armstrong. But the only reason he is a master is because he loves what he does and not for the victories. Winning is a result of his passion. How to remain on your path to mastery Here are a few tips that will keep you motivated on your road to success. •

Surround yourself with the right people

We’ve all heard this before. The truth is, one of the best methods to cultivate a new skill is to have around you people that are walking the same road you are. When it comes to

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style, take a look around you. Do your friends have the characteristics that you would want to have? It is said you are the average of all friends. I strongly believe that. Those with whom we are spending most of our times influence our thoughts, and this influences the way we act, which, in turn, influences the way we behave. We absorb the values and perspective of those around us like a sponge. This is why it’s very important to surround yourself with those you respect and admire. These people don’t necessarily need to be close friends. They can be mentors through books, CDs and, some of them may even be dead. For instance, one of the people who influenced me a lot was Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, whose biography I’ve read like a fanatic. •

Motivate yourself with images

User your brain’s capacity to retain image. Make subscriptions to men’s magazines, cut pictures of celebrities that you think are stylish. If you see something on the Internet, print it. By looking at those pictures every day, you will look at yourself and instantly see if you are on your path to success or not. I have a friend who has two big posters in his room. One with Rocky Balboa, another with a drop that is just about to hit the surface of the water. He used to tell me that these are the first two images he sees every morning when he wakes up. This keeps him motivated throughout the day. •

Use negative feedback as fuel for keeping you on your path to success

Sometimes, when we start to make a change in our lives and we look at others to see what we’re doing right and what we’re doing wrong. This is very normal. People are closed minded when it comes to change. Your family is not used to see you invest time and money to change the way you behave or look, so they might make jokes about this or point out any uncertainty and hesitation they see in you. Your friends may not like it that you are better than them and they might try to bring you down. Most of the times they do it unconsciously, which is very natural. It is very important that you don’t let initial failures make you quit. Take it as a test that tells you whether you have strength of character, and a chance to enjoy the journey itself rather than the end result. •

Play to win

Plan your time both daily and weekly. The only way you can make sure that you grow in any aspect of life is to CONSTANTLY make things related to it. Only a clear routine can help you achieve that. If you can’t hold on to a schedule on your own, find a partner. If you can’t find someone to help you do it, try telling as many people as possible about what you are trying to do. Some of them will be open to the idea and will agree to help you.

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•

Make things interesting

When you hit a wall or a plateau in life, it is easy to lose motivation and self confidence. Especially when routine and monotony sneak in. That is precise time you need to do something! Change your gym training program, try a new dish. I hope this section has consolidated the belief that the road itself is just as important as the end result, and that life isn’t just a climax hunt. Life is passing by, day by day so, if you sacrifice years of life for a single moment, you might as well enjoy every moment in the meantime.

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THE FIRST IMPRESSION

We all know that the first impression is always the most important one. People tend to classify other people very fast, when they first come in contact with them. These first impressions tend to be even more important when it comes to the opposite sex. But how can you make an unforgettable first impression? I’m sure you’ve noticed great women passing you by on the street, right? Have you ever stopped wondering what made them so special? Most likely, it was the way they looked and the way they dressed. First impression is VERY important. Whenever we meet new people, they form an impression of us right away. And, from that moment on, everything we say or do is filtered through this first impression. So, the question is: what kind of first impressions can YOU make? Research shows that women take between 3 and 10 seconds to make a first impression about men. So, you have a very short amount of time to make a good one. She might be thinking: If I trust my gut feeling about this man, I don’t think he’s the right person for me or this guy seems interesting. If she likes the way you look, when you will go to her, it will be much easier to start a conversation. If the woman you are interested in is good looking, she is most likely a professional when it comes to judging men. Since these women don’t have time to listen to every generic guy who approaches them, they’ve adapted a process of getting rid of men that may seem TO THEM that they don’t know what they are doing. This does not mean, however, that you have to be Robbie Williams to be able to afford nice clothes that make you an attractive guy. Most men dress in a way that makes good impressions on everybody, which is why they go generic. We want to attract women who appreciate the same things we do. I think the saying opposites attract is incomplete. The opposite is attractive for someone when he or she is missing that opposite, when he or she admires it. For instance, a shy girl may feel attraction for a confident guy because, deep inside, she wants to feel confident as well. The way you are dressed is 90% of the equation of the first impression. The way you present yourself will say a lot about you even before you open your mouth. Think about the countless situations where you thought that the person next to you is more important than you, without ever speaking with them. In fact, you don’t even think about this since everything is subconscious. This is why you first must have very strong values before you will succeed in making awesome first impressions.

