Category Archives: Latest Fashion Trends

Autumn Fashion Accessories for Men

Gone are the lazy days of spring and summer when a bit of extra skin exposure could have completely changed an outfit’s look. Come fall, the emphasis is placed on gentlemanly elegance and timeless style – two things that you find not in grandiose statements but with understated accouterments and accessories.

Wingtip Shoes
Beat-up Chuck Taylors and colorful kicks were all the rage during the sunny season, but such casual footwear is a little too high school for fall. Even loafers, the go-to shoes for formal summer gigs, are now much less dressy than they were last month. It’s time to go back to the basics of formal menswear, and that means a pair of leather wingtip shoes.

Few things are more formal than leather shoes, and few shoes are more formal than the wingtip style with the seagull-shaped perforations that give it its name. This kind of shoe just has something undeniably gentlemanly about it, the next best thing to a top hat and a Savile Row tailor. Whether you’re a student in the middle of college or a professional in the middle of a career move, this shoe is worth getting right now.

Believe it or not, such a formal shoe is much easier to mix and match than it seems. Of course you can wear it with black and gray suits to give you added gravitas. On off days, however, a pair of black wingtips can do just as well when pair with straight cut classic wash jeans and a dressier top like a shirt. You can leave that as is, or add a necktie for a touch of color to wake up the whole outfit.

Leather Bags
The bag has long been a fashion minefield for a lot of guys. It’s hard to strike the balance between uniqueness and practicality, all without looking like you forgot to return your girlfriend’s handbag. For fall, a leather bag is always a great accessory because it looks luxurious but suggests toughness, a bag that’s just one of the boys.

A messenger, tote or duffel would hardly be new on any guy. In fact, very few guys don’t own at least one of those. There’s a different impact, however, when leather’s involved. The inherent cost of the fabric and its softness to the touch make any piece very dramatic.

Choosing a leather bag shouldn’t be too difficult since it’s very similar to choosing any other style of luggage. You’ll want a framed one with some structure to it so that it won’t sag like a handbag as you walk. It will also be much more formal, thanks to the shape given by whatever rigid frame the bag features. A leather messenger will, for example, be just as appropriate for the undergrad student as it’d be for the fashionable executive.

If you want an accessory that’ll tide you from the end of summer to the start of spring, a structured leather bag is a classic, stylish and sure-fire way to get just that. For more information you may also read our article on: Briefcase or Messenger Bag

Chunky Watches
Spring was a time for ‘lighter’ styles, which explains the sudden vogue of nylon watch straps and fabric bracelets every April. Come fall, though, the cooler weather and the heavier, more texture-heavy styles afford you the chance to wear accessories with a bit more macho factor to them.

A big, chunky watch might just be the thing you need to update your look for fall. Forget those slim, understated pieces you used to wear; if you have a not-so-formal event this season, try putting on a bigger bodied timepiece like a chronograph or a diver’s watch. It gives attitude to your outfit without your really having to do anything very significant.

New seasons mean new styles and fashions, but that never means a whole new wardrobe. It could also mean simply reworking with the one you already have, in which case a set of new accessories will go a long, long way.

Other Suggested Articles From Our Blog:
Mens Budget Summer Fashion
Gift Ideas for Businessmen
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Your Cheap-Neckties.com Team – Quality Cheap Ties on The Internet

Summer Fashion Lessons: John Paul Gaultier

Fashion in the summer always means fun and fresh styles, even for the relatively rule-bound world of men. When it comes to ‘fun’ and ‘fresh’, few designers come any fresher or more fun than John Paul Gaultier. Once the enfant terrible of the design world, he has become iconic for his shocking outfits and revolutionary ideas. That’s the kind of record you’d want if you’re looking for someone to imitate this season. We at Chaep-Neckties.com took a look at John Paul Gaultier’s latest summer collection.

Colorful Surprises
Shock value is one of the many things that Gaultier has mastered, which is why so many of his runway shows are dramatic and controversial. You can use that philosophy, to a certain extent, to make this summer just as dramatic and memorable as a JPG show.

