Ideas for a memorable photo booth experience
In the fall of 2011, I flew to Chicago, IL for my stepsister’s wedding. She made a lovely bride in her beautiful white dress. At the reception, a company called Crazy Booth set up a camera taking four photos in succession similar to a photo booth. The guests each took their turn. Their photos then played through a slide show loop on a television. Very fun. Here are my photos:
If you have the opportunity, grab a friend or loved one and jump into a photo booth. You will create a fun memory. You can also find apps to achieve the same experience using your smart phone. One such example is Pocketbooth. In recent years, photo booths have returned to prominence. And for good reason – they present an enjoyable way to enhance a party or date or family outing.
When you get the chance, step into a photo booth. At least once in your life, give it a try. For that time, I offer few suggestions for generating a memorable experience:
1. Dress well. What you wear greatly depends on the occasion, so I have no specific outfit to recommend as it can vary so much. However, keep in mind these photos will be around for a while to remind you of your fun. How do you want to be remembered? In general when posing for photos, wear nice, clean and wrinkle-free clothes. No stains. No holes or frays in your shirt.
2. Have fun. Enjoy yourself. Sometimes we can get so worked up about the end product, we miss the joyous opportunity of the present moment. The photo booth pictures should be a record of the fun you had when taking them.
3. Be dramatic. In some of the photos, try exaggerating your expressions and poses.
4. Smile big. And, I don’t mean a cheesy fake one. Be genuine. If a friend joins you, try telling each other jokes to keep it real. My wife constantly jokes with me when snapping my photos. I have a tendency to bust out fake looking smiles. When I hear the words “say cheese,” my face takes things a little too literal.
5. Throw in a random item. Pick something unique to you or that you share in common with the other person.
Now you are ready for your photo shoot. So, go make some memories!
Special thanks to Crazy Booth in Chicago for the photos:
Crazy Booth
© Copyright 2012 Jeremy Gradney.
A few weeks ago, I received an email from a friend asking me to provide fashion consulting advice to a man in need of the basics. He is seeking help with understanding what to buy and wear and what to avoid – those things I write about on this blog. It got me thinking. How do I prepare someone to go shopping, search out the right clothes and leave satisfied without breaking the bank? And, what advice would I give to someone needing to simply get started?
When starting your fashion journey, I want you to think through three areas. Each holds importance like the legs of a three-legged stool. Without all three legs, you fall on your butt.
1. Fit
The more you read my advice, the longer you will hear me talk about properly fitting clothes. You could buy and wear a magnificent, glorious, high quality suit, but if it does not fit, you will miss the mark. I would almost rather have lower quality clothes that fit me properly than too-big or too-small high quality clothes. Take as much time as you need and make it a point to examine clothes for fit.
2. Quality
Better fabrics and construction look better, feel better, and last longer. You will find this especially true of suits and ties. These items should cause people to say, “Wow, sharp suit,” or “where did you get that tie?” Higher quality clothes hold their shape more appropriately, maintain their stitching, rip less frequently, and stand firm under the pressures of regular wear. Across the board, it remains true – with shirts, pants, belts, socks, suits, ties, shoes and more.
3. Appropriate attire
Each occasion requires a particular outfit – such as a swimsuit to the beach or a suit to an interview. So, take special thought to what you need to wear. Then, look at the outfit as a whole. Stand in front of a mirror. Does it look good? Do the colors match? Do the shoes combine well with the pants? And so on. When starting out, keep it simple. Don’t begin your fashion journey trying to match two different kinds of plaid. Focus on simple combinations and the classics. As time goes on, you will learn more beneficial principles to help you combine clothes in a well-rounded way. For more on this point, please read Assembling outfits made easy.
With each of these legs firmly holding up your style chair, you will find more compliments heading your way. When starting, the best thing to do is to jump in with both feet. Sure, you will slip up and stumble into mistakes. So what! When you realize your fashion car has turned down a dead end street, kick it into reverse and head back to the highway of the tried and true. In the coming months, I plan to expand on each of these areas.
Also, check out these other articles:
Dress shirt basics (Part 1): Fit
Dress shirt basics (Part 2): Style
© Copyright 2012 Jeremy Gradney.
