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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Men's Winter Jacket Selections

Hey man!

Yeah you! Unzip your overdone Columbia fleece and take out your pen and pad. 


These are your new winter coat options. Period.

The Leather Jacket

They've been around for years and aren't going anywhere. So buy a nice one that's simple and fits well but doesn't pull when you zip it up. A couple different styles of leathers to be aware of. Your fitted leather jacket is shown on the left. A nice option for the trendier gentleman. The motorcycle jacket is nice but is way overdone and WAY over-worn. Simplicity and longevity is what we're going for here, folks. So don't buy a jacket that makes you look like Ezio from Assassains Creed II. No straps, no accessory zippers, no patches or spikes. Time and place my friends, time and place.

The best place to find great leather jackets that have a nice worn-in look will be at thrift stores. You'll also be able to afford real leather. 


If you like fur on the collar, get one with fur on the collar. I've got no qualms about that. 

Just make sure this jacket fits and will continue to fit. My leather jacket was my father's, not ironically, and it fits to perfection. 

It's okay for these jackets to ride a little higher on your waist. They're made that way.

Lastly, under $200 is right on target for a middle of the road, new real leather jacket.

Cool? Cool.






The Peacoat



Traits:

  • Long cut
  • Any color but stick to neutrals and blues
  • Wide, open lapels
  • 2 or 3 buttons
  • Single or Double breasted


By far the most versatile and useful jacket. These you'll want to keep super clean, as they DON'T get better with age like your leather jackets. Pick a brown, dark blue, black or beige one in your process. Anything other than that should be left up to the runway guys. Peacoat's look incredible with suits, button downs, sweaters, or just plain old t-shirts. It can be dressed up or down. You choose.

If you're on the market for any jacket. Get a peacoat. 'Nuff said.

J. Crew Peacoat
Brook Brother's Peacoat
ASOS Peacoat

The Army/Military Jacket




Traits:

  • Large Pockets
  • Neutral/Green colors
  • Longer cut
Resurfacing from the 80's and, well, actual military uniforms the "Army" jacket is a great way to dress down a sweater and tie. Also, a plain t-shirt would work well. You should never spend a lot of money on these jackets. They should be relatively thin and provide minimal warmth. Thrift stores and eBay are great places to start your hunt.

Please, stay away from actual military camo designs and for God's sake, don't buy this in that generic camo. You all know what I'm talking about. It just ain't cool.



J. Crew Field Mechanic Jacket
Barbour 'Sapped' Waterproof Waxed Jacket
Billfold Arctic Parka
Scotch Worked Out Army Jacket

The Bomber

Traits:
  • Tighter fit
  • Rounded low cut collar
  • Cuff and collar color different from jacket color
An awesome way to layer. The bomber started out as an Air Force staple but has moved away from the original fabric and look. Wool bomber's are not terribly cheap but you should be able to find one under $150 most definitely. 

Friday, November 7, 2014

The Ultimate Guide to Inexpensive Men's Pomade

The Ultimate Guide to Inexpensive Men's Pomade:

Products will be rated on:

  • Hold Strength
  • Malleability
  • Fragrance
  • Packaging
  • Solubility
  • Price
It will come down to a final MAN SCORE which is irrelevant somewhat to the ratings. Products have different intentions for different hair types so it's tough to pit them against each other based on their traits. MAN SCORE is based off my opinion of the overall achievement of the products goals.
Let's get stylin'.

 Imperial - Fiber Pomade

Hold: 3.8
Malleability: 3.9
Fragrance: 4.3
Packaging: 4.2
Solubility: 4.7
Price: $15-$25

If Jello and Silly Putty had a child...A large portion of the population that have tried this product LOVE it. I beg to differ. I was somewhat let down due to it's sustainability and overall performance. I really can't pin down what hair type and texture could really benefit from the
Imperial Fiber Pomade. Maybe anything but mine? They have others in the line that are less water-soluble that I might enjoy more, but not too sure. This product could be good for someone to add some technical shape to the tips of their hair. For example, pinching and twisting the tips, like and Ashton Kutcher, circa 2003. Good times... I do love their branding and marketing efforts. They have made themselves known as a small business with pro performance.

