men Archives - Style and Fashion Blog

Every Respectable Guy Should Have a Nice Leather Boot

Dec 272012

Every Respectable Guy Should Have a Nice Leather Boot

Source: HELM Boots

Face it, you’re not a kid anymore. And that’s actually a very good thing. It means you are in charge of your own destiny, your own choices that bring you to your destiny, and your freedom. However, it also means that those around you — your boss, your girlfriend, your wife, your clients, and your friends — will hold you accountable for the image that you present to them and to the world. One way to communicate your desire for success in both your career and your personal life is through the way you dress.

Making an impact is easy when you have the right pieces at your disposal, and one of the pieces every respectable guy should own is a pair of leather boots.

Choosing Men’s Leather Boots

Choosing a leather boot depends a lot on what you normally wear and what kind of image you want to project. If you’re an outdoorsy guy who can usually be found in a pair of jeans, opt for a short boot with a nice thick heel. If you’re a little bit more urbane, you can choose a boot that hits mid-calf, and into which you can tuck or roll your trousers for a look that’s a bit rebellious as well as sophisticated. And, in case you are a very, very adventurous man indeed, it’s always advisable to wear a tall, shiny boot with a statement suit jacket.

No matter which kind of boot you choose, make sure you take some time to see what will fit best with what you currently have in your closet. And, as mom always said, it never hurts to compare when you shop!

The Eternal Question: Boxers or Briefs

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Nov 222012

Boxers or Briefs; Image source: dwmagazine.com

Boxers or briefs? The question doesn’t exist only for the entertaining purpose of discerning the underwear preferences of the rich, famous, and influential. Some men swear by one, some by the other, and other guys are fine switching between the two. No matter what, there are definite advantages and disadvantages between the two. So, which should you wear – boxers or briefs, and should you consider switching?

Boxers
Pros: generally accepted to be the more comfortable and less formal option between the two — so much so, in fact, that you can go ahead and wear them around the house on lazy Sundays. They also come in a wider variety of materials, colors, and patterns than briefs, which need to be more flexible and form-fitting. Ideal for men who aren’t hitting the gym on a regular basis.
Cons: boxers tend to look bunchy under more formal trousers and slacks, and can be uncomfortable in jeans. They also offer less support than briefs.

Briefs
Pros: briefs streamline your look and keep everything in place comfortably without bunching or riding up. They look great on men who are in great shape. Briefs are a classic and more sophisticated alternative to boxers, and serve as the underwear preference of choice among European men.
Cons: briefs don’t come in as many colors or styles as boxers do. They also tend to lose their shape after several washes and might not last as long as a good set of boxers.

How to Wear Pattern on Pattern

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Nov 022012

How to Layer Pattern on Pattern and Mix Materials; Image source: HugoBoss.com

Unless you have been living under some sort of misguided fashion-less rock (or unless you’ve been neglecting to read your friendly neighborhood Sivani style blog!) you will know that patterns and wearing pattern on pattern are considered to be one of the biggest trends for fall 2012. These trends have produced such creative work from designers around the world and in the fashion stratospheres that it would be a definite shame if our creative and style-loving Sivani men and women didn’t know how to at least dip their toes into this trend.

The pattern on pattern trend has often been seen of late paired up with either the layering trend or the mixed media trend. While layering might be an easy concept to implement, mixed media might not be. In fashion, the phrase ‘mixed media’ represents the wearing of items whose materials are wildly, visually, texturally different from one another – for instance, a tough leather jacket with a metallic t-shirt and a light and lacy skirt. When you add mixed materials to patterns and then layer it all on, you get the ultimate fall 2012 fashion “it” look.

As for choosing the patterns themselves, anything goes:

1. Ladies, try a floral top with a boldly striped skirt, tweed jacket, leggings, and ankle boots for an edgy and modern British-fashion inspired look.

2. Gents can reference our previous articles on layering, stripes, and the patterned jacket for inspiration. However, they can also try a patterned tie on top of a graphic sweater with a striped pattern jacket.

Keep it bold and experimental with the patterns this season, and don’t forget to top it all off with Sivani’s bracelets and necklaces for men and women!

The Denim Revolution

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Oct 222012

Cheyne Hannegan Kasil Denim on Denim; Image source: malemodelscene.net

Denim has a long and glorious (and somewhat sacred) place in American fashion history and practice. It is perhaps the defining material of American style. It says a lot about our country and its people and its nature that the piece we contributed to fashion is now ubiquitous around the globe.

One of the reasons that denim has survived so long and become so popular is its absolute and eternal adaptability as a material. It is one of the few materials that can truly be dressed up or down to suit the wearer’s taste, personal style, and the level of formality necessary to go wherever they’ve gotta be.

Fall 2012 trends are turning the one denim taboo that exists on its face. It’s been long forbidden in fashionable and style-conscious circles to wear the dreaded denim-on-denim combination. But all that has changed, especially with this season’s emphasis on clashing and mixing different textures and patterns with one another in ways previously untried, undared, and unheard of.

Men: try dark denim jeans with a light denim button-down. To go western, add cowboy boots in leather; to make it a little hipsterly, add some Converse.

