Author Archives: howtobeswell

The Gin and Tonic

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  • The Tonic:

Tonic water’s history dates back to 1638, when Spanish soldiers seeking a cure for malaria sought out local Inca Indian medicine men for an antidote. The Inca had long used ground bark of the native Quinquina tree, which grew on the slopes of the Andes Mountains, for a number of illnesses. This bark mixed in a “powerful potion” worked well for these soldiers’ ailments. The ground bark, called Quinine, soon made its way around the world. It became a very valuable malaria medicine reaching costs of its weight in gold. Mixed with soda water, another popular cure al, it became the ever-present Tonic.

The miracle cure was hocked at every corner drug store, and traveling salesman’s suitcase. Scientists soon discovered a way to produce a synthetic substitute of quinine and corporations began producing tonic water with this cheaper, artificial quinine. I have discovered a new tonic called Q Tonic, and it is my preferred tonic for this cocktail.  Q Tonic uses natural ingredients such as agave as a sweetener instead of Cain or corn sugar, and handpicked Peruvian quinine. It is healthier, better tasting, and Continue reading →

Hamilton Limited Edition Khaki Navy Pioneer

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Some of you may be thinking that I am spending a little too much time talking about watches, for a fashion and style blog. You might be right, but with Basel World coming up, and SIHH just passed there is so much going on in the world of horology this time of year that I have to talk about it. Besides it’s all about me, right? Continue reading →

Mad Men Season 5

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Don Draper

If you think that Donald Draper is a swell dressed guy, then you have Janie Bryant to thank. Janie is the costume designer for award-winning show, Mad Men. Takes place in the mid 1960’s the show follows the lives and goings on of a team of Madison Avenue advertising execs. This show has been on an extended break giving its fans ample time to build up excitement for season 5 beginning on March 25th on AMC at 8pm central time. The writers and designers have done a fantastic job of recreating that vintage feel in the show. There are incredible sets and costumes for the show all through out. The story is pretty captivating, even though I am not promoting the behavior of some of these characters (how not to be swell). It’s worth a watch, its well written and will immerse you in that period, if only for an hour.

I have been watching Mad Men since its inception and I will definitely be watching season 5. I will be on look out for some of the styles in the show and sharing them with all of you as advice on how to be swell

A Swell Briefcase

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I am not normally one to get hung up on labels, but in this case (pun intended), if I want to tell you about this briefcase, I have to tell you a little about Gucci the Iconic luxury brand.

 
Founded in 1921, Gucci is one of the world’s most famous fashion houses. The company is based in Florence, Italy Under the creative directorship of Ms Frida Giannini. They have numerous lines, and an extensive ladies collection, but we aren’t interested in that. I want to show you what they have for guys. The men’s collections remain true to the brand’s original sense of luxury, updated with a taste of color. With great offerings of suites, shirts, shoes and the like, but the bags and accessories are superb.

Italian luxury designer since 1921, Gucci’s leather-crafting history goes back over 90 years, but this briefcase has thoroughly retro-modern appeal. It kind of reminds me of the luggage you would find associated with a vintage Le Mans racer, thanks to its dark red and cream stripes, or perhaps something Steve Mc Queen might carry while wearing his Tag Heuer Monaco Continue reading →

Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph

Due to the traditional dive watch design and to its ability to evoke turquoise blue seas and deep reef dives, this luxury watch will certainly help to kill your winter blues. If you’re about to go snorkeling in the great barrier reef, or sea diving in the any ocean paradise, you maybe shouldn’t consider the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph. You don’t need to be a great diver to wear this watch, In fact, you don’t need to be a diver at all, because The Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph is not a diving watch! It has a fixed bezel, and it is water-resistant only to 10 bars (100m).But it makes a serious statement lying on your wrist beach side.

