Tux jackets have been quietly dressing down over the past few years, and this spring, the trend is everywhere.

No doubt feeling suffocated by their Beluga caviar and champagne trappings, tuxedos are demanding to have their standards relaxed. Note, these looks are more appropriate for dressy casual situations rather than strict black tie.

When chosen well, the casual tux or evening jacket, is actually a solid investment piece since the typical guy needs more options for dressy casual events than formal ones.

These aren’t your traditional Men’s Wearhouse penguin suits, the new evening jacket is edgier, trimmer cut, and not at all stuffy.

Another key to executing the dressed down tux trend correctly is the pairing, there’s no tuxedo shirt in sight. Wear the evening jacket with a silk polo, casual button down, or well chosen tee.

Runway left to right: Balmain, Costume National, Hermes.

Photo credit: Marcus Tondo

During a Snowpocalypse, it doesn’t matter what you’ve got on your feet as long as your toes stay dry and warm. But what about all the other typical Northeast crappy weather days? When the clouds are lightly spitting on you or everything is wet from snow melt, you’ve still gotta go to work, meet with clients, go on dates, and all the other normal life stuff that doesn’t match up with bundling your feet like an arctic explorer.

Here are 3 waterproof shoes ranging from casual to dressy that will keep you dry and stylin no matter where you’re going.

Completely Casual-
To wear with jeans I love these casual high-tops from Tretorn, they come in black, brown, and bonus, a two-tone grey and olive. Perfect for any casual look, they have a relaxed feel yet still more sophisticated than a traditional wellington rubber boot.

Work to Weekend-
This versatile, classically styled suede waterproof Stanton boot by Cole Haan will pair well with chinos, casual slacks, and jeans. That’s right, the business casual Trifecta. Available in dark brown and black.

Suiting and Special Events-
This is the trickiest weather proofing category. You’ve got a black tie or formal event that calls for your sharpest James Bond attire but the conditions call for a Gordon’s Fisherman Slicker? Boss Black solves the problem handsomely with these high shine waterproof shoes in dark burgundy, a color that goes with any darker suiting or slacks.

Now get out in that rainstorm and put your best foot forward!

Got another pair of great waterproof shoes that don’t look like rubber booties? Share ’em in the comments.

Curious about this season’s trends?

Here’s a rundown of the 9 most popular themes in menswear this fall and sage advice on how to incorporate them into your look. Perhaps more importantly pointers for how not to be the painfully trendy guy whose clothing screams “I’m trying too hard”.

When interpreting trends into reality it’s a good idea to remember that looks coming down the runway are styled deliberately to have the focus be on the clothes, the model is the backdrop. In real life, you’re the focus, not the backdrop for your clothes.

Leather – Call it Matrix nostalgia. Black leather with a fighting feel, prominently inserted as panels into wool coats or at times worn head to toe, was part of more collections than not.

Do: A classic motorcycle cut leather jacket, sans mega heavy metal hardware and in a low shine or distressed finish will look masculine, and remain of the moment, long after the all leather trend has passed.

Don’t: Go for a full length leather flasher trench coat. Sure, you may attract attention, but it’s mostly gonna be from security.

Tweed – Perhaps no other fabric has a more autumnal feel than tweed, this rough surfaced wool is a chilly weather staple perfect for transitioning from summer to fall.

Do: Put a tweed vest or sport coat over an oxford button down and knit tie and pair with a great fitting jeans.

Don’t: When incorporating a texture like tweed, best to combine it with contrasting fabrics like denim, thin wale cord, or smooth wool rather than another tweed.

Turtlenecks – If designer collections are any indication, the fashion forces that be seemly want the turtleneck to become the new dress shirt. Placed underneath vests, blazers, tuxes, and jackets, designers left no neck exposed. But be forewarned this is a garment that should be worn with care.

Do: Wear a rugged cable knit turtleneck underneath a structured jacket to strike a balance between soft and hard.

Don’t: Wear a thin body clinging turtleneck by itself or worse don it with a chain.

Murses – The man bag was once a controversial little item, now it seems no look is complete without one. Designers showed carry-alls in every color and shape so even the die-hard Jansport carrier can find something he likes.

Do: Try something other than black, especially if you wear a lot of neutrals. Whether it’s olive, crimson, or eggplant. A bag is one of the safest ways to add color and edge to your style.

