Finally….You Got The First Date

So, you finally mustered up the courage to ask her out for a “first date”. We know what you're thinking. It's time to pull all out the all the stops right?....No. Don't stunt and take her to an expensive restaurant or to an exclusive nightclub. Rather, take her to an intimate location where the two of you can relax and get to know each other. The movie theater is an ideal place for a first date because there is no need for making up small talk After the movie, talk with her about what you felt about the movie over some ice cream.

Wait! Before you pick her up, here are some tips on what to wear for this first date.

Upper half:

Wear a nicely fitted (not to loose or too tight) v-neck shirt or graphic tee. A short sleeve dress button down shirt could work as well. Try to avoid the long-sleeve dress shirt unless the weather dictates otherwise. No polo style shirts please; Polo shirts are for playing golf with the guys; not for dating a woman.

Bottom half:

Wear nicely pressed jeans; dress pants are not necessary. Make sure the jeans have no holes or rips please. Ripped jeans were cool in …wait, they never were! Sagging your jeans has been played out. Make sure your jeans fit well. At the other end of the spectrum, tight spandex looking jeans are not attractive, either

Shoes:

Unless your first date is at the gym or involves serious physical activity stay away from athletic sneakers. They can appear really tacky when worn with jeans. Instead, try to wear a pair of loafers to show your sophisticated side. If loafers are too dressy for your style, try a pair of Chuck Taylor’s or some designer sneakers that are made for casual but stylish outings. A well kept shoe means a well kept man.

Other things to Consider:

It’s not a bad idea to shave. If a clean shave is not your best look, however, there is nothing wrong with sporting well groomed facial hair. Thus, shy away from the Wolverine, Rick Ross look.

Hair maintenance. Either get a haircut or trim the hairline. It’ll make you look and feel better about your appearance

Clip your finger nails. If you choose to wear sandals, clip your toenails.

Matching socks. If you are going to wear socks, wear matching socks

Don’t wear too much cologne! Find a clean and subtle cologne that suits you and apply it liberally.

What time is it? A watch is a nice pair of jewelry that not only exudes sophistication but also demonstrates responsibility. Some women subconsciously gauge a man by what kind of watch he is wearing. In terms of watches, you pay for what you get.

CHIVALRY IS NOT DEAD! Impress your date by holding the door, pulling out your chair, and being a gentleman. This behavior will take you far with the ladies. Good Luck!

Interview Style: Recession does not mean fewer expectations.

In this economy, securing employment can be a long, tedious and somewhat arduous process (trust me, we know first hand). We have come to realize the hardest part in the job search process is obtaining an interview. Once an interview is granted, the task of securing a job is relatively less burdensome.


Here are some tips to make sure you look good for your interview so you can land the job of your dreams.

For a Conservative interview....

Remember to ALWAYS WEAR A SUIT! (No exceptions!) The business suit is a traditional symbol of class, sophistication, and social intellect. Even if your interviewer does not ask you to wear a suit, wear one unless you are told otherwise. It never hurts to overdress for an interview. To be underdressed for an interview, however, is tacky and unacceptable. Forget the Suit, Forget the Job.

What kind of Suit: Traditionally a black suit is always a safe choice to wear for an interview because it is bold and demands presence, but also exudes simplicity (hence the phrase “Keep it Simple Stupid”). Many other candidates, however, will also choose to be predictable and wear a black suit on the day of your interview. Consequently, it may not be a bad idea to consider wearing a navy blue or a light grey suit to prevent you from looking like your competitor’s double mint twin.

WARNING: If you choose to wear a colored suit other than black, remember sophistication is key. Steer clear from any patterned or striped suits which may otherwise be interpreted as an unnecessary distraction.

Other things to remember:

Size does matter: Make sure your suit fits your body. This doesn’t mean you have to get a designer suit from Zara or Calvin Klein (even though their suits are amazing!). You can purchase a suit from Men’s Warehouse or Macy’s and get them to tailor the suit for you. It is not that expensive, and can make the suit appear as though it was designed for you.

Dress Shirt: should be long sleeved, white or lightly colored

Tie: A tie in a suit is more important than you think. Think of dress ties as women think about purses. Yes, they are only accessories; however, much can be assumed about a man’s personality, taste, and presentation by the tie he wears. When in doubt, wear a conservative good quality silk tie.

Socks: Wear dark dress socks; this is not negotiable

Shoes: Wear good quality black or brown dress shoes. Cheap-looking dress shoes make the suit look cheap and consequently, make you look unprofessional. You can buy some good but reasonably priced dress shoes at an outlet mall, Ross, Marshalls, or Aldo. Remember, there are many good quality shoes being sold in clearance racks across the country.

Jewelry: Wear a limited amount of jewelry. If you can help it, don’t wear any jewelry at all.

Hair: Get a haircut before your interview. If you keep your hair neatly trimmed, it can help you look and feel better about your appearance. Be careful shaving before an interview though. Some men have unattractive skin reactions to some shaving creams and aftershaves.

Belt: Wear a belt that most closely matches your shoes

For a casual interview, the rules are a little easier to follow...

Wear an outfit that is casual but still communicates that you understand that the job position is to be taken seriously. Therefore, consider wearing an ironed pair of khakis, slacks or jeans with an ironed dress shirt (that you may tuck in with a belt). You may opt to wear loafers over dress shoes if you prefer. (No sneakers please) Remember not to wear anything that can be considered distracting (i.e. jewelry, obnoxious slogans or pictures, bright colors, etc.) Sophistication is VITAL.

Good luck.

The Price of Simplicity

The Price of Simplicity!!!!

