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Latest by Cator Sparks

Man wearing a cummerbund and tuxedo

The Low Down On the Strangest Tuxedo Component, the Cummerbund

Many guys think of the cummerbund as little more than that odd sash they're obligated to wear to prom or a wedding without really knowing why.
Mark Stines

From the Red Carpet to Mission Trips, Mark Steines is One of Hollywood’s Busiest Men

Actor Mark Steines speaks to us about his personal style as well as his dynamic career from Entertainment Tonight to The Rose Parade.
The Manual Celebrate’s Al Young’s 50th Anniversary with Four Roses Bourbon

The Manual Celebrate’s Al Young’s 50th Anniversary with Four Roses Bourbon

On Thursday June 26th, we had the honor of hosting an intimate cocktail party to celebrate Four Roses Bourbon Brand Ambassador, Al Young.
giveaway yeti cooler hopper dealerresources two lifestyle 7679 40 gray

Giveaway: Win a Yeti Cooler from Mountain High Outfitters

Atlanta's Mount High Outfitters is offer The Manual winners a chance to win a YETI cooler, just in time for summer hikes and beach trips.
Tristan Cameron Harper

How Tristan Cameron-Harper went from Ice Hockey Champ to Kilted Yogi Celebrity

Tristan Cameron-Harper speaks to us about his success as an ice hockey pro turned mountaineer and yogi through his adventure to Nepal and his Kilted Yoga.
steve moakler Touring with Willie Nelson

From Writing Songs at 14 to Touring with Willie Nelson, Steve Moakler is Living the Dream

Steve Moakler is from the new generation of country music hailing from Pennsylvania and now based in Nashville with his wife.
Paul and Martin Greenfield

From Mill to Maker: Our Handmade Suit Experience with Martin Greenfield

We brought back fabric from the Harris Tweed mill in Scotland and documented the experience of getting handmade suit from Martin Greenfield.
Thomas J. Carroll

Blazing his Own Trail, Thomas J. Carroll Talks Career and Personal Style

Thomas J. Carroll serves as Avant Global’s Chief Investment officer. He develops synergies for applied compounding relationship development.
The Ned, Copyright-The-Ned-Roof-170509-SB-HR-01

The Ned in London is the Most Exciting Hotel to Open this Year

The Ned in London is the most exciting hotel to open this year. Housed in a former bank building it has 252 bedrooms and a bar in the vault.
Jason-Wagg-2, Jason Wagg

Jason Wagg Worked for Tom Ford and Now Helps Young Menswear Designers Succeed

Jason Wagg is the co-founder of The Ensign, a website that helps young designers get exposure. Today he speaks to us about his personal style.
Nicholas Pacradooni

From Sheep Farm to Style Arbiter, Nicholas Pakradooni Tells His Tale

Nicholas Pakradooni grew up in Amish Country and is now an Instagram personality thanks to his style and travels around the world
John-F.-Kennedy

Celebrate JFK’s 100th Birthday by Wearing his Favorite Cologne

In 1931 Krigler made a scent called America One 31 to celebrate the American spirit. It was a favorite of Hemingway and JFK.
Ponce-City-Market-Feature

Where to Eat and Shop at Atlanta’s Amazing Ponce City Market

We took a tour of Atlanta's new Ponce City Market and have compiled our favorite restaurants, bars and menswear stores for our readers.
John Murray

How One Transformational Week Inspired John Murray to Jump into Power Yoga

John Murray and his wife opened Lyons Den Power Yoga in New York City in 2012, here John explains his career and personal style.
Dixon Rye

Dixon Rye is Atlanta’s Awesome Design Destination

Dixon Rye is a furniture and design destination in Atlanta’s Westside Ironworks development founded and curated by interior designer Bradley Odom.
Zac-Brown_Joey-Jones_1

Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Johnny ‘Joey’ Jones Turned Tragedy into Advocacy

Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Johnny Joey Jones lost both legs from a bombing in Afghanistan and is now a veterans advocate living in Georgia.
Simon-Enever

