25 Days of S/S Style for Men: GET OVER YOUR WINTER BLUES

With the weather in LA heating up, this has definitely put a lil spring in our wardrobe! And if you are freezing back east, don't worry, this trend is sure to keep you in synch and also stay warm. Who said your JEANS have to be BLUE? Diversify your denim- from black to grey, the tough-street look gets a little polished this season. Oh and in case you've been hiding under a rock, skinny jeans are no longer in-- go back to the basic of a straight leg jean. Women love a man who isn't borrowing from her closet! xoxo T

25 Days of S/S Style for Men: COLORFUL SLACKER

Jeans may be your go-to pant of choice, but you should definitely brighten your slack options! Step into colors this spring in your favorite chinos-- do not stick to just khaki. There is a rainbow of colors to select from pink to yellow to green to blue, find the hue that fits you! Pair them with polos for the prepster vibe or a dress shirt for a hipster approach. And the best news? They are in everyone's budget from Dockers to D&G, find what doesn't break your wallet.

The key to pulling off this trend is all about the FIT. Baggy is no longer accepted, not even your fav hip hop artists are doing a full-sag anymore. And just say no to PLEATS! You don't want people to think that you decided to go shopping in your grandpa's closet! Think of fitted, without being skinny. This is sure to give your wardrobe an unexpected pop of color!

25 Days of S/S Style for Men: WRINKLES ARE CHIC

And, we aren't talking about the ones on your face, unless your last name is Clooney, of course. The lovely linen days that remind you of trips to the Hamptons or Miami fun, have a few rules to follow this spring.

1. Go Darker. Say bye bye to the beige. The darker colors of linen are dressier and easier to dry clean and wear!

2. It's all in the wrinkles, so don't fret. Now if your suit is balled in a corner of your bedroom, that is a different story. But wrinkles give the look the attitude that linen so needs.

3. Despite the fabric having a casual tone, you can absolutely dress up linen w/ a great pocket square and beautiful watch.

TALL GUY, BIG STYLE

Most men that are over 6'3" have a lot of problems with shopping and finding clothing that fit them well. Athletic frames are finding that typical "Big & Tall" stores are not carrying tailored clothing for their trim bodies. And most of these stores only carry basics and none of the trends that are seen in GQ or Details.

Aside from a great tailor (which everyone should have no matter what your size), what stores carry designer clothing that is on trend for our men who tall and athletic in frame? what are a few tips & tricks to get them up to speed on the current trends?

I've got you covered. As a female who is tall herself, I typically only date men who are above 6'2". This is a common issue that I hear about even from my brother who is 6'6". The No. 1 fashion rule is about having confidence in your look. You should look in the mirror and accept, like and appreciate what you see. Yes, there are tips you should follow, but for the most part fashion is about your confidence and look. Be the clothes, don’t let the clothes be you.

Here are 3 key trends that can be transformed for a man of height without missing out on the style.

1. THE VEST. Most tall guys I meet want to pull off the buttoned-vest look with a great dress shirt and tie (Think Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Tiny Tim). The reason that a button up vest wont work on tall men is because the torso is typically longer and vests are made shorter. And no one wants to look like they are wearing clothing that is out of their kid brother's closet. To achieve this look, opt for a sweater vest.

• The Sweater Vest is a great way to achieve that slim & trim V shape minus the buttons. Choose a thin sweater vest to really show off your hours in the gym. For those who are wanting to give the appearance of a bigger chest, choose a lighter color. It will visually widen your frame proportionately. For those wanting to give the appearance of even a leaner chest, choose a darker color. This will automatically draw the eye in and create the illusion of a smaller waist. (Psst! Guys, us ladies have been using this trick for years, hence why we love the LBD (little black dress) soo much.) Available at Banana Republic stores nationwide or at bananarepublic.com.

2. THE LEATHER JACKET. Vroom! Vroom! Whether you are a fan of James Dean or wish you were as slick as Travolta in "Grease", a motorcycle jacket is a great transitional piece for your closet that is classic. Most common issue for tall guys is that motorcycle jackets are made a little shorter in length.

• Stick to a Motorcycle Jacket. Fret no more, this fall, the designers at Hugo Boss have taken notice and have definitely let the motorcycle jacket become a little longer. The key to pull off this trend, don't let the hem of the jacket fall below half of your bottom. It should rest 2 inches below your waist but not to exceed or cover your tush. Available at Hugo Boss stores nationwide or at hugoboss.com.) **Go for the Hugo Boss Black label if you are over 6'3".)

3. THE BLAZER. A key piece in every man's closet. It's a great building piece. A well-fitted blazer doesn't have to be over a dress shirt, it can be over your favorite t-shirt, as well. Graphic t-shirts are huge. If you are brave and want to step up to true dandy status, try a graphic t-shirt, plaid scarf and a blazer with jeans. Not a fan of the scarf but are brave enough to layer? What about leaving a plaid button up open over a v-neck t-shirt and blazer? Favorite blazer for the big men in my life, John Varvatos Star USA. This blazer to the left is available at Nordstrom stores nationwide or at nordstrom.com.