Can you give me the following brands: Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuiton, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Hermes. Do any of these names sound familiar? To some individuals with 3000 zeroes in their account, buying designer clothing is not a problem. However, if you’re like myself, a baller on a budget, aka “Mr. Frugal” trying to make ends meet, then these brands do not necessarily need to be in your wardrobe. There are so many designers across Europe and the USA (don’t be surprised) that create very good materials not to the legacy level of the aforementioned brands but quality that is appealing and durable.

Here are a few of my “Simplicity” views:

Everybody knows that the end of season is the best time to pick up some great stuff. Everybody and their momma are up early in the morning scavenging for deals. Some retailers discount as much as 40- 70% off. And not only do places like Macy’s, Hudson Belk, etc. do this, but high end places like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom’s, etc. do also.

Learn the sale cycle of your favorite boutique or department store. End-of-season sales usually occur in January and July, while the back-to-school season and major holidays boast good reductions on selected merchandise.

Consider local boutiques, vintage, consignment and secondhand shops in your area. Access all the areas and check through the crowded racks where basic, high-quality and well-priced pieces await.

Take advantage of promotions that offer additional discounts on multiple-item purchases.

Sign up for store listservs to receive e-mail from your favorite online retailers. Let them come to you with information about closeouts, sales and special deals.

Some of my favorite sites for clothes:

www.hm.com

www.geoffreybeene.com

www.tobi.com

www.80spurple.com

www.urbanoutfitters.com

www.ralphlauren.com

Gentlemen of all races it’s not brain surgery at all. As along as you’re comfortable within yourself then everything will fall into place. But when you do it the right way — when you know what to look for and how to make your money go the extra mile — it becomes less of an obligation and more of an opportunity. From my view this is what shopping is all about: moving beyond the obvious and learning about all your options for better stuff, for better savings, or for something that will set you apart.

Style Tips at the Beach.....

Speedos are for Weirdoes: Don’t EVER wear a Speedo to beach (not even as a joke; it’s not funny) Bottom Line: If you are not in St. Tropez, don’t wear a Speedo. Period

Beware of the Board Short: There is a contemporary rule of thumb regarding board shorts. If the board short goes past your knee, invest in a new pair. Long shorts make an adult look juvenile. If a man wears board basketball shorts to the beach that are too long, he looks as though he has some problems filling into shorts.

When choosing a pair of board shorts, also be wary of elastic waste bands. Unless you are washboard skinny or have a six pack midsection, make sure you wear a pair of board shorts that have a string fastener. Elastic waste bands bring your gut and love handles to attention without your permission.

There is no need to spend $50 on a pair of swimming trunks. You can buy cheap board shorts at Marshall’s, Ross, Burlington Coat Factory, or TJ Maxx for less than $20. Also check Pac Sun for their summer clearance sales happening around this time. (FYI: Consider buying white shorts: They go well with any top and they look more expensive.

Hey, Watch the Hair: Chest hair makes a man look masculine while back hair makes a man look Neolithic. If you got back hair, get rid of it or plan on keeping a shirt on. Having a mat of hair on your back is not only unattractive, but is simply repulsive

Keep the Kicks In Your Whip: Jordan’s and sand don’t mix. Even though you want to stunt at the beach, sand can quickly ruin sneakers. Instead, invest in a cheap pair of thong flip flops. Most thong flip flops are cheap, light, look good with pretty much anything you wear and are easily replaceable if lost. However, thong sandals do require some of your attention to your feet. There is no need to get a pedicure; just remember to simply clip your toenails.

You can buy cheap but good quality sandals at Old Navy, Target, or Wal-Mart. And when we say cheap, we mean CHEAP!

Btw: Don’t even think about wearing socks with your sandals. No excuses.

Keep the Shades at Bay: Having a nice pair of sunglasses is perfectly fine. But at the beach, your shades can be lost, damaged, or stolen. You may want to consider buying a cheap pair of shades. If not, bring a safe place to store your expensive shades.

Your Skin is Your Friend: Whether you are black or white, sunscreen is essential accessory for the beach for the following reasons:

Looks. Turning Charcoal Black or Flaming Red is not attractive;

Girls. You can apply sunscreen on beach bunnies; and most importantly,

Health. Skin cancer is lethal.

Buy sunscreen spray with SPF 35 or higher. They range from about $6 to $20. Any brand of sunscreen is fine as long as it is oil based and water resistant. Water based sunscreen is easily removable.

Fit is definitely in: Bring a football, soccer ball, volley ball or Frisbee to the beach. Girls love to see men who like to have fun and take care of their figures. Invite some females to play a game of football with you and your boys. I am sure you won’t regret it. Have fun!

Jeans....

First Post! Yeaaah! One essential element of a good wardrobe is a nice pair of dark jeans. Dark jeans are essential because they show sophistication without being too dressy. A nice pair can cost a pretty penny but S4H has found some jeans that are less pricey. Here are some of our favorite brands…

APC - A French brand. High quality, but yet simple and clean cut

Cheap Monday – No there not cheap, but the least expensive of our group. But, the price does not undermine the quality of the jean. Probably the best quality for your dollar

Five Four - Relatively new brand, high quality fabric. Nice choice if you prefer less fitted jeans.

Jean Shop – Another relatively new brand, but very nice looking jeans.

Nudie – A Swedish brand, known for quality raw denim jeans

WesC – An acronym for “We are the Superlative Conspiracy” WesC is maybe the most popular brand out of the group. These jeans can be found anywhere. Another good quality jean.

Under Construction

Hey, what's going on everybody? Let's face it, we are in the year of 2009, and times have changed. It's become more acceptable for guys to be fashionable. If you are the guy that has decided to spruce up your style or if you are they guy who wants to refine you style, then this is the perfect blog for you.

Stay Tuned for updates.....