Also check out my book:
The 4 don’ts of cell phones
Today’s world – surrounded now in the digital universe – finds many of its inhabitants owning, carrying, and using mobile devices. Smart phones, flip phones, iPhones, and Bluetooth headsets fill the pockets and bags of most every man. In fact, more and more we discover our dependence on them growing.
While a helpful addition to life, a cell phone should never overplay its role. Moreover, learn to keep your digital devices in the background of your wardrobe. Here are 4 cell phone actions to avoid:
1. Don’t walk around with a Bluetooth headpiece on your ear at all times. I come across this all the time, almost every day. It tells the people around you, “hey, I’m too occupied with calls and other stuff to devote my attention to you.” Keep it simple – wear the device when talking on the phone. Take it off when the phone is off.
2. Don’t wear a “cell phone holster.” Your phone should not be attached to your belt. It distracts from the overall appearance and looks tacky. My first cell phone, bulky and red so as not to miss it, sat on my belt for all to see. At the time, I think I saw it as portraying importance. I was wrong.
3. Don’t sport bulging pockets. Keep from carrying 10 items in your pockets. This means staying away from a single pocket filled with a phone and keys and wallet and … and … and …
If it looks like you are carrying the entire contents of your desk with you, its time to unload the cargo ship. I am waiting for the day when cell phones literally shrink down to the actual size and thinness of a credit card. Some day.
This point constantly fights with me. Women have their purses. What do men have? Hands and pockets? In order to decrease the swollen look of full pockets, I have done everything I know to do. I removed ninety percent of the cards and papers from my wallet. I jettisoned all but an essential four keys from my key chain. I avoid stuffing my pockets with change, receipts – anything I pick up throughout the day. And, I am constantly surveying the marketplace for a thin phone.
4. Don’t cover your cell phone with crazy colors or themes. Believe it or not, people make judgments based on your phone – just like your car and clothes. So if you want to display a more professional or classic phone, avoid the Spiderman cover. However, if you operate outside of the business world or comparable sphere of influence, you may interpret this differently – it’s up to you.
Overall, you should see your phone as a tool. Keep it out of the spotlight. When someone walks up to greet you, a cell phone should not capture their first glimpse of you. Think about it – they will notice the Bluetooth or the flamboyant cover or the holster or the weighted down pockets. Make a few corrections and let them notice YOU overlooking your phone.
© Copyright 2012 Jeremy Gradney.
Easter fashion
What do you wear for Easter? Why is it a special occasion?
My Easter story: As a 10 year old living with my mother and brother in a Tucson apartment, I engaged in life much like any other kid of the 80s. Old school Nintendo (the original first Super Mario, Metroid, Tetris and Pacman!), hours of climbing and wrestling with my brother and friends, movies (Karate Kid, Return of the Jedi, and Back to the Future!), homegrown adventures and invented games filled those days with fun. My single mom created a cozy home for the three of us. At the time, she searched for meaning and purpose.
One day, several Christians from a local church knocked on the door. They told my mother about Jesus Christ, His love for her, and the meaning He longed to give her. She had waited for this very message for years. With joy, she prayed with them starting a new chapter.
Soon, I found myself on the edge of my seat in Sunday School. Stories, stories, stories. They told me so many stories – David and Goliath, Moses, Abraham and Isaac, Jesus and the disciples, Noah’s ark and many more. And woven throughout each conversation, I learned from those wonderful people how much God loved me. With a feeling a gratitude one fine Sunday morning, I decided I wanted to love Him back – to follow Him and His plan for my life. So, I prayed with the children’s pastor and felt the life of God filling my soul. A light turned on in my spirit like the inaugural lighting of a newly built lighthouse.
Thus began a life of many Easter services. While I cannot recall what I wore to those services, I do remember dressing up. Easter means something different to each person. Many people like me consider their moments of transformation when they attend the church service. Others think about egg hunting, chocolate and family memories. It’s a special occasion requiring special attire. For a Sunday service, wear a suit and tie or at least a sport coat and slacks. Attendance swells on that Sunday and most people know to dress well. So if you show up in jeans and a polo, you may feel out of place. Add a dash of Spring with a lively tie.
