Archive for July, 2012

Advice Fit for the Classy Gentlemen

 

 

Guest Speaker: Lady Speaks A lot

Some of our favorite CLM patrons have been writing to us asking about a list of “ core rules every gentleman should follow.” Is there anything that every cosmopolitan man should know? Has he been left in the dark about anything while the women of the world are conspiring against him? Any core list of rules that he may or may not be aware of, for which the universe cries, “contend to this!” So we thought we’d take a little break from fashion and the likes, just to bring it back to earth for you. Our guest speaker, Lady Speaks A lot, is a middle aged New Yorker living on the Upper East Side, bent on the following rules. Her motto? “The glass is always half spilled. Normally on my new white dress.” Favorite Motivational speaker? Nietzsche. You get the picture…

Advice Fit for the Classy Gentlemen

1. Always well dress up and wear some Superhero cufflink because women’s like superheros, and than  get up for a lady on a train/bus/any mass transit. If you are healthy and capable, it’s time to get up. Yes, you! Get UP!

Enamel Double Decker Bus Cufflinks

2. Ask women out to dinner. Sound complicated, right? Men have been doing it for decades! No, we don’t want to watch a movie at home with you, or just “hang out,” or meet at your boys’ house, or get completely wasted together. How about start with a simple, nice…dinner.

Champagne Cufflinks

3. Make a decision. Whether it’s to put $5 or $15 in the gas tank, cross on 92^nd or 95^th, Indian or Chinese, Black dress or green one, help us help you…make a decision. Please don’t have us stand there at the convenience store for fifteen minutes while you decide on which kind of gum you want…it’s embarrassing.

Poker Decisions Cufflinks

4. Never, ever, ask the bartender what you should be drinking for the evening. Just order. Vodka or rum. Beer or gin. If you can’t decide what to drink for the night, how can we trust you to decide on future house decorations and future children names?

5. Know the original authors of “misshapen forms of well-seeming chaos” and “that which does not kill us makes us stronger.” And here’s a hint: they’re not singers.

Homer Simpson: Not My Fault Cufflinks

6. Know how your lady likes her coffee. Ask once. And remember it always. Don’t ask every time you get up to make her a pot.

7. Have a license. If a man can’t drive, well…a man can’t drive.*

8. Have at least one subscription to something. We don’t really know why this is important, but it is. Even if it’s Playboy, just order something read-able. Well, actually, no, Playboy isn’t acceptable either. Try the Economist or New York Times for starters.

9. Don’t drink out of a straw. Ever.

Mix Tape Cufflinks

10. Be Kind, Rewind. This also includes Netflix movies, Premium movies on Demand, etc. Because, sometimes you just have to rewind.

*Some of you at home may be wondering what’s the deal with number seven. It is actually quite a problem in some parts of the world…like New York.

 

Posted in Movie Cufflink, Music Cufflinks, Party Cufflinks, Sterling Silver Cufflinks, Superhero Cufflinks, Transportation Cufflinks | Comments Off on Advice Fit for the Classy Gentlemen

The Best of CLM Endorses

 

 

Want the best of CLM endorses? We’ve sprawled through the hottest trends and styles on GQ and picked out our favorites for the season. In order for an item to make the “favorites” list, it has to be fashion forward, affordable, and ultra wear-able. (No avant-garde, couture for men kind of thing. Let’s be real, we’re not all starring in a runway show). So here are our No-Frills Five Favorites for men. Starting with a classic summer essential….The White Suit.

1. White Suit for Summer. Just because it’s hot as [insert choice of cliché] out there, doesn’t mean you have to substitute your style. Investing in one or two white suits for the summer will be one of the best decisions you make in a while—you can dress it down while having dinner at the beach with a tee shirt, wear it with a rockstar summer-y shirt to happy hour with friends, a light cotton collared shirt for summer weddings and casual affairs. The best part is you can pair it with (yes!) shorts! So long as they’re tailored, slim cut, and go with the fabric/style of your suit jacket. Also pair it with jeans for a stylish, JFK summer look.

White Suit for Summer, Anyone?

Pair this suit with these Rectangular Art Deco Cufflinks. Click here for more info.

The white summer suit also so happens to work beautifully with all the following CLM “Picks.”

