Man Fashion: Topman Spring/Summer 2008 Collection

Topman, together with the BFC have sponsored its fifth season of MAN, a men’s catwalk show during London fashion week recently. Here are some of the Topman Spring/Summer 2008 collection.






















According to Brandish, Topman are pushing forward the launch date of their Lens collection to March, which includes clothing by Neue, Carolyn Massey and Dexter Wong as well as new faces Material Boy and Mojik.

Photo: GQ.com

Tags: Man Fashion, Topman Lens Collection, Man Fashion Designers, London Fashion Week, Neue, Carolyn Massey, Dexter Wong, Material Boy and Mojik

How to Choose Your Fashion Eyewear?

I have talked about sunglasses and contact lenses in my previous post. But I think it is fair to go one step further to discuss on eyewear, particularly how to choose your perfect eyeglasses.

With so many styles of eyewear and eyeglasses to choose from how are you possibly to know which ones will look best over your eyes? With today’s fashion savvy designers, glasses come in every style possibly imaginable. From rimless, to cat eye, round, to square, and from brands like Gucci, to Prada, to Calvin Klein, how are you to choose the perfect match?

There are many things to consider overall, the first being: do you want an eyeglass frame that will be subtle and practically unnoticeable and blend with your complexion? Or would you prefer something a little bolder to accentuate your features?


Rimless or frameless eyeglasses have become a very popular choice. They are lightweight, simple, and fashionable. When selecting your pair you may have options regarding metal frame color, hinge style, and lens shape.

Framed eyewear has two main families; plastic or zyl, and metal frames. When choosing your frame, know what general color or shade you will want. For example, glasses come in matte finishes, shades such as tortoise, and practically everything in between.


On to the most important part of selecting your eyewear: matching the correct shape eyeglass frame to your face. There are many rules you can follow, let’s look at the most simple to understand and apply.

Take a look in the mirror and focus on the area above your eyes. What shape do your brow bones and eyebrows create? This area may look very oval, round, flat, curved inward, curved outward, etc.. The point is that this feature is unique to you.


The next time you are looking at eyeglasses, try to match the top of the eyeglasses (the upper edge of the lenses and frames) with the shape of your brow. You will be pleasantly surprised to see that most any frame you select using this method will fit you quite nicely. Using this method you will take the mystery out of, and make selecting your next pair of eyeglass or reading glasses frames much more fun.

Tags: Man Fashion, Man Eyewear, Eyewear Tips, Fashion Styles, Fashion Accessory

Edison Chen's Sex Scandals

Celeb sex scandals are nothing new in the West, but a series of obscene photographs seemingly featuring local stars has sent shockwaves through the Hong Kong entertainment business.

Pictures that appear to capture singer-actor Edison Chen and pop singer Gillian Chung engaged in sexual intercourse hit a popular online news discussion forum Jan. 27. They were followed a day later by pics that purport to be Chen and TV actress Bobo Chan and other pics showing film star Cecilia Cheung at Chen's apartment.


While the stars' reps insist the pics are doctored, authorities and experts were working to check their authenticity.

While police say they are investigating two reported cases of publishing indecent materials on the Internet, the Hong Kong Performing Artists Guild called for government action to curb indecent and obscene material in the media.

The guild deemed the incident not only "tragic for the entertainment industry, but for all Hong Kong people. Such immoral behavior is poison to the minds of youth today."

The pics have also raised questions about what some commentators deemed excessive behavior by the region's stars. Postings of the Chen photos were accompanied by a list of his other alleged conquests, and Hong Kong has in recent years witnessed two separate "wardrobe malfunctions" by actress Yumiko Cheng.

The pics even raced across the Internet into China, despite a recent SARFT crackdown on online obscenity. A file purportedly containing all the photos was reportedly being downloaded 10,000 times a minute.

Tags: Man Gossip, Edison Chen, Cecilia Cheung, Gillian Chung, Bobo Chan, Yumiko Cheng

Man Fashion Accessory: Cufflinks

While 'cuff links' is defined by the American Heritage English Dictionary as a pair of linked buttons or a similar device used to fasten the cuffs of a shirt, in modern usage 'cufflinks' is a combined variant spelling of the same fashion accessory. Cuff links / cufflinks are worn by men and women alike. More feminine, lighter-weight cuff links are also available for women's wear. Gemstone cufflinks are a perfect gift of perennial fashion for a wedding, prom, formal dinner, graduation, anniversary, after-five cocktails, evening dress, and daily office wear.

For your first time wearing fashion cufflinks, take your cue from the tone of the event and what others will be wearing. One way is to ask those putting on the event about appropriate attire. It may be helpful to wear your fashion cufflinks with the rest of your outfit at least once before the occasion to get used to wearing them, so you feel comfortable on the day. Because gemstone cuff links are real, and especially if the gemstones show unique characteristics, they can say a lot about you. And they can be a delight to wear.

