CABBIE, originally uploaded by sizzled.

how nervous is this guy?

i’m sure the 4 drunk assholes screaming in his cab had nothing to do with it.

If you are trying to go for high fashion and something that would definitely make you stand out from the usual business suits, then zoot suits are the best bet for you. These items of clothing not only are interesting as to design and appearance but also have a slot in fashion history.

The zoot is usually intended to be worn to parties, formal occasions, and dances. The amount of material and tailoring required to make zoot suits were considered luxury and therefore made them items of luxury as well.

These have a distinctive appearance in that it has high-waisted, tigh-cuffed trousers and a long coat with wide lapels and of course the shoulder pads. These are worn with accessories such as hats with long feathers, and pointy shoes. Most men accentuate the look with gold watch chains that dangle from the belt to the knee or below then back to the pocket.

The zoot makes for an interesting item of clothing. It does not only guarantee to make you look good and feel great, but it also gives you that feeling of luxury and some history that come with zoot suits. So better try putting on this ensemble and start making heads turn every time.

Looking good is a matter of style and, above all, fit.

We all want to look our best when choosing an outfit for work or play. Some of us have been blessed with fantastic genes but many of us need to work with what we have so it’s crucial that you never settle for anything less than the most flattering designs and fits. For men 5′7″ or shorter, there is one tip to keep in mind when shopping for shirts, trousers and suits: proportion and fit are everything!

1. When choosing prints, keep them proportionate to your body by selecting smaller patterns, such as micro-checks. Vertical stripes are always a good choice.

2. Avoid wide ties, which will make your body seem disproportionate by comparison.

3. Choose dress shoes that have a clean and simple design with thinner soles.

4. Avoid blazers, sport jackets and suits with more than three buttons.

5. Don’t lose patience when shopping.  A proper fit must be your top priority. A) Whenever possible, buy bespoke clothing so that each garment is tailor-made to fit and complement your body. B) For many reasons, you must never purchase ready-to-wear clothes that weren’t specifically designed to fit smaller frames with the intent of altering the sleeve, body or trouser lengths. To start, the shirt’s pocket location will be too low on your body, around waist height, and the pocket-size will be too large, covering a disproportionate  area of your shirt. The armholes, sleeves (even if shortened), and overall fit will be too loose, looking sloppy. Trousers face similar issues. Although a trouser’s length may be shortened, the bottoms will be too wide in proportion to your feet. Also, the wider legs and longer rise combine for a baggy and ill-fitting trouser. The pocket bags will be longer than needed, making it awkward to use your pockets.

The Antonio Valente bespoke program eliminates all these issues and can give you the fit and style needed to flatter your body type.

Last week, we talked about Seersucker (the fabric). We talked about the origins and why people wear it. This week, we thought we’d talk about Seersucker suits. They’ve been on the rise all over the country (especially in the South and East) – typically worn by younger men. The question is, if you are to wear one of these, what do you wear with a Seersucker suit?

The Seersucker suit is quite the statement on it’s own so if you are going to be touting one, you should just be wearing a plain oxford button down shirt. If you’re going to wear a tie, a plain silk one should do in this case (preferably dark). If you’re wondering whether you should wear a tie or not, make sure to read our blog post on this.

pärast väikest uinakut ärkasin ma umbes kell 2 ja asusin tegutsema – uni oli tappev, kuid kohvi ka polnud, mis mind korralikult jalule aitaks. täna siis ostsin lõpuks paki suitsu kah – olen mitu päeva ilma olnud ja nüüd otsustasin, et viimased kopikad lähevad siiski suitsude peale. süüa mul on – mis seal ikka. tahaks juba metsarahasid. tänane päev kulges kiirelt – modesin reidis, rääkisin msnis inimestega, tagusin näoraamatu kultusmänge ja tirisin omale ka mängu audiosurf, millest olin enne kofferi foorumist kuulnud. ma ei teadnudki, et seal saab oma lugude järgi “sõita” – suhteliselt tore oli mõni ropuma biidiga dnb lugu peale visata ja end blokkidest hulluks õgida. meenutas veidi guitar herot, aga see pole see pole see pole see.

ega midagi muud ei olegi, õhtu jätkub samamoodi nagu alati on jätkunud. äkki täna jõuan varem magama? kes teab. vähemalt on mul olemas nüüd mu kullakallid vähipulgakesed :*

I AM BACK! Again.

