Tip-of-the-Day: Goodwill Hunting

Now that cold weather is officially upon us, it's time to break out the heavier fabrics. I love this time of year because I have some kind of fettish for heavy oxford cloths, wool flannels, tweeds, and cashmeres. In fact, I like these thicker fabrics so much, I try to wear them head to toe in cold weather, including in my breast pocket.

I was looking to change up my basic white linen/cotton pocket square that I wear so often for something heavier, and more colorful, but couldn't find anything I liked, and didn't really want to pay $75 for a fricking handkerchief. So, here's my secret...

Go to a thrift or goodwill store:

Pick up a plaid flannel shirt for about $4:

Cut a square 16" x 16" out of the back of the shirt:

Fold the square like this:

 TA-DA! You have a brand new, one-of-a-kind, winter-ized pocket square, for $4!

The great thing about this is, not only do you save $$ and get a truly unique accessory, but you also have a selection of hundreds, maybe thousands of fabrics to choose from.

Yours in style,
SB

Tip-of-the-Day: Perky Pocket

Don't you hate when your pocket square falls into your pocket and nobody can see it? Well I do.

Here's a quick and simple solution: pin it in place.

I usually do this with a simple lapel pin (the ones with the small gold clip on the backside). Reach down inside your breast pocket and stick the pin through your folded (or "puffy") pocket square and through the inside of your pocket so that the small clip is on the inside of your jacket.

For those who don't like the idea of making a small hole in your jacket lining, the same trick can be accomplished using small magnets.

There you go, no more pesky disappearing pocket accessories.

Yours in style, SB

Tip-of-the-Day: Hanky Panky

A pocket square, so small and so simple, can completely transform an outfit. It is one of the few areas where even the most conservative man can have fun with his wardrobe.

A few guidelines:

- If you are bold (and experienced) try a flash of color with a unique pattern to compliment the rest of your outfit. It can play off another subtle color in your outfit, or it can just be a random pop of color

- If you are a beginner, or more conservative, or 007, go with the most classic: solid white cotton or linen folded square, not puffy. It never fails.

- Cotton and linen usually are easier to pull off than silk.

- Going puffy is adventurous, but can blow up in your face. When in doubt, fold it square and only show about a quarter inch (like your shirt cuffs under your jacket)

- White goes with everything

- If your shirt and tie are already loud (bold color, strong check or stripe...) then you probably don't want to wear a loud pocket square...you risk looking like you are trying to hard

- Never say never, but NEVER wear a matching tie and pocket square

- Lastly, when in a jam, be creative (see Tip-of-the-day March 11th)

Yours in style, Style Blogger.

Tip-of-the-Day: Rock it with confidence

A guy can wear almost anything (within reason) as long as he wears it with confidence. Granted you have some basic sense of style, and I assume you do since you are reading this, you shouldn’t be afraid to take risks. As long as you are comfortable in it and wear it confidently you should be fine. With that said, however, if there is a certain something that you've been itching to try but you think it may look ridiculous, you may want to consult a close friend before walking out the door. Nevertheless, the take-away message here is that if you walk down the street thinking you look silly; chances are that other people are thinking the same.

I once wore a pair of pink linen pants with a short sleeve shirt and a bow tie to a ‘business casual’ event and only got compliments on my unique sense of style (it was in the summer, of course). In a related story, a friend of mine (who’s name will remain anonymous for obvious reasons) after a night out on the town, was about to leave his girlfriend's apartment when he realized that he had lost his pocket square. As a replacement he stole a pair of lace panties out of her drawer and stuffed them into his breast pocket. They were the perfect shade of turquoise and it made his outfit. No one was the wiser and he actually got some compliments at work that day. Genius.

Please note that this post, nor any part of this blog, encourages the theft or wearing of women's undergarments. Thanks.

Yours in style, Style Blogger.