The consistently sweet smell of a succesful actor

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Tommy

Raul Esparza, who stars Jonas Nightingale in the musical “Leap of Faith,” has a cologne ritual for his plays.

He uses particular colognes to conjure sensory images. “A particular smell puts me in a place so much faster than any intellectual work I could do,” he explained to the New York Times Magazine.

Esparza selects a scent and wears it until the show shutters. He’s been wearing Tom Ford for Men for this role.

For his Tony-nominated role in “Company,” Esparza chose Royal Water by Creed. “It smells like money — expensive, crispy and chilly,” he told the Times magazine. “You inhale it and ummmm, wealth! I saw my character, Bobby, as an advertising executive living in SoHo: extraordinarily successful and an ice-cold human being.”

For those looking to conjure sensory images on a budget, Esparza has also been known to sport Old Spice, because he is drawn to tobacco-y musky smells.

The modern manzere, or is it the bro?

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Tommy

Our friends at Askmen.com recently tackled the age-old question of how to contain man-boobs that was the basis for a classic “Seinfeld” episode. The modern day answer is far removed from the memorable bro versus manzere debate between Kramer and Mr. Costanza.

Q: I am fighting the man-boob battle. What clothes should I be avoiding and which ones should I be wearing?

A: Women have been using shape-wear for years to help smooth lumps and bumps in order to get closer to achieving their ideal figure. For some reason, though, shape-wear for men has virtually remained a secret, despite being readily available. Try starting with a shaping T-shirt as your base layer, like a seamless nylon model from One Flat Jack. It will compress your chest without feeling uncomfortable, leaving you with a slimmer looking physique. Over top, layer a dress shirt that skims your body but has breathing room, and pair it with a single-breasted, dark blazer worn unbuttoned.

‘Mad Men’ Bring Plaid Back

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Tommy

'Mad Men' enters the plaid dimension.

The fifth season of “Mad Men,” which premiered on AMC recently, made a statement in Men’s fashion with the return of the plaid sport jacket.

Set in 1966, this fifth season features a departure from the drab suit colors of previous episodes. Colorful checkered suits and sport coats, which pay homage to the mid to late 1960s, have made a comeback on runways this spring. Gucci and Costume National debuted check jackets at spring/summer shows this year.

The throwback plaid jacket look may become a must-have this summer.

Style matters even to the hunters

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Tommy

Now more than ever, men are focused on what image they project based on what they wear.

In the age of Internet, men can research their suits and sport coats online like they would with a new car.

“I’m not just talking about a `fashion guy,’ ” said Gilt Groupe’s Tyler Thoreson. “For many men, your wardrobe is part of your program of discernment. They’ll learn about it like a car or a wine or a watch.”

Men then hit the stores or online retailers, such as Suitbargains.com, like they are on a mission, said Eric Jennings of Saks Fifth Avenue.

“Men travel in herds, and when it’s OK in your friendship group to care about how you look on the weekends, it spreads pretty quickly,” Allen Edmonds CEO Paul Grangaard told the Associated Press. “Since the recession of 2008, you’re always networking. Men dress better for midweek coffees and lunches and on weekends because you never know who you’ll run into where. You always want to look secure, stable and reliable.”

Efron Looks Sharp in Calvin Klien

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Tommy

Actor Zac Efron commands attention in a sharp, grey Calvin Klein suit on the red carpet of the premier of “The Lucky One” in Sydney, Australia.

Off the cuff style

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Tommy

When tailoring a sharp new suit one of many questions to address is to cuff or not to cuff the pants.

Style experts now agree cuffing dress pants is the way to go.

“I like cuffs on pants of just about any fabric,” designer Michael Bastian told GQ recently. “Of course, when you’re dealing with heavier corduroys and tweeds, the cuffs serve a purpose: They give the pants some weight, so they fall better. I say, if you’re gonna go for a cuff, go for it; make it at least an inch and a quarter deep.