This watch seems quite simple. It looks very sporty, but has a gorgeous vintage flavor, and the black on stainless on calfskin leather makes a bold statement. It is masculine, but not alike the enormous monsters people wear today. The case measures 40.5mm which is a very appropriate size for this style. I love that it is tribute to the original Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Deep Sea, one of the first diving watches ever purposed. Only 1,061 models were made in 1959. Continue reading →

Swell Neckwear: The Cordial Churchman’s Bow Ties

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Bow ties get a bad rap. Some people think they are just for little boys, or awards ceremonies. BUT THEY ARE WRONG.

Sure the neck tie is a standard-bearer, and the skinny tie is back with a vengeance, which I happen to think is pretty cool. To be truly swell you have to consider a bow tie. I am not talking the cheap clip ons or the pre-tied ones that button in the back but a real live bonafide bow tie that you have to learn how to tie. This is a fantastic vintage look that will never go out of style and looks great from casual to “black tie”. There are a few places to get one if you look a little bit, but there is one place  that has it down to an art form, I have a couple of these myself.  They are handmade in every color and pattern imaginable. Every wardrobe needs at least a couple of bow ties.

I took the liberty of borrowing a recent post from The Cordial Churchman’s blog and showing it to you here:

366 Bow Ties: Day 51

How to look swell in trousers.

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I feel the need to address a few quick rules on how to look swell in trousers. I wish to hearken back to the classic days of old Hollywood, when men know how to dress appropriately on and off-screen. Those rule still apply today, that is if don’t you want to look like a little kid wearing your fathers clothes.

First off I feel like I should address blue jeans, even thought this post isn’t really about them, they deserve mention. Blue jeans were invented them as a work pant, don’t forget this. Now, today they are more than just for work and I appreciate that. They are easy to wear and take care of, they usually look good, there is plenty of variety, and they are comfortable. There are still some Continue reading →

James Bond and The Watch – Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

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I was going to eventually get to this particular review, but something came across my screen this morning that was too cool to ignore. Those of you that know me, know that I am a huge Omega fanatic, borderline obsessive. I am also a big James Bond fan. There are some cool things happening regarding both of those topics together which makes this post so incredibly fun for me (and hopefully you too). Oh, and by the way check out the Bond lifestyle link as well.

This Year James Bond is celebrating its 50th anniversary. That is 22 movies on the silver screen, 6 actors playing the Iconic Bond; and of course numerous great gadgets, cars, and watches. To Commemorate this, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Twentieth Century Fox  are releasing  all 22 of the films on Blu-ray in a big boxed set. Continue reading →

Guide to the sweet nectar….Scotch

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Guys love scotch; I think that it’s genetic. Perhaps it’s a rite of passage, a gradual acquisition, or a celebratory conquest, but eventually in their life every man enjoys a glass of scotch. There is a right way and a wrong way to enjoy scotch. We will get into that later, but first let’s look quickly at a variety of scotch and whisky/whiskey (yes there is a difference).

There are numerous types of whisky and whiskey, and are fairly similarly made; using cereal grains and distilled in casks. Whiskey with an “e” is strictly American or Irish made. Americans have a few more separations; there is bourbon typically from Kentucky. Then there is corn, malt and rye whiskies. We may talk more about whiskies and bourbon some other time. What it’s really all about now is scotch.

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Real Men Wear Pearls

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Okay, before I begin, I have to say I LOVE PEARLS, and Real Men do wear Pearls. Now I am not talking about your grandmother’s nice white strands. I am talking about masculine,  funky (yes funky), cool, eye-grabbing, and trendy styles.

Steven Tyler wearing Pearls

The other week, I saw a great validation of my belief that men do wear pearls, and make them cool. On American Idol in San Diego, judge Steven Tyler of Aerosmith had on a fantastic leather and pearl necklace with nice big Tahitian pearls.Steven Tyler is a rock icon, so admittedly he can pull off a lot, but, he is also quit the stylish guy. So I have to think if he can wear something hip like a black pearl strand , well then you can too. Weather a rock star or an average Joe, they look great. I have seen them more and more lately in the media and in jewelry, check out what Andre 3000 is wearing in the new Gillette commercial.

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