Men's Fashion Magazine

The road to fabulousity can be a long and arduous – but ultimately satisfying – journey. It might, however, involve some shopping. A lot of straight men just don’t like to shop.

Why not? In our culture, it’s women, not men, who are taught to do the shopping. They go grocery shopping, they go clothes shopping, and they learn how to navigate the retail landscape of this great land of ours. So they are just more comfortable with it and efficient at it. If you had no idea how to operate a car and were asked to get on I-95, you would be petrified, too.

Shopping is uncharted territory for a lot of men, a place where they feel uneducated. And we all know men don’t like being out of control. It’s Straight out of Men Are From Mars, Women Are from Venus. Men like things to be organized and in order. And nowadays shopping is not organized and well ordered. Department stores are crazy and very chaotic, and men don’t like it. They don’t have the vocabulary and the training to articulate what they are looking forward find it efficiently. Internet is huge with a variety of online shopping deals, seasonal sales and bargains. Who wouldn’t get lost?

The ironic thing is that so many men hate shopping, but they can sit in trees all day waiting for deer to scamper across their path and shoot it. Shopping is like hunting or sports: you’ve got a goal. You’ve got a barrier. (Bad credit!) You’ve got people on your team. You’ve got opponents. You’ve got coaches.

If you know how to navigate the system, shopping is much easier and quicker and you get better results. It doesn’t have to be painful. It can be fun, enjoyable and productive, it can save you money and it can make you look better. Best of all, you can have lunch while you are at it.

To be a better shopper, empower yourself with with very simple shopping tips, and shop with confidence.

As I look across the status updates on my facebook feed I see more and more of my friends getting engaged. In the pictures the one thing I notice is the engagement ring more than their facial expressions. My most recent friend to get engaged was Brett, who took his fiancé to a small drive in movie theatre in North Carolina (didn’t know they still existed) and proposed in the floorboard of his car as they played the announcement over the loudspeaker.

All that, combined with some hints from the girl I’ve been seeing for the last 2 years, made me really think about …diamonds. And diamond engagement rings.

I searched and looked at all kids of them: contemporary engagement rings, traditional engagement rings, vintage and antique diamond rings, one and three stone engagement rings. You name it, I have seen it – and came to realize it’s really not THAT complicated. Here’s the report on my latest findings:

What makes a good diamond?

Whether considering a diamond engagement ring, or its vintage counterpart, here’s a thing to remember: a diamond is composed of various Cs: carat, color and clarity. It’s good to complete this list with a Certificate that some diamonds came with.

v  Carat- weight of the diamond

v  Color- Diamond color is graded from D-Z. D stands for colorless and it goes all the way to light yellow (z).

v  Clarity-usually the number of naturally occurring flaws in a stone

• Shallow-light escapes through the bottom
• Deep-light escapes through the sides
• Perfectly Cut-more light

5 factors that determine diamond clarity:

1)      Flawless and Internally Flawless- under 10x magnification no inclusions are seen

2)      Very Very Slightly Included- slightly harder time finding out 10x magnification

3)      Very Slightly Included- inclusions are more visible but a smaller number

4)      Slightly Included- easier to see without magnification

5)      Imperfect- stones are visible to the eye

Certificate

Most diamonds come with a diamond certificate. This report documents the 4cs of a diamond. Ask for this certificate when buying an engagement ring.

Other Tips

DO ask parents permission before marry their daughter. Every though this may seem outdated, it does establish respect between you and her parents.

DO know if she wants to help you buy the ring. Some women would rather pick out their ring; some would just rather be surprised.

DON’T hide the ring in food. This has been done and could result in very bad things- an emergency room visit or a trip to the dentist.

DON’T ask her hand in marriage at a sporting event. These are often too loud and chaotic; this special time should be in a quiet, peaceful setting.

It’s the little things in life that make a difference – the cherry on top of the sundae, the intricately carved picture frame around an original masterpiece, and even the $20 that you found in last winter’s coat pocket. By the same token, the little choices you make with regards to fashion and style make subtle, but potentially powerful statements about you as a person. As a man, it’s important to present yourself as a competent, distinguished gentleman. Whether you realize it or not, others are constantly looking for those characteristics when considering you for the big promotion, a lease opening in that exclusive apartment building, and of course, a potential mate. Though men’s fashion isn’t exactly “trendy”, there are a few classic ideas for men’s fashion that will set you apart from the rest of the briefcase brigade.

The Tie -

The classic phallic structure in men’s fashion, it’s important to pick a strong tie. This can be tricky, since there aren’t too many guidelines for choosing a good tie, but bad ties stick out like a sore thumb. Bow ties can be tastefully done without looking goofy, and the thinner guys can pull off the ultra-thin styles. Pick a color that doesn’t clash with your shirt or suit, and let your tie be an expression of your casual self.

The Waistcoat -

It’s a little touch that says a lot. Also called a vest, it’s just an extra layer that gives some style to a plain outfit. It not only adds flair to a suit, but it allows you to take off your jacket for a more personal experience, while still maintaining professionalism.

Knit Layers -

It’s been a trend since the mid-twentieth century, when the posh beaus started to drape their sweater’s arms over their shoulders, like a scarf. In the twenty-first century, knit layers are no longer just for men with a trust fund. Wearing a cardigan, chunky scarf or knitted hoodie in place of a waistcoat under your jacket gives added style, telling the world that you’re comfortable and approachable.

If you’re having trouble putting men’s accessories together, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Men’s fashion boutiques exist for the sole purpose of advising otherwise clueless guys on how to maximize the impact of their outward appearance and latest fashion trends.

Keep an open mind when talking to a fashion consultant – New is not bad. Just imagine how it felt to be the first farmer to wear a pair of denim jeans.