A coat for protection

As the cold winds drift from the north one finds the warmth of a new winter coat a welcome retreat. There are many coat options to help you brace yourself against the elements, but please avoid wearing your ski parka to the office or out on the town. You’ll be better served by a traditional coat that ends midway between your thigh and knee. If you knew how to pick a winter coat, you’d know the difference between a jacket and a coat: a jacket rests at your hips and does little to keep you truly warm and can’t be worn over a thick sweater or blazer, and a coat is made of a thicker, natural fabric and is a must to keep you warm.

So, to keep you toasty when the temperatures turn frigid, follow our tips on how to pick a winter coat.

Fabric

The first thing in knowing how to pick a winter coat is understanding fabric. The best fabrics to keep you warm are wool and cashmere. Cashmere is far warmer, but the high cost and short durability of the fabric often make it moot against the strength of wool in snowy conditions. If you need a really warm coat, opt for one that also has a thin layer of Thinsulate or goose down sewn into the typical lining. This will give you an extra layer, but in most cases a wool or cashmere coat needs only the acetate lining for a comfortable fit over your clothes; the outer fabric itself does all the work.

Fit

Choosing the right fit is essential in knowing how to pick a winter coat. To find the right fit, simply go up one size over your typical suit jacket size; this allows you to move easily without the layers binding at your shoulders and neck. The shoulder seams themselves should fall just over the edge of your natural shoulder. This will give you a better profile line while wearing a sport coat or suit. And it is acceptable to forego a traditional topcoat and wear a coat over a suit for daily wear, but after 6 p.m. is another story. When in doubt, go shopping while wearing a blazer or thick sweater. Not all coats follow the same measurement dimensions, so this will give you a better idea of fit and comfort. But don’t just slip the coat on: find a chair and sit down while wearing the coat; raise your arms; bend down and tie your shoe. You’ll be sporting this new coat in a variety of situations and you need to give it a real test drive before buying it.

Style

The most fashionable options come in a variety of styles and prices.

Cashmere Elements Chevron Jacket

A modern take on a military-inspired design, the charcoal and gray colors allow you to pair this coat with either black, brown or navy clothing. Under a suit it takes on a formal appearance, but can be easily worn with jeans or corduroy trousers for weekend जौंट्स

Andrew Marc Marcus Coat

This is true casual elegance for winter with a pea-coat cut and longer drape than usual. If you work in a semi-casual office or just like to be a little more structured in your weekend wear, this is your new coat.

J. Crew Officer’s Topcoat

This double-breasted number hits nearly at the knee and lets you stay warm on those long commutes across town. The collar has a wide cut that when turned up protects you against the wind without making you look like you’re cold The back belt and button accents give you a trim silhouette and allow the coat to drape off your waist, preventing a box-like look.

Endovanera Most Jacket

Perhaps the most daring winter coast of them all is not for the traditional man-about-town. The unusual yet refreshing style of placing the button closure on a wide downward angle breathes new life into the design of winter coats. The collar and shoulder line are masculine and militaristic, but the cut and the included hood are modern and functional in ways few coats dare to be. The additional buttons on each sleeve cuff that reach nearly to the elbow evoke the frock coats of the French Revolution.

coat yourself in style

Whichever coat you choose, remember to care for it once the winter season has passed. Have it dry-cleaned and wrap it in a suit hanger until next year. This way you’ll preserve your investment, but you’ll also have a garment that is ready to wear on that first chilly day when everyone else is scrambling to find something warm.

Futebol Americano, Tom Brady

Why He's A Style Icon

Few athletes transcend jock-wear and move easily into high fashion as Tom Brady has over the years. Quarterbacks usually find plenty of attention for their personal style, but Tom Brady has a second career in fashion in the off-season because he dares to mix traditional American blue-blazer looks with European minimalism. His chiseled jaw, closely cropped hair and physique help his overall look, but don’t be fooled by his all-American smile. Tom Brady knows how to dress because, unlike other professional athletes who seem uncomfortable in anything but their jerseys, Tom Brady is always confidant and comfortable even when he experiments. Take for instance his ability to walk the streets of Paris in slim-fitting pyjama pants, sandals, Italian sunglasses, and a matching long-sleeve shirt one week, while sauntering into a New York City steak house the next week in a gray flannel three-piece suit. You will not see Peyton or Eli Manning calling this kind of sartorial play any time soon.