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So, what are the things you like and appreciate? Take out a piece of paper and start writing down all the things you like. Leave nothing out. Write about what you love, what you hate and all the qualities you would like to have, even if you may think you’re far away from them. PLEASE DO THIS EXERCISE. It will take you five minutes. If you don’t do this exercise, chances are very high that you won’t develop the characteristics you need for a great first impression. When you are done, look over the list. Everything you have written is probably what you might want your ideal girlfriend to have. Now it’s time to incorporate all those things that are valuable for you into your personal image. Review the list and add things you may have missed the first time. Make an objective of projecting your new image each time you meet someone new. Then you can extend this habit to people you already know. So it’s in our interest to make a very good first impression. In what follows, I will offer you a few things that should be on your list.

Dress stylish! You found out by reading this book that, no matter where you are, you can always wear the right clothes, that fit you perfectly. Find them and wear them!

Smile! When you meet someone new, smiling is MANDATORY, regardless of whether we are talking about a person of the same or opposite sex. Smiling shows that you are open to meeting new people and that you are a happy person, in general. Be optimistic! Ok, I realize that for some of you, always being optimistic may seem extremely difficult. We each have our problems, some being bigger than others. Lack of money, a nice car, family fights, problems at work etc. But there plenty of people who are happy despite of those problems. How? They just are. I know what you’re thinking: what I’m saying may seem like it’s fooling oneself. The idea is this: people avoid bad emotions and are attracted positive emotions. They want to feel happy most of the time. As such, they tend to gravitate towards people that

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are optimistic, open and funny. In a world where we all have worries and frustrations, optimistic people are like oasis in the desert. Be one of them! An epiphany that I had was that that you don’t have to be handsome, rich or famous to be optimistic. We all know people that got very far in life and have problems that are way bigger than ours: financial problems or marriage problems that have even reached the newspapers’ headlines. You, in exchange, can be optimistic for the simple fact that you enjoy life and because you are happy where you are. Sometimes we forget to be grateful for what we already have by thinking too much of what we don’t have. Do a mental exercise and think about the things you should be grateful: your family, your friends, a great job etc. Those who are most attracted to optimism are women. An optimistic person is a signal for them that he can face the world with high success chances.

Eye contact

One of the key elements when it comes to attitude is the eye contact. It’s one of those subtle things that separate those that have success with women of those that don’t. Strong eye-contact is a must. Not until the point that you make the other person think you’re psycho, so be careful! A strong eye contact shows, on one hand, that you are open to conversation and on the other that you are sure on what you have to say. It also shows that you are paying attention to what the other has to say and that you are receptive to his or her idea. Exercise: to practice eye contact, the best method is to walk down the street and look into the eyes of those that pass you by. Try to do this exercise once by wearing a stylish outfit and once by wearing something generic. You will be amazed how women maintain eye

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contact, sometimes even when you’re not dressed stylish. This is because they don’t meet every day a man that has the guts to look them in the eye. When looking at a beautiful woman, most men immediately look somewhere else the moment they admit to themselves that they would like to be with her. Visual contact is the first test of strength. When you want to meet a woman at a party or in the club, the second thing that will make a great impression (after the way you look, the way you are groomed and the clothes you wear) is the eye contact. If you look down too much it means that you are shy. If you’re looking anxious in several directions, it means that you’re not enjoying her company. In both cases you will make a bad impression and you will NOT be considered stylish. The moment you look continuously at a woman you are talking to, she will feel you are monitoring her. Thus, she will unconsciously start doing things that increase her attractiveness, like touching her hair or lips. This is a clear sign that she is interested in you. Try NEVER to look somewhere else the moment you make visual contact for the first time with a woman. If she looks down first, this is a clear sign you should do something.

The bottom line: by wearing stylish clothes, you will make a giant step to your path to success.

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