Socks and Other Signs of a Well Dressed Man: A Big Heart

Image courtesy of Essence.com 

A giving and kind heart is the best accessory that a man can have.  Isn't this picture just adorable? 

Socks and Other Signs of a Well Dressed Man: Colored Suits

Image courtesy of Essence.com 

With spring on the horizon and summer around the corner wardrobe color choices are getting more and more vibrant.  Who's to say that this trend can't spread to what is considered one of the most formal pieces of menswear, suits.  Kanye is seen above wearing a red linen suit.  The casual nature of his outfit is emphasized by the black rocker t-shirt he wears and his loose fitting pants.  I'm not sure if a bright red suit would fly in the next board meeting, but as Kanye's indicated it will work perfectly at a concert, party or a night out on the town.

Socks and Other Signs of a Well Dressed Man: Pinky Rings

As I was watching American Gangster this evening, I couldn't help but notice how impeccably dressed the characters in the movie were.  One thing that caught my eye was the jewelry that the men in the movie had on.  In this day in age, we often don't see men wearing any jewelry other than their watches, but I appreciate when a man has put in a little extra effort to find jewelry pieces that show his personality and heightened fashion sense.   Celebs like Jay-Z and Big Boi have been wearing the pinky ring to accentuate their ensembles for years.  I encourage men to take a chance and sport a pinky ring this season.

Image courtesy of theurbangentleman.com 

Jay -Z at the 2009 Grammy's awards show. 

Image courtesy of upscaleswagger.com 

Big Boi at a GQ red carpet event.  

Samuel Clemens would be proud. Tom Sawyer inspired clothing.

Yesterday afternoon I was watching BET's 106th and Park where the cast of Takers was featured.

Chris Brown wore a navy and red plaid blazer with cuffed denim shorts and toffee colored hi-top sneakers. This look channeled the wardrobe choices of some of the familiar characters in Mark Twain's popular coming of age novels, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Perhaps Chris's wardrobe choice indicates that there will be a peak in frontiersmen like dressing?

Image Courtesy of theybf.com

In order to replicate Chris's look,

Try this Ezekiel brand "Reynolds" plaid lightweight jacket from Nordstroms.

Pair it with distressed jeans and a pair of shoes like these Sand color Bally Suede boots from Saks Fifth Avenue and you will have a Mark Twain inspired look in no time!

Socks and Other Signs of a Well Dressed Man: Contrasting Shoes

I was looking through the latest "Star Gazing" pictures on Essence's website, and I came across this picture of Kanye going to Rihanna's concert. The first thing that I noticed were how his shoes contrasted with suit. Women have been successfully adopting this trend for many seasons, but this is one of the first times that I've noticed a man correctly incorporating the not so matchy shoe trend. But, why am I surprised? Kanye is one of the most stylish men. If I were a man, I'd take a note from Kanye and make sure that my shoes didn't match my attire :)

Image Courtesy of Essence.com

Socks and Other Signs of a Well Dressed Man: Jeans

Jeans are an essential in any wardrobe. Not many other items have the ability to be dressed up or down as well as good old denim. Many people may think that only women's jeans can have style and flair, but I'm here to tell you otherwise. Here are a few of my favorite menswear jeans from this season.

These straight leg jeans by Seven for all Mankind are a great wardrobe addition. The iron grey color and fit make them acceptable for casual Fridays and after parties this fall.

Images Courtesy of Saks.com

I'm not a fan of the skinny jean on men, but for those guys that want to venture out and try this trend, look at these light wash destroyed Diesel Thanaz jeans. The leg on these jeans isn't too narrow, and that's what I like about them.

Images Courtesy of saks.com

With a blazer, dress shirt and belt, these Dolce and Gabbana dark wash jeans are perfect for a concert date night!

Images Courtesy of saks.com

Socks and Other Signs of a Well Dressed Man: Cuff Links

I am the cuff link giver. Whenever one of my friends or family members celebrates a milestone in their lives, whether it's graduating from high school or college, or their birthday, they get cuff links from me. Of course I don't give the same person cuff links on more than one occasion, because that would be a bit redundant in the gift giving area. But, that is beside the point that I'm making today. I love cuff links on a French Cuff Shirt. To me, cuff links are a small piece of jewelry that complete the suited look.

Now, in a professional setting, most men would probably stick with traditional pewter and silver colors for their cuff links, but why? Please try golds, colors and other cuff links that really show the personality of the wearer.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Canali Mother of Pearl Cuff Links from Nordstroms. These links are jazzier than the traditional cuff links and they are in one of this fall's it colors, purple.

These Penny Black 40 Fenway Park inspired cuff links also from Nordstrom's are perfect for any Red Sox fan!

These David Donahue sterling silver cuff links, also from Nordstrom's, with a pale blue inlay will go perfectly with a French Cuff shirt and Charcoal Grey suit.

Lastly, Nordstrom's Ravi Ratan 'Stethescope' cuff links would be the best gift for a recent Medical School Graduate or a seasoned physician.