Eddie the Mascot!!

Just when you think that I am gone for good and that you might not have to read my shit again, I am back.

Other commitments had forced me out of the reviewing business, for more than a month as you can see, I last was here on the 19^th of last month.Anyways I am back with a review I am doing more to get into the way of things than anything else. All of you have heard this band and this album, and it is not as if Iron Maidens music varied or progressed a lot with time. They started from Point A, and will end at, more or less at Point A. They were more punkish in the beginning, went on to including some keyboards and tried to be more theatrical and epic later on. Their live concerts are good stuff, and have to be since their music is meant for concerts and head banging, and it’s the stuff that people can take their kids along too, these guys don’t swear, and are friendly too, do not wear make up to make themselves look like ghosts, etc etc..

Iron Maiden? You all know Iron Maiden! From England, started playing fun melodic fast metal with twin guitar attack in 1980 invented by their predecessors Judas Priest, and are still doing roughly the same stuff, which more properly came to be known as NWOBHM, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, basically metal as described above, with a touch of punk, plus with a singer hitting all the very high notes, while dealing with all of the normal metal clichés in a fun sorta way. You know, death metal and doom metal are all “dark” and supposedly “dangerous”, and with growlers and grunters, the brand of metal which Iron Maiden popularized has “fairy” singers sort of, who go AAAAAAAAAAAA..the plus side..easy on the ears, minus side/plus side, you can understand what they are singing, which can be a drawback for some people who want serious lyrics, but a plus for people who get a laugh out of  lyrics like “6-6-6 the Number of the Beast, Hell and fire was spawned to be released” etc. Also the album covers of these NWOBHM bands are all very colourful and cartoonish. You can see the devil quite clearly, unlike on all these black metal bands whose album covers are all dark and bare.

However, their debut, on which they have Paul Di Anno as the vocalist, is almost my favourite Iron Maiden album, The Number of the Beast might up there too, but some songs on here are just tad more memorable. The signature Iron Maiden sound started from here and it always nice to look at the origin, especially if you have heard what is to come after. Also, I can never forget the title track, specially the intro, when the guitars just come in with that memorable tune, which just keeps ringing in my head. “Remember Tomorrow” exploits the soft-lound dynamic well, and is quite the killer track on here.

For the début, Iron Maiden displayed an impressive variety, they are very spunkish and tight, if you know what I mean, raw sounding, Anno is a good mean singer with the punk streak. Except for “Charlotte the harlot” everything is fine and well, on here, and if apart from “Live After Death” I had to strongly recommend an Iron Maiden album, it would be this one, and not The Number of the Beast”. Sometime ago, I would have named the afore named, but I realized suddenly that too many of my favourite tracks are to found on the début.

So get this one if by chance you missed out on it. It is good. Sounds Right.

-Baba T..back from the depths of hell..

For more IRON MAIDEN reviews, click HERE.

For more METAL reviews, click HERE.

Random pic I found on google..early days....is Anno in there?

We are just putting the final touches to a quite fabulous 150’s wool suit for a client. The fabric is absolutely amazing and with being a 150 it is soft, silky and stylish whilst being hard wearing, durable and long lasting.

We have also just made a fantastic tweed 3 piece suit which is simply divine and there will be some pictures up shortly online.

The Christmas season is sneaking up on us again at an alarming rate and with there only be just over 4 weeks to Christmas it is time to get those Christmas presents. We have a full range of the finest clothing for every budget, from the beautiful bespoke suits that can be bought as a present using our vouchers, stunning bespoke shirts which can also be bought for Christmas using our vouchers, or you can have one made for a loved one secretly as a surprise by either sending us a shirt that we can match, or you can provide us with the measurements of a favourite shirt.