Spring implies brightness and new life. Moving out of the darker winter months of leafless trees and cold weather, fashion generally embraces the longer days, newly sprouted plants, and brightly colored flowers of Spring. So in response to the changing seasons, start a transition into lighter colored clothes.
If you’re holding an invitation to a picnic and egg hunt, try a more casual Spring outfit. For example, wear white or light tan linen pants with a light colored long-sleeve shirt (light purple or blue look great) and brown penny loafers. Make sure to roll the sleeves up above the elbows. You can also substitute in a polo (try pink).
Relax and enjoy yourself this weekend. Happy Easter!
© Copyright 2012 Jeremy Gradney.
Helpful tips for travel and packing
36,000 feet. Clear skies above. The shining moon carefully affixed to the stratosphere. Below, I peer through a morning haze at postage stamp sized lakes surrounded by houses of punctuation point smallness. With three hours to wile away thinking and creating, I write to you today from my seat aboard a flight to Phoenix (surrounded in a periodic cloud of digested beans from some uncomfortable passenger, I might add – did not expect to experience clouds inside the plane!). Just beginning my business trip, I will grab a rental car upon arrival and maneuver through traffic to a meeting. Tonight over dinner, I will converse with a new attorney we may utilize in the coming year. Days two and three: more meetings and meals. Despite the Academy-Awards-like tight schedule, I managed to wedge in a joy-filled reunion with a long-standing friend. As you can guess, my trip required me to plan and pack accordingly.
As a soft rule, I prefer one carry-on bag to accompany me in addition to my laptop. It simplifies travel making it cheaper, easier, and quicker. On the other hand, I face the same dilemma every time – a list of planned out clothes surrounding a seemingly too small open bag. My father, a master of Tetris style packing, instilled in me the remarkable skill of maximizing every cubic inch of luggage space. To insure a wearable suit survives the trip, I also combine the skill with attention to preservation and wrinkle avoidance. In this article, I wish to convey helpful tips for travel and packing. We’ll save what to wear for another day (oh I can’t resist – what am I wearing right now? Tan slacks, light blue dress shirt and navy blue blazer – simple and classic. I already received a compliment from a kind TSA woman.)
Helpful steps for planning and packing:
1. Map out your itinerary – What will you be doing? Who will you be seeing? Create a chronological layout of your trip describing each day and clothing event. For example: “Monday – visit museum / dinner with friends; Tuesday – business meetings / business dinner.”
2. Think through your wardrobe – Mentally walk through each day pairing outfits with scheduled events. As much as possible, incorporate items with multiple uses such as a navy blue blazer (can be worn with a tie and slacks in a business setting or with jeans and a fun shirt in a more casual outing).
3. Reduce it down to one simple list – Take all of your lists for each event or day and put it into one list. Then, use it to pack.
4. Carefully pack your bag – Consider how each item will fit. Place heavier items such as shoes toward the bottom and lighter more delicate items near the top. To reduce wrinkles, lay suits, shirts, and dress slacks as flat as you can with as few folds as you can manage. Roll socks and ties placing them inside of shoes. To minimize the stress on suits, wait until right before you leave to close the bag. Another great way to prevent squishing of a sport coat or suit coat would be to wear it on the plane. I do this frequently.
5. As soon as possible, open/unpack your bag – Relieve the pressure on your squished clothes right away. This may mean opening your bag when you get to your rental car. Certainly at the latest, when you reach your destination, unpack your bag hanging up suits and undoing the crunch of the suitcase.
Overall, remember to pay attention to the stress your clothes will endure. And enjoy yourself on your trip.
Here is my list from this trip:
© Copyright 2012 Jeremy Gradney.
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Interview with my barber
For as long as my wife can recall, I have groomed my hair a certain way – the standard cut of the last 100 years. Cut slightly short and parted down the side. Nothing spectacular. Clean and simple. Made popular in the twenties, the short cut paired with a clean shave pervaded the masculine style landscape at the time. Despite my hair thinning somewhat over the years, I have managed to keep it presentable.
A few months back, I interviewed my barber Peter. I picked his brain for ways to help the average guy with hairstyling. My first question: “What is the most important thing men need to know about hair?” He explained how most men do not understand the impact products have on hair. Many creams, shampoos, and styling sprays can stress your hair causing it to fall out, fray, and look bad.
