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Last week, you may have noticed some changes to the blog's main site - the addition of a section for XMI's latest masterpiece, the Signature Back shirt..!
For full size and full effect, please click on the image below!
You can check out more about the XMI Signature Back on that section of the blog, Here.
Oh, and happy Cinco De Mayo. Eat the worm.
Sara Cullen, a Michigan design student, created garments incorporating XMI silks into the designs. She recently came to the XMI factory in Chippewa Falls, WI with some models in tow to do a photo shoot I KNOW you'll appreciate...
Sara premieres her collection at the Stout Silhouettes Fashion Show.
We're now in the midst of Spring with Summer steadily approaching. It's time once again to update your wardrobe! Just be sure not to give in to the 'enemies of style', brought to us by Christopher Muther at the Boston Globe, gentlemen.
Even sexier when paired with white sneakers. Why it's a fashion crime: Why should mom have all the fun? Dad also needs a comfortable, unflattering jean with a high waist and a full seat. This is the jean that isn't afraid to say, "I've given up on my appearance." The light color and nondescript cut means that they could have come from any era, but there's a very good chance that they are older than Miley Cyrus. Ditto for the white gym sneakers that act as the constant companion to the dad jean. A better option: Replace your ancient jeans with dark-rinse denim, and don't be afraid to look for a cut that flatters. Remember Jason Bateman's character in "Juno"? Exactly. Why it's a fashion crime: Once the go-to look of Sundance Film Festival attendees and indie rockers from cold climes, this combination is officially past its freshness date and is now being sported by every would-be-hipster and tot under 10. A better option: Wear the short-sleeve T under the long-sleeve T. You're still warm, and no longer look like you're desperately clinging to the sweet sparrow of youth. Uhhh, Ok... It says "I'm warm and sporty", even in the office! Why it's a fashion crime: Perfect for the office adventurer who finds sweaters to be too constricting for extreme tasks such as stapling and typing. Fleece vests are fine if worn while hiking, biking, or golfing, but the miracle fabric should be banned from the workplace. A better option: A sweater vest offers arm freedom, warmth, and looks like it belongs in an office as opposed to the Appalachian Trail. Perfect pleats for showing off that cellphone holster! Why it's a fashion crime: A funny thing happened 10 years ago: cellphones got small enough to fit inside a pocket. Instead of accepting this simple fact, the mobile-phone accessories industry has cast a nefarious spell over the men of America, convincing them it's necessary to display their phones on their trousers. When those trousers happen to be pleated, all attention falls to the waist. A better option: Unless you're a Scandinavian model, stay away from pleats. And if your phone or BlackBerry is too big for your front pocket, invest in a messenger bag already. Add copious amounts of hair gel for optimal effect! Why it's a fashion crime: The combination of untucked striped shirt, boot-cut jean and over-gelled hair says, "2002 was a very good year, I'm going to keep reliving it. Got a problem with that?" A better option: Start by tucking in your shirt, please. Stripes are fine in moderation, but other prints may want to come out to party occasionally, too. And for the love of Rami Kashou, get rid of the flare jeans with the crazy pocket stitching. When it comes to jeans, think skinny, dark, and simple.The dad jean
The double tee
The fleece vest
The pleated khaki
The nightlife uniform
The weather is finally getting warmer - Spring is here!
It's about time to put your winter clothing in the attic and start updating your warm-weather wardrobe (try saying that 5 times fast). After all, you don't want to wind up like this guy...
Thanks to the folks over at The Onion for the art (which, incase you're too thickheaded to notice, is a parody of the New York Times fashion magazine).
Spring `08 style tips coming soon.
In the wake of the scintillating Elliot Spitzer saga in NY, you'd think that we'd be discussing how hot Spitzer's 'escort' is like everyone else (or how ludicrous it was for him to pay thousands for her...services)...
Instead, today we bring you a discussion from Harry Sheff, Web Editor/Editor at Large at MRketplace Magazine, who's recent blog post discusses "How to Choose the Right Tie for a Scandal".
“He might be apologizing with his words, but his tie says 'no',” image consultant Karen Brunger told me when I referred her to a photo of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. It was one day after he appeared in front of the press to apologize for his prostitution scandal.
What’s the appropriate attire for a scandal? I called Brunger after someone pointed out the fact that Spitzer and New Jersey Governor James McGreevey wore the exact same outfits (dark suits, white shirts and red and black repp ties) when they offered their mea culpas in front of the cameras.
