Menswear Monday

"American classics and Bohemian ideals" is where cool downtown brand Benson derives. Benson is for the citizen of the world, designed loosely on a transcontinental lifestyle from Europe to Manhattan. Boy oh boy do I love that lifestyle! For this Menswear Monday discover Benson...and note: they have something for us ladies too!

Benson, is for the clever world wanderer 

who loves possessions but not masses of them.

Benson, confident in their free spirit and laid back mentality.

And for this particular Menswear Monday, 

this line has something for us ladies as well.

So shop over at Benson and get ready 

for a wanderlust summer.

Menswear Monday

A little something for the gents on this fine Monday morning...or maybe every Monday from now on. As I mentioned last week, I have officially switched over to menswear in the fashion world and I'm loving it. Such great tailoring and everything full of detail. Not to mention the sexy men...bonus. Here are some things catching my eye for the stylish gentleman. What do you think of Menswear Monday mes cheris?

A little pizazz to your button up for the work day. This one is found at Bergdorf's by Lanvin.

I believe a good man is complete with a great bag like this weekend duffle from Libero Ferrero and great shoes like these Hawkings McGill leather chambray oxfords. Great news is you can find the shoes at Urban Outfitters!

And of course in this rainy season with a fortunate break on Sunday one must be prepared at all times to pop up the umbrella and stay dry. Of course to stay dry and still maintain style is the truly accomplished gentleman so for this Menswear Monday do consider a great yet practical umbrella like this Barbour umbrella.

Which item will you go for this week?

Menswear Inspiration

I've been knee deep in menswear this week and will be from now on. I must say I was surprised the first time I worked in menswear as to how much I loved it. It's all in the details, and everything is so impeccably crafted and elegantly classic, I cannot get enough. Here are some men's fashion gems for your fancy.

Which man suits you?

I'd Pin That! Pinterest Hits the Street for Pin-worthy Real Men of NYC

If you haven't caught on yet, you may want to get with it. Pinterest is the latest cult following and I cannot get enough myself. Now I'm sure many of you may just have a Hotties Man Board, as do I. But of course celebrity guys are hot, with their stylists, and good lighting on call. What about real men? Say the real men of NYC perhaps? Whom you walk by and think "Mmm I'd Pin That!" ...well my friends and I have started a Pinterest Board for just that!

Introducing: I'd Pin That
A Pinterest board with user submitted photos of guys on the street. Cuties that turn your head can now be catalogued for some social media fun and inspiration. Pourqoui pas?!

Source: Uploaded by user via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jessi on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jessica on Pinterest

 

So this is a cattle call for all you readers! Take photos of real men on your streets and send them my way! I will post them, tagging you on this community generated Pinterest board. Let's build it up with the real life men that brighten our scenery day to day. Send your snapshots to embellishedbyjessica[at]yahoo.com.  I look forward to your submissions mes cheris!

I'd Pin That...brought to you by Pinterest

How To Be Stylish and Still Be a Real Man

Today I was inspired by the Brad Paisley song I'm Still a Guy, and the all too often overlooked fact that being a man, a real man, is always sexy. Unfortunately, the drawback to living in my sparkly dreamy New York City is that the men seem to get girlier and girlier. And I'm not even talking about my fabulous gay guys who are always fashionable, I'm talking about the straight men I'm trying to date...and I own more tools in my tiny New York apartment than they do. Seriously? Not cool. Why does it have to be either/or? Why can't a man be stylish and still be a real man? So listen up boys, here's a little lesson to be a sexy stylish real man. A man's man is effortlessly sexy and stylish and dresses for women. A guy's guy dresses like an eternal adolescent an dresses for his video game buddies...who are you trying to be?

The Basics:

1. A Great Fitting Pair of Dark Jeans

Source: bonobos.com via Jessica on Pinterest

These Bonobos jeans are a perfect example. FIT KEY: A nice slim cut, but just loose enough to not be innappropriate or mistaken for your girlfriend's jeans. And please STOP wearing Old Navy Carpenter Jeans. It's not working for you...trust me.

2. Properly Fitted Button Down Oxford Shirts

Source: kennethcole.com via Jessica on Pinterest

One of the most versatile items in your wardrobe, so don't worry if it's expensive, count it as an investment. You can them to work, church, dates, and casual events...they work for almost everything. FIT KEY: The shoulder seem should rest exactly on the edge of your shoulder. Hanging over is too big, resting on top is too tight. You don't want to look like you played dress up in your Father's closet!

3. Fitted V-Neck Tees

Source: bing.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The All American jeans and a t-shirt and boots is always a great stylish man look. Just remember 2 things...FIT KEY: You are not on the Jersey Shore (nothing shrink wrapped). You are not 14 in your favorite team's shirt (nothing you can swim in). The same seam/shoulder rule applies from Basic #2.

