So, what do you have on? Part 1

As stated before I’ve had a lot of requests for what I wear both to work and out and about. So here’s a first taste of what that looks like. I attended a private party at a bar. There was going to be a lot of cool people there (at least that's what they though) and I wanted to look fly.



I like this outfit. It’s comfortable and easy to move around in plus it looks “classically updated” enough to stand out without being obnoxious. Here’s how I break it down:

Shirt: Brand new standard v-neck t-shirt. I save the white ones for special occasions because so often people will rock a white t that’s been through the wash a few times and it looks like it. I keep a few white t’s lying around with the tag still on so I know it’s going to fit well and look pristine. It’s a great way to look fresh without spending a lot of money. I do the same things with black t’s.

Jacket: It has been tailored to fit. You can see in the shoulders it’s right where it needs to be and when buttoned it gives a great silhouette. I love the pattern and the fabric. It’s lightweight but still has a lot of body to it. The creases and wrinkles that are created during regular movement catch the light just right. I love that southern classic look and the way it’s cut gives it a more updated look. Wearing a blazer is easy because it can come off to dress down a situation or physically cool off.

Jeans: Currently my favorite pair in rotation. Very comfortable, just the right fit and a dark enough wash to look respectable without standing out.

Shoes: My favorite part of this outfit. They are brown, which match my belt (not seen) and made out of buffalo. Yeah, I said Buffalo. PETA can kiss my ass, these things are bad ass.

Some things to consider: The t-shirt under the jacket gives it a much more laidback look and shouldn’t be worn if the environment is conservative or business formal. I’m not afraid to rock a little chest hair so make sure you have the personality to pull that off. Choosing a jacket like this makes a statement that you’re not afraid to go outside of the norm (navy, black, pinstripe). As long as nothing you have on is too out there others will respect your style and might even think of you as a little daring.

Outfit specs: Jacket – Billy Reid / T-Shirt – American Apparel / Jeans – Ernst Sewn / Shoes – Billy Reid

Real life goodness

Every so often I’ll see style on someone that not only do I not expect but I’m flat out impressed with.

Let’s take my man Brad here as an example of such an event. He’s not usually on my list of stylish guys until now of course. He doesn’t have bad style it’s just very simple. Plane t-shirt and pants is pretty standard day for him. Except for last week when I saw this outfit. For apparently no other reason than to look good at work (much appreciated) Brad prepped it up. Frankly I don’t see much wrong with the look. Like the look or not, for what he’s trying to accomplish it is spot on. Here’s why this outfit is so successful:


*in no way was he styled of posed for this photo

One of the most important things to notice, Brad is a skinny dude so almost everything he puts on, assuming it fits, is going to look good. And this outfit fits very well. That’s why people like Timberlake and those damn Jonas Brothers always look stylish. Genetically skinny bastards!

Use of good colors that all working together
Dimple in the tie is a nice touch
Bottom button of the vest is undone, which ALWAYS needs to be the case
Shoes match the belt, thank god
Jeans are the right wash and length for this outfit
Sleeves slightly rolled up (not seen)

If I have to criticize, and you know I have to I would say this: Typically, when wearing a vest, you shouldn’t see anything below but the belt and the pants. Here you see the end of the tie and if the tie wasn’t as long as it is I would guess you’d see a bit of the shirt peaking through. It’s a negligible offense but if we’re discussing what the rules are, that’s one that’s being broken. Still, I like seeing a little bit of color poking out.

Overall this is how it’s done, people. Again, you don’t have to like this look but the style is there. He doesn’t use any random fabrics, patterns or colors. Matches everything and keeps it simple. I also guarantee this is not an expensive outfit. Proof that you can make everything work as long as it fits well and you put a little thought into it. Well done, Bradford.

The world of custom clothes, Pt. 2

So now that you’re armed with the knowledge necessary to make an educated decision it’s time to tell you more on WHY you should go custom. It comes down to one statement that I believe to be true across the board. Well fitting clothes are the cornerstone to looking like an adult. How you act is entirely up to you but at least your jackass ways will look good.

My shoulders are broad with a chest to match. Years of swimming have caused that to happen and it’s not going away. That’s an issue for me buying ready-wear shirts because if they fit in the shoulders and chest it will be crazy boxy towards my waist making me look a good 10 – 15lbs heavier then I am. I can’t have that. As a big guy already, adding the illusion that I’m heavier isn’t cool. As Patrick Bateman said, “You can always be skinnier”.

The process of getting something made uniquely to you is pretty great. The sales person who is always very knowledgeable about all things fashion and fit will come to your office or home. You’ll get measured and do all your selecting and in 6-8 short weeks there is a nice surprise for you in the mail. You feel like a true baller when in fact it’s not setting you back financially.

The place I’ve been getting my clothes from is in NYC called Astor and Black. They are fantastic and have yet to let me down. They don’t have anyone that does fittings in Dallas yet, so what I’ve found is when I’m there (NYC) I stop by and select a dozen or so fabrics that I would eventually want. When I’m ready I have my girl make 5.

Many places that do custom clothes, like Astor and Black have minims which can be frustrating. I don’t generally NEED 5 new shirts at a time but sometimes that’s how you gotta roll.

