The White Knight

Summer is almost over in many parts of India. Fortunately, in this country the end of summer doesn't really mean the end of bright sunny days with clear blue skies. On days when the sun shines bright high up there in a cloudless sky, it's an indication to pull out the white pants. Yes, that's what they do in Europe and it's time that trend got carried over to our country.

Wearing white pants needs a wee bit of confidence. They will get dirty, and they will end up with stains and spots, but that's why department stores are full of bleaches, stain removers and the works. In reality, a pair of nice mixed-cotton white pants are quite low maintenance. All you gotta do is a wash and a dip in a fabric whitener, and lo and behold, they're fresh as new. However, what is more difficult is to carry them off, as they go best with a little bit of ego. Did anyone say we don't have it?

The Playboy

Styled by By The Collar at hm.com

Ah, now that's what you need the ego for most. Bright coloured T-shirts, wide and deep necks that show off your ripped body (we said 'show' not 'hug'), and a pair of slim fitting white pants. The combination is bound to make you look like a star. And you should, because if you don't you mustn't try out this look at all. When you step out of your swanky car and walk into a brunch wearing something like this (add a little swagger to your walk), heads will turn. And turn again. Caution: If you overdo it, you could end up looking like a wanna-be, and we don't want that, do we?
BTC Tip: Choose the occasion well. A poolside brunch, a catch-up with friends, a morning movie-date, all work perfectly to be the playboy. 

The Intellectual Bruncher

Styled by By The Collar at hm.com

Lunch is for 'Ladies who Lunch', while Brunch is for men who love to network while sober! Any doubt that you should be looking nothing but intellectual? A cardigan, a smart jacket, a classic look is what you want to give yourself. Don't shy away from the colour, but make it a tad bit elegant. You never know who you'll bump into - anyone from your future girlfriend to a prospective business partner. Either way, the first impression will make or break it all.
BTC Tip: Use this look when the invite says 'Brunch Elegance' or 'Smart Casual', or when you know that you will be in the company of businessmen, and their daughters.

At Work

Styled by By The Collar at hm.com

Never tried wearing white pants to work? Try it now. It's the little twist that your boss would never think you've got in you. Impress him/her with your newly learned sense of style. Ensure to dress it up - you're at work and there's no reason for you not to. Crisp shirts, formal shoes, a sober tie and even a jacket when you're presenting in front of your team.
BTC Tip: White makes the outfit look casual, so the rest of it has to be very traditional office colours - different kinds of blue, light pink, a mint green etc. Stay clear from neons.

      

Feeling a little Beachy

A couple of weeks ago, The Beach Company launched in India with some interesting women’s beach and swimwear. Reading the online store’s reviews in newspapers, blogs and magazines, there’s one thing that came to our mind – why not men’s beach and swimwear? Well, to an extent The Beach Company has read By The Collar’s mind and is here to provide a solution to every man’s beach wardrobe dilemma.

To start with, the store is here with the basics of beach and swimwear for men. What they have on offer are two international brands for now – Nabaiji and Tribord – with a range that will cater to both the bold and confident men, and the conservative and shy. The collection is a mix of swim shorts, board shorts, briefs, trunks, accessories etc. Here’s what we recommend:

1. If you have a good body (we don’t mean mannequin-type six packs but obviously no hanging belly) then definitely get yourself the briefs. They’re very sober and safe and a good way to let the world know that you have the confidence and the style to sport a brief. Yes, this will trigger many discussions revolving around, “Should men wear briefs or not” but there are two schools of thought – the American alpha male and the European fashionable man. We at By The Collar believe in the latter and promote the idea of ‘flaunting it if you have it’.

2. Okay fine, understandable that our first pick has caused quite a furore and you are almost shutting this webpage. So, here’s what we have for the so called ‘men don’t reveal anything’ breed. Swim shorts that are young and happy (not to forget beachy as well). 

3. Surf boarding anyone? You will need this solar protection top to ensure that you don’t burn yourself from the strong sun. Yes, when you’re in the water, chances of getting sun-burnt are higher.

Now that’s a good start to a website that focuses on beach and swimwear. We are told that there are many more products coming soon. Hmmm, we’re keeping ourselves logged on to www.thebeachcompany.in to be the first ones to know about them. And when we do, By The Collar will tell its readers too!

Colour Blocking

Colour blocking is the biggest trend of this season. But it is very important to understand the right way of doing it. When done correctly, it will make you look stylish and preppy, but on the other hand, if gone wrong, you will end being nothing but a two-year old child's painting experiment.