Dressing The Brady Way
Tom Brady’s style derives from his fearless ability to blend converging elements। Consider his quintessential look of sporty European sneakers, dark jeans and a zippered sweater topped off by a classic yet contemporary blue blazer with blue dress buttons. At times he substitutes the sweater for an athletic hooded sweatshirt.The sneakers and jeans are easy enough and the sweater or sweatshirt requires minimal effort, but the blazer is an inspired finishing touch. The whole look merges European sportswear with American athleticism, which is completed by the slightly conservative yet go-anywhere appeal of the blazer.

To achieve the ultimate Tom Brady look, consider blending Cole Haan Air Ventura sneakers with Dolce & Gabbana jeans, a white Hugo Boss sweater or sweatshirt and a dark blue Ermenegildo Zegna cashmere and silk blazer।

While all of these converge for a continental off-field uniform, it is the blazer that gives Tom Brady his eternally youthful look with a touch of respectabilit.

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Blazing by Old Man Winter

Blazers or The Sport Jacket...

The largest holiday season is once again upon us, so we must handle it with estilo in mind. Either you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah or just life, we as men of estilo must appear to do it with ease.

Here in the lower south east, temperature's can range from the 60's to the bone chilling teens, so having the correct density is of extreme priority. Add a layer of protection.

Throw on a Blazer! It's sharp, mature, heavy and a sugar magnet.

Many styles to choose from and certainly one or two, too suit your estilo. Blazers come in wool, tweed, leather, velvet, sued, velour, herringbone and mi favorito, the corduroy.

Their versatile in the way you rock them. Lace-em over any sweater provided that they complement each other especially a v-neck sweater with a button down shirt for any outing excluding dancing or slap on a hoodie underneath it for more of a sport estilo. All looks can be paired with slacks or jeans.

Hermanos (brothers) when Old Man Winter blows his cool-ass breath, you'll stand there with estilo and say "it's not as cold as I thought." THAT'S ESTILO!

Style Icon, El Presidente!

Senor Stylish

Barack Obama has transcended politics and his quest to be President of the United States by adhering to the very old rule of dressing for the job you want. Most of the candidates and politicians in America like to appear in jeans to show they are one of the people, but Obama’s campaign was generated and fueled by the people, so he never had to dress down for the cameras. In the process, he has taught men how to wear suits again. The clean lines and drape of his jacket never seem ill-fitting or bulky. The trouser cuffs break across his cap-toe oxfords just enough to perfectly end the slim silhouette that begins with the soft shouldered jacket. More importantly, by always wearing a suit so well, he never looks out of place. Few realize that he began his campaign wearing Ermenegildo Zegna suits, but just as Nicolas Sarkozy was lauded in France for wearing Prada, Obama soon found himself at the center of sartorial questions. Rather than change his look, however, he merely changed to similarly designed and fitted suits from Hart Schaffner Marx. Here, then, is another lesson to be learned: Be yourself and true to your own style no matter the designer or manufacturer.

Dress The Obama Way

The foundational rule of Barack Obama’s style is to keep your wardrobe simple with finely made dark suits, a crisp white shirt and the camera-friendly pale blue tie or a deep red tie just to change things up. At his most casual, you might see him wearing the suit without the tie or perhaps without the jacket and the tie with his sleeves rolled up just above the wrist. It is here at this moment that all men who aspire to greatness should take note: Obama rolls his sleeves in even folds revealing his only accessory -- a sublime watch given to him as a gift from his Secret Service detail. At the beginning of his campaign, he sported a Tag Heuer on a black leather band, but nowadays he wears the Secret Service chronograph, which bears the seal of the United States Secret Service on a black dial with a black Buffalo leather strap.

reported from askmen.com

Assert or Desert her?

Chivalry versus Feminism

In the 1950s, the rules of dating etiquette were clearer. A man knew it was not only acceptable, but expected for him to open the door for his date, pull out her chair and pay for the meal. These days, the line between appreciated chivalrous acts and condescending behaviors is fuzzy at best.

The feminist movement brought women the right to vote and earn equal pay, but it sure made the practice of dating more confusing in the process. It would be a dateless man indeed who did’t acknowledge a woman’s right to make her own decisions when it comes to her life, her money, her body, and her mind; however, how do you reconcile that respect with the kind of attitude a man is encouraged to project on a date? When you’re initially getting to know a girl, it can be difficult to know whether or not she’ll see your actions as considerate or misogynistic.

