a little effort goes a long way gentlemen

There are about 15 other things I should be doing right now, you know, it being end of semester.  But as of recently I feel compelled to discuss men's fashion...and  to decode what their clothes really say. Disclaimer: This is a brutally honest assessment/plea.

I would like to start off by saying that a little effort goes a long way gentlemen.   

Slim, fitted pants vs. baggy jeans
Slim, fitted pants give the impression that a little thought put into the outfit of the day.   A simple pair of dark wash denim jeans is a powerful allie when it comes to being well dressed.   Baggy jeans imply a - I could care less mentality. (which if you actually do - all the power to you and this article might not be for you)  Women can sense that kind of hostility and that "could care less mentality." The nineties called and would like their pants back!  Retire the baggy ill fitting jeans - please. 
Leather shoes vs. worn out sneakers
One item that should not be underemphasised is your footwear...  most women will notice the

well worn shoes you wear with and for everything.   I hate to admit it but, shoes speak louder than words.  Sometimes they scream...and it hurts a little. Let just tell you CANNOT go wrong with a pair of good brown leather shoes.  If the whole outfit is going great but then you throw on your 3 year old runners you wear day in and day out, what ever is great up top has been tainted. Invest in a pair of leather shoes, a nice pair of white runners, and a pair of leather boots, and the female population with thank you.  

Sweaters Vs. Not Sweaters
 Another statement piece that I personally love and wish there were more in circulation are sweaters. When in doubt a good sweater - (ie, not piling, hole-y or boxey fiting) is a good call.  They are great for layering...(and layering is good!) They just elevate your look to suave status. 

Button up shirts vs. graphic tee-shirts
One of these items gives the impression of clinging on to your youth for dear life and the other is understated and looks good in just about any situation.  That being said, I can see the merit it the right kind of tee-shirt, a classic white, black or grey would pass as a good investment.  Plaid is always a good idea, and plaid under a sweater is even better. Button it all the way up, pop the collar a little or leave a few unbuttoned. These three ways of rocking a button up are acceptable.  Anything more than three undone buttons though is excessive, and gives off the wrong impression.   Don't be afraid to layer! (ie. plaid shirt + sweater + jacket...) Layering is good... very good.

 

Winter Jackets
Winter jackets have the ability to speak just as loudly as your shoes do...  Saying either, "Hi, I feel like I'm 19 still..." or  "I'd rather be on a mountain" or " Hello... I am suave and have classic taste (*cough* Peacoat* Cough*)  Invest in a good wintercoat...  just do it.   Take a page out of Sherlock's book,  (I've already talked about men's fashion once before referring to his exceptional style)  and get yourself a wool coat while keeping in mind what Sherlock or James Bond would wear. 

 

thoughts for a grey day

Today is grey. 
The sky is an impenetrable canvas of a very pale shade of grey.   It casts grey shadows on trees that once had lively leaves gushing green from their limbs.  But today what are left of the leaves cling to their branches and even they are a grey hue of green.  The sky started to sprinkle wet snow, an appetizer to the main course of blizzards, frozen land, and frost bite that are just around the corner.   These transitional weeks are always the hardest, they are neither here nor there and challenge each person living in this climate in their ability to dress appropriately, and cope with inconsistent weather patterns.  Meanwhile the season taunts everyone with the threat of greyer weather and the impending chill that will soon ensue.


On this particularly grey day, I wandered down my grey street outlined with thick trees that have almost let go of their last leaves. I passed by strangers on the sidewalk and realised that so much of our daily lives are impersonal.   If someone were to walk towards you with a smile on their face and look you in the eye, what would you think?   Sadly, I believe this is an unusual occurrence today.  We have become entities unto ourselves and move around like pawns on a board game never really interacting with each other.  I wonder what life would have been like years ago when people used to know their neighbors, and when sitting at a bus stop wasn't an opportunity to read up on the latest on Facebook, or catch up on emails.  The days when we had less choice as to what restaurant or grocery store to go to, and when people could become "regulars" and not just remain nameless faces.   Of course this is a generalization, but I wonder what would change in our culture if we were intentional about interacting with one another in a positive way.  

 

Grey days like this make me pensive. Perhaps these are just big thoughts that were just inspired by the weather outside.

Happy Friday