A new place that has been highly recommended that I’m going to try in the coming months is located in Dallas called J. Hilburn. They don’t have a minimum to buy which is very nice. I’ll let you all know how they turn out but I’m sure it’ll be great.

I pose this question to you all. How much do you spend on a nice dress shirt? $80? $100? If you’re like me you might spend another $20-30 on tailoring. So with tax on both you could be looking at close to $150 a shirt. Why not save the pain in the ass that is buying something you can’t ware immediately, getting it tailored that might not get be right the first round and just go custom?

My shirts cost less than $150. Sure I have to wait a little longer but the result is a perfect fit. So save time, money, and a headache while feeling cooler than the other guy because until now, you thought getting your clothes made for you was out of the question. Go forth and be better than the next guy.

The world of custom clothes, Pt. 1

I’ve touched on this before and today we’ll get a little more in-depth into the idea of custom clothes. You don’t have to be a millionaire or even semi-rich to rock custom clothes. I’m neither and have all my dress shirts made for me. The popularity of custom clothing is growing. That’s good news for us as the number of companies doing this has increased giving the average person a choice at an affordable price.

Let’s talk a little about terminology before we get any further. You need to know what you’re getting and a lot companies are taking advantage of people that don’t know what they or aren’t paying for. There are more than 3 but we’ll focus on 3 levels of “custom” clothes.

Bespoke – This is the top of the line of all custom clothing options. The word comes from when a client would chose or bespeak for fabric the clothes were to be made out of. No other customers would have clothes made from the cloth until you were done with it. There are no standards they follow. It’s unique to how your body is made.

True bespoke clothing, which should always be questioned in America, is any garment made specifically for you by hand, with many fittings until the final garment is complete. The term is thrown around in the American fashion world these days and rarely have I seen it turn out to be true bespoke. Places like Duncan Quinn are great examples of places that do it right and you’re getting what you pay for.

Made-to-measure – This is more than likely what you’ll get when you get anything custom made. It’s essentially a garment that’s created from a standard pattern/size and then tweaked to fit you the best. It’s a great way and less expensive way to get clothes that fit you properly. They don’t create the garment until you order it and in most cases the fit is fantastic. Most of what I get is made-to-measure.

Ready-to-wear – It is what it sounds like. Anything that you buy at a store off the rack that has already been created to fit someone other than you is ready-to-wear. Most stores will then offer tailoring to make it fit right. This is hardly custom clothing and can end up costing you more.

If you walk into a store and they offer you a custom shirt, hand you a number of shirts to try on and say they’ll mess with it to fit your perfectly you aren’t getting anything custom.

A good place that offers this should take 30 minutes to an hour measuring you. Some shops will take over 30 measurements, some you wouldn’t ever think about. Like over the watch so when you button your sleeves it will go over the watch rather than getting stuck. You know what I’m talking about.

You should also have full custom options like what fabric you want, the type of buttons, collars, cuffs, single, double or no vent in the back, etc. Those things are what make the experience truly unique and great to do.

Part 2 of this post is coming up.

Keep those things polished

Keeping a shine on your shoes is very important. Having the right shoe is the most important but a great shine is a very close second.

When I was a host at a very swank steakhouse in college the GM always told us to take a look at the shoes of the customers that came in. He talked about how the gentlemen that rolled in looking fly but had crap shoes might not be worth what they seemed, thus deserving a lesser table with maybe a lesser waiter. However when a guy rolled in with money shoes, shined up and ready to walk down the runway, regardless of what he had on above he would get special treatment. We would seat and treat guests based on how their shoes looked and in all honesty, 8 out of 10 times we were right to do so.

Knowing the importance of great footwear and spending the kind of money to own the best brings you to another level. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Good shoes don’t cost $100 bucks so sack up!

Keeping your shoes shined gives the illusion that you care; you spent some time or money to take care of yourself. Shoes are usually considered a small part of a wardrobe so if that small something gets a lot of attention you must believe in other small things which spreads like a fungus to everything else you do in life. At least that’s the perception a shoe shine gives off so keep those things lit up.

Here's a tip, wear your dusty Oxfords to the airport next time you travel. Spend $5 bucks and get a great shine. Nothing quite like getting a shine in a chair while you’re wearing the shoes. Every couple of weeks you can drop off 2-3 pairs of shoes at your local cobbler (that’s a shoe fixit guy for you heathens) and they’ll take good care of them for you.

One of my fav fashion blogs, Ask Andy has a great post about this. Check it out for more details on how to care for your shoe.

People notice your shoes first and you want to make a good first impression, right? Polish up big guy. Dingy, beat up clogs aint winning you any new friends.

We’re back, bitches!

I’ve recently been inspired to get back into the game and teach you monkeys something. We’re rolling into the winter months and people need help. I’ve also had a number of requests to show what I’m wearing and give those real life examples. So you people have that to look forward to. It’s good to be back and I hope ya’ll feel the same. Now without further delay…

Why are we here?

So let’s get a few things straight about the point of this blog and who it’s meant for. Are you male over 25 years of age? Do you have a full time job that would fit into the 9-5 category? Do you find yourself looking in the mirror and scratching you head as to why you don’t look completely put together? Do you simply want to look like an adult (you should)? If you answered yes to the above then Wondergood Style is here for you. It’s time to step up your game.

