Style

First Impression:

Remember: You never get a second chance to make a great first impression!

Tips to making a good first impression and a statement about your style and attitude at a casual
dinner or first date.

• Pick from the classic basics unless you have a specific side of yourself to express.
• For most Memphis guys, that means jeans, and a button down shirt
• Show off those pecs in a knit shirt or T-shirt for comfort and versatility.
• Decide on your footwear. Athletic shoes are accepted in most places, but, generally, boots or loafers look better for a date. Sandals can be clean-cut, counterculture or sporty.
• Remember that personal grooming says more about you than your clothes, but your jeans will 
  keep them looking!

Funny but true:

Remember: Its a scientific fact that people who don't know you make up their minds about you on a subliminal level in 30 seconds or less. Since 80% of what others see is our clothes, lets look at some basic faux pas.

• The button-down collar dress shirt is not acceptable for dressy eveningwear or with a blazer. That's because even though it's now a daytime business classic, it was originally a sport shirt. The collar was buttoned-down by polo players to keep it from flapping in their faces.

• Shoes are one of the most evaluated elements of men's wardrobes. Your shoes should be clean, 
  shined, in good repair and appropriate for the occasion.

• Belts should match your shoes.

• Sports jackets are symbols of authority. However, the bottom buttons of men's jackets are not designed to be buttoned, since King Edward VII gained weight and started a fashion trend. They should fit properly, which includes showing 1/4" to 1/2” of “linen” or shirtsleeve at the jacket sleeve.

• Even if you can bounce a quarter off of your stomach, wearing tight clothing just looks tacky. Some men think that if they wear pants that are too small, it'll make them look skinnier. Rather, it's just an effective method of damaging your intestines and gonads. So, use the two-finger test: if you can't easily stick two fingers (sideways) into the waist of your pants, they're too tight.

• Wearing big, baggy clothes looks sloppy and gives the impression that you don't care about your appearance. You know your clothes are too baggy when they continually get caught on doorknobs or small children. You should never have to continually hike your pants up throughout the day. 
Baer's Den will do alterations to ensure your clothes fit properly.

• Anything that is neon, stonewashed, or acid-washed.

• T-shirts featuring the words "Big Johnson," "Co-ed Naked," "Whassup," or any popular catchphrases.

• Tapered-leg high-waisted pants that are heavy on the pleats.

• Tie-dyed shirts with dancing bears. You're living in the past, man.

• M.C. Hammer pants. You're living in the past, man.

Fashion Mistakes:

Remember: Clothes make the man!

When it comes to Memphis fashion we know how most men are: too cheap, too clueless, or just don't care! These are the guys who are wearing their 501 Levis and their baby Gap Jeans. However, you no longer have to continue walking around looking like a hot mess; Stan Williams said it best on the importance of a well-dressed man.



"I think that women recognize a man who dresses well - they can pick that guy out of the crowd. He's not necessarily dressed expensively or crazily, he's a guy who's dressed well and looks neat. If a man cares about the way he looks, it is obvious to other people that he's got something going on for himself and that he will probably be a better date."
                                                                                                      -Stan Williams, Fashion Maven



In other words, Man + Baer's Den = dates!...Got your attention now? Thought so.

Grooming Tips:

Nose

If your beak looks like a party favor when you sneeze, a little trimming is definitely in order. To eliminate pesky hairs, try a nose hair trimmer.

The Uni-Brow
Eyebrows are referred to in the plural because people are supposed to have a set. So, if you are the unlucky owner of a continuous "uni-brow" … it's time to do some division. To remove unwanted hairs, use tweezers to grip hairs at their base and pull in the direction of hair growth. A longer-term solution is a quality waxing kit.



Body Odor


When you just can’t blame the dog any longer, try a body wash or nice fragrance from the Baer's Den. Also, don’t underestimate the power of a good deodorant.



Bad Breath

If your breath has more kick than Bruce Lee, spend a little more time brushing (specifically your tongue). For additional help, give your mouthwash a solid 30-second gargle.

Missed Shaving Spots


In some cultures, a single dime-sized patch of hair on a man's chin or throat is considered "charming." Unfortunately, in today's America it's considered disgusting bootie hair. Make sure this doesn't happen to you by always conducting a post-shave review of your tough-to-shave areas (i.e., right under your nose). Then, eliminate any stragglers.



Gnarled Mitts


A man's hands don't need to look pretty, but they should certainly be presentable. After all, your mitts are the first thing you offer a prospective boss or wife. To keep your hands looking good, use a hand lotion daily.



Hair

Comb-overs and Rugs....Need we say more?



Mismatched Cologne

A cologne may smell great out of the bottle, but less than pleasant once you put it on your body. That's because everyone's body chemistry is unique and certain fragrances just don't fare well on certain people. Cologne isn't supposed to make you stink… so try it on and give yourself a whiff before you buy.



Teeth-Smile

The term is “pearly whites”-– not “rusty yellows.” Keep your chompers sparkling with the aid of a whitening toothpaste. Professional whitening systems can also do the trick.



Neck Hair


You know that hair that accumulates on your neck in-between haircuts? Well, if there’s enough to braid, you might want to address it. Most barbers offer this service for a reasonable fee.