Until I married my wife, I had no idea how much hair my body grew in the wrong places – my neck, ears, and nose being the major offenders. I learned quickly how a shaggy neck and a too long delayed haircut will drop my look down a notch. She notices right away when I have pushed the limits of hair growth. With my newfound hair knowledge, I feel like I was a Neanderthal back then sporting wildebeest level fur in the worst places.

Step away from reading for a moment and gaze into a mirror. Take an honest look at your ears, nose and the back of your neck. Do your ears have visible hair? Long and wiry? Can you see any nose hair? Can you feel a fair amount of hair on the back of your neck? If you answered yes, then it’s time to focus some attention to personal grooming. A shaggy appearance can seriously detract from even the best well-tailored suit in your arsenal.

Keep your nose hairs well trimmed. Pluck your ear hairs. Get regular haircuts to keep your hair well styled and your neck clean. In addition, shave often to continually freshen your face. Breaking out the razor eliminates unnecessary shading that may cause your smile to look kind of chubby.

Be mindful of your eyebrows as well. Only Bert from Sesame Street gets to have a unibrow. I have never seen anyone pull it off successfully. So, separate them. Pluck or wax the bridge clean.

Last but not least, pay attention to your chest hair. If your hair forces its way up your neck and out of your shirt like a forcefully advancing rug, then your chest hair has taken over. Either you can shave below the line of your shirt or you can try laser hair removal. The second option gives you a more lasting result.

When in doubt, ask a woman. Or, imagine that you will conduct a television interview the next day. That might motivate you to find unwanted hair. Most importantly, avoid becoming the wolf man.

For more on shaving, read The case for a clean shaven face.

© Copyright 2013 Jeremy Gradney.

I am not saying brands hold no relevance. In fact, it may present you with the best clues as to quality, durability, and style. I like to think of it as a quality seal of sorts. I know when I see a particular brand on a shirt such as Hugo Boss, it will possess a superior construction and fabric. Further, I know a pair of Bruno Magli shoes will last longer and look better than shoes of lesser artisan appeal.

Truthfully, you can dress great with unknown brands as well. Who says you have to be tied down to a particular designer? The logo or name should not define you, label you, or fit you neatly into some “category.” So, free your mind of this restriction binding you to only a certain number of brands. Be free. Explore. Try new designers. When you do, make sure to keep the primary principles of fashion in mind. If you need a refresher, try reading my article Where do I start? Tips for launching your fashion journey.

So, I am sharing with you a simple top of mind list of five categories with five suggestions for each (in no particular order). I purposely limited myself to five as I did not want to overwhelm you. And, don’t let the expensive brands scare you off. With the right planning and bargain hunting skills, you can find their products at great prices too. So here you go:

Moderately priced clothes:

Ralph Lauren

Kenneth Cole

Calvin Klein

J Crew

Banana Republic

More expensive clothes:
Burberry

Hugo Boss

Valentino

Michael Kors

John Varvatos

Moderately priced shoes:
Polo Ralph Lauren

Kenneth Cole

Converse

Lacoste

Sperry Top Sider

More expensive shoes:
Salvatore Ferragamo

Hugo Boss

Bruno Magli

To Boot New York

Cole Haan

Stores I like:
Saks Fifth Avenue

Nordstrom

Macy’s

Dillard’s

Indochino.com

Notice I did not include a “Cheap clothes” or “Cheap shoes” category. Stay away from those as they will not last as long and will look like they sound – Cheap! Look for great quality at great prices. Lastly, don’t get caught up in logos for status. Stick to the principles and look great no matter the brand. However, use the brands to establish those styles you prefer. And, employ them to mark the best sources of quality apparel. Now, get out there and go shopping!

For a list of articles about bargain hunting, click here.

For a list of articles to help you get started in your fashion journey, click here.

Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn

Let’s think about Cary Grant for a moment. In almost every picture I can remember seeing of him, he donned a well worn suit. And, he paid great attention to the fit and look of those tailored threads. He also knew his own perceived areas to overcome. For example, after being told early on his neck distracted from his appearance, he made it a point to cleverly cover his neck. Watch some of his movies and you will notice this. It may be one of the reasons he loved suits and dress shirts so much.

