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Best Dressed. Street Style. Summer 2010.

When it comes to buying your first “real” watch, many make the predictable turn to a tried and true classic. Sure, the Rolex Submariner is iconic, the Omega Speedmaster is legendary, and most Breitlings will get you some respect around the office. But, there exists a number of alternatives that despite being a little under the radar, offer the same high-grade Swiss mechanics and the chance to differentiate yourself from your peers. After all, a watch says a lot about a man, and do you want it to say you’re like everyone else in town? Didn’t think so.

These five watches come from relatively young brands (the oldest was born in the 90s) and every single one of them is fantastic looking, features a Swiss made automatic movement, and has the potential to be a classic in its own right some day.

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Five New Classic Watches For Around (or Under) $5000.

On the runway, before it hits the street. Summer collection Brooklyn Circus.

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On the Runway. Summer Collection. Brooklyn Circus.

The concept behind this outfit is to be casual and relaxed, yet still look great. Remember, you do not want your clothes to be either overpowering or overbearing. More importantly, your attire should be suitable for whatever the night brings and wherever it may lead. This date ensamble is both classic and trendy, can we worn by men of all body types and fits all budgets.

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How To Dress For: A Summer Date.

Hey Ask Debonair,

I was interested in purchasing a nice hat for myself.  I was thinking of a fedora.  What are your suggestions in buying one?

Ah, the fedora.  Harkening back to a day where a man’s headwear was as important as his shoes and your type of hat defined your person.  But I digress. The fedora is typified as a felt hat, with a pinched front of the crown and full wrap-around brim.  Usually, there is a band around the crown, sometimes with a feather in that band.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when purchasing such a hat.  First, the fedora is a dressier type hat.  You would not wear one with a pair of jeans, t-shirt and sneakers – it just wouldn’t work.  It should be reserved for more suited occasions.  Collared shirts, slacks, jackets and shoes are to be worn with this type of headwear.

This brings us to the second thing to consider.  A fedora is to be worn as part of the attire, not an accessory to it.  Thus, matching your hat to the rest of your garments here is important.  The color palette should stay consistent throughout the outfit.

As in purchasing any other article of clothing, make sure that it fits well.  That is, not too big, as to fall over your ears, and not too tight, as to leave a mark on your forehead when you remove it.
Once you have purchased it, how do you wear it?  There are again a couple of things to consider.  The fedora came to prominence because it is very malleable.  It is not as stiff as other hats you might buy.  For this reason, there are many different ways you could wear it – each is a personal sartorial decision.

There are, however, some definite guidelines.  A fedora should always be worn slightly askew.  That is, with a slight tilt, either to the right or to the left.  Stay away from overdoing it, though, as a simple gesture works best here.  Secondly, the back of the brim should always be turned up.  If it is turned down, the hat makes you look like you just came out of a rainstorm and you will look as wilted as your hat.  Finally, it should be worn pitched slightly forward, leaning toward the forehead.  You wouldn’t want it to sit to straight on your head as to look stiff, and if it is pitched too far back, you will look like a stressed out detective from the 40’s.  A slight pitch forward and you will be fine.

As for the front of the brim, this is totally up to you.  You could turn it up or turn it down, depending on your stylistic preference, and how to best accent your facial features.  As with everything else related to style, make sure that you are confident and comfortable with it – if you aren’t comfortable no one else will be.

A well worn hat is a symbol of a well dressed man.

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How To Purchase & Wear a Fedora Hat.

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Best Dressed Street Style.-Summer 2010.-Part II

Hey Ask Debonair,

I just bought tickets to a Broadway show.  I was wondering what was appropriate to wear?

I ask you simply to consider this when deciding on your attire.  Long before the age of IMAX movie houses, HD televisions, satellite radio, MP3 players and computers, there was the theater.  And although modernity has supplied us with these expansive and almost limitless opportunities of entertainment, the theater remains. It remains for tradition, for the continuous and unrelenting pursuit of live perfection (or perhaps purposeful imperfection).  It remains on the backs of hundreds and thousands or actors, directors, writers, stagehands and musicians.  The great drama depicted, the great comedy experienced.  And while the epoch of black tie attendees has past, this is the office one must continue to respect when dressing for the theater.

There is, of cource, no official dress code for the theater. Because of this, you may see those in jeans, t-shirts, shorts, sneakers and even sandals.  But you know better – it is evidenced by the question and your reading of this response. By no means and I implying that you must wear a tuxedo and patent leather shoes, but shoes nonetheless.  No sneakers or sandals but shoes.  Your pants should be long (no jeans) and your shirt should have a collar.  A suit would not be out-of-line, in fact, it would be encouraged.  But, if you decide against the suit, strongly consider the sports jacket. I assure you that your attire will assist in your overall enjoyment of the show, because you know why you dressed as you did.

Have a question you would like us to answer? Ask Debonair.

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How to Dress for a Broadway Show.

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Debonair Street Style-Summer 2010-Part I

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Bathing Suits – Summer 2010 Men’s Trend Report

Since it is the summer, I would like to wear some of my shoes without socks.  The problem is every time I wear shoes without socks, my feet begin to smell.  How can I stop my feet from smelling?

It is important to first, understand the reason for the odor.  This will make trying to solve the problem much easier.  Body odor is mainly caused by bacteria.  Bacteria thrive in moist areas of the body.

For this reason, the first step in eliminating this odor problem is to combat the bacteria which cause it.  To do this, begin by washing your feet with an anti-bacterial soap.  This does means actually wash and exfoliate your feet (don’t just let the water run on them), including in-between your toes.  Also, make sure that your toenails are kept short and clean, as underneath the toenails are a wonderful place for bacteria to grow.

Once you have combated the bacteria itself, the next step is to inhibit the environment in which it could grow.  This means, keep your feet dry.  Again, wet feet will create a moist environment conducive for the growth of odor causing bacteria.  So, when you get out of the shower, pool, ocean (or any other situation where your feet would get wet), be sure to dry your feet thoroughly before you put your shoes back on your feet.

As for the shoes themselves, place a moisture absorbent powder inside your shoes.  Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) should do the trick.  It will absorb the sweat you foot will secrete and will create a more hostile environment for odor causing bacteria.  Also, try not to wear the same shoes every day.  Allow for the shoes to breathe and naturally dry.  Finally, on those days when you would not wear those shoes, you may want to use some cedar wood shoe trees.  The wood will absorb the excess moisture left behind in the shoe.

Have a question you would like us to answer? Ask Debonair.

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How to Wear Shoes Without Socks.