We also have a full range of John Smedley knitwear and beautifully made English made socks by Pantherella and Scott Nichol.

So if you want to give that extra special gift this Christmas, give us a call and we can arrange to come and see you.

[Flickr/Dagg2008]

What comes to mind when you hear that something’s been made in China? Let me guess. You’d probably call it a cheaply made knockoff or you’d be very concerned about lead/melamine poisoning. Well, when it comes to suits, think again!

Over the past three months or so, I’ve seen an increase in impressive top-tier coverage of a relatively unknown Chinese clothing brand based in Dalian, China (an industrial/manufacturing port city in the northeast). This “brand” is hardly the next Shanghai Tang trying to establish itself as a global luxury brand, nor is it growing powerhouse retailer like Uniqlo. So what’s with all the media attention from CNN, Bloomberg News and The Wall Street Journal (see video below)?

Since it’s extremely unlikely that Trands has retained a public relations agency, the media buzz can only explained by their star customer, Warren Buffet. Yes, you heard right – Warren Buffett, the second richest man in the world who’s better known for his investment strategies than his sense of fashion and style.

Mr. Buffett loves Trands so much that he’s been quoted on the record that he only wears these “Made in China” suits and has thrown out everything else. While he’s hardly a fashion icon, I wouldn’t be surprised if this $700+ Chinese suit becomes the next symbol of wealth and power for businessmen around the world.

Like many of you, I’ve noticed how well dressed Don Draper and those fellows are over at the wildly popular television show Mad-Men. And probably like many of you, I’ve said to myself “Yeah I wish I could dress like that!” Well here I am to let you know just how possible that is!

For starters, the woman behind all of the mad men suits and other wonderfully well dressed folks is costume designer, Janie Bryant. Luckily for us, Madmen has become so popular that Janie Bryant is coming out with her own line of Madmen inspired clothing. While the line isn’t out yet, Janie did design a single suit for the usually conservative cloth maker Brooks Brothers.

This classically grey suit is designed after the regular suits Roger Sterling wears. This is slimmer than Brooks’ usual suit and has a sharkskin like pattern, 2 buttons and a very narrow lapel. The armholes are cut a tad higher to create a slimmer fit as well. What I love best about it is the fact that you can tell how the suit longs to hug your body in all the right places ( ie. arms, chest, shoulders, while subtly becoming less slim around the waist and stomach areas saving you from the worry of showing us your tummy.)

While the suit’s price is a fair $998 dollars, I know many of you out there will say that this is far too expensive for a young man like yourself. But the best part about dressing vintage is that many of these suits are sifting around thrift stores and resell stores alike. Your best bet after finding a material and pattern you like at the thrift store, is to take it to a tailor you trust and ask him for a trim that fits your silhouette.

Add a pocket square, a slim tie, a shirt that is ironed-starched to the max and you’re ready to go. Just remember that those clunky square “power” dress shoes won’t cut it. You need something more streamlined like these, Cole Haan’s Air Jefferson Moc Ox (Oxford.):

Remember that you can never go wrong with a classic look folks. Stay classy and simple, and you’ll be the best dressed guy at that next cocktail party.

-Trey

Looking around for mens suits can be quite a drag. You never seem to know where to start. There’s always the question of how you can purchase that perfect suit you have been searching for. Well, there’s no need to worry anymore. We all know that online shopping could be the best way to go. Lots of options are available on the net same as when you would buy from a typical walk-in store that sell mens suits.

Most of the time shopping online is better and more preferred by many. Varied styles are available in a wide array of colors and fabrics. And cuts can be customized also depending on what you feel suits you. And best of all, discounts are also there for the taking. Quality mens suits for lower prices.

So what are you waiting for? Now that you are given the best option to purchase your suits, might as well go and grab it. Definitely a good deal for those with a tight budget, and it’s really hassle-free. Visit www.offpricesuits.com for more details on quality mens suits for a lower price tag. You’ll be happy you read this. Now, looking around for the perfect suits need not be a drag. Consider this the best place to start!