Colorful summer outfits are hardly revolutionary; every other designer and brand on the market does it for the season. Gaultier, however, reinvents the tradition by hiding colors in the drabbest and most neutral of outfits. The contrast amplifies the color – a mandarin orange, in this collection’s case – into an explosion, whereas other designers would have left it as merely a pop of something lively.

You can translate this into your own clothes by assembling a completely neutral outfit and then adding or subbing in just one piece in a very bright color. It’s a handy trick; a lot of men find it difficult to balance a bright color. You get to wear the kind of bright shades that summer allows, while making sure that you don’t look anywhere near a crayon.

Master of Monochrome
Winter trends aren’t entirely eradicated by the arrival of warmer days. In fact, there are a few that regularly cross the season boundaries, making them good for the whole year. Monochrome is one such trend that has so far refused to die out.

You have to admit that wearing black and white will be effective for setting your clothes apart from the colorfully dressed masses. The restrictive palette is a fashion challenge, to be sure, but it carries great rewards for the man who can conquer it. Gaultier uses not-so-classic pieces to tackle the challenge in one of the most classic of ways.

Contrast piping and lining will most probably be difficult to find beyond the walls of a Gaultier shop, but you should pay close attention to the philosophy behind it. Gaultier used one color as a base for almost the entire outfit, and then put in small doses of the other neutral. You could get an original JPG contrast piping coat, or you could simply use contrasting accessories like a necktie, belt or pair of shoes to make the statement for you.

Once you tire of monochrome, it doesn’t take much to mix up this trend with the previous one. Simply throw in one or two bright, colorful pieces and you have an outfit that’s one part shocking but equally stylish.

High and Low
A large part of Gaultier’s fame in the late 80’s and early 90’s came from his eagerness to mix high fashion with ‘low’ streetwear – something that other designers have only begun doing recently. It’s a tradition that he continues to this day, and one that’s sartorially suitable for summer.

He mixes them pretty well, too. Not everyone could think of pairing something yuppie like a plain shirt under a razor slim tie with trousers cut like gym pants. A similar pair of track pants rounded off another outfit involving formal-ish blazer and scoop-neck tee. He has also picked up that great GQ-esque tradition of wearing low-cut sneakers with just about everything – including full suits.

One of the great things about mixing these things is that there’s a lot of room to interpret and not a lot of rules to follow. Just remember that your goal is to have some pieces bring out a strong contrast in another. Always keep an eye out for balance in terms of color, fit, cut and styling, just like JPG himself would do.

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Dolce & Gabbana Mens Summer Fashion
Ryan Reynolds in Suit and Tie

Your Cheap-Neckties.com Team – Your Site for Quality Cheap Ties

Winter Tie Collection – A Brief Preview of What is Coming This Winter Season

Even though we just started adding most of our designers’ fall collections, we are already reviewing those designer’s following winter collection for 2010. From browsing a wide range of collections we notices a few similarities between different brands and designers. What stayed are muted color shades such as grays, tans, olive, navy blues, and cherry reds. What is new for the 2010 winter collection are berry colored neckties that range from dark lavender to dark purple – almost teal in color.

The patterns range widely, and while some designers prefer intricate foulard designs, others opt for more paisley patterns, stripes, and even solids. For the most part the ties are made from a Jacquard woven silk rather than a screen-printed fabric. Weaving the fabric creates a thicker silk that has a heavier and richer feel that perfectly complements the rougher weather during the winter months. We expect to get our fist shipment of the winter tie collection by the end of September. We will update you as soon as the first shipment has been added to our store.

Your Cheap-Neckties.com Team

A Look at Dolce & Gabbana’s Mens Summer Fashon 2010

Even though we at Cheap-Neckties.com are all about value and don’t feature overpriced brands, we always look at the most recent design collections of high end fashin designers to learn about current trends. This article takes a deeper look at D&G’s men’s summer collection for 2010. Even if you don’t want to, or don’t have the means to, buys such high priced clothing items, there are many lessons you can take away and become better dressed.

More known for their racy ad photos featuring barely clad men and women, many forget that Dolce & Gabbana is still a formidable fashion house. Domenico and Stefano are still excellent at their craft, which is much more summer-friendly than their bad press might suggest. Here are some warm weather tips that you can pick up from the eponymous brand’s menswear collection for the season.

