When it comes to their game, Tom Brady, Eli Manning, Jason Taylor, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Terrell Owens are forces with which to be reckoned. However, these five NFL players also know how to score major points when it comes to fashion. Once they hang up their jerseys, these guys opt for some seriously cool suits and separates when they hit the town. Here, we take an item from each of five players' off-field ensembles to show you how to use their style secrets to score a, ahem, touchdown of your own.
Tom Brady Movado Series 800 watch
In 2007, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady helped his team make football history with a jaw-dropping undefeated season. This year also saw him score the most touchdowns in an NFL season. Off-field, Brady’s style has been just as flawless as his game. Swipe Brady’s modern-but-classic style with this luxurious Movado Series 800 watch that is perfect day or night and looks just as good dressed up with a classic black suit or dressed down with jeans. With its stainless-steel face, minimal embellishments and gadgets, and a soft, black thermoresin strap, this watch is the very definition of understated, practical elegance.
You might have to do some serious searching to get your hands on one of the Series 800 watches Tom Brady promotes, since they are limited-edition pieces. If you love the look of the watch, but can’t find one or you don’t like the price tag it comes with, try a timepiece from Hamilton, a company that also makes automatic chronographs with Swiss movements.
Eli Manning Zegna dress shirt
Take a tip from New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and pair neutrals together for an instantly chic look that can be worn during any season. To cop Eli’s relaxed, but polished ensemble, the key pieces you’ll need are a blazer and a striped dress shirt in a pale hue. Every man needs a dress shirt that goes beyond the classic white shirt in his wardrobe, and this azure, black-and-white, striped dress shirt from Zegna echoes Manning's fashionable choice.
Made from lightweight cotton that will keep you cool even in the summer, this perfectly fitted, one-pocket shirt will pair beautifully with almost any blazer, and it will be especially stunning with either a camel-colored jacket or a basic black number. Worn alone or with a blazer, team this shirt with dress pants or jeans for an outfit that translates perfectly from the office to the dinner table and beyond.
LaDainian Tomlinson Kris Van Assche vest
In 2003, as a starting running back for the San Diego Chargers, LaDainian Tomlinson became the first player ever to rush for over 1,000 yards and nab 100 receptions in the same season. Off the field, Tomlinson might just hold the record for trendiest NFL star. Be a style leader like Tomlinson and team classic items with one seriously “now” piece, like a waistcoat. All the rage on the runways for the past few seasons, the tuxedo vest is not in danger of falling off the fashion radar just yet, but be sure you get one that’s not too conspicuous so you’ll be able to wear it when it comes back in fashion the next time around.
This wool, pinstripe vest from Kris Van Assche comes in gray -- one of the season’s hottest colors -- is fully lined and is well cut. To dress it up, follow Tomlinson’s lead and choose a sharp dress shirt with French cuffs. For more casual events, forgo the tie, slip on some designer jeans and leave a couple of buttons undone on your dress shirt for nouveau-grunge appeal.
Terrell OwensRay-Ban Highstreet RB3293 sunglasses
When it comes to his game, whether as a player for the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles or the Dallas Cowboys, Terrell Owens has never shied away from sparking controversy. His personal style, however, has just the right amount of flair, and there’s certainly no controversy over whether or not the man knows how to dress. To swipe Owens' style, all you need to do is don a pair of uber-cool, dark sunglasses and wear them religiously with everything you own.
Ray-Ban’s Highstreet RB3293 sunglasses are a great place to start if you’re searching for a new pair of shades, since these cleanly designed aviators will compliment pretty much anything in your wardrobe. Built to last and reasonably priced, this pair has smooth written all over them and will get you the attention you crave without looking like you tried too hard.
Jason Taylor Theory “Sharp.Stock” two-button blazer
A defensive end for the Miami Dolphins for 10 years, Jason Taylor holds the record for defensive touchdowns scored by a defensive lineman. And with his classic sense of style, Taylor is well on his way to ensuring his place in fashion’s hall of fame as well. Proof that you don’t need the latest, trendiest clothes to look your best, Taylor works a timeless black blazer like a pro and demonstrates the art of simple sophistication. If you don’t already own one, go to the mall right now or start pointing and clicking your way to a contemporary fit, two-button blazer like this one from Theory. It’s a wardrobe staple you’ll wear for years and it will never go out of style.