Next, I asked about the biggest mistake men make and he again brought me back to use of the wrong products. Moving beyond hair products, he made the point that hairstyles affect a man’s overall look. With so many styles available, a man can add personality to his appearance in a variety of ways. He directed the conversation back to me inquiring about my willingness to try a new hairstyle. Now, I consider myself an open person, but after years of the same style, it took me a brief moment to respond. “Let’s do it,” I said, “what do you have in mind?” He proceeded to describe a more modern cut he would phase in over the next few visits. After a few cuts, we were ready to style…
Incorporate a little styling cream (gentle he assured me).
Sweep the hair in from both sides toward the middle and front.
Push it up in the front.
Viola! A smile creeps across my wife’s face. “I like it,” she said.
A vote of confidence. I plan to style my hair both ways going forward depending on my mood and itinerary. In addition, I will closely monitor the state of my hair loss as I do not want the styling cream to produce the wrong affect.
In the way I opened a new door for my appearance, I challenge you to contemplate a new look for your hair. I am not saying you have to get a Mohawk or dye your hair pink. Simply put, step out of your comfort zone a little. Flip through a magazine and mentally try on some of the men’s hairstyles you come across. Or, ask your barber for some ideas. At the end of the exercise, you can keep your hair the same if you deem it appropriate. On the other hand, you may discover a fresh new look. If you are considering a change, at the very least you might style your hair differently for a one month trial period. The update may surprise you with compliments.
© Copyright 2012 Jeremy Gradney.
Dress Shirt Basics (Part 2): Style
Back in the day, I would land in a store at the mall to search out a shirt or two. Picture the scene with me. Shirt in hand at arm’s length. I think to myself, “will I look good wearing this?” Waiting for something inside me to say “this is the one,” I walked from shirt to shirt hoping to stumble across the right one. In the end, I settled on what I considered the best.
Years later, my wife inquired of me if blue was my favorite color. “Why do you ask?” I inquired. She astutely pointed out the color of ninety percent of my shirts: blue. There in lies the problem of shirt hunting based on feeling alone. You may find yourself building a one dimensional wardrobe and may fall short in some important areas. Moreover, you may miss key style elements.
Let’s discuss the style components of a great dress shirt:
1. Collar – Pay attention to this area as it ranks at the top of the list of importance. Why? It frames the face. When wearing a suit, it is one of the only shirt parts visible. Your four basic collar options include point, spread, button down, and none. You should default to a point collar, especially if you have a round face. A spread collar conveys more formality and works well for those with a slender face. A button down collar generates visions of college and a smart prep look. Generally, I advise not to go without a collar, but you can pull it off if you consider how it fits with your outfit as a whole. Overall, a collar appears best when it extends to beneath the lapels of your suit coat.
2. Cuff – Two options: Barrel or French. The standard all-around cuff for business and general wear is the barrel. Wear it tight around the wrist right at the base of the hand. The French cuff offers a more refined and dressed up appearance.
3. Pockets – The more pockets, the more casual the shirt appears. Generally, you will find shirts with one pocket. For a formal occasion, I start with no pockets as my first choice. Also, when wearing a suit, one pocket works almost as well.
4. Placket – Bisecting the front of the shirt, the best placket consists of a separate piece of fabric attached on the front of the shirt. Most shirts possess a placket, but some have no placket offering a more casual option.
5. Buttons – Look for good ones. They range from cheap plastic up to mother of pearl. You can also upgrade a shirt with excellent buttons you find and purchase.
6. Shoulder Flaps – They can add fun in a casual way. For the most part, they dress down the shirt. Avoid them with suits.
7. Gusset and shirt bottom – The gusset adds strength to the bottom connecting the front and back. Regarding the shirt bottom, think about the length. If you plan to wear it untucked, keep the end of the shirt from going beyond the bottom of the buttocks. Also, make sure the front and back are the same length. For dressed up occasions, I like the bottom to be long to prevent untucking.