Or, what about Frank Sinatra? To keep his clothes from wrinkling, he preferred to stand over sitting. If he did take a chair, he did so with legs uncrossed. He obsessed over creating the best possible presentation. He sure knew how to wear a perfect fitting black suit. Thanks to his fashion conscious mother, he developed

Frank Sinatra

a love for style early on, owning at least half a dozen sport coats before making it out of high school.

Another exemplary fashion icon of years past, Fred Astaire, rose to stardom as a world renowned actor and a man frequently copied. His own signature to his style came in the form of substituting a tie for his belt – adding flare to an already classy presentation.

What do these three have in common? They owned their styles with confidence. They adhered to the basic principles of fashion – sometimes to the point of obsession. And, they were all different and unique men. Really, I could tell you about a host of other men with a style all their own such as the Duke of Winsor, James Dean, David Beckham, Elvis, Tom Ford, and Ralph Lauren, to name a few.

Do you own your style with confidence? Regardless of what people say? Willing to try new looks? To show the real you? Take note – the more you develop your style, the more you will find people noticing, considering, and commenting on your look. Through the years of my own fashion ascendance, I have experienced this in the form of many compliments and a few “what’s up with that look” comments.

Fred Astaire

Allow me to encourage you to own your style – no matter what people say. Keep developing your knowledge and tap into the successes of fashion history. But, don’t lose yourself in the process. Never lose sight of your own uniqueness. And lastly, think through and develop a signature style. 

© Copyright 2013 Jeremy Gradney.

1. What is dry cleaning? Dry means no water (H₂0). However, the cleaners do fully submerse the clothes in a solvent in a large washing machine. The solvent is very expensive; therefore, they reuse it many times. To do this, the special washing machines fill up, agitate, and then drain saving 99% for later use. It also evaporates quickly making the clothes come out of the machine dry.

2. What do I look for in a dry cleaner? In order to reuse the solvent, it should be cleaned and purified regularly. If not, it leaves clothes with a slight dingy look. If you can catch a glimpse of the machine filling up, look at the color of the solvent. If brown, find another cleaner. Also, look for a bottle of bleach lying around as clothes can be ruined easily with a single drop. It may not be possible to spy out their quality if they drive the clothes to another facility for washing. You may need to ask around, research on the internet, and/or closely examine your clothes after a few washings.

3. When should I use a dry cleaner? Short answer – when the label says dry clean only. You may bring non-dry clean clothes to them for dry cleaning, but most likely they will closely follow the instructions on the tag. So if it says “machine wash warm,” then they will wash it with water and detergent the same way you would at home. On the other hand, if your garment absorbs a stain, they can help as long as you did not set it in place with heat. So, if you spill blood or oil or mustard or coffee or spaghetti on it, do not wash and throw it in your hot dryer. Get it to them to treat. They will know how to remove the various types of stains. Definitely use them to clean suits, sweaters, and wool pants. Wool in particular will not react well to a home washing.

4. What things present a restoration challenge? Furs, leathers, suedes, fancy dry cleanable clothing, rayon, molded items and shoes. Leather, for example, is a skin with a life before its transformation. So, scars, burns or nicks may show up after cleaning. Rayon can hold odors and loses half its strength when wet making it tough to clean.

5. Anything else to know? Yes. A select few “specialists” will have an Ozone Machine. It kills mold, mildew, and bacteria in clothes. It eliminates smells such as from smoke and mildew. It can break down the hydrocarbons into CO₂ and moisture. With any of these special cases, get it to them quickly. Smoke can continue to burn. Mold can weave throughout the fibers making it very difficult to remove. The mold can be killed and smell removed, but still visible. Last thing to know: dry cleaning is not rough on clothes; it is the hot pressing that leaves wear and tear on collars and cuffs.

Overall, know that a shirt holds a life of about 52 washings. Most importantly, Take the time to find a dry cleaner of excellent quality and treat them as an ally in your battle against sloppy looking clothes.

I also recommend reading Yellow pits or bulls eye for a sloppy look.

© Copyright 2013 Jeremy Gradney.

