Wedding Season Calls for Cufflinks

Wedding season is close upon us and soon couples will be racing to the chapel in large numbers. Thanks to the milder weather, the spring and summer is always a popular time for weddings. No more bulky overcoats on the groomsmen and shivering bridesmaids, the warm weather is reason to show off wedding day finery from the tuxedo right down to the shiny cufflinks. As a matter of fact, personalized cufflinks are a quite useful choice in groomsmen gifts that can be worn on the spot. In this casual day and age, many guys donÍt even own their own pair of cufflinks. Wearing a French cuff dress shirt is an infrequent occasion limited mainly to weddings and important business meetings. When your buddies are dressing up in their tuxedos, you can pull out your cufflinks gifts and surprise them with these finishing touches to their formal attire. When you are looking to make a sophisticated statement of style, cufflinks are so much more distinguished and dashing than other groomsmen gift ideas such as beer mugs and or pocket knives. With a couple flips of the cufflink toggles, your groomsmen will be feeling as cool and sophisticated as secret agent James Bond. Cufflinks come in an amazing array of styles, from the traditional plain silver or gold face to those embellished with inset stone and jewels. There are also novelty cufflinks that will suit the specific personality of each groomsman including cufflinks featuring the logos of sports teams or designs of favorite hobbies. These groomsmen gifts can be made even more personal because most can be personalized with the recipientÍs monogram, initial or sometimes even a date or short message. In addition to best man gifts, cufflinks also are a thoughtful gesture to present to your new father-in-law.

Read more

Groomed For The Ocassion

When heading to corner store to pick up the morning paper and a coffee, a chin full of stubble and a backward turned cap covering bed head are perfectly acceptable. Of course, for work, combed hair and shave are musts. But, on your wedding day, the first day of the rest of your life, you'll want to kick up your grooming habits a notch to make a memorable impression. To make sure your grooming is equal to exceedingly important occasion, follow some of these tips to get spruced up in style. And, if you're wondering where to keep your grooming supplies, try a handsome toiletry bag (also makes great personalized groomsmen gifts). Every hair in place. Unless you have a buzz cut, your wedding day is not the time to go all wash-and-wear with your hair. After you shampoo (and condition), consider using a blow-dryer for a smooth look and say buh-bye to the dreaded frizz. Also, guy products, such as pomade of leave-in gels can give you the movie star finish. Complexion perfection. Aside from the bride, you're going to be the most photographed person of the day. Oily and shiny skin will add an unflattering glare to your face when the light bulbs from cameras start popping. Add a sweaty brow from a case of the nerves and your mug could become quite monstrous. But, a little translucent powder or blotting papers borrowed from your betrothed can cure the pesky problem. If you are too manly for this little touch up, just make sure you've recently washed your face with some good ole fashioned soap and water. Get a "man-icure". Don't ignore the importance of your fingers on the wedding day. Plenty of attention will be focused on your nails as you hold hands, slip on wedding rings, and extend handshakes in the reception line. A do-it-yourself manly manicure will get all the dirt and grease out from under your nails and keep your cuticles looking in tip-top shape. After soaking hands in warm water (or at the end of a shower), use a nail brush to get rid of dead cells and debris, then simply push back cuticles and neatly trim nails and you're good to go. If you want to get fancy, you can rub a little baby oil into the cuticles and up over the nail for a healthy shine.

Read more

Personalized Cufflinks - An Evolved Accessory

It makes evolutionary sense to see cufflinks at a wedding. Back in more primitive times, a man would attract a mate with his fine ability to club an animal over the head, start a fire and provide a cave as a place to hide. But thanks to supermarket meat counters, gas lighters, the invention of the wheel and other "modern" conveniences, men further up the timeline have had to find flashier ways to get the attention of women. It has been shown that the perceived affluence of a man has a positive impact on his status as marriage material. Whether you are rich or still aspiring for greatness, a pair of elegant personalized cufflinks peeking out from French cuffs will help you attract the opposite sex and get noticed as a sophisticated and successful man. So, of course, you'll want to keep up the image as polished provider and knight-in-shining-armor by wearing engraved cufflinks with your wedding day tuxedo. Today, the variety of personalized cufflinks for your wedding day is almost endless. From the timeless look of silver oval or square shaped cufflinks engraved with a monogram just like your grandfather might have worn to novelty cufflinks that summarize your own unique personality, wearing "man jewelry" is not at all as fussy as it might seem. Instead, sporting a pair of engraved cufflinks shows that you know how to bait the honey trap with sparkly, shiny things! Since you'll soon be settling down, why not share this insight into attracting women with "bling" by giving your buddies really nice engraved cufflinks as groomsmen gifts? You can choose a pair of these men's accessories that is specifically suited to each guy's interests or your bachelor party theme such as Vegas-inspired dice, all sorts of professional sports logos, miniature compasses and many more.

