Tastehunter

There’s a lot of great info out there on what to wear for dates, but not so much for a high-level business role like CEO. Whether you’re looking for a C-suite position or you already have one and want to dress the part (this can define your relationship with your staff), your appearance is key to your success.

Appropriate attire will vary based on the type of business environment you are in. A Fortune 500 company is likely to have a much more formal dress code than that of a smaller tech company, which, in turn, is apt to be even more dressy than a start-up. Below are eight tips on how to dress like you run things:

1. Dark colors and straight lines signal authority. So a navy suit and with a strong shoulder and a red tie connote power and authority. For the smaller tech company or a culture where you want to be slightly more approachable, it might be a textured red tie with polka dots and a navy blazer. (Tip: many websites allow you to shop by color, which is a great time-saver.)

2. High contrast color combinations are perceived as powerful (that’s why a tuxedo is so eye-catching); just make sure you’re not wearing too much contrast for your own natural coloring.

3. For dress shoes, opt for lace-ups over slip-ons. You’ll gain credibility that way.

4. While we’re talking footwear, it’s important to keep your shoes clean and well-maintained. Find a great shoe guy and take your shoes in as often as needed for polish and retooling. Here in Manhattan, my go-to is The Leather Spa.

5. Get good haircuts. A lot of guys discount the importance of a great scissor cut, but it can truly make or break your look.

6. Invest in high quality accessories like a leather carry-all or portfolio. You’ll use these things everyday, so it makes sense to spend a little more on them, as your cost per wear will be lower.

7. Make sure your clothes fit right. A good fit not only flatters your body, but it also shows that you’ve taken the time and effort to make yourself look good, and that you’re aware of where and how to choose clothes that suit you.

8. Have confidence in your choices. For example, if you decide to wear socks with an interesting pattern or a color you’ve never worn before, dive right in. If you don’t own what you wear, people will pick up on that. The absolute most important element of your outfit is confidence!

The nice folks at Philips Norelco recently sent me their Vacuum Stubble and Beard Trimmer Pro for testing. We tried it on Rath & Co. team member Josh, who usually sports a bit of neatly trimmed stubble. Here’s how it went:

-We loved the vacuum design. It was a major bonus not having hair fly all over the place while shaving.

-The blade felt big, sturdy and soft. We didn’t need any fancy products for it to be comfortable.

-Josh liked being able to shave in reverse with it. The trimmer he nomally uses sometimes pulls on his hair painfully when he does that, but he had no issues with this one. We did notice some hairs in the sink though he used it backwards (which might mean we weren’t supposed to do that).

-It was nice to be able to customize what length stubble you’re going for. The Trimmer Pro has 18 settings from 1mm-18mm.

-We also liked the options for faster and slower speeds.

Overall, this is an excellent product for no-brainer trimming if you want to get that “next day beard” look, without waiting for your hair to grow in after shaving and hoping it does so evenly. The Stubble and Beard Trimmer Pro retails for $59.99, and you can get it here. If you have any thoughts on this trimmer, or any others that you like, we welcome you to share them in comments or tweet me here.

I met Ross D. at a party a few months back, and after one look at him, I knew we had to talk. That nonchalance! That haircut! Here was a guy who owns his look, whether it’s a jean jacket and t-shirt or his “ride or die” vintage leather jacket. So I asked him a few questions…

Rath: What do you do?
Ross: I work in music. I do songwriter/producer management.

Rath: Where do you hang out?
Ross: I live in SoHo and pretty much never leave the downtown area. All my friends make fun of me. Going uptown is like a major travel commitment for me. The Upper East Side might as well be New Hampshire.

Rath: Are you thinking of signing that guitarist behind you?
Ross: If he can play “Stairway to Heaven” with his eyes closed, standing on one foot, while balancing a pineapple on this head then it’s a done deal.

Rath: What do you wear to a meeting with songwriters or producers?
Ross: I usually wear whatever I feel comfortable in. The great thing about working in music is so can dress however you like. It enables you to express yourself creatively, which I feel ultimately helps foster both a creative and productive work environment.

