Jeans or Dress Pants? What's Best to Wear on Your Night Out?

If your venue is casual, stylish jeans like those from Agave, 34 Heritage or Tommy Bahama might be appropriate. In less casual circumstances, flat-front pants like those from Ballin seem the safest. Sometimes jeans will be too casual, but pants are rarely too formal. Jeans, when worn with a great Bugatchi shirt and sport coat look fantastic. Jeans with a sweatshirt tell a whole different story!

Do You Know What Shoes to Wear?

A man's shoes set him apart from the crowd. Shoes allow you to express your character better than any other article of clothing. For starters, never wear athletic sneakers. Some casual establishments will allow you to get away with trendier sneakers or nice driving mocs like those by Allen Edmonds and Tommy Bahama, but good-looking shoes that seem too casual for a wedding are usually your safest bet. Which feet look better to you?

Do You Know How to Dress for a Night Out?

There are many ways to stand out in a social setting -- not all of them good. Dressing properly and stylishly for a night out can sometimes be challenging. You want to stand out from others for your impeccable style, not because of inappropriate attire. By following a few simple guidelines, you can avoid embarrassment and draw the right kind of attention to yourself. The first bit of advice is to know the atmosphere of your destination. Different establishments have different general atmospheres. You can get away with a T-shirt at Dotte Pub, but is a T-shirt appropriate attire for dinner at Michelangelos or Portofino? Probably not.

From their headquarters in Honolulu, Tori Richard is a resort lifestyle company. Founded in 1956, Tori Richard, Ltd. is still a family business driven by an appreciation of unique fabrications and globally inspired prints. The artwork that informs their textiles is their passion. In each piece of exquisite fabric you'll find a thread with the balance of Kyoto, the mystery of Marrakech, the serenity of Hanalei and the sophistication of St. Tropez. Crafted of such fabrics is their proprietary Cotton Lawn, Silk, custom Jacquards, and flowing Chiffon. These exquisite items feature printed art that is often applied in as many as 18 distinct colors to capture brilliant hues and intricate design. A Tori Richard garment is like no other. It is their legacy and honor to create each exclusive new edition to be a delight to the eye, a pleasure to the skin, and a joy to the spirit. For an "original" Hawaiian print look to Tori Richard - available at Chelsea Menswear & Tuxedos in Wyandotte.

Performance and Style - Redesigned

Ballin was founded in 1946 by Charles (Chic) Balinsky. It's still a family owned and operated business. We like that. The original building has been expanded several times, but it is still home to Ballin's main Canadian production facility. Chic left a legacy of integrity that is still in every pair of Ballin pants today. Many of the team of key executives were trained by and worked directly with him. Chic's son Joseph ran the business through its major expansions including expanding into the U.S. market. It was during that expansion that the business shifted to a higher end product with the introduction of new technologies and a focus on the highest quality. Joseph is still active in the business, and his son Ronald runs much of the company today. The Ballin Classic pant is perfect for the office or those fancier nights on the town. In both traditional and new look designs. The finest European woolens, uncompromising quality and Ballin's ComfortEZE technology combine for a trouser that looks sharp and feels like heaven.

Want to Create an Immediate Impression?

Bugatchi Uomo is a name relatively unknown to the public at large; however, this Boca Raton based designer label has been causing a stir in the fashion world lately. Through the use of bold vivid colors, meticulously sourced fabrics of the finest quality, and most importantly, patterns unlike anything ever seen before, Bugatchi has made quite a name for themselves. The thing about Bugatchi, especially their designer men's shirts, is that they create an immediate impression. Bugatchi shirts are not like anything else available on the market today. The attention to detail, from button to collar and cuff design is simply remarkable.

