Retro Shoes 101

Before we begin, let's all take a second to glance down and see what exactly we've decided to wear on our feet today. What do you see? Is it time to maybe add a new set of casual sneakers into the rotation? Are the sneakers you have on right now considered retro because you've had them since they were avant-garde & they have since come back into style as "retro"? Maybe you've forgotten how fun a great pair of sneakers really are and you view them as utilitarian at best. Whatever the case, lets take a look at some offerings that seem to have been custom made to compliment a well cuffed jean. Here's a look at 10 of my personal favorites.

10. New Balance Classic U455 is a stylish retro running shoe. The mix of leather & mesh provide this offering the combination of durability & comfort which has been a staple of the New Balance line for years. The low profile design coupled with a good selection of colors make this shoe ideal for sunday casual as well as a great match for a dressed up dark denim jean.

9. KangaROOS Combat is one of the more fun examples of a cool retro sneaker in this list. Available in both suede & nylon (as shown) or with a suede & open mesh. The lines are unremarkable but what does set this shoe apart is the all so nostalgic Kangaroo logo & trademark velcro pocket. Wear this one & expect those of us who grew up in the 80's to take notice.

8. Onitsuka Tiger Rotation 77 by Asics was originally introduce as a volleyball shoe in 1977. The reissued version boasts an all leather construction highlighted with the classic Asics logo & suede toe. Good looking shoe with an identity all of it's own.





7. Converse Star Player 75 Canvas is the first of two offerings by Converse in this list. The Star Player 75 offers the familiar canvas construction but adds a semi padded collar for a more comfortable feel. Nice classic lines with a little flair. I especially like the addition of the star chevron logo.

6. Puma Suede is one of those shoes we've all owned at one point or another or if not, we should have. Classic design & a comely silhouette helps this unassuming shoe become one of the small details that count. A shoe which has not changed much since it's release in 1968 is still putting it's best foot forward after 42 years.

5. Reebok Lifestyle Classic Nylon is one of the more comfortable examples on this list. That aside, it's the versatile style of the Reebok Classic that puts into the top 5. It's called a nylon shoe but has a lot of suede going on which pushes it's style points above other brand's similar offerings.

4. PF Flyers Center Lo Reissue was originally introduced in the 1950's in both Hi & Lo versions. What sets this canvas basketball shoe apart is the ribbed toe & diamond pattern sole as well as nice use of color accents which gives them a unique flair.


3. Nike Air Pegasus '83 SI another nylon and suede running shoe breaking the top 5. This is exactly the type of shoe that Nike built their reputation on. One of the first offerings to use the "Air" cushioning system that has become so widespread today. Classic design & comfort makes these a must have.

2. Adidas Original Superstar Vulc was introduced in 1969. The shoe has a life of it's own & is referred to as the "Shell Toe" by it's many fans. (Myself included) Over the years this shoe has offered one of the more robust selection of colors of any of the shoes on this list and is aesthetically a stunner. All leather construction & origially introduced as a basketball shoe so they offer decent support & comfort. I debated internally for quite a while whether this shoe deserved top honors & I would not be remiss had I elected to do so.

1. Converse Chuck Taylor All Star is what we all think of when we think of a retro sneaker. It's the oldest, most popular basketball shoe sold. (There are three pair in my closet as I write this.)The All Star was originally made in 1917 but it wasn't until 1932 when Converse added Chuck Taylor's name to the ankle patch. Available in both high top & low cut & now also in more colors & variations than you could ever want (though some of them you wouldn't) & immitated more than any other shoe on this list. Original "Chucks" as we have come to know them have not changed since 1949 and for good reason.

images provided by zappos.com

Give a little...

I've taken a little time lately to reflect on the the blessings that life has bestowed upon me. It seems that far too often we as a collective are quick to point out the aspects in which we feel we've been slighted in life. This is especially true of us young, go getter types, in which roles have not been traditionally defined. Let me explain... In a simpler time, we as men, have had a traditional role. We work, we provide, our sacrifices are appreciated as what they are. However, traditional roles have taken a backseat to modern roles, and because of which, our new roles are not so clearly defined. Though learned we are, we sometimes find ourselves confused because now, we compete on equal ground with our significant others in the workplace. (Which is the natural order of things.) But, the basis of the male identity is that which must be appreciated in it's own right. The "atta boy's" that once were commonplace in the "good 'ol boy" world have been replaced with staunch realities which include, but are not limited to, "This could have been done better this way or that..." In a scenario similar to this, we must be able to rely on those those closest to us to fill a void that previously did not exist. The role of the validator. Please correct me if I am wrong or appear to be ranting. Most of us, whether it be in business, service, or industry strive to reach a certain pinnacle. That which we may stand back and take pride in the effort we have put forth & be proud. Hold in our hand, see the bottom line, or go the extra mile & feel that what we have done was worth while, not just a means to a paycheck, but a job well done. I do not praise or persecute society for being this way, more so than point out that sometimes we, as men, need to know from the soles of our feet to the top of our head, that the efforts put forward are meaningful and appreciated. We sometimes need the reassurance of those closest to us, that our efforts are not in vain & do not go unnoticed. We are not the emotionless automatons that we have been dictated to that we must be, & every now & again we feel that we need those closest to us, whether it be man, woman or child, can see the value in the subtle battles and compromises that today's man must struggle through. Furthermore, we, (or at at least, I...) Need to be told.... "Good job, you have done well." So, for those of you reading this, have you done all you can to deserve the kudos of your loved ones? & more importantly, if so, have you shown the appreciation to those whom you love which so desperately deserve to hear so? I seem to think that each and every one of us knows we can benefit with doing a little more of both. ~end rant~

