Attractive Activewear

Our last blog post discussed how activewear in the wrong setting can be a style pitfall for men. Most activewear is designed primarily to function in the sports context; attractiveness is a secondary goal. Activewear can look inappropriate in social settings because it wasn't designed for them.

Some activewear does look amazing outside of sports -- if it is especially well-designed, visually as well as functionally; and if it is well-matched to the wearer's coloring, physique and personality. Here are some examples:

Sport:  Ski
Item:  Bogner Fire & Ice Hat Hugh

Why:  This hat is in colors that most men can wear, won't overwhelm features, and would coordinate well with other clothes.

Sport:  Any/Winter
Item:  Patagonia Men's Lambswool Crew in Pale Khaki
Why:  Lambswool/nylon with outdoors-friendly construction, aka lower shoulder seams. This would look good on most men who have cool (not warm) coloring, either light or dark.

Sport:  Cycling
Item:  Levi's 511 Slim Fit Commuter Jeans
Why:  Semi-activewear for commuting via bike. These have stretch, a double-layered seat and reflective details; and still look great, especially not cuffed.

Sport:  Skate
Item:  Adidas Pro Stretch Chino Pants - Craft Canvas
Why:  These pants stretch, which is really comfortable but still looks slim & sharp. A versatile color going into spring, would look great on men with warmer coloring or red hair.

Sport:  Any/Rain
Item:  Oakley Prime P.E. Jacket -- Jet Black
Why:  Technical fabric, sealed against rain, vented, adjustable, pockets, handsome asymmetrical design. Just futuristic enough. Cropped/shorter fit, so wear with dark pants, and this is for men of up to average height.

Sport:  Snowboard
Item:  Burton 2L Stagger Snowboard Jacket - Walter Camo
Why:  Camo patterns are usually unflattering, but this jacket is an exception. The evergreen colors and subtle, low-contrast pattern would look good on many men, and mix well with other clothes.

Sport:  Ski
Item:  Adidas Super Trekking Light Down Jacket
Why:  Cool design, textural contrast, 700 fill power goose down.











Miss Menswear can help you select your best activewear, as well as work and casual clothes. Check it out at MissMenswear.com!

Activewear in Social Settings

Arc'Teryx Skyline Shirt in Light Carbide

When men talk to me about clothes, clothing for sports -- activewear -- is always a theme. Men in the San Francisco Bay Area are passionate about outdoor sports: hiking, sailing, cycling, skiing/snowboarding, running, climbing, surfing, tennis, golf, swimming, kiteboarding, rowing, etc. The landscape and weather are gorgeous, and sport is an essential relief from the highly technical jobs done by most men here.

Men often wear specialized sports clothes outside of the sporting context. It makes sense -- activewear is a triumph of functionality, and carries positive associations from past exploits. It's convenient -- if you already own the clothes, why not wear them all the time? Activewear is commonly seen in general social situations and at work, even in the boardroom. Some men feel that the ability to wear activewear at work is a reward and signal of success; and they enjoy bringing the exhilarating feelings from sports into their professional life.

Historically, men's clothes tend to evolve and migrate from sports purposes into work and social settings, so this is par for the course. Even the most formal business garments of today -- wool suits, oxfords -- originated from hunting, riding and sailing in the British Isles. Sportswear was so common it came to mean "casual" instead of "sport," so the new term activewear had to be invented. Men's clothing has always had two conflicting currents -- uniformity to show dedication to a common cause (the gray flannel suit of the 1950's); and subtle rebellion against such uniformity, which scores points for those who can get away with it through either privilege or nerve. Wearing activewear at work plays with these concepts...

As the tech frontier, Silicon Valley consciously avoids looking too traditional (like New York) or too frivolous (like Los Angeles). The absence of these two influences leaves a void in the relaxed office dress code, which is often filled by outdoor brands like Northface, Columbia, Patagonia, REI. Hiking fleece is more socially acceptable than, say, skintight cycling gear, and is worn everywhere.

In technical activewear, form -- how it looks -- closely follows the specific sports function. Beyond these utilitarian requirements, designs emphasize other sports attributes, for example, aerodynamic adrenalin (cycling); orderly, detailed structure (golf); swagger (basketball); or rebellious transcendence (board sports). Enhancing the attractiveness of the clothes-wearer is a lower priority.