The pocket square owes its origins to the handkerchief, which has been used for over 600 years and originated in England. Initially, the handkerchief was adopted by the upper class, but by the 17th century it was common among all classes throughout western Europe. Originally, handkerchiefs were kept in trouser pockets. However, by the 19th century, as two-piece suits came into fashion, men started to place a clean handkerchief into their jacket’s breast pocket. By the 1920’s the pocket square had become more of a fashion accessory, especially after folding techniques were developed. The pocket square as accessory was cemented in the 40’s and 50’s after disposable tissue was introduced.

Always appropriate, a pocket square is a fantastic way to add colour and detail to any sport jacket, blazer, suit or tuxedo. The only situation in which we would not recommend sporting a pocket square would be if you’re wearing a boutineer.    

A boutineer with a pocket square seems crowded and overdone. One should preclude the other.

When accessorizing an outfit with a pocket square, try to match it with your tie or shirt. If your approach to clothing is more traditional, then feel free to use a white pocket square. Our favourite look is combining an Antonio Valente sport jacket with one of our sport shirts, worn open, and a pocket square made from the same shirt fabric.

Shirt and pocket square were cut from the same fabric

There are many pocket square styles, from the traditional square fold (The Presidential) to anything you may imagine. Have a look here for helpful illustrations and step-by-step instructions on a wide range of pocket square looks.

I am going to be slowly adding some stuff I shot on a recent trip to Asia over the next few days.
it never made it on my old blog so I plan on putting it up here.

here:

Skate Park, Singapore

Mosque, Singapore

Boots

Woman

Street Food Vendor, Singapore

Singapore Barber

Suits

Taxi

View from the Hotel Mandarin, Singapore

While most people thing of diving and wet suits, in fact the scuba wet suit is just one of three types of exposure suit that can be worn in different circumstances. While wet suits and dry suits provide the diver with thermal insulation to reduce heat loss in the water, a body suit is made from lycra and imply protects against scrap, stings and sunburn.

Wet suits

A wet suit keeps the diver insulated by trapping a layer of water between neoprene of the suit and the skin. The water warms to body heat at which time it acts as an insulator and helps reduce heat loss from the diver’s body. A full-length wet suit can be in one or two pieces and often worn with a hood, gloves and boots, but in warmer water it is common to wear a “shorty”, a 2 or 3mm wet suit with short arms and legs that provides some insulation to the body. The thickness of a full wet suit ranges up to 7mm, depending on water temperature.

While a standard wet suit typically allows water in through the zip, semi-dry suits are in fact simply wet suits with a waterproof zip. This means that the rate at which water can enter the suit is slower and you don’t feel the sudden rash of water to the zip area as you do with a traditional wet suit zip.

Dry suits

When the water drops below 12 or 13 degree celcius it’s time to think of a dry suit. As the name suggests the idea of a dry suit is to keep the diver completely dry as well as warm by providing a layer of insulating air as well as being able to wear layers of insulating clothing. A dry suit is usually worn with gloves and a wetsuit hood and because it is different to a wet suit special training is required.

Body suits

Often made from lycra, body suits offer very little insulation to the diver but prevent injury from sunburn and scrapes. Body suits are sometimes known as rash vests and can be full length, shorty, or top only. A body suit can also be worn under a wet suit to aid putting it on and off, as well as offering protection against the sun when on a dive boat.

If you are diving in the Costa Brava then you’ll only ever need to consider a full wet suit or a dry suit – even in August most people find the water too cold for a shorty and the additional insulation offered by a dry suit is welcome in February and March when the water temperature drops to 13 degrees C. However, if you don’t want the extra cost of a dry suit then a semi-dry suit is adequate for most divers year round.

