Remember the Star Trek Enterprise’s deflector shields? What if you could use a bit of that technology in your shirts?

On a recent styling trip to Austin, Texas I discovered just such dress shirts at the luxury menswear shop, Keepers.

Granted these may not stop a Romulan laser blast but they do completely repel more practical and common daily assaults from spills of coffee, wine, ketchup, and every other saucy splotch that by Murphy’s Law gets right on your dress shirt before a big meeting.

Check out this video of one of these shirts in action (along with my ShamWow! like amazement in the background).

Andrew-J is the maker of these little miracles with buttons. They make both traditional cut and slim cut dress shirts in a variety of colors and retail for $100 – $150, and did I mention they’re wrinkle free to boot?

I only wish these dress shirts were more readily available. Currently only select boutiques across the country sell them and they are not yet sold online.

To find the closest retailer near you that carries Andrew-J shirts, pop them an email at [email protected].

You’ll be able to go boldly where no man has gone before: confidently to eat a jumbo hot dog with everything on it in your pristine white dress shirt.

Make it so.

Here’s a makeover I did for the producer of Single MENtality on The Pulse Network. My orders were to transform him from post college scruff into sexy man meat to be fought over by the ladies. In this video we cover the 4-part formula for casual style, which any guy can use to level up his look.  The show’s host, Phil Ayoub, had some very strong opinions about Kyle’s before and after. Let’s watch…

If you’d like the specifics on Kyle’s new date look, the button down shirt is by French Connection, it’s layered over my favorite better-than-basic-T-shirt by Diesel. The grey denim is Lord & Taylor’shouse brand, Black Brown. Belt by Levi’s. The sneakers are John Varvatos for Converse, and the vest is a traditional suiting piece I grabbed from the Ralph Lauren suit separates.

For more men’s casual style goodness check out the MANifesto.

All this repetition is making The Donald sleepy!

These guys should've switched ties in the limo.

Remember that like the gorgeous celebrities themselves, dressing too is all an illusion. While a bow-tie may be classic it’s not the best choice for guy with a shorter or stockier frame. A long silk tie is a better choice, as it helps to lengthen and thin the torso.

Every year as the Northeast gets served up heaps of slush and muck my inbox overflows with requests for waterproof shoe recommendations that are specifically appropriate for city wear.  Since bulky winter boots can be hard to stomach for those wanting to stay stylish in inclement weather I’ve lovingly put together this quick menu of Emmi Approved waterproof shoes, in an assortment of flavors for a variety of tastes.

1. The Basic Staple – Cole Haan Adrian Chelsea

Served with – Clean lines, versatility and classic styling.

Delicious paired alongside  - Straight or slim cut chinos, denim of any wash, or wool slacks.

2. The Rocker – Harely Davidson Hustin Waterproof

Served with – Metal hardware, side zip for easy pull on/off, and a side of badass.

Delicious paired alongside – Dark wash and distressed denim.

Allergy warning - Do not wear with sport themed clothing, windbreakers, or dad jeans.

3. The Techie Trainer – Asolo Asimut Gore-Tex Suede

Served with – Plenty of heal cushion and casual comfort.

Delicious paired alongside – Well cut chinos, lighter and medium wash denim.

Allergy warning – Pleated khakis, gym socks, dress pants.

4. The Executive – Cole Haan Air Winslow Cap Toe

Served with – Traditional business stylings, classic cap toe, extra tread to stay upright when slippery (or running from angry shareholders).

Delicious paired alongside – Suiting or dress slacks.

Allergy warning – Do not wear with casual denim.

It was no mistake that I timed my LA trip for mid January. Escaping the cold to make men look hot?  Sign me up!  On my second to last day I met a lovely woman who, upon discovering that I’m a menswear stylist, asked me so nicely to take her husband shopping that I willingly traded in my solitary day off to veg on the beach (I would be returning to blizzard back in Boston) for a most excellent shopping adventure on Santa Monica’s Promenade.  The mission: Transform a talented guy who hates dressing up comfortable with a look that is stylish and suitable for pitch meetings with LA advertising executives and venture capitalists.

Returning from LA on the red-eye I was unable to sleep next to my snoring, drooling seat mate.  My mind drifted to thoughts about guys who mostly dress in functional clothes - Nike active wear or golf shirts, survival training cargo pants, Keens, and how challenging it is for them to find dressier clothes that don’t make them feel like small boys forced into their first suit for a visit to Grandma.  For this group of men, the primary qualifiers for clothing choices are typically functionality, practically and comfort. Dressing up to them is alien, they have the same fear as Spiderman did when he was absorbed by the black suit. Here are some key things to keep in mind and to identify to get comfortable dressier pieces. (Dare to dream!)

