Drops of Style: How to Make An Impressive First Impression


981While most of us believe that it is the inner self that matters more than outward apperance, studies has proven otherwise as it relates to First Impression. In fact, an individual is making a first impression based upon that individuals image within 7 seconds . This Impression normally consist of Appearance, Style of Dress, Body Language, and Mannerism. Statistics states that 7 % of a first impression is a individual choice of words, 38 % is the tone of the individual, and 55 % is appearance. So actually, the human race pay more attention on how a person look, rather then what is being said. Whether one likes it or not appearance is the primary aspect of making a good First Impression.

 

Here are some vital keys that can help you make the best first impression:

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DROP OF STYLE: SPLASH OF CLASS

will-jada-smith-3One part of style that tends to be over looked is class. Most people believe swagger is just about being fashionable but in my opinion a person with class has swagger. Class is simply built up on etiquette, style, integrity and confidence. Yes Gentlemen, men can have class too we just carry it out a bit different than the ladies do. Here are some key points on how to develop class.

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DROP OF STYLE: ENHANCE YOUR WARDROBE WITH BOLD COLORS

28f5f64c-7ed0-84f6-064c-320f43ff3e0d-life_fb_Men_ColorsGentlemen.. Lately have you been feeling like your wardrobe is a bit dull or have a lack of flavor? If so, I have the solution to your problem “ ADD BOLD COLORS“. What I mean by BOLD is something bright, colorful, eye-catching, and flashy. Yeah..Yeah.. I hear you, “ BOLD COLORS“? Yes. Wearing bold colors is a symbol of style for guys who care about their appearance and whose wardrobe extends beyond just neutral colors.

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DROP OF STYLE: SHADES FOR ALL SIZES!

ModoHELLO WORLD…Now that we are in what I like to call ”sunglass season”, let’s discuss which sunglasses best suit you. But first there are two important things to consider when shopping for stylish shades: your personal style and your facial structure. First let’s deal with the different types of facial structure. There are quite a few general facial structure: square, round, oval, rectangle, triangle and diamond. Please take a few seconds to identify your facial structure before purchasing the perfect eyewear. This is a basic guideline when shopping for sunglasses according your facial structure:
SQUARE FACE: This facial type has very short, angular features

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FRESH BUT FRUGAL: WHERE SHOULD I GO?

Man_ShoppingThe moment to break loose from three months of wearing dark colors, long sleeves shirts and scarves, what some may consider as fashion jail, is almost among us, Spring! However, just like in the real world, to get out of jail there is a price to pay and I’m here to share how it can be done without paying the bail bondsman a fortune. To my fresh, fashion forward but frugal shopper, the opportunity to get quality but affordable clothing is no longer a figment of the imagination but a reality. Actually it has been a reality for a while and Hennes & Mauritz better know as H&M along with Urban Outfitters are two stores leading the pack in offering trendy fashion at the best prices for women, men, and teens.

It has been within the last decade these two stores hit the scene in America and now everyone is going crazy about them. Although both stores have been in existence, H&M, originally based in Sweden, opened its first US store in New York on 5th Avenue and 51st street in March 2000. There are now 9 additional stores in Manhattan alone. As of January 2009, H&M has at least 169 stores in the United States.  They are also projected to open a location at the Crab Tree Valley Mall in Raleigh, North Carolina. Urban Outfitters, being a American Native, originated as “The Free People’s Store” in 1970 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania now operates more than 140 locations in the United States, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland among many other countries to name.

Whether you are one who desires to accomplish the business casual look, in need of a fit with a designer touch, or looking for a good pair of fitted and/or skinny jeans, both stores are tailored to meet those needs.  H&M clothing company is best known for its fast fashion clothing and their collaboration with major designers to produce exclusive collections. Urban Outfitters can be best described as selling hip, funky, and ironic merchandise.  Their products range from T-shirts emblazoned with the words like “Jive Turkey” or ” Atari” (that old school video game) to prep blazers.

