I Don't Want To See That! - The Women Speak

When it comes to men's fashion, women have some very strong pet-peeves. For this article I surveyed 50 women and was surprised by their number one pet-peeve.

I am surrounded by strong, powerful, gorgeous women with very strong opinions about everything. I polled 50 of them to find out what their pet-peeves for men were. 

What was the one thing they would hate to see their men wearing this summer? 

Out of the 50 women, 35 of them said sandals on men. It is surprising to me how overwhelming women's aversion to men wearing sandals is. I'm not sure - given the success of men's sandal business - that men are aware of this fact. In  my humble opinion, I believe that women are referring more to the lack of foot hygiene - and some of them expressed that very clearly - than the actual sandal wearing, but I could be wrong.

The women also shared many other dislikes and I thought it would be fun - and informative - to share some of them with you.

Get ready for some harsh truths!

My biggest man pet peeve is manners. Men wolfing down their food and then they wonder why they are gassy.
Alright with that said, as far as clothing, men who wear flip flops with everything, and I mean everything, lame, lazy. Sandals, please have kept toes, we don’t want to see that. None of us expect to see that, maybe a fungus doctor.
And lastly, dark dress shirts with ties and no jackets. What are we, on the High School debate team? Wait, wait, one more, we have laser now boys, please take care of that back hair. We do it for you!!
LOL! I’m such a hater this morning.
Elena - Los Angeles

Socks with flip flops or sandals; ass cracks; speedos; woolly sweaters (hairy backs); yellow and un-clipped toenails; pit stains; Hawaiian shirts. Are u grossed out yet?
Jackie - New Jersey

I'm so bored of tan khakis on men, both the full length and shorts. I know men’s options are limited to what’s available but how about some color or flare. Those pants are so dull. And besides they are not on safari in the desert.
Brenda - New York city

1. No white rim glasses. 2. Unless you look like David Beckham or have a worthy body NO MORE SPEEDOS!!! LOL! Male models are okay... But Bob on vacation from Vermont... Not so much!
Mitsouko - Miami






Moses would sometimes wear cutoff blue jean shorts, a little on the short side. I mean, I wouldn't let him go anywhere in them, but sometimes he'd try to get out the door with the dog in the morning. "I'm just walking the dog," he'd whine. And I'd say, "so what, you're not invisible." It didn't help when he'd cover the look up with his grubby old trench that I couldn't get him to throw out.
Maybe he was trying to get me to walk the dog?
I don't want to see men in muscle shirts either. But I'm not going to freak out if you wear your Tevas with socks. Anne - Los Angeles
 



....a hairless body... yes...I hate men that spend more time in the mirror than me!
Lysa - New York city

Let's see...well please no Ed Hardy baseball hats, but that's really year round, and rhinestone hats aren't good on either gender.  I'm not a huge fan of "man"dals, unless you're super chic and know how to wear them, otherwise, please stick to good old fashioned flip flops.

Leslie - Miracle Mile LA

I don't like guys in tank tops, deep v-necks, pointy shoes and seasonally inappropriate garments like wool beanies or wool scarves- I see this on people all the time in LA.
Neda - Silverlake

Tank tops and flip flops! Unless they're on you. How are you darling ?
Alex - New York city

















I never want to see pink on a guy. Total turn off!  I'm sorry if you love it. I don't like guys who dress like giant kids. I like seeing men who look like men, like they make decisions. So if they're wearing frumpy t-shirts and low-riding shorts that go below the knee, YUCK. Crocs YUCK. I mean maybe all of this is obvious. I don't know!
Cynthia - Los Angeles

Don't ever want to see Speedos on anyone but an Olympic swimmer. No cut off jean shorts (poor serial killer) and low hanging saggy pants or over-sized shorts to knees, unless you are a card carrying member of a gang.
Blaire - Los Angeles

Gym clothes, unless you're at the gym. Those swishy basketball shorts?! YUCK!!!
Hannah - Studio City

