September 24, 2006

For decades, men’s fashion had been on the back burner. Lack of interest on the part of men, a shortage of men’s designers and a reluctance to embrace new trends with open arms, could be the reasons why men’s fashion lagged far behind its feminine counterpart. But this has all changed now and there is a flood of glossy magazines with the latest men’s trends splashed all over their pages. It is the era of the metrosexual man and all of a sudden the whole of ‘mankind’ wants to look hip and cool! 

The desire to look good has ushered in a revolution of sorts in clothing, shoes, and cosmetics for men. Deodorants, hair gels, face wash, face creams, all are available for men and women alike. In fact, today finding a product is not difficult, it is the choosing the right one that has become a major chore.

If you are a man seeking to look your best at work and play, there are a few things that you need to know. For instance, if you are thinking of adding some color to your wardrobe, then go slow and begin with an accessory such as a belt. A colorful belt goes well with jeans, particularly for a night out. Or you could start by wearing a dark jacket or blazer over a bright shirt, which is also known as layering.

Keep in mind the color of your skin when choosing bright colors. A darker skin tone means you are free to wear the brightest of colors! Well-fitted clothes look best especially when dressing for work or a formal occasion. A suit is not a suit if it does not fit perfectly.

Another mistake that is often made is wearing mismatched socks and shoes. The rule is to wear socks that are darker than the trousers but a shade lighter than the shoes. Brown shoes are a must-have in every man’s wardrobe for they are more versatile than black shoes and can be paired with most outfits.

If you feel that you are a bit bulky or have a little belly bulge, then do not tuck your shirt and choose a fitted one that will give an impression of a slimmer you. Make sure that the length of the shirt does not go beyond the bottom end of the zipper. Of course, this is possible only with casual wear or if you can get away with ‘business casual’ or ‘casual Fridays’ at work!  

Some of the things that come under the label ‘guys’ accessories’ include watches, glasses or sunglasses, and belts. The best way to ensure that you are in style all the time is to own two types of each of these accessories. Buy one funky watch and one with a leather or metal strap. In a similar manner, buy one reversible belt in brown and black with a regular buckle and make the other a trendy one with maybe a broad or bold buckle.

For those who wear glasses, the two pairs you own could be different kinds of frames —big and small, wide and narrow, small and big.  If sunglasses are more your style, then there is no dearth of styles to choose from!