Theory’s model is made from a lightweight stretch wool blend, meaning it will retain its shape even after you’ve worn it a hundred times, and a high polyester count means it won’t show dirt easily. If you want something a little punchier than Taylor’s black-and-white combination, try a brightly hued dress shirt, but avoid veering into neon colors.
scoring styleThese players may be best known for their moves on the football field, but once the game is over, they prove they know a thing or two when it comes to style. True, they may have seven-figure signing bonuses with which to pad their shopping budgets, but they also demonstrate that a few well-chosen pieces can inject loads of style into any wardrobe. Follow their lead and you’ll never be caught in a fashion fumble again.
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A scarf tied with aplomb adds style and warmth to your winter wardrobe. A scarf, in its basic sense, works because it surrounds and protects your neck and keeps cold drafts of air from spiraling down your collar, leaving you susceptible to catching a chill.
Once you know how to tie a scarf around your neck in different knots, you can leave that parka you shuffle around in at home and actually begin wearing the stylish coats and jackets you’ve been reading about.
So, here’s our guide on how to tie a scarf, as well as our picks for the best jackets to rock each new stylish knot. Parisian Knot 
The most sought-after knot is also one of the most universal. Here’s how to tie a scarf in a Parisian knot: Take the scarf in both hands and fold it over lengthwise; drape it around your neck; insert the loose ends through the loop hanging in front of you and pull them through. You can play with the tautness of the knot and the thickness of the scarf by doubling the scarf lengthwise, if you wish. This knot almost always looks best on a short leather jacket with a notch collar left down, such as this jacket from John Varvatos. On a very cold day, you can tuck the scarf into the jacket and pull the zipper up.
Once-around knot 
The once-around knot is your entry-level knot for all those brisk days when you need a little extra comfort but don’t want to go with complete arctic readiness. Most men will use this knot for a quick commute to work or an evening out with a striking blazer, like this one from Kenneth Cole. The point of this knot is casual warmth. To learn how to tie a scarf in a once-around knot, drape the scarf around your neck allowing one end to be longer than the other. Take the long end and bring it around your neck and let it fall over your chest. If you have a long neck, overlap the scarf in back just a bit so that most of your neck between the jacket and the base of your skull is covered.
Loose once-around knot 
The loose once-around knot is more about fashion and having the scarf with you “just in case.” Pair the scarf with a duffle coat or any hooded snorkel coat for a rakish look of adventurism. When it comes to knowing how to tie a scarf in a loose once-around knot, the same rules apply as the regular once-around knot: Drape it loosely as though you haven’t the time to finish the job right.
Twice-around knot 
The twice-around knot challenges the Parisian as your go-to knot on those cold days. In fact, if you like the Parisian knot, you might change up your look with the twice-around just for fun without sacrificing warmth. Unlike the Parisian, however, you’ll require less of a collar on your jacket because this knot takes up a lot of room. Here’s how to tie a scarf in a twice-around knot: Begin as you would with the once-around with both ends hanging in front of you, but make sure one is significantly longer than the other. Take the much longer end and circle it around your neck twice; do this without making the knot too tight. Getting the lengths of the ends to match up or come out relatively close will take a bit of practice, but a knot like this will make all the difference on a cold day. This one is perfect for a banded or Mandarin-style collars on a short leather jacket and is easily tucked into the jacket for extra warmth.
bundle upEvery man has that moment in the morning when he must decide how he will face the elements. Do you wear what you really want and suffer or do you go with the urban version of a survival suit -- the ski parka? With a scarf, however, your wardrobe expands and becomes adaptable to the changing weather, all while helping you face the frigid elements in style.
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When packing for a trip, we usually focus on getting clothes into the suitcase. We worry about filling our bag with the perfect combination of shirts, ties, socks, and underwear, and give little thought to packing those ancillary items -- aka travel bag essentials -- needed to sustain our wardrobe while we’re out on the road. That’s why, when packing for a trip, we need to stop and consider what we need in addition to our clothes to ensure we have a dapper, well-maintained appearance when we arrive at our destination.
So, next time you’re prepping for a weekend getaway or business trip, make sure you don’t leave home without any of these travel bag essentials.
Travel clothes steamer Wrinkles are an inevitable by-product of packing, which leaves us with garments that are marred with tiny wrinkles and major creases while traveling -- and nothing says unkempt, unprofessional and unsightly like crumpled clothes. To look your best, you need a sharp wardrobe that appears freshly pressed, making a portable clothes steamer a top choice when packing your travel bag essentials. Having a clothes steamer is especially important when you’re traveling on business. Travel steamers fit conveniently in your carry-on and pay big dividends on traveling in style; you’ll have the necessary tool to maintain a refined, meticulous image that’s not only devoid of wrinkles, but also replete with style.