Whether you are trying to impress the ladies, or the gentlemen, trying to get more respect at work or just want to look like you have your shit together then these tips will help you accomplish your goals.

At this point, the majority of outfits you wore on a regular basis in college need to be retired. Yes, about 90% of those collegiate threads you currently rock are done and need to be donated to the homeless. Frankly, you won’t be comfortable all the time but you need to get the hell over it. Chicks don’t LIKE wearing 4 inch heels but they sacrifice because they look damn good when then do.

Now, you might not agree with everything that’s said in here but some rules need to be followed. Dressing like an adult is an ongoing process that can’t be done overnight. Stay the course. Pay attention and don’t get lazy.

Coming This Week...

This past week was one for the books on the day job front. Those of us that have one know that sometimes you have to put in the hours to make everyone happy. But don't fret people, this week will be a banner week of posting. So get those RSS feeds fired up, those bookmarks hot and get pumped for the learning.

This week we'll be covering the following:

Shorts - when are they appropriate?
Labor Day - what can't you wear after the holiday and why?
Day vs Night clothes - somethings don't carry over, what are they?
Why LA fashion sucks - just a quick look at LA's fashion scene
Life advice from Steve - the advice on life that works for style

See you all soon and thanks for sticking it out.

Be the best dressed

My father has good advice when it comes to furthering your professional career. Above anything else, he completely knows what he’s talking about in this arena and I’ve benefited from it many times. I on the other hand have good advice about fashion and being cool, which my father has no idea about. Over the years I’ve found that much of his advice could easily be converted into my world. One if his best and my favorites: “Find out who the rainmaker is, the man who gets the job done, the man who everyone looks to as the best at what he does. Find out who that is, what he does to gain respect and you do the same thing, but do it better”.


*Steve, not a fashion plate. Shirt and pants - Brooks Brothers

The same can be said for fashion. Find out who everyone considers to be the best dressed or has the coolest look. It could simply be someone you think looks great and just one up them. Be the one they talk about by doing what they do only just a little better.

Strive to be the best dressed man in the room. This doesn’t always take money; it takes effort and care. Take stock of your own style, take care of your garments, making sure they fit and do what style guru Tim Gunn always says, “Make it work”.



Being the best dressed has a lot of perks. You stand out but in a positive way and look respectable. A man taking pride in his appearance is just as impressive as when you see a woman doing the same. To the winner go the spoils.

As for selecting your style front runner, you’re picking a “real” person to emulate. This way you have a better chance of actually accomplishing that look. When you pick celebs there’s a pretty good chance you’ll never be able to look like them only adding to your frustration. You don’t have the money, the time or the staff to pull it off. Jimmy in acquisitions is mortal, Brad Pitt is not.

Keep in mind that this can be done over time and doesn't need to be an everyday occurrence. Don't get it twisted; I don't look my best everyday. I don't have the time or the money to truly be the best at every meeting or personal event. However, what I make sure I do is select pieces that go well together so even if it's a slow fashion day I still look presentable with some sort of flair. You can do the same.

Why Ed Hardy SUCKS!

Ed Hardy describes themselves as Vintage Tattoo Wear and the entire line of clothing, stores and accessories are flat out nauseating. The in-store experience seems like a crappy tattoo shop threw up all over the walls. The clothes are just as bad, adding little to further fashion or style. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about the look they create. Under no circumstances should anyone that has self respect let alone can see wear clothes that look like this.

Let’s take a look at their website.

Aside from the page not being created correctly (the alignments are off, they use too many different fonts for consistency’s sake, images aren’t working properly, etc.) it’s one red flag after another. Frankly after seeing what they have to offer and the way it’s presented I can’t imagine a person with any sense going on to purchase.


Let’s focus on the places circled in red.

Strike one: The hat looks ridiculous on this douche. It’s too high and really, you want a flaming skull on your head? Really?

Strike two: They are already marketing and selling their crap to kids. Didn’t they learn their lesson from Von Dutch?

Here’s why the kid thing is bad: A trend will start with a very small demographic of trend setters and influencers. These influencers are viewed as such and the masses strive to be like that small demographic thus spreading the trend. The original idea then becomes watered down and less authentic usually getting mass produced by a crap brand like Ed Hardy. They have the money and distribution to fill the demand. The true trend setters and influencers that started the look in the first place have already left at this point.

So, by making it available to kids you have already alienated your target market, in this case blind, semi-mentally challenged young adults. No one wants to see the same hat on a 10 year old that you’re wearing to the club. There is a reason Gucci doesn’t make suits for kids.

Strike three: Any time you have an option to purchase something with rhinestones you should immediately walk the other way. Yes this goes for embodiment on jeans; we’ll address that later.

Strike four: Three strikes you’re out but the forth comes in the form of the unappealing image of douche-ness that is these two yahoos modeling the clothes. Don’t look directly at the image; you might burn your retina.

In conclusion, an open letter to the Ed Hardy enthusiast: I hope you are very happy with your existence in mediocrity. You are truly living up the dream of being unoriginal and down right ridiculous. Pat yourself on the back big guy, you deserve it.

My exact thoughts on the brand brought to you through the majesty of photography.

