Wearing Now: Men’s Runway Trends Fall-Winter 2007-2008

Sometimes runway round-ups can leave you feeling like you’ll be out of style because you can’t find anything that looks quite right, but this fall and winter will bring you something that suits you very, very well. If you’re sporty, refined, or even a combat boots-loving guy, this is your season to work in your personal style.

Ski and Snow Details
Parkas, ‘70s throwback racing stripes, and Fair Isle sweaters have that fun, retro vibe that really works this winter. With an elegant addition of soft fur and bold graphic stripes, you’re styling on and off the slopes.

Don’t be afraid to go totally vintage this season when you rock the ski trend. Comb through vintage shops and even your grandfather’s ski trunk to grab styles that scream Aspen, a-frames, and aviators. To avoid looking too much like a blast from the past, aim for a more modern pair of boots and dark, slim jeans.

On the Runway
Missoni deviated from stripes this season with a snowflake theme, and you’ll feel pretty darn fresh when you pair this sweater with textured wool or corduroy trousers and boots. Michael Bastian also had a rather distinctive ski sweater look for winter, which is available in a way-vintage, traffic-cone orange color with black accents. (Definitely not for the faint of heart.) This runway bright looks great when layered, as it will be toned down and tamed with a darker colored jacket or blazer.

Modern and Combat Styles
Futuristic styles were married with more militaristic looks for fall and winter. Grab a pair of high black boots or more heavyweight lace-up shoes, and sling on a black jacket to complete tough-guy style (even if you’re secretly not). What a way to get some respect!

On the Runway
This is one such case when you’ve got to be able to filter out extremely militaristic styles for just a hint of combat cool. Runway looks varied from Emporio Armani basic, well-shaped pieces, to the more extreme looks of Galliano’s hooded, dark separates. Choose heavyweight, laced boots or a combat-esque jacket, but play it cool and try not to pile on too many items to avoid being confused with a SWAT sniper.

Americana Look
Are you an English gentleman, a hopeless romantic, or a closeted academic type? Tweeds are the perfect touch for fall and winter 2007/2008 if you need something that has structure and strong lines. If softer, more casual looks aren’t your thing, then the tweed trend is just what you need.

Tip: If you need budget-friendly additions to your wardrobe, try out plaid wool and houndstooth caps, such as ones from traditionalist-gone-trendy milliner Frenel Morris.

On the Runway
Fair Isle prints are an easy way to steal a look straight off the runway, and what’s simpler than a basic pullover for coordinating with the rest of your closet? Usual suspect is Ralph Lauren. If you’re into the plaid scene instead, check out Paul Smith and Billy Reid, who brought it home with earthy tones and sophisticated silhouettes in coats and jackets

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Tips to Keep Clothes Wrinkle Free

Ironing has to be one chore that no one (and really, no one) actually looks forward to. Why don’t we just prevent all the wrinkles from happening so we don’t have to bother anymore? If that sounds like a good idea, read on to find out how to prevent wrinkles from occurring.

Preventing Wrinkles
Preventing wrinkles is an important step, because if you play your cards right when you wash and dry everything, you can pretty much avoid the ironing step all together.

• Hang your clothes well. While we may be tempted to throw our jacket or sweater over an arm of a chair or on the back of a car’s seat, it will leave fold lines that aren’t easy to remove. Stay away from clothes hooks as well!

• Never leave items in the dryer. As soon as they’re completed, take them out of the dryer and get them hanging (on a hanger, please!). Cool air sets wrinkles as items sit in the dryer longer.

• Smooth your clothes with your hands as you remove them from the dryer. If you “pull” out wrinkles the best you can, they will be wearable.

• Avoid folding lightweight items, and hang them instead. If it’s possible, hang everything! Many items have a better chance at being wrinkle-free if they aren’t folded or bunched.

Getting Rid of Wrinkles
These techniques will remove wrinkles without an iron.

• Hang your items in the bathroom when you’re taking a shower. Hang your clothes on plastic hangers, get the bathroom steamy, and then gently stretch each item after it has been hung.

• Remove wrinkles by sticking each article that’s been wrinkled in the dryer. Spray it lightly with water before you dry it, and make sure that it’s on the “Press” setting if you have it.

• Use a wrinkle-free spray. Spritz it on and then smooth wrinkles out with your hand.

• Dry clean your items to get rid of wrinkles with minimal effort. . . but you’ll have to wait for a day before you wear it.