Don’t: Purchase something you’re not 100% confident carrying.

Saturated Colors & Unique Textures – The runways were filled with in your face colors like, mustard, electric blue, and dark burgundy and also a fair amount of brocade, embossed, and embellished fabrics.

Do: If you’re starting out with bright colors or ‘blingy’ fabrics, incorporate them into your accessories like a belt, socks, and shoe laces.

Don’t: Choose a bright shade purely because it’s your favorite without regard to how it will look with your skin tone and coloring. Bright red looks hot on a Maserati, not so much on a pale white guy. Also, pants are an easier way to wear a bolder color or fabric because it won’t be fighting with your face for attention.

Statement Shoes - All of the trends we’ve been seeing in clothes the past few seasons like mixed materials, metallic finishes, prints and bold colors, have finally made it below the ankle.

Do: Break out of your black and brown rut by adding a differently hued or even pattern shoe to a plain white button and jean look.

Don’t: Have a ton of other colors and stuff going on and then add crazy shoes into the mix.

Bold Prints: Stripped of stripes, painterly prints (think Monet using an overcoat for his canvas), literal animal prints like owls and flocks of birds, abstract art and cartoon sketches ruled the runways.

Do: Wear underneath a simple sweater or sport coat for some added visual interest and uniqueness.

Don’t: Let the print overtake you by showing it off in it’s entirety. You should be the focus, not the print.

Double Breasted Jackets – After being abused and abandoned by the oversized 80′s a new trim tailored double breasted jacket is back.

Do: The double breasted cut widens a man’s silhouette, so wear it if you have a lean or slender frame.

Don’t: Pull out 30 year old suits from storage and think they’re finally back in. The wide lapels, giant shoulder pads and wide armholes instantly show that it expired decades ago.

Velvet: Traditionally worn for holiday parties, designers tried showing velvet isn’t a one trick pony by incorporating it into everything from casual pants to sneakers.

Do: Pick one item to go velvet, like a trim blazer, well cut pant, or shoes.

Don’t: Go fuzzy head to toe Velveteen rabbit style.

It’s no secret that well dressed guys get more attention from women, but what exactly makes the difference between getting noticed and getting her number? I tapped my good friend Thomas Edwards a.k.a. The Professional Wingman to share some of his tips with you.

***

No matter how good you look, it won’t mean anything if you can’t connect with the women you meet. So I’m going to teach you the Three C’s of Approaching, a strategy I share with clients to help improve their success in creating great first impressions.

The rule of the Three C’s is, “if you have the first two, don’t worry about the third.”

Context -

This requires you to be aware of the environment around you. What is she drinking? Is she reading a book in the travel section of the bookstore? Is there anything that stands out about her? The people she’s with, if any? The activity she’s involved in? Use these clues as your way to start conversation.

When you can connect with her from the very beginning, you no longer look like a “random guy.”

Confidence -

I know Emmi is great when it comes to style, so pay attention to what she tells you! Her advice is what I like to call “24/7” advice. It applies anytime, anywhere. If you’re looking to live a specific lifestyle, this advice not something you can only do 8 hours a day.

To add a quick side note:
Grooming is the easiest of all the things you can do. Trimming your body hair, showering daily, and keeping your fingernails clean and neat are all things women notice. Neglecting these simple things will dramatically affect your attractiveness and make it very hard to recover from.

But confidence isn’t just through what you wear — it’s HOW. Your body language is paramount to your overall success in any interaction. But with confidence being an emotional state, how can you project that?

You can do it physically by smiling, standing up straight, keeping hands out of your pockets, putting your drink by your side and slowing down your movements — for starters.

Verbally, you can do this by talking to other people, no matter who they are. I’ve seen that just talking to anyone and getting used to it will increase your ability to start conversations with attractive women.

Both strategies have a dual-purpose — to project your confidence externally to other people and trigger your internal confidence through action.

Content -

Once you understand the context of the situation, you’ll have no problem thinking of what to say. If you’re approaching her during the day, you’re better off being direct, stating you find her interesting (or attractive) and introducing yourself.

If you’re out at night, you can still be direct but most guys aren’t as comfortable doing that so instead, be indirect with your approach by asking her a question or making a observational statement.

