Image used with permission by copyright holderOut here on the East Coast we’re freezing our bums off wishing we were some place more tropical. Some of us are stuck in the snow, but others — like our own Cator Sparks, who is on a boat in Costa Rica — are off gallivanting around in warmer weather. We envy him. He gets to shed his parka, gloves and scarf for something a little lighter. Grab a lively button-up shirt to get rid of the winter blahs, throw on a pair of shorts, and white sneakers, like the Stan Smith adidas. Most importantly of all, get a pair of ill sunglasses; we suggest the Illesteva Milan II Havanas. Then you’ll be set for beachside walks and strolling through cobblestone streets.
Clockwise, L-R: RVCA Alsweiler Shelf Shirt, $56 at rvca.com; Illesteva Milan II Havana Sunglasses, $300 at illesteva.com; Will Leather Goods Canvas Duffel Bag, $250 at shop.nordstrom.com; adidas Stan Smith Shoes, $75 at adidas.com; RVCA Weekender Shorts, $39.95 at rvca.com.
Dress codes are the bane of our existence. So many of them are vague and indecipherable to the everyday man. But there are tricks you can implement into your wardrobe that will give you versatility and help you navigate the world of dress codes. One of the greatest tricks you can learn is to wear a blazer or sports coat with a good pair of jeans. Adding a sports coat will elevate your denim look and take you from casual to smart casual.
Swapping denim out for your dress pants with your sports coat will take you from business professional to smart casual. The combination of a blazer and jeans will be your number one trick in your wardrobe if you do it right. And here at The Manual, we are all about helping you do it right.
Wear it with a collared shirt
Some places in the world just draw you in; Egypt has the pyramids, Rio has nightlife, and Italy has history and fashion. Those things have drawn visitors from all over to visit the country for centuries and it is still strong today. As one of the most popular destinations in the world, there is a good chance you are thinking of going. But what to wear in Italy for guys is a question many of us ask over and over. Do we want to dress to the nines to be able to compete with the high fashion of Milan? Do we want to dress for adventure instead and explore the ruins of the Colosseum? All we know is we don't want to be the American dad in jorts and New Balance. So, what do you wear in Italy? Here is our take.
Dressing in Italy
When you think of fashion meccas, there is Paris, Milan, London, and New York that jump into most people's minds (at least here in America -- there are dozens of fashion centers around the world that will pop into minds globally). Italy is known for its attention to detail and its fashion industry, thanks to Milan Fashion Week, which tells all of us what high fashion we should emulate year in and year out. Before we get into what you should take with you and what you should wear in each season, let's first go over a few tips to keep you on the right track.
Fall is the introduction of a blast of colors into the world. The green outdoors becomes a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. Your wardrobe may be going the other way at times when you lose the bright hues of the summertime wardrobe to substitute the fall browns, grays, and blues. In particular, you may have found that your pant wardrobe is full of brown pants.
Whether they are wool, cotton, flannel, fleece lined, or corduroy, brown seems to be the color that is always on display during this time of year. While they may be in style, knowing how to wear brown pants is the best way to keep them from feeling stale and boring. Here is all you need to know to keep your brown pants (lighter beiges all the way to darker chocolates) stylish this fall.
Wear neutrals and earth tones
