Barbershop

Today, I went to a new barber. I have fallen in love with the barbershop experience and I can't imagine going to a "stylist" ever again. The process is simple, if you know what you want, and relaxing, if you go to the right place.

You need to know your numbers, and what they mean. I like a 2 on the sides (that's a 1/4 inch) and hand cut on top. Then squared up all around, leaving the sideburns long but squared up.

(More on hair terms at: Crop Shop)

The experience is best if you find an old school barbershop where they are as into class as you are. And the best thing about barbershops? The average cut is $10-$14.

Also remember, if you don't like the cut you don't have to go back, and your hair is short so wait 2 weeks and find someone else, and when you find the barber who does it "just right" keep going back.

(GQ's Style Guy has some tips on finding a barber: GQ Grooming)

(photo from: Walnut, Illinois 1872-1972 Centennial Book: Part 2)

Laundry

Just got back from doing laundry and I thought I should post about the key to laundry. The key is separation. I am anal about separation. Two pink items later and my partner is no longer allowed to separate. I separate everything and then it is ok to launder it.

The main item to separate is whites. White means NO COLOUR! no prints or colour decoration. WHITE. By separating the whites you will keep your whites whiter longer and have a greatly decreased need or desire to bleach, which is harmful to your clothing.

On coloured items you should do a bit of sorting as well. Darks (i.e. black and navy solids) can go with reds and brights. And idealy you will have four loads.

1) whites
2) mediums (khaki and pastels)
3) darks
4) brights

Do this and your clothes will last much longer.

-TSG
(photo and great info from Mary Janes Farm)

Have a question?

If you read TSG on a regular basis don't forget that questions are always welcome. Just e-mail me at TranzStyleGuy@gmail.com

It is ok to be a geek

The only thing I have to talk about today is that it is ok to be a geek. Yes, as I have said before, and I will continue to say, you look your best when you are yourself, and I admit that I have a bit of geek in me. Today I finally got my old laptop fully converted to Linux, and my newer box will soon follow. Now, don't worry, this is not about to become some geeky blog. Just thought I would let you know that I am proud of who I am, and that is ok.

If you are looking for a windows alternative, try Ubuntu. "Linux for Humans" as they say.

Fall is on its way

I work for a company that has a focus on clothing and right now we are in the swing of fall. It is hard to think of fall when the sun just popped out and the trees are still getting their new leaves. But fall it is, and it is a great time to think about your fall wardrobe. If you are the thrift seeker then summer is a great time to hit up the deep discouted places like thrift stores. They are on a demand basis and the demand this weekend is for swim trunks not wool suits. But you are forward thinking, which is great.

The fall will hopefully bring a new season for your style, dare I say classier? Yes men in the US are finally waking up and leaving the grunge behind. Look at this new style by Thom Browne.


You can recreate this look and more by hitting up the thrift store and then finding a tailor, but don't forget to make sure the clothes fit properly, there is never a good excuse for ill fitting clothing.

This is a new one from John Varvatos.

Hat Etiquette

One of the etiquette faux pas I keep making, in my new live as a passing man, is that of hats. What is the modern man to do?

At work I see men who wear baseball caps to work and leave them on indoors, and at causal restaurants you almost always can see a guy or two with a cap on. But I think this is because of the trend toward baseball caps, and not hats. None the less at the times I think are odd someone will tell me to take off my hat indoors.

The most resent experience was at church. I wear an old Stetson fedora, especially when it is raining which it was the day of the hat experience, and I walked over to church and made it in the doors out of the deluge. I was in a hurry to get a seat and on my way to the pews when I was passed by the deacon and asked to remove my hat. It was an even odder situation because once I removed it she thought I was a woman and was all of the sudden ok with me having a hat on in the church. I of course want to do what is proper, and I always take off my hat once I sit down. Any way, I thought I would share some hat etiquette tips for the modern man.

1) Take your hat off in christian churches. If you are of a faith tradition where you are required to wear one out of respect, wear one.
2) Take hats off at business meetings and in most business places.
3) Are you in school? Take your hat off in the classroom. I think it is disrespectful to hide your eyes from your professor.
4) When speaking with people older than you you probably want to take your hat off, they might call you on it.
5) At the dinner table, take it off.
6) At the bar, leave it on if you want to but if you are out to meet people you might want to take it off so they can see your eyes.
7) The rule of tipping to women and taking your hat off in the presence of a woman, is rubbish. Women should not have different rules in this regard. Do what feels respectful and right but don't do it just because she is a woman, that is sexist, I think.

To read more sexist takes on hat etiquette:
Ask Andy
BCVC on Hats (history information too)

(Image of the hat style I have from: Another Time Vintage Apparel)

Shopping on a budget

If you are like TSG you might have a tight budget and not know how to still look stylish, enter TSG's favorite store, Salvation Army. Thrift stores offer great values and are a wonderful place to find clothing of all styles.

Fashion is more about you then the trend. If the clothing fits and you feel good in it, that is what people will notice.

On The Satorialist there is a picture of Derrick Miller, the creative director for Barker Black. Derrick is wearing a suit he got at the Salvation Army for $12.99. This is a great example of the good finds at the thrift store. Barker Black makes expensive fine shoes and ties (with little skulls and crossbones on them) He can clearly purchase a custom suit, but he likes the $12.99. You can do the same. The key is the fit, which you will learn more about by staying in tune with this blog, or doing your own search for the info.

So, go shop. Splurge with $30 at the thrift stores and sport your own style.

Photo of Derrick Miller from The Satorialist. Scott Schuman took the photo and it belongs to him. Go to his blog!