Fred Perry Suede Mid Laceups

THE ASKMEN TAKE

Gray remained one of the hues of choice for designers this season. As a result, everyone will be buying a shirt in this go-with-everything color -- but not you. You’re going to stand out this year, because this year you’re going to wear this trend on your feet. The Fred Perry Suede Mid Laceup shoes will look best with slim-fit or straight-leg jeans and cotton pants. As long as you proceed with caution, you might even be able to get away with wearing these shoes with tapered, narrow-fitting dress pants. Go wild with your top, however, because these shoes will complement anything from dress shirts to T-shirts in every color.

UNIQUENESS

You probably have several pairs of black shoes in your wardrobe, in addition to a couple of pairs of brown loafers and numerous sneakers. This spring, mix up your look and add these gray slip-ons to your footwear roster. A sleek design coupled with white, sporty detailing makes these Fred Perry Suede Mid Laceups appropriate for all your casual and smart-casual warm-weather get-togethers in ‘09. Also, whether you’re fearlessly fashionable or you play by the safe-style rules, these ankle boots will give all your ensembles a subtle but fun spin, putting some spring in your step this spring.

DURABILITY

A suede upper combined with a rubber sole makes these shoes extremely comfortable and ideal for plenty of walking in the city. If you’re diligent about buffing your suede, you can count on getting about two years of wear from these shoes, although you’ll be limited to wearing them in sunny months that don’t get much rain. By the time the Fred Perry Suede Mid Laceups start to look worn out, however, they’ll also start to look noticeably dated. A price tag of close to $100 is a little steep for shoes you might not wear everyday, but at the same time, they won’t break the bank unless you’re on a really tight budget.

Urban Outfitters Jungle Scarf

THE ASKMEN TAKE

If you’re still donning a black and white checkered keffiyeh (or if you were brazen enough, that hideous purple version) as a year-round scarf, it’s time to let it go. It looks better on Saudi oil oligarchs anyway. Go back to Urban Outfitters and trade it in for the gauzy Jungle Scarf in bright moss or plaid. Spring is all about mixing and matching patterns with simple accessories that add color. A fine-gauge scarf is an excellent way to do just that.

UNIQUENESS

You were probably trying to be one-of-a-kind when you purchased that keffiyeh until you realized that everyone from Rachael Ray to the Taliban had one. The key to defining your style with this scarf depends on how it’s paired. The over five feet of length gives you the freedom to wear it in an infinite number of ways. Of course, the easy thing to do is toss it on with jeans and a V-neck T-shirt. That outfit might even land you a part-time job at the local Urban to bankroll the nasty shopping habit you’ve been trying to kick during these tough times. However, if you’re a little more adventurous, it can make an otherwise fussy suit and tie edgy without looking like you tried too hard. Just refrain from sporting it on your head -- that’s better left to the keffiyeh.

DURABILITY

Unlike your heavy winter scarf that inevitably found its way onto the grungy floor at a budget-conscious office holiday potluck, you won’t have to worry about dry cleaning the lighter spring rendition; it’s machine washable. The trendy keffiyeh may have outlived its 15 minutes of fashion fame, but this simple scarf will last for seasons. It injects a welcome splash of color into any look from casual to classed-up. However, make sure to skip the iron. The Jungle Scarf was born to be wild.

Engineered Garments Flannel Scarf

THE ASKMEN TAKE

The Far East still holds a great deal of mystique from a Western perspective. However, the same wonder and interest can come from the other side as well. Japanese designer Daiki Suzuki grew up with a fascination for the American way of life and the unique way in which fashion is fused with utility. Visions of amber waves of grain drew Suzuki stateside where the now 46-year-old is heading up his own label, Engineered Garments. The austere name was concocted by the first pattern maker used by Suzuki who believed that the detail in each piece was more reminiscent of engineering than everyday designing. Perhaps that’s an appropriate moniker for clothing that has a uniquely industrial look to it. Suzuki’s flannel scarf, in a soft violet, is simple yet stylish and probably the kind of purple mountain majesty he dreamed of as a child.

UNIQUENESS

Despite what your pilling scarf from college is telling you, there arefashion trends in the world of men’s scarves. In fact, wearing the right scarf is the easiest way to separate yourself as a man among the boys, and this plaid number should help form a comfortable buffer. Instead of a Christmas-y color combo, Suzuki used purple and made it extra fat, too. The 18-inch width makes it perfect for looser draping. That’s exactly the kind of casual, lived-in look that Suzuki intended for the wearer. The Engineered Garments Flannel Scarf is ideal for jeans and T-shirts or, with apologies to Suzuki, even a crisp suit.

DURABILITY

Despite the latest movement toward American workwear, there is a gaping void in the market for something affordable that doesn’t require sifting through cardboard boxes at a thrift store or bartering with a trucker. Engineered Garments feeds the need with this scarf at just $75.  While purple is a color that most guys still feel carries a stigma going all the way back to their days playing in the sandbox, it is actually one of the most flattering and easiest to wear. Purple pairs with nearly everything and provides that eye-catching element every look needs. Suzuki’s Americana vision may have oddly enough been born in Japan, but this scarf was fittingly made in the U.S. -- in 100% wool -- without anything lost in translation.

Hair Color Trend – Pretty in Pastels

Wanting to add a color boost to your locks but looking something softer than neon green or hot pink?  A pretty pastel hue may be just what the stylist ordered!  The pastel color trend is feminine and glamorous yet playful and fun.  From baby blue streaks to an allover peach, the pastel colors can be worked a variety of ways to create a look unique to you and your personality.