How to get it right:

• Be experimental and stretch yourself a little beyond the usual. But do look at yourself in the mirror after you are completely dressed. 
• Ensure that you are comfortable and will be able to carry it off. There is no looking back once you have stepped out of the house. 
• Do not overdo it. It's a good idea to concentrate on an area and keep everything else fairly neutral. Blocking the whole outfit might get you into trouble, unless you are "the expert".
• Be confident of yourself. Everyone is looking at you because you've done a good job and are looking better than the rest!

Three ways to do it:

Start with the basics. Block the shoes and trousers. This is probably the simplest and the easiest. All you have to do is ensure that you wear a white top with this and the focus will automatically go to your work of art.

Styled by By The Collar at hm.com

Block your look. No other blingy accessories, no blingy shoes, no blingy anything. Not even a peeping underwear! Notice how in the first two looks, when the jacket is blocked with the trousers, the shirt is white. Also, the shoes match with the outfit by either being neutral or a colour from your clothes.

Styled by By The Collar at hm.com

Do it in the boardroom. Who says you cannot show a little bit of your fashion sense at work. Keep your suit very basic and boardroom-ish and play with your tie and shirt. Ensure that you try and stay away from neon here. This is after all a place where deals are made.

J.Crew for the Summer

It's summer and there's a reason to celebrate: J.Crew, the premium American multi-brand clothing store now delivers across the world, including India.

So what we at By The Collar have done for you is, scanned the store and picked up a few things that are must-haves. Whether you are going to be working through the summer, holidaying or just spending hours on the beach, there's something here in our list that will be useful to you. www.jcrew.com

Two button, lightweight cotton suit

Cotton boxers featuring classic Italian scooters

Slim-fit T-shirt

Acetate frame with brown crystal lenses

Tanned leather iPhone case

Braided straw trilby hat

Polka dot swim shorts

Japanese cotton tie

 

The Versatility of a Vest

A vest is not just a vest. It is that thing which says a lot about your style, depending on how you choose to use it. Use it with a pair of torn denims and a skull T-shirt if you are a rockstar, but if you prefer to be a sophisticated gentleman then team it with unbroken denims and a shirt. Follow this link to see what all you can do with this classic silver vest from Oliver Spencer.

Every Man's Grooming Needs

Do you often end up with chapped lips, scaling skin, unkempt hair and hands that look like they've been run through a cheese-grater? What you need is a grooming regime. Yes, for most men, this may sound like the 'must not do'. But, its the 21st century and most grooming regimes are not only regular to-do rituals for men but also 'necessary'. Okay, maybe you're not so courageous to walk into a salon and ask for a facial, but here are five products that you can use 'at home' that will lift up your look.

Body Scrub
What do you use every morning when you shower? A bodywash? That's completely fine. But make your Sunday shower a little special, since you have the time. Use an exfoliating body scrub that will scrape out the dead skin from your body. Good riddance to unwanted skin!

Body Butter
It's winter and your skin needs all the nourishment that it can get. Grab a nice, extremely thick body butter and apply all over your body after your shower each morning. Just like you moisturise your face, you must do the same for your body as well. But remember, this is a body moisturiser for a reason - it's meant for your body and not your face!

Tweezers
A good pair of tweezers will take you a long way. All you need to do is, every week, pick the extra unwanted facial hair. And especially in between your eyebrows so that you don't like a uni-brow monster!

Hair Conditioner
Wow, you get a shampoo plus conditioner and all you need to do is use it once. Cuts down effort and saves time in the bathroom. If that is how you think, you need to change it. It is highly essential to condition your hair with a good conditioner, after you shampoo. Ensure that you leave in your conditioner for five minutes before you wash.

Hand Cream
Surprised? Who needs soft hands? Well, you might want one when you want to hold your girlfriend's hand when you take a walk by the beach. Soft hands don't appear magically only when you need them. You have to work towards then. So twice a day, use a good hand creme and reap the benefits of it later on your Nth honeymoon!

Tuxedo Cues

Every year, the red-carpet events are to-look-out occasions for someone who loves fashion. You get a glimpse of the best dressed and the worst. These are also places where one can pick some style tips from the masters - celebrities who often create style and fashion. So, while most of the men at the recently concluded Golden Globes turned up dressed in a tux, here's By The Collar's round-up of 5 most-interestingly dressed, all selected for a reason.