Firstly it’s about adjusting expectations to reality.

Men who want their dress clothes to have the same features as their urban jungle wear (tons of pockets, elastic waistband, made completely of ‘performance’ fibers) are like the guys who appear on the Millionaire Matchmaker because they want a girlfriend with the kind soul and generous, humble personality of an unattractive woman with the body of a super model. In order for them to find happiness they must realize they are harboring an unrealistic expectation and must accept reality by determining what it is they actually need.

Like different tools serve different purposes, so does different clothing.

You need the right tool for the job - A hammer can’t remove a drywall screw elegantly or neatly.  Similarly, a modern sport coat won’t serve the same purpose (nor feel like) a Patagonia safari vest. Chances are you won’t be able to stuff everything you (think you) need into the pockets to survive a zombie apocalypse and still have room for your iPhone*. But remember – right tool for the right job; you are not choosing dressier clothes for a zombie apocalypse, you are selecting those clothes to make a particular impression, something more important to you and your future than “guess which pocket holds my beef jerky and trail mix?”

Just because it isn’t featured in a tactical clothing catalog doesn’t mean it can’t be quite comfortable.

My guys always discover this shortly after their initial flail coming out of the fitting room. With the alien skin newly applied, they waive their arms in large circles and say, “Maybe it’s a little tight , I’m having a hard time doing THIS”, their mid-air butterfly stroke expanding wildly. I ask them how much flying around the room like a pterodactyl is required of them at meetings.  Then I ask them if they’re comfortable performing all the physical activities in that blazer that most likely would be required of them while wearing it. Like shaking hands, pointing to increased sales figures, sitting, etc., and voila! Within moments they realize that for those things the jacket they have on is actually quite comfortable. With expectations adjusted here are 3 other tips that will make getting comfortable dress clothes less challenging.

1. It doesn’t have to be a monkey suit. Men assume they have to stuff themselves into a stiff restrictive traditional suit to look dressed up or professional. Erase that assumption from your mind. It’s about mirroring the attributes of that professional clothing.  Miraculously, you will discover you can find more casual and creative versions of all business attire. The blazer above is made of brushed cotton with a bit of spandex so it doesn’t feel like a typical suit jacket. The shirt has contrasting fabric lined double point collar, more creative and distinct than a plain old dress shirt. The pants are soft chinos in a dark gray with a slim cut so that they resemble slacks but feel more like pajama jeans. Even the lace up oxfords look like a dress shoe on top but have a rubber sneaker sole.

2. Don’t settle. You have to feel confident after you’ve put it on. Seriously,if you don’t feel like one bada$$ motherf@#*,  don’t buy it. I don’t care if it’s on sale, you’ll regret it later.

3. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Thanks to Zara, the entire look above from head to toe, even with California being home to the highest taxes in the nation, totaled $220.

So next time you need to get some dressier pieces, keep in mind the intended purpose. Use that as your basis to judge suitability, while taking into account how much the item reflects your personality, and most importantly, and how confident you feel. And if the Zombie’s attack while you’re all dressed up and sans tactical gear, you’ll look so good that not only will you get saved, you’ll probably get elected de facto leader of the surviving humans. It’s all in your hands now.

*Scottevest makes the most city appropriate, concealed pocket clothing around, but currently have no Emmi Approved modern sport coats. If you carry a lot of stuff and need a daily casual sporty fleece, windbreaker, or a classic travel jacket, definitely check them out.

A common frustration I hear from men at the start of the winter season is the inability to find winter footwear that protects them from the elements yet still looks good (and not by rural farm country standards). Here are some quick tips to help the hunt.

Go Gore-Tex – You don’t have to be James Bond to benefit from some high tech action in your in footwear. Gore-Tex is a thin, man-made membrane that when used as a lining in shoes and boots makes them impenetrable by water yet allows for air to flow out. Since it’s so thin, this Fort Knox protection doesn’t come at the cost of destroying a sleek shoe’s line. Now this may not help you disarm a bomb or win at high stakes poker against a one-eyed villain, but it will ensure that your feet stay comfy and dry in the wettest weather without suffering a case of elephantiasis shoe. Brands like Ecco and Johnston & Murphy are a couple of the shoemakers that carry Gore-Tex lined footwear.

Water resistant vs. water proof – What’s the difference? Well if you live in a place known for torrential conditions it’s the difference between wet socks and dry socks. We could go into all the scientific mumbo-jumbo about how the two differ but instead you can think of Batman as waterproof and Robin as water resistant, when you get into deep water which of the two would trust more to get the job done?