When shopping, stay focused on the details. As you will discover, a multitude of variations exist for the areas I discuss here. For this reason, either make a list of your favorite characteristics or print out this article; then, set out to find your match. Don’t forget the way the shirt fits (see Dress Shirt Basics Part 1: Fit). Truthfully, if you nail every one of the seven areas above, but purchase an improperly fitting shirt, you will miss the mark.
Copyright 2012 Jeremy Gradney.
Dress Shirt Basics (Part 1): Fit
Walking through a local department store several weeks ago, I happened upon an older mother diligently flipping past shirt after shirt. As I meandered past her browsing, she stopped me to ask for advice. In her hand, she held a pink dress shirt. She inquired, “I’m trying to buy a gift for my 31 year old son. Can you help me?” Her knowledge of men’s dress shirts consisted of favorite colors and patterns. First, I asked her to describe her son’s build. Large? Small? Average? Athletic? Slender? Hefty? Big neck? Long arms? His build was very close to mine. “Okay, then we need a different size than the shirt you’re holding,” I told her.
Then, I explored her understanding of her son’s style and taste along with the purpose of her gift. She wanted a dress shirt her son could wear to dress up. With that, I informed her that pink provides a certain elegance great for dressing with panache. Then, I led her through the tie section to find the perfect tie to pair with the shirt. She left with a smile.
In future articles, we will discuss the style elements. For now, I will share the same advice I shared with the gift-hunting mother. Generally, off the rack shirts will display size in one of two ways – by a general size such as large or by the neck/arm measurements. When examining a shirt for purchase, consider five areas:
1. Neck – When buttoned, you should be able to hold two fingers inside the collar. If you measure around the neck with room for two fingers, you will learn your neck size in inches. Shirts with a neck size of 15 to 15 ½ equate to medium shirts, 16 to 16 ½ equals large, and so on.
2. Waist – Make sure the shirt fits well around the waist and chest with a room to breath and no straining buttons. On the other hand, pay special attention to buying big as so many men own shirts that can literally fit a small child inside with them.
3. Arms – The shirt arms should rest just below the base of the hand and stay there when you bend your arm at the elbow. Not too long. Not too short. If you measure from the end of the shoulder (or the top of the shirt’s arm hole seam) to where it should fall, you get the arm length. Generally, you will find standard sizes between 32 and 35 inches.
4. Shoulders – The seam at the top of the arm hole should fall right above the end of the shoulder. More times than I can count, I see men with this seam 2-3 inches down the side of the arm – meaning they wear shirts too large.
5. Box pleat – Meant to widen the upper back of the shirt for those with broad shoulders. Pleats at the far ends of the shoulder also offer a variation. No pleat works well for those with a more trim upper body.
Overall, hunting down the perfect off the rack shirt can feel like searching for a red skittle in a bathtub filled with red M&Ms. To appeal to the widest possible shirt-buyer (pun intended), shirt manufacturers make the shirts for each size a little large to accommodate for everyone. This can make it difficult if you tend to possess a more fit body.
You do have another option to a mass produced shirt. If you really want to know how a shirt should fit, think about purchasing at least one tailor-made shirt. The internet offers a few great options such as Moderntailor.com and Indochino.com. Once you own one, you will compare every other shirt to it.
Final word: you look better in a properly fitted cheap shirt than you do with a too big expensive one.
© Copyright 2012 Jeremy Gradney.
Dressing for Jury Duty
Early January, one bright and early morning with summons in hand, I arrived at the County Jury Assembly building for jury duty. Waiting for hours alongside my fellow citizens, I scanned the room paying attention to various men and their clothing choices. Some dressed for comfort: jeans and a t-shirt. At the other end of the scale, one or two donned a suit and tie. Judging by the wide variations, I formed a perception of men with little idea of how to dress for court. I also realized certain men think dressing well means only wearing a long sleeve dress shirt. I am further convinced some men would wear shorts and sandals given the opportunity.
Even though I entered the courtroom as potential juror number 28 with only 13 spaces to fill, I found myself taking a seat in the jury box. What a tragic trial involving the murder of a loved one. Fortunately, they compiled a fair and thoughtful jury. Now, with a potential murderer and guilty verdict dancing in circles with a lot of facts pulling them together, we eventually found them making a connection. The final verdict: guilty.