Damian Lewis
BTC Tip: A tux doesn't always need to be buttoned up and stuffy. Sometimes, leaving the jacket open without making it look like a sportscoat is a good idea. 

Adam Levine
BTC Tip: When you have a figure that allows you to 'Move like Jagger', allow your tux to show it. In a slim and well-fitted tux, the Maroon 5 star proved that his skills lie not just in singing, but also dressing-up suave. 

James Cromwell
BTC Tip: A scarf is not just to wrap yourself on a cold winter day. It can be used as an accessory. 

Matt LeBlanc

BTC Tip: Black may be the most used colour, but a royal blue tux will ensure that you are not lost in a crowd.

Ty Burrell
BTC Tip: If you are courageous enough try a white and black combination. However, you need to carry it out extra carefully or someone may just ask you to get him a drink. 

Christian Louboutin

Ask any girl with a little fashion sense and they would love you from the bottom of their heart if you gifted them a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. These trademark red soles occupy a high throne in every wardrobe with lots of love, care and pampering showered on them. The brand has been in the news lately. Firstly, for claiming the rights to the red soles when they were used by another very fashion forward brand. And more recently for the launch of their first ever men's store in Paris, bang opposite the flagship women's store they've had for two decades. To celebrate this new step here's a peak of their Fall-Winter 2011 Men's shoes. Beware! They are kinky, very high fashion and need lots of courage to wear. If you have that in you, Louboutin's the way for you!

Smart Work - Part 2

Last week By The Collar started a series on 'Looking sharp and smart at your work space', debuting it with the basic trousers. Taking this forward this week we bring you the basic tips to keep in mind for work shirts.

The idea is to stay away from prints, embroiders and crazy textures. Remember, you don't want to look like a gigolo at the night club when you're sitting with your million dollar client. Having said that, don't shy away from experimenting with colours, stripes and checks and different styles of collars and cuffs. However, be sure that your checks and strips are playful yet sober. Smaller checks and thinner stripes are ideal, unless you are sure you can carry off a basic madras without being loud and obnoxious.

Though the simple barrel cuff is the most common and easy to carry off, having a few shirts with a French cuff will allow you to use some classic cuff links that can add not just glamour but also an aura of 'being well versed with style'. Similarly don't just stick to the normal collar, rather experiment with a cutaway, or for that matter even a contrasting colour cuffs and collar shirt. Keep the cut simple with either one or none breast pocket and minus any box pleats at the back. And though slim fits are perfect, hit the gym if they're going to make you look like a beer barrel! Yes, the idea is to stay fit so that you can dress fit.

White cutaway collar shirt, Zara

Small checks with contrasting cuffs and collar, H&M

Blue striped shirt, Paul Smith

Classic pink cotton shirt, Thomas Pink

Point collar, Top Man

French cuff shirt, Turnbull & Asser

Smart Work - Part 1

I was once told by someone that he didn't want a job that would require him to be formally dressed everyday. Now, would you leave a great opportunity just because you don't want to stuff yourself into a pair of dress pants, or a shirt? Though men have fewer options and choices, dressing for work can be fun and interesting with a little bit of work. So here's the first of a series of posts that will help you build a great wardrobe and also give you a noticed entry at work everyday. This also means that you can never be late again!

Let's start you off with the trousers. There are three things that you need to look for - slim, straight and simple. Do away with anything that looks like a sack and opt for more fitting flat front trousers in cotton, linen or even a mixed fabric. Remember, stay away from anything that shines brighter than a light-bulb. Though don't shy away from trying out a new sober colour, as long as you don't count bright red and yellow as 'sober'!

Black , Zara

Wool blend, Burberry

Grey cotton, American Apparel from Asos

White, H&M

Stonewash blue, Top Man

Quick Finds

There are those mornings when all you want to do is go through the various e-shopping websites and see what they have on offer. Here are some quick finds to keep you going in style.

