5 Men Designer Dress Shirts You Should Not Miss in 2012

Men dress shirts are an essential part of men’s fashion. The dress shirt you are wearing determines the message you intend for the public eye. But how do you know what to choose when there are so many kinds of designer dress shirts out there? At Man Fashion, we have listed down a list of designer dress shirts that are consider.

Missing out Ermenegildo Zegna collection would be a big loss for a fashionable man like you. The color palettes of the dress shirts are so different from usual that it brings a sense of freshness to its usual collections. Attractive to the eyes, the dress shirt will definitely be a good addition to your wardrobe.

Something different and refreshing presented by Versace in the Milan Spring 2011 showcased a range of dress shirts meet rockabilly. Forget the suit when you take on Versace’s dress shirt, the dress shirts presented here are outstanding even on their own with dual-tones and a unique taste towards horizontal patterns. Pair them up with a nice sleek suit and pants and you will look ready as ever to hit almost anywhere, formal or not. Versace did not shy away from daring swirl prints with its dress shirts and if you are one to dress boldly, this shirt is not to be missed.

Another designer dress shirt that you could not afford to miss this year is the Dolce & Gabbana dress shirts showcased in the Spring 2012 Fashion Week. The brand came up with silk foulard in every conceivable dress shirts and colors.

DKNY models walked down the runway with pale blue dress shirts this Fall. Those simple yet elegant-looking dress shirts could come in handy for any occasion.

Nobody love color and patterns more than Etro but if you can’t get enough of them and want them on your dress shirts, Etro’s Milan Spring 2011 is definitely the one not to be missed. The dress shirts are executed in faded colors and small detailed patterns. Throw on a suit and it looks formal; take it off and the dress shirt can be used for something casual.



Do not be afraid to try daring colors and patterns as you never know what might actually suit you better.

Men Fashion: Dress Eco-Friendly, Are You?

You may be asking yourself what exactly is an Eco Youth and how can you dress like one? Well, we can sum this up in a couple of words: hippy and bohemian. As an Eco youth, you are someone who cares greatly about ecology and the planet. The things you wear and do are all with a saving the planet mentality.

Alright, so let see what you can do here. The first priority you can start with is to look for online stores that sell eco-friendly clothing. This is clothing that is made with recycled materials or who use coloring and dyes that are earth friendly with a production process that does little to pollute the earth. Bear in mind that the eco-fashion is basically more than just fashion really, but also how these things are made.

Next, we will briefly touch on how we can contribute to this.

1. Always carry around one of those recyclable ‘green’ grocery bags with you that have the word Green on it. This way everyone knows you are all about green stuff.


2.  Look online for clothing stores that feature green or eco clothing and articles. A great place to look as well is vintage stores and thrift stores. Recycled clothing at it’s finest.


3. Buy your jewelry from vintage stores and don’t go buying real pearls, ever.


4. On that note, you cannot wear anything made from animals; no leather or suede and snakeskin boots are definitely out!


5. If you use any kind of beauty product, from shampoo to makeup you have to be sure none of it was tested on animals, has no animal proteins or whale blubber or anything like that in them. There are specific places that sell eco friendly products of this nature, search them out.


6. Your clothing should be made of cotton, silk, bamboo or any other type of sustainable thread. Clothing and shoes made from hemp is a great way to go for this look.

The Eco Youth look is not any one particular fashion or look, it’s all about what clothing you are wearing, what it is made of and how it was made. If you are wearing something that was made by a company who is serious about being green then wear whatever you want from them.



In short, eco Fashion is all about saving the planet and looking good while you do it.

How to Take Care of Men Dress Shoes

A timeless pair of men dress shoes that is durable yet comfortable will set you back anywhere from $100 to $500. So now that you’ve splurge on that piece of leather beauty, how are you going to get the most out of your investment? With proper care and preventive maintenance, of course! We share with you in this article little trivia when it comes to men dress shoes care 101.

1. Shoe trees

What are shoe trees, you ask? If you have that question in mind, clearly you’ve been neglecting the necessary maintenance care for your dress shoes. So, do them a favour and go to any reputable shoe store today and get this piece of nifty device available at a price of $20. This device works impeccably with all sizes, thanks to the coiled metal spring stem. But, most importantly, it fills out the shoe thus helping the supple leather keep its form. Try not to skimp on the quality of shoe trees and opt for ones made from hard wood, preferably cedar which helps eliminate detrimental moisture and that offensive odour especially after a long day of walking in your dress shoes.

