6 Shoes That Will Last You a Lifetime (by GQ)

6 Shoes That Will Last You a Lifetime

This t-shirt by Hermes, made from crocodile skin, is probably the most expensive t-shirt selling at US$91,500!

The Second Season of Suits just resumed! A friend of mine passed on this meme and thought that it was a good follow up to my W.A.R. List. Hands down, Harvey Specter in Tom Ford scores a big win for me. Bespoke at its best!

2013 W.A.R. List (Part 2 -- Acquire)

If 2012 was the year of excessive behavior and extremes, 2013 is looking like the year of the return of elegance.  I guess it’s not really surprising because with the Philippines’ economic resurgence comes a little extra money to spend on life’s finer things.  So here goes the must-Acquires for 2013:

1. Culture comeback – 2013 will see the return of the appreciation for the Arts, even on mainstream media; starting off with the screen adaptation of Les Miserables. Modern classical singers, the likes of Andrea Bocceli and Josh Groban, are due to make their comebacks. As elegance makes it return, so too will events that will allow us to dress up a little – plays, art exhibits, orchestra concerts and possibly even operas. The Ayala Museum has a great line-up of activities for the year. Check them out!

2. Pocket Squares – Male elegance translates to being dapper. And, nothing says dapper more than a well-tailored suit accentuated by a pocket square. Sadly, a proper pocket square is hard to find in Manila. But, really, a pocket square is just a slightly bigger and fancier (in terms of fabric) handkerchief. So a good, well-ironed hanky, folded properly can do the trick. Make sure you tell your tailor that you intend on using pocket squares so he can construct your suit jacket’s breast pocket appropriately.

Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter of "Suits"

3. Peak lapel – The notch lapel will still be the classic, fail-safe default for most suits. However, I think we will see the return of the more elegant peak lapel on suits for 2013. Suits with peak lapels are best paired with medium-width ties, which will also be making a comeback this year.

4. Stripes and Solids – Checks ruled 2012.  This year we will see more stripes and solids on dress shirts. Color-wise, 2013 moves from bright and strong hues to pastel and cool tones. On fabric, linen and other light fabrics will also make a big return.

5. French cuffs – Here’s another dapper staple. French cuffs no longer connote stiff and formal; and certainly does not mean you have to wear a tie. A well-tailored shirt with French cuffs says cultured, sophisticated and confident. The bonus is you get to wear cufflinks!

6. Color on shoes – A great way to make a subtle statement is to put a splash of color on your otherwise plain brown or black footwear.  Sebago’s line of colored boat shoes brings the iconic boat shoe to whole new level -- you can't just have one pair!  They can even personalize your laces for you.  I'm also a fan of Cole Haan’s LunarGrand line, which quickly went out of stock the minute it landed in Manila.  This must-have allows you to easily go from office to party without changing your footwear.

7. Lace ups --- Loafers ruled in 2012. This year, lace ups take center stage. Does this mean we can’t go sockless anymore? Not really. In fact, wearing lace-ups with no socks together with slim (not skinny) jeans or slacks with a 1-inch break gives the right stylish finish to your casual look.

8. Gold old fashioned books – Yes, the iPad and the Kindle make e-books more accessible and handy, but it really does not compare to a real book. When you use your tablet in public people will always think you’re just bored and playing games; even if you’re not. If anything, when you read a real book in public it always makes you look a little brighter than you really are. Just don’t be a poser and really read.

9. “Suits” the series -- This new legal drama series, with the remaining 6 episodes of season 2 resuming this January 2013, is not only addictingly entertaining it’s also a good reference for bespoke dressing. This is “The Practice” meets “Mad Men” meets “House”.
10.  Productive Optimism – This is an attitude we should all acquire for 2013, especially now that our   economy seems to be on an upswing.  Let’s cut the ball and chains of the past and focus our energies on moving forward and making it truly more fun in the Philippines!

2013 W.A.R. List (Part 1)

The year 2012, for me, was all about extremes and excesses.   It was the year of going overboard on a lot of things.   This year, I want to start my annual W.A.R. list differently with the Retire portion to help refresh our memories on 2012’s exaggerated retirables. 

1.     Gangnam Style – This doesn’t really need much explaining.  With over 1 billion views on YouTube, this was 2012’s top record-holder for excessive behavior; not only for number of YouTube views but quite possibly for number of times played in Christmas parties.  You know it’s bad when the kumbacheros who sing in Filipino restaurants already have this in their repertoire, together with the standards, “Besa Me Mucho” and “Unchained Melody”.