When trends die

When I lived in NYC I was lucky enough to inhabit the Lower East Side in Chinatown before it was overrun by white people. When that happens, the flavor of the neighborhood always changes and rarely for the better. It was still gritty and untouched. This made it great for watching to see what ‘cool’ trends would immerge.

Some of the best examples of how trends start are written about in The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. Check it out for further info as he does a far better job then me.

You could walk down the street and see a few teens chillin’ on the corner dressed a certain way and you just knew that in 6 months you’ll see that same outfit at the Gap or American Apparel. I saw some of the best and worst trends during my time in the city. The leggings under skirts trend well before Lindsay Lohan picked it up. The trucker hat phase (please go away). Skinny jeans.



I try very hard to not follow what usually ends up being a 6 month flash in the pan. You also don’t want to look back at pictures and truly say, “What the fuck was I thinking”? Pretty much the entirety of the 80’s falls into this category. I can’t wear skinny jeans because I’m built like a normal human male and trucker hats are the one of dumbest things ever created. I actually like the leggings thing on chicks.

The thing you need to do is be able to spot when a trend is on its way down and don't get on. Usually the best way to know is if Middle America is following a trend, it’s already done. But, there are many other things that tell you the end is near. Here are some sure fire ways to tell if a trend is dead:

If babies/toddlers are wearing the trend (remember Von Dutch?)


The trend starts to get parodied (remember Von Dutch?)


You’re mother and father start wearing it!

In general, when old people try rockin’ the cool kid wears it’s time to move on. Please see the below picture for an example.


This guy was at the bar over the weekend. This dude was weighing in at a solid 350lbs and was well over 50. The little sprite next to him known as Corley was kind enough to get a picture with them so I could prove my point.

This guy has no business wearing a wack-ass Ed Hardy trucker hat for a few reasons. It looks ridiculous, trucker hats stopped being cool in ’03 (6 months after they became cool), he’s OLD and Ed Hardy might be the worst thing to happen to fashion, ever.

Be honest, after you look at this picture, you want to retire your Ed Hardy hat (and hit the gym), don’t you? Of course you do because it looks like shit and this is where the brand is going. You better get off that plane before it careens into a mountain. Keep this look up and you deserve to be on it when it crashes.

My Advice: Don’t chase trends people. Sure, you’ll “fit in” with the crowd but is that really what you want? Take a good hard look before you purchase that piece you saw all the kids on MTV wearing and ask yourself, “Is this really going to last”? Frankly, if a brand/look is clearly a trend, like Ed Hardy or Von Dutch are, it’s best to skip it and continue to dress like an adult.

Please see tomorrow’s post on Why Ed Hardy SUCKS

The not so standard office

Like most of you people and the rest of America, I work in a typical office. However, I do not work in an industry that requires the "standard office uniform" of dress pants and button-downs. This trend is ever expanding.

Recently, fields such as finance, where typically a suit is required are falling prey to this trend. This can be a blessing to us free-style thinkers but a real demise for those out there that have no idea what to wear. The office uniform is an easy look that most people can master with little effort.

Schools institute uniforms so everyone looks the same and helps to eliminate competition/distraction. The same can be said for offices. A standard work uniform can give a company’s employees the illusion of put togetherness. Clients like to see the people they are paying looking respectable. The uniform can also save people from style mistakes.

So what happens when you don’t have that mandated style path to follow?

Don't freak out, you have two options.

Option 1: You give yourself a uniform. Maybe you become the dress pants and button-down guy or pull a Michael Kors and wear the same outfit every single day (black t-shirt, black blazer and jeans). Don’t get me wrong, Kors looks good and put together, but everyday? Pitfalls of this practice are pigeonholing yourself as a one trick pony or being flat out boring. If I wear a suit to work my boss assumes I have an interview. Yeah, it’s like that.

Option 2: Pay attention to what you wear and mix classic standards and styles with updated fashion ideas. Try these quick looks:

* Black dress pants with a simple light striped button-down, tucked in of course, but rock with a pair of bright white sneakers. Go old school like Adidas or Converse.


* Throw on a simple black t-shirt (no, there can’t be anything printed on it) with mid-tone wash jeans and a black blazer. No, don’t tuck in the t-shirt. Top it all off with a pair of shined, black classic cap-toe lace-ups. This outfit looks grownup because of the blazer and the classic shoe but the jeans and simple t-shirt bring up the cool factor. Professional but stylish. A man pushing a look like this is assumed to have his shit together. Michael Kors does it for a reason.



* Pair dark jeans with a button-down. Roll up the sleeves above the elbow and throw on a loosely tied tie. You can go with anything on your feet as long as it’s matching your belt.

It all comes down to paying attention and looking like you care but aren't trying too hard. You don't want to dress way above your other co-workers and you don't want to look like you got dressed in the dark. Find that middle ground where you feel comfortable as well as being proud of what you're presenting to your peers.

Dean Week – Day 3

Lovely readers, this might not have been the best week for "Dean Week". Dean has had clients in the office nearly everyday this week making his outfits the standard uniform. They are pretty simple and he’s got it down well enough we don’t need to do a daily critique. That and we all know the only thing that Dean changes day to day is the shirt.