This is fine when activewear is worn during the sport it was designed for. It can become a problem when the same clothes are brought into non-sports settings, where clothes are expected to perform a different role. In social settings like parties or restaurants, clothing's main function is to maximize attractiveness and social status. Since activewear wasn't primarily designed for this, it doesn't always succeed.

Sports clothes worn away from sports is one of the biggest style pitfalls for men. How can a man make sure that activewear isn't undermining his social goals?

• Choose activewear that functions well for you on a visual as well as technical level. Activewear can enhance your personal looks through color, pattern, cut and overall design. Our style service can help you find the most attractive activewear for you as an individual. 
• Invest in well-designed items that will look better wherever you wear them. Some brands are designed much more attractively than others, and extra effort to find the best is worth it.
• Reserve some items for sports instead of social purposes. Some items work great for sports but are very unappealing. In this case, it is better to wear the item only when you're doing the sport. A common example is the superhero-style sunglasses made for cycling or skiing (Oakley) -- typically very small, with a technical, streamlined design, and brightly colored, flashy lenses. These detract from the handsomeness of most men, so it is better to also have some aviator or other classic sunglasses (Ray-Ban) on hand for social uses.

Types of activewear that tend to not perform well socially (although there are always exceptions) include primary or bright colors; large, contrasting areas of color, aka color-blocking; machine-like designs; large/overwhelming graphics; too many drawstrings/straps/velcro/pockets; or too bland/boring. Our next blog post will share examples and explanations of technical activewear with sophisticated style.

Miss Menswear's online Style Plan delivers crucial, personalized information on the best clothing styles for you, to help you select visually effective clothing including activewear. Complete online personal shopping is also available.

Style Makeover: Mark Zuckerberg

Is the world ready for "Hot Mark Zuckerberg"?  It could happen!

He's been a symbol of Silicon Valley's aversion to style, known for taking the "dorm entrepreneur" anti-fashion stereotype to an extreme. He still wears the same gray T-shirt, oversize jeans, utilitarian running shoes and fleece hoodies, on all but the most formal occasions. By all accounts, he doesn't pay attention to his clothes because he doesn't care what other people think, and of course, he's been incredibly successful anyway.

He's 28 now with two major life milestones recently behind him -- his IPO and his wedding. He hired Frank Gehry to design a cool building. He might still take an interest in his personal aesthetics...

He stands to gain the many pleasures of dressing well for oneself:

• Taking pride in looking attractive

• Owning one's appearance

• Communicating one's personality through clothes

• Enjoying how luxurious textures and shapes feel on the body

• Scoring social points through mastery of an additional realm -- style.  

It would greatly improve his quality of life. And his wife would probably be really into it.

He can afford the best clothes, and many of these are just as comfortable and easy as the jeans and T-shirts he's used to, while looking way better. He would not miss the texture of a poly fleece when he can touch beautiful knits, high-thread-count cotton and other luxury materials. He would still feel casual and relaxed, but would look more sophisticated.

Mark's coloring is muted and like many guys he's colorblind. Fortunately, he looks best in the type of neutral (not bright) colors that all go together. A wardrobe in grays, browns, dark blues and whites would look fantastic on him and be very practical, day to day. His features are classical as are his tastes, and he is fit; he would enjoy understated clothes from Loro Piana, Gucci, Lanvin and Maison Martin Margiela. He'd look best in higher collars, sharper shoulders, single-button jackets, dark brown shoes.

Dressing well would communicate that he's a young business badass, not a college kid or middle-aged guy. When he puts on a suit, he would own it like Don Draper or George Clooney, instead of looking uncomfortable as if his clothes are borrowed.

Clothes are a powerful tool that can be used by anyone to convey attractiveness and sophistication. It's never too late to start. Miss Menswear can transform your style while staying within your comfort zone. Check out what we can do for you at MissMenswear.com!

Style Makeover: Louis C.K.

Louis C.K. is probably today's top comedian yet seems to lack a stylist. We thought he'd be a great example of what we can do for clients. Just click the image to see it larger.

