Manstyle Material

What makes one man's dressing skills superior to that of another? In all fairness, such a question doesn't have one specific answer; it's a combination of many factors.
For example, some of us might assume that a man is well-dressed simply because he's wearing expensive designer clothing. This sure can help, but dressing elegantly doesn't necessarily involve spending a fortune on clothing and attending the latest fashion shows.
More often than not, dressing with style entails general mixing and matching skills. It's your basic lesson in Fashion 101. A man that stands out should have a knack for matching colors, and should feel comfortable about blending various styles and patterns. Matching is the key to successfully mastering fashion and style.
This said, most snazzy dressers possess a flair for matching their pants with the right shoes. You're thinking to yourself, how obvious is that? -- right? But how often have you seen men slip up and wear derby shoes with worn-out jeans, or even casual loafers with suits, for example? Unfortunately, these mismatches happen often, which is why they should be pointed out and ultimately rectified.
Simply follow these basic guidelines and limit future shoe/pant mismatches.

Dressy shoes

Derby shoes
Derby shoes are dressy, yet provide optimum comfort throughout the day. Derbys with thick rubber soles should be worn for more casual occasions, while those with leather soles are suited for formal affairs. Derby shoes can be found in all shapes, sizes, and in all imaginable colors.

Wear your rubber sole derbys with:
- Casual khakis
- Chinos
- Dressier corduroy pants (Adjusted or straight cut)
- Dressier 5-pocket pants

Wear your leather sole derbys with:
- Suits
- Chinos

Any other style of dressy pants

Oxfords
Oxford shoes convey British charm, elegance and tradition. They're normally thin, light and proportionally designed. Many different styles are available, such as leather or suede, and with buckles or laces. So less conservative guys out there shouldn't worry because the selection is there, it's just a matter of finding a pair to match your look.

Wear your oxford shoes with:
- Chinos
- Khakis
- Suits
- Corduroy pants (again, preferably adjusted or straight cut)
- Dressier 5-pocket pants

Loafers
Standard and penny loafers have gained much popularity over the past few seasons. They're elegant, subtle and best of all, they'll suit most anyone.

Wear your loafers with:
- Designer jeans
- Chinos
- Khakis
- Suits (For less formal occasions)
- Dressier 5-pocket pants (wool, tweed or cotton)

Boat shoes
Boat shoes will remain a classic choice among men forever. Built with thick soles and comfortable, rich leather, boat shoes are a perfect pick for the summer, spring and fall seasons.

Wear your boat shoes with:
- Your favorite jeans (worn-out or brand new designer variety)
- Khakis
- Shorts
- Corduroy pants
- 5-pocket pants (linen or cotton)
- Drawstring cargos and army style pants

Bowling style shoes
Bowling inspired shoes are not only stylish, but they're also versatile and extremely comfortable.

Go bowling with:
- Designer jeans
- Corduroy pants (adjusted or straight fit)
- 5-pocket pants (linen, cotton, tweed, or wool)
- Drawstring cargos and army style pants (looks better with adjusted ones)
- Chinos

Clayton shoes and leather sneakers
Claytons and leather sneakers are very similar types of shoes. Their light and supple soles provide maximum comfort. They're simply great for taking leisurely strolls, any time of the day. Just avoid wearing them with suits or chinos altogether.

Moccasins
Moccasin style shoes were very fashionable this summer, and you're likely to see many knockoffs available next summer. They're extremely light, comfortable and rather exclusive shoes.
Wear your moccasins with:
- Designer jeans
- Khakis (dressier ones of course)
- Corduroy pants (adjusted or straight cut)
- 5-pocket pants (linen, cotton, tweed, or wool)
- Chinos
- Suits (only if you're attending a really trendy event)

Sneakers
Sneakers are well... sneakers. Nike, Puma, Reebok, or DKNY, they're all more or less the same except for the color and the brand name.
You can get away with wearing your sneakers with almost any type of trouser -- track pants, khakis, drawstring pants, jeans, or cords. Just don't get caught wearing your sneakers with chinos and suits, at least not by me!
Hopefully, this general overview will help you shun matching blunders when it comes to your shoes and pants; after all, you'll no longer need your sneakers to run from the fashion police.
Until next time, keep on stylin'.

Socks
You're late for work and haven't done your laundry for the past week. All your socks are sitting in the laundry basket except for one pair. You slip them on and discover that they're ripped right where your big toe lies.
You think to yourself, no problem, it's Friday, so I'll just lace-up my shoes and nobody will even notice. That same day, a co-worker invites you to his pad for drinks with a bunch of other colleagues. You gladly accept (without remembering that you're donning torn socks).
What an appalling surprise awaits when it's finally time to take off your shoes. All of a sudden, you just feel like crawling under a rock or heading right for home. We've all been in similar impromptu situations, where we had to expose less-than-adequate socks.
Whether it's because your socks are perforated, they don't fit properly or their color simply doesn't match the rest of your attire, read on to find out what makes for perfect footwear.
different types of socks

Everyday socks
If you don't wear a suit everyday, you don't necessarily need to wear less comfortable dressy socks. Everyday socks should be extremely comfortable, look good, and provide sufficient cushioning and moisture absorbing qualities. Stick to simple colors such as black, gray and navy blue to ensure that they match your entire wardrobe. Both thicker and thinner fabrics are fine, as long as they match the rest of your ensemble, and depending on how long you want them to last.