The beauty of Dean is his normal work attire so we’ll wait until his schedule slows down and he gets back to the man we love. That said, below is a little taste of what’s to come. Stay tuned and enjoy.


*I think this picture of Dean next to the “women” sign is bad ass.

This entire outfit is one infraction after another. Let’s go top down.

Shirt: A shiny Nylon/Polyblend golf shirt. It’s clear it’s a golf shirt because the embroidered golf club on the breast pocket tells us so. The words “appropriate work attire” would not have a picture of this shirt next to it. We’re happy you played that course, and I’m sure you had a great 18, but save it for the weekends.

Dean is far from the only person guilty of this infraction, he’s simply being used as an example. Dean's here to help us learn!

Is an undershirt really needed with something so casual, lightweight and loose fitting? No. At least today it’s a similar color to the shirt.

The sleeves are way too long almost covering the elbow. The shirt sleeves should fall at mid bicep when arms are down. You’ll look taller because you’re not cutting off the site lines. Showing more skin here is a good thing, helping you look taller and more toned.

Also, this might be the longest polo ever made. It should fall right below your belt, not completely cover your crotch.

Jeans: Where to start? I didn’t know they still made a wash that light. I thought we learned our lesson in the mid-90’s. They fit well around the legs and are the right length; they’re simply a terrible color. Darker is always better. Dark washes give you a more grown-up look, and it helps eliminate the casual element of the polo.

Shoes: Brown hiking boots are for just that, hiking. Outside. The amount of rough terrain in the office halls is at a minimum these days, so I’m confident the walk to and from meetings can be dealt with a simple black dress shoe.

Not shown: The belt, which is black and we all know it should be brown if the shoes are brown. Swing and a miss.

Rule of thumb: Black or grey on top? Wear a black belt and shoes. Just do it. It looks better.

Redeeming aspect: The belt has a hidden zipper compartment on the inside where you can store money, drugs, print outs of this blog, etc. That’s just "man cool".


Overall assessment: I don’t want to say this is the Bill Buckner of outfits but it’s close. Can’t wait for what’s next!

Dean Week – Day 1 & 2

This week Dean has a client in town. This makes a button-down and ‘client pants’ (as we’ve all come to know dress pants by) a necessity. Overall, not that bad in the style department, but it’s hard to mess up this standard outfit. Here’s how this could be a whole lot better:

First, the shirt is tucked in, which is the most important piece of this ensemble. If you care enough to wear a button-down with dress pants, tuck it in. It looks sloppy otherwise. You gain huge ‘put together points’ if you’re tucked.

Blue shirt. The shirt is at least 1 size too big. Dean has a small waist but he creates a boxy look if the shirt's shoulders and upper back are too big. The shirt will blouse too much out of the pants, and makes him look bigger then he is in the middle. Another downfall: The shirt is buttoned up too much, for my taste. The undershirt is sticking out. Either button to the top and slap on a tie, or loose the second button and put on a v-neck undershirt.

If you think the tie is too stuffy or formal for the meeting, you can always roll up the sleeves with a tie. This automatically makes the look less formal and carries a certain level of swagger. “I care enough about this meeting to wear a tie but I’m rolled up showing you I’m a little too cool for this meeting”. Pulled off correctly, this is a powerful look.

Take a look at the picture of Dean in the yellow shirt. This fits much better on the shoulders and thus slims him down a lot. It easily drops him 10lbs making his waist smaller, shoulders broader and flat out sexier. See how much better you can look when your clothes fit? Get yo shit tailored!

I don't know why he has his eyes closed in each picture. That wasn't planned.

Pants: Not bad. It’s part of a suit, jacket not seen. I don’t love the texture of the fabric or the color, but they are the right length. It could be a richer color.

Side note, when can we all move away from pleats? One is OK sometimes but let’s move to flat front only, even for a suit. Seriously.

Belt: It matches the shoes. Thank God.

Shoes: Dean’s from West Texas so the ostrich cowboy boots are completely on point for this outfit. They show off his personality and look cool enough to wear with dress pants. Not everyone can pull this off, but he can. Also, you can’t go wrong with black.

Overall assessment: This outfit works. The major issue I have with it is it’s forgettable. Except for the boots I don’t remember what he had on. In everything you wear, something should be the standout. You want someone walking away thinking about something you had on. “Those shoes were bad ass” or “I wish I could pull that shirt off”. Yes, guys think about that. Keep it tucked in, pick more aggressive colors and you have a winner.

Dean Week

Welcome to Dean Week!



A new feature on the Wondergood Style Blog will be a daily look at a single person’s fashion/style choices over a 5 day period. We’ll discuss the good (if there are any) and the bad in hopes we can all learn from another's mistakes. It will also help to see real life examples as they pertain to real people.

This week’s subject will be Dean, a co-worker of mine. He’s over 30 and a handsome devil. I think his personality, his looks and athletic physique help him get away with having, lets just say it, no style at all. Unfortunately, not everyone has the skills to pull off bad looks.

I believe that Dean is the perfect person to be showcased first. He knows little and cares even less about fashion and has a lot to learn. There are easy steps even Dean can follow to step us his game. We’re going to investigate those steps all this week. Get pumped.

The Under Shirt

I have strong opinions on the undershirt. Shocker, I know.

