If fashion trends are cyclical, then the past few years have progressively modernised the styles of the 20th Century and embedded them strongly in the 21st. Likewise with men's hair trends in 2010: it's out with the new, and in with the old. Or at least an erstwhile hair style which has been reinovated into todays mainstream culture. 2010 saw men's hair styles falling into two diverse groups: ‘school boy’ and ‘rocker’. However whereas the rocker style is without doubt a 20th Century conception, the consequential hair style acquires its roots (no pun intended) markedly in 19th Century England. Consequently in 2010; whilst some collections attemtped a grunge revival (and failed), the mainstream decided upon a sophisticated, classically inspired hair cut. These sophisticated hair styles are also running into Summer trends. Progressing from 2009, the men's fringe continues to be a foremost feature of men's hair trends this Summer. However, as expected, this trend that has transformed. Whereas the fringe in 2009 involved close-to-eyebrow length, this Summer’s styles provide more options. Fortunately, the fringe trend in Summer arrives in a range of lengths, so you're going to be able to play with the look to suit your face shape. While you'll be looking to keep shorter back and sides, the way of justly making it your own is to play with the length of the fringe itself. This Summer it’s all about the textured hair style, as well as the longer fringe; the 2010 incarnation of the 'Caesar cut', christened after the style Roman dictator Julius Caesar who is frequently portrayed fashioning his hair in a similar manner. To achieve this autocratic look you should cut to bring hair from the temples and crown towards the forehead with the overall effect depending largely on using a matte wax to create the rocky and rugged texture giving off the ‘Regency’ style. In being a part of this Summer’s hair trends, the slick back (think George Clooney on a good day) drives home one major point: men's hair styles this Summer are all about the classic. In fact the slick back may actually be a little too classic for most men, with its popularity in the likes of Ralph Lauren and the business-class type. In order to achieve this look you must first take note of your type of hair. Guys with straight hair: make sure to stick to a longer cut on top. Guys with wavy hair: go for short hair on top, maybe a few inches in length depending on the strength of your curls. In truth, you already know it's not going to take a lot of effort to style the Caesar. Using the right product, like good old-school Brylcreem if you're after a classic wet look, the real trick is to make sure that the side you choose to slick the hair back towards actually suits your face. Try both ways, and don't overlook that your mirror doesn't show your proper image.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow.
Suits you sir, suits you.
“It’s not the clothes that make the man, it’s the man that makes the clothes,” but to be honest, a man’s attire does have a vital role in shaping his appearance and stature among peers. This is especially the case when it comes to a man’s appearance in a suit, which can be store-bought or personally tailored. First and foremost, the shoulders of the coat must fit correctly. This allows for the most freedom of movement and the revelation of flattering lines. Next comes proper fit in the waist and seat, critical for both comfort and proper appearance of pleats, waistbands and other pant features. Custom suits have a distinct advantage over ready-made suits in this area. After looking after the quality, cloth and fit of the suit, you will generally have the opportunity to finish the garment with an assortment of details. From two or three buttons on their coat to pleats or flat-front trousers, these decisions allow for a sense of personalization in your new suit. When buying mass produced suits from stores such as Topman, colour is important and picking a neutral suit can be the key to creating a truly great wardrobe. You may think that a neutral suit is one that has no pattern but this is not the case. You just need to make sure that the pattern on the suit is so subtle that it looks like a solid colour from a distance. Then, you can pair it with bolder prints in your shirts and ties without giving up the polished and put together look that you have been trying to achieve. There are different types of suits on the market but the most common one in men's fashion is the two piece suit. This involves a suit jacket that is paired with matching trousers. Although some people enjoy sporting their suit tieless, it is preferable to wear a tie with your suit and you can either choose a bow tie (which should generally be avoided unless you possess the desire to give off Pee Wee Hermanesque paedophilic-vibes) or preferably a standard necktie.
There are four factors to take into account if you choose to purchase a tailored suit: buy the best pieces you can afford, select the proper cloth for their suit, have the suit correctly fitted and style the ensemble to meet your personal tastes. It’s better to purchase one higher-quality suit that falls within your budget than two lower cost suits for the same amount. The cloth superiority and construction typically found in more expensive suits tend to provide a more enjoyable and longer wearing experience.