2. Water repellent



Most dress shoes at the store come readily with a layer of water repellent, or so they claim. But for quality ones that come with a hefty price tag that is usually the case. But, as suspected that layer of protection tends to deplete with each wear. So, be sure to habitually reapply a coat of water repellent to the leather on a regular basis but it all boils down to the frequency of usage. This way those fashion statement on your feet can take a beating from elements such as rain and snow.



3. Clean, Condition, Polish



Here comes the most laborious part of dress shoe care and that too is in fact three simple steps. First, remove the grime off the top of your shoes with leather cleaner. A good one will effectively eliminate all traces of dirt, stains and most importantly, residual built-up polish. Secondly, an equally important step of shoe care is conditioning to replace the leather’s natural oils, keeping it soft. It is crucial to note that this should be done right after a good cleaning, when the leather is still slightly moist. Lastly, proceed on to buffing your shoes. You can use either wax, cream or paste polish but avoid liquids at all cost.



4. Protective soles













For that amount of money you’re shelving out for a good, high quality pair of leather shoes, chances are you’re also paying through your nose for leather soles. For me, personally, it is a pain to see the most vulnerable part –the soles of my favourite pair wear through the elements and with leather soles that pain turns into agony. So, why not add a rubber sole protector to lessen the impact of constant abuse? Stylishly thin, these rubber soles cost about $1 each, truly putting them at the front line of defence for your dress shoes.



5. Avoid heat



It is a huge mistake to dry out leather shoes with direct heat, a sin equivalent to murdering that exquisitely hand crafted piece of leather artistry. Yet, most men have committed such crime. Leather should always dry under natural circumstances. Never, I repeat never, overheat it by placing them near an open fire or stove. This will literally cook the leather, robbing it so intensely of moisture that it turns brittle.





Give your men dress shoe a little pampering once in a while to keep it even more durable and lasting.

Nike Sportwears Air Yeezy 2 - Black/Pink

The general aesthetics of the Nike Air Yeezy 2 hasn’t really been a mystery, having since been seen a multitude of times on the feet of Kanye West. We can thank to the hardworking paparazzi for snapping up these shots of Kanye rocking the latest creation in the streets of New York. Seen in a black/pink colorway with a glow-in-the-dark outsole, the overall silhouette is more or less unchanged, yet there is a snake skin, or similar material, used on the ankle paneling.

Men Fashion Style to Avoid for 40+

A distinctive charm to men in their 40s lies in the fact that they know what they want. Well beyond their 20s and 30s, an age of self experimenting or so they say, men of such knows what style works for them. But does that mean you can’t stray once in a while and wear out those electric blue pants you bought on a whim that has been stashed at the back of your closet ever since?

We say, why not? For S/S 2012, menswear collection has been all about the perfect blend of maturity and that oh-so-elusive element of youth injection. Be it Milan, Paris, London or New York, designers are showcasing lines where any men in their 40s would be eager to get their hands on.

That is not to say without limitations. No man wants to look like they’re desperately grasping on to the handles of youth, would they? So here are some guidelines on what to avoid when you’re being adventurous with fashion in your 40s. Let’s start with hair. We sometimes reckoned it would be frustrating that hairstyles for men are very much constrained. But, unless you’re a rock star from the 80s or Fabio Lanzoni for that matter, steer clear of the long locks.



Ever since Kanye West appeared on stage with a printed buttoned up blouse from the Celine spring 2011 women’s runway show, the menswear world has been a-blazing with patterns ranging from floral to geometric to animalistic. This is evidently so in the London fashion week where designers such as James Long and Christopher Shannon has created garments with their own unique spin on prints.

Even with the high street brand, Topman which also presented at the recent London fashion week, we see a collection that is heavily inspired by a Moroccan-esque pattern with what can only be expressed as a Moroccan princes’ sleeping attire.

Prada S/S 2012 collection during Milan fashion week is also harping on the same note but this time around, the focus is on pants with a colourful burst of floral patterns.

So, note to men in their 40s, the Spring/Summer 2012 trend of wild patterns is not for you! It is still possible to have fun with prints but don’t go overboard with it, find instead pops of pattern in a garment that catches you by surprise.