Read more

Put Some Polish On It - Tuxedo Shoes

Imagine sitting in the pews, watching the bride and groom ceremoniously walk down the aisle, getting a little misty-eyed and then busting out laughing when you see the groom's shoes. This little put-a-joke-message-on-the-bottom-of-your-shoes trick isn't exactly new, but it is still likely to get a few laughs during your wedding vows - if that's the mood you are trying to set. At first glance, most might think that he is pleading to be rescued from the life-long commitment he is about to enter into. But, on the other hand, the groom could just be looking for some "sole"-searching advice on wedding day fashion. What kind of shoes should a groom wear on this day when he makes perhaps the most important step of his life - the gigantic leap into marriage. Typically, if a tuxedo is being rented, the shop will try to throw in some pretty ugly patent leather loafers at an additional expense. Really, unless you have no black dress shoes at all, this is not the most attractive option. But, a pair of slip-on loafer or lace-up dress shoes like wingtips will give you adequate style for your wedding tuxedo. Remember to wear black or dark socks so that you don't have a high-contrast flash of white sticking out from your pant hem. In fact, it's a good idea to bring along extra pairs of dark socks to give to your forgetful groomsmen who often look over these small wedding-day details. In addition to being the dark sock fairy, you might like to treat your buddies to personalized shoeshine kits as groomsmen gifts. Not only will this help ensure that their footwear is spiffy and scuff-free for your Big Day, but will also keep them looking their best for other important events in the future. This is one of those retro man gifts that is making a come back with well-heeled men. Who knows, one of your wedding attendants may land his dream job or bump into his future wife while wearing shoes that have been polished with these purposeful groomsmen gifts.

Read more

Tuxedo Guide: How To Tie a Bow Tie

Men about to get married need to know how to tie a bow tie - and so does their posse of groomsmen. Tying this men's accessory into a dapper, little bow isn't really as hard of a task as it appears. But, because men rarely wear this type of neck embellishment except at formal events, this may be your first time tying one on! If you are a newbie to bow tie tying, never fear. Just check out this video from GQ style correspondent Brett Fahgren and Howdini's Jennifer Morris, and you'll be wedding-ready in mere minutes. Steps To Tie a Bow Tie 1. Lay the bow tie around your neck so both ends fall evenly on your chest. 2. Cross the right end of the bow tie over the left end. Next, loop the right end under to form a simple knot. 3. Tug on the tie so that the knot is fashioned snuggly against your neck and rest the top end on your left shoulder. 4. Pick up the other end of the bow tie and fold it across the knot. Now it is starting to look like this could actually turn into a bow tie! 5. Take the top end (that is resting on your left shoulder) and pull it down in front so that it crosses the center of the bow shape. 6. Firmly set your left finger on the front of the bow tie to keep it securely in place and reach behind with your right index finger to find the hole where the free end of the bow tie will slip through. 7. Important: do not thread the tip of the free end through the hole. Rather, use your left index finger to push the part that is closest to the center of the bow through the hole. 8. Initially, it may feel like the whole bow tie is going to fall apart, but it won't. Pull enough through to make even with the opposite side and adjust as needed. 9. The process is almost complete. Pull the bow down towards the front and tighten, tidy up and flatten as required to look sharp. If your bow tie doesn't look perfect, don't worry. Run and get the wedding planner and she'll surely be able to fix you up quick! Before you walk down the aisle, give your wedding attendants any help they may require with your newly acquired skills. To complete the dashing look that a bow tie brings, give your buddies a pair of cufflinks as groomsmen gifts that will complement their tip-to-tail formal flair.