Try lavenders, soft pinks, apricot hues or a minty green pop to add some fun to your ‘do in the form of all over color, streaks or highlights.  An extremely popular way to wear the pastel is in an Ombre highlight where only the ends of your hair are colored.

From the fashionable Olsen twins to rocker chick Pink to sweet Rachel McAdams, celebs and runway models alike have embraced this soft color trend and made it a style to consider. Just like any color, this can be as over or understated of a look as you like.

Add up Style with Fashionable Ties

Men’s grooming tips for picking up trendy and fashionable ties.

Spring is here and men’s fashion trends 2011 are ready to add style and elegance into their uniform daily routine attire. If you have got bored with the same office clothes and formal pick-ups, then this article will definitely add some new styles in your men’s grooming book. Our men’s grooming tips will not only guide you how to get a new look in formal way, but also give you ideas about carrying your fashionable yet professional appearance.

Among the men’s fashion trends, fashionable ties have always been an integral part of the corporate scene. It’s very important not to forget picking up fashionable ties along with a wide range of shirts, trousers and suits. However, the job of selecting fashionable ties is not an easy part, as it plays an important role in men’s grooming and is the only accessory that men get to wear on a daily basis. Our men’s grooming tips will guide you through the tough task of selecting fashionable ties, which are as follows:

• Selection of fashionable ties:

There are some men’s grooming tips, which are significant while choosing fashionable ties. Taller people would go for lengthier ties, while thinner men should pick slimmer ties. The standard fashionable ties are of 55 to 57 inches long and 3.5 to 4 inches wide, and the bottom tip should perfectly touch the buckle of your belt when knotted around your neck. For men’s grooming, it is important to check that at no time your tie go below the buckle.

• Color of fashionable ties:

As part of men’s grooming, the colors of jacket and coats should never clash the color of your fashionable ties. For bright colored suits, always pick dull color fashionable ties and with plain or solid color, you can opt for bright patterned fashionable ties, complimenting the jacket. Similarly, plain fashionable ties look best with striped or checked shirts, while patterned funky fashionable ties goes well with plain light colored shirt.

Once you have a stock of basic fashionable ties, our men’s grooming tips will suggest you to select brighter colors as per spring men’s fashion trends like pink, orange, polka dotted and complex design fashionable ties.

Helpful guide to Summer proof your Hair

Though, skin care is important in summer, but to protect your hair from the harsh rays of sun, summer hair care is equally significant. The scorching sun rays cause extensive damage to hair which can only be overcome by proper summer hair care. With our easy to follow summer hair care tips, you can surely summer proof your hair and enjoy healthy and shiny hair throughout the summer. The damages that can be caused by UV rays are hair color fading, cuticle damaging, and brittle and dry hair. Following are some important summer hair care tips to take special care of your hair during this season.

 

Trim Split Ends:
Since summer can steal away all the moisture from your tresses, our summer hair care guide will suggest you to get your hair end trimmed every 4-6 weeks during the hot months. When you ends are fizzy, it’s a clear sign of inappropriate summer hair care and damage or split ends.
To summer proof your hair, make sure to trim your split ends and damaged sections off. The only preventive summer hair care method to deal with frizzy hair is to get rid of split ends.

 

Ditch the color:
During summer months, reduce the use of harsh chemicals of bleach and hair color. Due to being deprived of moisture, hair colors can cause extensive damage to your summer hair care routine. Instead of using artificial hair colors, summer proof your hair by going as natural as possible.
If you want to color your hair in summer, our summer hair care guide will advise to apply natural color and conditioner of Henna (Mehndi). Henna will not only play a positive part in your summer hair care routine, but will also provide you cooling and soothing. 

 

Put a pause on heat stylers:
Normally, women use hot styling tools like blow dryers, hair irons, rollers to get themselves stylized. Putting a pause on heat stylers in the hot weather.

 

To get the maximum benefits of summer hair care guide, you should give your hair a rest from the torture of chic heat stylers during summer months. If the use of heat styling tools is necessary for some special occasions, you can summer proof your hair by using a leave-in conditioner before using the hot tool on your hair.

Fashion accessory

Accessories can add color, style and class to an outfit, and create a certain look, but they can also have a practical function: handbags can be used to carry small items such as cash, hats protect the face in bad weather, and gloves keep hands warm.
Many accessories are produced by clothing design companies. However, there has been an increase in individuals creating their own brand name by designing and making their own label of accessories. Following the internet boom, individuals have been able to sell their own accessories online to anyone across the globe. Handmade unique accessories are in high demand today.
Accessories can be visual symbols of religious affiliation: crucifixes, Jewish stars, Islamic headscarves, skullcaps and turbans are common examples. Designer labels on accessories are perceived by some as an indicator of social status.
Over the centuries fashion accessories have changed and evolved. In the 19th century, English fashion accessories included items such as The Muff, The Tippet, and Tulle shawls. During this time hats and turbans were also considered fashionable.^{[citation needed]}
The beginning of the 20th century saw radical changes in the way women began to dress. Dress became more practical and meant that accessories didn’t play such a big part in fashion during this time.^{[citation needed]}
In the 1950s fashion accessories become more popular in the western world, with accessories such as fruit corsages to adorn sweaters or hats. Also in the 1950s eyewear began to be used as fashion accessories. The 1950s also saw the rise of the stiletto.