His signature look is the "wild dad" -- the baggy, comfortable dad jeans and basic T-shirt that every guy relates to, with an edge. Onstage he wears that plain black crewneck, black to match his dark brand of humor. His awards show look is a variation of this; see above his all-black tux/suit hybrid at the 2012 Emmys. GQ didn't like it. Here's what we think...

His formal look could be improved through fit -- the suit should be a smaller size to fit the shoulders, and tailored to closely (but comfortably!) fit the torso, sleeves and legs. Unrelieved black doesn't complement his coloring and visually separates his face and body.  We would try a black or midnight suit with monochrome accents in muted blue or chocolate. The black T-shirt is his uniform when he performs, probably for branding purposes, which is smart. But those relaxed-fit, faded dad jeans are universal woman repellents (yes I know most men wear them, and sorry it's still true).    

Offstage in his personal life he can wear whatever he wants, and since he's single and a celebrity, he would benefit from some better looks. The reddish tones in his hair and skin are striking, and would be upgraded to riveting with the right colors around them. Because he is a star in a creative field, his clothing could express the imaginative range of his persona.

Above, we suggest a variety of still-casual but more appealing clothing options, which can all be worn together -- darker, straight-fit jeans and chinos; t-shirts, polos and sweaters in sophisticated hues; handsome plaid shirts and dashing outerwear; practical but impressive footwear. Plus interesting socks.

We can help you craft just as distinctive a look, that is unique to you. Contact us at stylist@missmenswear.com.

Why Men's Clothes Matter in Dating

Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds

More men are dating far more now, than ever before. The average man waits until age 29 to get married, and more men get divorced and begin dating again.

Here's one woman's view on men's clothes and dating. Blake Lively, who just married Ryan Reynolds, said, "It's definitely attractive when a man can dress well." Yes, they're both gorgeous movie stars regardless of the question of style. But even at that level of dating, clothes make a crucial difference.

What men wear on initial dates can greatly influence how women respond to them. It is often said that men are undressing women with their eyes. Men hope that women are doing the same to them. But if your clothes are non-optimal, instead she may be dressing you with her eyes -- mentally changing what you're wearing to see if it improves how she feels about dating you. This is something a man wants to avoid, since it can prevent the woman from developing a stronger interest in him.

Some guys consider this unfair, since there can actually be an inverse relationship between a man's partner-material qualifications and his style sophistication. A player type of guy has to look great to keep attracting new women; players usually dress better than most for this reason. Women know this, but can't just ignore what their dates are wearing, because clothes are still a valid source of dating information.

So why are women so obsessed with their date's clothes? Several reasons, not all superficial. Because she is hoping to connect with the right man, and proper clothes can help her fall for you in these ways:

• Increase the Appearance of Symmetry -- Attractiveness is closely tied to symmetry, studies show. Yet no one is completely symmetrical. Good clothing choices use color and proportion to strengthen the perception of harmony and balance, and restore symmetry where needed.

• Make Good Features More Noticeable -- The right clothing uses just enough contrast to draw attention to the person, and then direct it to his face, without distracting from his best features.Colors and patterns can absolutely emphasize eyes, hair, cheekbones, etc.

• Reveal or Conceal the Body -- Fit is essential to suggest what's beneath your clothes in the most becoming way. The right fit reveals body shape where it is advantageous, and conceals it where appropriate. The best clothes follow your body so naturally and comfortably, it looks like you were born in them (aka naked). 

• Convey Social Information -- Clothing choices indicate social standing, group belonging, and financial resources through various cues and references. You can use these to deliver the message you choose.

• Convey Sexual Identity Information -- Styles can communicate whether a man is straight or gay, and his mix of masculine and feminine qualities.

• Convey Personality Information -- Clothes can also indicate other desirable traits like athleticism, stability, humor, imagination, before even arriving at taste.

Also, many women spend tons of time trying to upgrade their looks through clothing, to be considered socially attractive and increase their appeal to men. They know how powerful clothes are, so it is difficult for them to just switch off a habit of visual analysis. Generally, the more well-put-together the woman, the more aware of your clothes she will be.

Your clothes should support your dating goals, not detract from them. Take control by making sure your clothes don't distract your date by putting her into problem-solving mode. Ideally, your well-selected clothes portray who you are accurately and effectively, to win over the woman of your choice. Contact us at missmenswear.com.

