MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Yeah! its Christmas and I am wishing all of you a very merry Christmas. After all the hustling throughout the year this period ushers us into a blissful holiday and eventually a new beginning.  

Celebrity Style Feature - Nobel Igwe

Noble igwe , the stylish and successful entrepreneur is a ''fashion genius.''
Always so impeccably dressed, he is sure a fashion icon in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Looking at his gallery on instagram you will sure agree with me that he lives a very stylish life ,with every post on instagram he makes it clear that he knows how to mix colours, patterns , prints , trends and all the other good stuffs that we like about men's fashion. His fashion style I will say is dapper, edgy, cool and fun.
Guess what guys?
Nobel Igwe is not only a stylish man, he is also a family man! in an interview on BN Making It! he granted some three years ago, he said ''
I believe in family & friendship: family is one thing you can never choose. You cannot choose your parents and you cannot choose your siblings and I strongly believe that God has a purpose for making YOU part of your family. Embrace them, treat them with love and overlook their shortcomings. I love my parents. Our parents brought us to this world and took care of us. It is important to work hard so that we can provide for them in their old age. While we cannot choose our family, we can choose our friends. Wise real friends are essential for support & growth.''

When asked by whootafrica.com on  what he loves the most about his life as an entrepreneur he had this to say '' I think what I love most is that it allows me the flexibility to be in a position that I can respond to this interview on a Wednesday at 3pm by a pool side somewhere in Victoria Island, wearing ripped denim and a t-shirt. I love the fact that I have an amazing team and even though I have not physically met some of them, we still communicate like we’ve known each other all our lives.''

 

Nobel Igwe is one you should certainly follow up on instagram to get a daily dose of fashion inspiration. Until next post, cheers!

 

Photo Credit: www.instagram.com/nobel_igwu

                                                                                                                                                                                 

You and Your Hair

Your hairstyle as a man reflects your personality and effortlessly shows forth who you are, that is why it is necessary to cut your hair the right way .

The key is to look for a hairstyle that will suite your personality and your facial features.

Maintaining the hair is as important as the first step , getting a haircut once a week will definitely work if you cut your hair.

 

Taking proper care of it by washing it with shampoo, and applying conditioner works a great deal. You have got to be careful while choosing hair products.

The pictures above should inspire you to choosing great hairstyles. Cheers!

 

Photo credit :www.therighthairstyles.com ,tumblr

MY ANKARA SHORTS

I have had these Ankara shorts for a while now and I have always loved them due to the fact that are just perfect for the dry season which is just starting, we all know how hot it can get on a really sunny day here in Nigeria.

I love most of all the colours on the fabric, they are not really too much and of course they are really attractive, that is why I decided to go all black with the blazer and the shirt, to allow the shorts speak for itself.

For the accessories I went very minimal with a ring that was gifted to me by my mum  and I have been so attached to it for a while now and a bracelet which is a bond between my sis Glory and I, it was given to me few days before my graduation. So all my accessories were gifted to me by some of my family members, hahaha.

The sneakers are by Zara and I got them here in Calabar.
I had fun shooting the photographs which were taken by fotobass

 

The Blog You should be Reading Now- oparaboy.com

I recently ran into oparaboy and it has been interesting going through the most recent post and all others in the archive. The blog is a men's fashion and lifestyle blog run by James Opara. Articles range from what he wears, to tech/product reviews, music video releases and motivational stuffs, etc.

His style is edgy, fun and one that you can actually incorporate into  your wardrobe or learn from. I personally describe his style as ''simple but classy.''
He uses a familiar and engaging tone while writing which actually makes it feel like you are the only one he is talking to.

He attended the recently concluded HEINEKIN LAGOS FASHION AND DESIGN WEEK where his street style was noted by vogue and featured on its website check here
One must also note the photographic skill on the blog, as he takes his blog shoots to very interesting scenes like the one he did in an art gallery .

In summary oparaboy.com is a blog I will be reading for a long time and I recommend it to anybody who loves fashion.
You can follow him on  +Opara Boy
cheers..

