Stealing Onscreen Styles: Will Smith

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this week’s onscreen style

The film: This romantic comedy blockbuster had the ladies swooning and men taking notes on Will Smith’s modern player style. The story of Hitch centers around Alex “Hitch” Hitchens (Will Smith) -- a professor in the art of playing women -- and his new pupil (Kevin James) and their adventures in love and the dating scene.

The scene: Alex Hitchens counsels Albert on how to win the heart of the mysterious and beautiful celebrity, Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta).

The style: In this scene, Will Smith perfects the art of smart-casual dressing with clever layers by mixing a razor-sharp blazer and dressy denims with a fun, striped shirt. The ensemble is also an intelligent way to dress for fall and spring days when temperatures can change unexpectedly and you might need to peel off a layer or add an extra one on.

how to look like will

Morphine Generation jeans - Credit: Bluefly.comMorphine Generation jeans

The ultimate wear-with-everything denim, these indigo rinse jeans from Morphine Generation will work wonders from the office to the market. A slight bootcut leg combined with stretch fabric technology and front slant pockets gives these jeans a modern and sophisticated smooth-operator edge, no matter what you pair with them. To give a weekend spin to Will’s look, pair these jeans with slim sneakers, an untucked, white button-down shirt and layer an athletic-looking zip-up sweater or hoodie over the top. For evening, simply trade your daytime blazer for a darker colored one in navy or black, and don either a black and white or blue and white vertically striped dress shirt.

Gap dress shirtGap dress shirt - Credit: Bluefly.com

Chocolate brown and icy blue are an unusual but highly effective pairing that will catch the attention of women wherever you go. Made from high-quality woven cotton and available for a completely reasonable price, this easy to care for, machine-washable shirt adds charm and quirk to your ensemble. Don’t spend too much time perfectly tucking it into your jeans though -- you’re going for laid-back sophistication here, so nothing should look too uptight.

Ted Baker tan velvet blazer - Credit: Bluefly.comTed Baker Meouw Blazer

A classic two-button cut meets an up-to-date plush, cotton-velvet fabric in this gorgeous Ted Baker
blazer. Key to copying Will’s 21st-century ladies' man style, this blazer brings the whole outfit together by complementing the stripes from the shirt and proving you know a thing or two about color coordination and looking polished. In the winter, switch the dress shirt for a cream-colored V-neck sweater and add a scarf in a neutral or earth-toned palette for a slick wintery getup that will make you look hot. A functional bonus: This piece is loaded with pockets -- three interior pockets, flap pockets and a chest pocket -- so it’s perfect for stashing all those phone numbers.

get will’s ladies' man style

The key to Will’s stylish, got-it-going-on look is simply put together, but it incorporates carefully planned layers. If assembling layers is not your forte, use Will’s easy trick of starting with a dark bottom, adding a solid colored blazer or sports jacket, then selecting a multi-colored shirt that contains a small amount of color similar to that of your blazer. The combination is deadly and looking this good will make it that much easier to work your magic on the ladies à la Hitch.
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Over 40 Fashion Tips

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With age comes wisdom. The lessons learned over the course of a lifetime make us smarter and stronger. And by the time most of us hit our 40s, we feel like we’ve seen and done it all; we feel secure in ourselves, our careers and our style. Unfortunately, though, that last one sometimes stems from a false sense of security. Unlike other aspects of life, the style strategies we acquire over time end up working against us, especially after watching a few decades of ever-changing fashions fly by. At some point we must reevaluate, and the fifth decade of living is the perfect time to do just that. So, to impart some style wisdom for guys in their 40s, here is a list of fashion tips to consider.

Avoid fashion fads

Don’t fall for today’s fashion-marketing ploys. By now you should maintain a style that’s timeless, not timely; you should avoid the latest trends at all costs. And the key here is not only avoiding fads, but also recognizing them. Since fashion fads generally target a certain age demographic, you can easily identify them according to who’s wearing what. For instance, the boutique sneakers and ironic T-shirts worn mainly by guys in their late teens and twenties are suited perfectly for that age group. But a 40-year-old sporting a shirt that says, “I wish your girlfriend would stop staring at me” will only seem creepy, not cool. Simply put, fashion fads exist for guys still experimenting with their style. You're past this stage of the game and are ready for a well-defined, classic wardrobe that mirrors the man you are inside.

