How To add color to your "play it safe" wardrobe

Do you find that you wear mostly monochrome or brown clothing? You are not alone. Many men tend to play it safe with these colors, but it really isn't difficult to add a touch of color to your wardrobe. It doesn't mean that you have to step out looking like an extra from 'Joseph And His Technicolor Dream Coat' either! There are many ways you can add a subtle splash of color or as much color as you dare!

At menfashion.com, you may have already noticed our love affair with color. Our Italian shirts collection is especially vibrant and these versatile and stylish shirts can really add something special to an outfit. When you want to stand out and create a great impression, a pop of color can work wonders. A lime green or salmon shirt or a plain shirt with colorful floral lining is a great way to give your outfit unique appeal.

To get some ideas on what will work, take a look at the monochrome items you have in your wardrobe already. For example, if you own a number of pairs of black pants or jeans, you are in luck! Black goes so well with most colors but especially with bright colors like red, purple, electric blue, orange and yellow. If you've got a special night out coming up, why not shock your friends by wearing something really bright and eye catching?

But if standing out from the crowd isn't really your thing, there are some great ways to add color to your clothes without being too conspicuous. Plaid shirts for instance are a great way to dress up jeans and have that perfect smart casual look that is always popular. We have a large range of plaid shirts that will become a staple in your wardrobe for many years to come.

Color in men's fashion isn't as fickle as it is in women's fashion. Color trends in women's fashion come and go, but in men's fashion they remain constant making it so easy for you to choose the color that suits you without worrying that it is yesterday's news. At fashion-shirts.com we have a huge selection of summer shirts, European shirts and designer shirts that make introducing color to your wardrobe a cinch. why not browse our extensive collection today? We make ordering fashion shirts easy, affordable and convenient.

How the colors we wear can make such a difference

Did you know that what we wear can have a big influence on how we feel? For instance, research has shown that wearing the color yellow can have a really positive impact over our own emotions and also how we appear to others. Yellow suggests sunshine, springtime, sunflowers and new life. Wear red and you may appear bold, brash and perhaps a little bit threatening - red is after all a warning sign of danger. Pale blue oozes a feeling of calmness and tranquility whilst black may not be the best color to wear if you are feeling a little down or depressed.

Men's fashion today is full of color and vitality and gives you total freedom over choosing the colors to match your mood or the occasion. If you are not comfortable wearing blocks of color, how about a crisp cotton dress shirt in contrasting colors? Choose stripes, florals, plaids, spots or more subtle patterning or how about a vibrant blue double collar shirt with a white collar?

If you are looking for something a little different, have you considered European clothing? For example, those Italians really know how to carry off color and style and have really made a mark in the world of haute couture and men's fashion in general. You only have to look at big names like Armani and Dolce and Gabbana to see the influence Italian styling has made on the world. Dolce and Gabbana especially are in touch with their colorful side and frequently release men's fashion shirts that are bold, vibrant and totally unique.

But you don't have to spend thousands of dollars on designer brands. High quality t-shirts, shirts and jackets are available that will suit your personal taste and your budget. At Fashion-shirts.com, we have a large range of affordable, premium quality shirts that will keep their color and their shape well for years and our prices are totally affordable. We take the time to choose the shirts that are popular, but we also have an eye for an emerging trend. That means you get the shirts you need for work and play plus a taste of the unique all in one place!

If you are ready to add a splash of color to your wardrobe or need to make a statement, we have many very wearable and totally unforgettable shirts right here.

5 ways to revamp your wardrobe

If your clothes are looking a little worn and tired it's high time you revamped your wardrobe and brought it into the 21st Century. Whilst you might have invested in high quality clothes that are still going a decade later, they are probably looking a little faded and frayed around the edges and in dire need of updating. Trends come and go and there are some really stylish clothes available right now. Choose from well cut denim, crisp cotton t-shirts, cargo shorts, fashion shirts and tailored jackets that look great dressed up or dressed down. Here are five easy ways you can give some of those old clothes the heave-ho and refresh your style effortlessly.

1. Take everything out of your wardrobe for review

Come on, that means everything. The rule is that if you haven't worn something in a year, it should probably be thrown out or given away. Make piles for your clothes so they are easy to sort - that good stuff that is staying in one pile and the 'never to be worn again' clothes in another. Keep the items out that you are going to keep as we are going to need those for later. Take the other pile down to your local thrift shop or put them in the garbage.