Rath: What’s your favorite NYC music venue?
Ross: I really like Bowery Ballroom. They always have good shows and the vibe is great.  Brooklyn Bowl is a cool venue as well. Who wouldn’t like kicking their friends asses in bowling while listening to great music?!

Rath: What sort of outfit do you usually wear when you go there?
Ross: I usually wear whatever I’m wearing to work, etc.  However, recently I saw Hole play. I felt obligated to wear flannels and grunge it up.

Rath: Where do you shop for clothes?
Ross: Pretty much everywhere. In the words of my mom “Living in SoHo in like living in a mall”. She is right. It is hard to step outside without buying anything. Trust me, I have the bills to prove it.  I love vintage clothes. Eleven on Elizabeth is one of my favorites. LA has GREAT vintage. Jet Rag on La Brea is hard to beat.

Rath: What’s your favorite outfit?
Ross: Definitely my black vintage motorcycle jacket. It took me forever to find the perfect one, but when I did I knew this was my “ride or die” jacket. I love the fact that the damn thing will outlive me and will probably end up right back in a vintage store someday being someone else’s “amazing find”. Full circle. Gotta love that.

Rath: Where did you get that rad haircut?
Ross: Amy at Arte Salon. She is the best. Not only does she give me a dope haircut every time, but she gives me whiskey too!

Rath: Do you spend much time on hair styling, or are you a wash and wear guy?
Ross: I’m definitely a wash and wear guy.  Bed head was the best thing to happen to guys since ESPN.  I wonder who the genius was that invented this look? Probably some hungover guy that was too lazy to comb his hair before work one day and just owned it. Brilliant.

Rath: Do you have any men’s style pet peeves?
Ross: Wow I have a lot. First off, those knit hats with the baseball brims. They are the worst. This leads me to my next pet peeve…guys that wear knit hats in warm weather. If you are having a bad hair day or whatever just put on a baseball hat. I also really hate sandals. Good for the pool/beach but bad for everyday life. Who in the hell wants to see a man’s hairy feet?!

I was flipping channels the other morning when I came across the above specimen of non-eyebrow grooming. At first I thought it was a joke, like maybe David Faber was having a snooze in the green room when Erin Burnett took a razor to one half of his brows and some crazy glue and a fake mustache to the other. But after a few minutes with no one batting an eyelash or, er, a long eyebrow strand, and showing David Faber how foolish he looked, I realized that it was no joke indeed.

I’m not saying guys should go out and get their eyebrows perfectly formed, but when the pieces are so long they start to tickle your eyeballs, or you have one eyebrow instead of two (a unibrow? uh…check please), it’s time for a little grooming action. Find a reputable salon in your area and ask the groomer to reduce your brows. Tell him or her that you do not want scarily feminine eyebrows of the Jesse Metcalfe variety, but rather normal, cleaned-up, but still masculine ones. Then get yourself some tweezers and a pair of small scissors, and touch them up yourself in between visits, being careful not to get overzealous. Also consider using Givenchy’s Mister Eyebrow fixing pencil which contains adhesive polymers to keep those stubborn stragglers in line.

P.S. Dear TV-photographing, I wish I knew how to quit you.

My always sharply-dressed and well-coiffed friend was visiting town last weekend, and both his Mint Tingle Facial Masque and his hair product were commandeered by airline security. So he asked me for a recommendation as to what he should buy to tide his hair over while here. After busting on him for being such a product junkie, I told him – and now I’ll tell you – about my go-to hair product: Kusco-Murphy Lavender Hair Cream. While in all cases one size doesn’t fit all, I’ve seen it work nicely on a variety of hair types, and that’s why I recommend it. Its texture and weight are perfect, as it’s neither too greasy like some of the heavy waxes out there for guys, nor too sticky like the silicone-based anti-frizz products. Also, it’s not a gel, so your hair actually looks like hair, not a gravity-defying “blowout” like DJ Pauly D’s signature ‘do from Jersey Shore (check out this amusing video tutorial of him demoing his hair styling technique: “I’m just rubbing the gel around the perimeter”…wha? If your hair has a perimeter, we need to talk. See my Services page.).