(AP photo)
Add to that the fact that these governors’ wives were both wearing light blue tailored blazers and pearls, and you have a remarkable coincidence, as the Dallas Morning News pointed out last Tuesday. Or was it?
The whole discussion can be viewed on MRketplace.com.
In celebration of Easter, I bring you an excerpt of a post by Rich Smiraldi from eHow.com, on "How to Survive a Family Gathering":
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Step 6:
Now you are ready to beginning planning for the event. What will you wear? I suggest dressing elegantly. Don't dress too over the top - remember these aren't the Academy Awards, but dress in a way to let the members of your family know that you put in some extra special effort. Remember, you are leaving any attitudes or negative energy at the door.
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So, in conclusion, don't show up looking like this...
...original post can be found Here.
Today's post lists 6 clothing items every grown man should AVOID wearing, courtesy of AskMen.com's fashion correspondent, Farah Averill:
Sit outdoors at a cafe or have a drink at a bar with a view of passersby and you'll quickly notice something strange — grown-ups in children's clothing. While women are guilty of this sin too (pigtails anyone?), men tend to be particularly prone to wearing clothes they should have thrown out a decade ago. Most men don't live to shop, so it's natural to not feel like your wardrobe needs to be revamped every season. However, every so often, it's necessary to take a cold hard look at the garments in your closet and determine what's out of style, and more importantly, what you've matured out of wearing.
If it's time for you to clean out your closet, read on for our suggestions on the items you should quickly donate to your favorite charity.
Oversized clothing
One of the greatest crimes committed against fashion by men is wearing oversized clothes. While big and baggy might have been a cool look in high school, if you've reached the legal drinking age, it's no longer hip. Though some of the stars who helped popularize this look, such as Jay-Z, continue to occasionally sport baggier jeans and shirts, they compensate by accessorizing their look with a Ferrari. So unless you plan to turn up in front of Madison Square Garden in a Maserati, it's time to shift your style mentor from Coolio to Kanye West.
Also, know that no one wants to see your ass hanging out of your clothes, and it's high time for you to admit that fastening your belt around your butt is just plain uncomfortable. Take a cue from John Legend and purchase some slim-fit shirts and pants that don't look like you're wearing a soggy diaper. If you're a little on the heavier side and you've been wearing baggy clothes to conceal your figure flaws, you should be aware this tactic also qualifies as a fashion misstep. Larger men should choose clothes that skim over the body, creating a smooth-looking shape, and choose darker colors to appear slimmer. Avoid baggy, shapeless garments that make you look like a balloon.
Replace with: Form-fitting shirts, knee-length or just-above-the-knee shorts that fit well, and pants that suit your body type.
Backpacks
If you've successfully managed to make the transition from school to work, your daily carryall should reflect your entry into the adult world. While stylish backpacks are certainly available, they are best suited to students. Many men persist in wearing backpacks because these allow them to fit all their daily necessities into one bag, but a messenger bag offers the same convenience, and so much more stylishly. So if your day is no longer filled with the pursuit of academic knowledge, it's time to trade in your rucksack for a more fashionable, adult alternative. Avoid looking like a tourist or a conference attendee, however, and go for one in slick black leather or a bright color. A messenger with handles and a detachable shoulder strap is a great option for those who find themselves frequently traveling to business meetings, since it can double as a briefcase.
Replace with: Messenger bag.
Baseball caps
Wearing a baseball cap is acceptable only in either of two situations. One of these, of course, is during a sporting event or while engaging in athletic activity. The other scenario in which a baseball cap is passable fashion-wise is when the cap is merely a planned, complementary component to a cleverly put-together ensemble. Unfortunately, too many men wear baseball caps everywhere they go, with many using it as a strategy to avoid grooming. Moreover, women are biologically predisposed to read baseball caps as a sign that says, "This person is unsuitable for mating." To a female, baseball caps signify an adolescent attitude, so if you're attempting to attract a woman of legal age, forgo the cap in favor of more fashionable headgear or a stylish haircut. Hats can be a fun way to add flair to an outfit, and since bad hair days are a reality for everyone, try swapping your cap for a more au-courant cover-up, like a trilby.
Replace with: Other fashion hats, like trilbies or driving caps.
Jeans with holes
Yes, it's true that distressed denim is everywhere these days, and a lot of it looks pretty hot. While we endorse the purchase of such artfully destroyed denim, should that be your thing, we cannot condone wearing a $30 pair of jeans that you've beaten to death over the course of the last 10 years. Sure, they're really comfortable, which is why you keep wearing them, but if they feel like a second skin, it's probably because they've started to look like one. If your wardrobe is filled with only this type of jean, you are strongly advised to go shopping immediately and not come back until you ve found a pair of dark blue jeans that fit you perfectly, with no stylized flaws; you'll wear them everywhere for the next two years. And don't worry: you can still wear your old favorites around the house.