Read more

What's the Deal With Cummerbunds?

ItÍs not too often that you see a man sporting a colorful swath of fabric around his waist; that is, unless heÍs performing under the big top, trekking through a Middle Eastern desert or, perhaps in your near future, walking down the aisle in a wedding ceremony. In the Western world, the ñcummerbundî is an accessory to menÍs clothing that is most often worn with a tuxedo at formal events. The first cummerbunds worn by Europeans were part of the British military uniform during time spent in India and were inspired by the bright scarves tied around the loose tunics worn by indigenous men. Entomologically speaking, the word ñcummerbundî has roots in the Persian language, translating into ñto enclose the waist.î The pleats on the cummerbund also have a back story. In India, men used the cummerbund more for function than for fashion, pointing the pleated front upward to serve as cargo area for small items. In todayÍs formal dress, the cummerbund is simply a statement of style, so you donÍt have to worry about which way to orient the pleats. But, itÍs nice to know that you could point them up and stash away your credit cards, to-do lists and even to hide the brideÍs wedding ring. If youÍre heading to opening night at the opera or some other black-tie society event, youÍll most likely see plain black or white cummerbunds worn with tuxedos. However, at weddings, grooms often like to express their individuality by wearing a colorful cummerbund that matches the bridesmaid dresses, an alma matter school color, or even prints of paisley, plaid and polka-dots. Give your formal look even more flair with a matching bow tie and pair off dashing engraved cufflinks punctuating your French cuffs. Perfect as groomsmen gifts, too _ you can give all the guys a formal makeover.

Read more

Grooming with Jewelry

By Michael O'Connor, Jewelry and Style Expert It may be the bride's day, but the groom should look good for his wedding, too. Although no one is fussing over the guy issues, many men today are not afraid to show emotion (the room might get a little dusty when he gives out his groomsmen gifts). Whether he's a jeans-and-T-shirts man or a "wouldn't be caught dead sweats" guy, the wedding day is a time to show a more polished side. Jewelry can be a subtle way of making a strong personal statement. Men's Jewelry Trends Men are more open to jewelry these days, opting for platinum that offer a masculine look, feel and weight while providing durability, lasting luster. Because platinum jewelry is generally 95% pure, unlike 18k-gold that is only 75% pure, it is hypoallergenic. In the past few years, jewelry designers step increase their collections for men by giving them more options to express their personalities. This extensive gent's line from Precious Platinum has a timeless selection of in handsome and masculine finished platinum including tie pins and rings, pendants, and cufflinks. The tie accent is a simple way to make your tie pop with any suit you wear. When it's time to pick out your groomsmen gifts, don't overlook designer dog tags, cuff bracelets, and belt buckles. Resurfacing a quarter century past its heyday, the ID bracelet is back, but in personalized versions engraved with names, dates or mantras that mean something special to the groom and his buddies.

Read more

Worst Wedding Facial Hair Of All Time

Facial hair is a guy thing. As soon as we hit that voice-changing age and strange shadows of hair appear in curious places, we're sold. And for the same reason we stride through the halls of middle school flaunting downy little imitations of mustaches, when we realize we can actually grow real ones in college (and that the ladies actually dig the dirty look), we do. We do with a vengeance. But now it's Wedding Day. And no matter what styles of facial hair you have experimented with over the years, you've got a big choice to make: to beard or not to beard. Some Hairy Situations to Avoid on the Big Day Anything that Requires a Template to Create Outlining a design in your scruff with your fiance's eyeliner before you start trimming away means your choice of facial hair is probably a bad idea. It means you are going to have growth on your face that does not actually exist on it's own in nature. There is a reason why, when you run a search for "Celebrity Chin Straps," only Season Five American Idol third runner-up Chris Daughtry shows up. All On the Bottom With Nothing On Top One might think the beard may be the bald man's saving grace: proof that he can still produce lustrous locks somewhere. It's not. Ed Norton could kind of pull of the bald-with-goatee look in American History X, but he was a white supremest with neo-Nazi ideals. You probably aren't, and this is a good thing. Chin Fringe Well played. You have the equivalent of a bed-skirt on your face. Anything Reminiscent of a Cute Animal's Tail You would have thought that the soul patch would have come and gone with the 2006 Winter Olympics, but nope. It keeps cropping up. Choose to still sport the cottontail look? Start preparing some stock answers: "No, I did not dribble something on my chin at lunch." "No, I did not miss that spot right in the middle when I shaved." "Yes, that is supposed to be there!" The Two-Toned Look If you dye your hair, consider that it does not mean your face curtain will transform to match. The equivalent of a girl with her tacky roots showing, a two-toned head is proof that you were not born with golden surfer locks. So What Are You Left With? Wearing "a look" is tricky business. To avoid any embarrassment, stick with the tried and true. Clean shaven is always a solid choice. Or, if you are a beardyman, go with facial hair that is maintained, manageable, and evenly distributed. Looking back, those "Star-burns" you thought were awfully clever are going to haunt you.