4. Boots

Source: bforyourlife.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

You'll be great with one great weekend pair. Only buy high quality leather, authentic boots. Cheap ones are very obvious and loose the sexy man appeal.

5. Three Piece Suit

Source: weheartit.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Something every real man should own is a tailor fitted three piece suit. You will always have a place to wear suits, even if it's just weddings, funerals, and church, but most of you have jobs where you must suit up and that third piece makes your entire look go from careless to stylish. Plus, you can wear just the suit, just the vest with jeans, or all three for different occasions.

Source: lazysmirk.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The Extras:

1. Hats

Source: homorazzi.com via ghaniii on Pinterest

Source: gq.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Fedoras, golf hats, and even sometimes baseball hats...you real men look great in hats. Plus, it allows you to stand out from the crowd (well not baseball hats). It's that extra touch that is stylish but manly.


2. Details

Source: ryanssmith.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: citizencouture.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via melaniexeinalem on Pinterest

Pocket squares, socks, jacket lining, suspenders. The most important about a real man being stylish is in the most minute details that says you care. Honestly it makes me jealous, as much as I love the embellished frilliness of womeswear, menswear has us beat with clean, impeccable craftmanship. Don't let that go to waste!


3. Sunglasses

Source: 29.media.tumblr.com via Sabrina on Pinterest

Source: snarkerati.com via Amber on Pinterest

Aviators or Wayfarers will improve your man look every time, guarunteed. And boy...do we notice.


4. Jewelry

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: shop.coolmaterial.com via Renelle on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Thom on Pinterest

Source: michellescarey.com via Michelle on Pinterest

I once dated a guy who was obsessed with really nice men's watches, and I don't blame him. Guys jewelry though less frequent is really nice, really quality, and really sexy. But please beware, do not wear the medium length chain necklace...you don't want to be flagged as a dated Eminem lackey.

So who's a stylish sexy real man now?

Gift Guide for the Geek Guy

As you continue in your holiday shopping I hope you are finding all you need for your loved ones. But if you're anything like me, sometimes you may need a little inspirational gift guide or two when it comes to shopping for guys. Here are some ideas when you shop for your geek guy.

Retro Telephone iPhone Dock: Add some style while that phone is parked for $195!

Touch Screen Gloves: You know they need to be connected even in the cold weather and on sale for $31.50 ain't bad.

Bamboo Keyboard and Mouse: To stay stylish while he works for $58.

Whiskey Stone Ice Cubes For the whiskey aficionados that take their On the Rocks, seriously, and on a budget for $20!

Good luck shopping for the adorable geek guy, I hope this gift guide has given you some inspiration to go forth and prosper ;) or just get an awesome gift that your geek guy will love!

Gift Guide: For the Sports Guy

We all are perusing gift guides during the holiday season for the perfect present for our loved ones. Well what do you get the eternal sports guy who's only love (other than you of course) is his quarterback's jersey and beer? Here are some ideas to get your juices flowing...

To start off, make his man cave a little chicer with this pillow from Joshua by Oak

He can pop open his favorite brew with a Railroad spike bottle opener by Iron Oak Farm

or he can make his own with an at home beer brew kit from Mr. Beer

I am a huge bibliophile and Urban Outfitters has the perfect coffee table book for his man cave,

and at he can learn some interesting things in the process of entertaining. 

So you may not always love game day, but you can always love your sports guy and he will love you for loving him. Hope this gift guide can be of some use for the hard to buy for men in our lives.

What will you buy for your sports guy?

Farewell to a Legend: Steve Jobs

For the man that managed to make geek, chic and proved to the world that electronics can have their own sex appeal, this post is dedicated to Steve Jobs. So farewell to a legend whose innovation changed us all.

Source: s.ecrater.com via Stacey on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: design-milk.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Source: store.apple.com via Marilyn on Pinterest

Steve Jobs has literally changed the world over the last ten years through his streamlined notebooks, groundbreaking iPods, addictive iPhones, and cool-factor iPads. He has created an iWorld that everyone wants to be a part of, and never stopped pushing that envelope. "There's an app for that" is now a common saying that can be applied anywhere. As a result of the innovation and design from Steve Jobs, he ignited the creativity of designers all over the world for Mac compatible accessories that if at all possible further the coolness of the Apple product.

Source: cdn.slashgear.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: shop.portenzo.com via Katy on Pinterest

Source: uncrate.com via Rob on Pinterest

Here's to the crazy one's, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently - they're not fond of rules… you can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones that are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do. ~ Steve Jobs

Source: goincase.com via christine on Pinterest

Source: rufflesandstuff.com via Please Note on Pinterest

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via David on Pinterest

In most people's vocabulary, design means veneer. It's interior decorating. It's the fabric of the curtains, of the sofa. But to me, nothing could be further to the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a human-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service. ~Steve Jobs

Source: andrewkelsall.com via Andrew on Pinterest