Just A Guy Thing » Men’s Style

Look Like a Doofus Hipster for Only $110

James — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:30:07 +0000

These ridiculously overpriced t-shirts are for all of you out there who don’t live in downtown New York City but wish you did. If you want to join the brigade of self-conscious doofus hipsters below 14th Street, just shell out $110 for these t-shirts designed by Swiss artist Olaf Breuning and put out by Pleasure Principle.

Breuning’s graphics come in two styles: a “Peeping Pervert” (shown below) and two hands with faces (shown up top).

Now don’t get me wrong – I actually like Breuning’s artwork and these t-shirts are maybe sorta kind of cool in a kind of weird way. But paying $110 to get a plain white cotton t-shirt with a black and white design? No thanks.

But if you disagree, you get find them at Seven New York.

Transformers: 6 Wardrobe Staples That Adapt to Anything

James — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:30:53 +0000

Think of your wardrobe as a well-stocked fridge: From it, you only need a few basic ingredients to throw together a great combo. In fact, there are only six articles of clothing that you really must own because of their versatility. Mix and match and accessorize properly, and the same elements will work equally well at the beach and dog run as they do at the office or a funeral (or both if you’re having a bad day). Here, the list.

White Button-down Shirt
“The white shirt is the most flexible piece of clothing you will ever own,” says Massimo Bizzocchi, menswear importer and owner of the eponymous downtown Manhattan boutique. Wear it with shorts and jeans for a more casual look, with chinos and a tie for work attire and with a dark suit to a formal event. For a traditional look, stick to 100 percent cotton broadcloth; for modern, try stretch cotton with a slightly slimmer fit.

Dark Rinse Jeans
“Dark denim jeans are considered the new standby,” says Bizzocchi. You can wear them with everything from a tailored jacket to a T-shirt and sneakers. “I like APC New Standard,” says Steven Taffel, owner and proprietor of Leffot, a high-end men’s clothing store in Manhattan. “They’re a crisp denim, and they don’t have any stitching on the back pockets. Paired with a white shirt, you have a blank canvas that you can accessorize with pretty much anything.”

Cashmere V-neck Sweater
You can wear this classic under a suit, with a pair of jeans — with pretty much anything. “And if it gets too warm,” says Bizzocchi, “just take it off and wear it draped around your neck on top of your blazer.” If you’re only going to buy one, choose a neutral color like black, brown or charcoal. If you invest in a second, pick a bright color like green or pink that highlights one of your best traits (i.e., If you have blue eyes, go for bright blue).

Navy Blazer
This jacket always looks great, whether you wear it with jeans or dress slacks. “Just lose the brass buttons,” says Taffel. “The buttons should always be dark.” And make sure to get the right fit — you don’t want a lot of extra fabric through the body. The general rule is that if you can fit your arm in between the jacket and your chest, you have too much fabric and need to get it taken in.

Solid Dark Suit
“You need to have one of these regardless if you wear it to work or not,” says Taffel. “These days you could need it for a job interview, a wedding or a funeral.” A solid dark color (black, navy or charcoal gray) offers more flexibility in dressing up and down. Wear it on its own for a formal event and dress it down by pairing the jacket with jeans and a T-shirt. If you buy more than one, Bizzocchi recommends experimenting with browns. “A dark charcoal brown suit in a lightweight fabric has a lot of personality,” he says, “and it shows you have confidence.”

Stylish Sneakers
If you’d wear them to the gym or the basketball court, they do not go with jeans and a nice shirt on a Saturday night. Instead, go for something plain and simple that doesn’t read “gym.” Guess, Bally, Coach and Puma all make classic shoes that bridge the divide between athletic and fashion, and they read casual or dressy depending on the rest of your outfit (shorts, jeans or dark suit pants). “If I’m not in my boat shoes I wear a pair of Adidas white and blue Rod Laver sneakers,” says Taffel. “Sneakers have a life of their own.”

