Afternoon Tea @ The Westbury

An Open Letter...

Dear Mr. Chwyl;

They say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, but quite frankly it is just lame.

You have been calling yourself the 'Fashion Guy' and doing TV spots for West Edmonton Mall, since I was a child. I would think that someone who has amassed the experience you surely have would be more innovative and creative; yet here you are, now at Kingsway Mall and shamelessly copying an approach from Southgate Centre.

To be fair I think I understand where you're coming from, and I do sympathize. Afterall it must be difficult to be a one trick pony in a city as small as Edmonton. With new talent emerging all around you, I too would be frightened, clinging on to my past successes and last season Prada's for dear life!

Alas, the jig is up John. We can all see what is happening. Kingsway is a far cry from West Edmonton Mall and the 'fashion guy' hasn't been relevant since the Bush administration...the first time. So perhaps it is best to go quitely, do not pass Bonnie Doon and for heavens sakes avoid Londonderry.

We'll miss you, but this is goodbye.


be relevant.
style guy.

Summer Wedding Season is Coming! Tuxedo Ideas and Tips for Destination and Beach Weddings

There are lots of places that a wedding and a reception can take place - from a country club, to a hotel, to a backyard, a home, or even on the beach. However, where the event takes place does not dictate whether the event will be formal, casual, or somewhere in between.  Just because you are having a wedding reception at an upscale hotel does not automatically mean that it has to be black (or white) tie, and similarly, getting married on a beach doesn't mean you can't have a formal wedding.

Rather, the bride and groom should decide how they want the wedding to look, so they can have an event that they are happy with.  This post provides some ideas for a beach or destination wedding that is formal - but sometimes with a twist.

A solid semi-formal beach look is a beige or khaki tuxedo suit. As you can see from the picture above, you can pair it with a long tie if you want to keep things a little less formal.  And, as long as you're going for the beach vibe, forget about shoes and wear a pair of sandals. 

For a more formal look, wear a vest and bowtie - but keep the colors breezy. A matching pocket square can bring together the whole look. If you want to take the beach theme even further, wear a pair of themed cufflinks - nautical perhaps? Trust us, people will notice.

You can go all the way with the "casual" theme - skip the tie and roll up your pant legs.  You'll look cool, casual, and absolutely appropriate. Notice how in this picture the coat is paired with a ivory vest - this will ensure that even though you want to look casual, you're still giving a nod to the fact that you're the groom.

Another option for beach weddings is a white tuxedo.  Here are two options:

 

This pinstriped tuxedo has a modern touch, and paired with a dark tie and pocket square, is a great look. You could wear this tux with a white tie, but the look would be a little too formal for a beach wedding.

 

An all-white look is clean and fresh.  By adding just a touch of color, the look remains youthful.

A gray tuxedo can set a formal mood but also keeps things light enough for a daytime wedding. This can be paired with any number of color combinations for the vest and tie. The look is very elegant and upscale while reflecting the fact that the wedding is outside or during the day.

Another option is to wear a blue tuxedo suit jacket with a formal vest - it's an unexpected look but every bit as appropriate. This look works especially well is you are going for a formal look without being too uptight or traditional.

Here are some additional tips for your beach wedding:

• Generally, we'd prefer that you not wear sunglasses.  We understand that you're out on the beach and the sun gets in your eyes - BUT - it's just one day, you'll live. Plus, everyone wants to see you looking into your to-be-wife's eyes.
• Wear sunscreen if you're going to be out in the sun for a while. 
• If you have longer hair and are getting married on the beach itself, there's a very good chance that the wind will wreak havoc on your hair if you don't use a little hair product to keep your hair in place. While the windblown look may be in style, you don't want to have to keep moving the hair out of your eyes while reciting your vows.

All tuxedos seen here are available at Metropolitan Formalwear at SEARS Fair Oaks Mall, a Jim's Formal Wear retailer.

Different Patterns in Men’s Suits

Just as suit style, fit and color, suit patterns are also important. Solid, Pinstripe, Windowpane, and Check patterns are four main suit designs to consider.

Solid Suit:
The solid suit is a plain suit which consists of only single color. These suits must differentiate themselves with pocket, button, lapel, and vent style. They are versatile, neutral and safe for all situations. The popular colors include black, charcoal gray, navy blue and even white.

Pinstripe:
This style of pattern consists of vertical lines running all over the suit jacket and pants. These stripes of color can vary in thickness depending on the designer's vision. The Pinstripe is by far the most popular striped suit and men use this suit to look more formal and authoritative.

