Reversible Belts: godsend or garbage?

Most of us have at least toyed with the idea of buying a reversible belt at one time or another. The idea that you can go from wearing black shoes at work and then switch to brown shoes with jeans for the evening is attractive. So, if one belt will do both it seems like a no brainer. There are a few issues though and this article should help you decide if a reversible belt is something you want to add to your wardrobe.

First off they don't last as long as most regular style belts. The same mechanism that allows the buckle to flip also creates a weak point in the design. This makes it really important not to wear this type of belt two days in a row. Wearing leather goods for multiple days does not allow the leather to shrink back to its original size. Therefore if you wear the same belt multiple days in a row you are stretching the leather to its maximum and putting even more pressure on the buckle. The only possible exception to this rule is if you are packing for vacation and really need to conserve space in your suitcase. At that point it may make sense to wear the one reversible belt that will give you the most options on your trip.

Another typical problem is that reversible styles tend to be far more casual than most dress style belts. Reversible belts are not the choice for formal occasions like weddings and black tie dinners. 

The final issue arises if you wear the belt significantly more often displaying one side rather than splitting your days between both sides. Uneven wear can create shapes in the leather that are hard to overcome when you decide to reverse it.

If you think these issues pale in comparison to the benefits of a reversible belt, then by all means go out and grab one. Either way, at least you are making an informed decision.

The Scarf: hot trend this winter

This winter the scarf is back! In fact it may really just be getting here in the first place. Guys in Europe have long known that the right scarf can improve their look, while most of us in the U.S. have been sporting cold bare necks even on the most frigid of days. If you are new to scarves or just checking to make sure you're getting the most out of them, the following tips may help.

Size Does Matter:

When it comes to length, longer is better. You want a scarf you can wrap once or twice around your neck and still have enough length left to fall somewhere near necktie length. As for width... wider is also better. The newest trend is to wear a scarves so that they have some bulk against the neck. Now you do not want to look like you are wearing a neck brace, but I'm sure you get the idea.  

Color and Pattern:

Bold colors and patterns are very trendy, tartans for instance are a classic look that is getting a lot of play this season. Stripes are possibly the most popular this year and they can add visual length to your torso. When possible try to match some color within the scarf to a color on your shirt or coat, but the scarf does not really need to match anything you are wearing. Avoid paisley and other less masculine patterns unless you are trying for a particular effect.

Knots and Placement:

As a rule a loose knot just under the chin is the best look. If you are wearing a formal coat with lapels the scarf should go under them. If you are not wearing a coat or have a more casual look on top is fine. 

Avoid the Following:

Extra long tassels are never a good look for a guy. Fuzzy material or those strange knits that look like giant caterpillars are not recommended, unless you are an entomologist. Also the length should be long, not crazy. If the scarf is wrapped around your neck and it still falls below your knee it was made for a girl, probably a tall one. White scarves do not look good on guys and they don't stay white very long anyway so stay away from them too.

I hope these tips will help answer your scarf questions and maybe you'll try rocking one the next time you hit the town on a cold evening.

Tie Length: is too little too bad?

Picking the tie to complete a look is the tough part, but many guys come up short when they tie their neckwear. Proper tie length is a must for a professional appearance; too long and you look unkempt, too short and you look dumpy and juvenile.

So, in an effort to keep it simple here is the rule of thumb: the end of your tie should fall between the top and bottom of your belt when you are standing up. If you wearing a tie and not wearing a belt please stop reading this now and go play tag on the interstate.

If you have to err on one side or the other most people in the know agree that you should go longer rather than shorter, but I feel you should just retie your tie so that it works. Also don't tuck the skinny end into your shirt (this looks like you are a server at Friday's) in fact if you need to tuck anything in you've done something wrong.

Bruce Julian's Clothiers: store review

I have hesitated to write this review for fear that I can't be objective in my critique. I absolutely love this place. Bruce Julian is my favorite place to shop for clothes and quite possibly one of the best men's clothing stores in the southeast. They carry the regions most unique and stylish brands like Jhane Barnes, Alex Cannon, Haupt, Bobby Chan, Robert Graham, and many more.

Bruce himself works hard to find the next big fashion stars and often he stocks lesser known designer's lines. A perfect example of this is Luchiano Visconti a label out of Great Neck, New York. Visconti shirts are one of the best bargains going right now, offering the highest quality and fashion forward design for reasonable prices.

It might be prudent to include a word about pricing at this point. For the most part Bruce Julian stocks designer clothes but the pricing is in line with or only slightly higher than most department stores. What you get in return is top quality and more than anything else high style. Bruce is also famous for his sales, more often than not Bruce is having a 2 for 1 or even 3 for 1 sale on certain items. These sales sometimes include custom clothing... even suits!

