Spring Style Manifesto: Practical Men
Practicality is one of the hallmarks of men’s fashion. You rarely see trends that feature unwieldy and useless elements like zippers, chains and whatnot. Fashionably practical men, however, know that it’s more than just about the things you wear. The items that you bring along with you on your daily routine can be incorporated into your outfit as well. That’s one of the surest tests for your sense of style.
The Manbrella
Umbrellas are generally seen as utilities, things you leave in the car or at home and then bring out only when absolutely necessary. The best-case scenario, however, is when the umbrella itself becomes a part of your outfit. That way, you’re likelier to always have it, and a bit of rain will never be able to cramp your style.
Invest in a solid black umbrella with a nice curved handle for easier handling. All gents in rainy London have one of these; if you’re yet to see one, the bankers of Mary Poppins provides a few great examples. It’s really the only kind of umbrella you’ll need. It’s plain enough to blend into a casual outfit and formal enough to complement the most elegant suit or tux you own.
Mac & Boots
An umbrella, however, won’t suffice for some men. If you happen to live in an area that gets a lot of precipitation, all that rain poses a considerable threat to your fused suits and good leather shoes. If you can relate to the situation, you may want to invest in a few style-friendly pieces of rain gear.
The term ‘rain gear’ probably inspires images of shapeless and artless bits of rubber and PVC. Obviously, this is the kind of stuff you want to avoid. Set aside at least a hundred bucks for a nice parka to cover your jacket and necktie (you’ll want to keep both dry as a bone), and for a sturdy pair of boots to keep all that water away from your pants hem and leather lace-ups.
Buying gentlemen’s brands is the easiest approach to buying rain gear, since those items were designed with the necktie-wearing office-bound man in mind. Remember, you don’t just want to be dry; you want to be dry and stylish.
Just a Tote
Man bags have been gaining ground, and the practice of bringing a bag full of essentials is no longer the emasculating act it once was. For summer, the most practical piece of luggage you could get is a canvas tote that you can bring anywhere.
Totes are handy because they accommodate most men’s idea of packing (read: dump stuff in the nearest available pocket), and because they look much more sophisticated than, say, a backpack. A canvas tote in some dark color is particularly useful because it’s formal enough to bring to work and durable enough to survive beach sand. The best part is that it’s also washable, in case something happens between the cubicle and the cabana.
Being vulnerable to the elements isn’t something that a man should be ashamed of. What you should be ashamed of, though, is when your best suit and favorite necktie get caught in a rain shower because you didn’t think of preparing for unexpected weather.
Other Suggested Articles from TheTieKing.com Blog:
Travel Tips for Suit and Tie
Mens Spring Fashion Guide
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