To link a cuff with the most widely found design, close the swivel bar and insert the stem through the holes from the outside of the cuff with the gemstone or other main feature facing outward so it shows. Then simply open the swivel bar to secure the cuff.


Cuff links may be worn with your choice of several cuff styles, and matched with a necktie, button cover, ascot, or bolo tie / bola tie. Cuffs for custom dress shirts can include French cuffs (doubly layered and with two 'buttonholes' for each layer) in several styles such as angle-cut French cuffs or rounded-corner French cuffs. Additionally, there are many convertible cuff styles, with a second 'buttonhole' next to a button, so that you can wear cufflinks or simply button the cuff. Such cuffs can be straight, angled, or rounded, with one or two buttons plus 'buttonholes.' Similarly, the cuffs of an existing shirt can be made convertible. While there are many choices, keep in mind that all it takes is having two 'buttonholes.' The rest is simply your style preference. You may also wear cufflinks and studs with a shirt front with double button holes for the studs. Or a convertible style to button or wear with studs.

Choose cufflinks in keeping with the mood of the occasion. Hematite Cuff Links and other impressive, darker gemstones may be worn to the most formal event. Paua Shell Cuff Links and more personally expressive gemstones may suit a more festive occasion or daily wear for the office. Let the mood of the occasion guide your choice of gemstones.

Keep in mind that appropriate attire is usually not as rigid as a uniform, and there are many opportunities for personal expression. Plus, looking good with always fashionable gem cuff links means you are more likely to enjoy the occasion.

Tags: Man Fashion, Men Cufflinks, Men Fashion Accessory

Man Fashion: Sportswear

Sports apparel for men today is not the same as they used to be. Fashion sports apparel today make use of fabrics that employ technology to offer man more comfort and fit even when used for long periods. Fabrics being used for most fashion sportswear today are of lightweight and quick drying micro-fiber material which can expand and also allows moisture to flow out of the fabric in order to keep the man dry inside as well as to make moisture evaporate faster. The fabric used is also durable as well as versatile, offering to protect the wearer as well as provide utmost comfort in any type of condition.

Man sports apparel today is not only designed for function, most garments today also employ designs that make them more fashionable. For whatever type of sport an individual plays, it has become an important issue to look good with whatever sports apparel one wears. Man sports apparel designers are already putting this on top of their priorities when designing such garments.

That is why today, there are a number of body hugging me sports apparel available that not only functions well in terms of comfort and fit but also provide the wearer to show off a well-formed body structure. Fitness buffs always are proud of their bodies and body hugging performance sports wear can help them look good further.

It is still important for fitness and sports buffs to wear proper sports and fitness wear. Different types of sports require different types of outer wear. If you are into running, the proper running gear would require running apparel such as a running shirt and shorts that allow excellent breath ability to prevent feeling wet and uncomfortable while running long distances. New running wear designs make use of such fabrics that help keep out sweat and moisture to keep the wearer always feeling dry and cool inside. Same goes with running shorts and pants.

Although it was appropriate then to wear cotton when running, it can sometimes hamper performance. Cotton can easily absorb perspiration that can become heavy and feel very wet and can make running a bit uncomfortable. It would be better for you to choose a sports apparel that allows your perspiration to evaporate a lot faster such as what newer running wear are capable of doing.

The proper running shoes can also help in improving your performance as well as keep your body well cushioned while running. The right type of shoes would usually depend on the kind of feet that you have. Each type would require different shoes and the level of stability and cushioning that your feet would ultimately need.

Tags: Man Fashion, Man Fashion Sportswear, Sports Apparel, Men's Sportswear

Men Fashion: From Runway to Your Closet

By Jennifer Wasilewski

Ever year fashion designers and other fashion minded folk flock to cities like Paris and Milan to share in runway madness. Beautiful bodies strut up and down the catwalk showing off what fashion designers have worked so hard to put together. At home, while we sit in our casual wear we look to the trend setting fashion shows and ask "Who actually wears that?" The men and women that walk down the runway seem to be part of some awe inspiring vivid dream where people dawn the most ridiculous costumes. While you may not everything at the fashion shows on the street there are a few things that will make it out to your favorite clothing store. Here are a few of the outrageous men fashions that you can take to daily life.

1. Hammer Pants
If you think Hammer pants were a nightmare left to the early nineties think again. Apparently these ultra baggy pants were just something to legit for fashion designers to quit. Fashion designers are bringing these.

How You Can Wear It Though you may think hammer pants should be left to the late 80's, they are back in men's fashion and you can definitely pull them off. Stay away from the glitzy shiny pairs and go for ones that are a made from dark, no shine pair in black, brown, or gray, or dark blue and green. These colors make the hammer pants more acceptable and will look fashionable instead of outlandish.


