Root Bizzle Monthly Tie Club

Root Bizzle Ties

As trends come and go, it’s important to keep your wardrobe current, and with accessories like ties, it’s easy to keep up with the times with a stylish look. With that in mind, we checked out the Root Bizzle Monthly Tie Club, which makes it easy to regularly update your tie collection with the latest styles and designs.

You can change your look with a new tie, particularly if you wear suits to work consistently. Also, skinnier ties are back, so many of us need to update our collection. In certain professions, you may want to stick to the wider ties at work, but then a skinny tie can change your look considerably for a night on the town.

Read the rest of this entry »

  

You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for content updates. Also, sign up for our email list for weekly updates and check us out on Google+ as well.

What to buy a guy for Valentine’s Day

ties

When picking out a gift for that special lady in your life, there are plenty of options to choose from, whether it’s timeworn classics like flowers and candy, riskier presents like lingerie or more thoughtful items like a day at the spa. But if you’re on the other side of the relationship, buying something for your loved one on Valentine’s Day isn’t quite as difficult as some people would make you believe.

Though ties may seem like the kind of throwaway gift that people pick up at the last minute, that doesn’t make them any less useful. Even men who don’t dress up on a daily basis need a tie or two in their wardrobe, and those guys are often the ones that require the most help when it comes to choosing the right one. That’s where the folks at Ties.com come in handy, offering a variety of styles, colors and accessories that will keep you looking your best.

The company sent us over a trio of Valentine’s Day-hued neckties (read: purple and pink) that we wouldn’t normally think of buying ourselves but actually looked really great with formal and casual outfits. We also got a really cool paper-rock-scissors bow tie that forced us to search on YouTube for instructional videos on how to tie the damn thing – something that every man should learn at some point in their lives.

And the best part is, many of the site’s ties are not only budget-friendly, but they’re also incredibly well made. So what are you waiting for? Give your lady a hint by keeping the Ties.com website open on your computer for her to see, and with any luck, your wardrobe will be much improved in no time. If all else fails, you can always use the tie in the bedroom instead.

  

New Year’s Resolutions: Tools to Up Your Fashion Game in 2014

wingtip

The dawn of a New Year has a habit of shedding light on those parts of ourselves that we’d like to tweak and change. “A New Year, a new you:” a common mantra in support of creating and going after attainable New Year’s resolutions. Are you looking to dress the part of a new and improved version of yourself?

I am going to give you some tips on developing your style for the workplace without radically altering your look that will make keeping your New Year’s Resolution simple. The name of the game is accessorizing. Most men balk at the term, but accessories are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to really polish off your style, and I know of a few essentials that you’ll be glad to have stowed in your arsenal.

Shoes

Surprisingly enough, shoes tend to be one of the first things women notice about a man. If you’re shuffling around in a beat up or scuffed pair of department store kickers, you’re drawing far too much negative attention to yourself. When it comes to dress shoes, stick to natural colors and patterns – you can’t go wrong with plain, laced up leather shoes in black, brown, or cordovan (burgundy). I prefer shoes without buckles, because I feel buckles limit the versatility of the shoe. To add some flare I like wing tips: think Mad Men style. High quality shoes do not necessarily have to be expensive. Consider shopping at places like Nordstrom Rack for great deals on designer shoes such as Johnston and Murphy Wingtip Oxfords for around $150.

Watches

The style of a man’s timepiece gives a brief but in-depth look at his personality, and a good watch makes a fine first impression. Trust me; watches are the one subtle accessory that will always get noticed. Not to mention, whereas other accessories will wear out and require replacing over time, a real high quality wristwatch will serve dutifully for a lifetime, after which it can be passed on as an heirloom. Even if you can’t afford to drop a few G’s on a timepiece, a watch at an entry level price will still make a great statement in the workplace.

A professional-looking watch should be understated and classic. I like watches where the dial matches the wrist band, but have seen many beautiful pieces with a leather strap and silver/stainless dial. It all comes down to personal preference. As a rule of thumb, stay away from brightly colored faces and straps – unless they are refined, elegant, and match your suit well. And unless you are in a high up executive position with a large company, a wristwatch in solid gold will make you look ridiculous. Stick to stainless steel and silver; rose gold for more casual work environments, and classic leathers.