Read more

Groomsmen Mindtricks: Show them the Way of the Cufflink

You want to give your groomsmen some flair on your wedding day, and personalized cufflinks as groomsmen gifts is a great place to start. The simple styling pops with a classic tuxedo, and the cufflinks themselves make fantastic keepsakes for years to come. One downfall. None of your groomsmen 'suit up.' They don't own French cuff shirts. In fact, some of your groomsmen have never seen a pair of cufflinks; much less know how to put them on. Bring your groomsmen out of the fashion rut. Handing out personalized cufflinks as groomsmen gifts isn't just an awesome memento from your wedding, it's an opportunity to add some grown up elements in your buddies wardrobes. They are your padawan learners. Show them the ways of the fashion force. The Origin and Styling of Cufflinks Back in the 17th Century, King Charles II was our equivalent to David Beckham. With every fashion gaffe, there was a triumph (oh, the foe-hawk. How you'll forever live in my heart.) Old Charlie 2 was the same way. As we can see, the king loved to show off his legs. As nice as those gams were, the whole legging look didn't catch on with the fellas, but what did was his cuff buttoning system. At that time, the puffy pirate look was in, and they tried to use a string to keep the shirt cuff around the wrist. King Charles made a fashion statement that caught on when he placed decorative buttons at the end of his sleeve to show off the lace in his shirt cuffs. Nowadays, if you want to sport the cufflink look, it needs to be a French cuff or double cuff shirt. DO NOT POKE A HOLE IN YOUR SINGLE CUFF SHIRT! It will look like hell, and people will notice your fashion faux pas. When you finally own a French cuff shirt, you'll notice all that extra material at the end of the sleeve should touch the middle of your hand. When you fold the flap over the sleeve, it should form a perfect cuff that extends beyond the sleeve of your suit or dinner jacket. Two buttonholes will meet at the outside edge of your cuff. Line the holes up, and slide the cufflink through, securing it so the cufflink design faces away from your body. If you want to make it look like you know what you're doing, only wear cufflinks that match your wristwatch or ring. Since the stainless steel/silver/platinum look is where it's at for the foreseeable future, that's the preferred neutral color for the groom to pick out his groomsmen gifts.