2. Sheer

Want to be revealing without putting it out there? Sheer clothing isn't just for the ladies anymore. The runways were full of super thin tops to cover or barely cover the men that modeled them.

How You Can Wear It Your biggest concern is probably looking less than manly in sheer attire, but with the proper clothing you can pull this off easily. Look for sheer sweaters in solid colors and wear them over button down shirts or T-shirts. This allows you to still take part in this sexy trend without looking ridiculous. If you're really daring try wearing a sheer top to the beach or poolside as a cover up until you hit the water.

3. The Zipper In a strange attempt to bring back what I'm assuming is rock n roll attire fashion designers have gone zipper happy. Whether its shirts, coats, pants or shorts there are zippers everywhere. It seems function is not at the heart of this fashion statement since there are zippers in places you can barely reach let alone use.

How You Can Wear It Wearing zipper clad clothing can be a tricky feat. The key is to have enough zippers to rock the trend without having so many you stand out like a sore thumb caught in a zipper. While the zipper trend is seen in shirts, shorts, pants, and jackets, you may want to start with the jacket to test the waters.

4. Pajamas Who wouldn't love to go to work donning pajama bottom and slippers? Thanks to the wacky minds of America's top men's fashion designers your dreams are now realized. Silk, flannel, and cotton pants have somehow worked their way out of the bedroom and on to the runway.

How You Can Wear It The pajama look is a lot easier to pull off this spring than you would think. Stick with the semi casual pajama trends like cotton striped pants paired with a button down polo and you'll be comfortable and fashionable. Stay away from silk printed pairs or the I just rolled out of bed wrinkled look.

5. Cropped Pants If only you had the fashion foresight to hold on to those high-waters when you mom told you you were to old to wear them. Cropped pants are all the rage for men this spring with hemlines making a movement upwards.

How You Can Wear It The capri pants is probably the hardest trend for men to get past. It seems like that little bit of ankle and lower calf should be left to the ladies out. Look for Cropped Pants that rise a few inches above the ankle and stick to khaki like materials in neutral colors like tan, green, and brown. These are great for beach wear so pair them with a t-shirt and sandals.

Photographic session of Dolce & Gabbana protoganists

Man Fashion: How to Close Your Closet

Do you having difficult to find your favorite shirt in your closet? If this is the case, I think it's time for you to clean out your closet. To really clean out your closet and get rid of the clothes you don't wear so you can see what you have and get dressed faster, try weeding your closet using the four box method.

Pick a day when you'll have a block of uninterrupted time. Get six big boxes (U-Haul medium boxes are great for this). Label them "Keep" "Donate" "Dump" "Fix" "Maybe" and, if you're the sentimental type, a box labeled "Archive".

A caveat--make sure you edit warm weather clothes in warm weather, and cold weather clothes when it's chilly out. You may feel differently about an item when it's in season, and less connected to it when it's not.

Keep
Start with jackets, suits, and separates. Keep your essentials, the clothes that make you feel good, the clothes that have worked for you over and over--as long as they're in good condition, still fit, and don't look dated.

Donate
If you're the same size and haven't worn something in a year or more (some recommend two years), plan to give it away--unless it's evening wear. An evening outfit or separates that look and feel great can be worn for years.

Dump
Throw out clothes that aren't fit to donate (c'mon, you know they're in there!) Keep a few things for dirty jobs like gardening, painting, and store them with your tools. Unless you keep your tools in the garage, because then you'll never wear them because you'll be afraid they're full of spiders or something.

Fix
Put anything that needs a hem, button, alteration, or cleaning into this box. Once everything else is organized, come back to this box and get to work. For things you can't fix yourself, go to the dry cleaner or tailor (every woman needs a good tailor--if you don't have one, ask your friends and acquaintances for recommendations). Make sure this box is empty by the end of the day, even if you've just put the things in your car to take to the designated repair person.

One more caveat--make sure you really want to keep the things you're fixing--or you're just wasting money.

Maybe
This box is for the shirt you got on sale but never wore because you don't have anything to go with it, or just never bothered to figure out what to wear with it, the pants that are a little too tight, etc. At the end of the day, seal this box and put it somewhere else, away from your closet. Anything you don't miss after four months should be given away.

Archive
If you're not wearing an item but want to save it, it shouldn't be in your closet. After all, this is a closet--not a diary. This box is your time capsule. Gather anything you want to save for sentimental reasons and put it in this box. Make sure these clothes are clean, and pack them away in archival quality boxes with layers of tissue paper and cedar blocks or chips. Store the box in a cool, dry place to protect your clothes.

