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.