This illustrates the need for guidelines to cell phone use and interaction with others. I give you my own five don’ts:

1. Don’t mess with your phone during a face to face conversation. This includes texting, checking your email, and posting on Facebook or Twitter or WordPress. The day holds ample amounts of time to do these things. When you converse with someone, devote your attention to that person. Most people see or experience this kind of violation almost daily.

2. Don’t talk in public about private issues. The random strangers in the elevator with you do not need to hear the details of your upcoming surgery. Please, spare everyone the awkwardness – hang up and call back in a private place. This goes for the subway, waiting rooms, the library, lines, the gym, and heaven-forbid movie theatres. And if you have no choice but to take that call, lower the volume. Loud = Annoying.

3. Don’t hang up with someone to get another call. Devote your attention to the present conversation. The other person can wait. Let them leave a message and call back later.

4. Don’t take a call while talking with someone in person. Whether friend or acquaintance, your conversation partner did not sign up to idly watch you talk to another person. Don’t be rude. Show him some respect with your full attention. If you must take an urgent call, simply explain the nature of it to the person. 99% of people will understand.

5. Don’t interrupt someone in a phone conversation. In other words, don’t start to explain some task you need completed or the details of a dinner meeting. Wait till the person finishes the call. You can also write a short note and slip it to the person. Then, walk away. Tell the person you are available when he is ready.

I wrote this article as a follow-up to my most popular post, The 4 don’ts of cell phones. You can look great and avoid the worst fashion offenses with your phone, but if you look and sound like an idiot when you whip it out, fashion does not matter.

© Copyright 2013 Jeremy Gradney.

You can find suits in the most unlikely places – like Target and the local Discount Suit Barn. That’s right; you can buy an entire suit for under $99 at these discount stores. But what do you get for that price? You end up with cheaper materials that do not have the desired affect or the stamina for regular wear. Most likely, that suit will be made of polyester and will look cheaper. It’s not worth it. It’s like drinking a fine Champaign in a paper cup. I once bought a suit from Target and found that it looked cheap. I wore it only once. Don’t get me wrong, I like Target and shop there for other things, just not suits.

Nothing presents a man better than a quality suit. You can find many areas to save money buying less expensive materials, but a suit should not be one of those areas. What makes a great suit great? First, the absolute best suits are made of 100% wool. It looks and feels luxurious while keeping wrinkles at bay. However, even wool fabrics come in varying levels of quality. Fabric makers grade wool threads by a number determined by the diameter of the threads. The higher quality threads hold a higher number (200 on the high end) and are created with a smaller diameter. When woven into a fabric, these smaller threads make for a finer suit. A higher count equals a higher price. So, choose appropriately. You should be good with a suit just above 100. In the summer, try suits made of cotton or linen. They feel light while keeping you dressed well.

Second, the best suits employ stitching before glue. Cheaper suits contain more glue and will not hold up in the long haul of life. The problem stems from these fused suits’ reaction to water: moisture, sweat, rain, etc. As it gets wet and stretched, a glued suit can begin to show some warping and buckling. A suit should drape naturally off your shoulders and look in good shape.

Lastly, handmade tailored suits rank at the top of suits you can purchase. The tailor constructs it to your measurements and then modifies it to fit you perfectly. Built with the best fabrics, you will be hard-pressed to find any better suit. As a custom suit requires a sizeable dent into your pocket book, you may want to save this option for the day after your big promotion. In the meantime, a quality off-the-rack suit works almost as well. Just, make sure to have a tailor fit it to you.

With your new suit, you will step closer to conquering the business world. So, make a statement every time you lead a presentation or attend an important meeting. Wow a potential employer in your interview. Do it all in a quality suit. And, don’t forget a quality undershirt purchased at Target.

Also, check out:

Suits 101: 25 occasions for a suit

Suits 101: Elements of a properly fitting suit

© Copyright 2013 Jeremy Gradney.

A suit stands at the pinnacle of a man’s presentation of himself. Through the years, men put their best feet forward in the way they knew. In the 18^th century, this took the form of a white linen shirt with a vest and a Justaucorp (a coat extending half way down the leg) – see the photo of George Washington.

