AFRICAN FASHION MAGAZINES ONLINE

Man Up!: 367 Classic Skills for the Modern Guy

From career to relationships and grooming to gaming and more, the guys’ ultimate man-ual for living.

For every guy too intimidated to ask a question for fear of seeming inexperienced and unworldly, here’s a book to answer all (or most!) of life’s pressing quandaries: How do you break off a friendship when it’s not working any longer? What should you cook when a date is coming over for dinner? How do you buy a used car and not get totally taken for a ride? How do you stop a charging dog?

In Man Up!, journalist Paul O’Donnell and his team of knowledgable experts tackle 367 of these tough questions, imparting their advice in short to-the-point answers. Organized thematically, Man Up! is packed with essential advice delivered in prose that is as entertaining to read as it is helpful and clever. The tips run the gamut—from how to mix up a killer punch for a party to how to throw a punch when there is no other way out. Hip, engaging line drawings help to illustrate the advice, providing more than just sight gags. For every young man newly embarking on his independent adult life and for a guy at any age wanting to brush up on his skills, Man Up! is like having a trusted friend helping you along the way—except this friend has all the right answers!

Today's grainy shot is of me aimlessly roaming the Lodge. After a tumbler of toe tingling scotch I crept (and there really isn't a better word for my usual gait) through the building to stretch my legs. The conversation downstairs had centered on mens wristwatches, my noticeable lack of one, and how they differed (if at all) from other status items. Some men collect watches, shoes, bongs, or even scabs, whereas I collect ties. They're easily storable, never a worry about sizing, and no one else ever wears them if they can help it. I had been considering these ideas on my stroll when I remembered my duty to document the day's outfit- and the day was dangerously close to over, so I had better get on with it.

Today's tie is an autumnal wonder: a large embroidered scene of pheasants in a thicket of dead trees. The kind of thing I would have associated with uncles sporting liver spots, who always entered the room in a scent cloud of cigarettes and moth balls. Pheasant is, of course, a traditional British Christmas entree (so, with all European dinners, are cigarettes, and moth balls: France only), so his appearance on seasonal garb is welcomed. How I might, this holiday, fit such culinary exotica into my exclusive diet of pizza is uncertain.

The vest is one of those Target specials I'm so fond of. Boxy but the lack of tailoring is justified by the low price. The trousers are pleated. And on the subject- any argument among about pleated vs plain front mens trou is moot. "Both" is the correct answer. Just not on the same pair. The idea that one is in fashion or out is a ridiculous retailer fantasy. Ignore it.

Tie: Robert Talbott
Shirt: Banana Republic
Vest: Target
Jacket: Banana Republic
Trousers: Berle

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Steve describes himself as “a husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend.” He earned a BSBA from Creighton University and has worked for Mars, Inc. for 23 years. His current title is Vice President for Walmart US/Global. The first thing on his list of hobbies is “giving back”. He also enjoys golf, deep sea fishing, mentoring and boating. Steve says his greatest success is his 28-year marriage to the love of his life, Lori. In his words: “We have been blessed with two healthy/successful children. He says that one of his greatest joys is to help family and friends, following the lesson taught to him early by his grandmother that it’s better to give than to receive. He attributes his own success to a few special mentors in his life, and he hopes that he can give back more than what’s been given to him. So far, he has had the pleasure of being a small part of helping over 40 people realize their potential.

Each year, 75 million baby boomers spend $100 billion on clothes—but you’d never know it to look at them. Alarmed by the fashion faux pas of her fellow fifty-plus peers, style consultant Sherrie Mathieson set out to help them update their personal style yet remain age-appropriate. While her theory is to skip formulas and mix it up, she counsels her boomer brethren to avoid trying too hard (Ladies, what’s worn in Vegas, stays in Vegas; guys, flowered shirts are so Beach Boys).

She presents stylish, contemporary twists to classic looks (a simple, sleekly cut black suit is punched up with stacked silver jewelry; a graphic skirt adds panache to a solid-color sweater set; a pair of men’s khakis is driven out of dullsville with a black linen shirt).

Each page pictures an unfortunate “never cool” ensemble and beside it a “forever cool” rendition. Whether her stuck-in-a-fashion-rut real-life people are sporting sad accessories, underage looks, problem prints, or predictable pieces, Mathieson takes on all of them with kindhearted candor and breathes new life into their attire.

From work attire to special-occasion outfits for evening, the beach, the gym—even the ski slopes!—Sherrie Mathieson has fresh-looking fashion fixes for any boomer who is ready to ramp up his or her clothes savvy.