In addition to awesome clothing, both stores carry an array of accessories.  For my ladies who love fun and corky jewelry and for my guys, who are looking for an alternative to wearing watches or carry to much to fit in a wallet, Urban Outfitters and H&M has exactly what you want.  Both stores sell everything from chunky bangles, large stone rings and like nice handbags for the ladies to black, brown, and metal bands/bracelets and to messenger bags for guys.  All items listed start at prices as low as $3.99.

Besides alluring prices, I think one would also appreciate that in spite both stores owning their on retail brands, their clothing isn’t over embellished with logos.

***Side-note: In my opinion logos are signs to let everyone know what and who you are wearing and if over done, can come across as quite thirsty for attention. Please do not think that I’m saying do not wear logos at all, but I would recommend it be kept to a minimum.  To be safe, I would say stick with classic logos such as Ralph Lauren and Lacoste but even those brands can be over done by those who live up to the song “Polo Down”…lol… #butwhy? Shout out to my twitter fam..ha!

***Attention: Men, women appreciate your style just as much as your money.  For this reason, one would rarely see me wearing Express casual wear and comparably this is why I hate seeing my sisters with Baby Phat or House of Dereon symbols splattered across their behinds. Join the movement DOTL (Death of Logos).

The Difference Between the Two

Efficient, trendy and affordable are qualities you can find in both stores but there are differences. According to www.urbanoutfitters.com, Urban Outfitters’ “established ability to understand our customers and connect with them on an emotional level is the reason for our success.” The site goes on to say that “the reason for this success is that our brands… are both compelling and distinct. Each brand chooses a particular customer segment, and once chosen, sets out to create sustainable points of distinction with that segment” and that “the emphasis is on creativity”.  As an avid shopper of Urban Outfitters, I can contest to many of the points made on Urban Outfitters site.  They have so many t-shirts that capture how I feel and turn them into cool trendy quotes or designs.  Urban Outfitters also perfects making clothing that is versatile enough to wear to industry events or to a picnic date with your friend.

H&M speciality lies with their ability to collaborate with fashion designers to offer high fashion looking clothing to the everyday consumers.  A lot of their items have the fitted, sleek, polished, European look. November 2005, the chain launched a collection by Stella McCartney and, in November 2006, by avant-garde Dutch designer Viktor & rolf. H&M launched another collaboration with Madonna in March 2007, designed by the pop-star. I recently purchased a sweater from and H & M that I really love and have received a good amount of compliments about it.

If I had to recommend one store over the other I would say (and the drum roll please) it depends.  After researching and shopping at both, I have an appreciation for each one.  Even though they are very similar in approach, their niches address different aspects of fashion.  All and all, both will help you bring a touch of the expensive mainstream wear in your world without putting a dent into the pocket.

FOR MY G’S TO GENTS

Desert Heat accessories men style comAs the year’s end, I promised myself I would start giving more focus to helping my men succeed at this thing called life.  Part of me doing that is blogging about more topics geared towards my fellow brothers.   Today I decided to help you guys find a mate by sharing part of my weekly readings from “Men’s Health” online.  Below is an excerpt from one of their recent articles titled, “7 Characteristics Women Look for in a Man” written by Nicole Bealand.

Whenever my single friends get the urge to mingle, flirt, and maybe more, we hit the big, noisy bars, where we know we’ll find dozens of men with an agenda similar to ours. But it’s not that easy. We end up ordering cocktails and standing around, scanning a sea of suits. It’s not that we’re shy, we’re just waiting to spot a cutie who we hope will be a little different—a little better—than the rest.

What are we looking for? Not what you might think. Yeah, good hair and an easy smile are eye-catching, but they’re too common to pique our curiosity. Here’s a list of the more rare characteristics that won’t just turn our heads—they’ll also get our butts moving across the room to say hello.

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2010: GET YOUR SWAG/STYLE GAME UP!

fashion-black-menFor my guys who may be fashionably challenged and those who are looking for ways to take their swagg/style to the next level in twenty10, don’t trip because C’Yo has you.

Below are some answers to questions that most men will have to ask on this journey to becoming a disguise man.  The following questions and answers are written by my newest right hand man Esquire Magazine fashion director Nick Sullivan. I use these tips to make sure I’m not just neat but I’m on point or like my old Louisiana people would say “on pernt..ha!”

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