Once you've completed these steps, look over your keepers again and see how they coordinate with one another. If one piece doesn't fit with anything else, donate it. (Shopping to find things to go with it will recreate the problem you just finished solving--your wardrobe should be a coherent, cohesive unit. It's great to have pieces that express different aspects of your personality, but they still should all fit!).

Now make a list of things you need, like a new shell for a favorite suit, or a new white shirt to replace the four with yellowing you just got rid of. Put the keepers back in your closet and revel in all your new space--and in being able to see your clothes. And enjoy getting dressed the next day; it'll be so much easier and faster...and now you get to go shopping.

Great Deal: Sale on Men's Wear is On!

Alright, for whatever reason, if you are going to buy business dress suit within this week, don't miss out this great opportunity from Jos. A.Bank, promotion started from Wednesday January 30th - February 2nd. Choose from over 200 clearance products & save an ADDITIONAL 25 % OFF! Includes suits, sportcoats, dress shirts, outerwear, dress pants, casual wear & more!

Men Fashion Roundup - 2008 Men's Fashion in Milan

In recent 2008 Milan menwear fashion show, all the famous fashion designers like Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, and Fendi have brought their new designs for 2008. Tiana from Concrete Loop did a very good roundup on Milan men fashion show over this one month period.

9 main fashion trends highlighted in by designers like Fendi, McQueen, Prada, Versace, D&G, Cavalli, Armani, Etro, Moschino, Calvin Klein, Lanvin, YSL and many more.

1. Double Breast
2. Biker Jackets
3. Vests
4. Knits
5. Velvet
6. Furs
7. Plaids
8. Monochromes
9. Poncho



Photo: concreteloop.com

Tags: Man Fashion, Milan Fashion Show, Fendi, Prada, Versace, Armani, Calvin Klein, Lanvin, Moschino

Celebrity Fashion: Taiwan's Jay Chou

So far we only highlighted fashion from the west,there is nothing much from the Eastern world. So here I would like to share with you the Pop singer from Taiwan, Jay Chou's fashion. Jay Chou (traditional Chinese: 周杰倫; simplified Chinese: 周杰伦) (born 18 January 1979) is a World Music Award-winning Taiwanese musician, singer, producer, actor and director. In 1998, he was discovered in a talent contest where he showcased his piano and song-writing skills. Over the next two years, he was hired to compose for popular Chinese singers. Trained in classical music, he combines Chinese and Western music styles to produce songs that fuse R&B, rock, and pop genres, covering issues such as domestic violence, war, and urbanization.


Chou's compositions are loosely categorized as pop music. While many of his works fall into contemporary R&B, rap, and rock genres, the term "Chou Style" (traditional Chinese: 周氏風格; simplified Chinese: 周氏风格) has been popularized to describe his trademark cross-cultural music and his insistence on singing with relaxed enunciation. Taipei Times once described the meaning of "Chou Style": "In what has become the archetypal Chou style, Taiwan's favorite son blends pop, rap, blues and a smorgasbord of esthetic elements of world music to create his dream-like never-never land".



Tags: Man Fashion, Celebrity Fashion, Jay Chou, R&B, Rap & Blue, Chou Styles

Men Skincare: Fundamental Guides

If you are the man that serious about skincare, then you are not alone. It wasn't so long ago that it was absurd to think of men focusing any attention at all on their skin care. Of course, they made sure to keep their faces washed and once in a while they would shave without complaining, but it was unusual to find a man who was worried about aging and wrinkles. Recently, though, more and more men are starting to admit that they too care about what their skin looks like. In fact, they care about it just as much as women do. They just don't seem to have as many products to choose from.

One of the major reasons that men are starting to take better care of their skin is that men are becoming more worried about their health. Healthier skin usually leads to a healthier lifestyle. Men and Women alike want to live longer and lead healthier lives. Having healthy skin is the first step in this direction.

Recent studies have shown that a man's skin is typically more sensitive than a woman's skin. This is not so surprising considering what women will put their skin through to keep it looking good. Women also lack that "protective" layer of facial hair, so their skin has to be a little bit tougher to stand up to environmental elements. Men's facial hair protects them from sun and can help keep the skin from drying out.

One of the reasons that a man's skin is typically more sensitive than a woman's skin is that, stereotypically speaking, they tend to spend more time outdoors. They also shave their faces. Shaving can cause the facial skin to become irritated, and if you read the ingredients on men's shave gel you will see that it contains moisturizers that have been added specifically to help ease the skin irritation that comes with shaving. This is also why razors now have four and five blades. The more blades a razor has, the easier it is on the skin.

Some think that this heightened sensitivity of men's skin is what causes them to have more wrinkles and to show the signs of aging sooner than women do. One has to wonder how long it will be before there are men's lines of anti-aging wrinkle creams on the market.

Tags: Men skincare, Skin care tips, Men Fashion