Window Pane:
This suit pattern is created by both vertically and horizontally running lines to make square or rectangular "windowpane" patterns. These suits are more stylish than the previous models.

Plaid:
The plaid suit is one of the fancier patterned suits on the market. This  mens suits can’t be seen as often as many of the other suit patterns on the market because of its high cost and difficult tailoring methods. This suit is similar to the windowpane suit with its use of vertical and horizontal lines. However, the lines will run in close knit groups with various gaps to create the box like openings. This pattern can be worn to less formal office settings and fun social gatherings such as church, weddings, and parties.

Check Patterns:
The check patterned suit is similar to the window pane suit with one exception. This suit has every other square or rectangle filled with horizontal lines.This suit pattern is one of the trendier styles that can be worn to important social events. You can wear this suit on formal dates, church, weddings and even parties.

Tips to Find Cheap Mens Designer Suits

Don’t worry, if you are in need of a mens suit but don’t have enough money to purchase one. It’s possible to get cheap suits, if you know where to look.

• Visit your local thrift store. Thrift shops are a great resource to locate cheap men’s designer suits. You would be amazed at how many designer suits that you can find at a thrift store. They will all be extremely discounted. Ensure that there is nothing wrong with the suit before you purchase it.

• Visit local garage sales. Many people sell their old suits at their garage sale rather than trying to sell it online. 

• Browse online. Many designer websites clearance last year’s style during the year. These suits are ideal if you want to have the designer label but not pay the designer price.

• Look into online auction sites. Several people try to sell their suits online to get more money out of them. Many online auction sites have thousands of suits up for sale. Watch out for fakes and knockoffs.

Ryan Gosling is Killing It !!!

Salvatore Ferragamo Custom-Made Tuxedo

Tom Hardy as Bane !!!

Don't Lose the Engagement Ring!







Check out this great post from Jewelers Mutual about keeping tabs on the engagement ring before you propose. It's got a lot of good tips.





We've heard a lot of stories where guys have gotten dressed up in a tuxedo to pop the question, which is a great idea, but there are a lot of other great ways to make the moment special and memorable.

It's usually a good idea to make the proposal something personal - try not to do it in a particular way just because you think that's the way it should be done.  The unexpected is always more fun!

If you haven't gotten the ring yet, Jewelers Mutual has a good dictionary of terms here.

Once she's said YES, it's time to start thinking about the tux! Remember, Metropolitan Formalwear's got you covered: www.metroformal.com.

Tips to Dress if You are Short

A few simple dos and don'ts can give the illusion of extra inches.

Tips:

• Put on tops whose details pull the eye down vertically; V-necks are a good option.

• Tuck shirts into pants to make your legs appear longer, which will make you look taller.

• Opt for clothes that fit close to your body. Bulky ones - like over-sized jackets and tops - will draw the eyes out horizontally.

• Try slim pants that closely follow your thighs and butt to make you look taller.

• Wearing vertical stripes - for instance, a pinstripe mens suit will make you look taller.

• Put on short skirts, avoiding skirts that cut slightly below the knee or at mid-calf.

• Slip into higher-heeled shoes. Letting your cuff less pant legs drape over high shoes will provide an instant look of height.

Prom (Or Any Other Event for That Matter) Dinner Etiquette

There are a lot of dining etiquette guides out there, and most people know the basics - hold open doors, ladies sit and order first, no elbows on the table, don't talk when there's food in your mouth, etc. Lots of people are more advanced, knowing the "bread on your left, drink on your right" rule. Still others know the difference between a dessert spoon, a tea spoon, and a soup spoon.

That's all important, and it's all well and good, and if you want to find out what the proper way to eat a meal at a restaurant is, you can easily find lots of information out there.

But we thought we'd offer some additional tips for you to come off looking polished at your fancy dinner. These aren't all really etiquette tips per se, but you should follow them anyway if you want to come off looking like a gentleman, or even just a polite guy.

Remember not to drink and drive

• If you're driving, take your coat off - it will prevent it from getting wrinkled.  If you're in the back of a limo, you can leave your coat on.  (If you find yourself driving a limo, by the way, your coat should be on).
• When you're walking on a sidewalk, you should always walk between a woman and the curb.  This is an old rule from the time there were horses on the street - the idea was to protect the woman from mud, splashes, etc.  The rule still stands - cars can splash too.

Small gestures can say a lot

• When walking to the table, the lady walks ahead of the man.  He should pull her chair out for her when they get to the table.  If you want to be really formal, anytime a lady gets up from the table, the men should stand up slightly in their seats.  If it's a big group, only her date and the man sitting next to the woman leaving the table need to rise.