All-White Affair
Believe it or not, white is one of the trickiest colors to pull off in all of men’s fashion. Sure, a white shirt can go with any necktie in existence, but any other white garment will most likely be a challenge. Dolce & Gabbana show you how to weather the white storm.

There are two things you’ll want to keep in mind when wearing an all white outfit. First, break it up with a strong, dark color like black or gray. It doesn’t take a lot; just a belt and a black necktie should do. You could also layer in a single black piece like a vest or light cardigan. Going 100% white is extremely difficult to pull off, and you’re more likely to end up looking like a waiter.

Explore the range of black accessories that are available for men. Neckties (also check out our collection of White Ties), belts and shoes are easy to get, but scarves, watch straps and driving caps are equally effective for the effect. Small and subtle pieces will be best so that they can provide the contrast you want but won’t outshine the white color of your other clothes.

Secondly, look for menswear pieces that are as classic as possible. Structured suit jackets, flat front trousers and jeans all fall into this category. White is enough as a shocker as it is, and you don’t want to shock people too much in one go.

Loosen Up
Warm weather is a fact of life during summer. You either deal with it or sweat the season out. Tight, body-conscious styles can get uncomfortable, especially when heat and sweat are involved, which is why looser cuts are a strategic yet stylish choice for summer.

Stefano and Domenico, long known for their risqué, body-hugging wares, took a rather different approach for summer. Looser shirts, jackets and pants all helped to suggest that the summer man is one who is at ease with himself and the weather. It’s a state of mind that can be very comfortable to copy.

Look for softer fabrics and looser cuts for the rest of the season. They’ll keep your skin cooler because they fall away from your body. Loose pants, in particular, can be effective for making a style statement this season. If, however, you have a body that you’d like to show off a little more, some layering is in order. Slip a more fitted (but plain) white shirt or tank under a looser shirt and then leave the front unbuttoned. It dresses up your look somewhat, but doesn’t leave you seeming all fussy.

Ankle Appearances
Thom Browne started quite the fashion movement with his classically slim yet ankle-baring pants from a few seasons back. Even though the trend had its fair share of bad press, abbreviated pants were still all the rage for a while. Dolce & Gabbana refresh the trend by losing the tailored finish but retaining all the ankle of this style.

Rolled up pants were popular for most of spring, and it looks like they’ll be a bigger fixture throughout the summer. In place of Browne’s slim and perfectly tailored pants, Dolce & Gabbana’s version uses a looser cut and a rougher, rolled up hem to give the impression of a gentleman who wants to stay comfortable – and looks the part.

The ideal pair of summer pants is one with a fuller leg to give you some breathing room and a tapered leg to make rolling up easier. It’s the Dolce & Gabbana way of getting through the summer in style.

Other Suggested Readings:
Latest Fashion Trends
Mens Summer Shoes

Your Cheap-Neckties.com Team – More Than Cheap Ties on the Internet

Five Great Summer Buys for Under $20

You were probably thinking that $20 couldn’t get you anything more than a latte and a couple of Sabretts. Truth be told, it can make a real difference in your wardrobe if you know what to get and where to get it. Get one (or all) of these new pieces for this season and unlock some warm weather style courtesy of Lyndon B. Johnson.

Summer Buy #1: Board Shorts
Nobody at the beach will know that you’re not wearing $120 Villebrequin shorts and, unless you’re at St. Bart’s, you won’t be alone. $20 is sufficient for a pair of board shorts for the fashion- and budget-conscious man.

Board shorts are always a must for the summer, but only if you’re actually going to the beach. Solids, color blocks and geometrics are the most timeless designs – a darn sight more mature-looking than the graffiti-style Billabong ones anyway – that you can wear regardless of fashion trends. Pick out a strong, masculine color like navy or deep red so that you’re sending the right signals to everyone on the shore.

Check out the department stores and discount outlets for some truly righteous deals. Budget chains like Target also offer a decent selection for less than $20.

Summer Buy #2: Good Flip-Flops
Twenty bucks might seem a little steep for a pair of rubber slippers, but that’s really what a good pair costs in the US of A. A pair of Havaianas, one of the most well-known names on the market, will set you back around $16 regular retail.