Speaking of custom clothes Bruce Julian offers a huge variety of choices in custom tailored clothing. So whether you need custom shirts, suits, or pants this is the place to go in North Carolina.

Overall, the service and selection you will find at Bruce Julian's Clothiers far surpasses that of any other retailer in the area. So, if you want to look your best give them a try and tell them you heard it here.

Bruce Julian
www.brucejulian.com
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Arboretum

8128-300 Providence Road

Charlotte, North Carolina 28277

704-364-8686

Hours:

Monday - Saturday 10 - 7

Sunday 1 - 5

Traveling 101: what not to wear on a plane

I just got back from a trip to the west coast and I was stunned by what some people wear when traveling. It amazes me that people who ought to know better still wear shorts and flip-flops on a plane. I am not saying you should wear your Sunday best, but long pants and closed toed shoes seem obvious choices for those with even the barest margin of common sense. 

If you have never flown it might be important to explain that as soon as the doors close and the plane is preparing for take-off they cut the air conditioning on and it stays on high for the duration of the flight. Also the planes are "cleaned" between flights in a haphazard process that often misses things like gum in the seats or on the floor boards. Also the seats are narrow with little leg room, and they are bolted to the floor with thick metal brackets. So, you can see how stepping or sitting in gum, and stubbing your toe can easily occur. 

Once you reach your destination there is usually a long walk to baggage claim which may include any or all of the following: trams, escalators, elevators, moving sidewalks, stairs, ramps, and/or bumps. Also airports tend to transition between carpet and polished tile at random intervals, so shoe choice is important for these reasons and one more. Possibly the most compelling reason for wise shoe choice is the fact that airport restroom floors are disgusting. Sometimes they are flooded, sometimes they are slippery, sometimes they are sticky, and sometimes they are just indescribable, but 100% of the time you do not want to touch your bare foot to them.

So, the proper attire should be: long pants that are nice but not too nice, well constructed shoes that are comfortable, and layers on top so that you can adjust to the temperatures in the airport, the airplane, and your destination.

This means the following choices are out: high heels, sandals, shorts, your best suit, your favorite dress, and anything that might fall off and hit the bathroom floor.

Hopefully these tips will help you enjoy your next flight no matter where you are headed.

Sport Coat and Jeans: how to pull it off

Wearing a great pair of jeans paired with a nice sport coat can work if you know what you're doing. However, if you don't get the look right it can end up being the business casual version of a mullet. While there are exceptions to every rule some simple guidelines will help you look sharp and ready for anything.

A monochromatic color scheme is a great place to start. A charcoal colored button down shirt, black jeans, and a black sport coat create a classic look that most men can pull off well. Make sure your shirt-tails don't hang below your sport coat. If you decide to tuck in the shirt you have the opportunity to go flashier than normal with your belt (no studs or crazy stuff but push the envelope here a tad). If you want to rock the t-shirt, make sure it goes: a bright shirt will not work here. Instead try a black shirt with a muted design, or a high quality gray ribbed t-shirt.

If you go blue instead of black with the jacket, wear blue jeans and a white or cream colored button down. The t-shirt is not a great option here, but if you must, pick a cream with some texture or even a light brown. Also on the navy blazer you will want to avoid the golden buttons (unless you own a yacht and then go for it).

Mix in striped jackets, bold blazers, and other more aggressive options as you become more comfortable with the look. 

Shoes Say A Lot: make sure you send the right message

Dress shoes are an investment, they complete a suit or outfit and they are one of the first things that style minded people look at. Good dress shoes should communicate that you are a professional and that you are successful. Buying new shoes is a great way to make those statements but over the long haul, taking care of the ones you already own makes much more sense. 

Before we talk about shoe care, let's cover storage and protection. Leather shoes should always be given at least a day to 'rest' in between wearings. This allows the moisture that accumulates during normal wear to be released by the leather. If you wear the same shoes day after day, the leather will become too moist and will wear out quickly. Also when you store your shoes use cedar shoe trees to keep the form of your foot and to help wick away that moisture. Cedar also helps reduce foot odor. 

Caring for shoes is actually quite simple and requires only a modest investment of time and money. You will need a horsehair brush, two soft cloths, and some shoe shine or polish that matches your shoes. First use the brush to remove any dirt or debris from all surfaces of the shoe. Then apply shine to the shoe using one of your soft cloths; this will become your 'on' cloth. Work in small sections and apply only a small amount of shoe shine or polish. When you have covered the entire leather surface, use the other cloth, your 'off' cloth to buff out the shoe, leaving a clean and often shiny quality. Finally go over the shoes once more with the brush to remove the last trace amounts of polish and you're done.

Many men and women admit to judging others by first looking at the shoes they are wearing. Make sure the message you send with your footwear is a positive one.