MAN SCORE: 3.9 (out of 5)


Suavecito Pomade - Firme Hold

 Hold: 4.6
Malleability: 4.0
Fragrance: 4.1
Packaging: 4.2
Solubility: 4.8
Price: $15

Lives up to hype. It got the consistency and coloration of molasses and gelatin. The perfect combination of a pliable-like paste with a rigidity that won't tumble when you tie your shoes. If you're purchasing, you might as well go strong hold. Maybe you'll save a few bucks using less.
You may have to use just less than a dollop (sour cream measurement scale, of course) to get the job done. I've used this for a week and a half and nothing has changed. I find that adding it to wet hair is useless, duh. But if everything happens to be falling out of place right when you're five o' clock shadow is coming in, of course, water smoothes everything out and you get a nice fresh palette with some residual product. The ideal pomp product. Nuff said.

MAN SCORE: 4.6


AXE POMADE - Messy Look - Matte Paste

 Hold: 3.6
Malleability: 4.7
Fragrance: 4.1
Packaging: 3.5
Solubility: 4.7
Price: $7

So, this is one of the most accessible pomades/pastes out there. They ARE EVERYWHERE. AXE has a large line of the products and they work pretty well for specific hair types. They just aren't for me. If you have light thin hair, curly or straight, and want a
messed up look, you've found it. The stuff feels clean, if you know what I mean. No greasy residue left on your hands and it smells as if old spice and a flower made love. The texture is pretty awesome also. This is nice if you have a fly away or to just slick the sides down. It is so malleable in your hair and on your palm. Please, don't expect this product to hold firm whatsoever, you'll be let down. If you want to look like you've been tossed out of an old saloon, rolled down a hill, then scratched your head thinking "Wow" than you've found your hair home.

MAN SCORE: 4.3

The Iron Society- FIRM HOLD


Hold: 4.0
Malleability: 4.0
Fragrance: 4.8
Packaging: 5.0
Solubility: 2.5
Price: $15

The best packaging and scent of any any pomade, was, gel, cream out there...EVER. I imagine Ron Swanson uses Iron Society three to four times a day. Not because he needs to but because he wants to. You probably don't need to wear cologne because this stuff is a natural
aphrodisiac. It's very hard to firm to the touch when breaking the seal. Use a good amount when applying, almond size should do the trick. Be weary, it will take MULTIPLE WASHES to get this stuff out of your hair. That also means using Dawn soap or another industrial brand if you want clean hair quickly. The plus side to this is you won't have to use as much when applying daily. Wash pillowcases more frequently to avoid any acne from residue.

MAN SCORE: 4.3

MURRAY'S

 Hold: 4.6
Malleability: 3.6
Fragrance: 4.0
Packaging: 4.1
Solubility: 0.2
Price: $5

It wouldn't be a hair product contest without the classics. MURRAY'S is by far the best known and least expensive product on the market. You can literally find it everywhere. Just don't plan on ever getting it out of your hair. This is a three day minimum commitment here fellas. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan. But with so many other water-soluble and semi-soluble products on the market it can be hard to justify. You have to have a comb specifically for using this stuff as it never comes out. A lot of hair dressers and barbers are against using MURRAY'S as it makes their job
harder. However, the benefits lie in the hold. This is a product for the traditionalist who doesn't mind the sticky finish...for lack of better phrasing. It boasts a soft, slightly shiny finish.


MAN SCORE: 4.0






BYRD - Hair Pomade


 Hold: 4.0
Malleability: 4.0
Fragrance: 4.0
Packaging: 4.1
Solubility: 4.0
Price: $15

A cool surf style company, with a cool clean product. Great fresh scent, with a slightly above average hold. This is probably for the guy who just wants a little texture to his tossed beach hair. For me, it's not a winner and I can't quite put my finger on as to why.

There really isn't a whole lot to say at this point. Give it a try if you like, or don't. Win-win.

Hair type recommendation: Thin, short, wavy.

MAN SCORE: 3.9







The list could go on and on but I'll cut it short for you're reading, or not reading pleasure.

So, put down your bottle of max hold L.A. LOOKS (CRUNCH!) and DEP gel and start trying something new.

KEEP CALM and DON'T BE THIS GUY!



- from the inside of My Father's Closet