You wear an undershirt for two reasons. Because you sweat and that helps keep everything in place and you’re not secure enough to show some skin. I wear one almost every time I wear a button-down. Personally there is nothing worse then sweat coming from under the shirt. The underarms, back, under the chest (big dudes have this problem). It’s gross and unsightly so I’m with you on the use of the undershirt.

Wearing one is not what gets me. I can’t stand seeing the white collar of an undershirt peering out from under a usually much darker button-down. I don’t think it looks good and is far from sophisticated. It looks everyday, average and extremely blue collar. I’m not dogging the blue collar worker here but they are not known for great style or fashion. It’s time to step up your game.

Take a cue from celebrities. When was the last time you saw David Beckham with an white t-shirt coming out from under of his Armani button-down? Yeah, never. He’s got a hot, hairless chest and he’s got confidence to spare. Do some manscaping on that rainforest you call a chest and get over it. Quality girls appreciate a little chest hair and some skin, trust me. You’ll instantly look a little cooler, a little more laid back and much more stylish.


If you can’t show some skin at work change jobs or wear a tie.

A button-down without a tie should be worn with the top two buttons undone. Most button-downs look weird and uncomfortable if you have just the top unbuttoned. If you button all of them with no tie you will look ridiculous. You want to look like this guy?


The undershirt should be low v-neck or scoop-neck so as to show as little as possible in the front. I wear American Apparel’s Summer T-Shirt. It has a crazy low v-neck that I can’t really wear in public but under a shirt it’s perfect. I get the comfort I need, the sweat protection I desire and I don’t look like a jackass with some stark white shirt distracting from my badass button-down!


Polo also sells one of the lowest v-neck t-shirts out there and I’ve started to see the low v-neck offered by other clothiers like Calvin Kline and Hugo Boss.

A standard white wife-beater usually has a low v-neck that works as well but the lack of coverage and the possibility of its mesh fabric contrasting with the smooth fabric of a pressed Oxford is not for me.

Moral of this lesson, get over your insecurities, show some skin and blast into the land of style with no white shirt showing.

Wack Trends – Vol. 1

Let’s discuss a trend that I don’t understand. The graphic T-shirt over a button down. What the hell is up with that?

I can’t imagine a situation that this looks OK. I guess if you’re trying to look like you got dressed in the dark or you might actually be retarded. If you are actually retarded (mentally challenged) then I applaud you for taking the time to read this post and apologize for the slur. If you feel you are able minded and think this look is tops, well my friend, you might very well be retarded. Go take a test. You might also be a Jonas Brother or on an episode of Hannah Montana. Either way, you're too old so please stop.

Take a good look.




Yeah, it’s not a good idea.

You get what you pay for - Don't break the bank

So not everything you purchase needs to cost you a lot. Some things you will wear all the time will get worn out no matter what you pay. Also, some items you might not wear much at all so spending a lot might not sound like a great idea. Here are some items you can get away with spending a little on and still look fly:

Polo shirts

Express sells a plain front polo without any of that lion crap stitched over the pocket. They are made of stretchy cotton that fits the body well. About $30 bucks. I usually pick up 3-6 of these in whatever colors they have each summer; 2 or 3 are black because I wear them most. They wear out in a year if you wash them a lot but worth the price.

Style note: Polo's should fit you. Sleeves should end mid-bicep not at the elbow and the length should be just below your belt. Finding a cut that isn't too boxy is a challenge for broad shouldered dudes like me so when I find one I stick with it. They stretch out, fade the color in the wash and eventually look like crap. Know when it's time to retire the shirt. Chances are if you've had it more then a year and a half, it's done.

Oh and put down your fucking collar!

Khakis

Personally I don't really wear them. I have a pair because it seems to be a prerequisite here in Dallas and I like to fit in, sometimes. When I moved to Manhattan after college I made it a point to get rid of all my Khaki pants and never wear them again. That said, this is one of those items that doesn't need to be Armani (though mine are, whatever). You can find a decent pair at Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers or even Gap for a decent price.



Style note: Get them tailored to fit you perfectly, keep them pressed and they will look like you dropped some coin. People will let the press on Khakis slide because they are usually viewed as causal pants. Don't let that happen. It looks sloppy and brings the class down.

No pleats, no cargo pockets, please!


Additional advise on saving money on your wardrobe and still look great:

Buy that special, unique item at a thrift store. This is not for everyone but those of you who have the patience for doing a little digging can find some gems at second hand shops. This piece of advice came from designers, Barker Black (a kick ass label). One of the lead designers favorite piece of clothing is a thrift store bought, vintage Brooks Brothers suit. He bought it a size or two too big, brought it to his good tailor and had it fit around him. He got old world quality and perfect fit at a fraction of the price.

This advice can be put to sale items. Say there is a great piece on sale but it's a size or two too big. If you have that trusted tailor you can make that piece work. Remember, you can always make something smaller and fit better if you have something to work with.

Ultimately, whatever you chose to buy look for quality, cut and how it fits on you. Don't make excuses because it was "cheap".

