KICKS TO THE CURB - ADULT SNEAKERS ARE NOW!

As we all know the sneaker trend is in  full swing and has been for years.    The hottest (adult) sneakers out are the following for the summer: 

• Adidas Rod Laver
  
• Adidas Stan Smith
  
• Off-White Converse all-stars
  
• Nike Air Max Classic 95’s
  
• New Balance Grey 574 

You can’t beat the clean look of these sneakers and they go with everything in your closet.  Cargo shorts, Dark and light blue jeans, khaki’s and slacks!  Be it a sunny day in Soho or a mystic night in Aruba. These are comfortable, affordable and fashionably timeless. They wash well and pack comfortably for road trips or vacations.  These sneakers can be worn with the following tops at any occasion: Linen shirt, White V-neck t-shirt, Button up oxford shirt, polo shirt,  blazer, cardigan and the list goes on on how man variations can be matched with a pair of Stan Smith’s or a pair of New Balance in grey. 

I am a big fan of  Nike Dunks, shell top Adidas, Pumas, Y-3  and Air Jordan's but please understand they don’t go with everything. In this financially unstable world that we live in; it is not practical for everyone to pay $150-$200 for a pair of sneakers. If you are able to spend a few extra bucks on a pair of sneakers I say go for the AIR MAX 95's.  Nike has installed new colors coming out for Summer 2009 and they are the retro addition so it will give your wardrobe an eclectic feel. So why not stay fresh with a classic style on your feet? I think this is a really simple. You can’t lose!!!

You can find a lot of these sneakers between $40 - $80 at your local Foot Locker or online and different site such as http://www.newbalance.com/  http://www.onlineshoes.com/

"Style begins with you....be unique and creative.  Let them ask.."What is that and where did you get it?" 

DO YOU HAVE "THE TIME?"...YOU SHOULD!

There is a time and place and time waits for no one! Being a large fan of timepieces I have to speak about this particular watch .  This is a classic watch and pristine in stature.   The excellence has to be at least within the top 5 of watch makers in the United States.  

The fantastic piece that I speak so highly of is the  Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph.  This watch is tagged between $45K - $32K depending if you can find a discount.  I pulled this particular watch because of its stature, make and classic style. 

Yes , I will admit I can not afford this watch and you may ask, “Why is he discussing an item that he does not poses?” Well I am using it as staple for other time pieces that I may see as a hot item and gauge if it is worth the purchase.   

A watch is like a pair of shoes, it speaks volumes.  We all are in a financial bind especially how the market is today.  Please note that Casio metal watches are note time pieces.  One can purchase a Kenneth Cole or an Invicta watch that will hold well with a business suit or a weekend vacation.  You don’t have to go over a thousand dollar mark in order to purchase a watch.  THERE ARE ALWAYS CERTAIN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PUTTING TOGETHER ACCESSORIES.  

1. Make sure that the watch fits your wrist correctly!

 That’s it. Real simple.  A watch with a  leather band or a metal band should never “droop” of the  wrist. The watch should never squeeze into the wrist either. Metal bands can be adjusted and leather bands can be sized. 

Never wear a watch that has a rubber wristband with a suit! There are designer watches that have this particular style which is cool but not with a suit.  I would suggest these times pieces be worn with more casual attire. It can be worn with a Merino sweater, shoes and jeans but no suits.   

So we have reached the end or better yet time has run out! Make sure your watch fits and is set correctly and you can’t miss.  For designer watches you can go to  http://www.thefinestwatches.com/index.cfm and for much more affordable time pieces you can check out www.amazon.com or  www.overstock.com

"Style begins with you....be unique and creative.  Let them ask.."What is that and where did you get it?" 

"Whew or Aghh!" WHICH ONE DO YOU SMELL LIKE?

 There is nothing better than a fresh scent! When you walk into a bakery, there is that marvelous smell of fresh bread coming out of the oven.  The experience of smelling fresh flowers on a spring afternoon or fresh cut fruit at a fruit stand. Aghhhh….it refreshing and that’s how your cologne should smell.   When someone smells you in passing or even close-up it should trigger a wonderful memory or create a new one.  

 A fragrance can take you out of the “equation” very quickly.   Fragrances work depending on your pH (a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solutin). This means that after you take a shower..cologne should be applied to your skin, sparingly! I suggest using a spray only on your skin.  Please DO NOT spray cologne or use cologne on your clothes.  It works effectively from it being on your skin. If you are allergic to cologne there are substitutes such as scented body oils.  Women have told me that “There is nothing worse than a man with a half-a-bottle of cologne on!”

 So that brings me to the strength of the cologne: medium to light colognes. Colognes should be worn according to the season.  We are in the middle of winter so a slightly heavy to medium cologne can be used. It is always good to have more than one cologne in your collection.  Also, make sure not to have them sitting around for over a year.   Cologne, unlike wine, doesn’t get better with time.  

Here are some of my favorites for this time of year: 

1. Prada - Woody
2. John Varvatos Vintage – Woody Scent
3. Gucci by Gucci Pour Homme – Woody Scent
4. Sean John – Fresh Scent but lasts long
5. Polo Black – Woody Scent

 These go well while you are out with friends, on a date or even work.  Please remember lite sprays on the neck and chest areas.  These are the appropriate areas to use cologne.  