2.     Blaming the past Administration – Another thing we kept on hearing over and over and over again was how the present government couldn’t seem to move on with the task at hand without having to first lay the blame on the previous Administration.  I mean, I think we all get how bad and corrupt the old regime was already.  Can we now please just please focus on making hay while the sun shines in the Philippines?  “Tama na, sobra na, palitan na” ang theme ng mga speeches.

3.     Ultra-slim ties (below 2.5 inches) – There is a difference between a tie and a rope.  Once you can’t tell anymore, then that just means you’ve paid too much for leftover fabric.  For me, a tie should not be narrower than 2.5 inches on its widest part.  The ideal is 3 inches wide on the widest part.  2013, though, will see the return of the slightly wider 4-inch ties, thanks to “Suits” (more about this new TV show in the Acquire section).

     4.     Overly distressed (i.e. ripped) jeans – Distressed jeans are not the same as ripped.  Distressed, when done right, look downright cool.  But, there is simply no justification for buying brand new ones already ripped to the point of having massive holes and shredded portions. 

     5.     Prints & patterns – We saw some loud   prints and patterns on men’s shirts last 2012 and all I can say is that they were best kept on the runway.  No one can pull off a hound’s tooth printed dress shirt… no one! 

 

       6.     Oversized watches – Apart from the real risk of getting Carpal 
            Tunnel Syndrome, wearing these clocks (yes, not watches) on your wrist makes you look like
            a tailor or a seamstress who wear pin cushions on their wrists.  Not even James Bond, with all
            his gadgets, wore a watch that looked more like a sundial with a strap.

7.     Gold – Gold did make a brief comeback last 2012.  But, the reality is that this color has very select applications for men; mainly only for watches.  If you bought (and wore) gold jewelry last year, pawn them and use the money to buy an iPad Mini or the iPhone 5.  They’re more practical.

8.     Oversharing – Twitter and Facebook were very active in 2012; especially as the world braced itself for the December Apocalypse.  For many, this meant using social networking to let everyone in on how they felt and what they did minute-by-minute.  Now that we all know that Mother Earth is going to be around for much longer, can we please chill and think before we post?

9.     Ryan Seacrest – That irritating grin, the wannabe-witty-but-often-not remarks, for being a poor Dick Clark substitute and (worst of all) for producing the “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” reality show… 2013 television we could be better if we saw a little less of Ryan Seacrest both in front of and behind the camera.

10. The word “metrosexual” – Ryan Seacreast.  Enough said.

 Part 2, the Acquire portion, will follow soon. 

 

New Sebago Boat Shoes

Sebago recently came out with their new boat shoe collection, breathing a new level of coolness to the ubiquitous boat shoe. I got my pair (exactly the one pictured above) on Day 1 of their launch and I can't wear them enough. They're so versatile and adds just the right splash of color to liven up your outfit.

Just a small tip, if you're wearing these character shoes, fight the urge to be matchy-matchy with your belt. Pair them with a plain canvas belt (black, white or blue) for a streamlined look.

The 2012 W.A.R. List

Okay, so my W.A.R. list this year is very late. Sorry folks, things have just been busy. But, enough excuses. Let's get on with this... here it is, my 2012 W.A.R. List:

ACQUIRE

1. Pocket Squares - This little detail providesjust the right amount of highlight on your bespoke suit. Just remember not to be too matchy matchy with your tie and your pocket square so it doesnt' look like you're part of a wedding entourage; unless you really are.

2. Gray Suit - Gray is just as flexible as navy or black for suits; but not as commonly used. So, if you want to subtly standout in a see of black suits, try charcoal gray for a formal evening event or ash gray for a daytime or business affair.

3. Loafers - When boat shoes made their return last year could loafers be far behind? Best
worn without socks, loafers are back in a big way, pairing perfecty with the next must aquire...

4. Slim pants with the right length - Slim pants should not be worn too long. The right break for your slim pants is a maximum of 1 inch for those who must have them break over their shoes. However, for a more contemporary look, having the hem of your pants cut at ankle-length completes the slim silhouette.

5. Glasses/frames - This year, nerds and geeks rule -- just the look, at least. Trade your contacts for dark rimmed glasses to dress AND look smart.

6. Organic vegetables - I have personally experienced the difference when you eat (or juice) organic vegetables. My skin got a different, more youthful glow, I'm less sickly, and I just feel overall great! Make sure, though, that you really buy from a reputable organic source. Some claim to be "organic" but are actually not, in the strictest sense; they still use some form of "natural" pesticide. So make sure you know your farmer. I get mine from Mara's at the Legaspi weekend market.