You get what you pay for - Spend some money

It’s a simple concept to grasp and for better or worse, it’s true. If you want to look good you have to spend some money. The key is spending the money on the right things and in the right places. The bright side is not everything is expensive and it’s possible to look great without dropping a lot of loot. Here’s what you need to know part 1:

My personal rule of thumb: Spend the money now, take care of the piece and you wont have to replace it in a year. A $400 pair of shoes that lasts you 3-5 years is better then spending $150 every year. This holds true for a number of things. The key is doing your research and getting something that’s very well made with a heritage of creating great fitting items.

Items you should pay a lot for, no leniency:

Shoes

They are expensive, period. Cheap dress shoes look cheap, wear out fast and leave you with something embarrassing. A solid pair of black cap toe shoes (which every man should wear often) is going to cost you $200 - $500. That’s the way it is. Get over it. And no, Kenneth Cole is not a respected brand anymore. In ’00 they were the bee’s knees but they are all but done right now.

*Cole Haan
Good shoe brands: Cole Haan, Prada, Hugo Boss, Brooks Brothers

Style note: Stop wearing square toe shoes! They are clunky, far from sleek and you look like a jackass.




Jeans

I have a whole post dedicated to jeans on the way so we won’t get into too much right now. For me, there is no substitute to a really well made pair of jeans. It’s truly one thing I can’t live without and won’t bat an eye spending $300 to have. Hit up Barney’s or Neiman Marcus for the best selection. I’m sure your city has a local shop that sells the best in denim, like New York’s Atrium or Jean Connection in Dallas. Go in, grab about 10 pairs and try them on all on. If they cost less the $150 question why.

Remember, you will have to get them hemmed or tailored so they don’t have to fit perfect in the store.

There shouldn’t be any cuts, holes, bedazzlements or writing. Your jeans can have holes but only if you wore them in yourselves. It’s a lot cooler if you've made holes out of use and you didn’t buy it that way.

Most everyone needs a light and dark wash in their collection.


Good denim brands: Nudie, Earnest Sewn, Diesel, Levis (the only brand that’s cheap you are allowed to wear)

Wack brands: Mavi, Ed Hardy, American Eagle/Gap/Banana Republic/Abercrombie, Seven’s (yes Seven’s. They don’t last long and are sold at Target. Time to grow up)

Next up...items that don't break the bank.

Happy 4th of July

It’s that special time of year where we get the day off of work. We light the fireworks, sit by the pool and grill up the meat. It’s also the one day of the year you’re allowed to dress like a Tommy Hilfiger ad and get away with it. So bust out those Madras shorts and v-neck sweaters, pop that collar and embrace your inner-douche. You deserve it.

Everyday Standards – Below the Waist Accessories

Everyday Standards – Below the Waist Accessories

Here’s my quick cheat sheet of things you need to know when it comes to proper daily fashion. What to wear when and why it’s important to follow those rules. And, unless you’re David Beckman, which you aint, you should follow the rules.

Shoes and Belts:

Match your belt with your shoes. Black shoes, black belt. Brown shoes, brown belt. There is no exception and no leniency in mixing the two. I will hit you in the face if I see brown shoes with a black belt.

Wearing Navy – Wear brown shoes and belt. Never black with Navy.

Wearing Black – Wear black.

Wearing Khaki – You should wear brown but if you must, you can rock black as long as your top half has darker colors. If you wear black shoes try for a darker Khaki. Match your belt regardless.

Sneakers:

In this day in time it’s OK to wear sneakers in and out of the office. The key is to select kicks that show your personality and work well with your outfit. They can dress down a serious outfit or make a simple ensemble pop.

You can pull off a cool pair of sneakers with anything as long as the overall color matches the rest of the outfit.

Keep them clean! That pair of New Balance you’ve had to 4 years doesn’t look good. Stop wearing them. Buy some sneaker care products like leather spray. Treat your shoes before you wear them and clean them every few walks around the block.

Spend some time selecting shoes. Look online, hit up some sneaker stores. Don’t be afraid of the classic Adidas or Puma. They still look dope and people might think you’re cooler then you are.

Socks:

MATCH YOUR SOCKS!

Wear black with black and navy with navy. You can throw in some crazy patterns from time to time, that’s totally cool. But again, make sure that the primary colors of the sock match the outfit.

It’s never, ever, ever OK to wear white athletic socks under pants or shorts for that matter. In fact, you you shouldn't own socks that go above the ankle bone. I’m going to say it now, if you wear white tube socks to work, you’re an idiot and I have little respect for you.

In a business setting, you should never see any skin when you cross your legs. If you do, get taller socks or longer pants.

The exception to the skin rule is if you are wearing shoes with no socks. This is reserved for summer months only, which generally carries a more casual atmosphere.

Socks with sandals? Please leave this blog because you suck and you're wasting my bandwidth.

Sandals:

Flip flops are the only OK thing to wear in the summer months only. They should be skinny and simple in color. Reefs, Rainbows or Havaianas

You can't wear mandals. Never. They are done. They're not even "gay" as an insult. Think of mandals like Zima. They were cool for a summer in high school before you knew better. Now it's a joke to everyone and you should know better.

Get yo shit tailored

Today’s lesson might be as important as the first. Unless you are having clothes created specifically for you, they won’t be made for you. That sounds simple and kind of stupid but it’s very much the case.