Photo credit: oparaboy.com

How to Rock Coloured Dressed Shoes

 

Coloured dressed shoes are adding more fun to men's dress shoes and it worth of course  to tag along to this awesome revolution. We have seen several patterns and design in the market lately and its good to know how to rock this in casual or formal settings.
Lets take a look at some of the designs and patterns there is right now.

Block-Coloured

The block-coloured designs are the one tone designs ( i.e. having just a single colour all round). They are the easiest look to incorporate because they can be paired with almost any  thing. They are the best for formal outfits especially the derby shoes. The most effective way to incorporate is to offset the brightness of the colour with black or neutral hues in the clothing.

Bi-Coloured

The bi-coloured shoes have two colours properly sited. This works more for smart casual outfits. Toning of the outfit is important to reduce the amount of colours in the outfit. Wearing neutral outfit is the key.

Pattern and Print

This are the most playful in this category showing features like polka dots, camouflage, etc.

 

and some other beautiful prints. Shorts paired with this is a great idea. They show a more relaxed nature so they will definitely work for casual and smart casual outfits.

Contrast Sole

 

This is a huge trend and it  basically has a solid classic colour on top with bright colours at the sole of the shoes. Using a cobalt blazer over bone coloured chino with burnt orange  derbies with a yellow contrast sole will definitely work magic.

A Guide To Wearing Loafers

The loafer is one essential footwear staple that is comfortable and easy to alternate between casual, and smart casual. It also works quite well for suits though not for very official events. It appropriately goes with a casual suit or  blazer.
The loafers have been around since 1930 but bearing the name Aurland Moccasins and it was first created by Nils Gregorriusssons in Norway. It was later in 1930 that the Spaulding family remodelled the design and started calling it loafers and since then they have been in wardrobes of stylish yet sophisticated men.

This guide gives you the various types of loafers and a general tip of wearing them.

                                          

Penny Loafer: This is more classic in nature than others with a leather strap across the top. They are a great match for jeans, chinos or other casual trousers. They got a round moc toe, diamond -shaped slit.

                                              

Tassel loafer: these loafers are often made of still oxblood leather and have been known for their durability, versatility and timelessness. they have tassel at the face.
                                      
Snaffle loafer/ horsebit Loafer: this is the creation of Gucci and it was introduced in 1968. It has a golden strap across the face . This Gucci loafers can be wore with jeans to make it a casual smart outfit and can be worn to impress a lot of people on outings.

Apron Loafer: these have visible edges or stiches just around the toe area. The resulting stitching line gives the impression of the crease between the top of the toe and the bottom

Driving Shoes: these have got grippy rubber grommets rather than the conventional sole . They are very comfortable and are usually worn without socks to leave the shoes at the intended comfort level.

General Tips for wearing Loafers

1. Loafers are meant to be comfortable so get comfortable with them .
2. Socks or no Socks: usually its no socks but fashion has no rule so don't be scared of venturing.
3. Know where to stop because loafers can dress down that outfit that could have been classic.
4. When wearing a suit with your loafer, the most important factor is the length of your trouser leg; the break should be slight at the top of your loafer so that the silhouette appears clean and you can still see the detail of the shoe.

Men's Skin Care for your Face

It is often said that men hardly take care of their faces this is to some extent true because most men are basically on the water to soap plan. You may have a great skin now but to be on the safer plan which is a long lasting flawless skin,the better thing to do is start being more conscious about the face because your face is exposed to all sorts of germs(just imagine how many times you touch your face a day), oil from hair, harsh UV rays just to name a few.

There are a few things you could do and they include:

Wash your face, preferably twice a day, with a good quality cleanser.
Scrub every 2-3 days with a gentle exfoliant  to remove dead skin and grime.
Calm your skin with a balm after you shave to reduce irritation and relax the face.
Moisturise to replenish antioxidants and stop yourself from drying out.
Apply sun screen when going out to prevent burns

photo credit: web

Celebrity Style Feature-Jidenna ( CLASSIC MAN )

From his perfectly fitted suit, to the use of West African fabrics, to the use of fashionable canes-Jidenna is surely a daring fashion icon with impeccable taste.
 His video, '' CLASSIC MAN'' captured the hearts of many including my humble self and also established him as a Fashion god.
His fashion sense is different with a lot of signature styles and also very fresh, that has indeed inspired many men to up their games in dressing up.
You could find on him amazing shirts with round collars and a piece of West  African fabric (Ankara). The use of this fabric in such modern and versatile forms make us (Africans) appreciate our culture the more.
I recently ran into an interview he granted vibe.com( click here for the full scope) where he talks about what influences his style and all the other juicy stuffs. The interview inspired me and I am sure it will inspire you.

