Men with Glasses

Maybe it's because I work in architecture...Maybe it's because I'm married to a man with glasses...Maybe it's because I'm a nerd...But, I just LOVE glasses on men. Heck, I just like glasses period. I started wearing glasses when I was six years old for reading. I had thick plastic, purple glasses that I thought were the coolest thing. Let me just say, that wasn't a style moment for me. I looked like a worse version of Hermoine Granger when she first started at Hogwarts. Haha! (Glasses and frizzy hair should never go together.) Since then, however, they have just become of a great way for me to express style. The same goes for guys.

So, if you're a dude out there reading this and you hate your glasses, rethink it! Grab a friend that will give you honest advice and try on some awesome pairs such as the ones below. The ladies will think you're an architect, designer, artist of some sort or incredibly distinguished.

Menswear Monday: Pink & Purple

Since we were first born it has been ingrained in us that pink and purple are for girls and blue and green are for boys. Well, I know plenty of girls that enjoy wearing blue and green, and I have never run into a guy that has an issue with it. However, it seems that plenty of guys and even some of the ladies out there still are a little iffy about guys wearing pink and purple.

People, seriously?! I love pink and purple on men. Who knows...It could be YOUR color. Here are some examples of men rockin' the colors. Next time you are in a store, please try it. If you still are unsure of how you look in the color ask a sales person for their unbiased opinion.

Menswear Monday: The Summer Uniform, Part 5

The Oxford It’s date night, so you can’t look like a complete schlub.  Put on something with buttons, and for goodness sake, do something with your hair.  Still, just like hair gel and chest hair, wearing a loud shirt is going to make you look like a Miami Vice extra, not a regular dude.  So get basic: buy an oxford.

Cotton oxford cloth is woven loosely (compared to dress shirt poplin), making it more breathable.  So it’s ideal for warm weather.  Like khakis, they look better when they’re a little wrinkled and worn-in.

There’s nothing here to say that you need to buy a white oxford to match your white tees, but it wouldn’t hurt.  Light blue and white are the classic colors for a reason, but there are some other hues that work well, including grey, pink and yellow.  Stripes are also cool, as are contrasting white collars.

If you’re not wearing a tie, leave the collar buttons undone.   Look for one with a shorter collar if possible, so the collar points don’t get all disco fabulous when they’re spread out.  Also, since the Oxford is a pretty set style, look for cool details like contrasting cuffs and monograms to add some individuality.  If you want to get extra fancy, find a club collar; it’s an older style than the point collar, but if Ol’ Blue Eyes can rock it, then it’s definitely cool enough.

We’re particularly fond of the cuts and fabrics at Land’s End Canvas, Billy Reid, Brooks Brothers Black Fleece (designed by rock star designer Thom Browne), and Gant Rugger.  Since you can dress this shirt up to wear to work, too, you add some versatility that justifies paying a little extra for quality.

- Rob Hays