The long and the Shorts of it…

RSVP – it’s party time and you’re excited to get the nod…then you examine that invite closely – festive attire, dressy casual, informal, casual – ugh what do they mean!?! If you’re considering shorts for your gathering – take heed there are some guidelines.
1) Garden party – most may appear in their sundress finery but good for you for going rogue – just make sure you’re keeping with the theme and eschew the cutoffs. Make a splash in a bright color and be aware of your top – if you are sporting a three inch yellow and white polka dot pair – wear that elbow length, round neck lemon applique sweater you’ve hung unto for just this occasion.
2) Cocktails – Shorts are showing up on the runway in all configurations – opt for the billowy silk, sassy sequin style or flirty lace style and pair with a great heel – bam, you’ve highlighted your gams just the same as if you were sporting a short skirt.
3) Company picnic – don’t stray from the conservative – you may have the best stems in the business but this is not the venue to risk a booty shot – stick with your khaki shorts and go for at least a five inch length pairing with flats or tennis shoes depending on the outdoor activity options.
4) GNO – this is the outing where the hot pants make an appearance – if you’re feeling brave parade those leather shorts with some rockin’ heels – you worked for those legs show them off. Feeling a little self-conscious…that’s okay you can garner a similar style with bold wool shorts, tights and booties.
Without a doubt designers have shown that shorts can be a spectacular substitute for the mini. Embrace the trend and know that this piece can come off the jogging trail – it is no longer just a match for the task at hand

Sock it to me…

October 9, 2014 Benjamin's Boutique Blog colorful socks, dress socks, happy feet, happy socks, holiday socks, how to, men with style, men's accessories, Men's style, non-traditional, sock fashion, sock game, sock love, style

Colorful, patterned – with personality is the new black. Thanks to new sock companies like Stance and Happy Socks – men are winning at the sock game. No longer are the fellas exiled to the boring section of men’s furnishings – sorting through black, gray and navy ribbed socks.

1) If you are going for a very formal look – wear black socks with a black suit or navy with navy.

2) For every day wear – you can match your socks to your slacks – but stay away from matching your socks to your shoes – it will look like you have on booties…then again – if you are sporting your desert boots – your sock choice is not a huge concern.

3) Socks can go rogue – I know a guy who matches his socks to the event – for example heart socks for weddings, holiday socks, etc. – this is where you can make a personal statement. As long as the sock is in the same color family as the rest of your suiting. You might choose to pick up the spectrum from your tie – or you can go for another color altogether – just make sure it’s in line with your overall tone.

4) This goes without saying – but make sure the socks you’ve selected match each other and have no visible holes.

5) Dress socks for men should go to the knee. This may seem old fashioned but have you ever been at a meeting across from the guy whose socks are too short – resulting in a flash of hairy white skin between the sock and the suit? Distracting. Not recommended.

Socks are not necessarily the furnishing most men thing of first – but they can really elevate a boring suit. Kick up your heels and try something new.

Stripes and Dots after Labor Day…We Can Do It!

While we typically think of polka dots in candy color spring and summer pastels and stripes can harken to the days of Audrey in her summer boat neck sweater – these two prints are easily translated to fall fashions. It may seem obvious but truly the trick is to move into the next season gracefully – taking color and pattern into account. This fall, fashion goes for stripes, dots and stunning graphic prints – they are everywhere from ready-to-wear to accessories.
1) News flash – what’s black and white and red all over…stripes! Break the story in big, thick magic marker prints.
2) Stroke of genius – horizontal and vertical are certainly still on trend but a stripe can take the form of chevron or zebra – rock this out in unexpected color combinations – just by removing white as the base color you transpose the look for fall.
3) Dot, dot, dot – don’t think Julia at the polo match in the ubiquitous brown and white dress – switch up the polka dot in contrasting hues – here again when white is extracted from the palette in polka dots you’ve opened the door to this pattern’s wear-ability in the cooler seasons.
4) Spot on – polka dots do not have to be an all-over pattern – try a solid sweater with a smattering of dots – groupings of three will make your point.
5) Circle up – try the polka dot trend in an outerwear piece – what better to brighten a gray day than a swing trench featuring droplets of color.
There you have it – stripes and polka dots aren’t going anywhere because they are classic – so just like you no longer pack away your white jeans when the clock strikes midnight on labor day – with the right cut, color and pattern configuration you can wear these timeless prints year-round.