Dressy socks
Dressy socks should be thinner and more delicate than your everyday footwear. Stick to the same basic colors mentioned above and don't overdo it with the variety of patterns. Make sure that they mold against your leg properly and that the elastic keeps them from bunching up regularly.

Gym and sports socks
Quality sports socks are just as important as high-tech sneakers. It's ridiculous to spend $200 on the latest sneakers and ruin their comfort by slipping on cheap and uncomfortable socks. Properly cushioned and supportive socks are great for toes, the top of the foot and the Achilles tendon.
Sports socks should also minimize blisters and hot spots, absorb moisture (as well as keep moisture away -- especially for winter sports). They should also be extremely durable, and allow for proper breathing and cushioning. Style wise, also remember that the gym is basically the only place where white socks should be worn.

With so many new synthetic fibers on the market, it's hard to determine which ones are best for your footwear. Read-up and learn what each fabric contributes to your socks' comfort and durability.

Coolmax® Fabric
Coolmax is a Dupont product, known as the fastest drying fabric. It dries completely within 30 minutes. To put this into perspective, after 30 minutes, cotton would still be 50% wet.

Acrylic
Acrylic has moisture-absorbing qualities and also provides good cushioning for higher levels of comfort.

Cotton
Fine cotton yarns are lightweight, provide superior comfort and are great for absorbing moisture. Cotton alone might lack durability and posture so make sure your socks are properly blended.

Polyester
Polyester fabric is usually part of a sock's composition. It ensures proper breathing for feet and helps avoid excess sweating.

Wool
Wool not only provides feet with proper ventilation, but it also cushions feet and absorbs excess sweat. It is also a great insulator against cold temperatures and is very durable. On the negative side, for some people, wool can be extremely itchy and uncomfortable.

Nylon
Nylon content will provide great insulation and long-wearing durability.

Lycra
Lycra is another Dupont product and is the elastic portion of your socks' composition. Lycra spandex isn't always part of the entire body of the sock; it can simply be a strip at the edge of the sock to offer greater fit and support.

The perfect sock composition is different for each individual. Ideally, you should have a blend of many of the fabrics to secure maximal comfort, durability, moisture absorption, stretch, and cushioning. At first, you'll probably have to try different types of socks before you find the ideal fabric combination.
hot sock tips

What more can you actually know about socks and how to wear them? Well for starters, here are a few more pointers to help you choose the ideal footwear to meet your needs:
Look for fine stitching across the sock because this will alleviate uncomfortable pressure points.
Thickness is usually a good sign of quality and durability. (It will take at least two washing cycles before they actually split.)
Fit wise, dressy and everyday socks should be high enough so that they don't hang at your ankles. Shorter socks are appropriate for the gym or when you don't want your socks to show. (When wearing running shoes with shorts, for example.)
Socks shouldn't come up to your knees either. That is, unless you need supportive socks. Supportive socks have to be worn over the calves and are worn by people suffering from heavy legs, swelling and cramping legs and feet, and for those who need to increase blood flow in that area.
An elastic support is a must because bunching socks look dreadful.
Try to avoid excessive, oversized logos.
Make sure you dump all ripped, torn and stained footwear.
A good way to save a few bucks is to buy in bulk and hunt for sales. That is, after you've found your ideal footwear.
Finally, if you're a victim of excessive sweating, remember to scatter foot powder in your shoes on a daily basis.

Ties
Have you ever wondered who invented the tie? Who cares, right? As long as it makes you look good and you feel good wearing it; that's what counts (this is assuming that you've finally figured out How To Tie A Tie).
must admit, however, that as a young boy, I always looked up at businessmen wearing pieces of cloth hanging around their necks and said to myself that it's probably the one element of a man's attire that possesses absolutely no viable function.

look taller
With time, I slowly began to see the beauty and purpose that these elongated pieces of silk served. Aesthetically, they cover a shirt's buttons and emphasize the verticality of our bodies, meaning that they actually help us look taller.
They also add a sense of luxury and richness, as well as color and texture to our outfits, while completing the overall look of a dress shirt or a business suit.
learn about your personality