Rest assured, though, that your flip-flops will perform when it counts. You won’t have to worry about broken straps at the beach, a fashion faux pas if there ever was one. Over in Brazil where everyone wears flip-flops daily, the pairs being sold for $18 and $20 in the States have been known to withstand years of abuse. You want that kind of reliability when you’re making your own style statement on the beach.

Black and plain describe the ideal pair of flip-flops. They’re simple and understated. You already worry about your board shorts and your beach bag, among other things. Why add to the list?

Summer Buy #3: Straw Fedora
Hats may have become cliché on the runway, but pieces that are this functional never go out of fashion completely. Not only does a straw fedora resist sun, sweat and sand, but it also lends the perfect amount of laid back summer vibe to any outfit you could think of.

Keep it small, plain and understated. You don’t want a huge brim that hides your face and ends up making the hat look like a parasol. A trim brim and shape will keep you looking fun and ready for action without making it hard to move or see. Besides, you want other people to be able to see the face that hides under the hat.

A plain straw fedora always works best, and you don’t need to go for any of the colored varieties. If it looks like straw, you’re good to go. A ribbon isn’t required – people aren’t usually sticklers to style on the beach – but pick a strong, dark color if you have it.

Summer Buy #4: White Jeans
Once you get off the sand and on to the shore, you have to cover yourself up a little more. A pair of white jeans is the most iconic summer item you could wear for casual and, with price tags that don’t even hit $20, now’s a great time to learn to use them.

Pair a white pair with a colorful shirt and a classic pair of shoes, and you could even add a casual belt for good measure. You want to pay close attention to fit because it dictates the overall effect of the jeans. The Euro-style body-conscious pairs over at H&M (which retail for $19) are some of the best for the season.

Summer Buy #5: Fabric Watch Straps
Think of these as the knit neckties of the watch world: you’re giving a casual vibe to an item that used to be exclusively formal. There’s a practical side to the switcheroo as well. Not only does it cost less than buying a new timepiece, but it’s also much more hygienic than sticking to leather during the sweatiest of seasons.

Other Suggested Readings:
Mens Summer Fashion Tips 2010
Easy Mens Summer Fashion Tips
Mens Fashion Colors 2010

Your Cheap-Neckties.com Team – Cheap Ties on the Web

New Summer Style – What Items to Buy for Summer 2010

Summer is a great time to bring out – or at least grow – a sense of fashion. The season puts equal value on both aesthetic and comfort, and looking good is also about feeling good in what you’re wearing. Finding that perfect balance of ease and style isn’t always easy, but the outfits are worth repeating. Here’s some new territory that you might not have seen yet but will be worth the attempt this season.

Cotton for Gentlemen
Beside the silks and wools of high-end men’s fashion, cotton can seem like an awfully ‘low’ fabric. For summer, though, you can forget all about its pedestrian and plebian status; cotton is simply one of the most comfortable things you could find.

The cotton shirt and pants are, of course, already style staples for spring and summer. Did you know that cotton is used in more than just those? Cotton neckties and cotton pocket squares have become very common in the last few years. They’re perfect investments for the man who wants to retain that gentlemanly touch throughout the year, but doesn’t want the heft of a silk necktie in the warmer months.

Pick them out in light colors and bright happy patterns like blue gingham checks on white or a pastel pink print. The fabric keeps you cool through the heat, while the lightness of the color helps transition even fall pieces into summer. Equally summery pieces like a lighter jacket or a straw fedora should round out that warm weather vibe.

White Jeans
Say ‘jeans’ and the default color that will pop into anyone’s head is blue or maybe even black or gray. The white jean, meanwhile, is a stomping ground only for the truly style-savvy. What does it take to pull off the coolest of colors in the hottest of seasons?

First off, you’re going to need some other colors. Although white on white on white can be a very fashionable combination, it’s trickier to do than most, and you may not be able to pull it off just yet. Start by pairing non-white hues with the jeans, such as on a shirt, a pair of shoes or both. Pastels work better with duller whites like dirty white or bone; a cleaner, ‘brighter’ white needs an equally bold shade to keep up with it.