Rubber soles with grip – It used to be that beautifully crafted men’s footwear always had a leather sole. Great in concept but once the streets start icing over you’ll be spending more time with your face on the pavement than you did during your last trip to Vegas. So if you like the idea of staying stylish and upright this winter, opt for shoes with a rubber sole instead. Cole Haan does a masterful job of blending classic and modern dress shoe uppers with streamlined, sturdy, and gripping rubber soles. It’s a winning union of form and function and a wonderful reminder that man no longer has to choose between style or comfort.

Q – My girlfriend hates how I dress. I’ve been having nightmares about going to her folks home for Thanksgiving. She says when they say casual, it’s not my version of casual (jeans and tshirt). I need a little guidance please! 

A – I get this question almost daily around the holidays and have come to realize that the confusion comes from a codependent set of common misconceptions 1: In order to be better dressed, one has to dress more formally, and 2. The only two options for social gatherings are either jeans and T-shirt or dress pants and button down shirt. Inside that rule set it’s nearly impossible to dress for a celebratory, casual dinner.

In reality men have infinitely more options for casual attire than ever before, but choices and uncertainty can make for a paralyzing combination. Here’s the secret – looking pulled together in ‘relaxed’ clothes is about mirroring the attributes of more formal dressing such as form flattering construction (emphasis on shoulders, not stomach), quality fabrics (cashmere/wool in lieu of pilled cotton), and making good use of layering and accessories. Try well constructed sweater or cardigan over a nice (not Hanes) T-shirt or simple button down and jeans or modern wool slacks. The sweater acts as the ‘finishing’ piece adding more substance to your look and cleverly hides any belly extension you’ll encounter after second helpings. When it comes to the footwear, just about anything will work with this, but you can also use the shoes to make your attire even more casual by pairing with some basic Chucks or dress it up with a half boot or lace up oxford. And don’t forget your most important accessory, a gorgeous bouquet for your girlfriend’s mom.

You know those typically cheesy movie trailers in which the impossibly rich, deep, velvety male voice attests, “Every once in a while a movie comes along, that completely changes your life …”  Well, replace movie with shoe. Yes, shoe. That’s what I was hearing in my head when I first laid my eyes on these bad boys. Hunting for a client’s new fall threads I stopped into Cole Haan and zeroed in on the “Tasker”. Truly, love at first sight. So completely overcome with affection for its quality of design, craftsmanship and uniqueness that apparently I began groping the floor model in a manner which the sales associate was clearly not accustomed to. It is important to note that, much like with other works of art, the photo does not do these justice.

The Tasker gets its FTW rating for 3 reasons:

Versatility - With a full suit or sport coat and slacks these look like beautifully crafted dress shoes. With a nice pair of denim and sweater they take on a new life as a sexy boot for day or night. 

Uniqueness – Too many times the concept of uniqueness is marred by flashy or tacky details; this is not so with the Tasker. From the working brass buckles, to the beautifully dyed trim edge, to the subtle medallion toe; kudos to the designer for creating a distinct yet timeless classic.

Quality Materials & Assembly - A worthy investment because not only do these boots have aesthetic longevity, they’re also crafted to last season after season.

If a blue shirt & khakis is the boring uniform of business casual, its Luke Wilson off-hours equivalent is the untucked dress shirt & jeans.

Here’s how to take this casual pairing from “Eh.” to “Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?” with some easy adjustments.

Button down – An untucked traditional dress shirt, especially if it’s a standard fit can look sloppy, opt instead for an actual casual button down; these really do exist I swear, it’s not like the virgins waiting for you in heaven thing.  Typically casual button downs posses a fit and print better suited for ‘hanging out’.

Jeans – Even though the typical sartorial rules for pant breaks don’t apply to jeans, there is such a thing as too long (no TWSS jokes please). If the denim starts to to buckle and bunch up to the knee or higher, that jagged silhouette is a sign your jeans have gone too far, literally.

Layer – Layering is the casual man’s secret weapon, well that and ordering off the dollar menu. Even a simple, non logo emblazoned sporty zip up like the one above adds visual interest and can eliminate suspicions that you just rolled out of bed in your t-shirt.

Noggin - Men tend to update above the neck at an even slower clip than below. Exhibits A and B, glasses and hair style. If you’ve been wearing the same glasses for a few years now consider upgrading frames or getting contacts. Lastly, when it comes to your hair, even small changes can make a big difference like brushing your bangs to the side rather than having them lay limply across your entire forehead.