We can’t really talk about how to look and dress swell with out addressing the basic foundation of clothing. Of course we all know that if you sweat wear an undershirt, going commando is for kids, and tightey-whiteys are way out, but there should be more thought put into your underwear than just grabbing a package of what is on sale at your local stuff-mart. Continue reading
Author Archives: howtobeswell
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer II
I am growing into a rather loyal Rolex fan. I do understand the stigma attached; the perceived pretentiousness by the uninitiated. I had felt this way at one time as well. That was until I owned one of my own, I now appreciate the brand for their longevity, history, technical feats, and overall quality and value. I do tend away from the instantly recognizable blingy “look at me” models in favor of the more understated pieces. After all I appreciate a Rolex for what it is, not what it means to everyone else who sees me wearing it. Continue reading
Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience and 2 of 2
I published this originally in april, but I thought I would do some updates and deliver it again, especially after hearing the follow up album called 2 of 2. Here it is again, Justin Timberlake’s 20/20 albums:
So I have Been Listening to Justin Timberlake’s New Album fo a couple of weeks and I have to say I love it! Now, Admittedly I am a big fan of his and I was pretty sure that I was going to enjoy it any way, but I was still pretty impressed. His timing of the release is perfect to make this album a great summer sound track. It is consistent for his style of music, and it has a great vintage quality to it. For this album of his it seems more adult, or “grown up” for lack of a better phrase. I have made the daring comparison before, but Timberlake’s music always strikes me as the new millenium’s Michael Jackson. And with that comparison JT should be flattered.
Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face Limited Edition
It’s no secret that Hamilton watch company is one of my perennial favorites when it comes to watch brands. For the money they offer one of the best values in the world of watches; great design and style, nice materials like sapphire crystals, titanium and stainless steel cases, and great automatic ETA movements. Being part of the Swatch group, they have access to the full range of ETA movements and use them quite well as their “in-house” movement. Eta is nothing to sneeze at either, they are robust , accurate, easy to maintain and relatively inexpensive. So, now that you know why I like Hamilton so much, you have got to see what they are releasing that really gets me excited.A Swell Guide to Growing up Already, and Being a Man.
Welcome to my 100th Blog post on How to be Swell! What better way to celebrate 100 posts than to go back to basics and discuss what it takes to be Swell! I stumbled across a great list of what it means to be a man the other day, I found it on Business Insider, feel free to read it in its entirety. I was inspired by some of what was there to compile my own list, maybe you could call this post “finally the follow up to Frederick Douglass on Being Swell” . Nah, I like a Swell Guide to Growing up Already.
So I co-opted this list read from @GSElevator and John Carney (@Carney) of CNBC.com and edited it to suit my swell readers and added some quotes that are meaningful to me as well We’ve all seen and perhaps grown tired of guides and lists that are full of tedious clichés and humdrum regurgitated meme wisdom. so, here is a swell look at what it means to be a swell man today loosely categorized, now Grow up already. Continue reading
Something Swell from Detroit
I came across one of the coolest designers this week, If you are a car nut like I am you will agree this stuff is great. A company called Urban Relic Design has created some swell mens and ladies jewelry from what they call Fordite. They do lots of jewelry in gemstones and metals, and plenty of recycled materials, which I really think is pretty swell of them, but what I fell in love with was what they call Fordite. Fordite is kind of a play on words, the root being the Ford automobile and the Suffix “ite” to sound like a natural gemstone, they also call it Motor agate.
The Great Gatsby
I had a busy and fun weekend with a friend of mine this past weekend (I wrote this May 20th). Over the weekend I; saw the Premier of Star Trek: Into Darkness (it was Amazing), test drove some exotic sports cars, and went to see The Great Gatsby in 3D. I may share some car pics with you, and I would love to tell you all about Star Trek, but that would include spoilers. So, what I am going to do is give my accolades to the Great Gatsby. Continue reading
Time and Tide: The Importance of a Wristwatch
I came across this swell post today, The best and most concise reason to explain why all of us watch lovers wear our watches, I hope you enjoy.
Top Ten Car themed Watches
I love top ten lists, they are fun aren’t they? Your top ten best concerts you saw, the top ten cd’s you would want on a desert island, the top ten watches of historical significance, they are all fun to compile and to talk about huh? Well as the weather has been warming and Basil show is going on my mind wanders to my favorite things; cars and spring drives, and of course watches. So, how about another list! the top ten automotive themed watches. Now this isn’t a serious list or comparison of the merits of all of these watches. No, this is merely a list of ten watches(in no preferential order) I believe have done a great job of capturing the theme of speed.
The French Cuffed Shirt
I am a man who like jewelry. Of course I would, I am a gemologist, I run a jewelry store, and I blog about mens fashion and jewelry. Unfortunately there is a limit (contrary to what some men believe) to how much jewelry men can wear. I am not going to lie, there are some days I push that limit, but if you do it right and subtle you can get away with just a little extra. Here is where the french cuffed shirt comes in . Now that is sort of tongue in cheek, I don’t wear frenched cuffs just to wear extra jewelry, that’s a bonus.
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How to be Swell 