Jessica Lothstein is a former fashion journalist at Best Life magazine. She has written profiles on such designers as Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani and Michael Bastian.

Comme Des Garcons Manga Print Mens Wallets

James — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:30:38 +0000

A typical men’s wallet is pretty forgettable. but not the new ‘Manga Print’ series from Comme Des Garcons. These wallets bring a crazy doodler sensibility to your pocket.

The ‘Manga Print’ series comes in three styles and colors. You can buy them at Dover Street Market for 100 pounds (about $158).

Swatch’s Chrono Automatic Has Rugged Good Looks

Snoop Dog Launches Star Wars Sportswear

James — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:30:08 +0000

Talk about random. Rapper extraordinaire Snoop Dogg has teamed up with Adidas to launch a new line of Star Wars themed sportswear. Who knew Snoop was a closet Star Wars geek?

The Adidas Star Wars collection includes the Superstar Darth Vader track suit which retails for $85 shown above, as well as the Star wars Stormtrooper hooded track top shown below for $80:

And if you’ve ever wanted to see Snoop Dogg walk down the streets of New York City flanked by Stormtroppers and Darth Vader, here you go:

You can check out all the Star Wars themed duds at the Adidas website.

The Latest Advances in Hair Loss Treatments

James — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:00:38 +0000

This post is sponsored by Revivogen.

Are you seeing more of your hair swirl down the drain every time you take a shower? We lose 60 to 100 hairs every day, but if you’re going bald chances are you’re losing even more than that. Yes, it’s a bummer, but no – it’s not time to panic quite yet.

Hair loss happens to millions of guys – about 50 million men, to be exact – but there are more options now to stop the progression of your hair loss and even regrow some of your lost hair than ever before. Before you run and and grab the first product you see on the shelf of your local pharmacy, it’s helpful to dispel a few hair loss myths.

Hair Loss Myths

Some shampoos and cleansers claim that by opening up your hair follicles’ pores you’ll grow more hair. Sounds good, except for the pesky fact that clogged pores lead to ingrown hair, not hair loss.

Another myth is that poor circulation causes hair loss. Nope. If you get a hair transplant the hair grows in the bald areas which supposedly have poor circulation.

Think you can regrow your hair using nutritional supplements? Sorry – even healthy, well nourished individuals can still lose hair and adding supplements does not grow it back.

The Causes of Hair Loss

For most guys hair loss is a genetic condition, so if you’re going bald you can thank your mom or dad. Ninety five percent of all hair loss is inherited and it can start any time after puberty. About half of us will suffer from some degree of hair loss by the time we reach the age of 50. Depressing statistics, I know.

But inheriting the hair loss gene is not a bald sentence on its own. To trigger the hair loss gene you need DHT – which is the more potent form of testosterone produced by both men and women after puberty.

DHT turns on the hair loss genes that result in follicles to producing shorter, thinner hair. After a few years the follicle eventually dies out and is replaced with scar tissue. Once the follicle is gone only hair transplantation can grow hair in the bald areas so the sooner you treat your hair loss the better chance you have for success.

Available Treatments

There are lots of hair loss products on the market, probably the best known of which is Rogaine (Minoxidil). Rogaine activates the hair follicle into growth phase, but it can have side effects like headaches and reduced blood pressure. There are many products on the market under various names that have Minoxdil as the active ingredient in them.

These products will have the same benefits and side effects as Rogaine so don’t be fooled by fancy names that sell for a few times the price of Rogaine but contain Minoxidil. One major drawback of Rogaine is that it does not block DHT, the main culprit of hereditary hair loss. So for best results Rogaine should be used along with a DHT blocker.

Propecia is another medication for treatment of hair loss and this works by reducing DHT production over your entire body. Again, though, there are sometimes rare side effects, one of which is decreased libido. Yikes! Also, you need a doctor’s prescription to get Propecia.