Item benefit: Besides being affordable and portable, clothes steamers allow you to travel with clothes that are both professionally polished and handsomely preserved.
Stain stick One small stain can ruin an entire trip for savvy travelers who pack versatile, multipurpose garments. There’s also the problem of acquiring a blemish on your shirt before the big meeting -- how humiliating. When these situations arise far from home, guys must be armed to go to battle. That’s why traveling with a stain stick will always prove to be the best weapon. This little marker-like device ranks high on our list of travel bag essentials because it contains a stain-removing solution that makes spots magically disappear. With one little swoosh, you’ll have the might to eradicate unattractive mishaps and save the day. Erasing simple mistakes elsewhere in life should so easy.
Item benefit: A stain stick is a tiny, easy-to-pack tool that has the power to undo problematic stains and the potential to save your travel wardrobe, if not your entire trip.
High-gloss shoe wipes Along with his crisp wardrobe, the consummate professional sustains polished footwear as well. Unfortunately, the wear-and-tear of travel often leaves shoes scuffed, dull and dingy, which isn’t always ideal when making important business calls or attending first-time meetings with new clients. Thankfully, an easy solution exists to this traveling annoyance; high-gloss shoe wipes are a required item for your travel bag essentials. Formulated and packaged for convenience, these wipes make shoe maintenance simple and easy for today’s travelers. Shoe wipes have a simple, universal application for all smooth leather shoes, come in easy-to-pack pouches, and give you the necessary means to keep your shoes impeccably shined while traveling.
Item benefit: High-gloss shoe wipes combine convenience, class and quality in one neat little package; their invention has redefined shoe-care maintenance and style for today’s traveler.
Shoe trees Packing shoes is always tricky business given their unwieldy space consumption. Thus, most guys go out on a limb when traveling and knowingly neglect the rules of shoe maintenance; they willingly opt to leave their shoe trees at home so that their shoes can collapse into the packing. This is a cardinal sin, gentlemen. Nowhere are shoe trees more effective than in shoes that are packed in a suitcase. Shoe trees are among our favorite travel bag essentials because they not only prevent your shoes from being crushed, which can lead to permanent damage, but they also help absorb the disgusting odors that radiate from your freshly worn kicks. Sure, shoe trees may add some additional bulk and weight to your luggage, but the benefits far exceed the cost.
Item benefit: Shoe trees not only protect your shoes from the adverse effects of a crammed suitcase, but they also protect your clothes from the unpleasant odor of your smelly shoes.
Travel grooming kit Collecting your travel toiletries at one fell swoop in the bathroom isn’t an effective packing strategy. While you’ll remember the big-ticket items, you’ll undoubtedly forget the smaller travel bag essentials. That’s why owning a handy travel grooming kit solves the problem for you. Complete with a razor, nail clippers and tweezers, a travel grooming kit takes all the hassle out of packing your toiletry bag; you’ll have all the important grooming tools you need, conveniently packaged in one simple location. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to pack expediently and to be equipped and fully prepared to tackle any outstanding grooming needs in your hotel bathroom.
Item benefit: Travel grooming kits augment your traditional toiletry bag by bringing along overlooked grooming tools that will help you stay in top form while you’re out on the road.
wherever i may roamPacking for a trip, even a short trip, can be a pain. Besides, with so many aspects to tend to before you ever get off the ground, who among us has time to adopt a “how am I gonna look when I get there” mentality? The answer is “not many.” But you can be among the esteemed few if you always include these five travel bag essentials with you when you go.
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It’s time for a revolution; guys must shed their lackadaisical attitude toward sleepwear. For far too long, most guys have gone to bed wearing raggedy T-shirts and day-old boxers. During college and into our early 20s, this style of nighttime loungewear was adequate, but we’re big boys now, and we should dress as such. The truth is that our loungewear speaks as much to our sophistication as it does to our comfort -- and ladies find a man more irresistible when he’s relaxing in mature, complementary sleepwear instead of pit-stained shirts and baggy briefs. And that’s why the time has come for boys to become men and invest in grown-up, stylish (yet always comfortable) 2008 loungewear.