Black deserves special mention because the monochromatic outfit is one of the first looks that the modern fashion-conscious man masters. Noir accessories – shoes, belt, necktie and pocket square, to name a few – make the outfit interesting by adding shots of color. By keeping everything else white, the contrast and color play is much easier to spot.

Shirts with Shorts
You likely have a strict policy of only wearing your shirts with pants. Maybe you’d wear them with khakis, but nothing less formal than that. Now that the sun is at full strength, though, you may want to consider pairing shorts with your favorite shirts. You get much better ventilation and a shot at getting tanned, beach-ready legs to boot.

Before going there, you’ll have to change your concept of ‘shorts’. A lot of men only own two kinds: sport shorts for the gym and cargo shorts for everywhere else. Shorts also have dressier relatives, flat front pieces that are all clean lines and classic colors. Think of the usual chinos, only this pair ends a bit above your knee – now those are the shorts that any gentleman would be proud to wear in the summer.

Choose and wear them like you would flat-front chinos; you’re working with the same fashion elements, only slightly less dressy and with more leg. A white shirt is still classic, but pastels like blues and pinks work equally well to make it lively. Do you want to make it even more interesting? Wear a check pattern like plaid. Do you have dandy aspirations this summer? Throw in a contrasting cotton tie or bow tie to make it distinctive.

Summers can get all warm and uncomfortable, but you shouldn’t let that limit your style choices. There’s still a lot that you can do, as long as you’re willing to step out of your fashion comfort zone.

Other Suggested Readings:
Latest Fashion Trends for Men
Easy Mens Summer Fashion Tips
Mens Fashion Colors 2010

Your Cheap-Neckties.com Team

Summer Style Shortcuts for Men

Riding with current fashions isn’t always the easiest of tasks. Aside from keeping up with the trends, you also have to watch out for aesthetics, balance and a lot of other factors. Dressing for fall, however, is particularly easy for men because there are certain items that immediately capture the ‘vibe’ of summer. Without thinking too much, these pieces will give you an instant summery outfit with all the style and none of the fuss.

Patterns and Colors
Matching neckties to shirts has always been held as an essential skill for grown-up men, but you can make even more use of coordination in the summer. Mixing bright colors and fun patterns puts an instant summery feel into any outfit you throw on. But: make sure that each pattern is different is size and preferably also different in design.

If all you ever wear are blues and whites, summer is the perfect reason to expand your wardrobe’s color palette. Pinks, greens and yellows are also very summery colors, not to mention cooler ones if you get their lighter pastel hues. Even when all you’re wearing is a shirt with khakis, these happier colors will lend a jolt of energy to your look.

Patterns also contribute in creating that fun, summery feel. Try going for less dressy ones like gingham, plaid or chalk stripes in a “summer color” like tangerine. The mindset behind summer fashion is that the season is fleeting; there’s no time to be shy, and you have to have fun at every possible moment before fall arrives and the leaves turn.

Accessories Always Help
Summer is always about fun, fun, fun. Whether that means bumming on the beach or taking a road trip is up to you, but it’s a mindset that you’ll want to bring out in your clothes. Throwing accessories into the mix always helps to create that laid back feel that is the unmistakable trademark of summer.

Fabric accessories are the easiest and most effective accessories you could get for the season because they’re lightweight and comfortable to wear. Hardy materials like twine, canvas and hemp are the summer style staples in terms of accessories, and you could get them in everything from necklaces to bracelets. You don’t need to completely drape them over yourself; just two or three should do the trick. But also keep in mind the occasion you are dressing for. Such accessories may not suit your daily business attire.

Also consider those accessories that have always been associated with a certain lifestyle. Shell chokers – those white and brown strings that American Eagle loves to hawk – are a hallmark of life on the beach, for example. Even if you’re not really a beach man, these items help create your summer story for you.

Summer’s Sleek Canvas
Canvas might be looked down upon as the territory of skater kids and all things Vans, but the fabric can be just as stylish on a grown-up man. In fact, canvas accessories are exactly what you need to get through high summer in high style.

What’s so great about canvas? First, it’s pretty tough. It’s not unheard of for canvas items to last years, even decades of use and abuse. From beachfront to interstate, the textile is a pretty reliable summer companion. In the same breath, it’s also a very versatile material, and you can find it used in everything from bags to shoes.

