Before The Music Ends: 9.16.09

I've known exactly what I wanted this post to be about since the last post, The Breakup Playlist. However getting down to it has been quite an ordeal since a playlist generally consists of about 22-25 songs...

We're just around the corner from the official end of summer. Our white pants are pushed to the back of the closet to bring them back next Memorial Day. The BBQs are being given a rest, and the snack shacks at the beach are shutting down until next summer.... I always hate this time of year. It's the end of concert season, and the beginning of a long period of hopelessly waiting for it to come back. However, its also a good time to look back at some of the best music released that year. There's just something about summer music that feels so... summery. What makes a great summer playlist is having songs that bring back those memories of laying on the beach, driving across country on vacation, or simply being lazy by the pool. The point is, it reminds us of the great moments we had that summer. To create this playlist (which has been in the works for quite some time) I simply looked at my ipod to the most played playlist, then combined it with my favorite radio stations and websites. I took all the songs that were in common... my original play list at first had about 85 songs. After deciding and redeciding and rewriting a million times, I finally compiled the perfect

The Men's Fashion Blog Official Summer 2009 Playlist:

1. Crystal Antlers- Andrew

2. Gayblades- O Shot

3. Hearts Revolution- Ultraviolence

4. LaRoux- In For The Kill

5. Of Montreal- For Our Elegant Castle

6. Phoenix- 1901

7. Spinerette- Ghetto Love

8. Stardeath and the White Dwarfs- I Can't Get Away

9. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart- The Tenure Itch or Higher Than The Sun (Couldn't pick one!)

10. The Softpack- Brightside

11. White Rabbits- Percussion Gun

12. Iglu & Hartley- In This City

13. Owl City- Fireflies

14. Passionpit- Sleepy Head

15. The Tough Alliance- NeoViolence

16. Empire of The Sun- Walking on a Dream

17. The Bravery- Slow Poison

18. Air France- No Excuses

19. Metric- Help! I'm Alive

20. The Drums- I Felt Stupid

21. White Lies- Death (Crystal Castles Remix)

*Note: I've highlighted in RED my favorite songs of the summer!

Enjoy!!!!

If you have any suggestions, comments, or additions, feel free to email me at Dalit@themensfashionblog.com

Summer Fragrances: Editor's Picks

A man's cologne tells a story. The scent has the ability to attract or repel people from your social circle. You only have one chance to make a good first impression, so you might as well smell good in the process.

First of all, don’t bathe in your cologne. A spritz here and a spritz there is good enough. You don’t want to make people pass out from the fumes when you pass by. We have all made that mistake before, you know who you are. Lets go with one spray in the upper chest/neck area and one spray on either arm. You can do a spray on each arm, if you please, but limit yourself to 3 sprays!! When you put cologne in places that sweat forms, its smell reacts with your body chemicals to produce your own unique scent; if the cologne is right for you, this truly is a "scent" and not an "odor". If the cologne is not right for you, then that's a different story.

Before I start the top 3, I just wanted to let you guys out there know Acqua Di Gio will not be on this list for one major reason...do you know anyone who doesn't own a bottle of this cologne? Trust me, this product has run its course. It's over and done with and now makes people want to vomit. It is time to branch out and smell different people!

My Picks:
Number 1 for this summer is Tiffany for Men. I know what you're thinking, "Did he just mention the expensive, famous-for-mostly-women jewelry brand? That's right, and you wont break the bank in order to smell classy. After you purchase this cologne, you really can afford to have breakfast at Tiffany's. At $75, this cologne is subtle and smells great. The scent isn’t overpowering and will make a lasting impression on the people you meet. Made with citrus oils and rich woody aroma, this scent is great for outdoor gatherings.

Number 2 is Lacoste Esstentials for $65. This cologne is sure to get the ladies' attention. The scent is infused with spices, for a fresh, heart pounding smell. Splash it on and head out to the bar. Also check out Lacoste Red and Silver.

Number 3 is Dirty English by Juicy Couture, for $52. This scent is brings out the passion. Mixed with pepper and mandarin, this scent is for the evening and will help you live fast and in the moment.

Farzad's Picks [written by Farzad]:

1- Marc Jacobs Men by Marc Jacobs - This is the perfect cologne for any occasion. Its subtle enough for a quiet dinner with your girlfriend and it definitely comes out to play when you do. Remember what Joey said about the cologne reacting with your body's chemicals as you sweat? Well, this cologne is a perfect example.

2- Prada Man by Prada - So fresh and so clean, clean! Seriously, if you are having a stank day, try this. It smells clean and soapy, but not like you just stepped out of the shower. I'm talking clean like "fresh" clean. Give it a spray and you'll see what I mean.

Dalit's Pick [written by Farzad]:

Le Male by Jean-Paul Gaultier- When I [Farzad] asked Dalit what her favorite fragrance on a guy was, she immediately responded with this pick. I totally agree with her that it smells really good but it is a bit strong so you might want to go easy with this one. I mean it, maybe just one spray. Before you get dressed. One day early......ok, so maybe it's not THAT strong, but you really do wanna go light on this one.

*Click the cologne name to be linked to their site for purchase or inquiries.

