When was the last time you had a shave?

I'll be looking forward to getting a shave at the new barber shop in Los Angeles, Baxter Finley. $40.00 for a shave is definitely a luxury service... but from time to time a guy needs some service.

One Step Closer to Ferrari

I am the first one to tell you, if you don't have the car, do not wear the gear...HOWEVER, the Tod's for Ferrari collection is something unique. Maybe it's because the Italian made sports car is always a fixed item on my Christmas list, but rocking a pair of Enzo red suede mocs is a stylish choice...it isn't as bad as a Lamborghini tie for guy who drives the Malibu.

For under 400 dollars you can be in step with Ferrari and if someone should look down at your shoes and ask "where's the car"? Just tell them "it's on it's way." Because eventually, it will be.

A ManAboutTown Must Have

With the barrage of devices that we end up carrying around throughout our day, we are bound to have battery failure for either our IPod, Blackberry, or GPS. Tumi's Mobile Power Pack is handy for making sure we stay in contact, won't miss a beat and be in communication even when we are away from from an outlet.

$135.00 www.tumi.com

The Art of Your Shave.

I see why the beard is making such a comeback...Shaving is a chore for most of us.

The addition of the shaving brush to my daily ritual has helped in getting a close shave without irritation. Italian barbers apply the shaving cream to the face with a badger hair shaving brush, and they merely don't "brush" on the cream, they apply the cream with the brush going against your beard pattern, this lifts up the beard hair and primes the beard for the blade.

Typically I use the brush with the canned shaving cream, however there are days where I use the old school shaving soap and mug which the brush is most useful for.

Try using a shaving brush, the best are made from badger hair and can start at $30.00. Look for one in a classic drug store or ask your grandfather.

Money Never Sleeps, But Gekko's Style May Have Hit the Snooze.

Contrast collars, monogrammed robes, gold Cartiers and jumbo cell phones; all are part of the look of the 1987 Oliver Stone classic, Wall Street. To this day, I still think Gordon Gekko is great fictional character to get tips on business ware. Sure Gekko was flash, the gold accessories prove that, but take note of the suiting, the Turnball contrast collared shirts and the braces...all timeless.
September 24th is the scheduled release of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. If you are like me, you'll just be going for the tailored clothes, I mean how good can the sequel be of such an iconic film?
From the movie stills below I have a lot of concern for Mr. Gekko, the usual dapper bloke is starting to look like a walking ad for the Men's Wearhouse...scroll down.

You see why I am concerned...the glasses Gordon, really!?

Mr. Gekko rocks "Dad loafers."

"You're gonna like the way you look"

It's Gekko's protege that might really set trends on men's work wear.

The Gucci loafers run $495.00

Wear Socks to the office, don't wear socks on vacation.

For some reason, I just won't believe that Gekko would not wear a bow tie formally. ...yes those are Barker Black Velvet slippers.

The LOOK of a MAN ABOUT TOWN

"dude i got to get a suit for a wedding by the 21st...I'm keeping it after, advice wise, GIMME ALL YOU GOT"
-Tweeted at ManAboutTownTV 8/12/10



As men, there will be a time in our life when we need to wear a suit. Some of us make the choice to wear one, some us make the choice to rock one. Hopefully you make the latter.

Like I had mentioned in my earlier post, as a guest at a wedding, you need to keep your attire somewhat understated, since the event focuses on the happy couple. Yet weddings are formal and your attire should measure up. Just because your look should lean towards simple, you still can rock the look.

What does rocking a suit exactly mean? Your suit is impeccable, there might be 100 other guys at the event wearing the same color and style of suit, but your tailoring, tie knot, shirt collar and shoes are so dead on, that you stand out from the rest.

You don't need to be in the three thousand and above range for suiting to look like a million. Find a suit with good bones; meaning that off the rack, the jacket fits your shoulders, drapes down your backside, sleeves stop at the joint of where your thumb connects to your palm, the rest a tailor can alter. Note: the most common mistake guys are making in getting their suits fitted is that the shoulders of the jacket don't square off with your shoulders. Make sure that your shoulder bone does not protrude out from the wool.

On how to handle your tailor-they can be a bit assertive, especially with younger clients. Make sure you let them know exactly your look:

• The coat usually needs to be taken in from the back side seams and sometimes the front seams, make sure you have a waist to your jacket so it provides you some silhouette. The material should not stretch across your stomach (ie: Ryan Seacrest) but perfectly button allowing no more than a hand in between you and the suit.


• Most guys who fit you want you to have all this material over your shoes, this is too common for any man about town, no more than a quarter break in the trousers, too much pant bunching and you look like an accountant.


• Know that it's okay to show shirt cuff, especially if you wear cuff links. The sleeve of the jacket needs to stop at your wrist.


• Sometimes sleeves and trouser legs need to be tapered to be fit to your body, not tight however closer.