Another dress code that should be avoided at all cost by men in their 40s is the short shorts, even if it is for leisure. A not to be missed trend during the Spring/Summer season of 2012 witnesses a spike in shorts with an ungodly length, well that is for a man whose body is somewhat past its prime state. That is not to say the trend isn’t a stroke of brilliance. Like with the Hardy Amies look shown right below, shorts gave a carefree vibe to the entire collection, giving an otherwise stuffy suit a fresh new twist. But, piece of advice to those of you in their 40s, please err on the side of caution when it comes to experimenting with shorts.

Shoes and accessories on the other hand are in a total entity of their own. It might be the only fashion garment that the concept of no holds barred is applicable. A man can be seen carrying around a tote from the Celine collection. The non forgiving fashion faux pas of wearing socks with sandals is even making a controversial comeback to the 2012 runways for men. That shows how much room for play there is when it comes to shoes and accessories. The key is to always keep it simple and suave.

Men's Jackets: Aviator

If you invest in one trend this year, make sure it's one of the key winter coat fashions for 2011. There are quite a few to choose from and aviator style and leather jackets promise to be near the top for durability, reliability and just looking great.

If you thought this was for Tom Cruise only, think again. These jackets seem to have everything. They're warm, waterproof (if you choose leather as your material), look great and add a funky touch to a formal outfit that will stand out from the crowd. The style can vary, so take length, material and cut all into consideration so that you will have a unique piece and will be able to make the look your own. There are so many combinations for zips, pockets, belts and buttons that no two are the same anyway.

The aviator style started with the fighter pilots of the 1940's; the leather and sheepskin lining kept them warm in the frigid temperatures of the stratosphere. So they are ideal for British winters! It took off as a fashion trend in 2010 and is still going strong this season, due to its versatility and the fact that they will go with almost anything.

Shop around, whether online or on the street, and make sure you get the best deal on one of these jackets. There will be a price to suit every budget and you may well end up picking up a bargain for your trouble. Superdry is one brand that is well known and has been around for a good few years now, and their aviator jackets offer style and comfort.



With an aviator jacket you will be prepared for anything; rain, hail, sleet or snow, your jacket will ensure you are kept warm, dry and comfortable no matter what winter throws your way. Go for a longer style for work and make sure you arrive at the office warm and dry, and a shorter style for those more casual days as they look great teamed with jeans. Don't forget to add a touch of the season's colours with a bright scarf for added warmth.

Sneaker of the Week - PUMA Clyde

Sports lifestyle brand PUMA® has partnered with legendary culture brand, Undefeated, to launch the Undefeated (UNDFTD) Collection with PUMA, a special collection centered around one of PUMA’s most iconic and celebrated styles: The PUMA Clyde. This long term project will make Undefeated a true design partner with PUMA, designing a collection of PUMA Clydes that will be released beginning in April and

throughout 2011 and beyond.

The partnership between PUMA and Undefeated is about pushing boundaries and refreshing a classic style and icon, The PUMA Clyde. Undefeated and PUMA explored trends in the marketplace and collaborated to interpret these fashion and lifestyle nuances into footwear styles that are inclusive of both brands. The first release from the collection will be on April 10th followed by another release on June 10th, and many more throughout 2011 and beyond. Consumers can expect to see clean lines and a unique exploration of materials and textures.

The PUMA Clyde was chosen for this project not only for its significance to the PUMA brand, but also to sneaker history and pop culture. Customized for basketball great and current announcer for The New York Knicks Walt “Clyde” Frazier in 1973, the Clyde was the first signature basketball shoe. Built on performance and style, it immediately became a mainstay on the court and on the street. As a statement shoe, it was part of the uniform for cultural artists – DJs, b-boys, musicians and graffiti artists. With its clean and classic styling, the PUMA Clyde continues to be on-trend today.

Fashion Community: Hackett London to Help Victims of Japan's Tsunami

As part of efforts to support Japan, Hackett has launched a limited edition polo shirt to help the victims of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, with all profits being donated to The Japan Society "Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund".

The polo shirt has been designed with traditional Japanese embroidery of the cherry blossom which is an emblem of love and affection. The declaration of ‘Hope’ is stitched on the polo in English and Japanese characters, highlighting the belief in a positive outcome from such a disastrous and tragic act of nature.



The polo shirt will be available in store and online from the end of April, with the option to pre- order in Hackett stores worldwide or you can register yourself here.