Rough Stages of Hair Growth

Winter is coming and, during the colder months, I prefer the hair on my head and face be long. The problem with that is the time it takes for it to successfully get there. Last week, I decided to just deal with it. Let it be. The beards that so many love don’t come over night for many of us. For a guy like me, a beard could take weeks or months of unruly growth to reach its full potential.

So, now is the time gents. October and November are the months to let it start growing. Get those rough stages over with, both on your hair and face, and give those patchy spots time to fill in in as No Shave November approaches and, subsequently, shows itself.

Oh, and I don’t recommend the completely unruly look if you’re A) in need of a new job or B) are happily employed by an organization that frowns upon long hair.

Click here for a GQ article on how to grow a thicker beard for the months to come.

 

 

 

Make growing healthy hair a priority.

Autumn is Here…

… But give fall fashion some time.

I know, I know. Boots have been sitting in closets. Sweaters are ready to be worn. And those cool jackets? They will have their time to shine. But be cognizant of the fact that it’s still warm, at least for those of us in the Eastern United States. There’s no need to look super eager. So, for now, keep dressing for the summer months. You don’t want to be the one in the office appearing to be crazy because your outfit is 34 days ahead of the temperature.

Make dressing with some sense a priority.

Fly High This Fall With the… Falcons

Ok, that title was a minor shot at the Philadelphia Eagles (even though my G-men lost this weekend too) but this post is about being well-dressed during fall (I know, nothing to do with a falcon. I just really don’t like the Eagles).  But I digress.  So, this fall, you have to go to work.  It’s not like you can just take the fall off.  And when you go, you have to be dressed properly.  So, how do you start the fall off looking fly?    Check out the following places I recommend for building your wardrobe on a budget.

The thrift shop: A thrift shop in an affluent neighborhood will generally yield more quality professional clothes than one in a less fortunate area.  And, even if the outfit doesn’t fit perfectly, you can always take it to the tailor.  When it comes to pieces like suits and slacks, you’ll still end up saving more than you would buying brand new, especially when we’re talking about quality brands.  Or, if you see a pair of shoes that can be restored, find a good cobbler and you’re good to go.  So go thrifting on the nicer side of the town.  Your wardrobe (and pockets) will thank you.

J. Crew: J. Crew can be a bit pricey BUT if you go in when they’re having a decent sale and you still have a non-expired college ID, you can save 15% on top of the sale price.  I’ve gotten some pretty great sweaters for next to nothing that way.

Nordstrom Rack: Now, Nordstrom is a great (though sometimes pricey) brand and, as those of you who have been reading know, I worked there for a while.  But what you may not know is that I worked at Nordstrom Rack (The Rack) first.  If you’re not familiar with The Rack, it’s like a high-end TJ Maxx.  You get great brands for a fraction of their retail prices.  That’s where I go for everything from suits to Allen Edmonds shoes to Nike sweats.

Those are just a few suggestions but definitely feel free to leave your favorite places to get professionally (or casually) fly.

Before I go, make sure you download the Valet Mag application on your smartphone for daily deals and great seasonal fashion buying guides.  It’ll help you stay in style while adding staples to your wardrobe for a bargain.

Layering

Here we are, halfway through October and the weather should be cooling down over the next few weeks. But, just because it’s fall/winter doesn’t mean you don’t have to still look your best at work. So how can you look great and still stay warm? Layering my friends. Layering.

Now, you don’t want to walk into the office (or happy hour or church or anywhere) looking like four random racks from the Goodwill so you have to have a plan of action when it comes to layering in the winter. Here’s a pretty good formula for making sure that you stay warm and still remain stylish. (If you’re in a moderate region, it may not be cold enough for this full outfit until December so bookmark this post and come back to it later).

First layer: Underwear

I don’t care what season it is, you CANNOT skip out on the underwear. Whether you’re a boxers or a briefs guy, please put on some underwear. And a tank top/A-Shirt may work to your advantage too just to provide some extra insulation if needed.

Second layer: Thermals
Thermals/Long Johns are a great way to insulate the body during the coldest times of the year. They are worn in place of a regular undershirt and a must-have in every man’s wardrobe if he lives in or plans to ever travel to an area where the temperature drops below 40 °F.

Third layer: Slacks/A Suit and a Shirt
You’re still going to work. You still have to wear pants. You still have to wear a shirt. But, since you have two layers clothing on underneath this one, you may want to opt out of wearing your most well-tailored shirt and suit. It will create for a pretty awkward day for you and those in your office. Just my suggestion.

Fourth layer: Sweater
You can wear a sweater between your suit jacket and your shirt. Make sure that it compliments your outfit though. You don’t want to be wearing a sweater the color of split pea soup with a black suit (or any suit that I can think of for that matter).

Fifth layer: Outerwear
In the event that you are dealing with unbearable cold and more than a suit jacket/blazer is required, it is time to pull out a top layer. In a formal business setting, I recommend a peacoat or a 3/4 length as a winter coat. Anything else will take away from your shirt and tie. However, if business casual is the dress code, you can get away with a well-kept jacket. Also, gloves, hats, and scarves are acceptable until you sit down at your desk. Then they need to be removed unless there is some kind of heating malfunction in the office that day.

Don’t be afraid to have fun with layering. It can really help you find your fall/winter style and add a whole new weapon to your arsenal of style. And, if you have any other suggestions, let me know. The more, the merrier.

Five Ways to Wear the Navy Suit

I believe that every young professional man should have a navy blue suit.  But is it just for the office or can you make it work in your favor in multiple settings?  In this YouTube video, Mr.  Porter gives us five looks at what we, as men, can do with the suits.  Though all styles won’t fit your personality, tweak his suggestions, have fun with them, and, before you know it, you will have added more dimensions to your wardrobe.  Enjoy!