Revivogen is a natural product formulated by board certified dermatologist Alex Khadavi, MD. Revivogen utilizes natural ingredients that are proven to reduce DHT production and stimulate the follicles like Propecia and Rogaine. Less DHT means your hair follicle growth cycle is activated and you start to produce longer, thicker hair.

According to the folks at Revivogen, the product has a success rate of 88%, similar to Rogaine and Propecia, without systemic side effects. It takes about 60 to 90 days to stop your hair loss and about a year and a half to see maximum improvement.

Revivogen is certainly not a miracle cure. It only works for hereditary hair loss and it will only grow back the hair you have lost in the last 3 to 5 years. You also have to use it daily for 18 months and keep using it 3 to 5 times a week to maintain results. But if you are looking for a natural hair loss treatment without the side effects, Revivogen could be a good option.

We’ve got a special deal for Just A Guy Thing readers. Cruise on over to Revivogen and pick up a three month supply of Revivogen Scalp Therapy plus 1 shampoo and conditioner for $89.00 with free shipping. The regular price is $119, so you’re saving 15% just for being smart enough to read this far. The offer is valid for first time customers and is one time only. The product comes with a 90 day money back guarantee, so go ahead and test it out.

For more info or to order the product, go to the Revivogen website.

photo credit (top): broma

Cut for Success? What Your Hairstyle Says About You

James — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:00:54 +0000

By Jessica Lothstein for Men’s Life Today

Interview suit dry-cleaned? Check. Shoes shined? Check. Mohawk perfectly sculpted with extra pomade?

Hold on a second there, cowboy. This is a job interview, where you’re supposed to strut your experience, not your feathers!

“Research says we make our assessments of others in the first 15 seconds we meet them,” says John McKee, founder of the Business Success Coach Web site and author of Career Wisdom: 101 Proven Strategies to Ensure Career Success. “Within those first critical moments,” he says, “you’re being judged based on how you look, not what you say.”

And how you look doesn’t just include your clothes and your hygiene but how you fashion your locks. McKee says it may have something to do with the fact that women make up a majority of the hiring force today, and “women are much more conscious and concerned about grooming, especially when it comes to hair.” But experts agree that you can infer a lot about a person — including how you think they’re going to function as an employee — based on how they fashion their coif.

“The truth is, how others perceive us, whether it’s true or not, fundamentally determines how they treat us, especially in the workplace,” says Dr. Rob Yeung, a London-based psychologist and author of Confidence: The Key to Achieving Your Professional Best. “Looking the part is the difference between getting a job or not, or moving ahead as opposed to getting landlocked.”

So, how do you know if you look the part? Here’s what your hairstyle really says about you.

Side Part
Popular in: Finance, politics, insurance.

Says: Serious and business-minded. You’re a hard worker who wants to get ahead.

Why: It’s on the conservative and simple side, but it still shows that you put some effort into your grooming routine. It’s also a classic look that will never go out of style, because it conveys a sense of class and importance. “There’s a secret among HR people: that you’re more likely to get a promotion if you look like you’ve already made it,” says McKee.

“Take a cue from the hairstyles of the people one level above your current role,” concludes McKee. Chances are you’ll see lots of side parts.

Buzz Cut
Popular in: Medicine, professional sports, the Army.

Says: Confident and masculine. You care about appearance, but you’re too busy to spend too much time on your hair.

Why: There’s a reason this look is favored by the military. It’s not just extremely low maintenance, leaving time for more important business (or battles, as the case may be), but it’s a bold statement that shows you “want to look like you’re part of the team and move up the ranks,” says McKee.

Faux Hawk
Popular in: Fashion, photography, hipsterdom.

Says: Creative and extroverted. You’re concerned about standing out from the crowd.

Why: It’s an edgy look that conveys a lot of confidence and personal style. That said, it’s also just breaking over into mainstream, so if you work in an environment where everyone else is sporting side parts, you’re going to attract a lot of attention. If, however, you work in a creative field where suits are optional (and even tattoos are acceptable), wear your faux hawk with pride. “If your appearance syncs with the rest of the workplace, it gives the impression that you’re able to handle the technical skills,” says McKee.

