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How to be a “Man of Style”

Posted on February 26, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Celebs, Fashion, Fun, History | 1 Comment

Fashion vs. Style: It’s like comparing apples and oranges. A fashionable man changes his taste according to mid-month deliveries of GQ. But the “Man of Style” is timeless. In terms of clothing, he knows what he stands for and what he just can’t stand. Think Robert Redford, George Clooney. These guys trandscend trends and top-sellers and dress according to their own personal panache.

But what is fashion, really? Seasonal must-have’s are, often, not seasonal at all. A 1990 New York Times article touted belt buckles the “new jewelry” for women. A 2002 Golf Digest article explained Tiger Wood’s frequent donning of a rodeo-esque belt buckle and it’s soon-to-follow pervasive appearance on golfers young and old. Today, rappers are sporting iced out belt buckles with their initials in diamonds. All this leads me to believe that fashion doesn’t really fluctuate all that much.

My advice: If you like belt buckles–western belt buckles, modern belt buckles, blinged-out belt buckles or leather belt buckles–buy one and wear it often. That way, if you commit a crime against clothes and wear blue when the fashion Gods deem brown the new black (confusing, no?) you’ll still be a Man of Style. At least, that’s what The New York Times, Golf Digest and P. Diddy say. And they are the authorities.

5 Must Have Accessories for Men

Posted on February 18, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Celebs, Fashion, Fun, Top Fives | 3 Comments

My Valentine’s Day post got me thinking about men and fashion. The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Below are my suggestions, with a little help from Russell Simmons and the Seattle Times, for the top five accessories every well-dressed man should have:

1. A GREAT BELT BUCKLE. Whether western or minimalist, a stylish belt buckle dresses up everything from jeans and t-shirt to slacks and blazer.

2. CUFF LINKS. Debonair and seriously sexy. Makes me think of a time before casual Fridays, when men dressed for dinner and women dressed their age.

3. A WATCH. Timex, Tag, Rolex. No matter. Just match your other accessories to the metal–silver, bronze, etc–you choose for your watch.

4. A RING. Most men don’t don one of these until they’re hitched, but a simple band worn on the right ring finger is contemporary cool.

5. A GREAT PAIR OF SHOES. Could be cowboy boots, could be wingtips. Just choose something that reflects your personal style and run with it. And speaking of running, no track shoes unless you’re on the track.

***embedded images courtesy of The Sartorialist.

Jewel Rocks Ty Murray’s Championship Rodeo Buckles

Posted on February 9, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Celebs, Fashion, Fun | Leave a Comment

Jewel, the singer/songwriter/poet famous for living in her car before hitting it big with her album Pieces of You, told blender magazine in a June, 2006 interview that her belt buckle bling includes two of boyfriend Ty Murray’s Rodeo Champ Belt Buckles: “I have one of Ty’s world championship all-around buckles. I also have one of his world championship bull-riding buckles”. The twosome has been dating for more than a decade but have no plans to tie the knot. Still, they enjoy the same romantic pasttimes most couples do. According to Jewel, they have a mechanical bull on their ranch in Stevensville, Texas and like to hop on for a spin after a few Keystone Lights. Aahh, young love.

Ralph Doubleday and the American Rodeo

Posted on February 7, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Celebs, Fun | Leave a Comment

Famed rodeo historian Foghorn Clancy called Ralph Russell Doubleday “the undisputed World’s Champion Rodeo Photographer”. His photographs, postcards and prints from negatives played a tremendous role in advancing the sport of rodeo. According to Clancy, “Ralph was the first noted rodeo photographer because, in those days, there were not many photographers who would risk camera and film, not to mention life and limb, trying to get action pictures”.
Doubleday’s story is chronicled in articles compiled by the Donald C. and Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma. Doubleday’s photos capture the thrill, excitement and real danger of the sport and beg the question, ‘where the heck was he standing–perhaps under the steer–when he snapped that shot’? They also remind viewers why western belt buckles, as stylish as they’ve become, are more necessity than fashion statement: They keep your pants on, cowboys, when a buckin’ bronco is doing all he can to throw you.

Top Five Westerns of All Time

Posted on February 6, 2008 by admin Filed Under Celebs, Fun, Top Fives | Leave a Comment

1. High Noon- Gary Cooper, Lloyd Bridges and Grace Kelly in the most contentious showdown ever.
2. Stage Coach- Booze, gambling, outlaws and danger. Classic.
3. True Grit- John Wayne as Rooster Coburn. “Howdy Pilgrim”.
4. Unforgiven- Clint Eastwood said this film “summarizes everything [he] feels about the western”. I agree.
5. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid- Robinhood and his loner sidekick. And it made Redford a superstar.

**honorable mention: Dances with Wolves and Desperado. Costner created a compelling film and Desperado?…wit, humor, romance and the battle between light and dark.

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