When choosing a store-bought suit, you want to make sure that it fits well as there is very little that looks worse than a badly fitting suit. Remember that most suits will not fit perfectly right off the hanger. They will normally need to have some adjustments made, so tailoring is important. You want to make sure that the suit's jacket fits you in the shoulder. Don't worry as much about the arm length. If it is a bit longer than you want, this can always be altered and may turn out cheaper than getting one personally tailored from scratch. A sleeve that is too short is a problem and you may need to go with a different style of jacket if the shoulders and sleeves cannot be made to fit you properly.
Don’t become subject to a Plaintiff of fashion; if you take time and consideration when choosing your suit, you can ensure that you and your suit will never be put to fashion disrepute and who knows, you might attract a few suitresses of your own.
Boxers or Briefs?
Not wanting to be the butt of someone’s joke; the question lingers: what should you wear under your Dolce suit, wrangler jeans or stubbies? Should you hang loose with the boxers or sit tight with the briefs? It’s a big question and some spend years of their life oscillating between the options trying to find a good fit. First is the attire made famous by Batman and Robin. Skin tight, form-fitting, body hugging and rarely worn on the outside, is the brief. A guy who still rocks his tightie-whities can be seen as the ultimate momma’s boy, refusing to let go of his childhood says. Moving from briefs to boxers has traditionally been seen as a passage into manhood, but does this mean that Boxers are the way to go? If you catch a guy wearing boxers, you can assume that he’s the more traditional type, a real "man's man". He wears boxers because he’s always worn boxers, and because that’s what his mother bought for him, along with polo shirts and baggy American Eagle jeans. You can spot this guy on gamedays, when he’ll be wearing his Cal shirt, or in lecture, where he’ll be watchingFailblog non-stop. Boxers go really well with suits and with other loose fitting pants like cargoes and khakis. Interestingly, boxers are the only kind of men’s underwear which can be tailored. Boxers do tend to bunch up sometimes, however they give precious little ‘support.’ Boxers are a poor choice when it comes to physical activities. However, boxers are known for their versatile designs and patterns, coming in an array of wacky and colourful designs. Perhaps the best of both worlds is found in the ‘boxer-brief’.As the name says, boxer briefs are middle ground between boxers and briefs. The underwear has a cut like tapered boxers, but it fits tightly, just like briefs. Boxer briefs have great advantages; for instance they give coverage and support in a way which sculpts the lower trunk also. This kind of underwear works under with all kinds of clothes, but is especially valuable during athletic activities and under tighter pants. Dark-coloured boxer briefs look especially good when you have a little extra ‘weight’ to hide; the dark colours give the shorts slimming abilities For the first time ever, four men will be the face of Calvin Klein Underwear. Actors Kellan Lutz,Mehcad Brooks and Athletes Fernando Verdasco and Hidetoshi Nakata are headlining the upcoming “Mark Your Spot” global advertising campaign for the launch of Calvin Klein X underwear line. Model and actor Kellan Lutz, 24, best known for playing the vampire ‘Emmett Cullen’ in the popular Twilight films, is possibly the most famous of the four new faces giving you an impression of the target market for Calvin Klein: hot guys surrounded by crazed girls. You could do worse, no?