Replace with: New jeans that fit your body properly.
Sleeveless shirts
Fact: The only men who consider sleeveless shirts to be stylish are men who wear sleeveless shirts. The reason men who wear sleeveless shirts are the sole admirers of this style is as follows: 1) Unless you re naked or in a bathing suit, women don t want to see your armpit hair; 2) Unless you're Mr. Universe, most other men are not impressed with the gauge of your guns. If you have bulging biceps you're just dying to show off, women will be much more impressed with your smokin bod if you ditch your sleeveless shirt for a fitted T-shirt. Individuals without seriously honed muscles should stick to regular tees.
Replace with: T-shirts.
Multiple jewelry items
Another common fashion faux pas grown men make is wearing several pieces of jewelry at once. While you may feel a sense of pride in showing off your pricey baubles, others view over-accessorizing as an attempt to bury insecurities in a blinding display of wealth. A confident man chooses one bold piece of jewelry to speak for itself rather than a confusing mishmash of metal. When it comes to jewelry, less is always more, since accessories are meant to complement your attire instead of be the main attraction. A classic watch will always look good and be in vogue, but try a simple black leather cuff if time is simply not of the essence to you.
Replace with: Single watch.
Be a man. Once you enter adulthood, certain clothing items just aren't acceptable — unless, of course, you're aiming for a lifetime of bachelorhood and playing video games in your parent's basement.
(Original post link Here.)
The popularity of the recent film, “The Bucket List”, hasn’t been lost on me (that Jack Nicholson is a character- and a man of style like myself). While I often travel to exotic locales, dine at exquisite restaurants, and generally live the good life, I’ve been giving this a lot of thought…here’s a list of the top 10 activities that would be on my own bucket list:
1. Watching the sun set from the balcony of the Doge’s Suite in the Danieli, while Cameron Diaz massages my thighs and hands me the occasional white truffle…
2. Bagging the limit on opening day of the Scottish Grouse Season with a Martin Smith engraved Purdey 12-bore side-by-side. Following the shoot, retire to the Lodge at Granton-on-Spey for a quiet evening with Lord Carnavon’s very naughty twin daughters, Elspeth and Tatine...
3. Flogging a ’67 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C along the Haute Corniche from Fre´jus to Cannes, en route to having lunch with Helen Mirren, pool-side, in a cabana at the Hotel Gray d’Albion…
4. Enjoying a bottle of the ’86 La Tache Gran Cru Vosne Romanee with Angelina Jolie, before retiring to a candle-lit palazzo on the Isolo San Biagio…
5. Having Pamela Anderson (yes, that Pamela Anderson) lick single-malt scotch out of my navel while I savor the heady buzz of a Rey Del Mundo Lonsdale… and the expectation of some very “invigorating” post-smoke shenanigans.
6. See Hilary Clinton tried and convicted for impersonating a genuine, compassionate human being …
7. Piloting a Hatteras 60 off Tanzania’s Mafia Island, on the hunt for the Indian Ocean’s largest black Marlin with my new, topless best friends, Jessica Alba and Kate Winslet, who keep asking for assistance applying sunscreen…
8. Getting thoroughly rat-assed and trading lead riffs on a pre-war Martin Dreadnaught with Lucinda Williams and Jimmy Vaughn at the Club Macambo club in Austin… playing Lucinda’s arrangement of the late Stevie Ray’s, “That’s My Baby with the White Boots...”
9. Getting kitted out for a big evening in London with Salma Hayek at Welsh & Jeffries, followed by a shoe fitting at John Lobb (particularly fond of those chocolate suede, double monk straps), and a late din-din at Gordon Ramsay, seated in Preston’s wait station, near the dimly lit stairway…
10. Having the female cast of Desperate Housewives model the contents of the Spring ’08 La Perla catalogue, followed by an ardent discussion of thong selection and comfort strategies…
...it's more of an art than a science! Here are a few simple guidelines that can make matching a shirt and tie effortless.
Complement Color
Contrast Patterns
(This helpful guide and the photos will be archived permanently in the XMI Style Pairing 'How to XMI' section)
Still not 100% confident? E-MAIL US YOUR QUESTIONS and we'll answer them right here!
Check back later this week for some helpful photos that will further illustrate these guidelines.
Appearances Matter.
