Gentleman’s Essential #5: Getting Framed

Having your formerly perfect eyesight change is an eerie experience.  In the past, I would try to image what it would be like to not see everything crystal clear.  I would blur my eyes so I could empathize with my family and friends.  Fast forward to the present.  I sit in Managerial Finance, and now I’m the one squinting.  I’m not glaring at the professor (I keep my loathing inside), I’m not going for the "smolder" look - I’m simply trying my best to focus on the presented spreadsheet on the screen.  Sure enough, Dr. Jim gave the grim diagnosis – I’m nearsighted now.  Is that a bad thing?  Eyeglasses are something new to me, so let us take a look at how they factor into the gentleman’s look.

If it’s your first time getting specs, go for a slimmer frame.  The look might not be as startling to yourself if you err on the side of caution.  After you get more confident in your new look, thicker framed, plastic glasses will be your secret weapon in your image arsenal.  After all, consider JT (pictured) – he’s sporting the thick plastics and he’s pretty much succeeding in every aspect of his life. 

There are three main points to consider when buying glasses:

1.  Get an idea of what the shape of your face is and find glasses that complement your characteristics.   If you have an oval face, you’re in luck.  Just about any set of glasses will look good on you.  Squared faces should opt for glasses that have curves to soften your angles.  Whereas if you have a rounded face you should go for rectangular frames; these will give your face a more elongated look.  If you need help with this, Lens Crafters has a great resource to determine your face shape (see link below).

2.  It’s a good idea to have a couple of pairs of glasses.  This will allow you to have a more conservative look, and also have a pair that lets you express your edgy side.  The other obvious big benefit of having a second pair, is that you have a back-up in case you loose or damage your glasses.

3.  Pick a size and color that work well for your characteristics. Try to make sure to get frames that are neither more narrow nor wider than your face.  Also, coloring is important.  Anyone can pull off black or silver frames, but guys with light-brown or blonde hair can also rock the tortoise-shell frames.

While I was researching this subject for the Guy’dbook, I found a great eyeglasses service called, Warby Parker (see link below).  They’re certainly worth checking out.  They are being called “the Netflix of glasses.”  Their great styles, amazing prices, social responsibility, and customer service set this innovative company apart.  The amazing thing - they send you five frames to try for five days for free before you buy!  I have my set of five on the way.

It’s fun to experiment with different looks, but don’t try to “will” a style onto yourself.  You might see a celeb with a certain look, but it doesn’t mean it’s right for you.  If it doesn’t feel quite right, trust your instincts – after all it’s what’s gotten you this far in life! 

So don’t be afraid to augment your style with a set of glasses, gentlemen.  I’m glad this discussion has brought the situation into focus for you.

http://www.lenscrafters.com/eyeglasses/whats-your-face-shape-find-eyeglasses-to-flatter-your-face

http://www.warbyparker.com/

Gentleman’s Essentials #3: Making Time

My New Media Marketing professor, Deb Ibsen, read a list of “Things Babies Born in 2011 Will Never Know”  (Johnson, S., The Best Article Every Day, January 6, 2011).  Much to my dismay, one of the top items to get the ax was the wristwatch.  I feel that is a rather brash assumption that watches will go the way of the tape deck (and soon to be, cd player).  Admittedly, the wristwatch hasn’t been a gentlemen’s essential for too long.  Louis Cartier invented the first men’s wristwatch in 1904.  A little over a hundred years later, gentlemen rely on quality watches to help them keep time and act as the perfect style accent.  Sadly, if you were to ask a group how many wear watches, you’d only get a few hands – most people use their phones to keep time.  Just tell me something, when you watch the latest Bond movie, does Daniel Craig pull out his cell phone to check the time?  Of course not - he slides back his sleeve to reveal his Omega chronograph. 

Watches come in a variety of styles and materials depending on the purpose and look.   Let’s just keep it basic here.  The casing comes in round, rectangular/square (“tank”) shapes, in a variety of materials.  The bands typically come in metals that match the casing or leather.  Most watches are made from stainless steel or titanium and have a crystal face.  Stainless steel is ideal for your main watch.  It fits nearly any outfit or occasion, while being durable yet classy.  Choosing size of the watch face is a balance – too small and you’ll look dainty and frail; too big and people will think you’re over-compensating.  You don’t have to rob a bank to get a nice watch to accent your style.  You can don a nice watch by Armani Exchange, Diesel, or Nixon for around $150 - $300, Tissot for around $300 - $500, or a Tag Heuer starting around $600 .  At some point, any self-respecting gentleman will make the investment in a high-end timepiece like a Rolex, Omega, or Breitling.    

Why get a watch?  Men generally don’t wear too many pieces of jewelry – unless you’re going for the garish, Sopranos look.  A nice watch is a good way to show your refinement and good taste.  In researching this, many articles written by women expressed their feeling that watches made men exude sophistication, masculinity, and raw sexuality.  Aside from the functional benefits, do you really need any other reasons? 

Go pick up a nice watch guys.  It’s time.     

Gentleman’s Essential #2: WWCGD

Thank you for reading another installment of the Ultimate Guy’dbook.  I appreciate all of the great feedback and comments so far – I know it will help shape this into a forum for the “evolutionarily enhanced.”  Speaking of evolution, in 1964, Bob Dylan coined the phrase, “The times, they’re a-changin’.”  The great singer/songwriter wrote this at a time of rapid change socially, politically, technologically, and culturally.  There are many changes that should be eagerly embraced, but a gentleman’s sense of style … that should be timeless. 

There’s a general rule I follow in regards to style:  “What would Cary Grant Do?”  The logic behind this mantra, is that if you were to look at a picture of Cary Grant (see picture at left) from the 1940s or 50s, you could easily place him in any setting today.  While the standard of style is influenced by trends regularly, the iconic gentleman can look at the wild changes visible on the surface and hone in on the underlying theme.  For example, today you are likely to find huge, “chunky” scarves and clamdiggers on the guys in GQ and Esquire, but the more subtle, “timeless” trends are skinnier ties, and flat-front pants.  You have to ask yourself, “what can I wear today that won’t make me embarrassed if I were to look at a picture of myself 10 years from now?”   

In the end, the cool thing about style is that you can make your own.  It’s about knowing who you are and confidently going forward.  While you are finding your own image, find someone you can relate to.  You might identify with the sophistication of John F. Kennedy or the simple, rebellious persona of James Dean.  

Become iconic, gentlemen.  Be timeless.

Discussion time:  I’d like to hear who your style icon is.  (There’s no wrong answer.)  Ladies, who would you like your man to model his look after?  Side note:  for guys it’s style, not fashion.