Blog is the new Black
The rise of the internet has given birth to a new class of fashionista. They’re sharp and witty – and so influential that these days they get front row preference at events such as the Brits, rubbing shoulders with celebrities and fashion designers alike. Blogs are reshaping public relations, news, and yes fashion too. It’s taken a while but the fashion industry has finally woken up to the power of the internet. Online shops such as Asos and Net-a-porter are booming, with brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Yves Saint Laurent employing short internet-friendly films as a platform to showcase their designs, and fashion designers are tweeting like its 2012. In the heart of this bold new landscape are the bloggers – providing commentary at the click of a mouse. Whether they’re posting runway images direct from Paris Fashion Week, drooling over the latest in Prada’s collection, or writing about Russell Brand’s dress sense (or lack thereof), they have become a vital part of the industry and an outlet to give voice to a new generation of style aficionados. One of these blogs, Style Salvage, is an “open discussion” fashion blog lead by two friends, Steve and EJ, on how men could (and they believe should) dress. Initiated back in June 2007, the blog aspires to showcase up-and-coming and established design talent equally whilst emanating a penchant for quality, tailoring and a general openness to creativity and self-expression. It features style commentary, interviews with designers, journalists and shop owners mixed in with the occasional DIY project and personal style shoot. Of course in such an opinionated sphere a variety of different fashion blogs was bound to arise. The Sartorialist and Jak and Jill profile random street goers with great looks - these are considered to be street fashion blogs, such as Dublin’s own Pavement Fashion. Street style blogs are not just helping change the fashion industry, but body perception too. Over the years, fashion editors' casting of underweight models has written an unhealthy definition of beauty. The most significant impact of street style blogs is restoring a healthy conception of body image. Photographers are taking pictures of real women and men wearing fashion savvy clothes, and the public is taking note. A blog might focus on celebrity fashion such as The Iconic Fashion Blog and CocoPerez, or could be exclusive to certain trends from mod fashion to rockabilly. Regardless of its categorization, each blog is helping to make over the fashion industry one post at a time. Fashion blogs are granting unlimited access to any aspiring or practicing fashionista, no matter where they are in the world. A student in the U.C.D can keep up just as quickly with the current trends as an aspiring designer studying in New York or Los Angeles. Thanks to the constantly updated blogs there is no longer the waiting in fashion which used to plague the stylish population, allowing for easier access to the ever-changing crazes of the fashion world.
Watch you waiting for??
Your wristwatch does a whole lot of work in terms of telling the world what a wonderful person you are, but are you sending the right message? It can give off one of many effects, the main ones being that you are sporty, practical, egotistical, or cheap. Watches in today’s society are what sports cars were to the nineties, the more costly and complex the machinery, the more glory is projected onto your disposition. If time is the meaning of man, then Omega watches are without doubt the definition of manliness. This brand of watches promotes and abets an impression of authority in a man, stressing a confidence which, whether intended or not, is kind of alluring. Even the most docile of personalities can be enhanced through the possession of this timepiece, as everyone is aware that the Omega watch is James Bond’s trademark timepiece of choice, creating an image of prestige and eminence. However, for the average student watches such as this may be slightly out of the budget. Swatch Watches are an affordable, expressive and individualistic way of adding flair to any ensemble. Just like clothing, many of us want a watch which makes us stand out, while at the same time expressing who we are. Swatches are currently all the rage, exuding chic and suaveness, they are the best way for any guy to show his fashion-awareness on a student budget. They are Swiss-made and come with Swiss quality movements. The company brings out new designs twice a year, which helps keep the watches unique, as well as the fact that collectible editions by designers such as Vivienne Westwood. One of the main results of the economic turndown is not, as one would first think, a slump in spending, but in fact a return to quality. It isn’t a question of consumers not wanting to spend, but if they are going to drop a considerable amount of money on a timepiece, they want to ensure that it is an investment rather than a fashion fancy. Watches such as Cartier, Breitling and the near clichéd Rolex can be an expensive endeavour, so it is a common conviction that consumers tend to avoid these brands, a mistake made by many. For the look, the quality, the elegance, and the dependability — a luxury watch is definitely worth the investment. Other than its features, the style of a watch and its brand can make a massive difference. Not only does the watch act as an emblem of status, but it also provides a great ego-boost. You can admit it or not, but buying a brand watch allows for a serious thrust to your pride. Brand-name watches, such as Tag-Heuer, each have their own distinguishing styles and finish. It is often said that the bearer of an expensive watch is compensating for something, but it is the converse which is true; an investment in a luxurious watch is a sign of intelligence and astuteness. For instance, Tag Heuer is renowned for its precision and accurateness amongst the sports world, thus it only makes sense for a sports fanatic to invest in such a purchase. Luxury watches come in an array of styles, some are simple and sober, while others are can be more ostentatious and create a sense of grandeur. The most important criteria to bear in mind when shopping for a luxury watch is its durability and purpose, whether it is high-end or basic, a watch should be long-lasting, resilient to damage and come with a guarantee. The consummate watch is a debatable topic, and the answer ultimately lies in the individuals preferences. Whether you’re looking for a simple device which tells the time or seeking a timepiece to be a symbol of your principles, as long as your purchase isn’t heedless and you take time in your decision, there is a watch out there for every wrist, including yours.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Mad to be Mod
These early-modernists were eclectic in nature, casting aside the rampant trend of ‘Trad’ jazz, and in turn replaced it with the more sophisticated and smoother sound with the likes of Dave Brubeck and the Modern Jazz Quartet having major influence. The Brits set the tone and the world played along, of course it wasn’t all about the music. Mod fashion was immensely influenced by pop-art. A lot of the iconic images of the Who consist of Pete Townshend & co sporting shirts with simple abstract designs of arrows and dots, or even the Union Jack.