Leave the past behind

Just because certain looks “make a comeback” doesn’t give you license to pull these items back out of your closet. As you well know, more often than not, the past is typically best left in the past. In terms of fashion, here’s why: When certain looks cycle back around, they almost always return with a modernized twist, such as an updated cut or re-envisioned style. Turn your attention to aviator sunglasses, for example: Though they cycle around quite frequently, they always reappear with a slightly modified frame or lens that’s different from their last go-round. So, be smart and never raid your closet for those items that resurface from the days of yore. Invest in the new version to ensure you’re updated, not outdated… but only if the look or item is a fashion staple, rather than a fashion fad.

Don’t mistake business attire for stylish attire

What works from 9 to 5 won’t always work from 5 to 9 or on the weekends. Believe it or not, even your nicest business clothes don’t translate into great evening attire. In fact, wearing your work-wear to functions outside of normal work occasions appears stuffy and one-dimensional; a look no guy in his 40s should contend with. Show the world you’re at the top of your game by presenting variations of yourself. Instead of wearing your best office suit to a dinner party, couple your sport coat with a pair of modern, straight leg jeans, a simple dress shirt, and your casual loafers. Adding depth to your arsenal of outfits proves you’re a contemporary, style-savvy guy with a defined sense of fashion and know-how.

Keep it simple

One of the easiest and best solutions for dressing well in your 40s is keeping things as simple as possible. Loud patterns and flashy ties should be left to the younger generations. Fill your closet with a diverse collection of solids and/or pared-down prints that are unpretentious and unassuming. Make yours a sophisticated, subdued style that speaks for itself. It’s simple, really.

Keep it clean

You know what they say cleanliness is next to. And guys in their 40s should pay special heed to the concept of keeping it clean in a few areas: One, make sure your clothes strike crisp, clean lines; baggy, ill-fitting clothes look dumpy and lame. Go for clothes that create smooth lines and breaks around your frame, giving you a polished, dapper appearance. Also, think about the cleanliness of the garments themselves. Obvious, maybe, but it still must be stated: Torn and/or stained clothes are juvenile and should never leave the confines of one’s home. And last, but not least, always be well-groomed and clean-shaven. Clean skin and hair is industry standard by now, and facial hair
generally makes you look older. Make a big statement by maintaining an all-around clean appearance; it invokes an impeccable, all-powerful image for guys in their 40s.

Embrace your age

The underlying principle to looking great in your 40s (and any age, for that matter) is to embrace your age. Take pride in number of years you’ve lived -- don’t try to hide them by adopting a style that belongs to another generation; dressing in clothes that are too big or too small will only give you away and make things worse. Using the tips above, you should find age-appropriate garments that flatter your strengths. Plus, keep your receding or thinning hair short; comb-overs fool no one! However, you should battle the march of time with certain grooming products: Teeth whitener, hair dye,and face washes/lotions all work in fighting off the years. There’s no shame in defying your age, as long as you’re doing it in suitable ways. Embracing your age will produce a masculine, mature sophistication that suits 40-year-olds to a tee.

over 40 and fabulous

Styles constantly change, and keeping up with trends can be a daunting task. Thankfully, though, you guys in your 40s are well beyond this: Yours is a style that’s defined, classic and elegant. By employing the timeless strategies above, you guys can enjoy a more confident, stylish, distinctive image that’s suited to your demographic. But most of all, you can finally own up to the style wisdom that comes with age. And hopefully, that wisdom comes with enlightenment.
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Designer Brand Crash Course

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You hear the names, see the ads and perhaps even own a few pieces of their lines, but do you really know how Kenneth Cole got his start or the role Ralph Lauren played in the fashion void of the 1970s? Perhaps you think Hugo Boss is just a line of fragrances in the duty free shop at Heathrow or that Burberry is just the name of the bag Paris Hilton totes her dog in.

To get you up to speed on today’s most popular labels, here is a crash course on some of the fashion world’s best menswear designers.

Ralph Lauren suit - Credit: RalphLauren.comRalph Lauren

It’s Lor-en, not La-ren, and in many fashion circles you reveal your ignorance by mispronouncing his name. As a culture we owe much to Ralph Lauren for defining American style. We also have him to blame for the wide-tie craze in the early 1970s, which is now beginning to resurface. But he can be forgiven for this because he continually reinvents classic American fashion within his empire.