7. Stevia sweeteners - In the spirit of going more natural, I discovered a good alternative to artificial sweeteners and other man-made sugar substitutes. Try this sugar substitute made from the stevia leaves extract. It's sweeter than sugar and has zero calories! And, as a bonus, it's 100% natural because it comes from the stevia plant, of the sunflower family. You can get some from your drugstore or some major supermarkets and is packed conveniently in single-dose sachets.

8. Slim shorts - Shorts can look and be tailored too. Time to ditch those baggy, calf-length shorts and get yourself some slim shorts that's cut just above the knee. Pair them with loafers or Sebago boat shoes, a slim sport shirt and you're rewady to go. Now, all you need is a yacht!

9. Erasable pens - This is another good and practical find... erasable pens by Pilot. And, since you can erase your mistakes, you also save on paper. Pretty cool! After Post-Its, I'd put this in my list of the best inventions ever!

10. Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machine - No, this is not a sponsored entry. I'm just really hapy I got one because I'm really tired of spending close to P100 everytime I want good cup of coffee. Of course, I'd make one myself, but who has the time for that? With my new Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machine I can make me my own gourmet cup of coffee for only P25 (which is how much each pod approximately costs) with a flip of a switch. Happiness!

RETIRE

1. Bow ties - If you're not a professional model, or at least look like one, spare us and save wearing a bow tie for when you need to be in a tux. Like the fedora, wearing a bow tie
on casual shirts is best left on the pages of a fashion magazine.

2. Diagonal striped shirts - No one comes out a winner with diagonal stripes. If you're thin, you will look thinner. If you're on the big side, it will expand your build even more. For stripes on polo shirts, stay vertical.

3. Thick wallets - They'll not only deform your pants, doctors agree that thick wallets are the silent contributors to back pains. If you haven't realized it yet, sitting with a thick wallet in your back pocket means your posture is uneven. And, since you're most likely sitting for long periods of the day, everyday, you can already guess the toll on your spine. So, do yourself a favor, use a money clip.

4. Colored contacts - God colored our eyes to best fit how we look. (Pure) Asians do not have blue eyes! Unless you're part of the Twilight cast, there is no substitute for clear contacts.
Oh and while we're at it, tinted perscription lenses ... not cool.

5. Logo belts - Nothing spells noveau riche better than those belts with logo buckles... You know, that famous H buckle or, the ever-popular gold L and V buckle with matching logolized straps! Leave the logolized leatherware with your wife or girlfriend. Real gentlemen wear only their own initials.

6. Socks - Now, don't start throwing away your socks just yet... What I just wanted to say here is that going sockless is back; yes, even for casual evening dinners. This only works if you're wearing
slim pants or shorts though.

7. The Kardashians - Someone pull the plug on their reality show already, please!

8. Pants that are too long - You know you're old when you wear your pants too long. That means they bunch up on top of your shoes, looking like you shrank or that you borrowed your pants from someone taller. Your pants should break no more than an inch from the top of your shoes. Jeans are the exception.

9. Wearing flip flops - Unless you're beach or resort bound (or live in Singapore), resist stepping out of the house in your flip flops. The everyday-is-summer look has passed and we're thankfully going back to sensible dressing. Opt for boat shoes, leather sandals, loafers or sneakers for casual occasions.

10. Trucker's cap - one (pseudo) word -- jejemon.

Have a great year ahead!

My 2011 W.A.R. List

It's 2011 -- a new year! It's time once again for my annual W.A.R. (What to Acquire and Retire) List to help start the year right. This year, on top of style-related items, I'm including some habits that need to be kicked as well. If you're still putting together your resolutions, the following may help. Here goes...

RETIRE:

1. Clothes you haven't worn in at least 6 months. If you haven't worn them for at least 6 months, chances are they're just occupying precious closet space. Except, of course, for seasonal clothing like jackets or cold weather/winter apparel.
2. Ultra skinny jeans. Yes, I've seen men in "jeggings"; not a good sight. I get that 80's fashion has managed to creep it's way back somehow, but there are very few, and I mean VERY few, who can get away with wearing what looks like denim long johns.
3. Frayed/overly distressed jeans. I don't know about you, but there's something fundamentally wrong with spending hard-earned money on damaged clothing.
4. Fedoras. This item makes a return on this year's W.A.R. List because there are still quite a few who don't get it. Unless you are going to a costume party, please do not think this makes you look cool. It doesn't. Reality check, people, if you are neither a professional model (or at least look like one) nor Johnny freakin Depp, a baseball cap will do just fine.
5. Tardiness. The concept of "Filipino-time" is so pre-internet. And, just because it has "Filipino" attached to it, does not mean it's something we just accept as part of our culture. If you want this year to be a successful year for you, then realize that time waits for no one.
6. Three-button suits. The three-button suit is a classic, so it will not really go out of style. It's just that the modern, slim silhouette just looks a lot better on a 2-button or a single-button jacket for some reason; on the average body, that is. Again, if you look and have the body of a model, you can pull anything off -- even a double-breasted jacket.
7. Wearing the yellow ribbon pin. We have a new President. We've made our point. Let's move on.
8. Oversharing on Facebook or Twitter. Who needs to know what you ate or how successful you are? This is the quickest way to be blocked or, worse, "un-friended".

ACQUIRE

1. Colored socks. For those who know me, I'm an advocate of men adding a bit more color into an otherwise blue, black or white clothing portfolio. Yes, it takes some skill to know how to pair color, especially with socks, but once you get the hang of it, colored socks are a good way to bring some attention to fine leather shoes. So yes, that means investing in your footwear first.
2. Corduroy pants. For most men, casual Fridays predictably means either jeans or the staple khaki chinos. Straight-cut, low rise corduroy pants add to your casual options. And, like jeans and khakis, they pair well with almost anything.
3. Boat shoes. Otherwise known as topsiders, this is one of the 80's fashion staples I'm glad made a comeback. They're so versatile. They can be worn with either shorts, jeans or chinos. With the successful resurrection of the Lacoste polo shirts and the return of loafers, this completes the return of the preppy. Oh, and as you get your boat shoes remember that, unlike loafers, there's no other way to wear boat shoes except with no socks. Check out Sebago, they customize your boat shoes.
4. Chocolate brown suit. For 2011, chocolate brown is the new black. Have a single-button chocolate brown suit made so you can wear the jacket as a separate; paired with jeans, corduroys or gray trousers.
5. Your own tailor. If you haven't discovered the joys of wearing made-to-measure clothes, you are so missing out. And, if you're still using your Dad's tailor, you will most likely look like, well, your Dad. So set an appointment with us and realize how good you can actually look if your clothes fit you right. Okay, so that's a shameless plug, but it's my blog and my list ;-)
6. A healthy appetite to try new things. New places to eat. New types of food. New places to see. A new barber. Wear new colors. Listen to different types of music. If you believe what the Mayans say about 2012, then 2011 makes for a good year to tick-off your bucket list.

Happy New Year everyone!

The Ties That Bind

Q: I'm 35 and have been wearing a tie to work since I started working over 10 years ago. So, as you can expect, most of my ties are not the slim narrow ones I often see in men's magazines nowadays. Should I stop wearing my wider ties and trade them all in for the slim narrow ones? I don't want to throw my existing ties away because, well, I have a lot of them and they're not cheap.

-- Lester, via e-mail

A: As long as your ties are no more than 3-3.5 inches wide on the widest portion just before the pointed tip, they're still okay. It's the ultra wide (> 3 inches wide) ties that should be laid to rest. Slim ties are actually not new. They've just made a comeback. Believe it or not, our Dads used to wear slim ties in the 70's, together with their body-hugging nylon shirts.

Since you use ties very often anyway, it'd be good to have maybe 3 or 4 slim ties (not narrower than 2 inches on it's widest part) just to keep up with the trend and maybe look a little younger. They may go out of style in a couple of years or so, but you can bet that, like a Patek (assuming you buy a good quality one), you can pass them down to the next generation.

Wear your wider ties when you're meeting with older, more conservative people and use slimmer ties for dressy events or when pairing with jeans or chinos.

Oh and as for the pattern on your tie, stay away from flowers, cartoon characters and (for now) paisley.

Gingham City

If you're not sure about what type of checked shirt will fit you, the failsafe choice is a gingham shirt -- small checked cotton blend shirts. This type of shirt works for any body-type.

Don't be afraid to try out other colors. Blue is a staple, but shades of lavander and indigo are the current must-haves.

The other thing that works for ginghams is that it works for both business or casual.

Pair it with gray trousers and a slim black tie and you're ready for your next meeting. Ditch the tie, buckle on your military belt and trade your leathers for sneakers to welcome the weekend.

Should you fold your sleeves? It doesn't matter, but the weather will usually dictate this one.