Along with this American pop-art influence, there was also a very strong Italian design influence. Scooter boy fashion had a tremendous affect on mod fashion. This can be seen in tight-fitting shirts and trousers with simple stripes and numbers adorning them. Of course it also helps to have the most important Italian designed accessory - a motor scooter. However they were determined not to become overtly European, with British Air Force symbols, medallions and patches became motifs, highlighting the patriotism of the British youth.
The mod explosion in the 60's also owes a lot of its visibility to its revolutionary new clothing styles. At the same time as this mod blast, Carnaby Street in London was accoladed with a considerable number of new fashions, as this was where bands such as the Who and Rolling Stones would shop for their tours. Some of these bands adopted the Mod look, spreading it across the world in every city their tours would stop in. The mod look became a contagion, an acute venom which promoted a working-class aspiration with an obsessive attention to detail: the right shoes, records, shirts, everything.
Oscar Wilde once said, "Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to change it every six months," or in the mod case, 40 years later. Mod style is currently causing rampage everywhere – Mod rockers such as Pete Doherty and Samuel Preston have found the right balance between scruffy and sharp. The trick is to find your own mod style, with your own balance of oddity and normality. Although stores such as Ben Sherman, Topman and even River Island bestow some Mod styles upon us, it’s always worth visiting second hand stores and vintage shops; here you’ll be more likely to come across eclectic gold in the form of houndstooth men’s coats, classic loafers and unique waistcoats. Exciting styles are in for winter, revamped and modernised to a tee. Mod is back, and unfortunately for Wilde, it’s going to be with us for years to come.
Autumn/Winter 2009 Men's Trends
Achieving this look may at first sound difficult, but as long as you keep in mind two key adjectives - Elegant and Modern, you should be fine. (If you find it that hard to kick the geek-chic habit, you can always combine those nerdy braces with a pair of Topman’s new bleached denims to achieve the ‘working mens club’ look which is raging through the highstreet stores at the moment.) The man who consummates this look is alluring and trendy, yet always retains a touch of elegance and natural charm.
Another trend creating a furore amongst fashion savvy-males is the return of the Shambles look, which takes its inspiration from the current London rock scene. Influenced by bands such as Man Like Me, Horrorpops and Babyshambles, this look fuses 50’s rockabilly with more recent underground band styling. Posers beware though as simply wearing any band t-shirt will not suffice, an expert and thorough knowledge is expected of the band’s back-catalogue, including B-sides. T-Shirt prints are inspired by old album designs, think Helter Skelter and Sgt Pepper. Add to this a pair of classic black skinny-jeans and a trench coat or wool sailor’s jacket, available from both Topman and Levi’s, will ensure you stand proud amongst the Peter Doherty’s of the world.
The last main trend of the cold season, which is becoming so popular right now that I predict its dominance over all other trends, is of course Military. This trend has been doing the rounds in some shape or form for the past decade, and this winter is no exception. This look is all about square cuts, formality, clean lines and double breasted button-ups which add a sharp style to any outfit. Military boots are an essential item for this look as they help convey a manly aura whilst also being practical in Ireland’s wet and dreary winter. They contrast well against skinny jeans, which are generally effeminate in nature. Monochrome colours are a good idea for military items, as they come across as sharp and more formal, which is quintessentially what the military is all about. When trying to find military attire look for exposed zips, epaulettes, extra pockets and square cuts. The best place to find these items is All Saints, who are doing a great selection of military style shirts and jackets in their new collection.