A Love of Design Helped Simon Enever Create One Fun Toothbrush

Simon Enever is the co founder of Quip, the direct to consumer brand that is helping revolutionize oral health care. Today he discusses his career and sty
Joel-Lambert-IMG_0336

Joel Lambert of Discovery Channel’s “Manhunt” Grew Up in the Worst Town in Washington

Joel Lambert, Discovery Channel’s resident escape and evasion expert and star of Manhunt, discusses his career and personal style.
derby weekend

The Ultimate Guide to Derby Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky

A Derby Weekend guide on what to do, where to drink, what to eat, & where to stay in Louisville, Kentucky during the most famous two minutes in sports.
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How a Night at a Craps Table Landed Boo Ray a Music Career

Boo Ray is a southern troubadour who has forged & honed his sound in South Georgia honky-tonks, Nashville nightclubs & Los Angeles songwriter joints.
slumbr pillow

Slumbr Makes Our New Favorite Pillows

Slumbr is a new direct to consumer pillow brand that provides an easy online quiz for customers to take to find their perfect pillow.
The Manual Scotland Cocktail Party New York 2017

Launch Event Recap: Kilts, Cocktails, and Scottish Style

On April 6th The Manual partnered with The Macallan to host a special cocktail party to celebrate the launch of our Scotland Guide.
scott cassell

Meet Scott Cassell: American Explorer, Underwater Filmmaker, and Counter-Terrorism Operative

We interview Scott Cassell of The Undersea Voyager Project to learn more about this American explorer, underwater filmmaker and counter-terrorism operative
brendon beck

Brendon Beck, one of NYC’s Top Caterers, Talks Fashion, Modeling, and Hockey

Former hockey player and fashion model, Brendon Beck is now one of NYC's best caterers, even designing his own serving trays.
Luis_Niko-Morales_Lifestyle_2283

Luis Nico Morales Helps Emerging Designers Reach Their Audience Through The Ensign

Luis Nico Morales discusses his career path moving from Los Angeles to New York City as well as his personal style including many emerging designers.
Lovat-Mills-4

Lovat Mill Makes Estate Tweed that Every Man Needs

The Manual visits Lovat Mill in the border town of Hawick, Scotland, to learn about Estate Tweed from the owners of the mill.
Saks-at-Keith-v3

Don’t Have a Family Tartan? Brian Wilton Can Design One for You

We interview Brian Wilton, tartan designer for families as well as businesses, to learn how he got into the business and where it has taken him.
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Five Fantastic Outdoor Adventures in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Designer Rosie Wiscombe gives us her top five favorite outdoor adventures in the remote Outer Hebrides islands in Scotland.
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From the Hebrides to the Highlands, This is Our Essential Guide to Scotland

Mathew Roberts Photography/Getty Images Mathew Roberts Photography/Getty Images Last November we had the pleasure of spending 10 captivating days in Scotland. Though this ancient land is steeped in a wild and rich history, it endures as a refreshingly progressive and welcoming European nation. Because every new introduction felt like meeting an old friend it was […]
Chutney-1

What the Hell is Chutney?

We flew all the way to Scotland to visit Mackays preserves to learn all about the wonderful world of Chutney--what it is, how it's made, and how to eat it.
Ross Langley

A Kerouac-esque Road Trip Led Ross Langley to Design Your New Favorite Food App

Ross Langly is the designer between the new food app, Tell. Here he discusses his career from Australia to America and favorite fashion brands.
Stock-Kilt-Post-3

Everything You Wanted to Know About Wearing a Kilt

We spent 10 days in Scotland learning about kilts. We spoke with Bill Wheelan from House of Edgar to get the scoop on kilts and how to wear them.
Akamai-1

Akamai Personal Care: Earth Friendly Grooming Products We Love

Akamai is a new men's grooming product line that focuses on using 100% organic ingredients in three multi use products--all while giving back.
steven tiller

Living the Dream: How Steven Tiller Brought Back the Iconic SeaVees Shoe

Steven Tiller relaunched the iconic footwear brand SeaVees in California and also discusses his personal style with us at The Manual.
four porksman bbq sandwich