Textured Bed Head
Popular in: Hollywood, media, public relations.

Says: Trendy and detail-oriented. You care about the little things.

Why: It’s a look that requires a fair amount of time to create and maintain, so it shows that you put a lot of effort into keeping up your appearance. “People in positions of power, especially recruiters, like to see that a potential employee takes care of himself and keeps up with trends,” says McKee. Plus, “when you look good, you feel good and have more confidence,” says Yeung.

Caesar Cut
Popular in: Law, theater, gladiator rings.

Says: Intuitive and savvy. Concerned about looking perfectly pulled together.

Why: You have more important things on your morning agenda than spending hours styling your hair, but you still want to look like you take pride in your appearance, and more importantly, that you mean business. This look is great for guys of all ages, but it’s an especially good style for guys who are just entering the workforce. “Younger people want to believe people will hire them based on competence and not appearance,” says McKee, “but unfortunately, that’s not the case. You do have to give up some of your identity if you want to be part of the team and move up the ranks.”

Jessica Lothstein is a freelance writer and former editor at Best Life magazine. She writes on a range of subjects, including grooming and fashion.

photo credit: top – TheGiantVermin

Toss Those Chucks for These Handsome Kicks

James — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:30:11 +0000

Let’s face it, whether carousing around town or out for some casual drinks after work, those uncomfortable leather business shoes aren’t going to cut it and neither will those worn out Chuck Taylors that have been hanging around your closet since senior year of college. Yes, you know the ones I’m talking about.

Sure Chuck Taylors are classics, but even classics need a rest from time to time. So toss those Chucks and check out a footwear collection brand new to the US called Cushe Footwear.

Cushe makes “The Boutique Sneak”, an incredibly comfortable, yet high-end sneaker, that adds a fresh twist and a little more class to your average Puma or Jack Purcell. With premium leathers and a suede upper and anatomical shape, the Boutique Sneak not only looks great but feels great as well (or at least we’re told, as we haven’t yet tried on a pair).

There’s a conventional lace model, which is my fave, as well as a velcro model. The Boutique Sneak comes in military, dark brown, black and white and for a price of $90.00. Cushe is sold at select high-end fashion stores across the United States including Fred Segal and is available online at Shoebuy.com and PlanetShoes.com.

These are great looking shoes, but they really have to change the name. Boutique Sneak? C’mon. Doesn’t exactly scream manliness.

Beer Bottle Chandeliers Will Dress Up Any Frat House

James — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:00:53 +0000

If you live in a fraternity house you inevitably have an array of empty beer bottles strewn around the place from parties past. Now the folks at Barlite have finally come up with a use for all those empties – beer bottle chandeliers!

Yes, now you can buy a chandelier that holds your empty beer bottles. Change out the bottles and you have a whole new look. The frame is constructed of 11-gauge steel and solid steel rods.

The classic two tier pool top chandelier holds 52 beer bottles – just about the right amount for after a get together:

They also have a nifty beer bottle standing lamp:

If you don’t live in a frat, then you probably don’t have a valid excuse for buying these products. While these are fun in a kind of sophomoric way, a beer bottle chandelier does not exactly scream “sophistication” to the ladies.

Check out the beer bottle chandeliers at Tabbyinc.

Nike Lunarlite Hyper Ventilate Preview

James — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:00:40 +0000

Sneakers aren’t just for helping you walk or run comfortably. They can and should be statements, and that’s exactly what the new Nike Lunarlite Hyper Ventilate shoe is.

The sneaker features many of Nike’s most advanced technologies including Torch three-layer ventilation material, Lunarlite outsoles, and overall comfortability, stability, and performance. Oh, and they look amazing in a kind of other worldly way.