Ladies: a black cigarette jean with an acid washed button-down and bright, bold accessories makes a punky statement.

Of course, Sivani’s leather jewelry for men and women is an edgy complement to these looks. We highly recommend our men’s leather necklace with horseshoe pendant for the former and the women’s turquoise sterling silver wrap bracelet for the latter.

Long live the denim revolution!

The Contemporary Trench Coat and How to Wear It

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Oct 172012

The Contemporary Trench Coat and How to Wear It

The Contemporary Trench Coat; Image source: menshealth.com

The trench coat has a long history as one of the 20th century’s most iconic wardrobe pieces. It has a million connotations – the hard-boiled, Humphrey Bogart detective on the case, gleeful Debbie Reynolds and good-natured Gene Kelly singing and stomping in the rain in bright yellow, sophisticated Duchess Kate stepping out in London, Rick Astley never giving you up in a music video. The list of references continues for this always-relevant and versatile piece.

While the trench coat is a classic, contemporary takes on it are big in fall 2012. Here are some ways to do it right, right now:

Women: instead of a traditional camel-colored trench, make the most of the mixed media trend instead with a coat that incorporates details like fur sleeves with a sleek metallic material. Super-long trenches in bright colors are also huge — play with proportions in tiny ankle boots that peek out from beneath. The chic dresser will reach for a quilted trench in navy, black, or green, pairing it with riding boots to look like landed gentry. For lots of attention as you strut down the street, find a trench with a bold print — and choose rain boots with an equally busy pattern.

Men: if you’re a Sivani guy, chances are you already have a trench coat or two in your wardrobe lineup. But, the more the merrier! Take note of our suggestions above and remake them in your own masculine way. Try a short, leather trench with wool arms for a look that is very Continental and sexy indeed. Or, to channel Cary Grant, find one with a herringbone pattern and complement it with a bright tie or scarf to keep it modern and in line with the season’s color trends.

There are worse fashion places to be than in the trenches, Sivani guys and gals! What are your favorite ways to wear them?

How to Combine Sneakers and Suits

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Oct 152012

Sneakers and Suits for the Office; Image source: gq.com

Sneakers and suits in the office? All those Rockefellers and Carnegies must be rolling over in their graves. But the truth is, office environments are changing in many industries, most likely in part due to the rise and trickle-down effect of very creative and tech-savvy corporations such as Apple, Google, and Facebook. Along with shifts in corporate culture, there are changes to the traditional work uniform blooming as well. After all, we’re living in the age of Mark Zuckerberg – Chief Executive Officer in a Hoodie.

If you’re lucky enough to have this kind of style freedom at work, you should try expressing it. If you’re not ready or able to waltz into the office with an eccentric outfit on, though, why not try the laidback, boyish look that is a sneaker-and-suit combo?

Some combinations that we, at Sivani, suggest:

1. Blue, slim-fitting suit will look poignant and fun with a striped sweater underneath and a pair of Converse.

2. Gray blazer, t-shirt, and dark denim with laidback gray kicks that will make a great transition from the board room to happy hour on casual Fridays.

3. For a slightly more traditional and formal vibe, wear tan chinos, a camel-colored jacket, a cashmere v-neck sweater, and some Sperrys.

4. And, to keep it very, very cool, we recommend a black slim-fit suit with a crisp white shirt and white sneakers – Ray Bans and a loosened tie are entirely optional, though recommended in both cases.

As you can see, there are tons of ways to break free from the chains of prescribed office clothing, and one of the best ways is to combine sneakers and suits . What are some of your favorite ways to do it?

Spring 2012 Trends – Pastels – Essentials for the Modern Man

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Apr 042012

Spring 2012 Trends Pastels Essentials for the Modern Man

JCrew Spring 2012 - from GQ.com

It’s a well-known fact that the Sivani man is not just any man. Whether sleek and modern or rugged and masculine, what distinguishes him from his contemporaries is a willingness to be fashion-forward in his style choices. But often in the course of fashion history, it’s necessary to take a page from the past. And that’s decidedly the case for the men’s Spring 2012 trends and Summer 2012 trends. Retro colors are hot at the moment, and make a strong, understated statement, particularly when worn with confidence and your favorite Sivani piece.

Resort wear is a perennial favorite for men when the weather gets warmer. But the usual slacks and seersucker are currently at the forefront of a fashion revival involving fresh shades of mint, salmon, lemon, and blue. Pairing a statement trouser in one of these shades with a white, gray, or even black tee (and, may we suggest, any of Sivani’s long leather necklaces for men) with a pair of topsiders makes for a tough, on-trend, and laid-back look. Throw on a seersucker jacket, and in no time you’ll be exuding the type of confidence that is usually reserved for men who have houses in the Hamptons.

If you’re even more daring, lock into the Easter-egg shades trend have a part in your accessories. Try bright blue boat shoes, a bright white scarf, or a light lavender bow tie. We promise, with a nice tan, nothing looks quite as breezy but manly as these awesome new Spring 2012 trends — especially if you’re also rocking a Sivani piece.