Wasabi Nights

How to Wear a Suit with Style: What Would Ryan Gosling Do?

Photo: GQ.com, 5/20/11

Last week, Ryan Gosling was featured twice in the media for his style choices at the Cannes International Film Festival. Why?

Because he dressed appropriately for the occasions, while managing to show personality and his own unique style. (No thank you, tuxedo penguin.)

How did he do it? Click here to find out: Ryan's Style Breakdown

Friday Fashion Funny: Mantyhose...?!

Why do men want to wear pantyhose?  Click here to see...

I'm simply laughing too hard to write more.

Happy Friday!

All the best,

Lisa

Last Minute Gift Idea for Father's Day

Father's Day is June 19th... Need a gift?

I asked my team of Style Experts to think of great ideas for our clients — and we came up with the perfect idea:

Give Dad a Hendricks Park Gift Certificate. This is the perfect gift for a Dad who hates to shop or doesn't have time. As an extra touch, we’ll send a FREE set of Würkin Stiffs® magnetic Power StaysTM (3 pairs per set; $35 value) with each gift certificate of $100 or more.

I wrote about these innovative collar stays last year, and got so much great feedback from our clients I wanted to share them again. Basically, Würkin Stiffs® are an effortless way to have perfect shirt collars all day long. (Think James Bond and Mad Men.) Click here to see a goofy video about how they work.

Love this idea? Know a deserving Dad (maybe yourself)?
Click the image below to Order a Gift Certificate Now

Or go to: http://www.hendrickspark.com/giftcertificate.html\
Questions? Contact our amazing team at customersupport@hendrickspark.com

Happy Father's Day!
— Lisa Bruckner, CEO and Founder Hendricks Park

Plus: Our NEW Hendricks Park blog is now live! Find great tips and articles from the experts at http://hendrickspark.com/blog/

What Your Clothes Say About You

Same man: Different messages.

Part 1: Weekend Wear

What message do you want to send? Dress accordingly.

— Lisa Bruckner CEO & Founder Hendricks Park 
Illustrations by Aydika James

What Size Should I Wear? The Mens' Fit Guide

Bottom line: It’s hard to look stylish, professional or mature if your clothes don't fit well. The easiest and most powerful thing you can do to improve your style is know the right fit for your body. Key rules of thumb:

Thin Man
Wearing over-sized clothing does not make you look bigger or broader — it actually emphasizes the fact that you don’t fill your clothing, or says: "I lost half my body weight on The Biggest Loser but haven’t bought new clothes since." Opt for "Slim Fit" clothing — and know that "slim" doesn't mean "metro." It simply means the clothing is designed to fit you well. If you want to look bigger: Opt for bold colors, bigger/wider patters, and use layering (ie: shirt, sweater and jacket) to visually "beef up" your physique.

Heavier Man
Here the truth: Loose, baggy clothing makes you look bigger, not smaller. If your clothes are too big, you're not hiding problem areas — you're emphasizing them. (Imagine a plus-sized woman in baggy sweats. What effect does that have?) To slim your look: Wear clothes that fit your body well; and opt for darker colors, smaller patterns and stiffer fabrics (ie: not "clingy"), which will smooth and slim your profile..

Shorter Man
You of all people want to avoid long, boxy clothing — this hides your arms and legs and creates a "stubby" look. To add height: Wear clothes that fit your body, rather than the size you'd like to be. (Having an "S" on the label is perfectly fine.) Opt for slightly shorter jackets; and whenever possible, wear a belt and tuck your shirt in, which will make your legs look longer.

Tall Man
Are you really an XL — or do you buy it for the length? If you're sacrificing fit for length, and wearing baggy XL or XXL sizes, it’s time to find different brands. You don't have to settle: many brands carry stylish "Tall" and Long" sizing.  To balance out your height: Buy shirts and jackets with wider-spread collars, which make your shoulders look broader. Rolling your sleeves (whenever possible) will also “shorten” your torso area..