Traveling Tips
• Look for items that are made from special travel fabric. Does it seem gimmicky? Try it before you decide. Consider fabric of 2-ply combed cotton and stretch microfiber of poly, viscose, and lycra all work. How do they work? Wrinkle-free clothing has been treated with a special treatment that coats all threads and lining to keep everything crisp.

• Don’t just shove your clothes in a suitcase! If you carefully roll your items, then even your “regular,” untreated items will resist wrinkling.

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Hiding Your “Flaws” With Clothing

Do you have certain areas that you wish you could hide? Don’t we all! You’ll find that if you shop specifically for items that flatter or at least camouflage your difficult areas, you can feel way more relaxed about the rest of your wardrobe. Enter a world where the gym isn’t the only answer, and body camouflage means a lot.

Thin Arms
Got thin arms? Check these tips out:
• Draw eyes away from your arms with shaped necklines, like henley tees with a button placket or v-neck necklines. This may not be advisable when you’ve got less of a defined chest, but otherwise, bring the eyes towards your torso and away from your limbs.

• Aim for thicker fabrics when you’re wearing long-sleeved shirts.

“Moobs”
Do you have a little extra weight in your chest? That can be annoying, especially when you like to exercise but you suffer from unmanly mob bounce. Minimize the look of a larger chest with some quick tricks.
• Layer t-shirts and tank tops, and stay away from lightweight and clinging fabrics. If fabrics sticks around your fattier spots, it will emphasize them.

• Always layer tank tops or t-shirts to reduce the jiggle factor.

Big Stomach
Lots of guys fight the tummy bulge at one time, so prepare yourself ahead of time just in case. . .
• Heavy fabrics can work as outer layers, but don’t forget that lightweight fabrics work well for layers closest to the body. All you need to do is try a comfortable tank top underneath and tuck it in to look put together.

• Keep your pants at your belly level. If you push them down over your stomach, your midsection will just look larger.

• Look for suits that are well tailored. Try on both single and double-breasted styles to see what fits your personal taste and build.

• Find shirts with extra shaping. Baggy t-shirts simply aren’t flattering, and the drape will merely emphasize your stomach.

Small Feet
Small feet are surprisingly difficult to deal with, especially if you wear really small size. Smaller sizes are hard to find and don’t look very flattering on an average sized man. Consider getting bespoke shoes made, which can be expensive but are perfect shoe choice. Cobbler can make longer shoes for you but still make them fit. Why spend money on shoes that don’t look half as good when you can invest in a pair that fits like a glove?

Butt Concerns
While men don’t have as many issues with their rear as women do (and you’re lucky, you know that?), a supremely large or small caboose can be problematic. If you have larger, heaver thighs and hips, hunt out flat-front dress trousers that won’t emphasize your excess weight.

Have a sagging rear? Get rid of the old boxer briefs and find something that hugs your behind a little more. Try tighter boxer briefs and jockeys for a little lift—trust me, you’ll feel the difference.

Long Torso, Short Legs
Are your legs short? Fight your natural stature and look taller the next time you get dressed.
• Tuck in shirts to emphasize your waist, and pair them with trousers that hit at your waist.

• Invite contrast by wearing shirts that aren’t similar in color. If you “cut yourself off” at the waist, you’ll add length to your legs.

• If you’re slimmer with shorter legs, you may want to try wearing a pullover shirt instead of button-down shirts.

Long Legs, Short Body
Do you have long legs and a shorter torso? While this may not be a problem, you probably find that some clothes don’t really flatter your body type. Try these ideas to make your body look more balanced.
• Don’t wear jeans at your waist. Try a pair of slacks that hit slightly lower, like near your hips. It will decrease the daddy-longlegs effect you can get going on, especially if you’re tall and thin.

• Wear t-shirts that are styled for men with long torsos.

• If your legs look disproportionately long, look for trousers with a cuff.

• Suits will be trickier, but there are some techniques you can try to add balance to your shape. Don’t invite too much contrast, like with a bright shirt and dark trousers, because it will emphasize how high up your legs really go, and your shortwaistedness.

• Look for jackets and shirts with a long, lean line that fall below the waist. You can tuck in shirts, but be sure that your outer layers falls below the waist to add length to your torso.

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Acne Treatment Products for Fall Skin Care Regimen

If you have trouble with acne, then flakes, dryness, and spots are probably all too common for you. And even if you like to slather up your skin with acne creams that have built in moisturizers, that’s not helpful when winter hits, is it? Just like you change your wardrobe as seasons change, you should be changing your skin products, too! more…

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Dressing to Look Shorter

Looking shorter may seem like a ridiculous thought to shorter folks, but if you’re tall and thin, you’re probably looking for a way to decrease your gangliness. more…

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