Summer Time: The Haircut

Like suits and shoes, a haircut is something you should never skimp on.  A cheap haircut looks like just that, a cheap haircut.  Summer is rolling in and men everywhere are chopping off the winter styles and going for that shorter, sleeker and lighter look. 

The biggest mistake men make while freshening up their summer cut is thinking that you can Sweeney Todd your own hair in the bathroom, or that the Mrs. can do it just as well as anyone else, I mean it is just a buzz cut, or at least something done with a clippers, right?  Wrong.  Buzz cut does not mean all one length, which is where most men seem to go wrong—doing this only makes it to grow out looking more like a mullet than a good cut.  Buzz cuts (like any cut) need to be properly blended to look perfect, and to grow out properly, something that you will never be able to achieve while trying to balance your handheld mirror and clippers at the same time.

If you are strictly going for the short-as-can-be cut for the summer then something like Great Clips will do you just fine, $20, you’re in and out in 10 minutes and they have enough experience doing buzz cuts that you should be just fine.  However if you’re like me and you don’t feel like throwing all your hair out the window for a few months then you need to get a real cut, one that will cost you upwards of $30 plus, but it will look that way as well.  But remember,  just because you pay a little more, does not mean you get to ignore it later, in the winter you can go a little longer before cutting it again, no one is trimmed as well when it’s ten below outside, but in the summer you need to look pristine, get it cut every 3-4 weeks at a minimum.  You won’t need to do the whole cut every time, but trim it up and keep it looking good.  And remember to tip your barber well, you don’t want to leave with a chunk missing in the back next time.

Some great places we recommend:

Minneapolis:  Winston’s (http://winstonsbarbershop.com )

Chicago:  Mr. 312 (http://www.mr312.com/ )

New York: Prestige Barbershop ( http://www.prestigebarbers-nyc.com/ )

Los Angeles: Stag Hair Parlor ( http://staghairparlor.com/ )

If you want your hair to look anything like these cuts, when you see the Cost Cutters sale going on... keep walking.

@MWMensFashion

Do Sweat the Small Stuff

An expensive suit and stylish rain coat are a good start, but no man looks complete if they don’t know how to do the details.  Accessories can make or break the way you look in your day to day routine — whether it’s a belt that doesn't quite look right with your shoes, or a bad haircut, the little things do matter.  Like most things in men’s style, accessories are typically best left simple, yet elegant, classy and able to withstand the test of time.  Here are a few suggestions, and a point in the right direction for those men who just can’t seem to get the details on track.

Watches:  These days I see so many men with enormous monstrosities of watches around their wrists.  This is no good.  A watch is a piece of jewelry, yes, but it is meant to compliment the rest of your outfit (and I suppose help you to tell the time) it is not meant to be the main attraction.  If you have any trouble whatsoever getting your sleeve over your watch, your watch is too big.  Keep it subtle, your watch should never be the loudest part of your outfit. 

This Burberry watch is perfect, has the check on the face for a little added style, but it's far from overdoing it.  Classy and stylish all at the same time.

For those men who prefer a square face, you can still keep it simple.  Sleek, stylish and you can wear it with almost anything.

Belts: Like watches, belts are another piece that should compliment the outfit, rather than being the main attraction.  Match it to your shoes, don't be too worried about matching it perfectly to your watch though.

I don't care if your belt is Gucci, you look like a douche bag.  Put it back in your closet.

While this is a little more subtle than the last, is we were doing a "Never, Sometimes, Always" piece, this would be our sometimes.  It's doable, but be careful.  I have belts I enjoy wearing out casually (which this would be great for) but if you are wearing this with your suit to work, your probably look ridiculous.

Simple with quality.  Exactly what you need in a belt. you can get this look almost anywhere, but if you're willing to spend a few extra bucks for a nice one (like this one by Paul Smith) you won't find yourself back at Macy's less than a year later trying to find another.

Wallets are something that a lot of men seem to just dismiss and forget about.  Get rid of that crappy leather tri-fold you've had since you were in high school and upgrade to a real man’s wallet-- one that says you're a man with impeccable taste, not one that says you got this for your 18th birthday.

And lastly, sunglasses, the accessory that can arguably make the biggest statement of who you are.  Go wild, do what you please, just make sure it fits with who you are.  And remember, it's hard to beat the classics.