-Joey

joey@themensfashionblog.com

**Remember to spray accordingly. Friends don't let friends over-saturate**

Summer of Flip Flops

Flip-flops are something that should be part of every guys wardrobe. The right flip-flop can be worn to a variety casual occasions. First, a few ground rules before we get started on my recommendations for summer. Do not wear socks with sandals, and make sure your feet look some what in good condition. [SCROLL UP for a how-to guide to get your feet into flip-flop shape.] Sometimes, you just need to be comfortable with who you are and man up to get a pedicure. I've found a few flip-flops for every price range.

With an MSRP of $128.00, the most expensive flip flop that I tested out was the Coach Murph Flip-Flop. This flip-flop is perfect to be worn to special casual events like a roof top BBQ or a casual dinner outside. The colors available are green, blue, and red, so make sure it matches your attire. With the steep price of $128.00, it is an investment, and in my opinion worth it. The flip flop is comfortable and would look great with a pair of khaki or plaid shorts.

Next up is a great flip-flop from Diesel. This flip-flop is not only fashionable, but will go with almost anything you have. The Seaside Denim Flip-Flop (MSRP $60), is the choice for guys who wear jeans in summertime. The cotton denim actually makes the flip-flop breathable for your feet and easy to care for. Toss them in the wash with your jeans!

Next on my list is a pair of Lacoste Tirage Flip-Flops (MSRP $ 58.95). This flip-flop is perfect for an outdoor BBQ, going to a local fair, or going to a downtown pub. Again, the price is steep for a flip flop, but I promise not to steer you wrong direction. The quality of stitching and fabric on Lacoste products is well worth the money. This sandal might not be appropriate for pool/beach side parties. Again, this flip flop can be worn with Plaid or Khaki shorts, and even a pair of jeans.

Lastly, if you’re saying to yourself, I’m still not going to spend $54 on a pair of F*ing flip flops, go to Old Navy and buy a pair of classic flip flops. Price ranges from $3.50-$15. These flip-flop are actually pretty durable, and if you lose them? Who cares, with the prices at $3.50, you might as well stock up!

There you go guys, the top 4 flip-flopping picks for summer. Enjoy!

-Joey DePierro, Special Features Editor

joey@themensfashionblog.com

Something New.

Do you ever feel like you are stuck in a rut with your fashion? There are times that I feel like I could definitely use a change. One look I have always been fond of is that east-coast preppy look. Something I could never pull off on a daily basis, but implementing small touches of it into my every day wardrobe seems to be proving much easier. I recently went to an event for a friend and I decided to wear a bow-tie. Something I would NEVER do normally and guess what.....it worked amazingly well with my ensemble. Of course, it was a classic, tie-it-yourself bowtie. I wouldnt be caught dead in a pre-tied bowtie.

Another example...I am addicted to denim. I love jeans!! I can't get enough. After the major hurricanes in the south, I donated about 20 pairs of jeans to the victims and STILL I had about 16 pairs in my closet [with the number growing still]. I was inspired by an article in the current issue of GQ to "Give Your Jeans the Summer Off". I decided to give it a try. On Monday, I wore jeans. [What? I wasn't ready to let them go just yet] Tuesday...skinny jeans [I know, I know...how can I give advice if I can't take it? BUT they were different than those that I usually wear, which would be slim boot cut]. Nonetheless!, it was a slight change. Wednesday...khakis!! I did it! I strayed from my denim! I was, in fact, verrry comfortable in them too! There's just something about khakis and flip-flops that make you feel so relaxed. Thursday...brown trousers. These were equally as comfortable as the khakis and slightly dressier. Aaaand now comes Friday....jeans. Like I said, changes need to be subtle. It's all about slowly incorporating new elements to your wardrobe. Don't be afraid to try something new. Also, experiment with footwear! The pics below exhibit a variety of footwear including flip-flops, canvas sneakers, dress shoes, etc. But remember, if you are going to wear sandals, prep your feet!! I'll post an entry soon on proper foot-care for the summer (flip-flop) months. Here are some pics of jean-alternatives for the hot summer months, along with links to purchase.

Polo Ralph Lauren Featherweight GI pants

7 For all Mankind - Beaten Canvas Cotton Standard Pants

Ben Sherman 'Arcade' Chinos

Ben Sherman Plaid Shorts

Summer Shades.

Summer is officially here and no matter where you live, the sun peeks out to play every once in a while. After all, what would summer be without the sun. Personally, I can never have enough sunglasses but a lot of people have trouble finding the right frames for their face. I generally find that classic wire-rimmed aviators go with just about any face. As a general rule, try not to wear sunglasses that are too wide for your face. These can make your face seem irregularly small; or in the case of my parents, my Dad always snags my Moms sunglasses. The thing he doesn’t realize is that her face is SO much smaller than his. When he wears her sunglasses, his face resembles that of a giant.

I decided to make this first official post about sunglasses after a friend asked for help in picking out some cool sunglasses. Seeing as how it is quite difficult to explain face shapes over the phone, I took the liberty to find a face-shape/sunglass guide. In my search, I found that the most comprehensive/male-friendly version comes from Overstock.com. I’ve displayed a few of the sunglasses that are on my wishlist and included a link to the guide for your convenience.

Persol PO 0174

Ray-Ban Classic Aviators

Ray-Ban Red Wayfarers

Tom Ford Falconer TF2

Christian Dior

Most of these styles can be found on Overstock.com or Amazon.com

Click Here for the Sunglass Buying Guide on Overstock.com