2. So, tucked away in GQ’s Style favorites was this little gem of advice: Plaid-as-Hell Scottish Ties. “The pattern that the Scottish call tartan and Americans call plaid originated a few thousand years ago and became globally cool by the nineteenth century. That was a long time ago. Today this most classic of menswear looks is getting a twenty-first-century jolt, thanks to a handful of creative tie designers. The color combinations are edgier and the tie width has shrunk, so you can feel meaner and leaner. The wool fabric stands up to your sturdier fall looks. Match one with a white oxford shirt and a flannel suit to get the boardroom buzzing, or team it with a chambray work shirt and a tweed jacket to get buzzed on the weekend. Either way, you’ll be a little more rad in plaid.”

Try these Plaid Ties from various designer brands. Prices range from $75 to $150. Or simply run to the closest Goodwill and score a vintage version.

Pair any of the above ties with these ultra-hip England Farthing hand painted Coin Tie Clips.

 

3. You simply can’t go the entire summer without donning the perfect pair of shorts. The newest trend is not baggy, oversized, over-the-knee shorts. Unless you’re planning on starring in a 90s inspired hip hop video, please gentlemen, drop those dated shorts (and we mean ditch them…). The new look is a tailored, tapered silhouette with a classier vibe.

Unis,  Harrison – Navy  $ 111.00

These shorts tend to be slightly shorter than the ones you wore 10 years ago, sit right on your hip bone, and show off your slimmed down summer figure. (Men have those too, right?)  The Perfect Summer Shorts work perfectly with slimmed down shirts, tucked in collared shirts, plaid ties, boat shoes, and more. Unis has some styles worthy enough to check out, a style called Emmett, which comes in five shades, ranging from grass green to pool blue. $198, by Unis. Available at shop.unisnewyork.com

 

4. The Boating Sweater. GQ worded it so well, we’ll just feature it again here: “We Americans might be crazy for our heritage brands, but the French have heritage we can’t touch. Take the Breton fisherman’s sweater, which has been keeping the French navy warm since 1858. It eventually caught on among the unenlisted (Jean Seberg wore one in the indie classic Breathless) and even among the un-French (Picasso and Warhol favored them, too). The Breton is marked by graphic stripes, fitted sleeves, and a boatneck and comes in a range of weights, from thick sweaters to this heavy tee. Saint James has been making them since the 1950s and always cuts them trim for easy layering—which in turn gives you a modern fit. Perfect for a more stylish spring, on land or at sea.”

Boating Sweater, jcrew. Photo by Ben Watts.

This boating sweater can be yours for a mere $85. Just truck your summer dazed-self to Jcrew and grab one. 

Ocean Stripe Cufflinks

5. The boat shoe is a classic example of shoe worthiness. It evokes memories of being top deck, with a bottle of champagne, and a classic white shirt stained with shrimp cocktail sauce. (Or maybe that’s just our memories with the shoes…) Either way, these shoes have made a serious come-back.

Aymara Yellow Flash Butterfly Cufflinks

GQ says,  “We’re talking tri-tone colorways, neon yellow soles, and jailhouse stripes. Sure, you can wear them with anything from khakis to seersucker for a shot of adrenaline. But think outside the prep and wear them with camo shorts, gray jeans, Supreme gear—in short, anything that would give the country-club set fever dreams.” The bright/interesting array of colors adds a modern flair to the classic shoe scheme and brings a touch of comfort back to your wardrobe. Kinda like chocolate syrup on your sundae…it just, works.
Read More http://www.gq.com/style/wear-it-now/201204/best-boat-shoes-colors#ixzz21kEsPM6j

 

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Stay Fresh This Summer

 

 

We all need a little advice once in a while. Here are CLM’s 7 Tips to Keeping you Fresh this Summer…

1. Maintain an even skin tone. Remember our previous post about the perfect bronzed look? That’s right, not only do you have to keep the skin clear and clog-free from dirt and daily grime, but try to maintain a summer glow too. If you haven’t read it yet, click here for 5 Simple Steps to maintaining an all-over glow year round. 

2. During hot summer’s mid-day heat, it’s important to change your shirt twice a day. You came here to find out about the rules of staying fresh, right? Adhere to this rule gentlemen.

Feeling extra hot and bothered? Let your accessories say the say thing, try our Red Fire Engine Cufflinks for an added spark.

3. Never wear faded, colored tee-shirts or collared shirts (white is even worse!) If you like particular brand of shirt or a color, buy it in bulk. Don’t over wear your favorite tee shirt just because you can’t get enough of its softness/style. Buy three, of the same kind. And then throw it out when it becomes dingy or over-washed. For extra style points, try our Pink Collared Cufflinks.