NO SANDALS!
Dani - Los Angeles

Men's Fashion Revolution

There’s a style revolution taking place in America and it can’t be stopped. I’m talking about a men’s style revolution. More and more in the past couple of years we are seeing a trend in men leaning towards taking better care of themselves, including the way they look which is directly related to the way they dress. Men are thinking about grooming, fitness and personal style in a new way.
Men care about the way they look in a way they haven’t in decades. More attention is being paid to the fit of trousers, width of lapels, length of coats. In recent years we have seen how most designers are now creating various fits in shirts to accommodate different body types.
Trends in men’s clothing seem to be gearing towards a more sophisticated and body conscious look. Even in casual wear we can see a greater selection of fits again in an effort to accommodate the various body types.
Dressing well and looking your best has nothing to do with your physical condition. Though I always encourage a healthy lifestyle and a consistent work-out routine will definitely change your physique, you can look great at any weight.
It all starts with knowing your body. You need to know what your body really looks like. What are your best assets and which are your more challenging areas.
Know your size. For the most part men do not know what their proper size is. A great majority of men tend to think – and buy – one size large than they are which is never flattering.
Know your personal style. Spending money on the latest fashion trend does not equate personal style. Personal style is determined by who you are and how you put yourself together regardless of any existing trends. Personal style surpasses the limits of current trends.

I believe that film and television have a great deal of influence in what is happening in America today regarding the way men dress. It is no coincidence that with the success of the award winning television series Mad Men, the slim fit, 1960’s inspired suit came into fashion like quick lightning on a summer storm. Sales of vintage suits soared and most designers created lines of trim fitting suit. Even the traditional and always reliant Brooks Brothers has a trim suit line.
But again the real revolution - as I see it - is not about any latest trend, it goes further than that. I’m talking about the American man who is making a conscious decision to dress better and look his best. It is worth noting that this could very well be the beginning of a better state of being for the American man in general. How you dress is your visual appearance and the very first clue you give of yourself to other people. This appearance will immediately demand a specific response from others. 
When you are dressed well, you feel good, when you feel good, you go about you day in a totally different way and people will perceive you in a brighter light. That job interview, that board meeting, that lunch with a long lost friend, tonight's dinner party with your mate or even that moment at Starbucks in the morning when you're buying that first cup of coffee will all go better when you dress better.
I am excited and encouraged about this shift in the way men dress.
If you are sitting on the sidelines and feeling down on yourself, write to me at vincentspov@gmail.com and let’s have a dialogue about these matters. Let me help you find your personal style. I encourage you to do this cause in finding your own style you will find your voice which will in turn change your world. And as you know, it all starts with you.
Join the revolution today! 

Sock-less Shoes for Summer

Going sock-less this summer? I can give you some tips on how to do it right. It takes a little training. 
The Europeans have been going sock-less since shoes were invented, however here in America we tend to be a little less daring. Going sock-less can be not only comfortable but a very sexy look. There are those who think that a bit of ankle showing in a man can be very sexy.

Here are some basic tips that will make it a better experience for you:

Wash your feet: The reason why your shoes stink when you don’t wear socks is because a bacteria called brevibacterium that eats the dead skin that sheds off your feet. This is what creates that awful smell. So wash your feet well with an anti-bacterial soap - most soaps are - scrub your feet with a terry cloth and make sure to scrub well between your toes. This will get rid of all the dead skin.

Make sure you do the basics: Use cedar shoe trees and don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day. Sweat will soak into the leather of your shoes, and if you don’t give them time to dry out, you’ll not only wear down the leather faster, but you’ll also stink up your feet more.

 Know when you can go sock-less: You can go sock-less for any occasion except formal business affairs, For the most part, avoid wearing socks with shorts unless they are ankle socks or you are one trendy-hip-cool-cat who wears knee socks. Also know what types of shoes go best with a sock-less look: boat shoes, loafers, moccasins, saddle shoes, bucks, chukkas, tennis shoes and even Oxford shoes. Boots are the only shoes I would not wear sock-less.