If you’re going to go for “killer style” this summer, canvas accessories are a must. Shoes are the easiest to find, especially since a multitude of brands now make them. Look for simple, sleek and clean silhouettes – take the classic plimsoll style, for example – since they can be paired with most everything. They can look dressy or casual depending on the rest of your outfit, but they will never, ever seem fussy or overthought.

A canvas bag is also a good fashion investment for summer, whether you attend classes, go to an office or simply need something to lug stuff around. Again, simple lines work best with canvas; decorative zippers and multiple pockets tend to make the item feel overworked and contrived. Excellent are messenger bags made from linen.

Summer fashion has many distinctive trademarks, those little details that simply scream of sun, sand and surf. You need only bring out a few of them to really put yourself – and your style – in that summer mood.

Other Related Readings:
Mens Summer Shoes
Mens Fashion Colors 2010

Your Cheap Neckties Team

Best Selling Pink Ties

Are you bold enough to wear pink? Pink has been a popular color in mens fashion since the 60s and every designer adds hues of pink to their collections – particularly for during spring and summer. This is no different with ties. Below are our top 3 selling pink ties and advice on how to best show off each tie.

Pink Striped Tie
If the plain pink tie is to boring then this striped tie may just be right for you. The narrow pink stripes are not printed on but are woven into a lighter rose-pink background. It is a perfect tie for any navy, gray, charcoal, or tan suit. Our top outfit for this tie: Navy blue suit that is either solid in color as a larger but subtle check pattern, or a very fine Birdseye pattern. Then pair this suit with a solid white, french cuffed dress shirt, a pair of brushed stainless steel cufflinks, and light brown dress shoes – a look that will definitely turn heads and get you plenty of compliments.

Pink Floral Tie
Another beautiful pink necktie with an unusual design pattern. Have a closer look at the design of this tie. This tie features 4 different shapes of blossoms that alternative in dark pink and rose on a light pink background. This pattern is not printed on but insteady woven into the fabric – creating a more textured look and giving the tie a thicker more luxurious feel. This tie can be worn with most suit colors. One great outfit for this tie: Light gray pin striped suit, rose colored dress shirt, black shoes and matching black belt.

Pink Tie with Shamrocks
This handmade silk tie will definitely add a more fashionable touch without compromising the classic and elegant business look from suit & tie. Have a closer look at the fabric pattern. Tiny shamrocks in a slightly darker shade of pink are woven onto a rose pink background color. Even though this tie will look great with any gray, navy, or tan suit, we prefet to show this tie off with the following ensemble: White herringbone pattern dress shirt, medium-gray pin striped suit, black oxford dress shoes and black leather belt. For more matching tips and for a larger image, please click on the picture on the left.

Your Cheap-Neckties.com Team – Cheap Neck and Cheap Bow Ties on the Internet

Most Popular Green Ties for Spring 2010

In the past few years light green has always been one of the best selling necktie colors for the spring and summer months. Green is a color that is often times associated with prosperity, vitality, and a good life. Brighter shades of green often times remind of young flower shoots, fresh grass, and new leaves and branches. It is the perfect color for the spring and summer! Below are some of our best selling green ties for the spring. To see a larger image please click on your favorite tie below. Each tie is only $10!

Grass Green Necktie
A bold grass-green necktie with fine white stripes. This tie will let everyone know that spring is here! Even though this tie is quite bright it is still well suited for daily business attire. The narrow white stripes look great when matched with a solid white dress shirt. The best suit colors for this tie are navy, tan, and light gray. Made from microfiber.

Pear Green Necktie
A rare pear-green color on a mens tie! This tie is one of our most popular green ties worn at weddings. This tie has excenet shine and is simply made for the festive occasion during a sunny spring or summer day. Even though this tie is popular for weddings it is still a great choice for your office attire. We recommend pairing this tie with a solid white dress shirt and navy blue suit. Because this tie is pattern-less we suggest wearing a suit with either pin stripes, herringbone, or checkered pattern. Made from microfiber.