Anyway, back to Kusco-Murphy’s lavender goodness. The smell is amazing, but very subtle, not like you bathed in Axe Body Spray. Although this product is on the expensive side, a little bit goes a long way. The best price I’ve found for an 8 oz jar is $30 plus shipping here or $35 from Arte Salon and Bigelow Chemists in Manhattan. Take a dab and rub it between your palms, then work it in back to front.

Check it out, and let me know what you think!

It was clever TV programming last night to pit the guy-magnet movies “Old School” and “Saving Private Ryan” against the 82^nd Annual Academy Awards. Although a lot of men are averse to watching awards shows, much can be learned from how the stars present themselves. Here are some interesting picks and the serious and not-so-serious messages they tell me as an Image Consultant.

Wow, just wow. Ryan Reynolds looks relaxed and at ease in his monkey suit, something that’s not exactly easy to accomplish. His confidence absolutely shines through. Takeaway: own your look and people will notice.

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James Cameron shows his playful side with a haphazardly stuffed blue silk pocket square. The color and execution of this detail reflect his creativity and unpredictability. The matching of pocket square to wife #5’s dress is also unpredictable…er, unpredictably bad that is. Maybe it was meant as a gesture of solidarity with his incumbent spouse, especially with his stunning and stylish ex Kathryn Bigelow also up for numerous awards. Regardless, someone please tell him that the Oscars and prom are two very different scenes.

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In contrast to James Cameron’s fluffy pocket square look is Jake Gyllenhaal’s meticulously folded white one. From his neatly trimmed hair, eyebrows, and beard to his perfectly fastened bowtie, we see his understated sophistication and attention to detail. This is a guy who makes his bed every morning — or at least tells his butler to.

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Style icon George Clooney is always dressed and coiffed impeccably, especially for awards shows. That’s why his hair cut fail is particularly surprising. The man actually has duck fuzz bordering on a mullet. The only rational explanation for this deviation from his usual elegance must be that he’s got an upcoming part in “Wayne’s World 3”. If that’s not the case, I’m sure there are boatloads of ladies who would be more than happy to trim the back of his neck for him.

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While it’s old news that Robert Downey Jr. is an aggressive dresser, we really see how playful he is via this look. Of note: despite his apparent sneaker-wearing nonchalance, he does match his sunglass lenses to his bow-tie. Evidently there is method to the madness.

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Robin Thicke thinks outside the box with his velvet tux and calfskin loafers. It’s hard to do this with formal wear, which has so many hard and fast rules, but the talented Robin Thicke displays his imaginative but still refined clothing personality.

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Woody Harrelson…is down with world peace. ‘Nuff said.

Admittedly, there was a lot to dislike about the man style on display during the 2010 Winter Olympics. From Johnny Weir’s black and hot pink corset,

to Robin Szolkowy’s Elizabethan clown ensemble (complete with oversize pastel buttons and high ruffled collar),

the men’s skating costumes were an epic frozen fail. A blogger at AOL’s Popeater even went so far as to liken Evgeni Plushenko’s outfit (below) to something a third grader might design on his Lite-Brite.

Since plenty has already been said about the bad, here I’m going to highlight the looks I loved.

BRONZE MEDAL

Yes, this one’s a little random, but pickings were slim! The bronze goes to Switzerland’s Jonas Hiller for his goalie mask (above). Among the more commonplace designs with their trite faux hard core imagery à la Ed Hardy (below),

the Swiss player’s look stands alone with its vintage style images. It takes you back to the heroic feeling that Olympic logos used to impart, before glitzy corporate branding and sponsorships took over. It’s a terrific mix of throwback style and modern flair.

SILVER MEDAL

The Silver goes to Shaun White for his luscious man mane. His layered cut works particularly well for him because it adds volume on the sides, thus balancing his narrow face shape. I wouldn’t recommend that he grow his hair beyond this, however, because it would only lengthen his already oblong face. His nicely formed curls are almost Olsen twins-esque in their casual carelessness. A music industry exec who used to sport his own bouncy-yet-manageable long hair described it to me well: “It’s a good look if you can rock it, and Shaun definitely rocks it. It’s a reflection on who he is. We should all be more individualistic.” So props to Shaun for rising (literally!) above the competition.