2. Make a list of clothing that you need

Think about the clothes you wear on a daily basis, your favorite items and the colors you prefer. Now, look at the items you have sorted out and are keeping. Make a note of the colors and styles so that you can buy new items that will coordinate with this clothing perfectly. Those stone chinos will look great with chambray summer shirts or a simple white t-shirt for example.

3. Capsule wardrobes are for men too

Revamping your wardrobe doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money on lots of different clothing. A capsule wardrobe means choosing some those essential items of clothing that can be easily coordinated and which are easy to wear. Cool white shirts, cotton pants, sweaters and one good quality sports jacket will ensure you always have the right clothes to hand.

4. Get an expert opinion

If you simply do not know where to start when planning your new wardrobe, ask for some advice. Shopping for clothes isn't usually an activity for the guys so why not take your girlfriend, wife, mom or a close female friend along for unbiased opinions?

5. Be open to new ideas

Why not try out some new trends. That doesn't mean you have to wear a red blazer with pink pants. Unique clothing can be clothes that have a little unusual detail or that are a different cut to what you would usually wear. Above all else, have fun choosing your new wardrobe!

How the clothes you wear can shape your future

If you think that looks aren't important, you'd be wrong. Since the dawn of time, the survival of mankind has been mostly shaped by looks, stature and being able to hunt down a good dinner! If those picky cave women back then didn't like what they saw in their cavemen, mankind probably would have stopped right there. Thankfully, we have more to wear now than a simple loincloth and can dress to impress by making smart fashion choices. Whether it's choosing a dress shirt or a new pair of jeans, making careful fashion decisions will ensure you look your best at all times.

Easy on the eye and easy on the wallet

It's a common misconception that you have to spend a lot of money to look good. A good haircut, a smart fashion shirt and freshly pressed pants is often all it takes to make a lasting impression. Oh and don't forget those shoes! Statistics say that women and men check out the shoes of somebody they are meeting for the first time. Those kicked in sneakers just aren't going to cut it with an otherwise smart outfit.

So, how can clothes shape your future? Well, think about all of those major events in your life - getting a job, meeting your life partner, getting ahead in business, being a good example to your kids, etc. Would you get the same success achieving life's milestones if you wore sweatpants and sneakers every day of your life? Probably not. It's the clothes you wear and how you carry yourself that can make such a difference to the things that happen to you throughout life.

Keep up to date with the latest fashions

Men's fashions come and go. Whilst male fashion trends may not move as fast as women's fashion trends, there are still enough changes to ensure male fashion stays fresh, focused and interesting. Cargo pants, twisted jeans, double collar shirts and high top sneakers are just some of the trends that are still going strong today. Choose your clothes to match the occasion and try to make those clothes look as smart as possible by washing them carefully, pressing them always and giving yourself a thorough once over before you leave home. You don't have to fill your wardrobe either - a handful of good quality clothes is always so much better than a huge collection of out of shape, faded and creased clothing.

The Reverse Collar: A New Look in Designer Dress Shirts

Reverse collar shirt by Franck Michel Paris

The world of men’s dress shirts is generally less dynamic than that of the broader fashion industry.  However, there are some designers who are willing to take risks and striving to produce novel designs that will appeal to more fashion forward consumers.  These designers with an eye for bold designs are often European based and their products are generally described as fashion dress shirts, or just designer dress shirts. One of these designers, Franck Michel of Paris, has pioneered a bold new collar style that provides just the unique dynamic twist that many fashion conscious men are looking for these days.

The reverse collar starts as a longer normal collar but then in a unique twist, it is folded back upon itself and secured with a button. This technique allows the designer to incorporate multiple styles or colors of fabric, much like a double collar does.  The reverse collar has the advantage of being unique compared to the double collar, which has now been adopted by many men’s dress shirt manufacturers, with each one employing a slightly different version of the double collar technique and using it to highlight different fabrics and looks. The reverse collar, however, is still a rarity even inside the world of luxury men’s dress shirts.