4. Ditch the sneakers in 90 degree weather. Or even 80 degree weather for that matter. Nothing is quite worse than seeing a man walking around in the mid day heat with a pair of hot, sticky sneakers on. Get yourself a nice pair of sandals and spend the $30 on a pedicure to make sure your staying on top of your “fresh” game. Even the horses don’t completely cover their hooves, so why should you?

5. Exfoliate… like your feet too. This step goes perfectly with advice number one and four and is actually an indispensable rule. Follow it.

1953 Chevrolet Corvette Stamp Cufflinks

6. Regular haircuts. Don’t wait until you look like a cave man to make a regular trip to your barber. If you can’t get seen by that “special” hair stylist whenever you want, make sure you have a back-up hair stylist. It does a world of difference for your overall fashion effect if you take the time to trim those locks on the regular.

Movember Mustache Cufflinks

7. And finally, STAY HYDRATED. In these hot summer months, it’s important to drink as much water as possible. You can’t really over-hydrate. Okay, you can but it’s actually really hard to do. Keep your skin fresh and clear, your eyes bright and cheery, and make sure your energy can beat the heat.

 

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How to Get Bronzed Fast (for men)

 

 

Get blazed this summer. It’s not just about young females having spectacular sun-kissed skin in the summer time. Believe it or not, women prefer a sun-kissed look on their man too. So in an effort to not disappoint your lady, or lady friend, we’re here to help with some tanning tips. And no, we won’t go tell you to lay in a tanning bed three-five times a week, unless…you want to? But that would be not-so-cool, literally. It’s hot under all those bulbs. We’ll tell you how to get the PERFECT bronzed look in 5 Simple Steps, without the help of UV rays.

Step One

Exfoliate. If you want your spray/lotion tan to go on evenly, you need to make sure you have a clean, freshly exfoliated palate to begin with. Think of creating a painting…you need to prime the canvas first, right?

At least once a week, for the rest of the summer, give your skin a good rub down. And you don’t have to run to the fanciest body store to get a good body scrub.

Here’s a little homemade recipe:

1) a cup of Raw, organic sugar
2) A tablespoon or two of Vitamin E
3) A few drops of Vanilla extract/or eucalyptus oil/any natural scented oil of your choosing
4) a teaspoon or two of plain scented soap
5) two tablespoons of honey

Step Two

Sterling Silver Surfer Dude Cufflinks

Moisturize.Instead of using your regular lotion, try a Self tanning/Bronzing Lotion. Our favorite is L’Oreal Daily Moisturizer which sells for around $9-$12 dollars a bottle.It gives you a shimmering, natural bronze and smells much better than the Jergen’s brand. It comes in Fair or Medium skin tones, so choose which one best suits your natural skin tone.

Once you dry off completely after your shower, apply this lotion liberally to all areas of your body. WASH YOUR HANDS thoroughly afterwards (and we mean each and every time) so you won’t get orange, wedged fingers.

Maui Beach Sand Cufflinks

Step Three

Spray. After you apply lotion you’re set right? Not true! Especially if you want a stellar, natural bronzed look that will get you looking buff at the beach, apply a light mist of spray tan on TOP of the L’Oreal lotion.

Our favorite is Neutrogena’s Micro-mist Sunless Tanning Spray 3 Shades Darker.

The best part about this spray is it requires no rubbing in. Simply stand in the bathroom (preferably with a towel on the floor to prevent slipping and staining) and light spray your entire body. Make sure to keep your arm/spray can in constant motion to prevent blotches. Let dry for five minutes. Dress as usual.

*Note, this spray step is only required a few times a week in conjunction with the daily moisturizing tanning lotion.

Bermudian 5 Cent Angel Fish Cufflinks

Step Four

Moisturize. Yes moisturize AGAIN! The trick to keeping a great spray/bottled tan going is to moisturize. Actually, this is even true for a real sun UV tan too. The skin needs natural moisturizer after being baked all day, in order to keep the cells regenerating. Even if it’s a fake tan, the skin needs to rebuild itself underneath so when that layer fades off, there is a fresh palate underneath to work with. Moisturizing also helps keep your spray tan longer.

Barracuda Cufflinks

Step Five

Get in the sun, just a little bit. To even it all out and get a natural bronzed addition to your new sun soaked skin. Also, the brightness of the sun helps you find out if you missed any spots with the self tanner and if you need extra/less in certain places on your body.

 

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