@MWMensFashion

The dos and don'ts of men's shorts

Tomorrow claims to be the first 90+ degree day of the year, here in the Midwest and that means its time to break out the shorts.  Here's some advice, quick tips, and dos and don'ts of shorts season...

Like most things, the main problem men seem to have with shorts is getting the correct fit; too long and you look like a high school kid, too baggy and it makes you look wider than you are.  And of course we all have seen the guy who thinks hes stylish, but is wearing shorts that hardly cover anything more than a Speedo would, and that is just as bad.  Like suits, shirts and shoes, you need to wear shorts that fit you correctly-- which means snug but not too snug, and they should hit just above the knee.  

Never.

Sometimes.

Always.

@MWMensFashion

(Some of the) Best Dressed Men on the Court

In honor of the NBA playoffs, we give a shout-out to the men who know how to handle themselves off the court, as well as they do on it.

From the over-sized pocket square to the all white sneakers, D Wade definitely has his own take on style.  And it works.  

While he may be known as the biggest douche in the league, the man can still dress.  He may not have as many rings as Michael, but he traded in being known for Hanes to be known for his impeccable taste in clothing. 

His style is something most of us would never even attempt to pull off, but it is him.  Russell Westbrook is  know for his over-the-top clothing and colors.  But while most people wearing this outfit (or most of his outfits) would look ridiculous, he puts it together well, and he deserves some props for that.

With his almost vintage style at times KD know how to look, play, and act like a boss

Injured or not, we love Derrick Rose in the Midwest.  While GQ may have dressed him for the picture above, the man knows how to wear the right fit.  His style is a little different and not always as put together as someone like Dwayne Wade, but it looks sharp none-the-less. 

@MWMensFashion

Five rules to looking your best in a suit

Rule #1.  Make sure it fits.  Wearing a suit that’s ill-fitting is step one to a bad day.  You simply don’t look good—and if you don’t look good, you won’t feel good.  Suits that are too tight (in the pants or the jacket) are going to be unbearable to wear for long periods of time and a suit that is too large just looks like you’re playing dress up.  Either way, no one will take you seriously.  Get it tailored.

        

Rule #2.  Leave the Jacket on.  If you have on a vest you can get away with it sometimes, but as a general rule of thumb, keep the jacket, there was a reason you put it on in the first place—the jacket completes the look.

Always.

Sometimes.

Never.

Rule #3.  Black suits are for funerals.  Black suits have no business being in the office.  Evening weddings or events maybe, but never in the daytime.  As a general rule, I say stick with shades of blue or grey, it says “I know how to dress” and not “I had a great time at the prom…”

Rule #4.  Brown Shoes.  I see so many men wearing black shoes with grey or blue suits, why?  Brown looks more put together, more up-to-date, and more stylish.  Black shoes are what you own when you don’t know how to pair shades of brown with things.  Leave the black shoes in the closet and experiment with new browns.

Rule #5. Get some stylish, colorful socks.  While they may not be seen as often, they are the perfect additive to complete a polished look.  Brown and black socks are boring.  Don’t be boring.

@MWMensFashion

Jeans: how to navigate through all the horrible fits.

When it comes to jeans there as so many fits that some men can simply get lost just looking at them.  You have slim, relaxed, straight, carpenter, vintage and so many more I’m not going to waste either of our fucking time listing them all.  It’s ridiculous, and worst of all, you should never even look at the majority of them.  Relaxed fit and carpenter jeans should have left us when the late 90’s did, but for some reason they are still on shelves everywhere being snatched up by those men who just don’t know any better.  Even if you are a portly fella, you still shouldn’t wear sure lose jeans, the extra fabric will make you look even larger than you are and frankly, they just look sloppy.  And for skinny jeans, please only wear them if you are actually skinny—actually, only wear them if you are Russell Brand.  Got it?  Unless you are Russell Brand, do not wear skinny jeans. 

The only fits in your arsenal should be a mixture of different slims and straights, not all brands will call them this, but that’s what they are.  Try different cuts, sizes and materials.  Don’t go in assuming you are going to grab another pair of what you already own, especially if you have owned your current favorite jeans for some time now. 

Some of Midwest Men’s Fashion’s favorites…

John Varvatos. Bowery Fit.

Versace.  City Fit Collection.







@MWMensFashion                                      

KR3W.  K Slim.