Exceptional Craftsmanship, Clean Lines, Fine Quality and Classic Design

The idea for Southern Tide was born not on the coast of South Carolina where founder, Allen Stephenson spent his summers, but on a trip to Italy where inspiration was at every turn. From historical architecture and couture clothing to high-performance sports cars, he noticed common threads - exceptional craftsmanship, clean lines, fine quality, and classic design. These elements combined with Allen's heritage became Southern Tide. Their first product, the Skipjack Polo set a new standard in comfort and fit. We engineered the yarn, fabric, fit, and finish to create a modern version of this classic shirt. Since then, Southern Tide has evolved into an entire collection built on the same high standards as the Skipjack Polo. From their original woven sport shirts, to shorts and plaid shirts, they are meticulous when it comes to detail and quality. Their way may not be the most conventional, and may take a little longer, but they want their clothing to make you look and feel your best. Superior fit, classic design and comfort are key elements of our effortless style.

As an independent brick and mortar Michigan business, we are required to charge sales tax and pass that money on to the Michigan Treasury. There's nothing to complain about - - - in part, it's how our state funds all the services it provides. Little things like roads and parks and state cops and EVERYTHING else our state government provides. We don't exactly LIKE it, but it's how things work. Opponents of internet taxation cite the impossibility of managing the countless tax districts throughout the nation, calling that an unfair burden that hurts their ability to run their businesses. They justify the advantage they have over the likes of Chelsea, indifferent to the unfairness that exists to enable THEM. This inappropriate government-granted exemption is a part of their business model, and I submit that it needs to be challenged. But my bigger question is "Why is there no public outcry about the siphoning off of Michigan capital to out-of-state companies that refuse to help us have a prosperous state?" Why is our government not calling for an additional tariff, even, to put the advantage on the side of the businesses that ALSO employ Michigan residents, pay Michigan real estate taxes, utilize the services of countless tiers of Michigan businesses that ALSO employ Michigan residents and so on and so on? Very seriously, it appears to me that far too few are connecting the dots. We're hollowing out the "tree" of Michigan's economy, sending our capital elsewhere, depriving our state of operating funds, and hurting Michigan businesses. All the while, complaining that the economy around here is not so good. When I talk about this, I'm careful to stress that I'm not tasking about supporting Chelsea, per se. I patronize local restaurants wherever I go. I get more satisfaction out of shopping local. I know that my choices are helping each local economy that I spend my money in. It's not a theory, it's not an abstract concept - - - it's VERY real, and it applies each and every time I make a buying choice. Look at this chart, focusing on restaurants and draw your own conclusions. Money spent at independents makes more of a positive impact on the health of Michigan, PERIOD. Better than at any chain store or restaurant, and infinitely better than internet choices. Think about it! More information at www.amiba.net and www.independentwestand.com.

Art and Apparel

Wyandotte Rotary meets each week at the James DeSana Center for the Arts in Wyandotte. At yesterday's meeting, the featured speaker was Dr. Noel Jackson of Trenton, there to speak about the phenomenal organization he established some 14 years ago in Trenton called DYPAC. Mary Zalewski (one of DYPAC's driving forces) was there with him,and together they explained what DYPAC was all about. DYPAC is AWESOME - - I strongly urge support and appreciation for the efforts of this amazing group of people. But he was wearing a Pangborn necktie. Dominic Pangborn is known in the Downriver area in part because of the ties he creates from his art, and that CHELSEA sells (I am pleased that this relationship with Dominic has spanned nearly 25 years). Noel pointed out that of all the ties he wears, nothing generates comment and compliment more than his Pangborn ties. Indeed, they are iconic, instantly recognizable, and beautiful. Noel wore the tie yesterday to emphasize a point: The bar is raised when ART is a bigger part of our lives. The artistic aspects of apparel for men is the issue here, and Noel demonstrated the effortlessness of integrating it into the every day aspects of life. Everyone notices and appreciates the beauty and coolness of a Pangborn tie, but art is applied (or not) through the clothes we wear every single day. Our clothes are an outward representation of how we look at life, what we think of ourselves, how we feel we integrate into the world around us. Dressing like it doesn't matter communicates a LOT, and it's a sad communication. Dressing well communicates pride in one's self, and if you think about it.... those that do so are the real conrtibutors to the community in which we live and work! Art is Life. Enjoy it! Wear it!