Favorite Labels/Stores for the vertically challenged men in our lives:

• Facconable
• John Varvatos
• Hugo Boss
• Giorgio Armani
• Robert Talbott
• Robert Graham
• Ralph Lauren
• Banana Republic

COAT OF ARMS

Here's my Men's Fashion Editorial for Winter '10/'11 featuring the ever-so sexy Rib Hillis.

7 SEXY STAPLES FOR FALL 2010

Hey guys, with the fall weather nippin' at your heels, here are a few key pieces to keep in mind to always come out in style!

Seven is a lucky # and these pieces should be fortunate enough to be in your wardrobe for Fall/Winter 2010.
Guys, fall is fast approaching and it is time to update your wardrobe and put away the bright 1980’s inspired fashions that exploded during the spring and summer.


In general, men’s clothing does not offer that many options. And not all guys have the same style. So these tips and trends can go straight across the board regardless if you’re the surfer, the skater, the all black apparel or the jeans and free T-shirt kind of dresser. These trends will instantly update your wardrobe, without breaking the bank too much.

The Jacket or Coat

Everyone needs one and fall is the perfect time to get one, especially to get through the cold windy days that the valley has ahead of us. Men’s fall style pays homage to the earlier fashions of the 1930s and 1940s. There is no surprise to this trend, but the way it has evolved is infusing a military expression into these jackets.

Pick a hue in a neutral military-inspired tone. We are talking Army green, a deep hocolate brown or navy. The jacket can either be single or double-breasted.

A single-breasted jacket has two or three buttons and a notched lapel. A double-breasted jacket has a wide overlap and two parallel columns of buttons. Brass or antiqued silver buttons are a must this season.

Those two factors alter the fit of the jacket, so find your fit and what works best with your sense of style.

Ideally, most men’s coats and jackets will either hit you around the rear or below. So pick it right, fellas. Remember this is an investment piece that should last you years.

Understanding that not everyone has the money to drop on this trend, going to a thrift store and buying a previously loved coat can also go a long way. If the buttons don’t follow the brass feel you can always buy similar ones at a craft store and sew them on the jacket or coat yourself.

The Watch

You probably rely on your phone to tell you the time, but this fall the watch speaks volumes on the kind of guy you are.

Not relying on your phone to tell you the time like you did in high school, screams responsible adult. Plus, what if your phone battery dies? The best advice is to rock the watch.

A watch is like a piece of iconography. The kind of watch you wear tells people the kind of person you are, believe it or not.

Guys, put away the bling. You don’t need a diamond-encrusted face that you can see from space weighing down your wrist. This fall it is all about classic simplicity. Look for a simple, yet large face. It can be round or square, and analog or digital, but for the great 1930’s look that goes with whatever look you rock, analogue remains to be king and ironically, timeless.

The Cardigan

The grandpa cardigan is still around, but fall has updated its look and its value. It is all about the details, like what kind of buttons it features, the spacing between, the neckline and where it hits you on your body among other things.

These details are where you can make it your own. It can feature elbow patches, a different colored trim, a hood, a zipper or the growing trend of a mock neck collar. Anything works here, so make it your own and fit it to your liking.

The Henley

It isn’t a new trend, but the Henley is the fall version of a plain tee. Guys, please give your V-necks a vacation. You can still wear them, but they are not the staple for this season.

The Henley is the ultimate layering piece for guys because this classic item can carry you into the winter by simply wearing it with a v-neck sweater or a great coat and jeans. Simple, yet put together without really trying is what the Henley is all about.

The Plaid Shirt
This also isn’t a new trend at all, but all that really needs to be noted is the color you pick and the form of plaid that you sport. Checkered plaid out, classic plaid in. This means throw out the bright colored versions of lumberjack (the red version is still acceptable to wear in moderation, but other than that the yellow and neon greens need to go).

Stripes

They can be seen everywhere in stores. The trend comes reasonably priced, but the choosing of which to wear is the tricky part.

Thick or thin, either line works. Just like the ladies, be wary because stripes do have the tendency to make you appear wider or heavier than you really are. The key will lay in the colors, cut and fit of the item.

The Scarf

This isn’t something new, nor is it rocket science. When it gets cold everyone should wear one, but the trick for this fall is how you wear it and the one’s that you choose to wear.

Once again, neutral military hues are best. Grandma knitted ones are acceptable, but the woven ones with details work best.

The one thing you should change is the way you tie or knot your scarf, because it can alter your entire look. You’d be surprised at how many knots can be tied to wear a scarf and how much they can change to look of the outfit. Google it or YouTube it. They can not only change your look, but also your life.

There you have it, gentlemen. These were only a few ways to, ironically, update your closet to the 1930s inspired fall style of 2010, in the simplest ways possible without doing too much damage to your wallet.

WE LIKE MEN ON-TOP!

Check out my favorite shop for men TOPSHOP.com! It is affordable and always on 'top' with the latest in male fashion trends. Topman has a wide variety in men's clothing, accessories, shoes, and much more. And guess what guys? They are having 70% OFF right now, just in time to start piecing together your Fall/Winter wardrobe. From great jeans to tees, and even suiting, this is truly a ONE STOP TOP SHOP! Whether you are shopping in the US or the UK, there is something for everyone and every style. Don't miss out on this AMAZING sale!