There is nothing better than getting a skilled tailor to take a swing at your clothes to make sure what you roll out in actually fits.

When you purchase a shirt, a pair of pants, a suit or whatever, it was designed around a set of parameters and rules that are not specific to you. The garment might fit perfectly in places but chances are it’s off on quite a few others.

A few rules of tailoring:

The crazy Asian tailor you undoubtedly have on your street is perfect for quick jobs like hemming a pair of jeans or taking in the waist. They are fast, cheap and reliable however you might what to look to someone else for your big jobs such as fitting a shirt, a sport coat or suit.

You will pay more for the expertise and more then likely wait longer but it will be completely worth it. Most cities have a “best of” section each year. Find the listing for best tailor and go see that guy. If it looks like a chop shop it might be, move on. If it’s a chain, move on. If it’s a really old guy that seems pissed off and doesn’t speak very good English, well that’s your guy. He’s been doing that job his whole life and he’s really good at it.

While shopping keep in mind, a tailor can’t add fabric to the garment. If the shirt fits in the shoulders and chest but the sleeves are a little too short, move up a size. The sleeves being long enough is a key part because you can and should have the shirt taken in at the shoulders and the back.

Most men buy a shirt to fit a certain way and ignore the places where it doesn’t. This generally looks sloppy and will bring down the overall look.

You might ask “I just spent $80 on this shirt why do you have to spend even more to get it right? It’s just the way it is! Until you are ready for the next step, which is custom clothes, then sack up and spend the money. It will last you longer, look better and pay for it’s self in time. A shirt that’s too big only gets bigger and things that are too small, well, no one likes to see that.

Here’s a link to a great step-by-step breakdown, with pictures! It’s a solid walk through of how a shirt should fit.

Fit that shirt

Get your ass in shape

One of my favorite tag lines for a brand was "Look better naked". David Barton Gyms in NYC, a brand I’ve been lucky enough to work with touted this line all over the city for its advertising campaign. Scantly clad fitness models in sweaty positions with that tag line at the bottom of the image made me and many other New Yorkers want to go to the gym.

The line could have just as easily said “Look better in your clothes” and been just as compelling.

That's our first lesson and the first step in a long process of looking like you have style: Get your ass in shape!

It’s a simple fact that can’t be denied. If you are not fat you will look better in clothes. I'm not saying you need to be cut like David Beckham you just don't need the extra 10 or 20lbs sitting around you waist.

My father had good advice for me long ago. Now, by no means is my father a fashion plate and some times I question his sartorial decisions but he always hounded me to stay trim. “Your clothes will fit better and people will respect you more because you look like you have your shit together”.

He’s completely right.

Unless you have a lot of money to get all your clothes custom made for your fat ass, which I’m assuming you don’t then hit the gym.

The clothes you strive to wear are not meant for someone that has a 40 inch waste or requires a XXL shirt. Shit, XL is pushing it most of the time. Take a good look at models. Those dudes are really skinny and though I don’t really want to be built like one of those guys, they are the ones that look best in the clothes. Diesel doesn’t think about the guy that’s 5’10” and weighs 220lbs when they design a line.

Three simple chubby rules to live by:

Pants shouldn't pull at the pockets - If they do they're too small or not the right cut for you, move on to the next pair.
Shirts shouldn't pull at the buttons - Any of the buttons! If they pull at the top, the shirt's too small. Pull at the middle, it's too small. Loose weight or find a shirt that fits.
You should be able to see your belt - If a shirt blouses out over the belt or your gut pushes the shirt over the belt, they are both too big.

If all else fails please see the next lesson. "Get yo shit tailored"

Welcome

I've been asked by a bunch of my friends on numerous occasions about fashion. What's cool, what's not? How can certain things be worn and "do I look wack?" I figure, why not just write about my opinions and put my thoughts out there.

I'm a huge fan of fashion and where I don't consider myself a fashionista or anything, I do know more about it then most people. And I know more because I simply pay attention to what looks good and what doesn't. I read a number of Blogs that talk about style and have an admitted man crush on Tom Ford.

I’m an account manager at an interactive ad agency in Dallas, Texas where I also grew up. So far I’ve spent the majority of professional career in New York City and only recently relocated back to Big D. NYC really opened my eyes to fashion/style and how things truly can become a reality if you just stick to your guns and follow your own path. We’ll get more into that in future posts.

I’m a normal dude. I’m under 30 and don’t make a million dollars a year. I was a college athlete so I’m built pretty well. And by “built pretty well” I mean I can’t fit (sadly) into many European designers like Paul Smith and Etro. My shoulders are too big and my chest sticks out too far, just like many of my friends and clearly a lot of other Americans.

I drink beer, love watching sports and eating chicken wings... I've been chauffeured in the back of a Maybach by the Ritz Carlton's personal driver in NYC. I've eaten at the nicest and best restaurants all over this country and yes, I've had the $55 truffle Mac n' Cheese at the Waverly Inn. I’m not “fancy” but I appreciate the finer things. I hope my posts bring insight and ideas to the everyman that shares my station in life. That’s all I can say. I’m not a professional style guru, I didn’t go to school for this. It’s just my opinion and love of style that people seem to appreciate and I hope you appreciate it as well. Maybe you’ll even learn something.