You can find them now at Proper.

Preview of the New Zune HD

H&M Reveals The Men’s Fashion Trend for 2010: Kilts

James — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:00:44 +0000

I love H&M: stylin’ clothes that are made on the cheap. Sure they fall apart after a few wearings, but hey, by that time you need to hop onto the next trend anyway, so who cares?

In its 2010 menswear collection, neutral colors are mixed with small flashes of color and – perhaps most surprisingly – the retailer prominently features a kilt.

Can H&M get the average dude to start wearing a skirt? Will this be the fashion trend of the new year? Probably not, but H&M is to be complimented for stirring things up a bit.

Here’s a few more pieces from the H&M 2010 menswear collection:

The Only New Years Eve Glasses Worth Wearing

James — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:43:47 +0000

Sure, wearing glasses with the new year emblazoned on them is not for everyone, but if you’re going to go that route you need these specs by Fred Butler.

This partytastic accessory is sure to spice up that boring old tuxedo you were going to wear. Now all you need is a great New Years Eve party to attend.

Wear Barack Obama’s Watch for Less Than You Think

James — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:00:25 +0000

Want to wear the watch that the leader of the free world sports on his wrist? It’s not as expensive as you think. It was recently revealed that Barack Obama wears a Jorg Gray 6500 watch, which retails for just $325.

The U.S. watchmaker has seen a dramatic rise in sales after Obama was seen wearing it to various campaign events. Jorg Gray now sells a commemorative edition version of the same watch worn by the president, engraved with the date of his inauguration.

The Jorg Gray website describes the watch like this:

The Jorg Gray JG6500 watch is case cut from solid steel and features a matte black dial, Italian buffalo leather strap, high precision Japanese chronograph movement, scratch-resistant mineral crystal, date display, and is water resistant to 100 meters.

The watch was originally designed for the U.S. Secret Service. Obama was given the 6500 as a 46th birthday present by a member of his security team in 2007.

You can buy yours directly from the Jorg Gray website.

Mackdaddy Lets You Dress Like a Pimp

James — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:30:57 +0000

Want to dress like a pimp, or at least a Japanese interpretation of one? The new Mackdaddy Winter 2010 collection features distinctive updates on such classics as crew neck sweaters and cargo pants.

This isn’t your typical b**ch-slapping pimp, mind you. No, this is some kind of weird nerdy pimp that exists only in the Japanese imagination. Bizarre? Sure, but I like it.

Check out the Mackdaddy website (which is in Japanese) here.

[via Trendhunter]

Brighten Up Your Holidays With Adidas Element Pack

James — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:46:55 +0000

Winter can be dreary, but if you want to brighten things up Adidas has the sneaker for you. Called the Adidas Original Spring 2010 Element Pack, these eye-catching sneakers come in shiny primary colors – perfect for making a statement.

The collection is called “Elements” because each shoe is meant to represent one of the earth’s elements – blue for water, yellow for sun, red for fire, and brown for earth. Each element is also one of four classic Adidas looks: the Forum Mid, Stan Smith, Nizza High and the Superstar.

These sneakers are most definitely not for the faint of heart. When you put these bad boys on you can be sure that people are going to be noticing your feet. Perfect for jazzing up the holiday season.

You can pre-order them at Crooked Tongues.

Ferrari Loafers: for the Truly Well Heeled

James — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:52:28 +0000

If you’re going to spend $300,000 on a flashy new Ferrari, you need the shoes to go with it. And not just any shoes. You need the new Ferrari loafers, created by the famed automaker and Tod’s shoe company.

These shoes just ooze luxury, but are also designed to be at least somewhat practical. The rubber nubs on the bottom of the shoe help you firmly grip the gas pedal as you zip around that hairpin turn on the Amalfi Coast.

The Ferrari brand is subtly interwoven throughout the shoe. The famous prancing horse logo is featured in a badge on the tongue that is reminiscent of the GTO’s grille. The Ferrari logo is displayed inside the shoe.