Muscular Man
Over-sized and "relaxed" fits hide all your hard work at the gym and makes you look shapeless. To clarify those broad shoulders are muscles (not extra pounds): Wear well-fitting clothing that tapers in at the waist, or creates the illusion of a waist, such as tailored jacket can. And be aware: while "relaxed" pants seem comfortable, they make your beefy thighs look "fat." Opt for Classic / Straight fit to maintain your sharp, masculine shape.

To demonstrate...
Last week, our Hendricks Park co-founder sent us this photo from an event in Cannes. While the photo quality isn’t great, the two men here give us a great example of Good Fit vs. Bad Fit — and the impact it makes on your overall impression:

Here’s what people really see when they look at you:

Let’s look at the gentleman on the left. Nice concept, poor fit. The jacket is boxy, and combined with his baggy linen pants — which are 2+ inches too long — the message he’s sending is: “I’m lazy and sloppy.”

(NOTE: While I love linen, it’s not ideal for travel, or events where you’ll be sitting a long time.)

Now look at the gentleman on the right. Even from behind, he looks sharp in a tailored jacket, straight-leg denim, and tan shoes (a much more stylish choice than black). Simply put, his clothes fit well. The message he's sending is: "I have my act together.”

Sometime today, squint at yourself in a mirror. (You may want to do this when no one's watching.) If you drew a line around yourself, what shape would you be? In other words: What is your clothing saying about you — or rather, what are you saying with your clothing?

How to Look Sharp When You're Traveling: Best 3 Items for Men

Another morning flight today; and I couldn't help but snap photos of the good, the bad and the...downright confusing. Every time I travel, I see men make the unnecessary choice between style or comfort. However it's easy for men to travel in style and comfort.

Here’s an example of a professional look, ruined by an unnecessary sacrifice:

First class business traveler. Nice suit. Running shoes. (Ugh. This combo even looks ugly in writing.)

I understand the need for comfort, but there are equally comfortable shoe options that don't glow in the dark — or inspire a citizen's Style Police arrest. And in terms of networking opportunities, I wonder: Would I ask for this man’s card if he sat next to me on the plane? Or would I be blinded by the light?

Luckily another man presented a much better option:

While casually dressed (and even slouching in this picture), this gentleman still looks far more polished in his comfort-friendly outfit. Instead of chunky white gym shoes, he chose to pair purple street sneakers with a textured yellow shirt, a brown leather belt, dark denim, and a tan city coat. A nice mix of color — and all very versatile items for travel. If you choose to fly in sneakers, this is a great example of how to pick fun, stylish, comfortable options and really own your look.

So here’s why this outfit works: Mr. Tan Coat is following what I call the “Mens’ Travel Trifecta” — a simple 3-item formula you can rely on for excellent travel looks on any trip. Focus on these three elements, and you’ll fly in class and comfort — and save space in your luggage — without intervention from the style police.

• 1: Dark, premium denim — This is your ultimate travel item. The dark wash can be dressed down or up, looks great with everything, and is comfortable in-flight.
  
  
• 2: Blazer or stylish jacket — A navy blazer is the most versatile option, as it transfers easily from day to night/dressier looks. A charcoal sport coat is another good choice. For casual travel, a stylish city coat is an excellent bet.
  
  
• 3: Quality loafers or street sneakers — Brown loafers are the king of travel footwear: comfortable, stylishly versatile, and a breeze to slip on and off in the security lines. (Black is more formal and less versatile for casual looks.) Brown loafers look excellent with everything from business suits, to chinos, to denim.
  
  For the more casual or “edgy” man, stylish sneakers can be a good bet — just be sure they’re designed for the street, not the gym.

And there you have it: A complete, classy, comfortable travel outfit for many occasions, which pairs well with any shirt. Good shirt options are a nice T-shirt (casual look), a long sleeve henley or polo shirt (“polished casual”), or a well-fitting woven “button up” shirt (dressier). I also recommend a high-quality undershirt, to keep you cool and dry through the fluctuating temperatures (and occasional mad dashes) of travel.

Just remember: Never, ever wear athletic shoes with anything but athletic clothing. And if you’re working out in your business suits gentleman: we really must talk.