The Real World

Sarto,

First of all, your site is an invaluable resource for us men. I've learned things about dressing up that I've never quite understood before. I have a few questions since I'm about to enter the corporate world. My college days were spent mostly in shorts, jeans, sneakers, and t-shirts. I wasn't the typical stylish guy back then but I want to have an improved image now that I'm about to work. I find myself unsure of what to buy to at least have a closet with the "essentials". Can you recommend brands of long-sleeved shirts that you prefer? I'm looking specifically for those crisp, white dress shirts that I see on TV but I can't seem to find one. How about neckties? I'm seeing inexpensive brands in department stores but I was wondering if it would be better to invest on those nice silk ties. Finally, is it advisable for me to have my pants custom-made or just stick with off-the-rack items? I hope you can suggest brands that are within the range of a typical worker earning 20-25k. Thanks a lot.

Michael

-------

Dressing up is not primarily about brands. It's about quality and fit. Of course, the generally accepted belief is that branded clothes tend to do well on quality. But, good fit is not always a function of the price tag.

If you're lucky to have a medium build with mannequinesque proportions, then retail is still the best and probably the more affordable option. Your mentioned income will be able to afford you classic shirts from Marks & Spencer and Zara.

However, if you have a tricky body build (vertically or horizontally challenged), then visit a good tailor with approximately 2. 5 yards of pure Japanese or Swiss cotton fabric. Be ready to spend somewhere from P 1,800 to P 2,500 for well-tailored shirts. But, I assure you, once you get the right tailor, you will be spoiled with the right-fitting shirts.

There are a lot of option for affordable ties -- those from Tie Line, Top Man and Zara are among those that won't break the bank.

On pants, I'm still for tailored, unpleated pants.

I've mentioned this before... clothes are an investment. Especially for someone who's just starting out, the first impressions you will create will have a big impact on how your career will progress (or not).

Enjoy the real world!

Holiday Angst

Okay, so the overall average temperature dropped slightly from 27C to maybe 24C -- that does not make it winter!

Why then are all of a sudden people walking around the streets of Manila wearing scarves, fedoras and, yes, gloves; looking like it's 12C out there?? Okay, maybe it's forgivable if you just came from Simbang Gabi, but during the day, at 24-25C? Either you're on your way to a costume party or you're under the weather, but otherwise, please... get real!

For those who wrote or contacted me wanting to have a suit made in a rush, I'm sorry to have declined your request, but I would rather pass up on potential business than compromise the quality of what Sarto has come to be known for. Anyway, there are a lot of shops out there who will willingly manufacture a suit in less than the 3 weeks I need to make a bespoke suit.

If you're going to have clothes made this Season, remember to tell your tailor to put maybe a 1/2 inch allowance around your stomach area, waist and hips. The holiday weight tends to linger on until maybe about early February -- unless, of course, you are the conscientious type who will hit the gym right after. I know most of us aren't ;-)

Here's to a great Chirstmas and a healthy New Year!

The Perfect Gift

If you're still clueless with what to give the men in your life this Season, how about tailored clothes?

E-mail us at sartomanila@gmail.com to inquire about gift certificates for:

1. bespoke suits
2. dress shirts
3. trousers

Sorry for not updating the blog people, work's been ... well ... work! :-)

Have a meaningful and joyful Christmas celebration!

Wash & Wear

Q: "I'd like to ask if it's hygienic to re-wear the same pants for work the following day? I'm asking because I did it for most of my internship since I don't have enough pants to rotate for the rest of the week. So I tended to wear the same pants for two consecutive days."

----- CK (via e-mail)

A: If your pants are made from wool and are lined, these are likely dry-clean only pants; therefore, it is not advisable to wash them frequently. Dry-cleaning pants frequently will lead to fabric thinning, fraying and causes those spots that are shiny (from the extreme heat of the cleaner's pressing).

However, if your pants are made from polyester or rayon blend, then these are safe for ordinary machine washing and do not need to be dry-cleaned.

I'm assuming you work in an air-conditioned office and are mostly indoors. So, you would not be exposed to a lot of dust and dirt anyway. Which means, you really only need to wash your pants maybe 2x/week for machine washable pants, and once a month for dry-clean only pants.

If you soil or stain your pants, spot-cleaning is typically recommended. For tips on how to treat several common stains, visit the Tide website at www.tide.com.

Farewell to a Great Woman

Last week, the Philippines lost one of its great leaders, former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino.

