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Heat Wave

16 July, 2012

It has been retarded-hot this summer. While in years past I’ve been able to wear suits throughout the year, I’m dying by just having pants on. When it’s this hot, you not only feel incredibly uncomfortable, but you look ridiculous if you’re not wearing something weather appropriate. Think of the man in only a suit with no overcoat while there’s a raging blizzard outside – the same principle applies during the intense heat of mid July.

Here’s how you beat it.

Light Colors: These will reflect heat off your body whereas darker colors absorb it. There’s a reason why it’s appropriate to wear white between Memorial Day and Labor Day and a stylish man would be well served to have white shorts or chinos. Same goes for shirts as well. Stick with lighter, louder colors than the earth tones that are appropriate in Autumn and Winter.

Light Materials: I know I’ve hit this before, but more of you may be willing to accept it with it being as hot out as it is – get summer-specific materials. Linen, seersucker, tropical-weight wool, and cotton are how men used to stay cool before there was air conditioning. The materials allow more airflow so they keep your skin cooler while keeping you covered.

Less Fabric: Women can get away with this better than men but things are slowly starting to change. The less fabric you have on your body, the cooler you’re going to be. Wear shorts. Roll them up if you have the stones to show off that much leg. Wear short-sleeve shirts or roll up your long sleeves. Ditch the socks. Unbutton one extra button. Keep your hair cut shorter and put in less product. Wear shoes that are lower profile. Whatever you can get away with in regards to wearing less, do it.

Embrace It: The problem with starting to dress up more is it becomes uncomfortable after a while to dress down. I know last year I wasn’t comfortable in just shorts and a shirt anymore. However, it is appropriate to dress down when circumstances or weather call for it. Most businesses are a lot more lax on dress code during the summer and it’s a wise man who embraces that for the hottest few weeks of the year. Don’t be afraid of dressing down like you used to be afraid of dressing up. There are times and places for both.

Paul Newman

13 July, 2012

The more I see of this classic man the more I realize he epitomizes timeless style.

Casual Friday: I’m on a yacht

13 July, 2012

What I like:

This is about as simple as an outfit gets. Pants, a shirt, shoes, a belt, and shades.
Perfect example of how a polo should fit. The sleeves end just above his biceps, the body of the shirt hugs his torso without constricting it and doesn’t hang past his shoulders, and the length bunches just a bit at his hips which means it’s neither too short nor too long.
Whether or not you like the exposed ankle/rolled pants thing, this is where it originated. It’s entirely appropriate on a boat.
The pants are slim and fitted without being extra skinny. It makes it look more casual and like he’s capable of actually accomplishing some work on the boat instead of just looking good.
The irony of wearing sneakers instead of boat shoes on a boat. No idea how practical this is, but I appreciate the humor of it.
The ease and price with which this outfit can be created. If you wanted to go the super-cheap route, you could buy a polo like this at Target for $10, the white chinos at H&M for $25, grey kicks like this for another $25, imitation Ray Bans almost anywhere for $15,and the belt at Old Navy for $10 – totaling $$95. And all of these items can be worn with multiple pieces of clothing.

What I don’t like:

Nothing this week. This is a solid, no-frills outfit.

Embrace Your Boyishness

12 July, 2012

There should be nothing childish about the way a man dresses. The same goes with the car he drives or the office in which he works. These are all the realms of serious business and should be taken seriously. But when a man comes home, he should be able to embrace an element of the little boy he used to be.

I found this picture yesterday and it immediately appealed to me. In my head this man grew up in California and was obsessed with the movie Jaws when it came out. He couldn’t stop watching it even though he couldn’t sleep at night after doing so and the movie fostered a deep obsession with all predatory sea animals. This man had books about sharks and posters in his room. Whenever he’d go to the beach he’d get in the water with a mix of trepidation and excitement, both hoping for and against a shark sighting that day.

The story is probably false, but if it were true, I bet this man grins every time he sees that drawing on his wall.

I’ll do the same with a big dinosaur in my home because when I was four I’d tell everyone I was going to be a paleontologist when I grew up and I can only look back on that aspect of my childhood with fondness. I want that waiting for me when I get home each day.

Paradox Axe

11 July, 2012

Some things are just simple and beautiful. This is one of them.

There is not a single practical use for this in your home. Even the hipster axes that are hand painted and cost $500 are still functional. But this beauty is just there to look at. I would love to hang this up in my living room – especially over a fireplace.

Author: Tanner