Are Danica Patrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. headed for the same garage? It certainly appears that way as rumors churn that IndyCar’s biggest celebrity Patrick will sign a two-year contract to race for JR Motorsports, the Nascar Nationwide Series band owned by Earnhardt. She’ll continue to race full-time for Andretti Green Racing in IndyCar.

The two corporate darlings are the highest-paid drivers in their corresponding sports thanks to a bevy of endorsement deals. Earnhardt earns $10 million annually from dear sponsorship deals with the likes of Adidas, Polaris, Wrangler, Chevy and Nationwide Cover. Patrick pulls in an estimated $2.5 million a year from her deals with Bell Helmets, Tissot, AirTrain Airways, Crown Antifreeze and Samsonite.

Shields Helmet

I went and I wore jeans! Nice jeans that I styled with a cute jacket and magical heeled boots, but still, jeans were in the mix. Why is this significant? Well actually it isn’t in the grand scheme of things, but it mattered to me and here is why.

While I was a student we were expected to wear matchy-matchy suits to many events and I always felt like I was playing dress up “Look at me, I’m a businessman”. When I showed up at Connect in my jeans I was half expecting to be turned away at the door. For the record, I saw three men in jeans (one was the Proffessor who deals in Marketing and Social Media… my industry) and ZERO women in jeans. More than one person confessed to me that they wished that they had worn jeans instead of the uniform.I made some great contacts and if anything I would believe that I stood out from the finance/banker types which was my goal at this particular event.

While I am all for a well tailored non-poly-blend dark suit when the occasion calls for it, I do not feel that wearing a suit automatically projects the image of importance it once did. Especially student budget suits. I have come across people who believe that if the top and bottom are the same colour then it is a suit. Tell me high end jeans a jacket and well chosen scarf don’t trump that.

The suit is dead. I called it.

Next week: Wearing your pyjamas to work. Pros and cons.

Liz Claiborne is a leading women’s clothing and accessories retailer that markets its products as designer items, but prices them to appeal to the broad market. They have been a household name for over 40 years when they started back in the 70’s by an unknown dress designer and her husband. Back in the early stages of Liz Claiborne they wanted to provide women entering the workforce with fashionable and versatile work attire without losing the femininity to there wardrobes. Liz Claiborne offers a wide range of separates so you can mix and match. They offer wardrobes that make you feel pretty and put together whether it’s a tee and shorts or a dress to a suit, Liz Claiborne makes you feel like a women. So still to this day Liz Claiborne has remained one of the top selling designers, so if you are looking for top notch clothes then shop Liz Claiborne.

Darayonan Lodge

Darayonan is a Cuyonon word that means a place to stay. The lodge is situated in a residential part of Coron town, strategically located along the National Highway. Darayonan Lodge aims to provide its guests with clean and comfortable rooms, good food and quality service. Aside from that, one has options on choosing the rooms to stay at: in the native bamboo, sawali and banig set-up or in the modern concrete and tile two-story building.

Darayonan Lodge is an accredited tourist inn by the Philippine Department of Tourism. It has played host to a number of VIP’s and celebrities, the most notable of whom are Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and then U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone.  In fact, Congressman Baham Mitra was amongst the guests of the lodge during our stay from October 21-24, 2009.

What is striking about this place aside from its homey atmosphere is the owner’s love for the arts. It definitely is a reflection of the owner’s strive in achieving perfection in everything. From the lodge’s interior decorations to the food being served for each meal. He personally goes over every little details right before being served or handed over to the guests. We stayed here for 4 days and 3 nights; and it was a part of the overwhelming positive experiences that I have had during my stay in Coron, Palawan.

The place is clean all the time! They see to it that the rooms and private comfort rooms get cleaned everyday during your stay. They also make sure that the entire lodge is spic and span all throughout the day. I have never seen any litter at all in my entire stay.

The facilities in this lodge pass the normal standards of travellers: hot and cold shower, all air-conditioned rooms, centralized water system. It’s like you never left home at all. I’ve had a comfortable stay at this lodge.