We post a yellow ribbon as a sign of our gratitude to the Woman who brought back democracy to a nation raveged by 20 years of dictatorship.

Thank you, President Cory.

To Set An Appoinment

For those of you who have been asking about how to get in touch with me for your custom tailoring needs, please e-mail me at sartomanila@gmail.com. In your e-mail, please state your full name and include a contact number (preferrably a cellphone number).

Ciao!

Pairing

Q: What belt can I wear when I wear sneakers? Does it have to match the color of my sneakers?
-- Tomas, Pasig City

A: I find that military belts work best when pairing with sneakers. No, you don’t have to match colors like what is typically prescribed when wearing leather shoes. That’s because wearing sneakers is obviously more casual and therefore the traditional pairing rules can be relaxed as well. Your military belt’s color can match your pants, your shirt or any dominant color in your overall outfit. If you’re still unsure, then ditch the belt altogether. That’ll work too.

Color Me Big

Q: I’m a big guy. I know that black is a good color for someone my size to give me some slimming effect. I can’t have everything in black though. What colors are good for a hefty man like me?
-- Louie, Taguig City

A: I’d hate for you to look like you’re always going to a funeral. Big men like you can and should wear some color; though, you should favor darker or deeper shades like eggplant purple, navy blue, brown, etc. What you need to avoid are pastel or pale colors. On top of color, your shirts’ patterns can also help make people think you’ve skipped a snack. Stock up on vertical striped shirts. It makes the eyes focus on length instead of width. If you’re thinking of wearing checkered shirts, stay away from those with big checkered patterns. Aside from making you look like you stole the table cloth of the Italian restaurant you just had lunch at, the big squares will just emphasize and not hide your man curves.

Nature Knows Best

I read a lifestyle writer in a major broadsheet telling men that colored jeans are the IT thing and that men should not be afraid to wear them. I couldn’t disagree more.

I mean, I know a lot of the big-name designers are reviving colored jeans on their runways, but doesn’t mean we should all start looking like members of Menudo. For those of you not old enough to know who they are, Menudo launched Ricky Martin’s career. Think Latino Backstreet Boys in the 80’s.

My point here is that men’s and women’s fashion and style should not crossover to the each other. The difference is necessary to ironically create fashion harmony between both genders.

A good way to think about this is to look at nature. If you think in terms of plants, I like to think of men as leafy plants; those with no brightly colored flowers, but where the accents come from leaves with varying shades of the same color family (not necessarily green).

These plants do not call out attention but they hold their own in terms of how they complete a landscape. They provide the backdrop for the stars of the garden – those plants with brightly colored flowers – women.

We men have to accept our role as our girlfriend’s or wife’s perfect fashion accessory. We shouldn’t dress to call attention to ourselves, but rather to help bring out the beauty of the women around us.

For me, the best example of this principle in action is how Ashton Kutcher dresses when he’s with his (cougar) wife, Demi Moore. If you Google images of this couple you will find that, in the pictures that they are together, Demi is the clear standout; husband Ashton is careful to pick the right outfit to help make sure this is achieved while managing look good and stylish on his own.

Often, men who dress like they are the “flowers’, do get the attention they crave for, but not necessarily the right kind. How do you avoid this? Well, stay away from loud and busy prints and avoid bright colors.

Don’t get me wrong… I am not against wearing color per se. In fact, I’m all for expanding your shirt selection to items that are not blue, white, black or gray. However, the thing to remember is to stick to hues that are more subdued. For instance, it is perfectly fine to wear a pink shirt, but fuchsia is a whole different story.

If you want to try something different for your pants, do not experiment with color. Stick with the trusted shades of blue, black, gray, and brown; white, for me, is even a hit-or-miss kind of color for pants. Rather, look at pattern (e.g. plaid, pinstriped, etc.) and/or fabric (e.g. linen, corduroy, etc.).

Now if you’re trying out for, say, American Idol, and know deep in your heart that you can’t sing and that the only way you will get some air time is to stand out in the crowd, then by all means, be a freaking bouquet!

Delinquent

Okay, so I haven't posted anything for over a month now. Sorry for that folks, I was travelling here and there, and mostly trying to earn a living through my day job. The tailoring business is a hobby, you see. It's a profitable one, but it won't send my kids to school; not yet, at least.

I'm going to be posting my updates soon and I promise to answer most of the questions that have flooded my inbox.

Just a quick one... to all those still wearing fedoras, please, please, please spare us. You want to know why what's-his-name-who-was-saved-by-the-judges got booted out of American Idol recently -- FEDORA!