While it is true that some entry-level watches from brands like Omega can cost upwards of $2,000, a good quality watch like Stuhrling from ShopHQ, will suit your purposes well and set you back only a few hundred dollars. A price frame between $300 and $1,000 usually implies that the pieces are mass-produced, but that’s not to say that they aren’t well made. In general, a watch made in Switzerland, Japan, or the USA can be trusted to be of higher quality and good value.

Tie

There are many distinct ways to wear a tie – numerous tie variations, knots, sizes, and diverse situations in which a tie could be worn – that giving general tie advice is the best course of action here. First, make sure you are able to tie multiple knots, from half Windsor to Full Windsor to a Shelby knot. The best way to learn is have someone who knows teach you, or watch YouTube videos and practice. A few general guidelines for dressing with a tie at the office:

1) Do not wear loud colored ties to work or, more importantly, a job interview, and stay away from bright reds exclusively.
a. Bright, obnoxious ties in general are just annoying; it is better to wear a subtle tie that will get you taken seriously.
2) Do not wear novelty ties. Ever.
3) Ties should fall to just above the beltline, no shorter or further.
4) The tie should not match the shirt’s color exactly. Experiment with contrasting colors that go well together, like black and white, or patterned button-up where the tie’s color can be found in the shirt’s details.

As with other accessories, creating a stylish wardrobe shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. In reality, a $200 Armani tie will not function better than a $50 Donald Trump tie from Macy’s. I have had great luck in scoring some really nice ties from thrift stores for under $5!

Pocket Squares

Pocket squares aren’t for everyone, but maybe that is because not everyone is capable of pulling them off. Your pocket square should carry a color from either your shirt or tie, but not both. As with a neck tie, there are multiple ways to fold the fabric, including the Straight Fold, One Corner Fold, and Puff Fold, all of which are incredibly straightforward and can be demonstrated on Youtube. Again, cost hardly depicts the quality of a pocket square; go for one that is a stunning match to your suit, not one that boasts a designer label. If you really want to save money, you can even try making your own. This way, you get to select the fabric that best complements your suit shirt or tie.

Fountain Pen

My personal favorite accessory is one that can really set you apart from the crowd: a good fountain pen. Nearly every time I bust out my pen to sign a receipt or write a note, I get compliments and questions. It is a great conversation starter, especially as most people have never even seen a fountain pen! Like watches, fountain pens can be very pricey – some Mont Blanc fountain pens cost over $3,000, and fine heirloom quality pens are abundant around a price point of $500-1,000. Most pens in the $500 and up price range will have at least a 14K gold nib; that being said, an impressive-looking pen with a stainless steel nib, like the Cross brand at Office Depot, can be had for as low as $50 at most office supply stores. Though stainless steel nibs do not write as well as gold nibs, the stainless steel nib does write much better than an everyday roller ball or gel pen.

Take your look to a new level this year by adding some subtle accessories that will set you apart in the workforce and show a little bit more of your personality. Use these guidelines as a starting point as you develop your own tastes and preferences. If you have suggestions on where to get high quality pieces or if you know of lesser known brands, leave a comment!

  

Premium belts and more from Maono

Maono belt

We checked out the new Asia belt from MAONO.com, a company that is on a mission to create beautiful, high-quality clothing and then selling online to remove the middle man and make their products more affordable. You’ll see from the photo above that this black leather belt featuring a rectangular pin buckle offers a classic and elegant design that’s perfect for every day use. The belt is made in Italy with impeccable craftsmanship, and it offers a great example of the quality and design of this brand.

Fashion maven and style expert Syga Thomas launched this ready-to-wear line at MAONO.com, featuring sleek, sophisticated men’s blazers, silk ties, button down shirts and other accessories. Here you’ll find many of the staples you need for your wardrobe that will serve your needs at the office or on a night on the town. They also feature high-quality travel bags as well. Just browse through the clean and well-organized website and you’ll probably find a number of items that catch your eye, and then you’ll notice the reasonable prices.

If you’re looking for clothing that’s classic but stylish, and if you want to stay within your budget, then you should definitely check out MAONO.com.