Put something in your shoe: Unless you are one of those people whose feet don't sweat, you need to put something in your shoe. Talcum powder. I use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. Sprinkle freely inside the shoe before putting it on. The powder will absorb the sweat and any smells associated with it. Terry cloth insoles. Kiwi makes a good one and you can buy them at any Rite-Aid, or CVS type stores. No show socks. These are those short little feet wrap - my name for them - that go up to just below the ankles.
 Know how to get rid of odors: You can always throw sneakers or any canvas shoe in your washing machine - but leave the room cause it is quite a noisy experience. You can also do the ancient remedy of stuffing the shoes with newspapers and leave them out in the sun. But my favorite is Odor-Eater Sneaker Spray, which is fast efficient and a very easy process.

I hope by now you have all the information you need to go out there wearing sock-less shoes and feeling empowered and sexy. If you have never done this give it a shot, see how you feel, then come back and tell me all about it. I'm curious to hear how it goes for you! 

External Validation aka Shopping

There are a couple of key elements to keep in mind when shopping for clothing.

First of all I'm not sure that shopping is the correct term.

Shopping is the examining of goods or services from retailers with the intent to purchase at that time. Shopping is an activity of selection and/or purchase.  - Thanks Wikipedia. It all sounds so impersonal. What are we doing, buying a refrigerator? 

I would rather call it "external validation".

A great deal of emphasis is put on validating ourselves from the inside out. Many books have been written on the subject of "an inside job". Yoga studios and meditation centers abound in major cities. All of these practices are not only good for you, they are also necessary for a less stressful way to get through life. Knowing yourself and being comfortable with who you are is essential for personal growth............and so is the way you look!

Looking good will directly and immediately influence the way you feel. We can spend a lot of time on that subject - and we will - but today I want to talk about the basics of the external validation experience aka shopping.

The Body
1. Know your body - There's no such thing as the perfect body. We all have flaws that need to be addressed when choosing the clothes we wear. Yes sometimes a six pack stomach can create a problem when choosing the proper slacks.

2. Know your sizes - Most men do not know their sizes and tend to buy sizes bigger than they need.

3. Know your fit. - It is a myth that wearing baggier clothes make you look thinner. It is the absolute opposite. Wearing baggy clothes makes you look like you're wearing baggy clothes.

4. Know what colors work best with your skin tones. - Avoid colors that wash you out. Orange and greens are not colors that work for everyone.

The Experience
1. Always try on the clothes before buying - Trying on your clothes will save you time and money in the long run. Take a minute to go into the dressing room and try the clothes on. Look in the mirror. Remember the mirror is you friend, it will never lie to you.

2. Stop impulsive buying - It's easy to go into a fashion blackout once you feel that high from your first purchase. Before you know it you're buying anything and everything in the store. Don't do that, you'll regret it later.

3. Stay away from big department stores whenever possible - If you are new to the world of shopping or just don't like doing it, you want to stay away from big department stores or major franchise. The experience can be overwhelming. Too much of a good thing is bad. Shop in smaller shops where it is more manageable.
4. Shop with a buddy - It is always best to shop with a buddy - or someone close to you - who is not afraid to tell you the truth and/or can encourage to take chances..

5. Find a stylist you can trust - I'm not talking about a private stylist that will charge you a fee. - Although if you can afford one, it could be quite helpful. - I'm talking about finding a salesperson with experience who has your best interest at heart and is not desperate to make his numbers for the month.

6. Avoid shopping in a bad mood - If you are feeling upset or out of sorts, it may not be the proper time to go shopping.  Shopping is always better when you're in a clear state of mind.
Except for those engaging in retail therapy, which can be very effective and I will be writing about that subject very soon.

7. Set a budget for yourself - It is always best to have a realistic budget in mind when going shopping. Familiarize yourself with today's price points and know which store best suits your budget.Shopping beyond your means can be a very unpleasant experience.

There's nothing negative about shopping when done properly.  I suggest you follow these simple suggestions and you will not only have a successful experience, I guarantee you will have a fun time doing it and feel great about yourself when you're done.

For any question regarding personal shopping or styling, you can contact me at:  vincentspov@gmail.com