When his preppy-inspired suits became too commonplace in the late 1980s he brought out the Purple Label by Ralph Lauren for the 1990s, which fused the best of Savile Row with American sensibility. When the Purple Label became too prolific the Black Label was born, adding a dash of mystery and jet-set cocktail style with supple black leathers and evening wear. If you’re not sure where you fit in with big-name designers, you can’t go wrong with Ralph. His line is so exhaustive and full of colors for various skin tones and body types that any man can walk into one of his stores and walk out with a new wardrobe from head to toe.

Kenneth Cole leather jacket - Credit: KennethCole.comKenneth Cole

You know the name, but do you know he learned the craft of shoemaking with his own hands in Europe before coming home to change the shoe market? Today, Kenneth Cole is still about the shoes, but his leather jackets and accessories -- such as briefcases and watches -- are unbeatable for value, longevity and pure style. If you travel often for work or play, this is the line for you; a Kenneth Cole ensemble looks just as good in Milan as it does in L.A. or Sao Paolo. The cut of the clothes are for the fit and active man on the go, so be sure to visit one of his stores to try on everything.

Armani suit - Credit: EmporioArmani.comGiorgio Armani

Forget about the price tags; Armani style is about cut, drape and fabric. The clothing moves with your body and not against it -- as the garments of so many of his imitators often do. He is so well-known today that the name has become code for "money." But the truth is that Armani would prefer you just wore his clothes in your everyday down-to-earth life, which is why he uses muted tones of blue, gray and black in each collection. The clothes are crafted with luxurious Italian simplicity, and once you learn the touch and feel of Armani you can see it coming a mile away.

Dolce & Gabbana clothes - Credit: DolceGabbana.itDolce & Gabbana

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have transformed casual elegance into pure sexuality. They infuse their clothes with vitality and continental cool. They offer those distressed jeans you’ll need for that weekend getaway to a new city.

D&G denotes a carefree urban lifestyle. Unlike Armani who champions simplicity, D&G is all about being seen and recognized. You wear the clothes as a statement of style-consciousness. But this line is not for everyone; these edgy clothes belong on those who have a bit of edge themselves.

Hugo Boss suit - Credit: BlueFly.comHugo Boss

Hugo Boss began making raincoats and coveralls for the German workforce in 1923, but didn’t make its first foray into men’s suits until 1953. Since then the line has grown and become known for well-proportioned shoulder drapes in black, dark grays and dark blues.

It is often suggested that a dark blue suit will get any man through any occasion, but sometimes only a black three-button suit will do. This is where Hugo Boss becomes indispensable to your wardrobe. A blue suit might serve you well through a string of summer weddings, but a strong black suit emits power, elegance and, when worn well with a smile, it also conveys confidence. Hugo Boss also has a line of modern sport clothes for tennis, golf and other continental pursuits, but the suit is the most important here. If you need only one suit in your closet that can be paired with white or deep blue shirts and a small collection of subtle ties, your only option is Boss.

Burberry polo shirt - Credit: BurberryUSAOnline.comBurberry

Founded in 1856, Thomas Burberry found himself providing clothing for British officers in the First World War after inventing and obtaining a patent for gabardine (a water-resistant fabric). Today, the line is famous and recognizable for its signature plaid of brown, red and dark cream hues. Revamped by Christopher Bailey, the Burberry line contains bespoke suits and sophisticated sport clothes.

The Burberry Golf line is perhaps the best thing to happen to golf attire in over a century. If you have a big outing planned and need to impress, find a pair of Burberry trousers in the classic plaid and pair it with a black or brown golf shirt. Then again, you could just spring for a whole new set of clubs in a Burberry bag with a plaid umbrella and a plethora of accoutrements. To wear Burberry is to revisit classic men’s clothes with updated fabrics and cuts. It’s not quite preppy, but it’s not as modernly brash as D&G either. In short: Burberry is timeless without being stuffy.

who are you wearing?

Each designer described designs for a particular body type, and the fabrics used also play an import role in how you will wear, move and live in the clothing. Your best bet is to take the information here and head to the nearest fitting room to decide which should become your staple label.

Remember: These designers are important not because their names have cache on the cocktail circuit, but because they actively think about their clothing and improve upon their lines each year. These are the men you wear because they think about what clothes mean to you and your everyday life.
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