D&G leather shopper from Asos.com

Graphic T-Shirt from FCUK

Imitation leather boots from H&M

Tweed limited edition bow tie from Top Man

Versace sunglasses from Sunglasshut.com

Travel set from Zara

Safe And Stylish

If you're looking for the perfect case for your iPad, iPod or iPhone, look beyond what your friends already have, and be different. Plastic, crystal studded, rubber, leather, you might have thought of all those materials but what you definitely might have missed is wood. The collection of cases from Vers is stylish, classic, very sturdy and will never run out of style. They also come in different kinds of wood that brings out the natural color of the tree that it is from. Now, here's the best part. For every hardwood tree that Vers uses to make their cases, they plant 100 more in places that need the trees. Isn't that a brilliant idea to contribute to your environment? Ever thought you'd find this anywhere? Well, it's here now for you Apple owners. Sorry BlackBerry-ites, you might have to wait a bit longer.  
Shop at their website

The Male Choos

The women have gawked at them, worn them, catwalked in them and had every conversation around them; and now they are here for us. Two years ago when Jimmy Choo collaborated with H&M, By The Collar reviewed a pair of boots that we couldn't stop talking about and hoped that the brand would launch a full collection for men. Seems like they have answered our prayers, and how! The brand's debut men's collection is smart, elegant and definitely something that will have every fashionable man drool over them. Here are some of the shoes that we like.

Watch their video here.

Foosball

There is something called making your store interactive to offer more than just products to people who walk in. Jack & Jones has gone a step above from playing catchy music to make shoppers linger on longer at their store. This time their inspiration comes from one of time's best American sitcoms - Friends. The brand's stores now have Foosball tables for shoppers to have a good time with friends, while shopping. Here's a toast to more lifestyle sports, on and off the field.

Peek-a-boo

Going sock-less is a summer regular. Come warmer days and men all over Europe begin to leave their socks at home. And why shouldn't they! It's a nice bright sunny day, with barely any clouds in the sky, you've switched to your tees and shorts so don't shy to show your ankles off. The idea here is to play the childhood peek-a-boo game. Roll up your khakis and allow your ankles peek a little from under them. Slip on a pair of colorful espadrilles, boat shoes, loafers or car shoes and watch all eyes admire this new style of yours. Ah, here's the catch: your feet will need loads of extra care this summer. But who said fashion was painless!

Summer Must-Haves

Just as the weather begins to warm up, here are five things that will spunk up your wardrobe this season.

1.       Scarves: Summer is here and this year it brought with it an explosion of scarves. If you look around, you will not miss the scarves, practically in every colour and every brand. This season, go over the top and wild with your colour imaginations. But what you definitely should keep in mind while buying summer scarves is to look for breathable summer fabrics – cotton, linen. Double wrap them loosely around your neck and use it as an option to add some colour tones to your summer outfit.

2.       Coloured pants: Spring and summer are always the seasons to trade in your denims for lighter chinos. While the colours mostly remained the subtle dark blue, khaki and white, this year you have many more options. What used to be seen as ‘office-wear’ pants, now has its new avatar as your daily wear – be it casual or dress up. Try colours like lime green, sky blue and maybe even baby pink.  A good idea might be to roll up the bottom a bit and let your ankles peek out.

        Espadrilles: Team your rolled up summer pants with a pair of Espadrilles. What used to be shoes for the peasants has today become popular spring/summer footwear.  With jute inners and cotton or canvas tops, they feel as comfortable as walking on a rug. The best ones are made by local artisans in the South of France and in Spain and walking into a store that sells one might make it difficult for you to choose your pair. However, the plus point is they are as cheap as 15 euro and so you can buy more than just one.

4.     

            Shoppers: Manbags have been around for a while now and made its mark as an essential accessory for men. Now is the time for an evolution and this is the season to welcome the shoppers. Large and spacey, while a nice canvas shopper is great for a beach day, leather shoppers are not only practical but highly fashionable with your daywear, especially if you are in a habit of carrying a lot of stuff with you.

5.       Shorts: It goes without saying that shorts are must-haves for your summer wardrobe but what you need is a range of shorts for different occasions. Every needed to look a little dressed up, yet not wear dress pants? Try throwing on a pair of tennis shorts, a shirt and leather loafers. Want to stroll down to the beach, you need a pair of beach boxers and flip-flops.

Case Logic

Okay, you might just argue that you're the tech savvy man who wouldn't be caught dead with a laptop in this new age 'tablet' world. But, let's go back and think this over once again. While, the tablet is definitely a must have for every modern man, let's be true that the laptop is still what you carry to work and probably will until the tablet evolves a few more generations. Now, though the geeks out there at Apple, Compaq, Sony and what-have-you might definitely know how to make you the perfect laptop, let's leave the bags to the Shahani sisters. With their new Lord K collection, Karishma and Mahek Shahani are definitely on a mission to ensure that those oh-so-outdated, door-to-door salesman laptop bags soon become a thing of the past. Here's a huge applause to them for their latest collection of Lord K.