The following are a few different situations that may come up during the beginning of a relationship viewed from perspectives on either side of the aisle: that of a well-intentioned, old-fashioned gentleman and an enthusiastic, empowered woman. Which opinion should rule in these ambiguous circumstances?

Picking up the tab
Gentleman’s perspective: It’s gentlemanly to pull out my wallet and pay, especially on the first date. It shows I am financially secure and goes a long way to making a good impression on my date.

Feminist’s perspective: As an empowered woman, I can pay my own way, thank you very much. The man reaching for his wallet is an indication that he thinks I can’t take care of myself.

AM verdict: For the first few dates, at least, the guy should pay. If she isn’t a gold-digger, the woman should at least offer to pay, but until a relationship is established, the man should expect to be shelling out for meals, drinks and movies.

Lightening her load
Gentleman’s perspective: Opening the door for my girl or helping her carry her shopping bags is my duty as the stronger sex.

Feminist’s perspective: Call any woman “the weaker sex” and see how far that gets you. I am fully capable of opening my own doors and carrying my own bags.

AM verdict: Instead of asking if it’s OK, just say, “Let me help you with those bags.” If she’s adamant that she doesn’t need your help, back off.

Performing manly tasks
Gentleman’s perspective: There are some jobs that men are still required to do. Mowing the lawn or fixing the car is a perfectly reasonable thing to do for her. She probably doesn’t know how to do them or doesn’t want to anyway.

Feminist’s perspective: These chores are not strictly for men. I am independent and intelligent enough to take care of these tasks on my own.

AM verdict: If she knows how to do it, she does it, period. Don’t insist on doing a chore just because it’s “a man’s work.” Alternately, don’t shy away from teaching her how to do something if she shows an interest in learning.

Defending her honor
Gentleman’s perspective: If a woman is insulted by another man’s actions or words, I should step in and take over the situation.

Feminist’s perspective: I can fight my own battles. If someone offends me, I’ll take it up with them myself.

AM verdict: It depends on the situation. If it’s a random catcall from a passing vehicle, it’s probably not necessary to do anything about it. If another guy pinches your date’s *ss in a club, you should step up and deal with the situation. In that case, you're not only defending her honor, but your own as well.

Ordering her meal
Gentleman’s perspective: I know what she’ll like, so I should go ahead and order for her.

Feminist’s perspective: I don’t think so!

AM verdict: Feminists win here. This behavior is archaic and comes off as rude and condescending. Unless she asks for a suggestion, keep your opinions on her order to yourself.
chivalrous confusion

It can be quite confusing to be a man in today's society, what with all the empowered women traipsing around demanding their independence, while chastising us for not being courteous enough to open doors for them. A general rule of thumb to keep in mind when dealing with the fairer (not weaker) sex: treat them as you would want them to treat you! Don't baby her or treat her like a child, simply be there for her as you would a good friend and everything should be fine

roperted from askmen.com.

Keeping it fly from the past sky

The through back look..."yes."

7 trendy retro looks
But before you hit the streets looking for authentic vintage goods, check out these retro-inspired modern items that are all the rage. Dirty denim: Otherwise known as "washed-out" or "distressed," this denim is treated to give jeans and jean jackets a second-hand look.

T-shirts:
Vintage-looking Ts have a "thrifty" appeal, so much so that the color is faded, the fabric is soft and practically worn-out, and if there's a logo on the T-shirt, then it's sure to be retro. You can find vintage-looking T-shirts in most stores, as well as on websites like PalmerCash.com.

Button-down shirts:
Popular vintage-looking collared shirts include "utility" shirts; a button-down with a small chest pocket on one side, and a patch or insignia that reads "Joe's Gas Station," for example. You can also find what I like to call "bowling shirts," in either brown, blue or green, with some stripes on the shirt, usually in another shade of the shirt's base color. Another popular vintage detail is a shirt collar made from a different fabric, usually a knit.

Ties:
Any tie with a '60s or '70s pattern, in those unmistakable old-school colors, and either extremely wide or extremely thin. Speaking of thin, a very slim, knitted tie is a sure giveaway that it's retro.

Converse and Nike:
These shoes are everywhere! The '80s have returned in full force, especially in the world of sports apparel. You can find old-school white Nikes with the original Nike "swoosh" in most sporting goods stores. Even '80-style Converse All-Stars (low or high-top) have made a huge comeback.

