Unfortunately Trending Now: Funeral Attire and Sending Flowers

Someone very close to me died this week.  Today is the service and I will have a speaking role.  I originally pictured myself in the black suit, black tie traditional garb.  Yesterday, the rest of the “inner circle” decided not to wear suits or ties, but rather dawn comfortable wear, which is their right to do during a very tough time.

As much as I like being the center of attention, this event is not about me. It’s about honoring the recently deceased, and those close.  However, I don’t feel as though I can honor, properly, wearing comfortable shoes and a knit shirt.

So here’s what I’m going with: Dark suit (not black), shirt with cufflinks and a pocket square.  The suit and cufflinks are formal.  The pocket square will be a floral pattern.   It’s my way of sending flowers.  I feel this approach is respectful to the moment, not divergent from the “inner circle’s” desires, and most importantly frames the words I will be sharing.  What you wear sets up an image for those you interact with.  Your personality, your words, your smile emerge through that, but you always want to get off to the right start.

When a professional golfer birdies the first hole, he or she is saying, “I came to play”.  There are 75 holes left to play to win the tournament, but that first impression sends a message that matters (to the media, the other players, and to their own brain).

I’m pleased with this approach. And the added bonus is that I won’t be mistaken for the limo driver.

Follow me, Like me, tweet me, love me @

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Homerstyle/203064626494422
homerstyle.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @homerstyle

Celebrity Sporting: Lincoln Park Boy Band

Against my initial aversion, the 2012 American Music Awards sucked me in last night.  I was able to pull away for The Walking Dead, but I must say, I enjoyed the first hour.  Great performances by No Doubt, The Wanted, and Ke$ha almost pulled me in for the entire show, but I had to find out who was calling Rick!  Stacy Keibler’s legs would have taken top moment, but I was fascinated with the new every-day-work-look of Lincoln park.

I love Lincoln Park.  There one of only a few “modern” rock bands that keep putting out popular music.  Critics who say, “They sold out to the Transformers franchise”, don’t understand the modern economics of the music industry.  They get paid to create and perform music – every musician’s dream.  Who cares who pays?  Iconic front man Chester Bennington, always entertains and his style always delivers.  His leather jacket and hoodie looked great, yet simple enough for the workplace.  But last night, his lesser-known band mates stood out as front men.

Guitarist Brad Delson turned all heads in his Jacket vest and tie.  My girl kept asking, “Who’s that guy in the glasses”.  Drummer Rob Bourdon also dressed up for the occasion in jacket and tie, right from his part-time librarian job.  And more well known rapper/vocalist /guitarist/songwriter Mike Shinoda looked ready to teach physics and then enjoy a nice cognac.  They stood apart from Niki Minaj’s tripped upon gigantic yellow dress, The Wanted’s trihardness and Kelly Clarkson’s Mad Max attire.  Dark and less bold is actually the BOLD move this season.

All three jumped right out of the Banana Republic ad and are ready for the Monday morning team meeting.  Simple – stylish – IN!  If they were in creative jobs, no changes necessary.  If they worked for a more traditionally conservative firm, simply add slacks and shoes and they’re good to go.  Follow the example of AMA’s 2012 Best Alternative Rock band, move from backup to front man and rock the workplace!

Trending: Death to “Garanimals”

It’s so easy.  Like paint-by-numbers, Ramen noodles, and cameras on phones – the simplicity has made it easy for us.  Match a blue striped tie with a blue shirt.  Pair a solid green tie with the green stripes in a shirt.  And sport the ever-so-bold solid yellow tie and solid yellow shirt.  We guys could do this.  We didn’t need to be Clinton Kelly, Deon Sanders or Cee Lo Green.   We could pull this off.  Macys, Express, and every store with their prominent displays helped us buy.   Our girls would bring us these perfectly paired gifts, and we liked them.  We understood how to match.

However men, we have evolved (and we’re no longer 4).

It’s not as hard as it seems.  Mix colors.  Mix Fabrics.  Even mix patters.  It’s that simple.  What’s important is that they compliment each other.  Said simply, contrast is complimentary.

• Example 1:  small stripes on a tie won’t go well with small stripes on a shirt.  But those small stripes will go with checks.
• Example 2:  pair yellow with blue, green with orange, black with pink (this one is endless…)
• Example 3: A tie other than silk – these are designed to contrast and compliment

If you don’t start mixing and matching, you’re going to soon be “You know who”.  You know “you know who”.  The one who still wears the ten-year-old pleated pants and comfortable shoes.  He wears full turtlenecks, not mocks.  The guy who thinks he looks nice and with it, but hasn’t received a woman’s compliment on an outfit since the half-life of said pants and turtle.  The guy…..you get it.  (If you don’t believe me, GQ’s 2012 Fall Style Playbook says so too!).

If anyone questions your choice, just say with confidence, “Garanimals are dead.  Contrast is in.  Get with it!”

DISCLAIMER – In no way shape or form does Homerstyle wish harm to Garan Inc. (owner of Garanimals), childrens’ clothing or animals (with the exception of the chipmunks that keep trying to break into my attic to fornicate and breed).  It is a brilliant outfit selection solution (for 4-year-olds).