• When you get to the restaurant DO NOT drape your coat jacket over the back of your chair. Also, if you are wearing a long tie, DO NOT throw the tie over your shoulder in an effort to prevent it from being stained.  You'll look like a toolbox.

Give the server 30 seconds
of your attention

• When the waiter is telling your table the specials, please look at him/her, and don't zone out.  It's rude.  Also, you may end up hearing something that you like, and if you haven't paid attention you will have to ask the waiter to go through all the specials again.  That's boring for them. Also, if the waiter doesn't tell you how much the special is and you want to order it, it's fine to ask for the price, just do it directly and casually.



Bread - left -- Drinks - right


• Ok, here's the bread on your left, drink on your right rule: your water glass is on the right of your plate - here's a way to remember: make an "OK" sign with both hands, palms facing each other. Your left hand will form a "b" and your right hand will form a "d". Your bread (b) is on the left, and your drinks (water, wine, etc.) (d) are on the right.

• If someone asks for salt, you should pass both the salt and the pepper - they stay together- and don't use them before you pass them on.

• We hate to be a broken record, but please carry some mints.  If the restaurant is loud, you'll be leaning in close to your date to have a conversation.  Sometimes the pleasure of enjoying the taste of your food should take a back seat to having fresh breath.  Plus, you may need the mints after coffee (and later).

Also, remember to hold open doors, both car and restaurant.

Types of Wedding Suits

Usually when we think of men's wedding attire, traditional tuxedos is the thing that comes to our mind. Just like women, men also have choices when it comes to wedding suits. Though men do not have as many choices as women, there are choices available nevertheless. Wedding outfit for men varies from laid back and casual to black-tie formal.

Formal:
Men's formalwear should be 3 pieces and consist of a tuxedo jacket and pants, along with a cummerbund or vest. The tuxedo jacket can be either single breasted, double breasted or three buttons, based on groom’s preference. Both bowties and neckties are acceptable. Match colors to the bridal party, or base them on time of day. For daytime weddings, lighter colored suits and accessories work well, whereas the darker suits are appropriate for evenings. Pair a three-piece suit with a pair of shiny patent dress shoes.

Semi-Formal:
Men’s semi-formal wedding attire is a scaled-down suit. The bridegroom would be dressed in a jacket and pants, preferably with a tie. Tuck shirts in, and opt for a cotton-dress material. Go for a tailored suit, not a relaxed one. For daytime, Lighter shades are suitable but avoid them for evening weddings. Men should match up the Mens suit with a loafer or dress shoe.

Beach Casual:
Beach casual wedding attire for men is apt for a beach, backyard or any other sort of outdoor wedding. Men's wedding apparel for beach casual would include a loose-fitting shirt made of cotton or linen and a pair of cotton or linen slacks. The bridegroom can wear the shirt either tucked in or out of the waistband of the slack. A light sport jacket can also give a beach casual wedding outfit more of a suit feel. Groom can either go barefooted or pair the outfit with sandals or slip-on shoes. The color palate often consists of natural shades of brown, green and blue.

Mens Hat has always been a Favorite Accessory

Your mens suits or tuxedo would surely enhance your persona if you accessorize it well. But there is certainly a time and place for everything. This is applicable to all accessories and especially mens hats. Several reasons can be cited as to why a man should wear a hat. But many times men are confused to when and where it is best suited to wear a hat.

Mostly you wear a mens suit or tuxedo while attending a special occasion. Hence it is always a good idea to wear anything that comes with the suit or tuxedo even if it is a hat. After all there would indeed be a reason to add the hat along with the suits. It would surely go well with the overall look of the suit or the tuxedo. Thus wearing it would make you look better and handsome. Zoot suits, which is another popular style is usually worn with felt hat that has a long feather and with pointy French-style shoes.

It is always a good idea to wear a hat when it is sunny outside. The reasons are so obvious; it would give protection to your eyes and face from the harmful rays of the sun. If you are exposed to the harmful rays for a long time, it can cause damage like loss of vision and even skin cancer to the worse. Hence a mens hat is a smart thing to wear. In addition it would also give an overall cooling effect as the face would be in the shadow of the brim of the hat. On the other hand, you can also wear a hat if the weather is too chilly outside. A beanie mens hat is a good choice to keep the head warm. Even though the cold would not do much damage as the harmful sun’s rays, it would cause headaches or chills if the head is directly exposed to the cold for a long time. So it would be better if you wear a hat. The mens hat also compliments the sports attires and varies for each sport item.

Apart from all the above mentioned reasons, there is one important reason for which people wear a hat. It is simply because they feel like wearing them.