Lime and Purple Striped Tie
Looking for a tie that will make you stand out? Looking for something bold and brightly colored but also want to keep the “professional look” that is required by your office dress code? Then this bright lime-green and purple striped tie will be perfect for you. This tie will add all the color you will need. We suggest pairing this tie with light gray, navy, or tan colored suit and a solid white dress shirt. Made from stain resistant micro fiber material.

Light Lime-Green Tie
This light lime-green tie is perfect for those who want some color but do not want to the “flash” that some of the brightest green ties can add. The subtle foulard pattern on this tie is woven into the fabric. It adds a nice textured look the the fabric and helps reflect the light. This tie can be worn with many shirt and suit combination. Our favorite look for this tie is the light gray suit with fine white pin stripes, and a solid white dress shirt. The perfect look that is fresh and vivid but also conservative enough to adhere to any office dress code. Made from stain-resistant microfiber.

Your Cheap Neckties Team

Men’s Fashion 2010: New Colors

The start of a new year usually signals the entry of new movements and trends in men’s fashion. That, however, rarely means a complete wardrobe overhaul. Most of the time, getting on board the newest bandwagon of male style simply requires the purchase of a few items that will update your existing repertoire of clothes. With 2010 now upon you, it’s high time to give some thought about the new entries to your wardrobe.

Bright Shirts
It’s a widely held notion that men’s fashion tends to lean on the drab side as a means of adhering to ‘classic’ styles. That’s part of the reason why plain white shirts and plain black shoes hold their place of honor in every man’s wardrobe. Some novelty is on the horizon, however, as brightly colored shirts will be an emerging trend in the next few seasons.

Men shy away from color for a number of reasons. Some see it as an effeminate aspect of clothing, while others simply don’t know how to wear any color other than black, white or gray. This emergence of strong, bright colors is not without purpose. When done right, it adds life and energy to any old outfit that would otherwise have been humdrum.

The trick to pulling off a bright shirted style is to allow your shirt to be the star of your outfit. Keep the rest of your look to simple, nondescript pieces, and that goes for every item from your eyeglasses to your shoe laces. Giving the spotlight to the eye-catching hue means giving it the attention that it’s meant to get, while at the same time avoiding any clashing or possible eyesore that it could create with other pieces you’re wearing.

Lively Pocket Squares
If men’s fashion as a whole already leans in a not-so-interesting direction, then the office attire segment is even more drab than the usual. Considering the kinds of dress codes that are usually imposed in offices, you’re not left with a lot of space to dress up creatively.

One way that you could add some life into an office ensemble that’s dull as dishwater is to tuck a patterned pocket square into your front jacket pocket instead of the usual solid white fabric. Plaids and checks are becoming increasingly common in men’s boutiques, and fashion observers are taking notice. Buy yourself a set of five, wear one a day to the office and watch as your colleagues try to spot the imperceptible difference in your look.

Remember, however, that pocket squares have very little visual real estate, so keep its competition to a minimum. Like what you would do with the brightly colored shirt, the lively pocket square must be paired with simple style pieces to achieve maximum effect.

Brown Accessories
For decades, black leather has maintained its dominance in the accessories segment of men’s fashion. Whether it’s a pair of lace-ups or a tote bag for the office, odds are good that you own it in black leather. You may, however, want to change that position for 2010, as brown is beginning to steal the thunder that once belonged to black.

It’s been an ongoing trend for the last few months, and it’s highly likely that brown leather accessories will enter the year 2010 in the spotlight. More and more men are switching allegiance over to brown (for now, at least) as a pleasant break from all the black. And why not? It’s as traditional and classic as black, and has a similarly rich heritage rooted in centuries of menswear. In short, it’s just as good as any other color, if not better.

A big part of the trend began when men began wearing brown shoes and belts instead of black ones with gray suits as a more traditional and sartorial choice. Now that the range of the selection has expanded, though, don’t be surprised if you see magazines and store displays putting brown belts and shoes on everything from gray suits to denim jeans. It takes some getting used to, but it strikes a particularly dapper cord in any outfit.

You May Also Like to Read:
Matching a Pink Dress Shirt
Floral Ties in Lavender and Purple

Your Cheap Neck Ties Team