 Photo Credit: web

10 Ways to Improve your Life

Life is not as easy as it all seems, we often encounter problems and difficulties and they make life worth living. We should know that no one has a perfect life and no matter how we try to make it perfect it will never be. There is indeed time for everything, there is a time that we will experience the best of luck, happiness, laughter, etc. and we must acknowledge that there are some other times we will experience the exact opposite, we may even become depressed. This is all part of life and it has been designed by nature so it isn't your fault you are not doing as you hoped, YOUR time is certainly coming and its going to be super huge.

We also have to acknowledge that sometimes the problems are caused by ourselves, neglecting some minuet of things can have estranged effects later on in life, things as simple as 'am sorry' can rejuvenate a relationship that would have fallen off the cliff.

We proffer these 10 solutions for  a better life not because they are all magical and healing but because as humans we oftentimes  fail to acknowledge the little things that can make us more happy.

• Perfectionism isn't Human: no human can achieve the status of being a perfectionist so quiet striving to achieve that and get on with your life. In life things do not always happen as they are planned cause the almighty has greater plans for us in this life, there may not be a perfect work so you've got to go on with the job you have. No relationship is perfect also so tolerate your partner and make your relationship work and stop dreaming about a woman that will make you a real man. You can have the best relationship in the world once you acknowledge this very fact.

• You were not born a Failure: because you have failed a couple of times doesn't mean you are a failure, common guy! even the most famous and greatest men in this world have failed a couple of times. What makes you a failure is refusing to acknowledge the success that you are. You have the ability to change your world if only you will just open up your hearts.

• Your Past is your Past: that relationship didn't end so well? its in the past now and you can now move on.  Most of the anger, frustration, misery, and despair in this world come from people clinging to past hurts and problems. The more you turn them over in your mind, the worse you’ll feel and the bigger they’ll look. Don’t try to fight misery. Let go and move on. Do that and you’ve removed just about all its power to hurt you.

 

• Organize your Life: your life is yours and you have the power in your hands to either make or mar it. You can exercise this power by organizing your life. Having schedules for the day, week , month and setting out what you hope to achieve every day is a great way to start. Organization is a great confidence booster, it allows you be the boss that you are, allows you take proper control of your time and energy. It builds above all, meticulousness.

• Life is no competition:  everyone is going through their own challenges, struggles, and setbacks. Comparisons are useless and detrimental to our own self-esteem. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus your energy on being the very best version of yourself. Focus your energy and attention on your own goals and what is required to achieve them. 

• Your Expenses are Important : having a record of the previous day expenses will not only reveal your spending habits but also make you develop self-discipline. Those little changes you have collected when put together over a period of time can  buy something, so gather them.

• The People you Associate with also make you: there are some people who are just born negative and the best you can do is to avoid them before they influence you, thinking and living in a positive environment will help you achieve a lot. People who believe in your visions and dreams are better to be around with.

• Spend time with family and friends: spending a reasonable time with family and friends show that you care about others especially those ones closest to you and this can help in depression too.  Even calling to say hello also builds a relationship that may help you in one way or another.

• Helping others: both Eder and Bisignano encouraged readers to look for individuals they can help every day. This could be anything from sharing kind words to providing small gestures.
  “Return a stranger’s shopping cart to the corral, hold the door open for the person behind you, pick up what the person next to you dropped so she doesn’t have to,” Eder said.
  This is powerful for both the person who gives and the one who receives, because it helps to foster connection and good will, she said. Plus, “many are going through challenging times these days, and a thoughtful deed could make all the difference for someone,” Bisignano said.

  

Choosing the Right Glasses for Your Face

Glasses are one of the most functional accessories meaning that while making you look great they actually have a function-protecting your eyes. For this reason they become a very important and useful tool so shopping for them is a high-stake decision. They can also add to your facial features by complementing them or doing the exact opposite. Finding the right shades is crucial because they are impossible to ignore. Whenever you wear a pair of shades you are making a statement and you've  got to be sure if you are making the right statement at least the one you intend to make. 