This trial compels me to illustrate a point: the courtroom is a serious place. Your clothes should convey solemnity for the issues at hand and respect for the judge and his/her court. The judge wears a robe and the attorneys wear suits. At the courthouse, you will find yourself surrounded by well-dressed people. Others may hold differing views regarding jury attire, but I would like to advocate for you to dress very well. In my mind, the ideal outfit consists of dress slacks with dress shirt and a sport coat. You can also change it up with a tie and no sport coat. If you feel the urge, you can also wear a suit and tie. However, a full suit may cause the rest of the jury to feel underdressed, so search for the right mix.
How I chose to dress:
Day 1: Tan slacks, blue and white striped shirt, navy blue blazer, and brown oxford shoes
Day 2: Tan slacks, white dress shirt, brown blazer, and brown oxfords
Day 3: Medium grey slacks, purple shirt, pink tie, black cashmere sweater, and black oxfords
Day 4: Dark grey slacks, white and light grey striped shirt, navy blue blazer, and black oxfords
Day 5: Dark grey plaid slacks, light blue shirt, light grey blazer, and black oxfords
One of the jurors told me I dressed very well. I also got the sense the attorneys and judge knew I respected the process and court. In fact, after the trial concluded, the judge told me he had a sense the jury would choose me as its foreman (as they had done). Next time you receive the call to participate in the legal process as a juror, tell the court and participants you take things seriously by dressing well.
Copyright Jeremy Gradney 2012.
6 fun ways to lose weight
We’ve all seen them – people with a new year’s resolution huffin’ on a treadmill at the local YMCA slogging through mile seven of fifteen. Head down. No smile. Just pure determination. Now, you will never hear me knock determination, drive, or ambition to better your life. And, we all know times present themselves when we must push through life with a steel resolve. You will, however, hear a pitch from me to add some fun. Sprinkle a little joy or excitement into your fitness endeavors and find yourself losing weight without the burden on your back.
As a kid, my dad introduced me to Disney World in Florida. With excitement pushing my body’s gas pedal, I walked throughout the various parks each day. The fun prevented me from realizing how much energy I truly was exerting. Almost unknowingly, I had exercised all day long. At the end of the day, I recall feeling whipped. Needless to say, I slept hard.
As exercise and an appropriate weight contribute to a healthier heart and life, I suggest you undertake one of the following fun ways to get your heart pumping:
1. Play more games. Make your list of favorite sports and games; then, carve out some time. You may consider golf, tennis, football, soccer, volleyball, and even bowling, Frisbee, or horseshoes. Also, try a league or team.
2. Get outdoors. Find a beautiful place and run, jump, hike, bike, or swim. Take the huffin’ on a treadmill from inside to outside with a run through a picturesque park or neighborhood.
3. Home improvement. Fix up, paint, build, or remodel something in your house. In addition, upgrade your yard or landscaping. Gardening sits near the top of my favorites. Last year, I planted a 6 ft x 20 ft garden. From tilling to planting, I earned a fantastic work out. To top it off, I reaped a harvest of tomatoes, okra, onions, bell peppers, and squash.
4. Shopping/Museums/Amusement parks. These speak for themselves – lots of walking. Do some window shopping at the local mall for a few hours. Visit a science or art museum. Or, scream your head off riding roller coasters.
5. Dance. You may say to yourself, “that’s not my thing.” I encourage you to give it a go. Ballroom dancing allows you the opportunity to dress well while exercising. You can also find fitness dance classes. One example, Zumba, combines fitness with Latin dance. As my wife teaches Zumba, I have come to realize the fun to be had with dance.
6. Add in a movie. If you must run on a treadmill, watch a really engaging movie while you do. It will get your mind off the unpleasant part of the experience. Another great idea – stretch and do exercises in your living room while watching.
Lastly, you can add music to your workouts. A playlist of your favorite upbeat music can provide a significant motivation. You may also find excitement with a new outfit, watch, or shoes. Before I wrap this up, I need to nudge you in the direction of good fashion while you exercise. Dress well! Especially in public. Keep in mind people notice your shoes at the gym (the photo above shows my pair of Nike Free running shoes).
I hope these ideas get you losing weight with a smile.
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