Read more

Gifts for No-Shave November

Shaving kits as groomsmen gifts? Not this month! Today is November 1st, which marks the heralded beginning of a hallowed new man tradition: No-Shave November-or, as the Australians call it, "Mo-vember."* Quite simply, this month means that men everywhere (and a few brave women) will spare the razor in order to grow the longest, burliest facial hair they can to celebrate the incoming winter chill. So, since lather-worthy groomsmen gifts are out of the question, what choices does that leave? Now that your men are growing the full 'stache, maybe groomsmen gifts to make them look a little more Fabio than Fu Manchu are in order. Clearly, the Romance CoverBoy proves girls dig guys with hair, just as long as the rest of them is sweet and sensitive. Of course, your friends also aren't either of those things, but why not help them fake it with a dashing pair of cufflinks as groomsmen gifts? Think about it: every time your guy tries to call attention to his full beard by stroking his chain, these blinging groomsmen gifts will shoot off a distinguished sparkle, adding beauty to your otherwise beastly buddy. But if you want groomsmen gifts to truly embrace your boys' burly status rather than beatify it, nothing goes together better than chin hair and camping trips. Without having to worry about freezing your faces off, you and your buddies can enjoy a fun-filled night of drinking and catching up under the stars, next to a fire you built yourself. Even cavemen didn't have it this good! (Psst, that's because they didn't get these Swiss army knives to play Survivor with. Spring for some multifunctional knives as groomsmen gifts and watch your friends bearded faces light up as you pass them out around the campfire.) Football season themed groomsmen gifts also make a great pick for full-bearded friends. Now that you don't have to worry about wearing a ski mask to keep warm, tailgating, pub crawling, and cheering in the stands becomes a lot more enjoyable. Help your pals stay even warmer by passing out these slick flasks as groomsmen gifts. Score! Last but not least, No-Shave November just wouldn't be the same without a bunch of crazy pictures to commemorate it. Whether your friends look more swarthy Cheech and Chong or full-throttle Rumplestiltskin, pictures and prizes for beard length, bushiness and most innovative design are a must. Give some < a href=" https://branddepot.com/collections/groomstand"> picture frames as groomsmen gifts to save the memories of this male-bonding event- before she comes in December 1st armed with a mach 3 and extra-strength shaving cream. Gulp. *In Australia, "mo" is slang for mustache!

Read more

The Accessories Your Groomsmen Need Right Now

Still racking your brain on what gifts to get for your groomsmen? Keep it simple and get them gifts they can use, whether for your wedding or in your everyday life. Ideal for groomsmen in transition, useful accessories will be appreciated much more than anything that's just going to sit on an end table or take up space when he's trying to move to a new place. Check out these suggestions for the best accessories to give your groomsmen. Cufflinks: Come on, every guy needs a good pair of cufflinks. If you get him a nice monogrammed pair now, you'll be saving him any future confusion when he has to go out and buy some for himself (where do you buy cufflinks anyway, if not online?), plus he'll get extra points for the sophisticate factor of having cufflinks with his initials. Cufflinks and maybe a nice watch are all the jewelry a guy ever needs, so get your groomsmen each a pair and guarantee that they'll look great on your wedding day and on every formal occasion they get dragged to thereafter. A Nice Wallet: He could keep carrying the same battered wallet that he has since he was thirteen, but why not give him a nice new one that he can use for the next decade or so? A wallet is one of those accessories that's eternally manly and so always an acceptable gift, plus it's something they can carry with them all the time (so make sure it's a good one). A Business Card Case: There's just something infinitely cool about having a case for business cards, and it makes any guy who whips one out automatically that much classier. If your groomsmen are businessmen or on the fast track there, ease them into the executive world with gifts of monogrammed business card cases for all them. A Personalized Money Clip: Is a wallet still a little too much responsibility? Vagabond groomsmen will benefit from a money clip to hold their cash together - at least it looks better than a crumpled handful of bills pulled from a jeans pocket. A Pocket Watch: Okay, this one is sort of a last resort when you're at a total loss as to what to get your groomsman. There's a certain type of guy that could get a kick out of a pocket watch, and you might just know him. Don't waste your time and his trying to pass off bar signs or lewd t-shirts as good gifts; go for the big guns and spring for the pocket watch. You know he'll carry it, even if no one else you know will.