Shaving Tip of the Week

Try to shave after a hot shower. Prolonged exposure to warm water begins to soften the hair. Furthermore, It's a great idea to use a shave brush to apply your lather. The shave brush not only gently exfoliates the skin on your face, it also further prepares you for a closer shave by lifting the hairs.

Business Casual For Dummies

Over the last few years, the face of corporate America has changed drastically. Casual Fridays have become casual everyday & sometimes it's tough for a guy to know exactly what's acceptable & what makes him look like it must be laundry day. Here are a few tips on how to pull off a business casual wardrobe that's easy & works.

-When in doubt?-
Starting a new job or a new position in the same company? First things first, you never want to under dress for the 1st day of any new job, so, err on the side of the conservative. (Same goes for a job interview!) White dress shirt, dark slacks, tie and LACED black shoes are a must.

-Consistency is key-
There may be those people in your office that show up to work like they just rolled out of bed & walked into work. DO NOT become one of these people. If your business casual between Monday & Thursday, why then, would you dress down even further on Friday? Instead of pulling on that pair of jeans & a T-shirt, why not just khakis & a polo shirt? The way you dress influences the way people view you on the job. Stay consistent, you never know who you may run into even on a Friday.

-No-No's-
This category is short & sweet. No Jeans. No T-shirts. No sweats. No baseball caps. No sneakers.

-K.I.S.S.-
Keep It Simple Stupid! No need to pick up that mustard yellow plaid suit set that you saw at the discount store. All that would say is, "I'm trying way too hard." Odds are you have at least most of the things you need for a basic business casual wardrobe already. & if not I'm sure I can steer you toward some basic essentials.

-Men's Essentials:
-Long sleeve dress shirts or button down Oxford style shirts. Avoid loud prints & plaids & stick with either white or blue solids or pinstripes. (Ties are optional.)

-Dress slacks, khaki pants or Dockers, corduroy & wool or linen slacks are all acceptable. Start with black, brown, charcoal grey & khaki. If your starting from scratch pick up at least 3 different colors & change the look up from day to day with different shirt/tie combinations. Again NO jeans!

-Socks MUST match your pants not your shoes. Black socks may be paired with navy blue pants in a pinch. But pick up enough pairs of socks to get you through an entire week of work.

-Shoes pull together an outfit like you cannot believe. Laced dress shoes or oxfords for a more conservative look or loafers for a more casual feel. (Black or brown only guys.)Wing tips are acceptable & add a certain flair to your look. Keep your shoes clean & polished, tattered shoes will spoil your whole look.

-An optional piece that pulls an outfit together really well is a sport coat. if you go this route, stick with a pretty conservative coat. Stay with black, navy or charcoal grey. You can pair any of these with dark colored pants to really complete a look.

~Stay Sharp~

Nancy Boy Signature Shave Cream

Some time back, I became fed up with the lack of quality shaves I was receiving from my electric razor. Although I was getting quick & relatively close shaves, I just never got that "Close as a blade" feeling. That's when I happened across my Dad's old Gillette Sensor & Williams soap. I abandon the electric with no remorse. Little did I know, that my daily shave would eventually become one of the highlights of my day.

Since getting back into the swing of shaving with a razor every morning, my routine & equipment has evolved. I have ditched the old Gillette Sensor & Williams soap & began my search for the best tools I could find. That's when I caught wind of a little shop right here in the San Francisco Bay Area called; Nancy Boy, inc. My sister works nearby & recently picked up a tub of their "Signature Shave Cream". So this morning I put it to the test.

