COORDINATE MEN'S CLOTHING: COLORS AND PATTERN MATCHING

by: Leroy Fong

It is common for most men to face dilemma in mens fashion coordination. Our typical questions are:

How to match colors for mens dress shirts and mens dress pants?
How to coordinate checks with stripes?
What are the colors suitable between my suits and ties?
Are the colors and patterns matching my suits and ties?

These questions kept popping up because men generally has a poorer power of visualization than women. Men can not imagine the way things look like based on the colors and patterns through imagination. So there is a strong reliance for pictures to provide guidance for men's dressing.

Therefore, I will attempt to address these concerns and provide the fundamental information necessary to achieve the best coordination. When we look at color coordination, there are two aspects to focus on: Coordinating mens clothing against our complexion and creating color harmony between different hues and shades.

For dealing with colors involving our complexion, we would not want to wear colors that brings out the negative aspect of our complexion. For example, if you are very fair with light colored hair, then you should not be wearing pale colored shirts like yellow or white that will wash out your facial complexion further. Instead choose earthy colors to warm up the face with vibrancy.

Color combination between clothing would require the understanding of hues and tones. It is the similarity and contrasting criteria of hues and tones that brings the harmony when combining these colors. We must learn how to use the vivid colors against the dull and light colors to accentuate different parts of your men's clothing. It catches attention and yet not steal the focus away from your face.

For mixing pattern, there is coordination between pattern of same design and patterns of different designs. The ultimate challenge is mixing three or four patterns together but not looking ridiculous at all. The fundamental art of working with patterns is the understanding of scales and sizes of patterns so that you can merge them together without creating tension or strong clashing vibration.

Overall, the aim of coordination for colors and patterns is to achieve naturalness as well as bringing out the best blend that brightens up the man’s overall look.

In order to learn the art of achieving the best coordination, we would have to play around with our clothing to realize the concept. Thereafter, mixing and matching colors and patterns would just come as a natural flow in you. It is through the consistent trial and error that we build up our knowledge of what goes with what and how we can best coordinate them.

THE KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL DATING FOR MEN

by: Nathalie Fiset,M.D

Dating is probably one of the most exciting yet daunting adventures any single individual might ever encounter. Traditional dating—meeting up, going out and eating out—with somebody you are interested with can be a challenge as well as a learning experience for everyone.

More than the women, men feel more pressured when going out on a date because they are expected to do almost everything to make the date a success. Since they are the ones who will carry out most of the so-called “dating tasks” here are some tips that can help men go through with the exciting process of dating the girl they are interested with.

BARING THE BASIC DATING ESSENTIALS

Dating can be a daunting task especially for those men who haven’t dated for a long time, for those who haven’t been successful with women, and even for those guys who are so used to dating without knowing the basic rules in playing the game.

Remember, people need conform the rules whether they like it or not. In the case of dating, there are simple rules that need to be followed to ensure success for both parties.

1. Ensure cleanliness by keeping on eye on your hygiene and style. The worst thing any man can do is to turn up on a date smelling, unshaven, and looking dirty so the first thing you should do is to take a bath, brush your teeth, and shave those stubborn stubbles. Men who do not know how to maintain hygiene are no-nos for the more hygienic sex. So it pays to spray on some decent cologne and gargle before you meet up with your date.

2. Dress up to look your best. Looking your best when you go out on a date gives the idea that you have prepared for the special occasion even if it’s only a first date. If you don’t have enough dough to buy new shoes or clothes, at least try to wear those decent ones to impress your date.

3. Be on time. The first impression of women is usually based on how much men value their time. If you ask a woman on a date, make sure that you can turn up on time because not doing so will give her the impression that you don’t value your word. If you don’t want your date to think you are unreliable, try be early or at least on time when going out on a date.

4. Before asking someone out, make sure you have a job to flaunt. Women always find security in men you are secured themselves. Although financial stability is too early to discuss, your current job will give her an idea if you can manage dating her for a long time. Men who have jobs give women the impression that they are ambitious and they have the will to go on top.

5. Do all the necessary preparations. Preparing for things you can say during the date will ensure the easy flow of conversation all throughout. Getting your knowledge levels up and sharing it with your date will definitely make her date interested. The safest topic to discuss includes current events so make sure you watch the news or read quality broadsheets.

6. Know when to stop talking and start listening. Opening up topics for a conversation will pave the way for an interesting intellectual stimulation but you must know when the ice has been broken. After you have given your thoughts on a certain topic, ask her what she thinks and listen to her intently.

7. Issues on bills. The general rule in dating is that whoever asks for that date should pay for it. Since you are the one who asked for and you are the man, then, by all means, you should pay the bill. But if the idea of your paying for the entire bill does not sit well to the woman you’re dating and she insists paying for her own, make a compromise. Suggest that she pays the half and you’ll pay for the rest.

8. Being a gentleman pays. Simple things that show your gentleness like holding the door open for her, letting her walk through the door first, and pulling out a chair for her will definitely make an impact on her. Showering her compliments throughout the day will also make her think that you appreciate her efforts of looking good for the date.

9. Watch out for body language. After the date, watch out for her body language before attempting to kiss her goodnight or before trying to seduce her to jump into your bed. Sex on first date is not a good thing unless she wants to. Lastly, don’t tell her that you’ll call her if you don’t have plans of doing so.

10. If you are serious in the woman you’re dating, start learning how to live a healthy life. Smoking and drinking only show irresponsibility and carelessness because you are not taking care of your health.