Read more

The Perfect Shave For Any Groomsmen

A wedding day is a flurry of preparation. Bridesmaids rush to pedicures, manicures and facials, while the bride and groom may indulge in last minute pampering like massages or acupuncture. And the groomsmen? The groomsmen shine their shoes, splash on cologne, shine their shoes... While it may seem like groomsmen, ironically, do the least grooming rituals of any wedding party member, there is one thing groomsmen can do that makes a big statement on the wedding day, and you can make it easier with fine groomsmen gifts. It's the ritual that separates the rogue from the gentlemen, the debonair from the derelict, and the man from the boy. It's a way of paying respect to an occasion by taking proper care to look presentable. We're talking, of course, about shaving. But not just any shave will do for an occasion such as this. We're talking about the perfect shave. As shaving is arguably the most transforming grooming ritual a man can undergo, it is strange what a laissez faire attitude many men take toward shaving. While that disheveled look may get you by in the day to day, for your friend's wedding day, a groomsmen must have nothing less than a perfect clean shave, to be recorded in posterity in wedding pictures and to complement the uniformity of the wedding party. In other words, a bar of soap and a dull razor just won't do! On the contrary, to achieve a perfect shave, quality shaving products are key. For top-of-the-line quality, try products from The Art of Shaving, whose brochure says their products are "designed specifically for men who are looking for a close and comfortable shave." Also, The Art of Shaving's hypoallergenic tools are made from botanical ingredients, for a shave that's neither irritating to the environment nor your epidermis. Tip: If you're a shaving novice, the non-intimidating The Art of Shaving starter kit is a great beginning, and it's great as groomsmen gifts for your scruffier buddies. But products are only part of the perfect shaving formula. The process is important too! To achieve a perfect shave, begin by ordering your steps. Remember to shave after or during a hot shower and never before. Likewise, always use hot water while shaving in order to soften the hair on your face, open your pores, and cleanse your skin. For a truly perfect shaving primer, use The Art of Shaving's Pre-Shave Oil to prepare the skin and soften the hair follicles. This boosting balm is contained in a compact bottle. No wonder this perfect travel mate was featured in Manhattan Brides' Fall/Winter 2005 "Pack your Bags" section! The next step towards the perfect shave is a rich lather. Products like The Art of Shaving's Shaving Cream or Shaving Soap provide the suds needed for a smooth and clean shave. Unlike foams or gels that contain benzocaine and menthol, these shaving products won't clog pores or cake in your hair follicles. If you're stumped on how to apply our gentlemen's Shaving Soap, just pick up one of our quality Shaving Brushes. This quality brush is made from badger hair and thuja wood, and is guaranteed to boost your lather and soften tough hair follicles. This handy shave stimulator is so popular, it even made Elegant Brides' Fall 2005 "20 Fall Wedding Essentials!" Once you're all lathered up, you're ready to shave! Now's the time to make sure you have a good razor. Art of Shaving's handcrafted razor is our choice for its ergonomic design, lightweight feel, and manageable grasp. This versatile razor can be used with the MACH3 or sensor blades by Gillette. As you begin shaving, be careful not to apply too much pressure on your razor. Shaving should be a soothing and pleasurable experience, and shouldn't induce pain or razor rash. If you see any rash-like symptoms, you are probably pressing too hard. Also, remember to always shave with the grain first (in the direction the hair grows). Shaving against the grain first can cause razor burn and ingrown hairs. For an even smoother shave, lather up again and shave lightly against the grain. If you do accidentally nick yourself, Art of Shaving's Alum Block provides a soothing balm to stop the bleeding. Now that your shave is complete, it is important to moisturize your skin. Both our After Shave Balm and After Shave Gel provide a soothing, restorative sensation to freshly shaved skin. Unlike alcohol-based aftershaves that irritate the skin, our shave gels are alcohol-free and utterly rejuvenating. If ingrown hairs do occur, apply our soothing After Shave Balm before bedtime and post-shaving. And if your skin feels overworked from daily shaving, don't get discouraged! Just apply our invigorating After-Shave Mask! Providing instant relief from shaving woes like razor rash, ingrown hairs, and irritated skin, our After Shave Mask works overtime to boost your skin with rejuvenating nutrients for a complexion that feels fresh, moisturized, and pure. Remember, if you're a novice to the razor: just pick up our all-inclusive shaving set, The Art of Shaving Starter Kit, for yourself and as groomsmen gifts. This set makes shaving an easy four-product process and includes several of the products highlighted here (Pre-Shave Oil, Shaving Cream, Genuine Badger Shaving Brush, and After-Shave Balm) all in one package. Grooms, if you're worried about your guys looking grizzly on the Big Day, our groomsmen shaving starter kit also makes excellent groomsmen gifts. Now that you've got your perfect shave, all you need to do is throw on that groomsmen suit and a splash of your cologne, and you're ready for the big day! With a shave smoother than a Wedding Crasher's pick-up line, there's nothing left to do but honor your buddy and mingle with bridesmaids. Go get 'em groomsmen! Some information provided by: www.theartofshaving.com

Read more