Jackets/sports jerseys/hats:
Sports jerseys and caps with the team's retro logo are presently very cool. You could find these at popular sports specialty stores, or even try your luck on eBay.

Sunglasses:
Oversized shades are super popular for men, and they're reminiscent of the good old '60s and '70s. Even '80s-style aviators are flying high on the fashion scale.

Learn the difference between "thrift" & "vintage"
Items found at thrift stores are second-hand, and are cheaper than what you'll find at an authentic vintage store. Locations where you can find thrift items include the Salvation Army, flea markets, as well as second-hand stores. Vintage apparel refers to clothing and accessories from a different era; vintage items range in price and quality.

Inspect the item's condition
Whether you're shopping at a thrift shop or the best vintage store in the city, make sure the article is in mint condition. Check the stitching, finishing, lining, and exterior for defects or stains, and make sure you won't need alterations (these can sometimes cost more than the item itself).

Know how to recognize authentic vintage
If you're a wine connoisseur, you know a good bottle when you see it. By the same token, it's important to not get taken for a ride by merchants who claim that the leather jacket you're contemplating was really from the '50s. Once you get to know retro merchandise and time periods better, you'll notice certain signs of authenticity and quality that will make you a savvy vintage consumer. Details like workmanship, buttons, buttonholes, cuffs, and seams are usually good indicators of the item's quality and authenticity.

Dating on the dime

Step lightly....she's a bombshell!



Let's be honest: Good-looking women in the 21st century have the world -- literally -- by the balls. That's because for very attractive women men are panting puppets, sex is available on demand and money flows from male wallets in a never-ending stream of avarice.Without lifting a finger, very attractive women enjoy lives that most people can only fantasize about.For men, the lure of dating very attractive women is obvious as they are arm candy, boost self-esteem, increase social status among men, multiply a guy's sexual desirability, and hot women are just damn good to look at. While all of this is well and good, very attractive women have their dark side and can be shallow, self-centered and self-absorbed, not to mention that many of them are selfish, think that their vaginas are gold-plated, and are manipulators, among many other negative qualities.Despite these drawbacks, very attractive women are what most guys look for. Since these women are constantly bombarded with male attention, they can afford to be highly selective about the men they date, which usually lands them some dude with money first and good looks second.Is there any hope for you if you don't have extremely good looks or lots of cash? Well, you just might be able give yourself a decent shot if you're willing to make a couple of shifts in your dating strategy and take our advice on dating very attractive women.The key to success with dating very attractive women is to be different. Beautiful women have heard it all, so if you want a chance at very attractive women, you're going to have to do something different.Here are a few examples of what it takes when dating very attractive women:


Treat her like she's nothing special

Talk to her like you would any other person. Don't act awestruck by her looks, don't gush out compliments and never stare at her with lust. Reduce the intimidation factor, be debonair and seem aloof, as if you don't care about her looks. Whatever you do, don't assume she doesn't want to talk to you. Dating very attractive women requires you to almost seem indifferent.


Don't hit on her

This is what she expects from the typical guy, so just make like you're ignoring her. This is a great technique to use if you run into very attractive women on a routine basis at work, a coffee shop or a health club. If you don't give her any attention -- while openly paying attention to other women -- she won't be able to stand it because you'll be the only guy within a hundred miles who isn't drooling over her. With luck, she'll be intrigued. Avoid pickup lines at all costs.


Tease her

Very attractive women can sense fear and insecurity the way a moth smells pheromones, so be light, fun and entertaining. Boyish charm can take you a long way with these women -- many of the great-looking guys they date can be seriously personality-challenged.Dating very attractive women requires a seemingly big ego..

Keep her guessing

The idea is to keep her off-balance, intrigued and guessing -- make her want to spend time with you just because you're so different from any other guy out there. Just remember: Don't let your guard down and go wimpy on her -- the very second she thinks she's in control of you, it's all over. So by being different, by bringing a little refreshing change into the life of very attractive women, you might be surprised -- it might just be the breath of fresh air she's been looking for. Sure, it's no magic charm, and it's certainly not going to work every time. Trying to score a date with very attractive women is definitely a numbers game. But all it takes is one, and if you pull it off, you're going to be in for the sweetest ride of your life.



Matthew Fitzgerald is the author of Sex-Ploytation. He has appeared on radio shows from coast to coast in the United States and in Canada, and has been featured on the Montel show and The Other Half.