Accessorizing

Accessorizing can be extremely difficult for men. I take that back. Accessorizing can be very difficult for a guy who cares about the way he looks. I like that statement better because the problem with accessorizing is that so many companies create really terrible "guy" accessories. From watches, to lanyards, and even various other types of jewelry, there's just so much out there that can take away from a classy look. Let's start with lanyards since they happen to be one of my biggest pet peeves. I see guys with these all the time. The popular wear is to throw the keys attached to the lanyard into the baggy sweats or sports shorts and leave the long, often colorful, lanyard hanging from the pocket. It gives the whole, "I have a very small pet on a very small leash hanging out in my pocket" kind of look. It's far from classy but the one worse look is the lanyard's intended use around the neck. We see your keys dangling there pal. Are you really that bad about losing keys that they have to be around your neck at all times? If you're going to put them in your pocket anyway then the lanyard serves no purpose. Another thing to be careful with are watches. Watches can look super classy and elegant or gaudy and gross so you must choose wisely. When in doubt I say keep it simple. There's nothing worse, in my opinion, than seeing a well dressed guy with a leather watch band that's 3 inches wide. Instead of looking like a classy guy you end up looking like someone who is forced to dress well for work but is a wannabe rocker at home. The same goes for other jewelry. I tend to feel like the only ring a guy should be wearing is a wedding band. The one exception of course comes if he has won the super bowl or something of equivalent significance that is normally showcased by the wearing of a rather large ring. Like I said earlier, just keep it simple. Gaudy never means classy and the most presentable people keep it simple. (the rhyme was unintentional but I like what it does for this post) Stay classy.

Airline Travel Part 2: Dressing appropriately for your flight

Dressing well for airline travel is not a new concept. In past years (starting with the birth of commercial aviation) people always dressed up to travel. This concept wasn't widely received due to its comfort level but because of how people wanted to present themselves. If you've read many of my other blog posts then you know I'm an advocate for always being aware of how you present yourself. Airline travel puts you in front of many new people. It's your responsibility to see that those people view you as a well put together citizen. It's also important to be comfortable on flights and to get through security checkpoints efficiently. I propose wearing comfortable shoes like loafers that are easy to slide on and off and a belt that's not a hassle as these items will have to be removed and replaced. A blazer is a great option for travel outfits as it can be light weight and easy to deal with. It also looks great (tie or no tie) with a button up shirt. Don't do the t shirt and blazer combo. You're not Ralf Lauren. Smart casual is the look to achieve for travel so shoot for that. Another tip: if you'd like to arrive at your destination in nicer shoes than loafers then simply keep a pair of dress shoes easily accessible in your carry-on. here's to comfortable, efficient, and stylish air travel. Stay classy.