I soaked my brush in hot water while I showered, (As always.) grabbed my trusty shaving bowl & opened up the travel sized tub of cream. The cream seemed light & airy & I immediately smelled the very light, slightly menthol scent. I read the tub for ingredients & found listed; aloe leaf, avocado oil as well as cucumber extract. it has a very pleasant scent (Which includes; lavender, peppermint & rosemary essential oils & bitter orange flower extract) that only smelled better as I began to work the cream into a lather. As I swirled the brush into the cream, the lather burst forth from the bowl the way some of my English shave creams do. Once I had created a proper lather, I began brushing it onto my face & neck. Once again, I absolutely loved the scent & the menthol feeling was very pleasant & not overpoweringly cold.

First pass with the grain & I knew I had found a winner. The cream proved to be a superior product providing excellent cushion & protection while also retaining a great deal of lubricity. My razor effortlessly glided through the two days worth of stubble which I had grown. I wet down my face again & re lathered for pass number two. This time against the grain, although against the grain can be tricky & sometimes impossible for some men, it provides me the closeness that I'm looking for. Once again, I was impressed with the way that the Nancy Boy cream performed. No nicks, no razor burn, a nice scent & pleasant cooling effect when all is said & done.

At the end of the day, it turns out that Nancy Boy Signature Shave Cream is a top notch product that deserves to be in any man's bathroom. There is no reason why I would not compare it to any of the top English creams that I have tried & would have to provide this product with my highest recommendation.

Nancy Boy, Inc.

347 Hayes Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

415.552.3802

http://www.nancyboy.com/

Shaving Tip of the Week

Use an after shave lotion to refresh and tone the skin after shaving. Men with sensitive skin should consider using alcohol free after shave balm. This contains aloe vera, mildly antiseptic witch hazel and a light fragrance.

Shaving Tip of the Week provided by Taylor of Old Bond Street

Hot Under the Colander

There a few of us out there who may be looking for new & exciting ways to impress a girl of which we just started dating. Then again, there are a few of us who just wish to add a new wrinkle to the all too normal routine. Whichever the case, an often overlooked skill which is sure to impress is the Man's ability to dazzle her in the kitchen. There are some of us that feel rather at home in the kitchen, but then again there are those of us who's culinary expertise begins & ends with the words, "Grilled cheese". Fear not, for we must all begin somewhere & for some of you, your journey will begin here.

I believe that those of us who can at least hold our head above water in the kitchen add a certain level of complexity to our game that women seem very intrigued with. Some women might even find that watching their man (or date) showing some proficiency in the kitchen is a sexy experience indeed. Don't believe me? Then maybe you should give it a try & find out for yourself!

Cooking for a women is a great way to invite a girl to your place without seeming like all you have cooking are some bad intentions. Or, for those of us with little ones, it's a great excuse to put the baby to bed an hour early & uncork a bottle of wine. (Which I actually did tonight.) First, get all your shopping done for the nights meal earlier in the day, so that when your date shows up she only has to pull up a chair in the kitchen & keep you company as you turn up the heat on your night. It's a great opportunity to let her talk & a great opportunity for you to listen. You may be surprised at how entertaining the stories of her & her friends can really get. (Especially as she pours herself that second glass of wine.) The fact that your busy getting dinner worked up will keep those awkward 2nd or 3rd date moments from destroying your conversation. Keep her talking while your cooking & you'll be just fine.

No need to get fancy with what's on the menu, but then again, no need for her not to THINK you busted your butt for her. Here's a great dinner that's sure to impress as well as be on the table in less than a half an hour:

Chicken Pesto Linguine

Shopping list:

9oz fresh (or dried) packaged linguine

2ea 6oz boneless skinless chicken breast

7oz pre made pesto sauce of choice

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2oz toasted pine nuts

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

1 generous pinch of kosher salt

4 sprigs of fresh rosemary

2 large eggs

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Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees

Cook pasta as per package instructions until al dente

Heat a cast iron skillet to medium-high

Salt & pepper both sides of the chicken breast

Add 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil to skillet & lay whole sprigs of rosemary on bottom of skillet

Sear chicken on top of rosemary in skillet for 5 minutes per side.

Carefully place entire skillet with chicken into 350 degree oven for 10 minutes

~With 5 minutes left on chicken; heat a large nonstick pan over medium heat.~

Add 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil & crushed red pepper

Add entire 7oz container of pesto sauce & stir to heat

Add in pasta & toss. Crack both eggs into pasta & toss until pasta is completely coated. (1-2 minutes)

Remove chicken & slice into medallions.

Plate pasta & top with toasted pine nuts & then with chicken medallions.

Garnish with small rosemary sprig & serve with crusty bread & bottle of wine. (Chardonnay is easy & works well.)

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Give it a try. I promise she'll be impressed & you just might impress yourself along the way. You can follow it up with a store bought slice of cheesecake for dessert. But, if you played your cards right, dessert might just be, "on her".

~Bon appetite~