 

There are a few things to consider and they include: face shape, style.

What's your face shape like? and which should you be wearing?

These are the few face shapes we have: round, square, heart, and oval and this is how to determine your face shape if you are in doubt.
Trace the outline of your face from a photograph with either a pen or a pencil and a paper placed on top of your face on the photo. Once you have finished tracing take a look at the outline and it will be easy to know your face shape.

Now, for those with round faces this will work best. Frames of softer angles in the brow and jaw lines, rectangular frame styles. They will flatter your face, making it appear slimmer and longer. this frame will also create balance with softer, rounder facial features. Choosing frames that are narrow and rectangular with brows will pull the eye upward creating the illusion of longer face rather than just a round face.

Squared face should go for oval and round frames: A square face shape is angular with a strong horizontal jaw line, square chine and broad forehead .The purpose of the selection is to soften the sharpness, balance the angles and make your face appear longer.

If you have got the heart face then you should try to balance the width of their forehead, need to find frames that are widen at the bottom.

Then if you happen to be oval you are lucky coz you can get on with any frame there is in this world.

Blumenthal said" for eyewear in general, juxtaposition work best: the more angular your features, the rounder your glasses should be and vice versa."
 

Matching Your Tie To Your Shirt

Matching colours can sometimes be confusing to very many people but learning the basics can make it a whole lot easier and less confusing.

To start we have to go back to the colour wheel - hope you still remember that from Junior school.

The colour wheel is a visual representation of shade of colours showing the relationship between similar, complementary and contrasting colours.

The colour wheel is very easy to understand as long as you understand the following:

1. similar colours refer to the sections on either side of the colour in question,

2. complementary colours  are directly opposite the colour in question,

3. contrasting colours are separated by the three sections of the wheel

Now, this is how to use this knowledge.
Complementary colours are harder to match because they appear too much for the eye to bear. The tip here is to vary the shades of the colour e.g. a light blue shirt with a burnt orange tie.
One  of the safest ways to matching is using a plain background especially white because it goes pretty much with any colour and looks comfortable but that will be playing it too safe.

So here is how to colour mix for:

Checked shirts:

 

A checked shirt will need a bigger pattern on the tie to avoid the tie becoming lost in all the line drama. This is not always true especially with a window pane check as it has a wider pattern.
For wider tartan/plaid shirts  you should pick out subtle base tones in your shirt with solid, block- colour  tie.
You should however, note that striped ties are perfectly acceptable to combine with checked shirts.

Stripped shirts :

An interesting tip goes here and it is to vary the orientation of the strips you combine. For example a vertical stripped shirt will go comfortably with a horizontally stripped tie. And the most common is to use plain coloured ties

General Tip

Your tie should be a darker shade to your shirt this helps promote your shirt as well as the tie.

 

Photo credit¬ Web

 

Men's Denim Trend-ripped jeans

Jerry Lorenzo

 

There's been a revolution of denim this year and its obviously the ripped jeans; there are all sorts of cuts and they are the crazy ones too you know? but all in all they are fun .  The distressed jean is simple but yet a stylish look, so keeping it simple will definitely enhance the look.

Adding some basic accessories like a simple necklace can really help.
Distressed jeans really look good when they look old and worn out, so you should consider this tip when purchasing a new one.
Have fun with the look and express your creativity
#fblogger #rippedjeans #fblogger
 

Danshiki

I teamed up with a friend, Inok Edim who is actually commercial model to make this post wearing the timeless African identity clothing ''Danshiki.'' I really love the danshiki ..who doesn't?  mainly because you can comfortably wear it to almost anywhere and everywhere. So we kept it simple  

wore open toe shoes just to show that with danshiki you can never go too simple.
With the danshiki you can go very creative and try out several stuffs, like what Inok has done by folding the sleeves to show more of his arms. Nothing is too risky with a danshiki.
This post is going to be more memorable because it launches the fusion of African designs on the blog..so get ready to see more Ankara inspired looks ..Too  excited sha..