Over the years, that coat would morph into a shorter version and men would embark on a trial and error journey through many variations of the suit. We have seen everything from the Sack suit to heavily padded shoulders to shirtless (do not attempt) to gray flannel to the dinner jacket.

As we have it now, the modern suit has landed in a good place. In fact, nowadays we have access to suits with excellent fabrics, quality construction, and affordable prices. So, if you do not have one, search out a good one soon. Here are 25 reasons why:

1. Easter church service (Read Easter fashion)
2. Wedding (tell the couple its an important moment)
3. Job interview (Check out You’re hired! Wearing the right interview attire)
4. Graduation ceremony
5. Symphony (exception: concert on the park grass)
6. Trial (especially if you have to testify)
7. Mediation (wear a tie bar)
8. Christmas church service
9. Political debate
10. Important business meeting
11. Banquet
12. Award ceremony
13. Theatre / Play
14. High level presentation
15. Dinner at a high end restaurant
16. Funeral (wear black)
17. To preach a sermon
18. School recital (i.e. dance / music)
19. Television interview (depends on the subject / show)
20. Political speech (whether on a local or national stage)
21. Baby dedication at church
22. Business party (depends on the occasion)
23. Prom (for the younger readers)
24. High level negotiation
25. To teach a university class

A few years back, I was invited to a personally hosted ballroom dancing event. Dress code was listed as semi-formal. To eliminate any confusion, I asked the host what he meant for us to wear. He intended the men to attend in a suit. For the event, the group met at the community center of the host’s neighborhood. Interestingly, only the host and I even had on a jacket that night. Surprisingly, several men chose jeans for the evening. Wow, we have a lot of work to do out there.

The next time you receive an invite to a really special occasion, remember to don that suit. Presenting to a large business group? Tell the audience you know your stuff with an excellent speech and a great suit. It makes the difference. With a properly tailored quality suit, you will find it tough to look bad.

For more on suits, read Suits 101: Elements of a properly fitting suit.

© Copyright 2013 Jeremy Gradney.

As I discussed in Where do I start? Tips for launching your fashion journey, the fit of your clothes and suits in particular will always remain of utmost importance. Grab a hold of this and your fashion sense will work to your advantage. For suits, it is time to dive into the basics of how they should fit. Observe these pertinent areas:

1. Chest – The coat should lay smoothly on your chest without engulfing you, pushing the collar away from your neck, or buckling in front a lot. To know your chest size, measure the perimeter of your body in inches around your chest and under your arms (usually ranges from 38 to 50). Many off the rack suits have this number listed with a letter after (i.e. 42R or 42 Regular).

2. Waist – When buttoned, the coat should allow for an inch or so of room. The more space, the more you look like you are wearing your dad’s suit (in other words, too big). Too tight and you’re busting out with buttons straining.

3. Sleeve length – The sleeve should allow ½ inch of the shirt cuff to show. This provides a proper transition from the suit to the hand.

4. Shoulder width – Too small and people begin to wonder how your body supports your head. Too wide and your head appears disproportionately small. Generally, the suit should extend to a smidge past the end of the shoulders. This may vary depending on your frame. Bear this in mind when admiring your potential suit in the mirror.

5. Collar – Allow ½ inch of shirt collar to show above the suit collar. When trying on suit coats, wear a nice dress shirt (Something to keep in mind when heading out the door to shop for a suit).

6. Back length – Measuring from the low part of the collar to the floor, the bottom of the coat should generally fall to about the midpoint. Depending on your height, you will find off the rack suits labeled in one of three ways – short, regular, or long (i.e. 42R or 42 Regular). Overall, the coat bottom should land at about the about the knuckle of the thumb (keep this in mind if you have an odd body type).

7. Pant waist – To find your waist size, measure around the perimeter of your waist in inches above your hips where the pant waist will rest (or try various pant sizes until you find the size that fits best. Allow two fingers inside the waist band.)

8. Pant length – Your pants should extend to just above the heel in the back. You will have a slight buckle in the front two to five inches above the shoe as the pants cover greater than half of the top part of the shoe. In general, the length should keep your socks mostly covered as you walk.