Just as you will have to pay up to own a Ferrari, these shoes do not come cheap. They range from $475 to $525 at the Ferrari store.

Aknowledge Debuts Hip Duds for the Holidays

James — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

If dressing more stylishly in the new year is one of your resolutions, you may want to add some clothes from Aknowledge to your holiday wish list. The collection brings together the worlds of street, skate, contemporary and traditional to create a casual, hip feel.

The Aknowledge line features six key pieces: the clean slim v or graphic statement cotton t-shirt, the classic chambray woven, high quality original denim, aggressive denim washes, the denim jacket and the trend driven sophisticated jacket.

I especially like the look of the chambray:

The denim pants have two fits: The Newton which is a low-rise straight leg and The Galileo which is a low rise slim.

The line is available in several place online, including El Mercado.

The Pangolin Bag: One Badass Backpack

James — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:48:04 +0000

If you are tired of sissy-boy messenger bags but still need something to haul your stuff around, check out the badass Pangolin Bag. This thing looks like it stepped out of a Mad Max movie.

The Pangolin Bag uses recycled inner tubes from trucks. They are attached to each other with a striking wing nut. The parts of the bag slide together to create a retractable shell.

The Pangolin doesn’t just look cool – it’s functional too. The bag has roomy pockets for notebooks, pens, MP3 players and cell phones with double adjustable back straps and handle. The interior has canvas storage pockets in different sizes and some close with Velcro.

The back of the bag is anatomically shaped so that the back pack fits comfortably on your back.

The Pangolin is made with fair trade standards by single mothers, refugees and Indians of the Camentsa tribe in Columbia.

You can buy the Pangolin bag at Wannekes.

K-Swiss Dresses Up the Hoodie

James — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:18:10 +0000

There’s something about a hoodie that just screams comfort. Maybe it’s the soft fleece, or perhaps it’s the comfortable hood that you can throw over your head to shut the world out, but hoodies top the list of comfort wear. Unfortunately, most hoodies don’t exactly scream high style.

A couple of new models from K-Swiss (probably best known for their sneakers) ups the style quotient for hoodies (shown above). The K-Swiss hoodie is available in heather gray and black, and features a jersey lined hood and embroidered K-Swiss logo. Understated, but stylish.

I also like the look of the K-Swiss Padded Sweatshirt, a mature upgrade to your typical zip-up. You can cop this piece in black or white for $75; it features an all-over shield quilting stitch and rib knit sleeve at the cuff and hem.

If you’re a bit more daring, the K-Swiss Checked Jacket and Shell Jacket are fashion forward without going crazy. The Checked Jacket goes for $90 while the Shell Jacket, which features water resistant zippers, will set you back $160.

Swatch’s Chrono Automatic Has Rugged Good Looks

James — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:05:56 +0000

You might associate watchmaker Swatch with bright colors and crazy designs, but the Swiss firm’s new Chrono Automatic Collection tones down the flash with a rugged design. The debut collection launches next week with five models.

In a market dominated by upscale brands and traditional, more conservative designs, Swatch’s designers have kept what we love about chrono watches, but made them more stylish and sporty. The new collection has a self-winding movement, so performance is combined with style. Overall Swatch has done a really nice job with this new line – these watches look way more expensive than they are.

Are You Ready for Mantyhose?

James — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:00:14 +0000

What’s the latest trend in men’s fashion over in London? Leggings for guys, jokingly referred to as “mantyhose.” The fashion brand Unconditional recently launched a whole clothing line that revels in androgyny.

Unconditional’s designer Philip Stephens says his mens leggings can be worn as a statement or under clothes to provide warmth. Stephens likens the mantyhose to mosh pits and the Seattle grunge scene.

While it’s true Kurt Cobain used to wear leggings under a nightie, something tells me he wouldn’t have done so if they were called mantyhose.

[via The Life Files]