Ralph Lauren Velour Kimono Robe If you invest in only one piece of loungewear in 2008, make it a robe. At night, a robe acts like a piece of outerwear, cleverly camouflaging anything you may have underneath. What’s more, a high-quality robe is satisfying and comforting while you’re winding down from a long day. That’s why your robe should be luxurious and soft, and Ralph Lauren set the standard. RL’s Velour Kimono Robe is handsomely constructed from velvety soft cotton and sports a high-class design, thanks to its attractive drape and form. Go ahead; put the finishing (or beginning) touch on a sophisticated 2008 loungewear wardrobe with this deluxe, good-looking robe.
Dolce & Gabbana Sicilia V-neck T Seldom do you have an excuse to relax in stretched-out, soil-stained undershirts; seldom is there ever any pride in doing so either. When relaxing in an undershirt, you should do so in one that is not only comfy, but also complementary. You should wear T-shirts that make you look and feel good, like Dolce & Gabbana’s Sicilia V-Neck T. Label recognition aside, this undershirt contains a small fraction of spandex in its composition, giving it the ability to give you a nice tailored fit, plus the banded cuffs and V-neck are perfect for showcasing all those hours at the gym. You’ll like the fit, feel and final outcome this T-shirt brings to your 2008 loungewear wardrobe.
American Apparel Henley Shirt For a cold day indoors, laidback can be both relaxed and chic. Sure, tattered shirts are broken-in and familiar, but they don’t do much in the way of injecting a sense of style or sophistication into your 2008 loungewear collection. That’s why opting for a long-sleeve thermal shirt, much like the Henley version from American Apparel, can be a simple, stylish solution. Note: AskMen.com doesn’t advocate most of American Apparel’s too-tight, ‘70s-inspired garments, but this shirt does make the grade. Its four-button design, modern cut and plush fabric make it an ideal component for your around-the-house wardrobe. This is a casually cool garment that lends a smooth, utilitarian touch to any weekend wear.
Juicy Couture Pajama Pants A loungewear mainstay that we’re all familiar with is pajama pants. And best of all, they can be very cool and very appropriate lounging attire. Pajama pants are most comfortable and flattering when they have a loose fit and relaxed style, so you should look for styles that fit this bill, which means elastic waistbands and tapered legs should be avoided. So, if you’re in the market, turn to Juicy Couture’s hip entry for a prime example of superb 2008 loungewear. They make a bold, complementary statement with their screen-print detailing, drawstring waistband and wider leg opening. These pleasing PJ pants supply a stylish, soothing option for kicking back.
Burberry Pajamas Pajamas aren’t just for kids; men should have a pair too. Let’s say that you want to relax in a classic, comfy and coordinated style, then why not have an easy go-to option? Or what if you’re going on a couples’ weekend with your friends? In instances such as these, pajamas are the perfect edition to your 2008 loungewear wardrobe, making it easy to relax in style and in comfort. And while you can create your own combinations, top designers like Burberry have done all the work for you, taking their classic look and parlaying it into tasteful nighttime attire. In the end, they have given you a relaxing, handsome set of pajamas to mirror your sophisticated grown-up style.
Hanes ComfortSoft Jersey Shorts When it comes to loungewear, shorts are a saving grace; they offer the comfort of boxers with the sophistication of outerwear. More to the point, you can’t always stumble around the house in your underwear, especially if you’re on a sleepover or out-of-town trip with a lady or colleague. In this area, it’s all about fundamentals, and Hanes offers some stylishly basic shorts that more than do the trick; their ComfortSoft Jersey Shorts make a classic edition to your 2008 loungewear collection. These handsome shorts are 100% cotton and showcase a waistband in a darker color, a fashionable drawstring and a button-fly front. You can rest assured that these shorts are long on both style and comfort.
Cole Haan's Zermatt Slippers Nobody likes cold feet at night; so trade in your socks for a pair of well-constructed and great-looking slippers. Nothing is more sophisticated, comfortable or mature than knocking around the house in slippers that are warm, soft and stylish. But since all slippers aren’t created equal, avoid old-man backless slip-ons and slide into a pair that looks more like a driving shoe, such as Cole Haan’s Zermatt Slipper. This laid-back, foppish pair of nighttime scoots has a classic construction of hand-burnished English calfskin, suede trim and shearling lining. At the end of a long day your feet will love these slippers for their warmth, and you’ll love them for their style.
lights outWe want to look our best in the boardroom, so why not have that same attitude in the bedroom? In fact, in its own special way, what we wear at night has an impact on our happiness and comfort as much as what we wear during the day. That’s why we should approach five-to-nine in the same thoughtful manner as we do nine-to-five. So, if you’re not doing so already, make 2008 a revolution and invest in comfortable, casual and mature loungewear that will improve your comfort and your lifestyle.
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