Some colognes are pricey and some are affordable.  Look for sales on line and in your circular. You can find these colognes at http://www.sephora.com/ and http://www.scentiments.com/  Try different scents and test them out. You may really makes someone's day or evening!!

"Style begins with you....be unique and creative.  Let them ask.."What is that and where did you get it?" 

UPDATE YOUR SHOES...DON'T BE A SQUARE!!!

I just finished looking on-line for some new black shoes. Found a few pairs that I really like.  OK …that I really love. Maybe love is too strong but they are hottt! What I am trying to express is the rush that one gets when they hit the lotto, get a raise or when a woman says “Yes!” after being proposed to.   

When you wear a suit, slacks with a dress shirt and a cardigan or blazer, the shoes should always compliment the occasion.  A clean pair of Black or Brown upper wing tips set the tone, no matter if they are loafers or lace-ups.   

Suede shoes should be worn in a dry spring – fall environment. Hard bottom or a thin rubber sole is allowed.   I see too many gentlemen make the mistake of  wearing a suit or dressed down and they have on  “SQUARE TOE” shoes.   If you are a night watchmen or a security guard (no offense to either….I am glad you are there to protect us) you should not be wearing them.   

Grown men should not have on square toe shoes... period!  This era has passed. If you have wide feet you can get your shoes stretched.   WHITE SOCKS are not allowed with shoes….period!

Take care of your shoes.   You can purchase the following in order to keep your shoe s pristine:

1.     A fine white cloth (old tank top or t-shirt is fine)

2.     Shoe brush  - 100% horse hair.  Dark and Light Brush

3.     Kiwi Shoe Polish -  neutral, black & Brown

4.     SUEDE CLEANER /SUEDE WATER REPELLENT

These items collectively cost :  $30 on average

 A fantastic shoe for Spring right now is the "Sanford Venetian Loafer."   These wing tips in a loafer or an oxford are classic shoes that goes well with a suit, trousers and also jeans.  Great for work or a night out in the city.  Sharp, defining and sexy. The price isn't that bad for a well dressed shoe either!!! You can find these shoes at Banana Republic  http://bananarepublic.gap.com/. 

Cole-Haan, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Allen edmonds are just a few that carry Wing tips in different styles and colors but a basic black and/or brown always works. These are not your fathers wing-tips!  

"Style begins with you....be unique and creative.  Let them ask.."What is that and where did you get it?" 

MAKE SURE THE DENIM FITS ...COMFORTABLY!!!

We have all seen the styles of jeans change quickly in a matter of time.  

We went from jeans sagging,  sagging and baggy to where we have a different array if "fits." The "baggy thing" was great while it lasted but its time to move on. We have relaxed , bootcut , straight, fitted and now skinny fit.   Skinny Fit has always been a cut of Denim that has existed for years mainly in Europe.   It has hit the fashion industry and music industry full blast. With these two arenas setting the trend,  this has caused a "wave" of followers who thinks it's cool for skinny jeans to be worn.   By the way this commentary is directed to men between the ages 23- 40.   Lets begin with some DO-NOTS!!!

DO NOT:

1. Do not wear skinny jeans to work.

2. Do not wear skinny jeans on a date.

3.  Do not wear skinny jeans to a party or a club.  

and finally.....

4.  Do not wear skinny jeans if you are 30 yrs of age and up.  

Fellas jeans are suppose to be worn according to the occasion.   A well fitted pair of jeans such as Seven for all man kind, Hugo Boss or Banana Republic, should fit comfortably on the waist and go well with loafers, oxfords and dress shoes.   You should be able to tuck in your shirt with out unsightly bulge. A Sports Jacket, fitted Cardigan , sweater, or vest should be pa-portioned to the Jeans that you wear. 

Jeans and sneakers :  Depending on if its a running shoe, hightop, vans, etc will determine the the jeans that you purchase.  The drop (Bottom) of the jeans should have at least 5-6 inches of space  in order to place over the sneaker.   If you are a sneaker collector like myself then you want to reveal the tongue.   This is just my personal style.   style your foot wear as you see fit to create the look that you want. 

BOOTS:   Boot cut jeans are exactly what it says,,,,"Cut for Boots."  These jeans should not be worn with Loafers , Wing-tips , Adidas "Stan Smith", Nike"Jordans" or "Air Max", etc.   This is not the look you should be going for.  

So we have discussed the fit.   Now lets talk about the actual style and scheme of the jeans. 

Enough of the promotion back pockets. PLEASSSSEEEE!   LEVI's are the best thing that are Classic and we know who they are .   There are top designers, expensive and affordable, that make great jeans.   At this stage in the game you should not have "lines and colors", some sort of animal in front of the crotch or studs and holes with paint blotches all over the jeans.  You can get a pair of Dark Denim "NON ADVERTISING" jeans at the Gap, Banana republic or Uniqlo.   The more high end  side of denim is Gucci, YSL and Armani (with limited styling on the back pocket).   The later of the brands are pretty expensive but if you want a total look with sharp lines I suggest KASIL JEANS.   You can get them between $110- $180 depending on the style.  

Please no red monkeys and Evisu  jeans ......aghhh please stop!   

"Style begins with you....be unique and creative.  Let them ask.."What is that and where did you get it?"