In an industry where designers are constantly striving to be different than their competitors, the reverse collar, as designed by Franck Michel, provides a look that will be hard to find elsewhere. This ensures that those who are bold enough to choose to wear the reverse collar will not bump into someone else wearing the look. Additionally, it means that wearers of the reverse collar will constantly have other fashion conscious people questioning where they got such a unique design.

Franck Michel shirts are available through their North American distributor, fashion-shirts.com, and are starting to pop up elsewhere online and around the globe. They are a well known brand in Europe, as they have been producing designer men’s shirts since 1969, however, they are now expanding to markets around the world. A prime example of a reverse collar shirt from Franck Michel is the Miami, available in blue, white and red from fashion-shirts.com for $159.

The Perfect Gift For the Stylish Father

Milano Navy blue by Franck Michel

If you’ve got a father with a lot of style (or maybe one that needs a little more style), consider moving on from the typical necktie gift for Father’s Day. The necktie, while an essential piece in any working man’s wardrobe, can be hard to pick out for a man who is up there in his years, and may have many neckties already. However, what your father probably doesn’t have, and would love, is a beautiful European dress shirt. European dress shirts are unlike the American dress shirts that he probably currently wears.

First of all, European dress shirts fit much slimmer. This can make picking them out a bit tricky, but if you consult the size chart you’ll be fine, and your father will love the way that it makes him look after years of wearing shirts that aren’t meant for his body. They will sit differently, enhancing his shape and most importantly enhancing his confidence.

Secondly, European dress shirts like those from Franck Michel are made with the highest quality Italian cotton. Your father will appreciate the way the cotton feels, as well as its durability; it will look great through years of wear. Franck Michel shirts are also constructed in Europe, further speaking to their high quality and long-lasting qualities. Designed in France, materials from Italy and constructed in Europe, they’ll match perfect with his fancy European luxury car.

Lastly, for a father with style these fashion dress shirts will allow him an opportunity to stand out from his friends. Though he may seem stuck in his ways, or without interest in fashion, it’s likely he’s doing his best to look good he just needs your help. For a man who may have an interest in fashion but might not be following the latest fashion trends as well as you are, it can be the perfect chance to show your dad what the coolest fashion shirts look like these days. Be careful though, once you get him started it’s unlikely that he will stop after just one designer French shirt. Between the luxury details and the enhanced quality compared to what he is used to, he’ll definitely be asking for more gifts in the future!

Designer Men’s Dress Shirts for Wedding Season

One of my favorite parts about summer is going to weddings of friends and family members.  Not only is it a great time for the couple being married, but of course it also comes with a great party to celebrate their vows.  As a fashionable guy who likes to have fun I always look forward to the chance to bust out a new look and hit the dance floor.  Weddings are a unique venue to try out new styles and looks.  For me, there are two main style tips to consider when selecting a dress shirt to wear to a wedding. 

First, you’ll want to pick something that looks good with your suit and tie but also will look good later in the night when you’ve taken your coat and tie off to take a turn on the dance floor.  Weddings are the prototypical situation where your outfit must easily transition from daywear to eveningwear.  You’ll be at the ceremony during the day, and then head to the dinner and after party where you might be long into the wee hours of the night, and you know you won’t have a time to change, so make sure you pick something that will be able to adapt.

Secondly, you don’t want to pick anything too bold that will turn too much attention to you, and upstage the bride and groom.  It’s their night and they should be the center of the attention wherever they are, be it during the ceremony, the dinner, or the dance floor.  You don’t want to do anything that could be construed as trying to attract attention away from them, a major wedding etiquette faux pas. 

With these tips in mind I would recommend a white or muted tone shirt like a beige or pastel pink or yellow (these pastel colors are especially great for outdoor weddings).  However, I wouldn’t pick any old white dress shirt of the rack at the local department store.  I would go with a shirt with a little bit of flair, a little bit of a twist on the original, and one that is more fitted and as it will look better than the alternative once you’ve removed your jacket.  Something like Franck Michel’sMilano White (available at fashion-shirts.com for $99) is the perfect mix of a fashion forward designer dress shirt and a timeless classic.  Franck Michel’s designs are made to fit very slim so it will look really great once you remove your coat, no billowing or baggy fabric.  The contrast color lining will show more and more as the night goes on and you loosen your tie and start to undo the buttons.  It’s like having a new shirt once you take off your tie!