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GOLD MEDAL

Known for his classic all-American sportswear, Ralph Lauren is the perfect choice to design gear for the US Olympic Team. His outfit for the closing ceremonies was a fantastically vivid throwback to the time-honored style of the American athlete. Even Bob Costas was down with this look. When the athletes walked out last night, he immediately exclaimed, “They sure come out here with some sharp gear!” Now I wouldn’t recommend taking style or hair advice from Bob Costas, but the man is dead right about this dapper look. The ties spotted with the Olympic Games crest paired with the plaid shirts are a fine example of pattern mixing. Separately, the shirt or tie would be just so-so, but when put together, they take the outfit to another level. Also, I’m very into the rakish navy riding caps. They convey an iconic sporty sophistication and refined sensibility. This closing ceremony look is befitting of our talented Olympic athletes, and they absolutely wear it well!

1. Hair product can tend to make your forehead shiny, so wash your face after application to avoid that lacquered look.
2. If the weather is foul, and the party you’re going to isn’t dressy, try wearing a dark wash, slimmer cut pair of jeans with rugged boots. You can even roll your jeans up neatly as seen here:

but for the love of Gandhi, please don’t tuck them like this guy:

3. Be prepared for the occasional host who asks guests to remove shoes at the door by wearing dress socks that are in good repair – you could even try a pair of red or green ones (not both!) for subtly festive flavor. I like these which are on sale from J. Crew.
4. Do keep your facial hair trimmed for holiday festivities. The only people allowed to have big furry beards are Santa and Randy Moss. When your facial hair brings to mind a certain fake beard from Jackass: Number Two…that’s a party fail.

5. Make sure your hair isn’t greasy on the day of the party. You should be looking slick…your hair, not so much. If you’re unsure if it looks dirty or not, ask a female friend whom you trust to be straight with you.
6. If you wear cologne, spritz once (or twice max) on your neck, then put the bottle down. While it’s true that in the wild animals are attracted to each other based on smell, less is more when it comes to people.
7. No matter how festive you’re feeling, don’t wear any decorative ties, sweaters, etc. with things like reindeer or Santa on them. See #2 for how to add a dash of holiday spirit. If you absolutely cannot do without novelty clothing items, put them on a patient friend, like Robert.

8. If you tend to have an everyday uniform like jeans and a t-shirt with a button-down thrown over it, try thinking outside the box for casual party wear. Pair one of your cool graphic t-shirts (no sports team tees please!) with a military cardigan and a nicely fitted pair of dark jeans.
9. If you’re going to a party that calls for “black-tie optional”, and you don’t own a tux, instead of renting one that surely won’t fit right, another “option” would be to wear a black, navy or dark grey suit with a white shirt and a dark either plain or patterned tie.
10. If you wear glasses, make sure the lenses are clean. Ladies want to see your handsome eyes, not the smudges on your glasses.

Many of my recent conversations with guys about menswear have turned to what to wear on your feet in sloppy winter weather. If you have nice shoes but are worried the slush/salt/rogue gifts from the neighborhood dogs lurking in the snow are going to ruin your gear, consider a pair of overshoes. Companies like Sierra Trading Post and Neos make boots that go over any kind of footwear you’re wearing without having to pull and stretch on rubber like those creepy galoshes from back in the day. They’re waterproof, warm and have high traction on the soles so you stay upright at all times. My favorites are the Explorers

and Uptowners

from Neos and the New England All-Season Overboots from Sierra Trading Post.

If you’re looking for something a little more streamlined, check out the Men’s Executive Overshoe from Tingley.

They aren’t insulated, but they’ll keep you dry and standing on your feet instead of your bottom. You gotta love the names companies give for men’s shoes…”Uptowner” and “Executive” — how subtle!

And if you’re just looking for rainwear that’s not obnoxiously ugly, I am very into Tretorn’s rain boots. I like both the green for a downtown look and the charcoal for something more conservative, or “uptown,” if you will.

So there you have it, my first post. Welcome, and please come back soon for more musings on men’s styling!