It’s also probably the only lodge that includes breakfast for two along with the daily room charge. And what’s more, drinking water and coffee is unlimited, no extra charge. I should say that staying at Darayonan is really a value for your money.

Darayonan Lodge has facilities and amenities as follows:

Cafe which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner

Choice of fan or air-conditioned rooms

Queen-sized beds, single-sized beds plus two extra beds if necessary

21″  colored television sets on all their rooms

Refrigerator/Mini Bar

Closets

Writing desk cum dresser with mirror

Bigger rooms with higher ceiling

Bigger bathroom

Veranda

Darayonan Lodge not only offers bed and breakfast for travelers. In fact, they also  arrange tours/trips for you so you’d have a grand vacation for you or your family or even with your friends.  They have enticing packages which includes everything (accommodations/rooms, land transfers from and to Busuanga, food and tours) and you won’t have to worry a single thing about your vacation. Every single detail of your vacation will be taken cared of  at rates that would suit your budget. Group or barkada packages also await travelers who  wish to visit Coron in groups or together with their families and loved ones. Darayonan Lodge does not have a website at this point in time. So if you like to get price quotes for your stay with them, you may get in touch with the owners through these contact numbers:

Chin Fernandez owner of Darayonan Lodge

Location:  132 National Highway, Barangay Poblacion 1, Coron, Palawan

Cellphone: +639178811151

Landline: +6327443209

Email: dipulao@gmail.com

Üks mu sõber hiljuti ostis vesipiibu ja küsis – “kuidas see asi toimib?” Hakkasin selgitama mehaanilist poolt, kuidas pits tubakaga täita, palju vett panna, jne. – äkitsi segas ta vahele. “Ei, noh, ma mõtlen miks see asi siis nii hea on? Mis selle asja point on?”

Ma tahan, et sõber tunneks end rohkem rahulolevemalt peale hiljutist ostu, selleks mõtlesin välja 5 põhjust miks ta peaks rahul olema oma poestuuriga.

#5: Sigareti suitsetamine pole sotsiaalne tegevus.

Sigaretisuitsetajad käivad enamasti üksi ukse taga pahvimas, eralduvad seltskonnast, et “laks” kätte saada. Vesipiipuga püsivad inimesed koos, pole vajadustki ju seltskonnast lahkud?

#4: Vesipiip sisustuselemendiks?

Eestis leidub meeletul hulgal erinevaid stiile vesipiipe. Puust, marmorist, riidest, modernsed ja idamaised. Sinu ülesandeks jääb ainult leida oma toa täiustamiseks see õige.

#3: Erinevad maitsed

Ükski sigaretisuitsetja ei suitseta maitsestatud tubakat. Viinamarja tubaka suitsetamine piibust paneks sind välja nägema nagu mingi 80-aastane Oxfordi professor. Vesipiip on parim viis maitsega tubaka suitsetamiseks – inimesed on hakanud sellest juba aru saama. See on mõnus.

#2: Tossuga mängimine on fun.

Teha tobedaid movemente suuga, et tossumasse liigutada on tõesti fun. Äkki on veel mõni trikk varuks – rõngad, mängud.. jne.

#1: Sigaretid ja suitsuhais ei muuda kedagi lahedaks.

Sigarid, piibud ja sigaretid on oma aja ära elanud. Kõik, mis nendega kaasneb on eemaletõrjuv. Hais kätel, riietel ja suus. Mõni selline su kõrvalistmel on vahel täielik piin. “Kas sa ei võiks riideid vahetada ja nätsu mäluda, palun?” Vesipiibuga sellist ebameeldivat lõhna ei teki, juhul kui te pole söega kokku puutunud või tubakat täie hooga kärsatanud.

Jos. A. Bank offers a wide variety of quality clothing options, from classically tailored suits and tuxedos to business casual and sportswear wear fit for all occasions.

JOS A BANK THANKSGIVING SALE! UP TO 70% OFF

Also known as nail’s-head, a bird’s-eye is a fabric woven with a pattern of dots resembling the eye of a bird and is most often used to make suits.