Smart Sweaters for the Season

Autumn is basically synonymous with sweaters. As the temperature continues to fall, they are always the logical and most comfortable choice of cool weather wear. Worn alone or with a shirt, they have moved far along from their dark age of ill fitting, ugly designs.

One of the biggest trends this season for sweaters is a turn away from v-neck sweaters to the timeless appeal of a crewneck sweater. A crewneck sweater provides a more refined look as it is a much more acceptable choice when wearing a tie. This sweater from Dolce and Gabbana is one of the coolest I’ve ever seen and is also a good model to follow when shopping for a similar one. The neck of your sweater should be wide enough so that it will show enough tie without looking loose. A crewneck should also be fitted and end right before your belt in most cases. Personally, I prefer to tuck in a sweater for a clean line, which I think gives for a much more sophisticated look.

Keep in mind that there are many more affordable options for stylish crewneck sweaters. Other good ones include:
J.Crew Cashmere Crewneck, $235

Gap Crewneck, $45

That said, every man also needs a v-neck sweater for more casual occasions, like a dinner out or a round on the golf course. I sometimes wear a v-neck sweater without a collared shirt under it for a minimalist, more European look. A great look this season is to wear lightweight v-necks, which are easier to tuck into your pants without looking nerdy or strange. This Armani sweater is so seamlessly integrated into the outfit and gives a very sophisticated silhouette.

Banana Republic Silk Cashmere V-Neck, $48

Michael Kors V-neck, $195

One last item, to be filed under ‘trendy’ is a chunky, knit sweater which is great both for following the bohemian look as well as lounging around your house to stay warm and comfortable. Unlike crew or v-neck sweaters, they should not be tucked in, but should also not be overflowing and baggy at the same time. This one from J.Crew is a good example of how to wear one: dark straight leg jeans, a worn-in leather belt, and yes, a plaid shirt (if you must).

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Fall Season’s Best Jeans Picks

Considering that jeans have been around for over a hundred years, it is amazing that styles still change from season to season. Whereas last year, skinny jeans were the must-have item for both men and women, this Fall/Winter is all about straight leg, dark jeans. They offer a lot of versatility in that you can wear them either with brogues and a sports coat for a sophisticated look or with moccasins and a t-shirt, lounging around the house. Lighter jeans really aren’t acceptable (or good looking) after summer when layering becomes necessarily to fight off the frigid temperatures.

Here are the season’s picks with a varied price range:

A.P.C., $140. Available at A.P.C.

7 for all mankind, $150. Available at Neiman Marcus

Burberry straight leg five pocket jean, $245. Available at Nordstrom

Rag and Bone straight leg jeans, $215. Available at Neiman Marcus

Joe’s Jeans, $77.99. Available (and currently on sale) at Bluefly

However you decide to wear your jeans, it is always most important (as with everything else in fashion and style) that you feel good in them, not just that they fit comfortably, but that you really enjoy wearing them. It is always better to have a few pairs of really fantastic fitting, classic jeans than a closet full of ugly ones.

As a side note, while wide leg jeans have come back in style for women, I am really hoping that flared jeans never come back for men. It’s a phase of my life that I would like to forget forever.

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Shopping Vintage Clothing

I love using eBay. It’s such a wonderful world that has been opened up; the virtual portal into the salable leftovers of other peoples lives. Antiques, used picture frames, old toys and jewellery; the internet’s largest Aladdin’s cave is one of my favourite places to go for interesting and unique things.

It also reminds me of the ability of one person to see value in something that another has ceased to recognise as valuable. Vintage clothing for example is an area of second hand goods that is represented by a perfect economy of buyer and seller; used goods are sold by someone who views cash as a fair exchange. And the best thing about it? Nothing is thrown away and something is recycled.

There are limits to this Utopian market. Firstly, I would not advise the purchase of second-hand underwear. As ridiculous as the advice seems, it is illustrative of the sheer amount of unnecessary second-hand rubbish that people offer for sale.

Secondly, I would not advise the pursuit of assembling entirely vintage outfits. It can be costly and impractical to do this as it could take months of searching for appropriate pieces. I would advise, from a style point of view, to search the vintage market for pieces one cannot find in the ready-to-wear section of the high street. Vintage is, for example, a great alternative to expensive designer accessories and luxury goods. Standout accessory items like sunglasses and belts, especially if the belts are made using materials that are now contraband in manufacture, can be fantastic buys.

There are certain items, like vintage shoes, which I cannot advocate nor condemn; you should approach them on a case by case basis and always ask yourself what you expect from what you are buying.

Items available in vintage clothing shops are not junk. They are assessed for their wearability. I am interested in vintage ties and I rarely come across imperfect ties; they are simply worn with age, or are a little faded. This only adds to their character and charm.

Not every piece of vintage clothing is worth the money and the apparent ‘bargain’ of purchasing second-hand can be illusory when, in a week or so, the item begins to show the negative side of aging. However, if something is old and it’s still around, if it’s looked after properly, it’s likely to be around for some time yet. Compare what you find in your local vintage store or on eBay to what you can buy new in the shop; strict price comparisons are a little unfair, but it is well to know what is out there that competes with the second-hand product you are interested in.

Here is a short list of some of the best bargains to look for in vintage clothing.

1. Vintage suit

Suits that are made now for high-street shoppers are made cheaply and quickly and materials are not what they were. You can sometimes pick up a premium quality suit, in very good condition, from such illustrious outfitters as Gieves & Hawkes and Acquascutum for under £150. When you consider the workmanship, material and cut, the issue of whether to buy is a no-brainer. Even if the measure is a little out, it’s a suit worthy of a little tailoring.

2. Ties

I wear vintage ties all the time. On an auction website or in a vintage shop, they can cost as little as £4 or £5 and yet, the quality of the silk is always very high. I buy vintage because the high street has a shortage of ties of a narrower width in stripes and classic patterns. An old tie also has the stylish advantage of individualism; I never see anyone wearing anything like my tie.

3. Male jewellery

I’m not referring to unhygienic metal piercings. Cuff links, tie-pins, tie-clips and rings are the bejewelled accessories to which I allude. Vintage versions of these things are just, generally speaking, so much more elegant and stylish than cheap high-street options which are in some cases, when it comes to football tie-pins, novelty cuff links and tacky sovereign rings, genuinely depressing.

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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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Fall/Winter Fragrances Picks: Woodsy and Masculine Scents

If you love a good strong scent, try wearing a classic, masculine one from a reputable brand, but switch it up and remember that you shouldn’t be wearing it every day. Play a little and see what works best, and then get them going on a revolving basis! (more…)

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