Invest the time to take care of this part of your life that is completely under your control and it’ll make the things that are harder to control a little easier.

***

If you’d like to learn the best strategies to meet, attract and connect with women, check out Thomas’ company, The Professional Wingman; and if you’re in Boston or New York City, you can attend the next Wingman Academy event.

Dressing well unequivocally improves and enhances your sex life. Whether you’re single and start getting approached by women, or with a significant other who is more attracted to you, when a guy starts dressing better, he usually starts having more sex.

That may sound like an inflated statement, and I’ve held off writing this post for fear of sounding crass, but after so many texts and emails like this from my clients (ps. can be awkward getting one of these when I’m on a date), I had to share. Business experts always tell you to talk about all the benefits of your service. Problem is this particular beni isn’t exactly appropriate business conversation. But it’s still pretty damn awesome. Maybe I should start phrasing it in market-speak? Something like: “an increase in men’s social success, at night”.  Or maybe in code: “improve your opportunities for interpersonal aerobic activity”.

You see, knowing what kind of clothes to put a guy in that he’ll love wearing too is not a traditional talent (not like I could apply to NASA with that one, although wait, guess no one can apply to NASA right now). Yet this styling mojo is something I can remember doing since the age of six, and while this may sound a little crazy pants, it feels like I was born to do it.

So that’s where this post is coming from, I’m so grateful to be able to focus my life on doing what I love most and also have it be a positive contribution to people’s lives, nookie and all. I love this job!

Now back to increasing that night time social success. It’s no secret that aesthetics matter at the core level to women, why else could a guy could be content living in an apartment which contains only a futon and a poster while a woman isn’t be happy until her place looks like the inside of a Pottery Barn? And the same selection programming they use at Pottery Barn comes into play in social settings, meaning if an otherwise fine item’s package is all busted up and unattractive, they’ll simply ignore it.

So here are the top 3 ‘packaging’ mistakes that get in the way of otherwise cute guys getting noticed by women. If you’re in Boston next week I’m presenting a fun and useful workshop on just this topic which you can check out here.

1. The Baggy Shirt
As a man, you want your shoulders to be the most prominent part of your physique. Think of your torso as a V. You can thank the loincloth clad cave man days but women are primaly attracted to a guy with strong-looking shoulders. Unfortunately most guys are used to wearing clothing that’s oversized, which rather than flattering their masculine physique, distorts their shape making it frumpy and sloppy.

The way to tell if a shirt fits you well is to check that the shoulder seams are sitting on your shoulders and not hanging over them. If they’re hanging off your shoulders then the rest of the shirt is going to hang off you too.

2. The Athlete’s Foot
Unless you’re at a pub after your rugby match all sweaty and covered with blood and mud, leave your gym sneakers, hiking sandals, and Vibram five fingers at home. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort at all, but all those shoes are designed to aide you in particular activities, and setting the mood for intimacy is definitely not one of them. If you don’t already have this kind of shoe in your collection, get yourself at least one pair of cool casual kicks that are made to be worn with jeans.

3. The Bad Bling
This doesn’t mean if you don’t have a mouthful of diamond caps you’re golden. So few guys utilize this secret weapon, but you should know that tasteful accessories draw women in. Just like fish to a shiny lure, they can’t help but notice, track the movements and take a bite. Before they know it they’re in a conversation with you, that they started, all because they had to tell you that you’re wearing a cool belt. Where you take that chat is up to you, but your accessories have already done the hard part of starting the conversation for you.

Most guys think of accessories as their two pairs of shoes (black and brown) and reversible belt. Now there’s a whole world of accessory goodness out there (stay tuned – I’ll cover that in a future post or you can come to the workshop); however the most immediate fix is to forget the boring office reversible belt and get yourself a distinctly casual version in something other than traditional black leather. Check the cornucopia of available options like fabric, suede, woven cottons and combined materials. Lastly, don’t be afraid to try a color other than black or brown. With casual wear the belt doesn’t have to match your shoes, merely coordinate.

For sure we can dig in deeper on this topic, but you can start by paying attention to just these three areas and you will go a long way. Remember so few guys do casual style well, that even if you try but don’t execute perfectly you’re still ahead of the herd. Let me know how it works out for you, and sure, you can send me a text.

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 Info@Andrew-J.com.

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.