When in doubt of your look, check out the major high end suit makers, the look books online can inspire your style.





Tom Ford, pictured right, can run over $4,000.00

http://www.tomford.com/

...However Reiss has a great looking suit that goes for $820.00

http://http://www.reissonline.com/us/shop/mens/tailoring/


Ralph Lauren's Black Label is always a fail-safe collection of suiting, yet the $1595.00 price tag can be a bit steep, but an investment none the less.
www.polo.com



























A Brooks Brothers suit was my first suit and they have come a long way over the past few years. The suit pictured is offered on sale for $598.00 and looks to be the best deal.
www.brooksbrothers.com





Your shirt is a very important thing. For a more formal occasion I make the choice to wear white. I like a bigger collar since I have a larger cranium. The trend of the tiny collar is not always the best choice for all blokes. Polo Ralph Lauren's Regent shirt( http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4281904&cp=1760783.1760916&ab=view91-135&view=45&pg=3&parentPage=familyshirt) has a great collar and it is offered in a custom fit which is tapered and also comfortable. The shirt runs $125.00 but can be found on sale. Do not skimp on the shirt. If you have a bonus to burn, pick up one from Charvet. It will last forever.

I love solid silk ties, so did Cary Grant. They are timeless however if you are feeling a bit more bold, black and white polka dots or stripes are always going to get a compliment. You can pick up a really decent tie from Penguin.

Shoes, they need to be the most expensive you can afford. Cole Haan's are on sale for $125.00. Ferragamo will last 2 lifetimes but run $450.00. If you are balling this paycheck go for Prada. They are the most comfortable shoes I own. For an evening wedding, black lace-ups are a no brainer.

The accessories:

• Pocket squares: Every men's magazine says a pocket square will give you instant panache. Only wear one if you WANT to wear one; so many dudes go out the door with ridiculous looking folded squares of fabric dripping our of their chest pockets. Fold the fabric into a square and angle it into your pocket, only if you're into that sort of thing.
• Cuff links: Yes, they can be whatever you want as long as there are no naked chick holograms on them...save those for the night out on the town.
• Tie bars: These look good on solid or knit ties.
• Socks: Grey, yes. Black, yes. Red, maybe. Green, perhaps. Yellow, no. Purple, I'd like to see it.
• Watch: Vintage watches can be cost effective and very elegant. Look at Longines, Omega, and Hamilton for less costly models. Try and keep to the 1940's to the 1960's.
• Incidentals: Keep a white cotton handkerchief with you. Pass it on to teary eyed females, you don't need it back. A pen to sign guestbooks and bar tabs for the late night rendez vous. Collar stays should be present in your collar. Mints.

"Style is not what you put on, it's how you put it on".

When it comes to dressing for your big event take time to put your clothes on. Make sure your cuffs aren't rumpled and your collar is sitting high and your tie know is nice and tight around your neck. Have a clean cocktail and be relaxed, by the time you get to your destination, your vibe will be as cool and put together as your look.

I wish you the very best in selecting clothes that should last you a long time, if you take my notes on what to look for, the pieces will reside in style for years to come.

More questions? manabouttowntv@gmail.com

Happy Hunting.

Happy Birthday Mr. Hamilton

We should all be hopeful that when we reach our 71st year, we are about town like this gentleman.

Cheers to the original man about town.

What to Wear to Chelsea's Wedding...or any other wedding you get invited to.

Weddings are for the bride and the groom. Always keep that in mind, even when you are dressing to attend one.

This is a time when elegance counts, yes this means wearing a tie. I have been to weddings and seen the guy sitting in back with an open collared shirt, and it just looked wrong...usually this same fellow is the one holding up the line at the bar because he needs to throw down shots (B.T.W. don't do shots at a wedding...just don't).

So which suit works? A grey suit is a perfect choice, especially since most weddings begin in the late afternoon and roll into the evening. Try and rock the peaked lapel-this is the most formal looking of all suits.

Your shirt should be white, crisp and French cuffed.

I like paring a solid grey satin tie with this look, just because it does keep you looking polished and understated.

Keep a cotton handkerchief with you to offer to the single girl who tears up, she maybe doing drinks with you afterward.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DRINKING RIGHT NOW...

This vibrant blanc de blanc is quite refreshing and perfect when served icy cold on a late Summer evening. The girls will love it, so much that they may ask for another bottle to be popped, but no worries friend, you can expect to pay around $35.00 even in a restaurant for this. So you truly will be poppin' bottles all night long.

Which Lady Would You Have Had Breakfast in Bed With?

Breakfast at Tiffany's author, Truman Capote demanded that Marilyn Monroe star as Miss Golighlty in the 1950's film, which begs the question: If you had to choose Marilyn or Audrey to have breakfast with, which beautiful actress would you choose? Word has it, Audrey hated Danishes.