Pay attention to the details with a suit as it should present you in the best possible light – better than any other clothes. Take note: An improperly fitting suit of quality appears worse than a properly fitting suit of less quality. What’s the best of all? A properly fitting suit of high quality.

I also recommend reading:

Dress Shirt Basics (Part 1): Fit

Dress Shirt Basics (Part 2): Style

© Copyright 2013 Jeremy Gradney.

You order a twenty ounce T-bone steak with a combination of filet and strip loin, well-trimmed and aged with the bone-in, juicy and tender, cooked to perfection. You also order a side of garlic potatoes, slightly crisp green beans, and your favorite glass of wine to compliment the meal. You’ve been grazing on the warm loaf of French bread and fresh cream butter when you see the waiter approaching your table. You can smell your steak wafting its way to you. The waiter is smiling, the steak still has a faint sizzle, and you are about to enjoy your order. After your waiter places your meal before you, fork and knife in hand, you pause to notice that they have served it to you on a garbage can lid.

What? Suddenly, your appetite fades and even though the food is amazing, the presentation just robbed you of a fantastic meal.

What’s at “steak?” You guessed it; you are. Presentation can make or break you. Maybe you’ve never given much thought to the way you dress or put yourself together in the morning. Perhaps this blog is your starting point, or maybe you already understand that people do make quick judgments about you based on your appearance. Yes, it’s true, and women are the worst at making those quick judgments. (By the way, this is Jeremy’s wife writing!)

So my husband has been asking me to compose an article for his blog for months! When I asked him what he wanted, he said “men’s fashion from a woman’s point of view.” And he says keep it under 500 words…yeah right! I think in clusters of 500 words!

Recently, a single girlfriend of mine put in her Facebook status “Nothing like seeing an attractive man in a suit in your building to start your day…yummy!” I giggled after I read it, but it’s true. Maybe I wouldn’t have put it in those words exactly; but hey guys, in the words of ZZ Top, “every girl’s crazy ‘bout a sharp dressed man!”

What do we like? It’s not necessarily all about suits and ties, but it is how your present yourself. Stick to your personal style, whether it’s rugged, classic, country, retro, or whatever; take the time to make yourself look like a 5 star meal with the right presentation. You may need to upgrade some things. If you haven’t a clue where to start and it seems overwhelming to think about wardrobe and style, this blog is a great starting place.

Women pay attention to details and so should you. Take pride in yourself. Put effort into your presentation, work on your health and fitness, strengthen your spiritual wellbeing, get enough sleep, practice good hygiene, and wear a smile! 463 words, BAM!

Why the giant paper stash? You probably will never call that phone number of an acquaintance written on a napkin. Easy access to info? Make a mental note: a huge wallet overflowing with clutter looks especially terrible. Picture a first date. You pull out your mobile filing cabinet. Most likely, your date will notice. She’ll think it’s tacky. Sure, the weight will build your bicep strength, but the negatives outweigh the positives.

Maybe you can relate. Or, maybe you own a wallet so old and tattered, you couldn’t give it away even if it were filled with money. So, what do these wallets tell the world? It says you live a cluttered and possibly messy life. It may say you don’t care about your appearance.

Now, before you become a traveling version of Hoarders or your billfold literally disintegrates from age, you should bear a few things in mind. I suggest you:

1. Go thin. This prevents unsightly bulging pockets. Fill your wallet with only the most essential cards. I talked about this in one of my most popular posts, The 4 don’ts of cell phones.

2. Keep your wallet understated. Not flashy or Marvin the Martian themed. Simple and classic.

3. Own a new wallet. Or at least maintain your wallet’s new appearance. Once it starts looking weathered and worn, change it out.

In my mind, the ideal wallet is leather, made simple yet stylish, and does not interfere with the lines of a properly fitting pair of pants. More than a decade ago, I owned a terrible wallet for some time. You can see it in the photo below. It caused my pockets to bulge and my overall fashion display to suffer. Today, I own several fashionable Coach versions (shown above). If you wonder whether or not you should replace your wallet, ask an unbiased person. Chances are, if you have to wrestle with the question, you require an upgrade.

© Copyright 2013 Jeremy Gradney.