The Four Porksmen BBQ Sandwich is Three Layers of Pig Garnished with a St. Louis Rib

We speak to Charleston, South Carolina's Poogan's Smokehouse chef Daniel Doyle about his meat on meat BBQ sandwich. Recipe included.
Ball-and-Buck-Active-Shorts, Ball and Buck

Win Free Stuff: Ball and Buck’s New Active + Collection for the Outdoorsman

Sign up for your chance to win a pair of water-resistant shorts & angler shirt from Ball and Buck, a favorite gentleman's sporting brand--it's a $275 value!
russell shrewsbury

Tug Life: Russell Shrewsbury Battles 25 foot Waves and Lives to Tell the Tale

Filson wisely profiles real people who live the real Filson life for each of their catalogues. This month we meet Russell Shrewsbury, VP of Western Towboat.
Jacob Davis

Musician Jacob Davis Talks Style and How the Music Scene in Louisiana Inspired his Debut Album

Musician Jacob Davis moved from Shreveport to Nashville and is launching his debut album now. He discusses his career and style with The Manual.
Hrishikesh Hirway

Song Exploder Podcast Creator, Hrishikesh Hirway, Interviews Musicians like Iggy Pop, Metallica, and Solange

Hrishikesh Hirway is a musician and creator of the podcast Song Exploder. He tells The Manual about his career and personal style.
blazer

Video: How To Choose the Perfect Blazer for Your Body

Looking to buy a blazer, but aren't sure what to look for? Check out these tips from Alex Wilcox of Lord Willy's to learn how to choose the perfect blazer
Salomon Thiombiano

Meet Salomon Thiombiano, One of the Most Stylish Men in the World

West African style guru, Salomon Thiombiano, discusses his life in Paris and New York as well as his current sartorial projects.
petra cocktail

Like Your Drinks Seriously Spicy? Try the Petra Cocktail from Charleston Bartender Joey Ryan

Joey Ryan at Charleston's Xiao Bao Biscuit shows us how to make The Petra cocktail, a bourbon based cocktail with a spicy kick.
andres wyss worn out wednesday

Marketing Exec Andres Wyss Tells us How he Climbed the Luxury Ladder of NYC

For Worn Out Wednesday we interview Andres Wyss, the Marketing Director for Select World in New York City and learn about his career and personal style.
pearl waterfront, san antonio texas

Everything You Need to Know About San Antonio, Texas

Everything you need to know about where to eat, drink, shop and sleep when visiting San Antonio, Texas. Yes, we included the Alamo.
JJ Johnson

JJ Johnson is Harlem’s Hottest Chef (and Stylish Too!)

JJ Johnson is a James Beard nominated chef and executive chef at Minton's in Harlem. He speaks to The Manual about his career and personal style.
filson profiles commercial diver britt coates

Filson’s Latest Catalog Star Britt Coates Wields Chainsaws Under Water and in the Dark

Filson has used commercial diver Britt Coates in their catalog and we interviewed him about his career, weirdest dives and favorite places in Seattle.
Gordon-Millar-Feature-2

Meet Scotland’s Most Stylish Man, Gordon J. Millar

Gordon Millar, the founder of Scot Street Style, discusses his life, career, very Scottish personal style, and that time he gave a Tartan to the Dalai Lama.
Aaron Edwards

How the boy from Manchester Rose to the Top of the Media World. Meet Aaron Edwards

Aaron Edwards delves into his career in the media world as well as his eclectic fashion style.
TMB

From The Bronx to Ibiza, The Martinez Brothers are Music’s New Maestros

Today The Manual speaks to The internationally renowned DJ duo, The Martinez Brothers about their career and personal style.
91655 kevin lavelle

From Dubai to Dallas, How Kevin Lavelle Makes Shirts Men Need

Kevin Lavelle is an American entrepreneur and business executive who founded Mizzen + Main. We spoke to him about his career and personal style.