“As for the break, 90 percent of guys keep it classic, where the front of your pants hits the top bit of your shoes and the back of them touches the tops of your heels. That always works—but if you know what you’re doing, then you can play around a bit and show a little ankle,” Bastian said.

Remember to bring a pair of shoes to the tailor to help achieve the proper length for your new suit pants.

U.S. Olympians to don Ralph Lauren in London

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Tommy

For the third time, the king of American cool, Ralph Lauren, will design uniforms for nearly 800 United States Olympians competing in the 2012 Summer Games in London.

“The looks for the London Olympics are fitting: vintage-inspired polos, pants and sweaters on a red, white and blue color palette (above). The line includes jackets, glasses, luggage, shoes, hats, belts and beach towels, all of which go on sale online and in stores May 15,” according to Forbes.

For the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Lauren’s look was sporty-prep. The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing featured more classic attire such as sharp navy blazers, crisp white pants and scarf ascots for the women and red-striped ties for the men.

The Ralph Lauren 2012 Summer Olympics collection will debut at the opening ceremony parade on July 27.

The Big and The Tall

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Matt

A lot of tall and wide men have a very difficult time finding clothes to fit into. In fact, some deem it near impossible to find a perfect match and shopping is seen as a horror, as though Satan himself is running every store he the big or tall man walks into.

I am here to tell you, no matter big or thin, short or tall, it should not have to be this way. Decalo Fashion provides an enormous variety for those Big & Tall’s in need. There are suits and suit separates available from size 42 all the way up through 60. Dress shirts come in 36/37 and sleeves range from 16.5 to neck size 20. Trousers are available from a 44 through a 60 waist size. There is a complete range of hues for whatever color “suits” your fancy, a large selection of styles to compliment your personal look and enough sizes that no man is left behind.

Tall men should embrace their height because there is not much you can do to stifle it, not that you should even want to. One suggestion to you tall boys out there is to wear a solid rather than a pinstripe since stripes will further elongate a willowy figure. On the other hand big men can wear slimming colors like dark navy or opt for pinstripes for a trimmer look.

Photo courtesy of David Schauer.

Hilfiger creates an empire on $150 and a dream

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Tommy

“When I was a teenager growing up in Elmira, I had a dream. And the dream was to become a designer and build my own brand,” related Tommy Hilfiger to Women’s Wear Daily for an April 5 profile. Jump-starting that dream early, Hilfiger went into the jeans business with his friend Larry Stemerman as a high school student.

“We each put $150 in a kitty and drove to New York City in a Volkswagen Beetle and bought 20 pairs of bell-bottoms from the streets of the Village — Saint Mark’s Place — and brought them back to the schoolyard and basically sold them to our friends,” recalled the designer.

During Tommy Hilfiger‘s career, which has spanned more than 40 years, he has sold everything from bell bottoms to blazers to button-downs. The prep school prince, whose first shop was People’s Place in upstate New York, now has an international brand that benefits celebrity endorsements from the likes of Britney Spears, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones.

Gone mad about ‘Mad Men’ style

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Tommy

Men have the green light to start getting their Don Draper look on now, according to Janie Bryant, the costumer designer for AMC’s “Mad Men.”

Fashion is taking a more casual turn on the show, however sharp suits remain a mainstay. “It’s all about polo shirts, short-sleeved button-down shirts, cardigan sweaters, V-neck sweaters, sweater vests, flat-front narrow legged trousers (solids and plaids), loafers and don’t forget your sports coat!” Bryant told AskMen.com.

“I love the men’s accessories for this period, and as a costume designer, the accessories tell so much about each of these characters on the show. To name a few accessories, the monogrammed belt buckles, belts, cuff links, collar bars, tie tacks, tie bars, stingy brimmed fedoras, Tyrolean hats, trilbys and walking hats (think Rex Harrison),” she said.

Banana Republic has an encore of the “Mad Men” collection that debuted last fall that is inspired by country club scenes of the 1960s, including polo shirts, argyle vests and navy blue blazers. Another “Mad Men” collection is due soon.