Store Stylists and Personal Stylists

This season, many retailers have added "personal stylists" to their existing sales staff. Luxury department stores have offered personal shoppers for years. These services can be very helpful, especially for suggesting complete looks, but they are not the same as having your own personal stylist.

What is the difference between these free services and an independent personal stylist like Miss Menswear that you hire directly?

The most crucial difference is motive -- is the stylist working exclusively for you, or primarily for the store where you're shopping? Store-supplied personal shoppers or stylists do offer a sense of increased focus on you the client. But their bottom line goal is to encourage you to spend as much as possible, within that store, immediately. The store's interests logically come before yours, and the store salesperson is always conscious of making a quota or commission.

The best salespeople keep the client's interests in mind, but it can be very difficult to detect who those are. We've all been told that something looks good on us, when obviously it doesn't. It is impossible to know whether a particular item is being recommended because it's right for us, or because there are too many in the store's inventory, or because that item is more profitable to sell than other items. Store employees are nearly always compromised by incentives other than your best interests.

This is why women so often team up for shopping; they would rather hear the objective advice of a friend and ally. Many men don't have this option.

With your own personal stylist who works for you and you only, you can be certain that the stylist will show you the best items among stores; find solutions within your budget and not pressure you to exceed it; and maintain focus on what honestly looks best on you as an individual. The stylist's only goal is for you to succeed in selecting your wardrobe.

Your personal stylist will also have invested much more time and effort in developing deep knowledge of men's fashion and styling skills. The stylist will have gathered more information about your preferences and lifestyle to inform style suggestions. The ideal is a stylist who brings a comprehensive approach to shopping for you, and can maximize use of all shopping resources without any conflict of interest. Contact us at missmenswear.com.

Bringing "Smart" Back

Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake

San Francisco was once a style capital, back when it was the edge of the western frontier, the headquarters of the gold rush, and the main seaport for trade with Asia.  Then, during the 70's counterculture movement and ascendence of the computer industry, San Francisco largely ceded its stylishness to New York and Los Angeles.

Elsewhere in the world, men and women alike develop their personal style because it makes them more attractive, which is a form of social currency with many benefits.  Dressing well implies competence and other business-ready traits.  No conflict is seen between being intelligent and looking attractive.

Historically, "smart" and "sharp" both meant either to be intelligent or to be well-dressed; these concepts were integrated.

Yet there is a lingering concern in the Bay Area that intelligence and attractiveness (aka sexiness) are not compatible.  Intelligence is our region's highest value, and some people worry that looking attractive may make them seem less intelligent.

In the early years of the Internet, businessmen distanced themselves from old-school East Coast attitudes by avoiding traditional business attire.   Northern California intelligentsia expressed distaste for Southern California's looks-based culture.  New arrivals emulated dorm-room founders like Zuckerberg, he of the famous hoodie.

This is beginning to change.  Silicon Valley is the new business engine for the world economy.  The era of Internet innovation continues to evolve and mature.  With such a concentration of dynamic people, financial resources and international connectedness, it is only a matter of time before visual sophistication follows.

With this broader perspective, it is clear that overly rigid stereotypes like "smart" versus "sexy," reminiscent of high school, are not applicable in grownup life.  Of course handsome people can be smart; smart people can be handsome.  And just as geek-chic fake glasses can't turn a model into a brainiac, looking good won't turn a genius into a dunce.

The smartest thing is synthesis.  Why wouldn't any intelligent person use all available tools to make the most of their appearance?  It is certainly easier to add beauty to brains, than vice versa.

The best evidence that the Bay Area's future will be more stylish is Apple, now the most valuable company ever.  Steve Jobs chose a different path from many previous tech leaders by insisting on beauty as a top priority, resulting in distinctively elegant devices and interfaces.  Humans deeply prefer beautiful things, and this has driven Apple's sales success.

Above, here's Justin Timberlake who played Sean Parker in "The Social Network" as one example of the impending convergence of Silicon Valley and men's fashion.  His other creds include singing "Bringing Sexy Back" and founding men's clothing line William Rast.

He's wearing fake glasses, which all of Hollywood did for a moment in slightly mocking tribute to Silicon Valley.  Nice try, but we are still the frontier, the gold rush and the hub of world trade, and surely we're ready now to take charge of our own image.  Contact us at missmenswear.com.