A man's tie greatly symbolizes his personality, his position in life and his personal sense of style. Take typical bankers, for example, who are usually very conservative and straightforward. Their ties are usually solid dark blue and at times feature stripes of gray, while other times the ties are gray with blue stripes.
The point is that their ties are generally simple and won't attract much attention. Let's face it, we can all picture the typical banker with a blue suit and an emblematic burgundy tie, known as the "power tie" of the 1980's.
On the other hand, we have the boys from Boiler Room with their $300 designer ties that exude an image of power and a flamboyant lifestyle. Ties fabricated out of the trendiest and flashiest silks, with patterns newly manufactured out of the latest designer stores.
These ties are usually worn by less conservative people such as artists, entertainers, people from the fashion industry or simply by more fashion savvy individuals. In other words, it's usually the more outgoing trendsetters that wear the latest stylish articles.
So what should you look for when buying a tie, in terms of color, size, width, and style?

a sure bet
To begin with, every man should own a solid navy, burgundy or gray tie in his everyday wardrobe.
A solid colored tie with a white shirt is a very classic combination that will likely be around forever. Buying a solid black tie will also be a valuable asset because it can be worn daily as well as for an elegant evening, as an alternative to the bow tie.
stylish blends

Solids are always very striking and elegant, especially when they are of high quality and made of one hundred percent woven silk. Bold colors are burgundy, red and the whole line of brick tones.
If you are looking for something a little more stylish, opt for astonishing high-tech grays and blacks. These make for extremely rich styles when matched with a similar toned shirt, a well-tailored suit and funky shoes.
If you do get a trendier tie in those tones, just make sure that it's of premium quality -- the reason being that if the tie doesn't stay perfectly flat after it's tied, you'll lose the solid look because of the resulting ripples and shadowing.
If you don't exactly know what I mean by "high-tech" colored ties just tune in to Who Wants to be a Millionaire and observe how Regis matches high-tech-colored satin ties with smashing suits to make for a perfect look. The show obviously has a huge budget to spend on Reege's suits, shirts and ties, but so does The Late Show, and David Letterman doesn't even come close to looking as stylish as Regis does.
dare to be different

If you want to be really original, you can always buy a pink or fuchsia-colored tie. Most of us would actually look pretty goofy wearing a candy-colored tie, but coordinated with a well-cut suit, trendy shoes and the right overall look, it can be a great way to show off your outgoing personality, and even to start up some conversation.
The only thing I can guarantee is that you'll make heads turn. Just make sure that you have plenty of other ties lying around before buying a peculiar colored tie because chances are that you won't be wearing it every week and the trend will vanish. But hey, you'll have to spend a little extra if you want to set yourself apart from everyone else.
patterns

If you only have a few ties, you shouldn't go off buying extremely odd-patterned ties. Instead, go for bold and simple patterns; choose repp stripes, various styles of diagonal stripes, or solid patterns. Depending on whether you are conservative or more outgoing, you'll want to buy something to match your style.
Floral patterns aren't usually the perfect fit for an aggressive sales meeting and a solid pink tie isn't a good pick for your Grandma's funeral -- you get the point.
Always consider buying ties that are versatile and that can match most of your shirts and suits. This obviously depends on your financial situation.
Furthermore, your choice in ties is much like the choice of the rest of your wardrobe; it has to be consistent with your style, your suits and the rest of your attire.
If you are a very classic dresser, I wouldn't recommend ties with motifs of animals or cartoons because they would probably come off as tacky and unattractive.
But then again, if you have an outgoing style and have the proper attire to match it, you could probably get away with wearing a Mickey Mouse or Spiderman tie and still be recognized as a good dresser.
tie no-no

The only real no-nos when choosing ties are the really slim ones and the leather cords -- i.e. cowboy style. Unless, of course, your name is Garth Brooks, you live in the Tennessee area, and you wear a cowboy hat and cowboy boots every minute of every day.
So as a general rule I recommend that you spend a little more and buy quality instead of quantity. It's one of those things that is a good investment and worth spending a little more money for the extra quality.
size and width

We've discussed the essential colors and patterns you should be looking for when buying a tie, now let's looks at what size they should be. Generally, the proper width for a tie is around 3 ¼ inches, and anything in that range will never really go out of style.
These days, trends seem to be going towards ties that are a little wider, like those popularized in the late 60's and early 70's. I wouldn't recommend going as far as 5 inches in width, but something close to 4 could be very stylish.
Standard neckties come in lengths from anywhere between 52 to 58 inches long, depending on brands and styles. If you're a very tall man you may have to visit specialty stores to find longer ties.
you get what you pay for

Price is usually a pretty good benchmark of quality, but if it's made from quality silk, a tie should be very supple when touched. It shouldn't be frail, and don't ever buy ties with misweaves and puckers.
A characteristic of a quality tie is one that has been cut across the fabric so that it allows the tie to fall straightforward after the knot has been tied. If it curls when you put it across your hand, it was probably not cut across the fabric and should not be purchased.
So don't be thrifty -- spend a little more on quality, stylish ties simply because they'll make you look good.
Keep on styling.