Celebrity Saturday: Oscar de la Renta

This week saw the passing of one of the most influential designers of all time, Oscar de la Renta. He may not have been overly involved in the menswear world, but de la Renta transcended gender barriers as well as any other barrier that may come up. His look was effortless and timeless, indicative of a man that knew exactly what he was doing, who knew that true style didn't come from following the latest trend, but embracing a look that creates the best version of your own person. Thank you for everything that you brought to life through fashion, your work will live on through the people that followed and worked with you.

Check in tomorrow for a recap of the week's topics and next Saturday for another stylish celebrity influence!

Friday Faux Pas: Turn Down for What?

IT seems almost a natural reaction when walking into a store to quickly respond to the sales associate that "I'm fine, just looking" and to turn down any offer of help that may be extended your way. Its time to stop being a guy, and accept some help for once.

These are the guys to talk to.

For one, these sales people, no matter what store, are experts of where everything is and have the power to show you the way or completely shut you out, so be nice and ask questions; they get bored and uneasy having to just stand their watching you walk around. Another reason is that today's menswear world is literally flooded with choice, which makes finding the perfect items or the right fit pretty difficult, and chances are that an associate at one store will have friends at another or at least have some useful knowledge of his/her competition. There are plenty more reasons why not to turn down these wonderful people, like being invited to store events and private sales, so remember to be a human being and open up while you shop!

Check in tomorrow for a stylish celebrity influence and next Friday for another installment of my fashion faux pas!

Threads for Thought: Cravats

Ties and scarves are must haves in today's men's style world, everyone has their collection of both and the only real differentiation comes from pairing them with other accessories. Its time to introduce an old trick to the new menswear world.

The cravat is to the tie what the chicken is to the egg, having been popularized in Croatia in the 17th Century, has almost completely disappeared from the thought of men's fashion; maybe the occasional one-percenter will put one on to show off his worth. That is exactly why this piece is so great! A cravat will elevate any look from ordinary to extravagant, no matter what the fabric or pattern, although, the silk foulard variety reigns king. Substitute one out for a tie one day and tie it on similar to the way a winter scarf is tied, then tuck it in and watch the elegance ensue.

Check in tomorrow for this week's edition of Friday Faux Pas and next Thursday for another piece that deserves your consideration!